The Steel-Cared Rose
Sharifah's Birthday

The birthday of Sharifah is done very differently this year. 

"Next year Sharifah will be the seventeenth anniversary. It will likely be celebrated with great joy. This year is the most appropriate moment to hold the birthday of Sharifah in private. May it be a memento." Haliza said as they were having breakfast together in front of the tent. Near a former campfire that has been extinguished.

"The Sharifah's birthday this time is very exciting." Callista agreed to another.

"Very different! Very good idea."

Wake up after morning prayers. They went hiking. 

They arrived at the tent again. They help each other prepare breakfast.

Callista made instant noodles using the stove his father brought.

Syarifah made an omelet using a stove that his mother brought.

The boys peeled the fruit and cut and prepared it on a plate.

"Be careful peeling fruit." Haliza exclaimed, "Don't have your hands cut off or sliced."

Dylan himself looked for firewood to use for the campfire.

Haliza herself cooks fried rice with slices of red and white onions she carries. Meatball and sausage slices.  Using the stove that Azizah brought.

Azizah herself cut up the cake her mother had brought for all of them. A box of chocolate sponge cake.

He also helped Haliza cook rice by using a pot to chew and steam to make it more mature and tanak. Frying nuggets.

At eight and thirty, they all prepared for breakfast.

Instant noodles, nuggets, fried rice meatballs and sausages. Watermelon and melon pieces. Bolu brown. White rice in the steamed pot.

"The morning breakfast was great." Callista spooned the fried rice to the plate. Take a piece of his own homemade nuggets and instant noodles.

"Thank you Callista. Do everything that helps."Haliza.

"Who makes fried rice?" Ask Dylan.

"Why? Acidity huh?" Ask Haliza.

"No! It's good fried rice."

"I helped the children."

"Hmm, I can."

Haliza's face flushed.

"I commend your fried rice. You didn't misunderstand me, did you?" Cetus Dylan bluntly. He did not want to add any more trouble to his life. Didn't want to give Haliza any hope. Moreover, it is said, women are very easy to baper and wrongly catch.

Her life is perfect with her children and her memories with Sinta.

How can a couple accept a partner who cannot forget his past? He cannot and wants to forget his past. Sinta will always be in his heart and memory until at any time.

He did not want the photos of Sinta to vanish inside their rooms and houses. She and her children cannot freely talk about memories of their time together. Do not want the habit of their family playing old videos and looking at photo albums of their memories of the family lost.

He and Sinta did not intentionally separate. No one betrays the love they have for each other. Frowning from the stroke of fate. Not the desire of both.

Photo albums, videos and memories. That was all he had in memory of Sinta. 

Saw him widower. Living only with his children. Makes some women want to approach him. The status of single or even married widows does not deter them from pursuing it.

They often misunderstand their friendly attitude. Makes him more careful in relationships with the opposite sex.

"Why are you so cold to your opposite sex?" Haliza asked as the two of them were tidying up the cutlery after lunch.

They make a very delicious roasted chicken eaten with warm white rice.

They also roast the fish they catch themselves using nets. When they play at the beach.

"But your wife can't be with you right now. Maybe it will never come back again. I know the pain of separation. But we have to continue our lives. Especially if we feel like we've found the right person."

"There's no one right in my life!" Tukas Dylan is stubborn.

"No way! You're the one who won't open your heart!" Balas Haliza's.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing! I just feel sorry for seeing you and your kids."

"No need to pity us! We're fine!"

"Oh yeah? I don't see it that way. Callista needed a moment with his mother. Sharing stories. Spend time together. Divides all his emotions."

"I can be both his father and his mother. You don't have to worry. Thanks for your attention!"

"What's the reason you don't want to get married again?" Ask Haliza.

"I don't want to create new problems."

"What problem?"

"I can't forget my wife. All our flats are filled with memories of him. If I marry again. All those memories may not exist. We cannot remember him, either. Our times together and happy."

"You live for the past not the present or your future."

"All the times in my life have been about my wife and children."

The awaited moment arrives. The father of Sharifah came with his young wife, Hana. That looks more beautiful and young.

Haliza threw away her face. Trying to cover up the pain and sadness of his heart. Her marriage was ruined and her husband was taken by a young woman. Almost his son. Sure hurt him. Not one woman dreams of a tempest in her household but she has to be breastfed. They can't be together anymore. It will only spread the wound. It is better that they maintain good relationships for the sake of their children.

Sharifah looks very happy on her birthday. Being among his family and closest friends.

His father brought him a very nice birthday cake. His mother also bought him food and drinks for all of them.

Haliza herself had also prepared a surprise birthday for Sharifah. Something he craved. Latest brand mobile.

"Oh, Mom! Thank you!"

His father pulled out a small box with a car key.

"Well! Thank you!" Sahut Syarifah with sparkling face. 

"Don't drive if you can't drive and have a SIM."

"Of course! Don't worry." Sahut Syarifah kissed his father's cheeks and hugged him.

"Hana! Thanks for the food and drink." Sahut Sharifah's. Their age is only a few years. Hannah was a few years older than Sharifah. They look more like brothers and sisters. Compared to the child and mother. Hana did not mind Sharifah calling her name without other frills.

Haliza's heart became heartbroken. Seeing the intimacy of her ex-husband with his young wife.

His own intentions of chasing after Dylan's love are extinct. Heard Dylan's confession that he couldn't forget his wife. There is hardly a woman who can replace her. Not considered his presence. Just a shadow of his wife.

Without feeling her tears melt. She felt as the most unfortunate woman in the world especially for love affairs.

"Mom! You crying?" Ask Sharifah.

"I'm so moved, baby." Haliza tried to cover up the grief and sadness of her heart.

Dylan clasped Haliza's hand. Hugging his shoulders.

Haliza looked at Dylan's face among the flames of the campfire with a feeling of gratitude. Haliza liked Dylan not because he was the most handsome or established man. But because of its tenderness, loving and sensitive nature.

Haliza whispered softly in Dylan's ear, "Thank you for your sweet attitude. You saved my face in front of my ex-husband."

"Never mind's. I understandstand."