Unified By Marriage
A journey full of memories

This morning it was five in the morning. Syakirah and Kiya were already getting ready for the trip to Madura.

"Syakirah, is everything ready?" syakirah's mother asked.

"Udah ma'am." answered Syakirah.

"Be careful later on the road.if you feel tired stop for a while to rest." Syakirah's mother.

"Yes ma'am." Shakira.

Syakirah and Kiya say goodbye to both parents and ask do'a to keep them safe until the destination. After that they started their journey.

They walk along a busy highway by motor vehicles and also cars.

"Sayakirah, had the butcher not called us, what would have been your answer to Ahmad's mother?" Kiya asked Syakirah suddenly.

"Entah brother. I was actually confused at the time as well. But, I would like to answer if Ahmad and I are a match, then I will accept it. That's all."

"Hmm, so yeah."

"Why indeed?"

"Surely, you should know about this!"

"What about?"

"You know, actually Ahmad still loves you, only he's afraid to reveal it. Because, he hurt you once."

"Well! What you're talking about isn't true!"

"Shakirah, if Ahmad doesn't love you there's no way he's defending you when you're dealing with Hanifa!"

"Sister, it's because Hanifa's wrong. Therefore, Ahmad defended me!"

"It seems you should know for yourself. It's free for me to tell you, you won't believe it at all."

"Know what?"

"One day you'll know."

Syakirah thought hard to understand the speech from Kiya. What exactly does he need to know? Especially about Ahmad. What happened to Ahmad? The question swirled in his head.

***

About eight hours passed, finally Syakirah and Kiya reached Madura. They arrived at Suramadu Bridge. The bridge has a length of about five thousand four hundred and thirty-eight meters. People who see this bridge will certainly be amazed, because this bridge is located above the sea and also they can see the view of the sea while driving.

Syakirah turned off the car's AC and opened the car's window. Kiya did the same. They enjoyed the wind blowing while smiling happily. Didn't expect them to arrive at Madura Island alone, even though they used to always come together.

"Sister, why are you crying?" Syakirah asked Kiya, as she saw her brother suddenly crying.

"It seems, this island will be a memory when we go through this alone." replied Kiya.

"Hm? Why do you think that?" ask Syakirah for confusion.

"You don't remember Syakirah? Five years. Five years ago, we went through this journey all together. With them and now we're just going through this on our own. Then three years. Three years ago, we went through this journey all with your friend, with your best friend. This journey is full of memories. A journey where you feel the name happy and also feel sadness at once."

Syakirah knew what Kiya said, very well. He feels the same way. The journey that made her happy at once made her feel very sad.

The flashback

When Syakirah was thirteen years old, he took a vacation to Madura. He is not alone on vacation, he is accompanied by Ahmad, Kiya, Rani's brother, Rahman and also friends Ahmad and Kiya. Their goal was the same, namely to Abel's house and stay there.

They visited Bukit Kapur Arosbaya in Bangkalan area, Goa Pote Swimming Pool in Bangkalan area and some other places.

When they were in Bukit Tinggi Daramista in sumenep area. Ahmad expresses his feelings to Syakirah. At that time there was no one just the two of them.

"I'm glad I like you." Ahmad expresses his feelings to Syakirah all of a sudden. Syakirah was very surprised by what Ahmad had just said. Between believing and being surprised.

"Ahmad, what are you saying?" ask Syakirah not to believe it.

"Is your hearing in trouble?" ask Ahmad back.

"I'm asking you back because you don't listen to me."

"I heard it. I asked like that because I was surprised by what you said!"

"I see, then I repeat my words. I like you Syakirah."

"Are you serious? Didn't you see your age? Just entered Junior High School, the time has revealed the feeling of love?" Syakirah still did not believe what he had just heard.

"That means the love of the monkey Syakirah. You're so innocent."

"Then?"

"From you asking like that, you better answer my expression of love!"

"Well! So I have to answer your question with 'yes' or 'no' so?"

"Of course."

"Come on, I don't know."

"Are you still not sure about my feelings of love, Syakirah?"

"Not sure, but we're too early to start a relationship!"

"So you rejected me, did you?"

"Give me time to answer. I can't answer it right away!"

"All right, I'll give you some time. You need to answer my question when we get home!"

"Yes, whatever."

After Ahmad expressed his love for Syakirah. Ahmad invited Syakirah to take another walk. And don't forget, Syakirah also accepted Ahmad when he got home. Actually he also liked Ahmad, only he pretended not to like, because he was very embarrassed.

Flashback off

Syakirah smiled remembering her past. She gets happy when she accepts Ahmad's love, but also gets sad when she ends her relationship.

Syakirah breathed heavily. Kiya knows what Syakirah is thinking, she is also concerned to see Syakirah who feels heartbreak.

"The journey is full of memories." after saying that Syakirah smiled.

"Indeed. A journey full of memories. A journey where we get happiness and sadness all at once. I hope you forget it Syakirah!"

"I always try, but the more I try the greater my love for her."

"I've heard a lot of people say that first love is rarely forgotten. I thought it was just a human thought, it turns out that someone proved it, you're Syakirah."

"I don't look as normal as other women." Kiya who heard Syakirah's words was so shocked. How could his sister talk like that?

"Don't talk like that! I don't like to hear it!"

"But that's not the reality. I can't forget her, but she's the one who hurt me."

"You're a normal woman! I'm sure you'll forget about it later, it's just that it's been a long process for you. Moving on requires a process that cannot be protested. Even if there is, it means that the person never felt the name move on." Kiya still did not accept the words from Syakirah earlier.

"You're right, brother, I'm also sure that I can forget it."

"You are not alone Syakirah, there is me and also our friends who always accompany us. So, never think like that!"

"Yes, thank you for your spirit." Syakirah smiled at his cousin's words. He was so lucky to have a cousin like Kiya.

Syakirah continued to drive it with jokes and laughter, unlike earlier which was accompanied by memories.

Syakirah stopped at the roadside Mosque because Syakirah and Kiya had not yet performed their prayers. And coincidentally, if Adzan ashar had reverberated. Syakirah and Kiya pray, because during the dhuzur adhan they do not find the mushola at all.

Seriate......