Tough Widow
Single Mom

Ayu's gaze was empty. The words of the priest who preferred the other woman were still ringing in his brain. It was as if ten years of togetherness meant nothing more. 

Now he must be ready to live in solitude with his three very small children. He must be able to fight the fear that sometimes tucked away. 

Fear of not being able to raise her three children well, and fear that they will not be able to go to high school as she hoped. 

Ayu took off her face and woke Hanan who was still drowning in dreamland. 

"Silver time to school, mama's sneak want to work," said Ayu pulled the blanket of the son. 

"A little while, Ma. I'm still sleepy." 

Yes, since that debate Ayu decided to work in a restaurant to support her three children. Because Ikram no longer send money to him. In fact, the man did not come home at all. 

Ayu wants to go as far away from the house as possible, but he does not have the money to rent a house, so he has to work. Moreover, Hanan was also stingy and did not want to leave. 

Ayu stood beside the bed with both hands folded. 

Inwardly wanted to snap, but his lips were twisted. The child is not a place to vent his anger when emotions against Ikram. However, they are a source of power to be guarded against, now and forever. 

Although Ikram's love for his children begins to recede, Ayu does not care and will still love them completely. 

"It's not the time to laze around, son. Mama wants to work," said Ayu asserted. He cannot waste precious time. 

Hanan raised his head. Forcing her eyes that felt heavy to open. 

"Yes, Ma." Get out of bed and go to the bathroom.

Ayu prepares Hanan's needs, then takes turns taking care of Alifa. This year the boy was also going to school, but had to fail because of the circumstances of his parents who were on the verge of divorce. 

"Alifa, wake up! Mom wants to work, son." Swiping Alifa's forehead gently. Kiss both cheeks until the boy opens his eyes. 

Look at the clock on the nightstand. It turns out the time is too tight so Ayu has to lift the tiny body of Alifa to the bathroom. 

If Hanan used to be driven to pick up his own car, now Ayu entrust Hanan to his best friend who is also a school.

Ayu bathed and changed Adiba's clothes. Put some change diapers into the bag. Then approached Alifa who was sitting in the living room. 

"Come, Son. We have to leave now." 

Grabbing Alifa's hand and taking a quick step. Hurried fear of being late and scolded by superiors. 

Before going to the restaurant, Ayu entrusts Alifa in a parlour, because she cannot bring her two children at once, afraid of being reprimanded by the restaurant and fellow waitresses. Only Adiba was always with her. He did not leave the boy with anyone else. 

Like other servants, Ayu works according to procedure, the child is not an obstacle for him to find sustenance. 

"Where is he going?" One of the servants asked Ayu who seemed busy moving Adiba to the back. 

"It's been a month that her father hasn't come home" Ayu replied briefly, her hands constantly wiping the table. 

This is the first time Ayu reveals about her husband to someone else.

A beautiful woman named Runi approached Ayu. 

"Why don't you just go, anyway. Why would such a man be expected." 

Ayu turned the body. Stare at some of his comrades standing beside him. 

"I wasn't expecting it anymore. I haven't left because I still need money to rent a house. There's no way I'm taking the kids to bed under the bridge, and there's no way I'm asking my husband for money who obviously has other women" Ayu explained at length. 

"spirit." Hugged Ayu tightly. Provides support to keep smiling behind the problem. 

Time so quickly passed, a full day Ayu worked, he only rested when carrying out his obligations, the rest carried out his activities diligently. 

"Da—da…"

A hand wave continued to accompany as Ayu walked out of the restaurant. He immediately picked up Alifa and Hanan before returning home.

I don't know, this is the beginning of the destruction or even the resurrection from ignorance, Ayu feels at the lowest point. Even so, he put aside all the difficulties for the sake of the children. 

Hanan smiled broadly as he looked at the mother who had arrived. The boy hugged Ayu, as did Alifa. 

"I'm sorry, my mom is late. Next time you'll pick you up on time." Ayu kissed Hanan's forehead. 

Ayu returned home on foot because of the distance that lived close.

Loneliness is now clearly felt by Hanan and Alifa, once when the night they could play with Ikram, now he can only wonder about the whereabouts of his father. 

"I want to hug papa, Ma." Alifa whined while pulling Ayu's clothes. Of all her children only the little girl was the closest to Ikram, to fully feel the loss. 

Ayu smiled thinly. He laid Adiba who was half asleep. Alternately holding Alifa around the house. Showing the beauty of the night so that you can forget the figure that continues in the way. 

"From now on Alifa can't ask papa anymore. Mama can give you anything you've ever given me," Ayu assures Rayu. 

Alifa leaned her head against Ayu's chest, hoping to sleep even without the warmth of a father. 

Ayu's work wasn't done there. After putting Alifa and Adiba to sleep, he had to take care of Hanan who was still busy playing games. 

"Sister, sleep spout!" He checked all the doors and windows. Closing curtains and locking doors. 

Hanan clucked in annoyance, ignoring Ayu in the least. Switching position to back the mother. 

"So, no mom? It's night, here!" Seizing the object from Hanan's hand made the empu pout. 

Hanan looked at Ayu who seemed to tidy up her mobile phone into the bag without refuting a word. 

"From today you can't play anymore. Mama doesn't like it" Ayu stressed. 

Hanan moved up and ran to his room. The sound of the door closing loudly signified that the boy was angry. 

Ayu suppressed her anger. However, he must educate his son alone and should not be emotional. He opened the door to Hanan's room and looked at the son who was lying on the bed. 

"Will you be angry with Mama?" tanya Ayu rubbed Hanan's back under the blanket. 

There was no answer, Hanan chose to close his eyes. Pretend not to see Ayu sitting on the edge of the bed. 

"Hanan must learn to live without papa. From now on it must be self-sufficient and be able to do anything on its own." 

"But if you don't forbid me from playing games, Ma" Hanan protested. 

Instantly Ayu cupped both cheeks Hanan.

"Don't compare mom and dad. From now on Hanan must be smart and no longer depend on papa," Ayu asserted. 

Hanan could only digest every word that slid from Ayu's lips.