You & Dusk
Ibu

(Flashback Part)

Today is a special day for my family, because we will go somewhere to visit at least to treat long-inflamed longings.

When I got home, I saw my mom still working. She worked as a tailor to support me and Raihan. My father's alimony money every month also greatly helped the needs of the three of us. "Ma, it's time. Don't go out into the night." I said.

"iya boy. Then Mama changed clothes first." he explained.

After changing clothes, the three of us then took a public vehicle (angkot) to a place that makes at least miss us a little treated.

Long enough we were on the road, finally we arrived at a road and we still have to walk into the road because the angkot did not enter here.

We walked not too far, about 400 meters and the place we wanted to go was already visible. We entered while walking slowly because there were a lot of bushes and grass that looked long.

On the left and right there are tombstones, and some people are seen squatting on the tombstone, some are praying and some are just cleaning around the cemetery here. We were at a public funeral, we came here to meet my father.

We were on a tombstone that read Ahmad Dahlan. The tombstone reads my father's name, after which my mother is seen crying while praying in a soft tone. Raihan who saw Mom crying also cried for her.

I indulge in prayer for my father, I pray that he will always be kept away from the torment of the grave and the torment and received all the acts of worship he has done.

After praying, my mother was seen talking to my father even though I knew that this conversation would be in vain because my father could not hear my mother's voice. I've been in a different realm, but that's not the case.

As I know their love is both sacred and eternal, I often find my mother praying when she finishes praying at home. He prayed that he would meet my father in heaven.

Romantic, I think. A love that will not only end in the world but will continue in the afterlife, will continue in heaven. And I always assure you of Mother's prayer when I hear her pray like that.

I saw that Mother could not hold back her tears, of course, because the man she married had to leave her first. But behind such crying, I'm sure Mom is very strong. Proved by his efforts that always gave me and Raihan attention as a mother and as a father.

I don't know what my life would be like if my mom left me, I don't know what it would be like if I lived without Mom.

I always thought, what if my mother dies right now? What if my mother dies tomorrow? The day after tomorrow? Next sunday? Next month? Next year? Can I live without my mother? Can you live without Mom? Try asking your heart, whatever you are with Mom, if dear then say before it's too late.

Before the body is lifelessly stiff, before the mouth can no longer nag your behavior, before you can no longer hold you warmly, say.. Tell me before it's too late.

The mother who had been squatting held my father's tombstone and stood up. "Mama, Raihan misses me." said Raihan.

Mom saw Raihan, she hugged Raihan and I hugged both of them, a family that I love so much. "Don't cry dear, remember today's Father's birthday. Don't let me be sad to see you from the sky crying." Said Mom calming Raihan.

"Sir. Remember Dad's message to be a bad boy. We have to be strong in order to take care of Mama." I explained.

"yes, brother." she replied in silence.

After being satisfied with his longing for Dad, We also decided to go home. "well then, let's go home. Said Mother.

We walked away from my father, maybe in the basement my father was cold but I always prayed that he would always get warmth from Him.

As we moved further and further out of the gate of this public cemetery, as I passed through the gate I passed by him, with the woman who had stolen my day.

"Alfy.." I said.

"loh, Arman." he replied.

My mother saw Alfy and they both stared at each other. I introduced Alfy to my mother and they both shook hands. Alfy swiftly shook hands while kissing her, the usual thing a child does to his parents." beautiful well son Alfy." Mother Says

"aunt could. So shame on me." reply Alfy a little embarrassed.

I saw his shy behavior felt like hugging him at that time because of anxiety. "oh yes Arman, know this is my cousin, his name is Puput." Said Alfy introducing his cousin.

Puput and I got acquainted, when he wanted to shake his hand he dodged. Of course I know, because we're both not mahrams. It seems that Puput and Alfy are not much different, they are both devout Muslim women seen from their clothes.

Looking at cousin Alfy, I came to the conclusion that Alfy's family was a religious one.

Actually I want to go straight home but I don't know why my mother even talked a lot with Alfy, I don't know why they both connect in the conversation. "so this Alfy kid has known Arman for how long?" ask the mother who started trying to match her son

"aunties if I don't remember wrong." replied Alfy.

"according to Alfy himself, Arman how's the guy?"

"hm, good aunt, attention also to other friends, hardworking trus like the hell. Hehe."

"doesn't it suit you?"

"meaning aunt?" Alfie started to panic.

"wouldn't it be your husband?"

Alfy did not reply he just smiled while Puput beside him just kept saying "cie cie."

"Mama's joking, son. Don't get into your heart either." My mother told Alfy.

"heheheh iye aunt." replied Alfy who was somewhat embarrassed.

Once again seeing his shyness made me want to have it. "but if you could just want you to be Arman's wife?" ask my mother who again makes Alfy more embarrassed and speechless.

"Ma... Mantapppp, I want to marry Alfy." I said IN MY HEART.

"jeez Ma, don't do it ah." I said to Mom.

"mama wants the best for you."

"yes, Alfy deserves better than me Ma."

I don't know why I said that, it just came out of my mouth. And I saw that when I said that, Alfy's expression suddenly turned to serious embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Alfy boy, this Arman is insensitive." Said Mother.

"the Ma already. Alfy sorry well. No need to think, my mother said. He is that guy. Sorry, yeah." I'm clear.

"yes. No papa. I'm so happy." said Alfy.

"then we go home first."

"yes Arman. Be careful on the road."

"assalamualaikum." I said.

"waalaikumsalam." reply Alfy and Puput.

I walked away leaving them both. My mother who had seduced Alfy was incessantly talking about Alfy to me. "Do you like him?" ask Mother.

"paan the hell Ma."

"his sister's pretty. If brother Arman doesn't want to just Raihan." Said Raihan with his innocence.

"a real little schoolboy." I started spilling back.

"be honest, son. Like right? Like dad? Come loh?" Said the mother who still teased me.

"no Ma. Not likely. Point." I said evasive.

On the whim, my mother kept flirting until we walked away from the public funeral.

*while it.

"hoooo so he's the one." Puput.

"what person?" reply Alfy.

"the scarecrow." Said Puput laughing.

After we left, Alfy and Puput entered the public cemetery, he approached the tomb of his brother named Imam. They were both seen praying next to her brother's grave.

"You know what? When he called your name. I remember Mas Imam." Puput.

"in the past, the one who called you was like that was only Imam, right? Your friend really ngingetin me with Mas Imam." continued Puput.

"when I first met Arman, he immediately called me like that and at that time I also went straight to the same Sister Imam. Every time she calls me by that name, I'm sure I remember my brother" explained Alfy.

"You like him the same?" ask Puput.

"ih, maan the hell brother." replied Alfy.

"You're my sister, so I know what you're like." Said Puput holding Alfy's hand.

"i'm not sure, brother. Now I just pray that I get a good partner and can keep me up to his Jannah." Alfy replied.

"amiyin."

"yes, brother, we go home. "They both left the tomb, a meal with a tombstone inscribed with Muh. Imam Mansur's.

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