The Incomplete Love
There's still Devan

In the ever-cold, windy air of London, Qiara sat in front of Devan's headstone.

This was his routine after Devan died. After driving Zee to school, Qiara would sit for a few hours while reading Qur’an.

His mind rewires the good memories with Devan. Until tears drip.

“Good morning,” greet a mossy woman older than Qiara.

“Oh hi, good morning,” reply Qiara while rubbing both cheeks.

“I've often seen you sitting here. Husband?”

“Love of my life ..”

“I can see that, introduce my name Judith.”

“Qiara, nice to meet you, please sit down.” Qiara shifted to give Judith a place to sit next to him.

“Suami?” Ask Qiara.

Judith shook her head, “My only son.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh no, no ..don’t be. It’s mean to be. My son has a rare disorder. God gave him twenty years before he left. Heavy indeed, but I thought, it would be selfish to expect him to live on the support of medical devices and dozens of pills that he had to take every day.”

Judith pulled out her wallet, showing a photo.

“Clementine Andrews and this is my husband Oliver Andrews. We are like three friends. With a special needs child, our life is not easy, but beautiful.”

“Your husband?”

“Died last year, because old. He asked to be cremated knowing that I would come to his grave every day, like you.”

Qiara's gaze glared far away.

“It is difficult to get rid of this sadness. Real hard. Sometimes I still hear his voice, still waiting for him to enter from the front door with a big smile and his warm eyes look at me longing.”

“I know ... My world collapsed when Oliver left,” he said softly.

“I know Devan doesn't want this. He told me I should be happy. How can I be happy while the source of my happiness is gone. The morning when I wake up, I want it to feel so that the night will soon arrive until I can dream of it.”

“Motion.”

“You mean?”

“Move, look for busyness that makes you forget sadness. Not forgetting your husband, but continuous sadness is not good for your soul. You may have heard this advice a hundred times. But that's the only way out, dear.”

“When I prepared my son's marriage it was a little amused, but now when it was time to count the days, this unbearable longing appeared again.”

“Then, move. Learn something you never thought of, or teach others about something you can. Socialize, anything that gets your body and mind moving. Then every morning say ‘I will fill my day with happiness and benefits for others’. Every day.”

“Works for you?” Qiara looked forward to Judith's answer.

“It did. You know I'm 70 years old, and I teach dance to senior groups at the town hall. I used to hate dancing. Oliver and I often laugh at those who dance until the morning. That's why I learned every dance move, waltz, tango, foxtrot. Even zumba! I learned something I never did with my duam. And now my friends are studying with me. We spent time in the town hall dancing. What a good time.”

“Wow, that's awesome!”

“I hope this helps. Call me if you want to dance too. Free.” Judith got up and imitated the movement of people dancing. Qiara laughed looking at the woman who was still energetic at her age.

“Doctor Devan used to encourage me to keep Clara. He's a young doctor. Her senior proposed that I abort Clara because of the difficulties she would face throughout her life. Doctor Devan secretly introduced me to a community that had a child with the same disorder. We strengthen each other.”

Judith looked at Devan's headstone.

“I never regretted giving birth to Clara. Although his life was difficult but his smile melted the heart. He taught me and Oliver to love without limits and cherish life. If I could just return Doctor Devan's favor, it would make his wife shine again.”

“In the Lord. Thank you, Judith.”

“I have to go, my first class is ten o'clock. Come to the town hall, just five kilometers from here. If you don't dance, please have a coffee and chat with us.”

“Thank you, Judith. After my son's wedding in Indonesia, I'll stop by. Woolwich area?”

“Exactly, just ask Judith Andrews, I'm famous there. Take care Qiara.”

Qiara still lives in front of Devan's headstone.

“Sorry I can't be as happy as you want, Dev. Liam is getting married soon and I always thought you were by my side leading him to a new life with Aira. If only I can get one more hour with you, Dev .

***

Qiara and her children arrived by private jet in Indonesia.

“This is how we travel. Another family was picked up by a car, while we rode a large minivan,” always Kala while holding Zee.

“That's not quite the same stuff we loh.”

“Well thanks to Abby and Zee who brought four suitcases for a seven-day trip only,” Hayyan chirped. The young soldier embraced his instantly manyuning older sister.

“Women never travel light's. N-E-V-E-R!” Sahut Abby while toss with Zee who chuckles.

“Buna always travels light and she looks stunning all the time,” said Barran who was anxious because asked to bring travel bag Abby.

“What do you bring in this travel bag, very heavy njiir,” complained Barran.

“Weak,” ledek Hayyan.

“Ni bring!” Barran immediately threw Abby's travel bag until the owner screamed. Hayyan caught it deftly.

“I kill you if my skincare falls apart.”

“Abby, Abby, you bring skincare how many anyway?”

“That's my gift to Miss Aira. I also bought her sisters Latifah, Fatimah, and Malika. Look, I'm kind and considerate, right? Not like my brothers ..”

Abby did not continue but stared at the triplets in a cynical pretentious style.

“Ganteng!” Shouted Azka.

“Keren!“ Barran won't lose.

“Macho!” Hayyan bent his muscular arms.

“Fate ... fate ..” Abby turned away from the triplets who now give each other high five for successfully defeating their brother.

Qiara who was walking in front with Liam was smiling at the debate of her children.

Seeing that Bunanya's eyes began to muddle, Liam then said, “Buna, I missed the shoes to fit akad.”

“Innalillaahi, Liam, how can.”

After that Qiara nagged him short length. Liam just smiled and secretly winked at his younger siblings.

He better let himself in the moaning than to see Qiara back in mourning because Devan was no longer with them.

The pair of shoes in question had been neatly stored in his suitcase.

***

Thoriq looked at his only daughter. Soon he will hand over the responsibility towards Aira to Liam.

Tears on Aira's face.

“Yes, I fought hard for Aira. Still fresh in the memory of Aira when Aya trying hard to be able to walk again because she wanted to be able to take Aira to school. Aira remembered the night Aya did not sleep to compress when Aira had a fever. Aya who taught Aira to ride a bike. We always eat fried oncom. Aya ... Aira can't be like this if there is no Aya.”

Aira hugged and cried on her father's chest. Thoriq stroked Aira's hair gently.

“Thank you for being Aya's sholihah child. Every time Aira is the best time for Aya. Soon, Aira will be Liam's wife. Paradise Aira is on your husband. Obey and love Liam. Pray that your marriage will last until you age. Be a madrassa for the children of Aira and Liam.”

Aira tightened her arms at her father.

“Aya alone dong ..”

“Hey, I will be fine. Don't ask Aya to marry again. Aya is comfortable as gini.”

“Ngak want to hope, Aira still want to be embraced Aya.”

Thoriq kissed the head of his son.

“You're Aya's child forever, yes ..”

Aira nodded strongly.

The knock on the door signifies that it is time for Aira to start dressing up.

“Barakallahu fiik, my son, Aira.”

Once again Aira hugged her father. The two smiled, Thoriq wiped away the tears on Aira's cheeks.

“I love you, too, Daughter.”

***

“I received marriage and marriage Kamelia Aira Putri Thoriq bint Thoriq Aditya with dowry worth 1 kilogram of gold, cash.”

“Sah?”

“Sah!”

“Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka alaikuma wa jama’a bainakuma fii khoir ..”

All breathe a sigh of relief. Qiara and Hanna hugged each other.

They look at each other while smiling happily, “Besan ..”

The extended families of Thoriq and Hanna admire the magnanimity of Qiara given the bitter history her ex-husband and his second wife once inscribed.

It was time for Aira to enter.

My desk has been removed.

Liam stood gallantly accompanied by Triplets who were just as valiant.

The music is replaced by Pachelbel songs played nicely by string quartets.

Malika walked in with a sweet smile followed by Rafathar who was a little pouted for wanting to stand next to the Liam brothers. But Malika forced him.

Aira appeared flanked by Thoriq and Kala.

The long Muslim dress still makes her elegant and chic when stepping in.

Liam, The Love Guru, finally couldn't help but feel the joy of seeing such a beautiful bride. The girl he wanted from childhood is now his rightful.

Azka gave her sister a tissue.

The mood became haru. On the committee screen, there are photos of Liam and Aira and Kala, of course, who are always among them.

Including the screen shot that Liam secretly took when he used to scare Aira.

Aira arrived at the place where Liam welcomed her.

The groom kissed the father-in-law's hands, then hugged Kala. Liam thanks his younger brother for putting himself in charge of Aira.

“She’s officially yous, now, Bro,” grin Kala while patting Liam's shoulder.

Now Liam is facing Aira. Her hand touched Aira's face gently.

“Hey you .. Wife.”

“Kak Liam .. My husband,” reply Aira. Eyes twinkling.

Liam then took Aira to get to the beach. The tall Liam is firmly side by side with Aira who is also sembampai.

MC calls to Aira's two parents. Then let Qiara and Azka accompany the bride.

Aira hugged her mother while holding back a happy cry.

“Nak, be happy with Liam. Obey your husband, love and serve him because of Allah,” whispered Hanna in Aira's ear.

“In shaa Allah, Ma.” Aira kissed her mother's hands and then hugged her again before turning to Qiara.

That day in the hotel garden beautifully laid out with flowers and rustic themed furniture everyone was happy.

Liam and Aira endlessly stared at each other until the MC reminded them to focus on receiving congratulations from the guests.

Guests are served with a variety of dishes. Starting from the steak of the tongue that immediately melted in the mouth, grilled salmon with fresh lemon sauce, do not miss the rice liwet that became the hallmark of Solo.

Various kinds of cakes are also available for those sweet lovers. Keylime pie, double-chocolate gateu, blackforest, strawberry shortcake gives guests the choice.

Blue skies, white clouds fluttering, cool mountain breezes breezed along with laughter and familiar talk throughout the party.

***

Qiara walked down the path inside the hotel. It was night but he could not close his eyes. Maybe too tired, it could also be because you miss Devan.

In a gazebo he stopped looking at the figure sitting while looking at the hape.

“Mas ..” Call her as she approaches.

“Eh, Qia, haven't slept yet?” Sahut Thoriq who hastily closed his hape.

“Neither can sleep.”

“Qia would like to sit here, let Mas enter ..”

“Temenin Qia, Mas, can you?”

Thoriq nodded.

Ever since that message was not answered, Thoriq knew that he no longer had any hope of being with Qiara.

“Sorry ..” said Qiara while looking at the opposite hill illuminated by tree lights.

“For what, Qia?”

“Because Qia did not reply Mas message last month.”

Thoriq smile.

“Mas understands. Sorry to send such a message to Qia.”

“Qia knows the children are planning us to unite again.“

“Qia .. Qia want?” Thoriq asked carefully and expectantly.

“Qia is not ready, Mas. There is no way Qia accepts Mas or anyone while in Qia's heart is still filled with love for Devan.”

“I understand.” That was how Thoriq felt all his life after losing Qiara.

“Mas want to be a Qia team?”

“We're already lolita, fifty years old. I'm not the era of love-love’an kayak first. Mas will really be a friend for Qia.”

“Mas, I thought of something.”

“What Qia?”

“Kalandra is cool itself, yes. Is there a girl like Aira we can take a ghost? Our child is every asked to marry even overslept.”

Thoriq. Remember during High School, the stall at the end of their house suddenly had a big profit because it was a place to hang out for students just to see Kala go home from school.

Kala did not even glance. He was more interested in asking what Bibik cooked for him that day and then took a nap after eating.

“She is still busy with her super hero figurine?”

“Breaky, he has taro two additional cabinets in his room to make naro a new figurine collection. Qia Ampe does not understand it's a room or museum collection.”

“Pas Mas asked, when to get married, he just said, if there is a girl as cool as Captain Marvel.”

“Ya pardon Kala ..” Sahut Qia shook her head.

“Mean him fit to be a pediatrician.”

Qiara smiled considering the reports of the hospital employee who used to work for Devan and is now Kalandra's assistant. “The patient he was there who pretended to be sick just so he could be checked with Kalandra.”

“Serious, Qia?”

“Truly, Mas. Qia reported by the hospital.”

Throughout the night Thoriq and Qiara engaged in an exciting chat about many things. Until it did not feel the night had dissolved and the air was getting colder.

“Mas, Qia in, yes.”

“Mas temenin in, yuk.”

They were still chatting loudly until Qia entered her room.

Outside Thoriq's room smiled.

“Alhamdulillaah for this happiness, O Allah.”

***