The Poor Girl's
Promise of the Imam

Elin fell down with tears flowing. His chest felt tight every time he remembered the scream he had heard.

His mother and brother fought again. After two days yesterday there was just a fight, and now the fight is repeated again.

He was tired of the quarrels of his parents, he felt his life was getting meaningless.

His heart ached, so sore that tears were endlessly flowing, continuing to slide down his cheeks. He did not realize near him standing someone there looked pitying at him.

The priest had followed Elin's steps, when Elin interrupted his intention to enter the house. She kept watching Elin, there was pain in her heart as she watched Elin sobbing like this.

The priest took a sitting position next to Elin but Elin was not yet aware of the Imam's presence by her side.

The priest was silent waiting for the right time to open his voice.

From this close distance the Imam could feel the deep sadness of that cry.

His heart also felt the sadness of Elin, his eyes seemed to glitter as if storing a dam there. He looked up, opened his eyes so that the water would not drip.

The sound of Elin's cry began to subside, her hands wiping away the tears that were still flowing. His crying voice was already inaudible, his hand continuously rubbing the cheeks wiping away the remaining tears.

Elin looked a little calm, she intended to get up. As Elin lifted her face, the tail of her eyes caught someone next to her.

Elin looked and was surprised when she found the Imam sitting right next to her who was also looking at her. Quickly Elin threw away her face she did not want the Imam to see her eyes.

"Sit down, I've seen it" the priest knew Elin was covering her cries.

Still standing, Elin turned to find the Imam nodding. Elin sat back to her place.

"When are you here?" elin asked without looking at the Imam.

"Since then, when you first sat here." Answer the Imam

Elin gasped and looked at the priest.

"You see me crying?" ask Elin

The priest smiled, "i see everything," the priest paused his words.

"Since you've chosen to turn around, you've kept your steps in the house." Gentle Imam.

Elin widened her eyes, she was shocked.

"Elin, I'm concerned about your current situation" said Imam Lirih

"I'm so sad about your parents, I'm sad to see you cry" she continued.

"You eavesdropping?" accuse Elin

"I didn't eavesdrop, the sound of screaming was heard all the way to my room. I could hear everything from my room. I always know when your parents fight." Obviously Imam.

"Your mother's voice was very loud Lin, which is why I can tell." Reciprocity.

Elin looked down, she was sad again. Elin is sad that her parents' problems are known to others.

"You are patient Elin, you are steadfast. I'm sure you can get through all this, you're a strong girl." The priest looked at Elin gently. I want her to hug Elin right now. Wanting him to calm Elin down however he realized it would look disrespectful.

"Be a strong girl. Be a patient girl. All will pass, one day you will be happy." Keep up Imam

"I'm tired" said Elin weakly still with a bow.

"I'm tired of watching their fights, I'm not strong." Connect Elin.

The priest clasped Elin's hand channeling strength for him.

"You harbor too much sadness, you are too much through the bitterness of life. Too many hardships you've been through yourself." Imam said

"Share. Share with me. Share your sadness with me, tell me about the bitter taste you feel. Share the trouble with me." Follow the Imam gently.

"Don't keep it to yourself. I am ready to hear your sigh" the Imam gently rubbed Elin's hair

Elin took a deep breath. His eyes looked straight ahead. A blank gaze far over looked in those eyes.

"I'm not as strong as I seem. I'm not as loud as you think." Elin's voice sounded hoarse and heavy

"A..ku ti.dak se..kuku it." said Elin stammering began to sob.

The tears rolled back as the words came out reminiscent of the pain in his heart.

"I'm a weak girl. I'm strong for them, to keep their feelings. But look, they just keep fighting no matter how I feel. Over and over again they quarreled as if they did not see me there," at last Elin spilled a burden on her heart.

"I can't guess what's on their minds. Always fighting but staying together. Together but tortured each other. They hurt each other together. Even I'm here to be tormented and hurt." Elin

"You know, I'm pretty tired of a tough life. Why add more to this fight." Reciprocation

"I'm not strong anymore." Continue Elin

The priest pulled Elin's face, making Elin turn and look at her.

"I'm here, I'll always be there for you. I'll be ready to hear every time you want to spill your grievances. You're not alone, I'm with you." The priest looked into Elin's eyes.

"I told you, share it. Every time you're tired, you need someone. Come to me then, I'll always be there." Speak soft Imam.

The priest sat down to embrace Elin with his hands rubbing his arms. The priest did not care about the gaze of the person who was looking at them at this moment. He only cares about Elin, he wants Elin not to feel alone.

Elin was slightly relieved after revealing what she had felt all along. Moreover, there was someone who cared about him, he felt a little calm.

For a long time they sat side by side with the Imam's left arm resting on Elin's back shoulder and rubbing Elin's left shoulder.

"One day I will give you happiness. I will erase your sorrow. I will fight hard for my future for your future. I'm gonna change your life, Elin. I promise!" whispered the heart of the Imam.

They are busy with their own thoughts. The priest imagines a time when Elin is free from grief and happy with him.

Yes, the Imam has a fondness for Elin. However she did not have the courage to express her feelings, as she felt Elin had always ignored her all this time. With this incident he is determined to express his feelings later at the right time.

Elin was a little calm. He raised his face that had been looking down, Elin turned his head but did not dare to look at the Imam.

"Thank you for caring about me." Said Elin still with a grim face.

"Thank you for listening to me. I hope you'll take care of everything you know. I don't want anyone to know about my family. It's just you, please keep it all right." Pinta Elin.

"I'll take care of him. Don't you ask I'll keep everything I know about you. You take it easy I'm a person to trust. I promise you!" answer the Imam