THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
Dreamtime

Azka rubbed her face. A smile on the lips never touched by a cigarette. The waking prayer he whispered.

A beautiful dream for her made her smile not fade away. Even when he was already leafy in the musala the smile was still painted.

Apparently, it did not go unnoticed by his parents. Mr. Haris was astonished by the attitude of his youngest son.

“What exactly? I noticed from yesterday that this is a really cool kid. Now even smile to yourself. Try asking me Ayang later.”

After the qiyamul lail, Mr. Haris and Ms. Aisyah went back inside. They are preparing to eat sahur. While Azka was still immersed in the recitation of the holy verses of the Quran.

“Ay, what's wrong with our youngest? He seems very happy. At the musala he smiled to himself. Dad is worried.”

Bu Aisyah who was preparing fried rice seasoning laughed softly. Soon, his laughter was replaced with a smile on his lips.

“Waduh, the group even contracted Azka nih,” mumbled Pak Haris.

“Apaan, anyway? Mother again remembers the behavior of our children. Mommy is also happy,” said Bu Aisyah.

Mr. Haris scratched his non-itchy nape. He did not understand the direction of his wife's conversation.

“Can be clarified?” pinta Pak Haris's.

“Begini, lo. Most likely, we'll have another son-in-law.”

“I mean Ayang, Azka has a candidate? Does he like a girl? So?”

Miss Aisyah nodded. His smile still adorned his lips.

“Iya. He was still doubtful. Maybe now he's steady until the smile continues.”

“Mother knows who girl Azka likes?” ask Mr. Haris again.

“Of course Mommy knows,” replied Bu Aisyah steady.

“Who the hell? Ratna?” cecar Mr. Haris.

Miss Aisyah laughed. Her husband was so curious.

“Cap, deh. The girl's name is Meli. He's from Jember. Do you remember that girl who was here with Ratna and then Via nyulau too? After the wedding of Edi and Mira at that time,” said Bu Aisyah.

Mr. Haris nodded. A moment later, the man knitted his brows.

“Have known the girl well? Didn't Azka just know?” ask Mr. Haris.

“Iya. At that time Mother had asked him a lot, really. In addition, Azka would have asked Via or Ratna about Meli.”

Mr. Haris seemed dissatisfied with the wife's answer. It was visible from his doubtful looking facial expression.

“Auw!” pekik Bu Aisyah.

Mr. Haris was surprised. He immediately ran up to Bu Aisyah who was frying rice.

“Why? Fryer pen, yes?”

Miss Aisyah nodded. Mr. Haris immediately turned off the stove and guided his wife to the sink. The palm of Ms. Aisyah's left hand was watered by water flowing from the faucet.  Mr. Haris took the ointment in the P3K box.

After being cooled using running water, Mr. Haris dried his wife's palms which looked flushed carefully. Then, he applied the ointment on the area.

“You drink ibuprofen?” Mr. Haris offered.

“It seems unnecessary. It's just a minor pain like this. It will heal soon too. Thanks, Honey. Now, let Bunda continue cooking,” said Bu Aisyah while looking at her husband.

“Sama-sama. Although mild, if near the heat source will certainly be painful. Already, now sit down. Let me continue,” prevent Mr. Haris. He pressed the shoulder of Ms. Aisyah who was ready to stand.

“Waduh, Azka can instantly treat the friendly scene. Dad unda make ngiri jones if this is the case,” chirps Azka who just entered the kitchen.

“Nganan only, Ka! Here, help Daddy. Stay a little, really. Your bundled hand burns through the frying pan,” explained Mr. Haris.

“Let's be happy again with Mother, Azka how?” Azka put on a face of sanding.

“Not to be plain pretentious! Right here! Dad also knows you have a crush on girls, right? Pretending to be immature. Already, we execute this fried rice to be ready to eat!”

They enjoy eating sahur with a simple menu, but full of enjoyment. The warmth of the family that makes pleasure. The family doctorHaris is used to fasting Monday-Thursday.

“Ka, I heard from Mommy if you like a girl named Meli. Right?” ask Mr. Haris after finishing his fried rice.

Azka jerks. He didn't think he would get such a question. He saw his mother asking for help to answer. However, this time Bu Aisyah did not help him.

Azka took a deep breath first. It was like he was gathering courage.

“Actually, Azka has not been completely steady, Well. Azka is trying to get stability between choosing Meli or not,” replied Azka.

Mr. Haris turned to Ms. Aisyah. The one who looked back stared softly. The nod from Bu Aisyah makes Mr. Haris look lea.

“So, have you prayed? But, you haven't got an answer yet? So?” ask Mr. Haris.

Azka nodded. He seemed to be holding a smile.

“Keep, why did you keep smiling?” cecar Mr. Haris.

Azka surprise. He remembered what he had done since waking up. Not long after, Azka's cheeks seemed red.

“Ah, it's because—because Azka dreams,” replied Azka bowed.

“What dream? Why make you look so happy? Dreams of meeting Meli?” Mr. Haris is still poking Azka with questions.

“I—iya, Dad. But—but the dream is not slovenly, really. Azka was just a dream to meet Meli in the park and we played a chase in the park. It's just that, really. Really, Dad,” said Azka nervously.

Mr. Haris and Ms. Aisyah laughed. They see Azka's funny-looking face explaining about the dream.

“Who accuses you of slovenly dreams, Ka? If you have wet dreams, you must have taken a junub bath. Earlier I did not smell the shampoo,” said Pak Haris casually.

Azka looked relieved. He thought he would be asked questions about his dreams.

“You are still not sure after the dream met Meli?” ask Ms. Aisyah.

“Numbered, Bun. Azka still wants to know Meli's character, also Meli's will,” Azka replied. He no longer looked nervous.

Mr. Haris looked at Azka who often looked down. A faint smile spread on his lips.

“Then how do you know Meli's character and will? Willingness about what?” Back Mr. Haris is looking for Azka.

“He wants to come on vacation to Jogja. Mommy can, right ask her? If according to Mommy okay, Azka just want to step up,” replied Azka.

Mr. Haris looked at each other with his wife. Smiles were painted on their lips.

“Ka, you must remember that you cannot date. I've told you repeatedly, don't date because it's the same as approaching zina. If you are determined to decide Meli to be your life partner, apply and marry her!” firmly Mr. Haris.

“If he doesn't want to get married yet, how? Does Azka have to leave him? He may still want to continue his studies,” said Azka Lirih.

Ms. Aisyah patted Mr. Haris' thigh, gave the code to her husband.

“You yourself haven't finished college. Mommy agrees that you continue college until graduation. There is no prohibition on students getting married. You can continue your studies after marriage. That means, you need to be ready LDR.” Ms. Aisyah explained in her soft voice.

Azka. He seemed to be thinking, considering his mother's words.

“Azka wants to. But, how's Meli? Does he want?” tanya Azka hesitated.

Ms. Aisyah and Mr. Haris laughed again. Just this time they talked about women with Azka.

“Are you sure you're steady? Stead first! About that, let Mother ask questions. Oh yeah, he came with his friend? If it's alone, get Ratna or Via or they're both here! Don't let him stay here alone! Not good with neighbors,” said Bu Aisyah.

Azka nodded There was a hint of relief seeping in her heart. At least, her father gave her support.

*

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Keep supporting this piece by clicking like and leave a comment! For those who do not know who Meli, read the novel Cinta Strata 1 by Kak Indri Hapsari, yes! The cusss....