NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#93
The night began to grow late. Sulastri who could not sleep tonight chose to go out and sit on the porch of the house. After a few hours he was busy checking some notes related to the pearl harvest preparation report, he could not sleep even though he was sleepy.
A cup of warm tea that he made himself in his drink while enjoying the quiet atmosphere. The lights on the porch of the house he turned off. Also the lights on the side of the house. He wants to enjoy tonight in a dim atmosphere.
Sulastri directed his gaze to the guard post. Slender. Mr. Bayan and Mr. Ahmad may have gone to bed. There was no visible cigarette smoke billowing, nor the sound of music as usual. The sound of crickets and frogs is heard occasionally boisterous like playing typical night music.
Sulastri. It was like hearing footsteps from the side. The voice came closer and closer, but it suddenly came to a halt and could no longer be heard.
"Mustarah sir." Sulastri tried to call. There's no answer. The mood was silent again.
Behind the grove of ornamental plants beside the house, Nurul was silent looking at Sulastri who now set his gaze right towards the grove where he stood. Moving just a little, Sulastri would definitely see it. He would be embarrassed if Sulastri caught him hiding there.
Nurul nodded slowly. He had not been able to close his eyes. There was something he wanted to talk to Sulastri about. And when Bagas was asleep, he ventured out. He wanted to convey something that stuck in his heart to Sulastri. But he still doubts. He was afraid that his estimate would miss and would only embarrass himself.
Nurul squeezed his nose hard. I don't know why he suddenly wanted to sneeze. Nurul's panicked. The snoring is no longer held back.
Haccs!
Sulastri frowned. He saw something moving in the grove of ornamental plants. Nurul grimaced shut his eyes. He felt very ashamed. Sulastri will finally know of his whereabouts.
Nurul slowly came out from the grass. Still with your head down.
"Who is it" Sulastri said. Nurul did not answer. He continued to walk towards Sulastri. Sulastri frowned when he knew the person in front of him was Nurul.
"Nurain?"
Nurul smile. She was ashamed to lift her face.
"Yes, Allah, Nurul. Why hide there. Where are you going?" sulastri. He got up and invited Nurul to sit next to him.
"You hungry?" ask Sulastri. He tried to guess. In such a state of old pregnancy, Nurul must be hungry quickly.
Nurul.
"Let's say, don't be shy. Consider this your home and consider me your brother" Sulastri said. Nurul blushed in embarrassment.
"Or are you thinking about the cost of labor?, or...., where you live, perhaps,"
Nurul did not answer. In front of Sulastri he was completely stiff. Throat's choked. Especially when Sulastri does not give him a chance to think because he continues to guess the purpose of his arrival tonight.
"If those problems are what you're thinking about. You just calm down. You've got alimony from the company for the cost of childbirth."Sulastri rubbed Nurul's back.
"As far as the place of residence is concerned, you guys have agreed to help me take care of the orphanage. You can stay there as long as you want. So, don't burden your mind. If you are already in this house, then you are already part of our extended family" Sulastri continued.
"Thank you, Brother. Very good brother" said Nurul. Sulastri smiled. The mood momentarily returned silent. No more words came out of their mouths. They both waited. Nurul mendehem expelled the phlegm at the end of his throat.
"Related with Bagas's move?" Nurul's hoarse voice broke the silence. Sulastri smiled.
"That's nothing to think about anymore. I made sure Bagas would move to work here. He will be playing with employees from Bima who have long worked in Segui. You don't have to worry about that. The important thing is to keep reminding your husband to work as much as possible. Who knows, later it can be promoted even more if the performance is good," said Sulastri. Nurul nodded her head.
"Actually, that's not what I want to talk about, sister," Nurul said. Sulastri. He scrunched his forehead. His eyes were half-pinched. Trying to find out what else is the problem of Nurul. He began to think no-no about the possibility of Nurul being in trouble with Bagas. Or maybe Bagas is acting and this has something to do with him. Has Bagas not changed yet? Batin Sulastri's.
Sulastri was still waiting for Nurul to speak. This time he had to wait without asking first. He looked at Nurul's face for a moment. Nurul's innocent face reminded him of her when she first married Bagas. He could estimate Nurul's age to be around his twenties. But Nurul's maternal face covered her true age. Sulastri sighed and leaned his back on the back of the chair. With that maybe Nurul is more free to tell stories.
"Sister of promise yes. Brother will not be angry," Nurul said suddenly. Sulastri smiled nodding his head. He improved his sitting position and was like he was ready to hear Nurul's story.
"This is actually related to Bagas" Nurul said. Sulastri. His guess about the occurrence of problems in their household may be right.
"I know you've split up." Sulastri's heart pounded as Nurul continued his words. He began to believe, this also had something to do with him.
"I've told Bagas many times to get married again." Nurul took a long breath. He looked up at Sulastri's face. Sulastri smiled. Trying to keep showing his attention to hear Nurul's talk.
" I used to love you, brother. This might sound stupid. Brother must also think I'm sok alim. But frankly, I also include women who agree with polygamy for several reasons. That's what I told Brother Bagas. I just want Bagas to survive zina when there is a time when I cannot serve his inner needs" Nurul said at length in an intermittent voice. Sulastri still faithfully listened. He did not respond to Nurul's words. It seems, there is still a lot to be said by Nurul. He only saw the innocent face of Nurul when telling stories.
Nurul moved his hand slowly and held Sulastri's hand. Sulastri smiled.
"Sister, I know Brother Bagas still loves Brother. I also know, Brother still loves Brother Bagas. I'm sincere if Brother Bagas remarries with Brother."
Nurul's words surprised Sulastri. He let go of Nurul's hand. Sulastri wanted to get angry at Nurul's words. But he soon realized. As a good host, he did not want to make Nurul ashamed. He sighed and smiled. He grabbed Nurul's hand and held it tightly.
"Bagas is my ex-husband. We've been divorced. Our current relationship is only father and mother to our children. I am currently the wife of Mr. Yulian Wibowo even though he has died. I want to be a faithful wife. Although with what I have now I can get a husband who may be better than Bagas, but I will not do it. I want to remain faithful to be Mr. Yulian's wife, in the world and the hereafter."
Nurul lowered his head. Sulastri looked at her in.*******Nurul's plan as if she was expressing her disappointment. What Nurul said may be true. He sincerely offered Bagas to remarry, but his sense of belonging to Bagas was lost by his hope of being reunited with Yulian Wibowo in the afterlife. She will never marry again. She wanted to die remaining in her status as Yulian Wibowo's wife.
"Have, don't think no. I think you've been trying to be a godly wife to your husband. Polygamy is recommended in some ways. But the Qur'an as our religious guide, still promotes justice for people who want polygamy. If you are afraid of not being able to do justice, then Islam emphasizes just one" Sulastri said. Nurul nodded her head.
"You too, can't just get your husband married again. Your life as a first wife should be prosperous first. Do not get between honey quarrels just because the distribution of money is not much. The intention of seeking the pleasure of God eventually became futile because of the hostility between his fellow wives" Sulastri said.
Nurul was embarrassed. It turned out that what was on his mind all this time was wrong. Highlight the eyes of Sulastri when first introduced Bagas to him while in the rented house first, maybe not the look of hope to return with Bagas. It was possible that Sulastri was tired. Often what appears on the outside deceives us.
Sulastri checked his watch. He was so shocked when the clock showed at 2 p.m. I don't feel like time is rolling so fast. For three hours he sat on the porch.
"Nurul, it's two o'clock. You better go back to your room. Remember, you are pregnant now. Take care of your health so that the baby in your stomach is also healthy. And one more thing, don't overload your mind with something that's only in your imagination."
Sulastri rose up in the follow Nurul.
"Sister, I'm sorry if I was presumptuous to tell Brother everything. I was really embarrassed" Nurul said. Sulastri held onto Nurul's shoulder and patted him slowly.
"It's okay. I'm always ready to be your confiding friend if I have time. Now, go to your room" Sulastri said. He then drove Nurul to the side of the house. He looked at Nurul until Nurul went into his room.
The night is getting late. Nature mute. Like dissolving in remembrance and long prayer beads praising his Lord.
Nun's far away. In a small room. Behind the bars. Rianti looks solemn' started his night prayer, while the prison dwellers sleep soundly. Cold air that pierced in a narrow room without heating, did not discourage the intention of Rianti spent the night by repenting his past actions. The peace he felt when he chose to return to his religious path, made him not want to spend a second for things that he thought were in vain.