The Crack of a Heart
Nothing In The Boutique

Zakaria rubbed her face rough, her eyes had also been reddened since earlier. While Arifa, she releases Sinta's embrace and leaves her parents. Sinta, who was about to pursue Arifa, was immediately pulled by Zachariah.

"Let me do the chasing. Honestly, I don't want us to separate. I still want to fix it. But, if my efforts fail, what can I do. I will obey your will" Zakaria told Sinta before chasing after her daughter.

After the departure of Zakaria and Arifa, Sinta rested her body on the wall of a store that was still closed. He cried, slowly squeezing his body and finally sitting on the floor hugging his knees.

...****************...

In the car, Zakaria drove it casually. Sometimes he glanced at Arifa who had been looking out the window. Seen from the reflection of the car glass, Arifa was crying but still he was resistant.

"If you want to cry, cry, Fa."

Zakaria's words made Arifa feel more tight in the chest. Now her crying could not stand it anymore. Arifa covered her face with both hands while crying until her sobbing was heard by Zechariah.

"Sorry ... Papah apologize, Fa. Papah is not the perfect husband for your mother. Papah is just focused on making money. And ... If you want to know, the last year Papah's business is in crisis. Many investors are breaking away from the Papah company. For some reason, since that happened .. his attitude changed. Frequently going out of the house especially on weekends. And ... six months ago after driving you back to the academy, he left home. Papah met him again. I don't know what he's thinking right now about Papah."

Zachariah's complaint made Arifa's heart full. He knew that a father's struggle was not easy. Moreover, the cost of the academy he took was not cheap. He continued to guess, what exactly happened to his mother?

Not feeling, they have reached home. Before getting out of the car, Arifa looked at the house she was born in. His mind floated in memory of when he was a child, when his parents still looked harmonious.

"Come down, Fa."

Hearing the father's invitation, Arifa gasped and muttered while nodding her head. They got out of the car and went into the house.

Zakaria went straight into the room she used to occupy with Sinta. But Arifa was still looking around her house. One by one the rooms that were there. Then his steps stopped in one room. Arifa went in. The room was used by Sinta for sewing.

I have to find out, what really happened? especially mama.

...****************...

The chirping of Zakaria's pet finch had whistled in this cloudy morning. The splashing of the rest of the rain last night still dripped as if he did not want to stop.

The owner of the room nuanced pink with a blend of white furniture, still comfortable with a blanket that rolls his body up to the limit of the neck. Sometimes he squirms while looking at the wall clock that has shown at 8 am.

Who else if not Arifa. He was surprised to sit on his bed, because he still felt he was in the dorm. To recover her consciousness, Arifa turned around the room. Instantly a sigh calmed his mind that had been tight-fisted.

Instead of going to take a bath, Arifa broke down her body again and rolled her up with a blanket back. Plus the air conditioner that feels cool, making Arifa reluctant to wake up. It was the same as the previous vacation. All he could do was rest his body. He could sleep all day without eating. Because while in the dorm, Arifa is very busy with a myriad of activities.

But just as he closed his eyes again, he suddenly remembered his determination today. The blanket that had been tightly rolled up his body, now he threw just any and then came down from the bed. In a hurry, Arifa went into the bathroom.

It didn't take long, Arifa had finished her bath. He immediately put on his clothes and thin makeup to make it look fresher.

Because he was in a hurry, the room that was still a mess was left alone and chose to leave the room.

"Well, Fa? very tidy. Where you going?" zakaria asked when she saw Arifa who was wearing black toad pants combined with white blouse and black sneakers in the dining room.

"You play, Pah. Find the wind, let's not be bored at home continue," replied Arifa so that Zakaria does not suspect. "Is this all Papah cooking?" ask Arifa later.

"Yes, bi Inah returned home more than three months ago. So, every day Papah cooks himself. Fortunately, if you wash clothes there is a machine and if for ironing .. usually Papah laundry," explained Zakaria while eating breakfast. Arifa smiled faintly. Just this time he saw his papa hard work, not only looking for money, but also concurrently doing homework.

"No, Fa. Papah can't afford to pay for Inah anymore. Yes ... If you go back to the academy, Papah is alone at home. After all, you can still do the work as much as possible."

Arifa was really touched, even she was not exhausted with her mother who could leave her papa at times like this. Looking at Zakaria's face, there were already wrinkles and her hair began to whiten. Actually he wanted to cry, but deliberately detained because he did not want to make Zakaria more sad.

"This is it, starting tomorrow let Rifa help Papah yes. Keep ... Now what's the office business, Pah? is Papah still working?"

"Still ... Papah is still trying to find investors who want to join. Doain ya Fa, hopefully Papah's business can rise again like first."

"Aamiin, Rifa is always the best doain for Papah."

"If so, let's finish the breakfast!" invite Zakaria and Arifa to nod in agreement.

...****************...

The black matic scooter that Arifa was driving had arrived in front of her mama's boutique. He took off his helmet and put it in one of the rearview mirrors.

The store looked crowded, even the parking lot was almost full. Most customers who come young couples with happy faces.

Out of curiosity, Arifa went into the boutique. Sure enough, the employees are busy with their respective customers. However, Arifa did not see her mama's existence there. Then he approached one of the officers who was standing behind the cashier's desk.

"Eh, Arifa .. tumben to the boutique," greeted the Penitent with a lip-smiled smile which she polishes red blushing lipstick.

"Yes, Ms Penis .. hehe ... Oh yeah, my mom isn't there?" asked Arifa while returning Peny's matchless smile.

"Not yet, Fa. Usually, the mother comes out of lunch if there is no appointment with the customer."

"Oh yes, Ma'am. Hmm ... but Mpa Penyang know where mamah now live?" arifa asked while whispering with a little closer to her ear.

"Aaaaah! don't you go home, Fa?" Peny asked back to Arifa in a slightly loud voice. Arifa was surprised.

"Hussss, slow down, Ma'am talking!" sahut Arifa who felt anxious. He put his right index finger on his lips, telling Peny not to be noisy.

"Sorry, sorry, Fa .. I don't know, Fa. I'm just an officer here. Even though I'm a bar-bar, I'm not a typical person who would interfere in people's affairs."

Arifa sighed and said, "yes, ma'am. If so .. I go first."

"Yes, Fa. Be careful on the road. Don't speed it up!"

"Ready! bye Pestie Bainang's mother."

"Bye, Arifa Quantiek."

Arifa laughed as she walked towards the exit. And when he opened the door, just as Sinta was about to enter the boutique.

"Momah ... "

...Connect ......