Quarter Century Duda
One Year Passed

Jakarta, 1997

In human life there is always accompanying and that is time. 24 hours a day, and keep going, keep rolling as if joining human life. Even so with the scroll of time that Tendean has passed for one year. A lot has changed in this year. Anaya who had learned to stand up. With formula milk that is drunk every day, in fact Anaya can grow healthy. Just counting the days, the little one called Aya would be one year old.

While if something has not changed it is certainly a Tendean heart that still feels empty. Not touched even. The man actually spent his time serving the community and also raising his son.

"Ean, in a few days, Aya's gonna have a birthday. Want to celebrate his birthday?" ask the mother to her son.

Tendean shook his head. "No Ma'am .. according to Ean if there is a day that does not need to be commemorated it is the birthday of Aya. Just gather together and pray" he replied.

It felt like Aya's birthday was the most painful day of her life. The day he lost his soul mate. A day that changed the whole life of Tendean and Aya. The man became a widower that day, while Aya became an orphan that day. It is truly a day that does not need to be celebrated according to the Tendean.

"Don't do it, Ean. At least Aya also needs to remember the sweet memories. Maybe that day, you lost your house. However, God gave the most beautiful gift for you is Aya," said Mother Mia.

Fully Bu Mia wants her son to realize that in this life the likes and sorrows alternate. Not as long as men live in the valley of tears. However, not always humans also rejoice in laughter. But everything accompanies man. Likes and sorrows, sad and happy, all join the journey of human life under this ever-shining sun.

"Ean actually thought to invite Aya to pilgrimage to the tomb of her Mother, Ms. .. at least from a small Aya already knew that her Mother was dead. His body is gone, but his love can always be Aya remembered," said Tendean.

Mom nodded her head slowly. "Yes, can. There are times when you bring beautiful days to Aya. Give a beautiful memory. A great child without his mother, must also be happy and have beautiful memories" the mother replied.

Not always a child who does not have a mother must constantly live in grief. Feel different from their friends. However, they can see the world and also see hope more optimistically.

"Yes Mother .. surely, Aya will always be happy even though she does not have a Mother who shares her growth," replied Tendean.

***

A Few Days After ....

Today is Anaya's first birthday. If the first birthday is always celebrated by parents. But not for little Anaya. Sang Oma only made Rice Tumpeng formed cones with complementary menus. While Tendean, the father carried his one-year-old baby.

Mia's mother, Pak Ali, Tendean, and little Aya gathered together. Today is a happy day, but it feels so sad. Even for Mia who felt since morning, her eyes had been sore because they held back crying. Still remember what happened a year ago. Yes, a year ago in this house many people came and gathered, not to rejoice, but to mourn and to mourn.

"Happy birthday, Anaya Darling .. Oma's granddaughter is one year old. Hopefully Anaya healthy always, added grow well. Slowly able to walk, can talk, and also love the Tendean Father well," said Bu Mia who this time her tears really filled.

"Happy birthday, Anaya. Always healthy and smart. We love Aya" said Mr. Ali.

A mother's heart knows very well that Tendean is certainly sad, but Tendean must rise for Anaya. It's been a year too. If only, the late Desy was still there, today it would have been happier.

"Yes Ma'am .. For Aya, Ean will be strong," she replied.

Mia nodded her head. "Must be strong. For your daughter, the most beautiful eyes from Almarhumah," said Bu Mia again.

Tendean also felt his heart wailing, but he did not dare to make much noise. Sometimes the sound actually came out when he was cradling or putting Anaya to sleep. The rest, he had more and more kept everything in his heart.

Towards noon, Tendean invited his parents and little Aya to visit Memorial Park. Now in front of a headstone with a gold ink called Desy Febyanti. Tendean stood in front of the tomb. His hand rubbed the black-colored headstone.

"You have been home for a year, Desy .. today, I am not alone. I'm with my Father, Mother, and our little daughter, Anaya. How are you, Mother? Look, Aya is so pretty and funny. It was as if your face was in Aya's face, a gift God gave me, but He took you from my side."

Tendean muttered in his heart. Even though it has been a year, the suffering is still felt. Even with Ms. Mia and Mr. Ali who are still crying there. His son-in-law is gone, his body may have been united with the ground, the bones are buried there. It was still that day covered in dark clouds.

Ali patted his son's shoulder. "Come, let's send a prayer to Desy. Al-fatihah is together for Almarhumah" he asked.

The three lowered their faces, raised their hands slightly as if they were about to cupper something and began to chant Al-Fatiha's letter to Almarhumah. In addition, there are some prayers also led by Mr. Ali. Sending prayers to the deceased to be kept away from the torment of the grave and the torment of hell, getting mercy from God alone.

Then they took turns to sow flowers in the tomb, then poured rose water.

"Rest in peace, Desy ... Anaya, our daughter will always remember her mother in a beautiful way" Tendean said.

When Tendean said that the wind was blowing, and a white frangipani flower fell upon the man. Tendean smiled, maybe this is the universe's way of greeting him. "Be happy there, Desy," said Tendean with tears in his eyes.

"The strong .. patient is Ean," said Ms. Mia.

"Definitely Ma. For Aya, Ean will always be strong," she replied.

Little Anaya pointed at the tomb as if she wanted to know. "Aya's mother, it's here. Only the body is buried. But Mother is already in heaven." Tendean explained to Anaya while holding her little daughter.

Afterward Tendean wrapped around still holding Anaya, apparently Aya also moved his hand and touched the black headstone there. The little boy by himself brought his face closer to the tombstone. There the three adults were crying. It is true that the little Anaya could feel that the body of her mother was buried there. Tendean also told a little about the Mother to little Anaya.

When the day of birth coincides with the day of loss, a sense of grief in the heart cannot be denied. Feels claustrophobic. However, Tendean tried sincerely and continued to hope to live his days with Anaya.