The Smell of Love Imriyah
Halwa Al Fatih Shireen

The red orange sky that afternoon witnessed the increasingly crowded streets of the capital. Cars, public vehicles and motorbikes were lined up to make their way through the road. The day had stepped on the afternoon, they all must have been in a hurry to get home soon. However what is power jammed becomes their first barrier to arrive at the destination. But luckily, one of the car owners who lined up had made it through all that boredom. As if knowing the owner was tired, the road seemed wide open to pass.

The dark-black shiny car drove smoothly with cheer in it. A little girl about four years old was chattering accompanied the father who was concentrating on driving. Sometimes the father chimed in the daughter's chatter alone, sometimes he laughed when his daughter was so expressive to tell stories. Not infrequently his lips formed a warm smile when his daughter began singing children's songs that he obtained from the paud where he studied

"Shireen happy today? See Shireen so happy?" The pretty boy nodded

"Because papah picked up Shireen...." The adult man called papah smiled and stroked the head of his daughter named Shireen

"So. iyum what's sick?"

"So Iyum said his head was dizzy.."

"Later Shireen pijitin..." The father's crisp laughter was a response to that statement

"Can.."

"Broth... There's a new mother!"

"Mother new teacher?"

"Not pah.... New mother..." Shireen used to call her babysitter in daycare by the name of mother, and it seems that the father was less aware of it

"Oh yeah?"

"Beautiful, fine..."

The car stopped when they got to the front of the house. Patiently she removed her daughter's seatbelt before exiting the car. After that he went out and opened the car door for his little daughter. The sky indicates that the day is getting late. He led the little hand of the baby into the house

"Assalamuaaloa..."

"Ah... Walaikumussalam...." A 24-year-old woman welcomed their arrival. Shireen just smiled happily and headed towards her room

"Yes..." The call stopped the 24-year-old woman named Ayu

"What's wrong Fatih?"

"Are you better?" Ayu smiled and nodded

"Shireen said she wanted to mijitin you earlier..."

"Yeah? MasyaaAllah's... So sweet your son is this! I'll help him in a moment, and then I'll have dinner..."

"Ready!"

Inside the house that could not be said to be small, they only lived three. And they look harmonious from the outside, yes, although from the inside they are more harmonious. The lonely house, became more colorful and cheerful since Shireen grew bigger and very cheerful. Cheerful little girl who is able to relieve the tiredness of the father after work, understanding little girl. Somehow this boy grew up so well. Although there was not the slightest intervention of the mother to take care of him to this extent.

Fatihem. True Fatih is his father, he is married and has a beautiful daughter who is so adorable. Seven years is not a short time. At that time Fatih decided to marry young, with a graceful and beautiful Javanese woman. Their marriage was harmonious and happy. They met while attending a seminar at the same campus, initially they were just friends. And unexpectedly, both their parents brought them together in a matchmaking process.

Although in fact, he has not forgotten the feeling of the High School period. He fell in love with Amra. But that does not mean he made his wife as an outlet because of his love that did not reach it.

Going home from school is not a sign for Shireen to rest. This smart and active boy will be more happy to play inside the house with Ayu –sang iyum– Javanese girl who has a face and personal that is as her name suggests. Since one year ago, since his first meeting with Shireen, he got the call of his beloved. Which unhappy woman gets such a call, but Ayu's happiness is not worth the sadness.

Saddened? Why should he be sad? Of course there is a story behind the sadness that Ayu felt. The call was not from Shireen's heart, it was just a call on the lips. Not that he blamed this little girl, he blamed himself even more. In reality, no one needs to be blamed.

The hour hand shows at eight p.m., after putting Shireen to bed in the room, Ayu approaches Fatih who looks busy with her laptop in the living room. A cup of warm tea he brought with him a sweet smile. Fatih averted her eyes and smiled at Ayu who was now sitting beside her

"So you're getting busy?" Ayu opened the conversation

"Why? You feel lonely?" Ayu did not answer and handed the tea to Fatih

"Still" Fatih received the teacup and drank it

"Your artificial tea always feels right on the tongue, do you measure carefully?" Ayu laughed a little

"Yes..." Fatih turned around and comforted her seat, preparing to listen

"May I ask you something?"

"Why the hell? Really serious?"

"Do you love me?" The smile on Fatih's face disappeared slowly hearing the question. Not that he did not like the question, he just felt strange because suddenly Ayu asked this. Unlike Fatih, Ayu still maintains her smile

"Why do you ask Yu that? You are the wife and mother of my son, of course I love you" Ayu sighed softly and smiled

"There's no doubt that's why you are, but do you love me as a woman?" It was Fatih's turn to sigh, but this time she joined with a sweet smile

"What's the matter Yu? Something stuck your mind? Don't you usually like this?"

"Mas, I feel so imperfect as a woman" Ayu looked down and looked sad

"What is imperfect? You've completed my days all along, you've also given birth to a beautiful and smart princess like you! That's enough"

"I've never been a mom, it really makes me feel really sad..." Ayu shed tears of her sadness

Fatih approached and embraced his wife affectionately. Whatever happened to his time, Fatih is now a husband and the head of the family. It shouldn't be if it keeps sinking in the past.

"Not having time to take care of her from the baby does not mean you fail to be a mother. Never blame yourself, never blame this fate. Slowly Shireen will understand, he's just not used to it"

Ayu looked down sadly. It is true, it is not his fault that he had to be sick and needed long treatment until he missed the development of Shireen. Tho Fatih had also introduced himself to Shireen so well, the proof was that once he saw Shireen came to call him Iyum. Which means mother, in Javanese mother tongue is usually mentioned with biyung, but the limitations of her tongue at that time made Shireen call it with iyum. But he felt that the call had not yet come from Shireen's heart, not that the little girl was wrong, this was just his feeling. Right now, he is still not so healthy, fatigue is his main enemy. Until Fatih requires that Shireen be placed in a place where children are held while Fatih works. Because of this frail body, Ayu can not afford to take care of Shireen. And that made her feel like she was failing at being a mother.

"Don't think of anything unnecessary, no matter what happens you are her best mother!" Entertain Fatih while stroking his wife's hand

******"