Dusk At the End Please
Engagement (2)

Fatimah's mother told him everything without being missed. No more tears came out of the eyes of Fatimah's mother when telling the reality that happened to her household first. He seemed more determined and willing to accept everything that was destined for him. Akhtar faithfully heard the mother's words. His expression was flat, it was hard to guess what was on his mind at the moment.

"Mom hope that what happened in the past between your mother, father and mother does not affect your attitude, especially your respect and devotion to them. However he is your father, he is a good man, he is responsible for what he does. As well as your extended mother, she is a good woman, she is indeed more deserving of your father."

"In this case, it may be only the mother who is unable, so choose to retreat from the jihad field of our household", Mother again reminded the son to sincerely accept all that is destined for them.

Akhtar was still unmoved, he seemed to be trying to interpret every word the mother said. Not out of thought, his father was that kind of. He even took over the nurturing of himself which was the reason the mother survived. Until his mother chose to work abroad for years not only to meet the needs of life, but rather run away from reality and treat his injuries.

"Then why did you let Dad take me?" asked Akhtar, revealing another piece of intelligence that had filled his heart all along.

Fatimah's mother had thought this question would come from her son, she looked at her son fixedly, smiling Fatimah's mother tried to explain why she had let Akhtar be with her father.

"Akhtar, Mother's son, there was a wise man who once divided three kinds of men. First, stupid people, those who always ignore and set aside every opportunity. Second, good men are those who take the opportunity that comes to them. While the third type of man is a wise man, those who are always looking for opportunities that allow themselves to continue to develop without having to wait a lot." Fatimah's mother paused her speech.

"At that time I was just trying to be a good human being, taking the opportunity that came to me to be able to make you grow and develop even better and hope your mother was a wise man. Being able to find opportunities that allow you to continue to grow and develop without having to wait. You are quite self-conscious, your abilities are very limited. If you are with your father you will get a good education in accordance with Mother's expectations and also your ideals, different if you continue with Mother."

"Kh..." Akhtar screeched at his mother's words, he was sure that if he was with his mother he would be fine.

"I'm sorry. But the time is getting urgent, I want you to take advantage of the great opportunity your father gave you to develop more and become a better person. After all, he is your father, it is his duty to give the best he can give you.Mom only needs to mengikhlaskan and sure you will return to Mother because you are indeed the son of Mother." said Fatimah's mother stroked the son's shoulder, she knew the son was still disappointed with their separation a few years ago.

Akhtar raised his head, looking at the mother who was now standing next to him.

"I love Mom, for me right now Mom is my priority. I don't care about anything while with Mom, I'll be fine" he said.

Fatimah's mother just nodded her head while continuing to rub the child's shoulder. He was happy that Akhtar could accept the reason, although in fact he regretted his decision at that time because Furqan had immediately closed his access to the son.

"Mom knows? if the choice of mother first, it turns out to trap me in an arranged marriage", seeing the Mother who already looks more rigid and sincere Akhtar began to dare to express his heart.

"You mean?, Fatimah's mother stopped her swipe and turned to look at Akhtar curiously.

Akhtar also told about his match with Raina, as well as his love story with Shanum. He told the mother that in her heart she was always enthroned. Even though he accepted his match with Raina, but his heart could not be lied to, in it Shanum's name was still very neatly engraved.

"I just consider my engagement to Raina to be the compensation I have to pay for being the head of the company and the foundation, nothing more! I love Shanum Bu so much" he said.

Fatimah's mother who felt the son's grief was also concerned about this situation. At first glance he rubbed the tears dripping on his cheeks. Fatimah's mother hugged Akhtar tightly, rubbing her back giving her tranquility through the touch of her hand. Akhtar was no less tightly hugging the mother, now he can be more robust to face this because of the presence of the mother at his side.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry your Mom and Dad, son.., again you're the one who died from our selfishness", there was sobbing held back when Fatimah's mother said it.

Akhtar broke his embrace. He looked at his mother full of questions.

"Will Mom be there for my engagement?" ask carefully. He's still afraid that his mother hasn't met with Mom and Dad. Because at the engagement event later it is certain they exist as hosts.

Fatimah understood her son's doubts, she smiled and nodded in agreement with his son's request.

"God willing Mother, I will accompany you. Just like you, right now, Mom's priority is you and your happiness, my son." she replied softly.

Akhtar smiled happily at his mother's reply.

***

Akhtar parked his car right in front of the hall where his engagement was held. He got out of the car and turned it around, opened the door for the mother to get out and handed the car keys to security to park. Akhtar clasped his mother's left hand tightly, and they walked towards the entrance of the hall.

The hall that has been transformed like a palace welcomes the arrival of Akhtar the main character at today's event. Floral decorations and light fixtures are so luxurious that they spoil the guests present. Rows of neatly lined round tables filled the hall, seemingly already occupied by the guests already present. The appearance of the guests is directly proportional to the theme of this spectacular, luxurious engagement event. Perfect lighting with musical accompaniment adds to the atmosphere.

All eyes were on the person who had been waiting for. The invited guest who had filled the hall caught his attention with the arrival of the main cast. Ahsan was no exception, he smiled happily and at once had to see the presence of Akhtar with the woman he had also missed so much.

Akhtar walked casually with his mother. Sometimes he looked around and threw a smile at his mother. A second later, his gaze returned straight to the podium where the MC gave words of welcome to welcome his arrival.

Akhtar walked straight once in a while nodding his head back at the greetings of those who greeted him, but his gaze refocused on one point in front of him, that of the person standing behind the MC. Although the man lowered his head and seemed to be trying to avoid his sight, Akhtar knew Shanum was already aware of his arrival.

Arriving in front of the table that the committee had prepared, Akhtar was greeted by younger brothers Yasmin and Naura. They were so euphoric they welcomed his arrival. They were unaware the two people beside them looked shocked and pale-faced.

Akhtar smiled faintly as he shook his father's hand as if he wanted to show his success because he could bring the mother as well as the mother. While the father and mother seemed to be trying to behave normally, but his nervousness remained clearly visible to Akhtar.

Fatimah's mother simply nodded her head towards the two of them and immediately sat down on the empty seat beside her son.

Akhtar was sitting side by side with the mother, she again clasped her mother's hand trying to give her peace so that her mother is fine. Fatimah's mother smiled at Akhtar and gave a code that she was fine.

The event began solemnly, the MC opened the event with a masterful so as to distract the guests just fixed on him.

Embedding the ring was done by Fatimah's mother, she smiled kindly and hugged Raina gently. Raina was very happy, her lips continued to spread a smile. She held the hand of Fatimah's mother to be seen familiarizing herself. Akhtar turned his face when he saw Raina doing so, his gaze looking back at someone who was standing straight in front of him.

All of Akhtar's engagement processions were witnessed by Shanum. Akhtar saw every change in Shanum's expression, he knew Shanum was holding himself back from looking fragile. Akhtar saw Shanum turn around and move from where he was standing.

Sorry, Num.sorry...! Again, I can't resist my father's wishes. Be happy with Ahsan, I believe he will be able to give happiness to you, unlike me who only gives you hurt and pain.'

Shanum, morning is about dawn, afternoon is about dusk, night is about stars. And midnight is about you that I always call in do'a.'

'Shanum, let me still love you.' Akhtar monologued in his heart.

The event continues, the more daytime guests who come the more crowded. All the committee and WO seemed busy with their respective duties.

Akhtar and Raina stood side by side receiving congratulations from the guests who came. Looking very harmonious, people see them as a couple who seem to love each other. Shanum who looked more relaxed because the core event had finished standing from a distance looked at the happy looking couple. Smiles cannot be separated from the lips of both.

"Speak, Num." Liani's voice suddenly startled her.

"What the heck", elak Shanum who understood the words of his best friend.

"There is Mr. Ahsan who God willing is best for you", Liani reminded his friend again.

"True, Li.I have decided to accept Kak Ahsan, earlier he said after this event is finished will come to Bogor to ask for official permission to the Father and Mother to ask me more. Said he wanted to get married, hihi..." Shanum was already more able to control himself, he said to Liani freely even ending with a ruckus.

" Wah.wah.wah.this great news, it is worth celebrating, extraordinary progress, very significant, prok.prok.prok" Liani said while clapping.

"I'm so happy, Num. It is appropriate that you get happiness", he continued full of days.

"Thank you", said Shanum, they hugged for a while and returned to talk while enjoying lunch in the special room of the committee to rest.

While at the main table looks Fatimah's mother sitting alone. Yasmin and Naura are initially shocked by the announcement their father made about Akhtar's birth mother, who is, but they chose to be mature by approaching Mother Fatimah and introducing themselves without caring about the problems between their parents.

Yasmin and Naura knew that her father had been married before marrying their mother, only the fact that they were different mothers to the new Akhtar they knew now. All this time they never talked about it.

They talked about their closeness to Akhtar. Fatimah smiled happily in response to the babbling of the two girls. Just like his mother, his best friend used to always tell him about anything with enthusiasm and faithfully Fatimah listened to him. It was like de javu, Fatimah saw the kind and jolly Sopia inside the two girls before her.

"Aunty, we call aunty aunty is okay right?", asked Naura innocently.

Fatimah smiled and shook her head. "It's okay, thank you for receiving Auntie well here" said Fatimah sincerely.

"Then we say goodbye, it seems like the guests have started to recede. We'll let you go home first, auntie, come home, right? later tonight we still have a special event of friends Kak Akhtar and Kak Raina" said Yasmin friendly.

"God willing, Aunty is up to Akhtar to be invited" replied Mother Fatimah.

"Alright Tan, we say yes, Mom and Dad are still busy like him. Assalamu'laikum", Yasmin and Naura pamit.

After the death of Yasmin and Naura, Fatimah returned alone. He sees Akhtar seeming busy with his business colleagues. Raina continues to follow Akhtar. Fatimah was just a head bobble, Akhtar's cold demeanor was exactly like his father used to be. But that was before Sopia entered her ex-husband's life.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Mother", someone said a greeting and grabbed the hand of Fatimah's mother. Fatimah's mother who was busy watching the son was jumped in shock, she looked at the person who held his hand and how happy she was if the one in front of her was Ahsan, a boy whom he considers his own.

Fatimah and Ahsan's mother also chatted a lot of things, they let go of longing by telling each other stories. Fatimah is happy, it turns out that after the loneliness she experienced in a short period of time, it turns out she still has good people who love her.

"Fatim", someone's voice came back to surprise him. Ahsan had already left Fatimah's desk because one of the organizers called her.

Fatimah turned to the source of the voice, she smiled and nodded her head.

"Hi, how are you?" ask Fatimah kindly.

"Ba..well", replied Sopia nervously. Actually he was still not ready to meet Fatimah, their last meeting was not pleasant. But seeing Yasmin and Naura so familiar with Fatimah, Sopia also tried to act ordinary.

"I hope your presence is not to take Kang Furqan back from me" Sopia said quietly, but could still be heard by Fatimah.

Deg, Fatimah was shocked to hear the words of her former best friend. He did not expect Sopia to have such a small mind.

"You think I'll do it?, asked Fatimah casually. Sopia stared at Fatimah sharply.

"I think you've changed, it hasn't. At least you remember the age when you said that" said Fatimah firmly, she took her breath in neutralizing her mood.

"Bu", Akhtar's voice stopped their heated chatter. He watched as Sopia approached her mother. Even though he was with his business friends Akhtar still monitor the whereabouts of the mother. The change in her mother's expression was seen after Sopia came, she was worried that Sopia was making her mother uncomfortable.