ONE LOVE, TWO CONTINENTS
The Tear Relay
Like being stung by lightning, the body droops erratically. Tears must fall back. Not yet risen the dawn to show its nanar, not yet heard the chirping of birds singing welcome morning and still wet dew dripping on the leaves.
The melodious voice of the morning Adhan reverberated, sending the departure of loved ones, parents and friends. A generous ‘alim, now closed his age already.
“It turns out this is what Pak Haji Arsyad meant, he wanted to hear the dawn adhan staying on top of the mosque tower that just stood up which for the last time.”
After dawn prayers, Ustadz Yahya announced the death of Hajj Arsyad. So heartbreaking. Ustadz Yahya could not announce the departure of Hajj Arsyad forever. Unknowingly, her tears dripped down her white turban. The pilgrims were so solemn to deliver Umul Kitab which is devoted to the late Hajj Arsyad and after asking for prayers for him, the pilgrims flock to go to the residence of Hajj Arsyad, Syahrel also participated.
“Propay Yes Zahra.”
“Insya Allah sis.”
Zahra's eyes look puffy while chanting Syurotul Yasin on the side of Haji Arsyad's corpse. He read it with a voice mixed with cries that are still stored. Though today, the happy day awaited the sholeha girl, after years of spending her for college. Initially this girl hopes both parents can attend the embedding of her graduation, especially Zahra want to make proud abah and Ummi, because Zahra is the best graduate of the year. But he cannot resist the destiny and mystery of life that God has outlined, but there must be wisdom that we do not know.
Zahra was worried about choosing between attending the funeral or attending the graduation ceremony. But this is the beginning of his career milestone that he must choose for the sake of his ideals, willing to see his only daughter become a person who is useful for religion, family and nation. Like the expectations of parents in general.
“Change, sorry Zahra who can not take you to the navel. It is not for Zahra's personal reasons that compel, but this Zahra does for the hope and ideals abah.. Sorry Zahra!” The girl whispered in the ears of her late brother, who, though only a corpse, whispered to the corpse, represented the girl's sadness.
“Goodbye, may the good deeds be received by the side of God who keeps his faithful servant" before he leaves the body, and, a warm peck on Zahra's forehead and cheeks give to her loved ones. Although the mind screams, but he does not want to be dissolved in sadness, he also realizes there is an encounter there must be a separation.
Still recorded the sound of crying Zahra is still thick in the ear, now Syahrel is more unexpected, Dita was present in the midst of the grief of the large family Haji Arsyad, and the extended family of Pak Anggoro. Their presence is reasonable, because Haji Arsyad is a prominent public figure, not only because of material wealth, but also rich with a pier of the heart that is so polite to the weak. But things changed slightly, a cynical and cold look was seen in the eyes of the former representative, when he saw the face of Syahrel joined the rescuers.
Another thing with Dita, he stole the opportunity to be able to talk to Syahrel. When Papa was busy with greeting people who knew him, at that time Dita slipped in the crowd.
“Shahrel...Rel…..Syahrel” In a low voice Dita called Syahrel and she turned her head, and followed
the girl led him away from the crowd.
“Syahrel, I was told by papa to come with him to Germany. Until the deadline that I did not know”, Dita gave a handkerchief of hers, not as an eye cendra, but rubbed the tear points that still imprint on the face and eyelids.
“Thank you.”
“Save it, let you remember. That you once knew a girl named Dita.”
Syahrel kept the handkerchief in his pants pocket.
“Previous of your graduation later.”
“Ah, it is also thanks to you I can finish my final task.”
“Rel, I'll book with you. Women not only need the word love and love, but the stability of life from their partners also support the dignity of men in the eyes of everyone. Do not make the words of the past papa as rubbish speech, but make the motivation of life for you, that it is not a treasure that makes people lookable, but rich hearts also affect all. I want you to show my parents, and people in general. That a Shahrel is capable of being one that all can be proud of. You see how Mr. Haji, make him an example.”
Mas Sukir approached him.
“Shortly Mas.”
“You guys, clench your hands and strengthen your firecrackers when on foot. Then give me the morning sun. Hopefully you understand that, because I know you are a writer.”
“And one thing, reach the world at the end of the hostess Rail," Dita disappears in the hustle of
still packed the residence of Haji Arsyad.
Syahrel returned to the side of the corpse, the chant of the Quran’an verse so softly he read it eloquently. As soon as he lived from every verse, so he seduced everyone who heard, so skillfully he recited the verses. At exactly twelve in the afternoon, the body will be buried.
ooo oo
Not with Zahra, he cried when his name was called as the best graduate of the medical faculty, not because he was proud to be the best, but the introduction of prayers and condolences spoken by the ranks of the rector, deans and lecturers, breaking the atmosphere mixed with joy and sorrow. No one accompanied the girl when she received the award.
“That's why, I give this award to you, " said Zahra as she flinched behind a smile
tucked sorrow.
“Zahra I'm sorry, may you be steadfast”, this greeting alternately came from friends and some lecturers.
Zahra also almost did not believe that his brother was gone, only last night he saw that he was still able to talk with Syahrel, his health condition had improved. But after the Adhan Subuh, he was unable to speak, his eyes closed tightly and his lips locked tightly.
These are the moments Zahra has been waiting for. Yes, when all guardians and parents witness their child being graduated, he is alone without a guardian attending. But it does not make the girl who is a few days old even twenty-two years old dissolve in sadness.
After the event, Zahra did not immediately go home, he stopped for a while at the Hajj Asyad navel. Under the frangipani tree, the body of the abah is now lying down, there are no friends and gentle taulan, no luxurious facilities, only a shroud and seven earthen bongkah as the place to lean. Still wet the ground with rose water, yet withered flowers on it, so beautiful rangakian martial flowers stood on the side of the navel. Zahra's face was bowed, the gravestone in her wash.
“Alba, Zahra has finished college. Thank God Zahra is the best graduate, just waiting
office placement. He wants Zahra, brother present at Zahra graduation today. But Zahra could do nothing, God's provision had come to abah. Zahra could not accompany the abah, but Zahra's prayer would reach the ears of the abah and Zahra's promise would always carry out all the advice of the abah while still alive, and Zahra's prayer would always accompany the solitude of the abah. Now only God determines the course of our lives. Hopefully, worship and the value of kindness you get the right reward in front of Him, amien. Abah, Zahra went home first yes. Assalamu’alaikum," a tearful detail accompanied the prayer that Zahra said.
The sun had appeared to duck in the contest, with its bright hue of light, the caged birds were flocking back to the cage. In front of the house of the late Haji Arsyad still seen some neighbors and relatives who are still preparing tahlilan for the first night, until later the seventh night.
The yellow flag is still tied to the poles all the way to the house of the late Haji Arsyad. At first glance, some people still do not or do not believe in the death of Hajj Ashad. After coming home from the hospital, he looked healthy. But there are also those who comment, all is indeed the destiny of God.
After cleansing the body, Zahra prepares some needs for tahlilan. Several study mothers and neighbors helped the Arsyad Hajj family. Ummi was able to accept this fact, that there was a meeting there must be a separation.