New Breath
Chapter 2's

Two side operating room lights on. A sign that two humans inside are fighting to risk their lives. While the other humans outside the room stared tensely at the tightly closed glass door. Gendrang fast within them. Waiting for the executors to come out of the operating room and bring good news. I hope it's good.

Mama in his arms climbs the do'a in her heart so that the firstborn's operation goes as expected. He clasped Papa's hand as fear haunted him. How not? It was Reyhan's first heart transplant. With Reyhan's last condition that can not be said to be fine, making the reason that it could be the life of his first child ended up on the operating table. "Pa, is the operation going to go well?" mama asked among the sobs trying to hide.

The man over half a century old nodded surely. "Of course, Ma. Our son is strong" he replied convincingly. Although the fear of what the wife felt also did not escape greeting him. He pretends to be tough in front of others. Papa is still an ordinary human figure who is certainly no doubt from a fear of losing the figure of a child. It's just that, obviously he should try to be strong to be his wife's reinforcement. Like the sentence he had said to Reyhan before, "To be a reinforcement. We must be many times stronger."

Inviting Mama to try positive thinking seems not easy. After what Papa said to convince him that he was not able to make the woman who was no longer young feel calm. Perhaps, as a mother who gave birth to Reyhan she is more feeling than Papa. "If the operation fails, what? Are we gonna lose Brother?"

A young man approached. He squatted in front of Mama and Papa. Even when Papa's gaze was on him. This time he was not afraid at all. It's impossible, isn't it in these conditions that Papa would do something unnatural? After all, who knows how bad Papa's treatment of him all along other than someone who is now risking that life? There aren't. In fact, Mama though.

"Papa's right, Ma. Brother is strong. Mama forgot how you've been fighting so far?" Farhan tried to calm down. Even in his heart he felt anxious. "Mama forgot when the doctor sentenced Sister's age to not more than seventeen years? But, Mama can see for herself. You can get to this moment."

Farhan with all his gentleness touched the back of Mama's hand. "Son't need our do'a, Ma. Mama, don't forget either. Next to Brother's operating room, there is someone who is struggling to give birth to Mama's granddaughter. Come, Ma. Do'a to Sister, Brother Nadhira and grandson Mama."

Farhan's sentence is more powerful than Papa's. The proof was that the woman was instantly conscious. What he does is not the right and useful thing. Sadness is inevitable. But Farhan's words were very true. There are four lives that need do'a. Four lives are fighting.

"Ma, look at Mommy. Mama and Mommy's feelings are not much different, right? But, since then Farhan saw Mother so calm. Farhan was sure that Mother was praying for them."

Mama stared at the iron that was sitting not far from her. That's what Farhan said. Mother seemed so calm sitting with Father and Bara.

One operating room the door slowly opened. Showing a woman still with an operating shirt that wraps around the body. The entire Oktara family and Prayudha bangkat family approached.

"How's my son's operation, Doctor?" ask Mother impatiently.

"Alhamdulillah, Mother. Operation went well. The mother and baby survived. And I have good news for the family." The woman that Doctor Hanin used to call him smiled widely. "They're twin boys."

Hamdalah's words echoed. The sad face just left. As if the news that the two families had just heard was a powerful weapon of grief repellent.

"But, can I talk to Bu Nadhira's husband? There's something important I need to tell you about the baby's condition."

Both families were silent. None of them spoke up. Just throwing glances at each other made Doctor Hanin stare at them confused. Until the sound of Bara echoed gave a calm answer.

"Sorry, Doc. Can I represent? Nadhira's husband is still in the operating room next door" Bara replied as she stared at the operating room with the lights still on followed by Doctor Hanin.

"Then it's okay. You can come to my room," said Dr. Hanin who was replied by a nod by Bara.

...•••••...

Nadhira stared at the only human in the room. Since he opened his eyes four hours ago. No conversation has happened. He just stared at the flat faces of those people. Except, Mother who always tried to smile in front of him. Shouldn't they be happy about the birth of their twins? Shouldn't they be happy that Reyhan's four-hour operation was successful? Why do they even feel like they have no expression? Did something serious happen?

"What's the matter exactly?" nadhira asked to drive away the silence. However, no voice responded to the question. He's upset not playing. If previously he was upset because he had not been allowed to meet the baby. Now he was upset that none of them spoke up.

Until Bara walked closer to the patient bed occupied by Nadhira. The man replaced the position of Mother who was sitting in a chair beside the bed. Then, he looked at everyone there. "Bara wants to talk to Nadhira one eye. What else can I get out for a second?"

Both families nodded. They knew what would be the topic of Bara's later talks with Nadhira.

"What does Brother mean? Speak clearly," demanded Nadhira impatiently.

"Abang will talk to Adek. But, Adek must promise first to remain calm."

Nadhira nodded his head. Although he did not know if he could calm down and half hear his brother's story.

"Abang has three news for Adek. First, Adek has given birth to two handsome nephews for Abang. Brother is proud of Adek for being strong." Bara smiled warmly which managed to make Nadhira a little calm. However, the smile faded away instantly before a rough gust of breath could be heard. "Second, Reyhan's operation went well. But, he was declared a coma."

Nadhira's reflex pulls his hand from Bara's grasp. He smothered his own mouth.

"Third, one of the twins has a heart problem."

This time Nadhira couldn't help but cry. He sobs strongly. Why does it feel like fate is so great to play him? Is this a punishment?

Bara grabbed his sister's body and carried her into an embrace. He did not forbid Nadhira to cry. Instead he gave space for his sister to spill lara. As an older brother, he should be able to be a crutch for his only child when fragile. Especially at this time, no Reyhan would play a thumb on Nadhira's face to erase the traces of the woman's tears. Reyhan's shoulder is not there to lean on. Reyhan's ears are not there to hear him. No pair of sturdy arms will cling.

"What's wrong, Bang? Why did Allah punish Adek kayak gini?" lirihnya still in the arms of Bara. He really doesn't understand. What mistakes did he make yesterday?

"No. Adek is not wrong. Allah knows that Adek is strong" said Bara calming. He rubbed his sister's back nonstop. "Adek remembers Dad was once our nasehatin first. Father said, God only gives trials to the chosen servants. Well, that means Adek is one of them. Adek is a special person."

There was no response from the woman. He was busy with his crying. Lamenting the fate that hit his life hard again.

"Adek," called Bara while breaking his embrace. He cupped Nadhira's messed-up, wet face. His shady and calm gaze sank into that wound-laden glare. "Don't think gini. There are three people who have to be strong."

"Can Adek?" nadhira asked in a pitiful tone.

Bara replied with a smile and a nod for sure. "Adek can do it. I trust you."

The woman forced her smile to rise. Even though his heart was broken. However, it is true what Bara said. She has to be strong for her husband and her twins.

"Why do you want to give me the name of the twins?"

"Raditya and Radinka" Nadhira replied after a long silence. He smiled warmly. "Raditya Abiandra Oktara and Radinka Abhimata Oktara."

"That's a cool name, Dek. So, call for his brother Radit and Radin for his sister."

The pieces of the event played back in Nadhira's head. He smiled faintly along with the tears that fell drop by drop. He never thought he would get to this point. Take care of the twins themselves. "We are strong, yes, Dek," Nadhira told her small baby in a sling.

His gaze shifted to a man who was still at the helm. So, put his warm smile there. "Wake up. Don't want anything to quickly carry her child," said Nadhira as if her husband was sitting sweetly listening.

"Adek help Mom pray for Daddy and Sister, yes. Let's get together."

It was as if he understood what his mother had just said. The little baby called Radin showed a big smile and managed to make Nadhira laugh. "Did you know what Mom meant, huh, kid? Help Mom, yeah, honey."