The Incomplete Love
Bye Malika's …

Hanna and Dicky looked at the agile Malika running here and there in their backyard.

While breastfeeding her third child, Hanna smiled to see Malika running and chasing butterflies.

A month after giving birth, Dicky and Hanna decide to buy a house close to the Lastri residence. The house is not too big but beautiful and can be bought by Dicky. He is now officially an oncology surgeon.

Dicky and Hanna keep a promise not to report Lastri to the police. Even if Hanna's orphanage is fully operational, Lastri will live there with her children. Lastri will help nurture the babies who are entrusted because basically he likes young children.

Mikala was grateful for her decision to be honest even though she still did not want to confess to her mother.

Malika, Maira, and Mirza are engrossed in playing while Lastri and Mikala help get Hanna and Dicky's un-moved belongings removed from the transfer box.

Following Liam's proposal, Hanna finally softened. She was finally able to accept that at the beginning of Malika's life, Lastri was the one who played the role of mother.

Changes in Hanna's attitude and outlook towards Lastri turned out to have an effect on Malika. Especially with the presence of a baby sister that makes Malika want to continue to be close together.

Malika has started to want to call Mama, even though to stay and live with Hanna and Dicky the boy did not want to.

“Mama, sister agi what?” Malika asked in a funny manner.

“Mimic grandson,” replied Hanna gently.

Malika laughs and returns to play with Maira and Mirza chasing butterflies.

Hanna and Lastri agreed to give a time limit until Malika was two years old. Ready or unprepared, Malika will live with her parents. It is expected that in that period Malika's relationship with Hanna and Dicky is getting closer.

From inside Mikala saw her sisters laughing cheerfully. Their house has no yard. Let alone the courtyard, the room alone has none.

“Mika, come play there. Let Mother settle.”

“Not done, Mom. Mika to help Mom aja.”

Lastri's throat was choked. Mika looks more mature than a child her age. When his father died he was only six years old. Mika is an eyewitness who sees her crying every night holding back hunger because their money is not enough to buy food and milk for Mirza who is still a baby.

Mikala only went to school until fourth grade. Although they do not need to pay tuition, but the child chose to help his mother by selling tissue. Sometimes it helps to take care of Mirza if Lastri there is a call to be a laundry worker or cleaning service at the office.

Although not a school, but Mikala diligently came to the traveling library. Or sitting in the courtyard of the mosque listening to ustadz teaching.

Lastri felt very guilty towards Mikala. Because his eldest son sacrificed a lot. Maira and Mirza are still in school, which is what Mikala asked for. His sisters understood the struggle of his mother and brother until they are diligent in learning and achievement.

“Makasi yes, Mika.”

“Create?”

“Udah is a filial child.”

“Mika just runs the message Mr, Mom. To take care of Mom and sisters.”

Lastri ruffled Mikala's curls. That warm interaction did not escape Hanna's observation. The more often he saw Lastri, he was sure if Lastri was the one who took his son from the NICU.

Hanna's sure there's a special reason. A gentle and affectionate pastri for her children including Malika is unlikely to be part of a baby abduction syndicate.

The push for wanting to have Malika also felt it was impossible to see their financial condition that was far below enough. Hanna saw the skinny body of the Lastri children and the shabby clothes from the distribution of used goods.

Hanna repeatedly wanted to buy it but was rejected.

“Do not, Mom. Allow us to work and receive the pay you think you deserve. That alone is enough,” Pastri replied politely and sincerely. Not a made-up attitude.

Hanna is determined to investigate, if the time is right. Now he focuses on making Malika comfortable with a new situation that is not yet understood by one-and-a-half year olds.

“Papaaa, Kika wants a grandchild,” Malika then snatch spoiled on Dicky. The fate of the father of three children was better because Bu Lastri's husband had died so that Malika never felt the presence of the father figure.

Dicky kissed his daughter and took her to the main room. Maira and Mirza doubt whether to follow Malika or keep playing. They know the habit of Malika after full drinking milk is sleep.

“Sit here with Mama,” take Hanna. In order to get Malika to call Mama, she asks Lastri for permission to have Mikala, Maira, and Mirza call her Mama.

Although awkward, the three of them finally agreed. Maira and Mirza sat down.

Rafathar, who is only a few weeks old, is still nursing.

“Malika never nyusu like that,” chirps Mirza plain.

“Ya because the milk is not there, your people are already great as Malika dateng,” said Maira is just as innocent.

With one hand, Hanna poured out four glasses of sweetly made iced tea.

“After you drink, two more please transfer to your Mother and Brother, yes.”

“Good, Mama ..”

Carefully Maira and Mirza brought two glasses of sweet iced tea. Lastri and Mikala drank deliciously because they were thirsty but too hesitant to ask for a drink.

Pastri knocked on the door and entered.

“Bu, things are neat. I take the kids to the stall, I see the spices in the kitchen a lot of run out. Malika looks like a booby again. I'm nitip, uh sorry to mean Malika here aja, yes, Bu.” Lastri's voice sounded choked.

“Thank you, here's the money. Buy food also for Mother and children, yes.” Hanna held out some money.

“Not done, Mom. We will eat at home. I take the one that makes the seasoning. Come, assalamualaykum.”

Before long, from the window Hanna saw Lastri and her children coming out. There was a warmth in seeing them together. Although lacking, do not make them grumble and complain.

Dicky came to pick up Malika who was already gone. He wants them in the main room.

Malika was put to bed next to Rafathar. Not long after, the four of them fell asleep. I don't know how long it took Hanna and Dicky to wake up to hear sobbing.

Malika sat on the front floor of the door. The boy wanted to get out but could not open the door.

“Mother ... Mother ...,” her wish.

“Malika ..” Call Hanna gently and come to her child. Dicky patted Rafathar while watching Malika.

The girl looked at Hanna with teary eyes while pointing at the door.

“Mother .. “ Malika took Hanna and took her to the door. Hanna reflexively carried Malika and opened the door. Unusually, the boy did not rebel.

Hanna went into the kitchen looking for Lastri and her kids. They weren't there. Then while joking and holding Malika, he searched the other rooms.

“Kika, wait for Mom, yes maybe finally go to the market. Kika want mam?”

Malika nodded. Hanna's heart was flowery because this was the first time Malika asked for something on her.

Hanna then sat Malika in the dining chair for toddlers while she prepared rice and chicken soup. Not long before Malika greedily ate fed Hanna.

Dicky comes out of the room holding a newly awakened Rafathar. The four of them were joking around like a small family. They had been waiting for a long time with Malika.

Late in the afternoon, Pastri and his family did not return. Hanna and Dicky bathed their children. Malika plays in the bathroom with Hanna while Dicky bathes Rafathar in the tub. Dad standby is very flexible in taking care of the baby.

At night, Dicky and Hanna start to fret because Lastri hasn't come home yet. They repeatedly called Mikala's phone but there was no answer.

Malika began to ask her mother and her sisters. His eyes kept looking at the door. However, Malika is not fussy.

Dicky looks into the stall but his guards do not feel the arrival of Lastri and the children.

That night for the first time, Malika slept with her biological parents. Although thinking about where Lastri and his family are, it is undeniable that Hanna and Dicky are very happy with Malika in their midst.

That weekend, Aira was staying at Thoriq's house, while Latifah and Fatimah attended a school program at the boarding school.

After Malika and Rafathar sleep, Dicky and Hanna go out to rest on the back porch. There they find a piece of paper and money that Hanna gave to buy kitchen spices.

Dicky and Hanna read the letter Lastri had written to them.

Assalamualinkum,

Mr. Dicky and Ms. Hanna are good, Malika whom we love very much.

Me and the kids are happy. Thank God more and more days, we saw Malika getting closer to the Father and Mother and her brothers. So we decided to release Malika with her biological parents before the time we agreed.

Again, I beg to be forgiven for any foolishness by not returning Malika from the beginning. Yeah, right, I'm the one who took Malika from the NICU …

I had to, Mom. Children need money for school and not every day we can eat. So when a man offered me twenty million, I was tempted. The guy specifically asked me to take the baby to Mom and Dad.

It was easy for me to go in and out of the hospital because it was often called as a substitute cleaning service. I also know the uniform storage.

When that person does not come, I intend to leave Malika. But hearing Malika scream and cry in the empty house, I decided to take care of her because returning to the hospital was impossible. I don't want to go to jail.

Father and Mother, the more days I see the resemblance of Malika with both of you. I'm sure Malika would be better off with both biological parents.

Malika likes to be suddenly hot if long time no see me. Mother pox onion and garlic mixed with telon oil and then massaged on the back and stomach. Malika likes to be sorted, Mom.

Again we say goodbye and please forgive. We will always remember Malika as the child and sister we care about.

Kiss hug for Malika from me, Mikala, Maira, and Mirza. Bye Malika, may you be a good boy and sholihah. We will always love you.

Wassalam,

Lasts

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