The Substitute Mother?
18. The Substitute Mother?

Upon arrival at the home of the late mother Tatiana, the ocean was rushing down. Seeing the plants that thrive even the floor and window glass that looks clean shiny makes the Ocean's belief that Tatiana is in the house increasingly open. With a smile expands, the Ocean then knocks on the brown door from the teak wood while saying hello. Not to forget, he tidied up his appearance to look neat and fresh. With the best smile, the smile she had never seen in front of Tatiana, she waited for the door to be opened from the inside.

Tok tok tok tok

"Assalamu'alaikum."

"Wa'alaikumussalam," said someone from inside the house. Shortly after, the door opened revealing a middle-aged woman

Stunned ocean. He was surprised to find others who inhabited the house of his late mother-in-law.

"Sorry, is there Tiana?"

"Tiana?" parrot the middle-aged woman.

"Tiana?" Ocean nodded. "Oh, the owner of this house anyway?"

The forehead of the ocean frowned, but he nodded again.

"Yes, Tiana. Does he exist?"

Suddenly the heart of the ocean again beat fast. He seemed to be able to catch a bad feeling when he saw the middle-aged woman's face. Especially from the way he called Tatiana the owner of the house.

"Neng Tiana doesn't live here. If it's not wrong, she lives with her husband. We just got into this house two days ago. Because Tiana's mother died, so this house was rented to us."

Yes, since a few days ago Tatiana asked for help RT sir to find prospective tenants of her mother's house. He did not want the house to be empty for too long so he chose to rent it out. And the house itself was rented by the brother of Mr. RT himself who just happened to move to the city.

Just touch the rounded eyes of the Ocean. Her hope of meeting Tatiana in the house was instantly wiped out.

...***...

After finding out Tatiana did not live in the house, the Ocean also returned to drive his car in no direction. He's confused. He no longer knows where to look for the whereabouts of Tatiana who disappeared like swallowed by the earth. Which the Ocean regretted, he knew nothing about Tatiana. He doesn't even know who his friend is, where his friend's house is. Wherever Tatiana often went all this time. It's really blind going to be about Tatiana.

Not having a destination, he also drove his car to his parents' house. He hoped to get information about Tatiana there. Or it could have been Tatiana hiding from him there.

With a glimmer of hope, the Ocean also drove his car to the residence of his parents. Not until an hour later, the ocean has arrived at his parents' house. The house was not so big, but it felt comfortable and warm. His childhood home. The house where he grew up.

His hope is burning. But when he was noticed, he did not find Tatiana's car.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Ma."

"Wa'alaikumussalam's chat. Uh, you're Sam? Tumben clock here? Are you not working?" asked Mother Ocean while extending her hand to be greeted by the son.

"Sam just returned from a workshop in Surabaya yesterday, Ma. So today can ask for leave."

"But why are you here alone? Try Tiana and Ana. Take them for a walk. Do not just busy working until you forget your obligation to make children and wives happy. Especially Tiana. You ignore it too often. Mama Kasian is totally with him. Moreover, he just felt lost. It's good that you take him on vacation, so he can forget a little bit of his sadness," said Sakinah advising the Ocean that he knows rarely takes his wife's children for a walk. But the roads are important. Every couple needs to schedule it at least once a month. It is important to strengthen the love in the family. Maintain harmony. No need for luxury, even just a walk to the city park or night market is enough to make children and wives happy. What they really need is not luxury, but togetherness.

The head of the ocean is bowed in. When remembered, he never deliberately invited Tatiana to travel. Even if he leaves, it's because Ariana whines. He never once thought about Tatiana's needs, her desires, and her happiness. He was a really bad husband.

She has experience as a husband. He used to treat Triana very special. The streets, the holidays, the romantic dinners, all that he gave Triana. But not with Tatiana. Abandonment for the sake of abandonment he gave.

Tatiana has sacrificed a lot for her and Ariana. For the sake of serving the duties as a good mother and wife, Tatiana even willingly resigned from her job as a nurse. Though he knows how a medical man struggles to get his title. Although not as complicated as the education of a doctor, but nurses also need extraordinary dedication. Rela separated from the family due to living in the dormitory. Focus on education and not to mention the costs incurred are quite large. But all he put off for the sake of filial piety to his new little family.

But what the Ocean gives, only pain and disappointment. There was never any warmth in their home. Warmth is only created when in bed. He is a cruel husband.

"Bus ... "

"Bus ... "

Ocean jerks. He then raised his face. The mother frowned when she saw the look of the Ocean's eyes that look nanar.

"You why? Any issues?"

"Ma ... Tiana ... "

"Tiana? Tiana why? Did something happen to Tatiana? Sam, tell me not to just shut up?"

With a trembling voice, the Ocean finally answered the mother's question.

"Tiana ... she left, Sam, Ma."

"What's? Gone off? Go how do you mean?" cecar Sakinah for the Ocean answer that sounds ambiguous because leaving has two meanings. The true meaning and figurative meaning of death. Sakinah suddenly paled worried about the Ocean's next answer.

"Tiana seemed angry and disappointed with Sam. He also seemed to misunderstand so he decided to leave the house," he admitted to making Sakinah jump in shock.

"Everybody has their own limits of patience, Sam. And it seemed like Tiana had already reached that limit. Accept the risk, Sam. Mama warned you a lot, but you never paid any heed to her. Now Tiana's gone somewhere. Mama won't blame Tiana. Even if you were Tiana, you might have been gone a long time ago. But Tiana was too kind and patient. He kept trying to hold on even though you were always cold to him. And don't forget, you never thought it really existed. Look around your house? Which wife can survive if every corner of her house contains everything about her late husband's first wife. Even to hang wedding photos on the spot you should not allow. The mother who saw it could feel the pain of Tiana. Mama knows you love Triana so much, but you should remember, Triana's gone. And there is Tiana who is already your wife. Should you think about how much pain Tiana felt when her existence was not considered? Pain, Sam. Be ill. Although sad, but mom is very supportive of Tiana's decision. Why stay with a husband like you who never even really considered his existence. You're really mean, Sam. Mama doesn't blame you for still loving Triana, but at least appreciate Tiana's whereabouts. She's your wife. He was willing to leave everything for his service to you. Appreciate her. Learnlove her. Give him some attention. Or all this time you only thought of her as a surrogate mother? Huh yeah?" cecar Sakinah pokes right into the heart of the Ocean.

Silenced ocean. He was unable to deny the allegations his mother answered him.

Tongue's cow. There is no one word that can be said. Guilt is increasingly running through the heart stabbing the heart.

'I never meant to think of it that way?'

But those words are only spoken in the heart. So that the silence of the Ocean makes Sakinah justify her conjecture. Sakinah who was disappointed with her son immediately moved from there. Leaving the Ocean drowning in unexpressed regret.

...***...

Taxis are now taking Tatiana to Tanjung Priok terminal at Tatiana's request. The confused Tatiana was tired of soul and body choosing to go there. For the next time, he will just follow the flow.

Upon arrival at the Tanjung Priok terminal, Tatiana stood facing dozens of inter-provincial bus fleets there. Tatiana who does not know where to go to the counter to ask which bus to leave the earliest.

"About one hour bus to Yogyakarta will leave, Kak," replied the counter officer.

Tatiana, who did not have a purpose, finally decided to buy a ticket to Yogyakarta. Somehow life ahead of him, he would only follow the path of destiny. He hopes to find his happiness in a new place.

"Well, ma'am, I want one ticket to Yogyakarta," Tatiana broke up steady.

Maybe this trip will feel long because he will spend about 10 hours. It's better to actually get on a plane. But Tatiana chose to take a bus between cities between provinces in order to enjoy the trip while calming the mind.

"Goodbye, Jakarta. Goodbye to the past. Welcome to the future" he said as the bus began walking out of Jakarta.

...***...

...HAPPY READ & ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________...