The Incomplete Love
The Seeds of Love
Devan is training with a physiotherapist. If usually, cold sweat is pouring from the physiotherapist's forehead, this time Devan's sweat soaks all over his body.
Physiotherapist Marlon asks Jack what storm made Devan change.
“A terrible storm named Qiara,” he answered briefly and then reported the development of Devan to Phil and Dian, Devan's mother.
“Jack, you need to be careful too?” Devan asked sarcastically to see Jack and Marlon talking.
“No, Mr.”
“Talking continues. Let Marlon work!”
“Who is also the .. um, I mean, well, sir. Sorry,” said while looking at Marlon with an annoyed look.
“Marlon, I want to train the legs.”
Marlon and Jack stared at Devan in horror as each man failed, then he would go on a rampage and shut himself up for days.
“Dev ..”
“Please Marlon I want to try.”
“Good, I'll help.” Although Marlon was worried, but as a reliable physiotherapist with thousands of dollars per hour he had to provide positive energy for his patients.
Devan pointed his wheelchair towards the leg exercise area. Marlon helped.
“Dev, don't force it. We see how you can use your feet to get up from the chair.”
“Ready!” Devan answered straight.
Marlon lifts Devran's body. While Devan was all his might trying to make his legs move.
“Dev, Dev, stop. It's still like yesterday. Your feet move only a little. Do not despair, now we stimulate the leg muscles. Later after this I will give therapy to stimulate nerves.”
“Can you create a program for me. I want to try as hard as I can. At least if you have to live a lifetime in a wheelchair, I once tried hard to get up.“
“That's just the name of spirit! Sure I'll help you. Even I will give you exercises to do while sitting watching TV, reading, and others.”
“That’s great. I'll keep practicing.”
“Thanks, Mate. I am really proud of your change. Now we start to strengthen the leg muscles. We're light training first ..”
Jack secretly makes a videotape and sends it to Devan's parents. An action that actually did not escape Devan's attention.
***
“Ted, as usual, stops at that end. Later we go to the mansion five minutes before the appointment with the grizzly bear.”
“Good, Miss.” Ted smiled broadly at the nickname Qiara gave Devan and parked the vehicle at the end of the road to the mansion.
Qiara then went down, while observing the window of Devan's room which was visible from where he was standing. Usually Devan will peek from there.
Not that morning.
“Ih, where is he? Is she sick?” Qiara muttered as she looked up at Devan's window.
Someone smiled happily hearing Qiara.
“He is fine. The man decided to accompany a stubborn interior designer who only wanted to come five minutes before the meeting time.”
Qiara smiled, Devan returned his smile to make Jack and Ted dumb. Since the accident, especially after Stella left, Devan's days have been filled with bitterness and anger.
“Morning, Doc.”
“It looks like we can call it aja, yes, from now on. I call you Qiara, and you just call me Devan.”
Qiara shook her head. They are nearly eight years old. Devan Kurag is more of the same age as Dhanu. Even though they live in Australia, Qiara still feels bad.
“I call Doctor D?” He said he was looking for a middle ground. Devan, Jack, and Ted are stunned.
“Oh yes, that’s kinda cool. Doctor D.. You've had breakfast yet, Qiara. Jack prepared breakfast for you at the gazebo near here.”
Jack snorted, from the morning Devan undermined him to prepare a multifaceted breakfast. From baked potatoes, chicken porridge that he just knew how to cook from youtube, to to toast plus omellete. Just because Devan doesn't know what Qiara tastes like. Not to mention the juice and cut fruit that must be prepared because Devan is worried that Qia is still morning sick.
“I'm a bit nauseous again, if there is juice, I drink juice aja.”
Triumphantly, Devan glanced at Jack who had been reluctant to prepare fruit and juice. Jack returned Devan's gaze with annoyance at having prepared various kinds of food that Qiara might not touch.
“You still often morning sick?”
“I never morning sick, thank God my pregnancy was easy. If in Indonesia I called pregnant rhino. Just today I was suddenly nauseous.”
After walking for a while, they arrived at a gazebo not far from where the car was parked. There is a special road to the gazebo so Devan's wheelchair can pass.
Qiara looked at the surrounding scenery. The meadow that stretches. In the distance there is a park where many children play. The mothers held mats and had a picnic while waiting for the children.
Qiara involuntarily rubbed her stomach.
Devan silently watched Qiara.
“My son was nine months old when the accident happened. Four years later I did not meet him. I'm the one who can't meet him. With this wheelchair. A useless disabled father. Next month Liam will celebrate his fifth birthday,”, said Devan, who took a long look at the park.
Qiara sighed. Later, his son may not be able to meet his father. She did not know how Thoriq would behave because he did not reveal her pregnancy. And what's more feared is if Thoriq then asks for custody.
While continuing to look at the children who were running around, Qiara asked, “You know where your son is?”
Devan remained silent. He had paid people to watch over his wife and son who now lived in Wollonggong. A small town some distance from Melbourne, where Stella's parents live.
“Meet occasionally. Your child will not care how you are. She ... she just wanted you to be by her side. My mom died when I was two. Until now, I only hope, just once, just once to feel mom coming, hugging me and saying everything will be fine,” continued Qiara again.
A drop of tears came down Qiara's cheek which was hurriedly rubbed with her fingers. That woman misses her mother very much.
“Qiara, sorry I made you sad. I'll think about what you said. But right now I need to make peace with myself.”
“Don't take too long, there's a five-year-old who doesn't understand why he's not like other kids. Why he doesn't see his father every day. A child who misses you in every breath. And cry every night begging to see you. Your son still has a chance to meet you, Doctor D. Don't take that chance with your problems.”
Qiara smiled gently towards Devan making the man's heart beat harder. There is a warm feeling that flows throughout the body. The warm feeling he used to feel every time Stella smiled at him.
Jack cleared his throat, “Nona Qiara, this I've poured passion fruit juice and sweet orange. A little honey to get rid of nausea. Long ago when my wife was pregnant and nauseous I always make this juice.”
“Thank you, Jack.”
Qiara gulped slowly. His eyes looked far away. The sweet and sour taste managed to neutralize the nausea felt since this morning.
“Definitely difficult for you, pregnant without the presence of husband.” Devan brought his wheelchair closer to where Qiara was standing.
“I can handle it. Who told the story? Julia?”
“Not, I have a way to get information.”
Qiara glanced at the man she named the Grizzly Bear in her hape.
It was strange to see a fierce man who usually only opened his mouth to oppose Qiara now seemed warm and fragile at the same time.
Inwardly, Qiara felt something unusual. Just this time he was talking about things outside of a man's work. All this time only Thoriq had ever been close to him. Only to Thoriq, Qiara told him about her feelings and all her uneg-unegs.
Glancing at the watch in hand, Qiara asked, “It's already 9.30, you won't be berating me, right because it's too late to arrive at the mansion?”
“You ..” Devan glared while Qiara walked back to the car chuckling.
***
That day after Qiara came home, Devan came to the rooms that had been finished being reorganized by Qiara.
The reading room next to the dining room, where he used to relax after dinner with Stella. They chatted casually while his wife was breastfeeding Liam. Many happy stories occur in this room, as well as bitter memories because in this room Devan rampaged until Stella decided to go take Liam.
In front of each window was placed a console table and large vases.
“Mr Jack, please put the flowers in those vases. Turn on aromatherapy every morning,” order Qiara while showing how to arrange the flowers in the vase.
The stubborn designer replaced the large leather chairs with a three-seat love seat patterned with blue stripes. A carpet is placed facing the window with the best view. In the past, Devan put a horse statue of a gift from his father's partner. Now Qiara makes the spot where Devan relaxes on his wheelchair while reading a book.
Devan initially disagreed, but after Qiara forced and put a wheelchair in that spot, the hot-tempered man immediately changed his mind. Now after lunch, Devan sits there reading books until tea time.
“Doctor D, do you see a one-seat chair with a puff? The chair was incredibly comfortable. I asked Hardy and Brothers Furniture to make a special for you. The chair can be placed in your favorite spot when you can not need a wheelchair. Make it a motivation, yes. I sincerely pray for you to walk again.”
Devan turned his face to hide his suddenly warming eyes. They are excited but also afraid of disappointment.
“Usaha used to be as powerful as possible. If indeed the result is not as you expect, learn sincerely.” Again Qiara smiled and made a warm feeling flow throughout Devan's body.
***
Devan was enjoying the cakes and tea that Jack prepared. He sat at the table next to the pantry facing the flower garden.
Tomorrow should Qiara come, but he permission because it must check the contents to obgyn according to the schedule and program made by midwives.
Devan held his hape many times. Finally he pressed the number of someone who had always been on his mind lately.
“Hai Qiara, are you busy?”
“Pretty much, passable. Still on the project. What's Doctor D?”
“Mmm, is ... are you free tonight? I'd like to take you to dinner.”
Qiara thought. As a Muslim, because he divorced while pregnant, then the period of his life is long until he gave birth.
It would be against the rules of the iddah period if he agreed to go with Devan.
“Aaah, I'm free tonight, but I'm so tired. My leg started swelling because from earlier standing over the project.”
“Oh, I see. All right, sorry to bother you. Tomorrow you go to the gynecologist?”
“In shaa Allah, Doctor D, has entered the third trimester.”
“Okey, don't be too tired. Qiara, I am also an obstetrician, if you need anything, you can contact me, anytime.”
“Wah, fine. Thank ye. Doctor D also do not forget to practice. Stay spirit!” Reply Qiara with a cheerful voice.
Devan smiled, “Because tomorrow my debate partner will go to the gynecologist, I will add a portion of my training. Qiara, please don't be too tired, yes.”
Qiara chuckled then replied, “My client here is not fierce and likes to argue like my other clients. So I feel at home for a long time.”
“Qiara!” Exclaimed Devan who felt insinuated.
Qiara again laughed crisply, Devan silently enjoyed it.
“Have satisfied insinuating me?” Connect Devan.
“It's not yet, but I have to get back to work. We'll see you next week, Doctor D. Thanks for the invitation. Bye!”
Devan hung up.
“Jack!”
The man who was called in conversation came.
“Find out where Qiara is, I'm afraid she's exhausted. I ... I want to offer ... ride home.”
Jack smiled. Devan's face no longer always looks pale and now looks excited.
***
Evening, Qiara had just finished all her work. He went home with the workers. His feet are tired. Walk slowly towards the bus stop.
Stomach hungry. He looked around and the restaurant and shop were closed. In Australia, most restaurants and shops are closed at five. Except for one day a week.
Qiara reached into the bag, looking for the chocolate or dates she used to carry. He sat for a moment on a bench on the sidewalk. Slowly biting the dates he found.
The weather that night was very windy. Qiara put her jacket together. After finishing the date, he walked towards the stop which was still about a kilo from his place.
People then headed home. Qiara re-collapsed her jacket which could not cover her bulging stomach.
“I have to buy bigger jacket.”
Arriving at the bus stop, many people were waiting for the bus. Qiara stood behind the last queue. The bus he was going to ride came and Qiara was forced to wait for the arrival of the next bus because the capacity was full.
“Miss, you take this bus, I can take another one,” a young woman offers her place as soon as she sees a pregnant Qiara waiting in line.
(Miss, you take this bus only, I can take the next bus.)
“Are you sure?”
(You sure?)
“Yea yea, it’s gonna be very windy tonight. Please.”
(Yes, yes, tonight the weather will be very windy. Please board.)
“Thank you, Miss, much appreciated.”
(Thank you, Miss. I am very grateful.)
Qiara went inside the bus exchanging with the kind-hearted lady. Unknowingly Qiara, from inside the car parked across from the stop, Devan sat watching her.
Devan's heart miris saw Qiara with a big belly had to walk a long way.
“Why do I want to protect that woman?” Mumbled wailing.
Jack glanced from the rearview mirror.
“Master, we follow the bus?”
“No need, we already know where Qiara lives. He'll be fine. We're home, Jack.”
Inside the bus, Qiara was engrossed in looking at the news site. Suddenly his eyes turned soft. The figure of a man who is still enthroned in his heart with pregnant women was present at a launch of luxury watch products.
Hanna looks so beautiful and happy. Smiling looked at Thoriq, while her husband tightly held Hanna's hand against the camera. They both look happy.
Qiara touched her hape screen right on Thoriq's face.
“Any, after so long, Qia is still clinging to you, Mas. This heart still hurts seeing you same Hanna.” The net was wet then quickly rubbed with the back of his index finger.
“Kala, this is Aya, your papa. This is Aunt Hanna. Aunt Hanna is also pregnant with Aya's child. Then you will have a brother. You're fine in there, yeah, honey. Buna will always take care of you.”
Qiara then closed the site. Unable to linger seeing the happiness of Thoriq and Hanna.
***
About Iddah (from various sources):
Iddah is a time used for a woman to wait for a moment before deciding to marry another man. Women who are left dead by their husbands have an iddah period of 4 months and 10 days. Meanwhile, women who are in the process of divorce have an iddah period of 3 months.
Fiqh scholars have agreed that her dream of a pregnant woman is until she gives birth.
According to Dar al-Ifta’ al-Mishriyyyah, as for women who work and it is a source of family livelihood, then he is allowed to work during the day or at some nights, but still return to his home. https://bincangsyariah.com/hukum\-islam/nisa/di\-masa\-iddah\-apakah\-wanita\-karir\-boleh\-bekerja/
***