ZULFA FORTITUDE
They're Home

It feels good when you have prayed. Afraid later on the trip nothing happens. At least one obligation, already gone.

While enjoying the trip to the house, Zulfa closed his eyes, just unwind after accompanying Lika and Irwan. I didn't realize I was in front of the house. Irwan looked uneasy when he would wake her up.

In front of the house .... Isn't that uncle's car. Tumben they're here. What is needed .... It looks like grandma is having guests. Not just Indah's aunt and Ayyas' uncle. But there's another. Who is he ....

Irwan was busy with questions running through his mind, so he didn't realize Zulfa was awake.

"Irwan, why don't you wake up?"

"I'm sorry Irwan, Bun. Not yet. Mother must be tired."

"Yes, already. Come on!"

Although not yet perfect his consciousness, Zulfa immediately opened the car door and stood up. Automatically without being prevented his head hit the roof of the car."

"Inna lil llahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun" said Zulfa. It also made Lika wake up.

Apparently when Zulfa fell asleep, he followed going to dreamland.

"Have you arrived, brother?"

"It ...." Irwan origin replied, ogah see Lika. Because his head was still filled with question marks.

Zulfa whose consciousness had already begun to recover, looked around her. There's Ayyas' car. When they come. Usually, if you want to come, you will tell me first. Tumben stopped by here. Or maybe there is some bad news ....

His steps stopped for a moment, when there was a voice he was familiar with. A voice that he did not want to hear. Anxiety enveloped his feelings.

Is that really him ....

He forgot me and the kids. And also ... that's her story.

If it is true .... I .... Astaghfirullah al - adziiimm ....

Lord, strengthen my steps against all this ....

Zulfa held Lika's hand. Although he often does this, but this time he really needs something that can be used as a grip.

Imagine it, make it cheerful. But strengthened to step into the living room. There have been Halimah, Ayyas, Beautiful and other guests ....

Is Maria .... Young woman, with curly hair. Pretty sweet to smile. Stole the little girl, who was still holding the pacifier. From the general, it should have been released. But maybe a habit that is still difficult to lose. his face looks like Lika when he was the same age as her.

While another, there is a boy who may be 7 years old, engrossed in playing cars, beside Ayyas. His face also resembled Irwan, when his age.

"Assalamu'alaikum .... Everything." At least the word of prayer she used to say hello, even though her heart was currently completely broken and hurt. Seeing her husband coming home with another woman.

(It's not just a shadow, but a reality that's really happening in front of him. Herman and Maria were there, accompanied by 2 small children)

"Wa aleiku salam, ma'am Zulfa." replied Ayyas. Only he answered Zulfa's greeting. While others seem tense and confused will say or do what.

Lika's smile expanded as her gaze fell on the figure of the man she had been waiting for her arrival. Who else if not Herman's father. And now his father was really in front of him.

"Dad ..." half-run Lika approached Herman who looked weak and tired. Herman greeted him with delight. And hugged Lika tightly.

"Dad .... Lika kangen."

Kangen ?! ...

Didn't I hear wrong, years disappeared without news. Never asked Lika or Irwan. Now come say kangen ....

This chest felt turbulent, with every word that came out of his lips. But try to hide it in his smile. Let this weak soul be seen only by the Almighty and the All-Knowing...

Better to pretend not to know, than to spill unnecessary anger. Zulfa smiled looking at everything. Then he approached Halimah, kissing her hand with reverence. Zulfa took a seat as comfortably as possible beside her.

"Lika, you've grown up, son."

"Yes, Dad. Where have you been all this time?" asked Lika while taking off the hug,. He took a seat between his grandmother and father. His gaze was fixed on the woman who was busy with little sisters who looked very pitiful.

He saw faces one by one in the room. Uncle Ayyas, the beautiful aunt who looks restless. Grandma heard several times taking a deep breath. Mother several times her eyes closed, and her hands. What they are hiding ....

Lika, Irwan. He sat beside his mother with a sharp look at his father and also the woman holding the little girl who was holding a pacifier filled with sugar water. Everyone who sees it will feel sorry. But looking at her mother who was like hiding something behind that smile, made Irwan refrain from feeling pity.

Even his wishful thinking is now drifting into the past. When Herman left her. Seumuran with the little creature, who is now playing cars next to Ayyas uncle. I wanted to ask Zulfa, but I didn't dare. Worried that the mother was hurt.

"Dad, who is he?" tanya Lika broke the silence.

Herman's face stiffened, not expecting to get questions from his daughter who still had a longing for him. Wanted to answer, but the tongue was a hoax.

"Sorry, actually ...." Maria tried to speak, explaining about herself, but Herman immediately stopped his words.

"I'm sorry, Lika." for a moment she was silent. Set his breath and try to cultivate courage in him. But Herman couldn't imagine what would happen. Cowardly himself?! ..

"I'm sorry dad, Lika Irwan .... She's Maria .. Father's wife, your mother too. Just like mother Zulfa."

Tub struck by lightning in broad daylight. Lika was silent for a moment. His mouth and hands were shaking violently. His eyes began to glaze over.

"Dad?!.." Lika shouted while pointing her pointer at Herman. Showing that he was really angry. Wanted to blow it but was unable. So as to only be able to save her grief by running towards her room ....

"Lika ..." call Zulfa and Herman almost simultaneously. Zulfa moved from his seat. Want to chase after Lika. Along with Irwan stood up with his anger, walking towards Herman. He strongly swung his hand towards Herman. All jerks ....

"Irwan ?!.." Shouts all at once. Making a swing of his hand stop before touching his father.

"Irwan, my son ..." Zulfa. He lowered that hand. The tears coming out of her reddened eyes held back the anger.

"Why are you hiding this from us."

Zulfa was silent, not wanting to say anything. They feel the same pain.

"I wouldn't have a father like him. How could a father just leave us. Mother took great pains to raise us. He was very good with his new wife. No ... Irwan doesn't want to have a father like him." His index finger didn't stop pointing at Herman's face.

"Irwan, mother's son ... He's your father." Zulfa said half a whisper in Irwan's ear. Let his anger subside.

"No, he's not my father. And I only have one mother. Mother Zulfa."

He pushed Herman to his feet. If there were no wall to refute the seat, he might fall.

Then he left the place, disappeared from before them all, headed for the car and turned it on quickly. Ayyas soon followed, chasing after Irwan's car which had now begun to enter the city crowd.

Everyone in the room was unable to do anything. Just stared at Irwan's departure with a stifling sense of regret.