The Lives of Five Hundred Thousand
The defense of Hajj

I stared at some large plastic bags filled with dry crackers with a smile that kept on my lips. Glad that the order of Bu Haji crackers is available in accordance with the specified target time. Today was the day I had to deliver some of these plastic bags to Bu Haji's house, because I didn't have a vehicle then I had to take them one by one to his house. I think it's okay though having to go back and forth which is important doesn't disappoint the customers.

In front of the gate of the house of Bu Haji I saluted with a little scream because the distance of the gate and the house was quite far. After a few greetings, emerged from behind the door of the house of Haji, a woman who was no longer young looked at me and walked over. In my heart I asked who the woman was because only this time I saw her.

"Sorry, who's looking?" ask the woman behind the gate.

"I want to see Haji."

"Oh, Ma'am haji again..!"

"Mba Sum please open the gate" said someone on the porch and when I turned to look there it was Haji Ma'am who told me to come in.

"Yes, Mom..!"said the woman I just found out she was Bu Haji's new ART.

"Thank you mba" I said afterwards. Then I walked towards the Haji Bu who was standing while smiling towards me.

"I want to deliver crackers, but this is not all because I have trouble carrying it so I want to visit it."

"Jeez Nur, must be tired if you have to go back and forth where to walk and bring another child. You just bring my bike in so you don't get tired."

"But I...!"

"It's okay Nur, let your son take care of me first." Haji ma'am cut my word.

"I'll take the keys to the bike first."The hajj ma went into his house and soon he handed me the key of the meticulous motorbike and took over Zain's hand.

"The motor is in the garage, you open the garage, please" said Haji and I nodded.

I walked to the garage next to the house and opened it. There are cars and motorcycles in it. The pajero car that Raihan used often and two more cars that I saw for the first time. Then I noticed the rows of motors, two metic motors and two sport bikes. I was silent to see two motorsports, as I remember Raihan has three motorsports but this is only two, did Raihan go with one motorbike? my thinking.

Don't want to think about it anymore I immediately pulled out the black metic motor. Before I put the bike forward I turned to look at the Haji Bu who was holding Zain on the porch chair and said, "Mom, I tipped Zain for a while?"actually, I'm not happy to leave Zain to the parents even though the old man's Hajj mom still looks healthy and fit. But Mrs Haji himself offered to take care of Zain for a while and I just want to not obey him.

I drove the bike towards my house which was not too far away. After that, I immediately arranged a pile of plastic bags filled with crackers on the motor. Then when I finished I took her to the house of Haji. Arriving at Bu Haji's house I did not see the existence of the hajj and Zain bu on the terrace like that but there was only art that seemed to be waiting for me. He walked up to me and said, "I asked my Hajj mother to help me."

"Oh, thank you Mom! but where's Hajj Ma and my son Ma'am?" ask me the art that helped me down one by one the crackers I brought.

"It's in the mba."

Soon after, Bu Haji came out of his house without Zain. I smiled at him and so did he.

"Nuri, just taken inside, huh?tell Mrs Haji, then I nodded.

ART and I do not know the name of the royong carrying one by one plastic bag into the house of Bu Haji. We put it in the corner of the room according to the direction of Bu Haji. When I finished, I let out a sigh of relief and muttered, "last you'll finally run around too." Without me realizing it, Bu Haji heard my mumbling and said, "yes Nur, and I thank you very much you know, you can finish it in a timely manner."

I was a little surprised that Bu Haji was behind me and then I turned to him and said, "same Ma'am, same, I also say a lot of thanks because my mother has ordered my crackers with a very large amount.

"Yes, let's sit down and talk," he asked, and I nodded.

We walked towards the living room and Bu Haji asked his ART to make two drinks when we passed him.

"Haji mom!"

"Why Nuri?"

"Where is my son, Mom?" ask me, because I didn't see Zain's whereabouts from earlier.

"Oh, it's on top of the play guy. You relax first," replied Bu Haji and I nodded.Not long after that ART came with a tray containing two cups of tea and two jars of snacks then he put it on the table.

"Thank you, Mom!"say me.

"Same with mba."

"Mba Sum, please get this child in the upstairs room yes, the toys bring also here," said Bu Haji to Bu Sum.

"Yes, hajj."Then Bu Sum left from before us.

"In his tea drink Nuri!"

"Yes, thank you."Then I drank it.

"Tomorrow the day after you have Nuri's show?" haji asked, when I just put a cup of tea on the table.

"Why did Hajj ma'am?"

"I'd like to invite you to come with me the day after tomorrow if you're not busy."

I was astonished, Haji ma wanted to take me away where that day I had an appointment with Andre.

Actually, I feel bad about refusing the invitation of the Hajj but I made an appointment with Andre first. If only Ms. Haji had invited me first maybe I would have refused andre's invitation. Anyway if I go with Haji Ma who knows who I can meet Raihan, I think about it again. I wanted to ask Raihan for whereabouts now but again I didn't have the courage to ask him.

"Sorry Ma'am Haji, not that I don't want to go with my mother but I already have a promise with a friend."

"Oh so, it's okay, it could be another time."

Then Bu Sum came while carrying Zain and carrying a toy car. I was a little surprised to see the car that Raihan had bought while I was staying at his house. Anxiety slipped in my heart, what if the Hajj Mom knew that I had stayed at her house when she was not at home.

"Mr...!"Zain greeted me as his hands stretched out. I smiled then took over Zain from Bu Sum's sling.

"It's a toy, it's a pretty boy."Bu Sum said as he placed the toy in front of me. I smiled and thanked him.

"When I came home from Bogor, I found a child's toy in this house and when I asked Raihan who he said Zain's toy was left behind."

I coughed at hearing it, embarrassed as well as scared. Shame on the Hajj because I was staying at a man's house in a quiet state, and afraid that the hajj mom thought bad of me. Then I lowered my embarrassed and anxious face.

"It's okay Nuri, Raihan has explained that Zain never stayed in this house." Haji said casually as if to calm me from anxiety. I looked up and slightly raised my eyes to find the attitude of the Hajj ma'am that was beyond my expectations. Then I let out a sigh of relief.

"Assalamualaikum mom!"the words of someone behind the entrance door sounded loud. Me and the Hajj Bu turned towards the door and before long Bu Sum walked in on the goopoh approaching us.

"Mba Sum, please open it, who is coming" said Bu Haji to Bu Sum.

"Good Mom!"then Bu Sum walked towards the door and opened it.

"Sorry, who are you looking for?" there was a voice of Bu Sum asking.

"Who else if not my future in-laws the owner of this house. Who the hell are you asking?"there was also the voice of a familiar woman who answered Bu Sum's question with a sniff.

Bu Haji was seen sighing in annoyance and then buzzing his head to hear the words of a woman who was talking to Bu Sum. Just now the hajj ma was standing about to follow but the uninvited guest arrived just cheered in and walked towards us while stretching out his hands he exclaimed, "Mama.....!"

Then the woman hugged Bu Haji while saying, "mama really long in her Bogor, Risa kangen really you ma!"after that Risa let go of her embrace but Bu Haji's attitude looks ordinary to her.

"Where's ma'am? he's home, isn't he?" ask Risa, but Haji is silent.

I stood up and said, "ehm, Miss Hajj then I'll excuse you to go home first Ma'am," my permission is with Bu Haji.

Risa turned around, she looked surprised maybe just realized my existence, then she turned to look at Bu Haji again and said cynically," how come there is this ja la ng here ma?"

"Rise!" Bu hajj snapped at her. Risa looks aghast then chimed in," mama kok yelled Risa anyway?"

"Finally you're not polite to call people, he has a name," replied Haji, looking annoyed.

"Why is mama belain ja la ng that anyway? Risa doesn't accept it, she still calls me ja la ng.

"I don't stand up for who, I just don't like the way you talk like an uneducated person. You're not in college, are you? you are also the son of an ustad but why is your way of talking like that? the longer you show your true attitude and the less respect I have. It's only right that Raihan does not want to be paired with you because of your bad attitude.

Risa's chest was seen up and down holding anger, it seemed like she did not accept what was said by Hajj. In addition, he also felt his duty was low in front of me. Then he turned to me and said out loud, "this is all because of you ja la ng," as his forefinger pointed at me.

I scrunched my forehead because I didn't understand why he was blaming me."My fault? the feeling from earlier I just kept quiet didn't say anything." I defended myself because I felt I had done nothing wrong.

"Don't pura be go you ja la ng, you're happy my future mother-in-law me...."

"Silence you are Risa!" Haji ma'am snapped at Risa and she was silent at once.

"How could I possibly want to have a daughter-in-law who has such a bad attitude as you."

"Why did you change this attitude to me? doesn't mom really agree that I'm married to Raihan?"

"That was, now no, I know what else your original attitude was and your parents' attitude was."

Risa looks geleng - head bobble and let out tears."No, it can't. Anyway mama has to agree I married Raihan. I love Raihan ma."

"But love cannot be forced by Risa, my son does not like you. Do you know why he left the house? because he doesn't want to be paired with you."

Risa's pointer pointed at me and said, "She ma, it's all because of her. Why did you blame me?"

"Don't get me wrong, Nuri, he's not wrong. You should introspect yourself why Raihan does not like you. Already, do not force your will, sustenance, death and a soul mate have been determined by Allah. If you are not a match with Raihan, do not blame others but it is his destiny. Better you go home Risa, I've been lazy to argue with you."

"I can't accept you treating me like this and you....!" Risa turned her head towards me with a dead red face as well as a sharp look.

"Don't be happy first, I'll get back at what you did to me, remember that." she said later. He threatened me and I just scrunched my forehead just not being thought out with his attitude that was like a lack of sane.

Risa stomped her feet and then left. The sound of a door leaf on his slam and it was enough to make me and Bu Haji aghast. Holding her chest the hajj mumbled, "Risa Risa.untung Raihan refused to match you."

I didn't expect Bu Haji to defend me and I think Bu Haji still forced Raihan to marry Risa. Maybe the departure of Raihan made it realize that the name of love can not be forced.