Dusk At the End Please
Start Deflating

Akhtar nailed on the spot. But then he quickly turned towards Shanum who kept walking leaving him. Akhtar could only stare at Shanum's back who kept away.

He wanted to catch up with Shanum and continue his conversation, many of Shanum's words were still a puzzle to him. But the vibration of the device in the pocket of the suit stopped his intention.

Akhtar held up the device that had been shaking in his pocket since.

"Assalamu'alaikum."

"....."

"Yes, I'm coming!" Akhtar re-entered his gawai. He walked quickly into the hall.

"Where are you from?" the father immediately confronted him with questions as he arrived.

"From the toilet Well", he answered a lie. The initial intention was to go to the toilet, but other things diverted it.

Without a word, Akhtar sat back in his chair, following the final series of events as the closing act.

Akhtar did not enjoy the show very much. His mind was filled with events that had just happened. His encounter with Shanum really made him unable to refocus.

Akhtar circulated his gaze, he looked for Shanum's whereabouts. He believed Shanum was in the vicinity, as he was among the rengrengan of the committee.

All the committee has gathered. The show ended with singing together. Akhtar still hasn't found what he's looking for.

The photo moment together became an opportunity for him to see Shanum again. But because the committee is working quite a lot, Akhtar did not also find it.

The moment of the Mushafah, where Akhtar and all the leaders of the foundation stood in front. Prepare to receive congratulations from the entire committee. At once thank you from the foundation for the hard work of the committee so that the event runs successfully.

***

In contrast to Akhtar who still continues to circulate his views looking for someone who is still very much missed.

Shanum was busy dodging, knowing Akhtar was looking for him. As much as possible Shanum hid when Akhtar's sight began to find him.

"Num, it's your team's turn forward!" Liani reminded Shanum that it was now his team's turn to come forward to greet the leaders of the foundation.

Shanum twisted his brain, looking for a way to escape. He knows for sure that this moment will again make him face to face with Akhtar.

"I accuse Li, my stomach suddenly hurts. In the strong wind, I go to the toilet first yes", said Shanum full of drama.

Without waiting for Liani's response, Shanum had already darted away towards the toilet after previously telling one of his team members the same thing.

Liani just clucked at the behavior of her best friend.

It was not only Akhtar who was looking for Shanum's whereabouts. Ahsan continued to circulate his gaze looking for where Shanum was. When all the event teams have experienced the ranks of the foundation leaders including Ahsan as the chairman of the committee participating in the row, he still did not find Shanum joining his team.

The last division of the committee crew to congratulate is the documentation team. As Liani who was part of the documentation team flashed before him Ahsan stopped Liani.

"Mom Liani, where's Shanum?" tanya Ahsan half whispered.

" So he got permission to go to the toilet, sir. He said his stomach was not being compromised, hhihi..." Liani answered honestly while chuckling and covered her mouth with her hands.

Ahsan did not let the opportunity pass, he remembered that Shanum was still not okay. During the activity Ahsan kept thinking about Shanum, not finding the bright spot that made Shanum cry.

Without answering Liani's rant, Ahsan rushed to find Shanum. Liani only bobbed her head to see the behavior of her superiors.

The event was over, the entire ranks of the foundation leaders gradually left the hall.

Before leaving the hall, the father asked Akhtar to drive Raina home. He doesn't live in a house like the others. It seems like the house is too simple for him.

Akhtar could not resist, forcing him to nod his head as his father asked for it.

Raina really looks very happy because she will be escorted home by Akhtar. A smile continued to expand on his lips.

They walked side by side, out to the parking lot. Akhtar's steps stopped because in front of him Shanum was walking in the opposite direction to him. Shanum walked alone with a man Akhtar knew very well.

Akhtar stopped his steps, Raina who saw Akhtar stopped also stopped his steps. He continued to look straight ahead, Shanum who was walking steadily down did not realize that in front of him was now standing the person he had been avoiding.

In contrast to Ahsan, who continued to develop her lips when she saw Akhtar and Raina walking opposite to her.

Ahsan stopped right in front of Akhtar. Suddenly, Shanum stopped his steps and looked straight ahead.

Their gazes met and momentarily locked each other.

"You coming home, Bro?" tanya Ahsan greeted Akhtar when they were already facing off.

Ahsan's voice decided his gaze. Soon Shanum diverted it, turning his face the other way.

But not with the man before her, she continued to stare at Shanum with a difficult to decipher gaze.

"Bro?", Ahsan repeated his greeting.

"Eh ..yeah?" Akhtar clumsily responded to Ahsan's greeting.

"Yes we want to go home, Mas Akhtar wants to take me", Raina's turn to answer with a smile continues to expand on her lips.

Shanum was shaking, his heart was pounding faster, there was a stabbing pain in his heart hearing Raina's voice say that.

The rumbling in his chest grew even more so as the man beside him introduced himself.

"Bro, know this my future teacher, Shanum Najua Azzahra,” proudly and without hesitation Ahsan introduced Shanum.

Shanum turned to Ahsan, he looked at Ahsan sharply. Ahsan's gaze turned to Shanum, Ahsan knew Shanum looked dislikeful of what he was doing now but he didn't care, ignoring Shanum's sharp gaze on him.

Accompanied by a smile and a little bit of awkwardness Ahsan continued his action.

“Honey, know this Akhtar, Akhtar Farzan Wijaya. Friend is also the chairman of our new foundation and this is Raina my best friend as well as the future wife of Akhtar.” Without hesitation, Ahsan messily called Shanum with a loving call.

Shanum was still unmoved in his position, again he looked at the two people standing before him. Seeming to be harmonious, Akhtar who is more charming coupled with a beautiful woman wearing maroon hijab in line with the shirt worn by Akhtar is smiling happily while reaching out to him.

“Raina”, said the beautiful woman.

Shanum realized, immediately he received Raina's hand.

“Shanum”, reply Shanum.

He cupped both hands in front of his chest and only slightly nodded towards Akhtar. He was unable to return to face the man.

His heart was too fragile for the reality he was facing right now. He felt destiny was playing him. The long wait was not sweet, he felt he had wasted his time all this time for something pseudo.

Now he realizes he has the best answer for what he wants, even though fate says otherwise.

Do’a-do’a that he ceaselessly skipped, again the form of his embracement does not match what he wants. There have been many expectations that Shanum raised, but the answer is inversely proportional to reality. And in the end again and again he must be airy in accepting and embracing the situation.

Although the pain is immeasurable and the disappointment is matchless, Shanum must be sincere. Appreciate the reality that exists as a special gift from the universe and its Creator.

'Not only distance but also dreams and stories around that separate us. Without power, I did multiply do’a while leaving you to Him, from you I learned that love is about a truly sincere sense of patience.

Slow down, I can. It's not him you have to lose, Shanum. But it is your heart that you must strengthen.

O Lord, take hold of my heart, for You know better those who have the right to inhabit it.' Shanum had a monologue in his heart.

Shanum believes, every loss received sincerely, God must replace it with more beautiful happiness. He hoped that his heart could firmly decide. Not to expect uncertainty.

Start moving forward. Leaving everything exhausting.

The world is only temporary, while sad, while happy. He will try to behave accordingly. No matter what the current conditions are, in the end all of these circumstances will change.

Shanum will try to live happily. No hating, no complaining. Always be prejudiced against all who are destined for him. Be humble and forgiving. Avoiding hostility and expanding the friendship network was much better than he had to do.

Always smile without tucking in the slightest bit of spite and envy. Convinced that God will bring healing to every pain, bring solutions to every complicated problem, accompany it in the most difficult conditions and remain prejudiced.

That's heavy! But it has to be worked on because that's all humans can do, try their best and let the rest of the Universe take over.

While Akhtar, he was still speechless. Unable to speak, he was confused by the circumstances he was facing right now.

He asked, why did Ahsan suddenly introduce Shanum as his future wife?...

Isn't Shanum.......