ZULFA FORTITUDE
Ill

It was my first and last phone call, to be able to speak directly to Zulfa. Because after that, I can never call again, maybe my number has been blocked by him.

I don't know why Mr. Herman didn't forbid or suggest that I could call Mr. Zulfa back.

But all I know is, the more here Herman gets the friendlier. It's just that often makes me wonder, every time he touches me, he always takes booze. Go to the front or back yard of the house.

As long as it's not done outside the house, and when the kids are sleeping, I don't want to bother them.

I dare not ask, let alone prevent it. But I always pray that the mist in my household will soon disappear. Even though I don't know how to pray. With my new faith, I know nothing.

Now, my first son is seven, and my second daughter is almost 5. But Herman's habits remained the same. I can't be angry anymore, but I can only blame myself.

That night, after Mas Herman touched me.She was quietly sitting on the edge of the bed, like something was thought.

"Mary, I'm scared. Can Zulfa and the children forgive me."

"Mas, if you're like that, let alone me."

"What is wrong, when you decide to marry you. As a form of accountability mas."

"Why question your own decisions ?" my answer doesn't matter. Because of those words, it gave a scratch to my heart that was starting to break. But as much as I can prevent these tears from coming out.

No matter how much my love grows for her, it cannot shift a name in her heart. Should I give up .... No. .. I can't. Let this go as it is. Until I am tired ....

Tonight has caught us in silence. Until he left me in a sorry blanket.

And as usual, Mas Herman took the drink again, to calm himself. Is in his belief so way to calm down. Not praying ....

I often make him ask about what he embraced. Not like the people I've known with the same beliefs.

It was still very dark, when a hand shook my body.

"Mary ...."

Soon I woke up from my sleep that was not sound all night.

"What's up, Mom."

"Now, my stomach hurts a lot." Stumbling, he went to the bathroom, spewing all over his stomach. Then he fell a few steps from the bathroom door.

"I'm not strong, Maria." He's drooping down. Closing his eyes like he was about to faint .

Quickly, Mary swept her body towards the bed. Take warm water, clean his body and change his clothes with clean ones. Then he took a warm drink. After drinking the drink, Herman fell asleep.

While he was busy cleaning up the remnants of vomit. Until it does not feel the sun shows a face on the horizon.

Maria continued her usual activities. Prepare breakfast for the children, and take them to school. And also prepared porridge for Herman.

"Mas, you're awake." said Mary, who went into her room with a nap. It contains porridge and also warm drinks.

"I don't feel like it's morning."

"Mas, looks pale. Don't go in today."

"I'm fresh, Maria. No reason not to come in. Especially today you have to observe the project you want to do."

"But I'm not healthy yet."

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Yes already. Have breakfast first. I'm getting warm water ready."

"The kids are gone?"

"It has. I'm the one who delivered."

"Why not wake me up."

"Looks aren't good, don't dare."

Herman continued his breakfast until he was left. Then shower quickly. I wear the clothes Maria prepared.

While Maria cleaned Herman's cutlery. Take her to the kitchen and clean it up. After everything was done, he headed forward, pocketed Herman up the door and got a small kiss on the top of his head.

"Get home, my spoiled wife."

"Mas too, take care of your health."

Landed cars out of their small garage, to the road in the complex, before heading to the streets of Batam city that has never been stretched.

For a while Maria can be free for a moment, from the routine that sometimes makes her tired. After cleaning the house just like him, he threw himself. To pay his debt rest last night.

For a long time, Maria fell asleep. He just woke up while, ringing the sound of a call from his HP. He quickly lifted it.

"Martha's mother?"

"Sir Herman, now in the hospital." The thing he was worried about happened as well.

"Thank you, sir, for the information. I'll be there."

He immediately closed his phone connection. Then rushed to call taxci on line to the hospital, where Herman was treated.

As soon as she arrived, she immediately headed to her husband's place in the care. In the room, Herman was asleep with an infusion attached to his hand.

Shortly came a doctor who was accompanied by several nurses who brushed off the condition of Herman, before he did the examination.

"You're his wife?"

"true."

"Why is it so bad?"

"Do you mean, what?"

"He likes liquor."

"true."

"He suffered from quite severe stomach ulcers. If you don't stop the habit. It can be fatal."

"What is it, Doctor,"

"Yes .. passed away."

Maria was silent for a moment. Unimagined before, Herman's silence that he let will be very fatal. But now that her husband was lying weak, there was no more time to regret. He can only take care of her. But where ....

If in the hospital, how about Mutia and Aldo. At home there was no one. Who will take care of him.

"Mary ...."

"Yes, Mas. Praise God, I'm sober." He said what he could.

"How are Mutia and Aldo?"

''Still in school."

"I'll just go home, Maria."

"If the doctor allows."

"Say."

"All right, I'll say"

"Now, I'm going to pick up the kids."

"Yes. I miss you too. I haven't met you at all."

Mary left Herman in silence. To rest in peace.

Upon arriving at the school, Mutia and Aldo had been waiting with sullen faces. All his friends have gone home, no more people. Only the master teacher patiently accompanied them.

"Thank you, ma'am .. I brought them."

"Yes, please."

Maria invites them into the car, but their faces are still pouting.

"Cock pouting?"

"Mother late"

"Maafkn. I'm sick."

"What pain?"

"What pain ... Mother does not know, mother is not a doctor."

"Mother, where are we going?" aldo asked when he found out that Mary had turned the car instead of towards his house.

"We look at Dad, darling "

"Where's the father?"

'Dad's in the hospital."

There was sadness on their faces. The desire to ask for ice cream on the mother, they undo it. Unable ....

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