My husband's first love
50.Amendment

"Everything because of my fault Abah, I don't know where else to look, but I realize that everything that is happening to me right now is God's punishment for me, a man like me doesn't feel worthy to be the husband of a good woman like himself,"

"I used to neglect to remember God I always put aside my worship, I also still like to drink alcohol when with some of my colleagues, he said, in fact, I often met my ex-boyfriend without my wife's knowledge" Barrack said in a regretful tone.

"If you feel this is God's Punishment for you and you realize it is inappropriate for your good wife, then what do you still expect young people to do?,"

"Deggs.. "

Barrack's chest is like being stabbed by an invisible object, it hurts a lot. His body began to stiffen and a coldness spread throughout his body. Abah's words hit his heart.

"What does Abah mean I should let him go?" Barrack asked and Abah Ali just nodded. "Honestly I love my wife Abah so much, I can't lose her" said Barrack, bowed in lethargy.

"Only for a while, young man, let go while your wife is gone, until you are ready for her, ready to be a good Husband and Father to your Wife and son-to-be, start being a better person. Come near to God, love your wife because of your love for God. Leave everything to Allah, if you are still a match, surely Allah will bring you together in a beautiful way" Abah advised.

"If I miss him what I can do Abah, maybe first if I was sad or thinking about something heavy, he said, my escape to the Club even though I knew it didn't make me feel better" Barrack's words sounded weak and he let out a long sigh.

Abah smiled and patted Barrack on the shoulder at a glance, then he said, "If longing and waiting are hard for you, then be patient in prayer, say his name in the third of your night, since Allah is All-pervading the hearts of men, having a partner is not only about love and longing but as a form of worship to Allah SWT, correct yourself and be patient, Allah knows best for you,"

Barrack nodded and listened solemnly to Abah's advice. He considers all punishment and guidance from God for him, he is grateful God still gives him the opportunity to improve.

"Thank you Abah, thanks to you my mood is calmer and I feel better" Barrack said sincerely and Abah Ali smiled nodding.

"It so happens that tomorrow I have a work holiday, can I stay here to help Abah in the boarding school?"

"Bahh.. Perhaps son, Abah even happy that someone wants to visit this small boarding school, surely the children are very happy with the arrival of new people," Abah smiled brightly and Umi who heard from the kitchen also smiled.

"Thank you for letting me stay Bah, if you may know since when did Abah build this boarding school?"

"This boarding school was built about 45 years ago by my Abah, This cottage we specifically for children who already do not have a father or do not have a mother or children who still have parents but have not cared for their parents, he said, a lot of street kids decided to stay here and we sent them to high school. At least as a basic provision for them to continue college or work, thank God some of them become successful children in their religion and work, Alhamdulillah some of them become successful children in their work, although their work is crowded, they always make time to visit their "sisters" in the cottage who still need attention and affection." Abah told me while glaring.

"So can be called this Pondok Pesantren for orphans huh Bah?" barrack asked and Abah Ali nodded.

"What a noble heart Abah, giving love and all their needs here when Abah is none of them, I pray Abah and Umi healthy always and facilitated in everything,"

"Amelinn.. Yes Robbala'laminn. " said Abah and Umi simultaneously.

Umi Ida walked up to them and invited the two men in front of her to dinner.

"Change dinner is ready, invite nak Barrack to eat with us Bah," said Umi Ida full of gentleness and Abah nodded.

"Let's kid, we eat together, let's say at home, don't worry" Abah Ali told Barrack.

"Okay Abah, thank you,"

The three of them also ate a table together, even though they only ate tofu side dishes, tempeh and egg ceplok not to forget anchovy with ketela leaf vegetables.

(The delicious food version of Mamak Author nih say.. Hihihi😅)

But it makes Barrack eager to eat. At first Barrack ate with a spoon, but Abah told him that eating sambal with his hands was very delicious, and most importantly one of the sunnah of His Majesty Rosulullah.

Barrack is seen enjoying the simple food, eating voraciously and a little hasty because all day he does not taste. The food tasted so good on his tongue, he almost never ate such a simple menu because he was used to eating with a western menu.

"Ahhh yes sorry Umi, the food is very good, I never eat something like this, can I add more Umi?" barrack asked with a grin, while Umi and Abah smiled in a knot.

"Umi guess you didn't like it because our menu is just a makeshift menu, Please Take it son, this is also a lot," said Umi Ida.

"Eat as much as you want, I've said think of it at home" Abah added.

"Thank you Abah" said Barrack, continuing his meal.

***

A few days have passed now that Shafa and his family have moved into a house given by Mr. Henry. Shafa enjoys her pregnancy, Farida begins to learn English to interact with neighbors and Zain begins to work in Mr. Henry's office as her personal assistant.

Shafa begins to accept her new life without her husband, although sometimes she misses him dearly but tries to hide all her longing and sadness. She did not want to make her mother and sister sad.

While Barrack always took the time to visit the boarding house owned by Abah Ali twice a week. He accompanied the little children who had no father and no mother there, pouring out his affection for the affectionate children. With them Barrack can laugh for a moment and be happy.

Barrack also built a play ground for the little ones there, sometimes he played ball with the kids on the field who were in the middle of the boarding house after he came home from work, he even invited Tomy to play ball with them.

Not infrequently Barrack sat daydreaming to think about the news of his wife and future baby, he thought how is his wife? Is he and his future baby healthy? Was his wife happy away from him or felt the same sadness with him? All those questions kept spinning in his brain.

Assistants Tomy, Abah and Umi find it okay to see Barrack like that. But thanks to the kids at Barrack's cottage a little forgot his sadness.

Tomy felt the change his young master, the now more mature Barrack, he was diligent in worship and he never went to the club again. Barrack would rather spend his time with the little kids in the boarding house than doing useless things. Every single thing Tomy always told his great master and of course Jason was very happy to hear his son completely changed.

***

A few months passed but still Barrack could not find Shafa's whereabouts, as if his tracks were lost to the earth. He resigned and surrendered to God, he believes if it is still a match for sure someday will meet also.

That afternoon he and his assistant came to the boarding school as usual. Before he entered from the outside he heard Abah was arguing with someone. Abah's voice was calm and patient while his interlocutor spoke loudly and emotionally.

"I don't want to know, you have to return my Abah's land, otherwise I will sue you, because I am the legal owner of my parents' land certificate!" hardik the man.

"But how do I get him back, Haji? while on the ground it has stood the children's dormitory building." said Abah calmly although in his heart was very agitated.

"It's none of my business, which I want the land to come back to me, even if it has to destroy the building, I don't care!"

"Astaghfirullahalazim says.." Abah and umi beristighfar lirih.

"Sir Haji Hasan please think carefully, do you not feel sorry to see the children in this boarding school? They have no place to live, only here they have a family and also your late Abah who gave the land for the cottage to my late Abah,"

"Enak alone declares.. All of my Abah's inheritance is mine and not to give to anyone else, or it's just your reason for me to give up that land!" haji Hasan said cynically.

"Astaghfirullah's.. Why are you thinking badly of me Mr Haji? I'm just saying the real thing as I see it, I remember the time Abah you proclaimed some of his land for the construction of the cottage. There were only three of us and unfortunately there were no other witnesses, because Abah I initially only asked your Abah opinion for the construction of the boarding school, I remember very well at that time I was already sitting in class 3 MTS,"

"Omong empty! There are not many reasons.I want in the next 3 days the land has returned to flat as before because I want to sell it! If I need to bring a bulldozer to flatten the ground! Not good let alone me, even I do not demand the rental fee for the land that you have used for decades! Assalamualaikum!" said Haji Hasan then passed away leaving Abah and Umi who were still in shock while beristighfar non-stop.

Barrack and Tomy who were still standing outside Abah's house only shook their heads as Haji Hasan walked past them in anger.