Glass Bottle Sundari
Chapter 10

"Nfrom! Sundari!"

The voice of the screaming woman calling out her name while banging on the door sounded like a barrage of bullets piercing through her house.

Sundari opened the door.

"The shock?" Sundari took a few steps back as her symbiotic hand pushed the door wide open.

"Couple your stuff now!" His order. Sundari was still glued to where he stood.

"Eh, why? What's wrong, Mbok?" Sundari asked as she gripped her symbiotic arm.

"Your father ... "

Sundari. 'Why father? Do I have to accept the sad news again?' Sundari in my heart. His mind immediately fussed back. Moreover, he saw a symbol that only cried and had not answered his question.

"Mbc. Why Father?" Rintih Sundari's.

"Your father fell in the fields. She ... He died from."

Jedarr!!!

Again!!!

They embraced with sobs that turned into bitter cries. Sundari almost lost control. His mind has gone everywhere.

'Oh Allah. Why like this? Why me? Should it be this heavy? Do you like to see me suffer? Or do I not deserve to be happy? What sins have I committed in the past? Until you give me endless pain.'

Those thoughts flashed one by one in his mind.

Weight. It is very heavy suffering experienced. It even feels like there is no pause to just waste your breath and lean tired.

However, a symbology hug resuscitated him. Even with Rima's cry which then came to be heard. Sundari got up and grabbed Rima and calmed her down.

"Why did Simbok come alone? Job where?" Ask while holding Rima.

"Your sister is taking care of the body of the Father. Let's hurry, Simbok just come straight here. Let's get ready quickly."

They got up and packed the goods that would be brought to the village.

During the journey, Sundari re-thought the path of his destiny. Likes, sorrows, happiness, crying and laughter. The test that comes in a row like a bowling ball that is thrown and able to tear all the bottles at once. However, when all the bottles fell, there must have been a shout of happiness.

So was his life. After all the pain he received, he was sure that there would be happiness waiting for him at the end of that path.

*****

Ten Years later.

"Mom, Rima's leaving now huh," Pamit Rima while carrying her big backpack.

"Yes. Careful Nduk. Studying the diligent. Don't bother your friends and teachers." Sundari's advice to her daughter.

"Yes Mom. Pray for Rima to be the best, Ma'am" Rima approached, hugging her spoiled mother.

Sundari stroked the back and head of his beloved daughter.

"Definitely Nduk. May Allah bless all mother's prayers." He then kissed the top of Rima's head.

Half an hour later. Rima was already on the bus that drove her to the boarding school in the city of Ponorogo. After graduating from Elementary School, she decided to go.

Rima realized, her mother had been fighting for her all this time. All the tests they faced together. Laughter and crying are everyday friends. Her mother had rejected many male suggestions for her sake. He said he did not want to give his stepfather to him, because he was his father's favorite woman who had to be guarded until he died.

After Rima's departure. Sundari also prepared to do his daily activities.

"Bu Nfrom. Going to the market?" Greet a woman, Sundari's new neighbor.

"Yes Mom. Come on, I'm first." Reply Sundari with a smile.

There was also someone who had the heart to steal the money from the sale, by pretending to ask for goods that were far-reaching, so he was careless and the thief freely drained the contents of the drawer.

But thanksgiving never left him.

"Importantly healthy, happy body. Lost money can be found again. But if lives are lost, lose us." So he always says.

During this time only Lek Nanik's family always helped him. Because Sundari was also reluctant to accept help from others.

He no longer lamented his fate. He found the beauty of every calamity that came to him in the past.

Happy she is now, seeing Rima grow into a obedient, diligent, and smart girl.

When Rima decided to continue his education at the boarding school, Sundari actually heavily received it. Because he never once separated from his son. But considering the education taken is the provision of the afterlife, Sundari also released it sincerely.

Currently he only sells herbs in the afternoon until evening. The morning he used to make the sinom he packed in a 500ml plastic bottle. He froze and sold it to the market. Some of it was sold at his watch stall.

It's not much, but it's enough to cover their daily needs. The rich nature is not only an excess of property, but in words enough. Enough to eat, enough for capital, and enough to share or give alms.

*****

"Nfrom. Your glass bottle is cracked like this." Lek Nanik said as he raised the glass bottle in his hand, he noticed there was a slight crack in his bottle neck.

"Oh, huh? Where's Lek?"

Sundari approached and came to see the bottle held by Lek Nanik. Fine crack fibers. Sundari took it from Nanik's lek's hand and stored it in his sideboard closet.

Some bottles are already perched sweetly there. Yes, the glass bottle left by Junab, well stored. As his spirit declines, he will stare at the bottles, looking up to a time when there is much struggle with adversity, trials, and difficulties of life. Just by looking at it, he would feel his spirit returning again. Bizarrely. But that's how it is.

Junab's right. The glass bottle is very fragile and easily broken. But by treating it well, the bottle will also benefit us.

Just like human feelings. Fragile and easily desperate. But with a careful and resigned attitude, all problems will make our souls stronger.

"Mas, all your glass bottles have started to crack. Like you said, they are fragile. However, my faith in Him will never be fragile. Even more days will increase. Thank you, my dear." Sundari habit, always talking to herself as if her husband was still nearby.

Sundari has become a mature, independent and resilient woman.

*****

"How much is it, sir?" Sundari asked as she opened her thin wallet.

"Fifty thousand, ma'am." He answered while putting the used glass bottles into a large plastic bag.

Sundari held out a piece of blue money, then received a plastic bag that the seller handed out.

"Thank you, Mom."

"Yes, you're both sir."

Sundari passed by leaving the flea market. He deliberately stopped by there after shopping for herbal medicine to buy used glass bottles.

From far away he saw a light blue angkot that he would ride. He also accelerated his steps.

When you sit in the armchair. He reached into the bag and took the little Quran he always carried everywhere.

That's how Sundari now fills his days. After the storm came, happiness came. He still lives in his small house. But he never felt short of it.

Even a few months ago, Lek Nanik and his family invited him to perform Umrah worship. All the costs they bear.

How great is the gift of God to the servant who is willing to give up, sincere and patient. Who walk in His way when it is difficult or happy.

God's promise is real.

"Shodaqallahul adzim" Sundari smiled. Kiss his Quran, then put it in a bag before he got off the blue angkot.

~end~