The Imperfect Story
Chapter 15

Indeed, God replaces something lost with a good. Although not entirely the pain is gone, at least we are not sad to overdo it.

***

The sound of dawn awakened two mothers and children who had just fallen asleep for a few hours. After that they together perform dawn worship with khushu'.

"Zayn, you want a vacation today?" ask Kia while folding her mukena and prayer mats.

"Now, Ma. Zayn has not been on vacation with Mama for a long time." said Zayn enthusiastically, the corner of his lips formed an arch.

"What if we go to the beach?" tanya Kia and nods by Zayn.

"Take it! We're vacationing!" zayn said then ran around the area of the room while shouting hurrah.

"Yes, let's get ready, honey. We're leaving this morning. Mama wants to take Mbak Asih first let us have a holiday with three of her." said Kia while stepping into the kitchen where Mbak Asih usually spend time in the morning every day.

"Mbak Asih, have you finished cooking?" ask Kia after arriving at the kitchen.

"Already, Miss Kia. Do you want breakfast now?" Maak Asih offered.

"Bread it this morning, Ma'am. The cuisine put in place, yeah. We're going on vacation today. So, Maak Asih get ready too, after that we leave." explained Kia.

"Well, did I take it seriously, Mom?" ask Mbak Asih to make sure again.

"Seriously, if I'm not serious, I'm going straight away, don't need to tell you where to go, right?" Kia rolled her eyes.

"Sorry, Miss Kia. I'm too happy about it. Yes, I'm ready first. Excuse me, Miss Kia." said Mbak Asih to his room to pack.

After a few dozen minutes, Zayn and Mbak Asih have been carrying a large backpack and look also the backpack is fully filled because the shape protrudes forward.

"Gee, a lot of her luggage. We don't sleep on the beach 'loh." ledek Kia with a little laugh.

"Here, Miss Kia. I want to swim there, so bring a change of clothes."

"Zayn wants to swim, too, Ma."

"Yes, we're leaving now. Afraid of bad luck, less satisfied later play the water."

On the way, Kia and the two people who followed her did not stop to comment on the smile. Zayn who some days are moody, now it's like getting the spirit back to get through his day.

Along the way they sang together, occasionally joking because Zayn started it, to the extent that Mbak Asih forgot about himself who was only a Household Assistant. Meeting a good employer is a gift for him.

After climbing the mountain through the valley, the river flows beautifully into the ocean, with adventurous friends. They finally arrived at their destination.

Entering the welcome gate on the destination beach, a row of towering cypress trees seemed to welcome their arrival. Even the sound of waves was heard from there.

Finished parking the car, Zayn immediately went down with Mbak Asih to the beach, without lingering, they both directly touched the water and both pointed at each other.

Zaskia's beautiful eyes closed for a moment, feeling the pain due to the wounds scratched a few days is still so painful. However, all the wounds seemed to start to dry up and heal when he heard the happy laughter of the boy who loved him so much.

Sitting on the sand, the woman spilled her elbows on her knees with a straight look forward while looking at the view of the blue sea in front of her. The sunny weather, wind blowing and the environment is still quiet make the holiday as if to be perfect.

The woman turned her gaze to the source of the voice, a little surprised but she endured and gave a sincere smile.

"Hi, long time no see, Rey." Kia's greeting to the man, Reyhan.

"Yes, it's been seven years that we haven't met." he said as he opened his hat and glared away at the blue sky.

"Where have you been all this time?" kia asked and positioned her body towards Reyhan.

"I live abroad. Anyway, I don't have anyone here. I have been back to Indonesia for a week. I also did not expect to meet you here." said Rey flatly.

"There's something I want to ask you" Kia said.

"Yes, just ask. I will answer." Reyhan said as he began to gather sand in front of him making a high mound.

"How is your relationship with Vita now? Why is it that every time I ask her, she gets angry for no reason." Kia said without turning her eyes to Reyhan.

"We've been separated for seven years. Since he decided on me, I chose to move out of the country." he said softly while looking down.

"What exactly is going on, don't you love each other?" ask Kia again.

"I don't understand either, Kia. Before we split up, he started to change. We rarely met, until one day Vita invited me to meet. He was being escorted by a man, but I couldn't see what his face looked like from a distance. It was also then that she asked to end our relationship." Reyhan explained with a wry smile.

"Have you figured out what the problem is?" ask Kia.

"Yes, even though I chose to recant, but I came back to ask for an explanation." Rey said.

"Oh, why isn't Ismail on vacation?" keep Rey diverting.

"He will never come with me." said Kia with a heavy sigh.

"Why? Isn't vacationing with family everyone's dream?" Rey seemed to be fishing for a discussion.

"That's never gonna happen, because we're not together." Kia stared at the flock of birds in the blue sky that flew together here and there.

"Even birds like freedom, let alone humans who always feel depressed" he continued with a flat face.

"I'm sorry, Kia. I really don't know about this." Rey said regretfully.

"It's okay, Rey. I'm used to this question. Even he has announced the news of this farewell to social media. So I guess you're the last person to know this." Kia chuckled while holding Reyhan's shoulder.

Reyhan looked into Kia's eyes. A sad aura was indeed emanating clearly in his eyes. As strong as this woman is, there will be things that can make her fragile.

Rey's hand began to rise and touch Zaskia's head. The slow rubbing in each mane of her hair made Kia stunned for a moment. Calm it feels, only the first time someone channeled a warm feeling for him.

"I know, you're a strong woman. But don't hold it yourself. You can use my shoulder as a place to lean on." Reyhan's speech made Kia's beautiful eyes start to pool and spill back.

"Thank you, Rey. Your presence makes me feel calm" Kia said as she rested her head on Reyhan's shoulder.

"I know what it's like to be left behind, Kia. It's very difficult to be okay." he said by putting his head on Kia's head.