THE MOUNTAINEER'S STRUGGLE
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Cold weather pierces the skin. Mountain air temperatures are indeed lower by several degrees Celsius compared to other regions. When people pulled the blanket tightly onto her body, Ayu woke up. The circle on the wall points to the number two.

Ayu smiled at the innocent face of Judis when she fell asleep. His hand gently swept across the face that had now been lawful to him. The child's hair that prevents the eyes from being removed. Sharp eyes with plump fur decorate. Teasing Ayu's hand is just stroking softly.

Judis squirming. Ayu pura closed her eyes. Aih, like a baby. Funnier. If awake why so annoying and good at flirting.

Ayu passed by after tightly covering the blanket on her husband's body. Clean yourself up and face the creator. Kneeled to his Lord.

Dissolve in deep and long prostration. Clear water seepage slowly falls. Shown the journey of a beautiful story that only the mountain girl is able to assemble in a dream, today becomes real and full of happiness. Which other favors should he deny.

"Not buying a ticket to heaven?"

The voice of Judis in the ear surprised Ayu who was looking up. The twists of his sturdy hands wrapped around his waist. Difficult to move. Her hot breath on the cheeks made her blush red.

"Bak kecapean where could Ayu wake up. It's cold in here, brother, it's three o'clock in the night. Later if the obligatory prayer Ayu wake up."

"Mandatory prayers you have to go to the mosque, congregate there. But, if the prayer can be with you, baby."

Back kiss landed on the tip of Ayu's head.

"Tomorrow Ayu promises to wake up brother to pray tahajud. I promise."

Ayu smiled seeing her big baby lying on her lap. Still feel a dream if Yudistira Hadi Wijaya has legitimately become her husband.

In dreams and real may it last forever.

\*\*\*\*\*

The fireplace's been lit since four in the morning. Ayu deftly warmed up the rest of the sagging food last night. The rice is ready and ready to be lifted.

Yudishthira and the father had returned home after the morning prayers. The father and all family members seemed to be in command leaving two lovebirds in front of the fireplace. They let both of them get engrossed in their new world.

"When the fire dies, relax I can turn on Yu, just relax."

Judis acted like a hero. Roll up his long shirt and put on a face ready for war and crashing. Beautiful curved scythe in the corner of Ayu's lips. Funnier.

Judis took a special long piece of bamboo to light the furnace fire. In the village called song-song. Blow that thing with all his might. Not a fire that burns. Firewood ash is flying everywhere. The face, hair and body of Judis bleached full of ashes all.

Ayu. The appearance of her husband is like a sweet potato that is burned in the ashes of a hot fireplace. Thick with ash. Make the husband's handsome face look funny.

"Well, happy to see me suffer. Toge you." Judis pouting.

"So funny, want to see what your face looks like?"

Ayu gave a small mirror stored on the table. Judis glared, in disbelief. His face is gone. Only a face full of ashes was visible there. Instantly his laughter was crisp. Funny yourself.

Ayu was moved to see it. Sorry you have to enjoy our simplicity. Must momentarily leave the luxurious facilities in the stately house. Spending the night in a rickety and old bed. Enjoy the alakadarnya dish. Stay in our hut.

"Well, how, what a sour face, why, honey?"

"We just go back to Bandung tomorrow yes, brother," asked Ayu.

"No, I'm still here."

"So, you're not lying, are you?"

"Why lie, this is your home and it has become my home too. No matter where I am, I feel at home. Just be with me." Judas looked at Ayu.

"Pity to see brother, here only sleep on an old iron bed, eat potluck. If in Bandung, you are used to indulge in luxury facilities. Sorry."

"Stttt ... What are you talking about, baby. I'm used to living in any place. Sleeping only on a mat and the sky as a roof is also common. Not the first thing. Don't always feel so low." Judas hugged his wife. Ayu sobbing.

Living in a household that is not as intimate is sometimes difficult. There are only the scorn and words of people. Hopefully with love it will easily face everything.

\*\*\*\*\*

Week pass. Yudis and Ayu return to Bandung. Early in the morning their car had split the city. Judis glanced at the spoiled wife. His hand occasionally held Ayu's hand. Glad Judis, the fierce cat is now very obedient. Ayu returned the hand of Yudhishthira.

"It's tame my fierce cat now. Alhamdulillahot. Try it sweet like this. It used to be a wild lion. Serem," the Judahite seductress

"Now it's halal, brother. That's why he became a sweet cat. Brother is also not as scary as a predatory creature." Ayu replied blushed.

Judis became furious with Ayu when she tried to approach and take the opportunity.

"Alhamdulillah has arrived, brother," said Ayu when the car entered the yard of the house.

Mak Inah the family assistant came to greet. Smiling with her husband Agus. Om Wijaya also seemed to be sitting in his favorite rattan chair.

"Assalamu'alaikum," Ayu and Yudis said in a compact greeting.

"Wa'alaikum salam," answered all.

"How's your trip going?"

"Alhamdulillah, tiring but fun, Pah" Ayu replied.

"Welcome, Ayu. Don't be so shy anymore. This is now your home. Never act as a guest. May you be at home, son" welcome Om Wijaya.

Ayu takjim shines it all. Judis embraced Papa and Mak Inah. For him they were a family even though the old Mak was not who according to the nasab, but for Judis was the substitute mother.

"Sir neng Ayu here. I fell in love at first sight. So always kangen," said the old Mak by stroking Ayu's cheek.

"Jeez also has a seneng Emak, a replacement for the Ayu Mother who is far away in the village. Don't call me Neng Mak, just call Ayu." Ayu kisses Mak Inah's wrinkled cheeks.

Mak Inah is glazed. It was so happy to be considered the sweet girl's parents.

"Den Yudis Emak has a child now, a big boy. Let your mother not give birth or raise" he exclaimed.

Clear water flowing at the end of the eye. Mak Inah can never hold a baby. Decades of waiting but never came a baby in the deck.

"Mak .. kok nangis? Don't be sad, Mama. Ayu is here, don't assume anyone else. Think of Ayu as your own mother's child. Don't hesitate," comfort Ayu.

Mak Inah smiled. Judis remained silent. Ayu was her favorite mother-emak. Om Wijaya just smiled. If the maid is so good, surely the attitude to the in-laws is more than that.

\*\*\*\*\*

Ayu is a very nice person. In a short time, it caught the attention of the neighbors. His polite and simple attitude has made him famous in the surrounding environment.

The neighbors who used to hesitate to visit the General's house are now many guests even though they only say hello or take their children who play at Ayu's house.

The house was like a shelter to the neighbors. Kids around the neighborhood learn to teach at night.

Om Wijaya never minded. Justeru feel happy if his house is now useful for the surrounding community.

Ayu is very good at adapting. Simple life for him is ordinary, when faced with luxurious facilities and well is also very easy. But, Ayu still really miss the fresh air of the cool mountains with pampering natural symphony. Fragrant hot rice cooked on a stove with a bamboo fan, fragrant on the nose.

The aroma of grilled salted fish and simple vegetables that spoil the tongue. Now cook rice do not need to be tired of bathing in smoke in the furnace. Percet is ready rice in the rice cooker. Hot shower live tap in puter. All instant all-round. However, Ayu remained Ayu. Simple and unpretentious figure. Always love the usual things in the middle of amazing facilities.

After a long stay at home, Ayu was unable to hide her satiety as well. Sometimes to look at yourself. All Ayu hide.

The desire to return to science is present again. Ayu refused to ask Yudishthira. Never ask for something, with him also sometimes still uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Marriage without dating and knowing each other for a long time. All characters are different. Thank God Judis and his family are very good people. Not far from expectations.

Om Wijaya who has eaten the salt acid of life understands the chaos. Without having to say. He understood the son-in-law was thinking of something.

"Dis, you guys got into a fight, huh?"

"No, Pah, thank God we're fine. Why?"

"Don't be too busy with outside activities. Get your wife to talk. He seemed to be harboring a desire. Once in a while if alone, Papa see like daydreaming. Pay more attention to him, Dis," said the sepuh one day.

Judis had also been watching for a long time. Ayu is harboring a desire. Was it?

\*\*\*\*\*

The night has come. Ayu stood on the third floor balcony. His eyes were looking far ahead. Only concrete slabs are visible.

If you have a third-level house in the village, you will certainly see the view of the expanse of pesawahan nun far away. The path is also visible in the eyes. But, this is a big city. Ayu lives in an elite housing complex. All just concrete.

"Don't daydream, tambet later" whispered Judis.

His hand poured the brochures of several well-known universities in Bandung. Ayu stared at the beautiful bead in front of her.

Judis nodded.

"Take it! Choose which you like. I'm sure Ayu will easily face the entrance exam at any university. This has been a burden on Ayu's heart all this time, right?" asked Judis who was moved to see Ayu's eyes condense.

"Thank you, Brother. Why do you know what Ayu is thinking?"

"Ju always stroked the photo of brother during graduation. Your face is so glassy, how can you not know, what do you want Ayu?"

Ayu blushed.

"What about Papa?"

Judis did not reply by word. Just embrace Ayu's waist and clench tightly.

"Did papa not object?"

"It is precisely papa who is more sensitive to your situation, dear. Sorry if I couldn't be more attentive and affectionate towards you. Ayu knows that you are now pursuing a master's degree and are busy with specialist programs."

"Don't say that, brother always pay attention to Ayu. Thank you for letting Ayu go to college, sis."

"Everything for you, my sweet heart. Not just college. The world and its contents will also be given to you," said Judis embracing his wife's body more deeply.

"Gombal, you," Ayu struck Judis in the chest.

Sweet honey love is indeed beautiful in the sip. The bitterness of life sometimes peppers as well.

\*\*\*\*\*

Ayu's test series. The result can be guessed. The mountain girl breezed unhindered to achieve the best marks during the university entrance test of choice.

"Alhamdulillah, Brother. Ayu finally got to go to college. Ayu enter UPI. I have long wanted to be a teacher. But .... "

"But why, Yu ?" ask Judis astonished.

"Is Ayu not late for college, brother?"

Judas looked at his wife. Smiling at Ayu's words.

"Let's see there's Oma and Opa who will be your college friends. Age is not an obstacle to learning. So I like to be sad with young people who are wasting opportunities. The old man is still the spirit of four and five. Young people are even leha-leha."

Ayu nodded in agreement. Deploring. Pilu, remembering his struggle to want to go to school to have a hunger strike. Crying in protest to break down the arrogance of the tradition that surrounds it.

"Please demand knowledge from the cradle to the burrow. Demand science to reach China. Isn't that a popular hadith, Ayu."

"Yes, brother. There is no expiry limit when it comes to science. There are no boundaries when pursuing it. Carrying treasures may be heavy. But, bringing science actually makes us lightly step."

"So, don't give up and say it's too late, honey. Find your delayed dreams. Perfection filial. I know, Ayu misses the students left behind in the village. Pursue Ayu's ideals. Help the children of this country to be as smart and quality as you. One person can change civilization. May it be you, my wife."

Judis smiled. Ayu nodded. If no one dared to advance then all would retreat in an orderly manner. Change is sure. Only effort will change it for the better or vice versa

To be continue~.