ZULFA FORTITUDE
The Eye of Tia

"What's Maria?"

He looked at me confused, occasionally his eyes glanced into the room. And it seemed that worry and fret enveloped him. This time he was jealous. I don't care, because this is my room.

"Well, does he want to see his dad?" maria said with eyes still looking for the existence of Mas Herman.

"Would he see you, honey?" I asked the little girl who looked at me with her little smile. Geemmee....

Although I have not been able to let go of the disappointment and anger at his mother.

"No, Aunt. Isn't dad still sick. Got to rest a lot." he replied innocently.

I glanced at the woman standing next to this girl. Then smile at him. I guess I should get used to accepting this pain, and enjoy it a little bit from a different side.

"Mutia the good boy, sholeh .. " I squatted grabbed her who had chubby cheeks. Long time no child, make me miss him.

"Thank you, Auntie." she replied with a happy smile.

"Mas Herman just took a break, if you want to see him, please ..." I opened the door for him. It just so happened that Herman was lying in bed. I saw his eyes open, his face still looked tired.

"What's up, Maria?" with a slightly heavy breath. "Don't bother me first, I want to rest."

Mary's face pias. Not expecting, his presence will get a rejection from Herman.

"No, I'm sorry to interrupt" disappointed he left, pulling his daughter's hand away. He looks very upset.

I should have been upset or angry. But ....

Ah ... care very much. Because I have to wait for time, I will be gone from their lives.

Before long, there was the sound of Adzan reverberating. It is time to release this fatigue on my beloved, on which I depend. Soon I came back, to the bathroom in my room. We usually work in the mosque. But it looks like this time, I will pray in the room.

Finished praying, I saw Herman watching myself. Like there's something to say.

"What's up, Mom?"

He was silent, his eyes were glaring.

"For a long time I did not pray. I think I want to pray back."

Frankly, Zulfa flinched and was happy to hear his words. Zulfa remembered that when Herman left himself and the children, almost the obligation was never carried out. Occasionally it does carry out, even then it must be spiced up a small war either with Halimah or himself. Now he expresses that desire ....

Hopefully it is a good sign, not just a lip sweetener.

"Zulfa was glad to hear it, Mum."

"But I can't stand up."

"May sit or sleep, Mommy."

With a little help, Herman was finally able to pray.

"Thank you for helping me."

"Zulfa hopes that Herman will continue to pray, even though Zulfa will no longer be on Mas's side."

"Meski Mas hasn't allowed it yet. Hem ... not yet mentally. And there's no desire for your mental mass."

"But I have my own reasons for filing khuluk."

"No more room in your heart for you?"

"Already, Mas. My heart has been broken for Irwan and Lika. There's absolutely nothing left. Because of destiny, we are together. We split up, it's a choice. May God forgive us."

"Because of Mary?"

"Had it been for him, would mas have divorced him. I hope you don't think there. Whatever pain I can't punish people who may have the same fate as me."

"You saw Mutia's eyes, your daughter. His eyes light up when he calls you father. I don't want to have that eye light. Who might not have found it from Lika or Irwan. Because that time, for them it was past."

"Or maybe you want to put it out. Like I did with Lika and Irwan. Just following selfishness. That's ..." wanted Zulfa to say but it felt heavy.

"Coward, that's what you mean ...."

Herman closed his eyes. From the corners of his eyes, there were teardrops flowing thinly on his cheeks. It was true that his wife had said, that there were many wonderful things that he should have enjoyed with Zulfa, had he realized long ago.

"Mas, I'll get the bath water ready first."

"Yes ...."

Zulfa leaves Herman, who is still in bed, to the bathroom. Prepare warm water for Herman. Then prepare the needs, including towels and change of clothes.

"It's ready, Mom. Sorry if Zulfa couldn't help. It can be alone ...."

"Yes, thank you."

While Herman headed for the bathroom, Zulfa made up her bed and also cleaned her room. It's all done, but Herman's not out of the bathroom yet. Zulfa came out of his room, wanting to prepare an afternoon meal, as usual.

Passing through the living room, he saw a black crackle bag pack on the table. When he opened it, Zulfa remembered that he had told Sri to buy something for Mutia and Aldo, the daughter of Mary. Coincidentally the two were playing in the middle room.

"Mutia, Aldo .. aunt there's a gift for you."

Mutia who heard her name called, immediately approached Zulfa. His smile expanded when he saw Zulfa thrusting a crackle at him.

"For Tia, Aunt."

"Ho oh .." replied Zulfa with a nod of his head.

"Thank you, Auntie ..." her eyes sparkled beautifully with dimples on her cheeks.

"That's it?" tempta Zulfa while pointing her cheeks with her index finger and crouching down.

"False, Aunt." by kissing both Zulfa's cheeks.

While Aldo seemed to be silent behind Mutia.

"This is for you, son." timidly walked over to Zulfa, and grabbed the crackle bag from Zulfa's hand.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Sama-sama." hug her warm. Aldo smiled cheerfully.

"Have not had a shower yet."

"Not yet."

"Iddiih stinks ..., shower there geh ...."

"Then Tia's wearing a aunt."

Zulfa immediately gave his two thumbs up. Then he shook his hand, so they could go.

"Mandi .. shower."

The two immediately ran to his room. A moment later get out. They run to the bathroom in the back. Zulfa smiled watching him, then he continued preparing the dishes for his family's afternoon meal.

Without him realizing Herman was watching all that from the direction of his room. There was happiness on his face. True to what Zulfa said, the twinkle of the eyes of his sons and daughters is the reason for living more colorful. Now there was a reason for him to get well soon, in order to embrace his sons and daughters as warmly as Zulfa did.

Herman went back to his room, picked up a book on a small shelf in one corner of the room. Read it while lying on the bed. By leaning on neatly arranged pillows. Who else prepared, if not Zulfa.

What does this mean, I don't understand. I'll ask Zulfa, ' muttered Herman. He seemed to be intently reading the book he was holding. Until not realizing, there are 2 fresh fragrant bocilli approaching him. With mother Zulfa ....

"Assalamu'alaikum, Father .." he shouted.

For a moment Herman was stunned by the greeting that came from the lips of his sons and daughters. He never said it when he was with Mary. Even when with Zulfa those words were almost forgotten from his lips.

There was a sense of happiness to hear it, "Wa alaikum salam ...."

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Talak : breaking the marriage bond that the husband does to the wife...

Khuluk: the request for divorce by the wife to the husband.