Chapter 4 DIKSI HOUSE TERRACE (Sentul City, April 2017)

AZMIA

I glanced at the clock on the wall in the living room, it was thirty-five minutes past seven in the evening. It's time for our little girl to sleep. "Come on honey, it's time to sleep at night," I reminded Mahira who was still watching television.

Without arguing Mahira got up from her place after turning off the television, she walked towards the bathroom, not long after that she came out with a wet face, her arms and legs wet too.

"Mom... accompany Bobo until Mahira falls asleep," said Mahira, showing off a row of her clean, brushed teeth. Routines that are deliberately habituated to our children, taking care of their teeth so they don't fall out quickly, brushing their teeth before going to bed.

"Okay..." I replied while holding up my right thumb.

After locking the door and checking the condition of the house, I followed Mahira in her room. He hasn't slept yet, his eyes are still wandering here and there searching the contents of the room.

He rubbed his head gently, smiling at the face of the little girl who was starting to grow up to be a teenager.

"Let's sleep."

Mahira adjusted her sleeping position then looked at me with a smile.

"This week we visit Brother or not, Mom?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Just asking, isn't the schedule for licensing from the cottage. I'm sorry if we don't take you for a walk."

"Poor Brother, or do you want to go for a walk?" I inquired, flicking my finger to his nose.

"Poor Brother ... I also want to go for a walk," said Mahira honestly, she chuckled showing a row of white and neat teeth.

"I'll ask dad later. Now sleepy." I spread the blanket over Mahira's body to keep her warm, then lay down next to her. Then turn on the murotal from the cellphone, the chanting of the Al Baqoroh letter is our sleep every night.

The dry feeling in my throat woke me up from sleep, it took a little struggle to force my eyes to open wide, I sat on the side of the bed collecting my soul. Then walked to the dining table looking for a glass of water.

Hmm ... apparently I fell asleep while accompanying Mahira, rubbing my eyes so that my vision was clearer. The clock on the wall said it was five minutes to eleven at night. Where is my husband? It's late, he hasn't come yet. I hope nothing happens. God protect my husband. I pray in my heart.

Finished drinking back to Mahira's room, eyes felt very heavy, mouth yawned wide, drowsiness began to attack. Almost closed his eyes, suddenly heard the roar of a car engine into the garage. I got up from sleep, although a little staggered trying to welcome Bram by holding back sleep.

"It's late, Bram. From where?" I asked.

He kissed my forehead and walked into the room. Not long after, Bram's head poked out from behind the wall of the room, the towel on his shoulder almost fell, his right hand quickly held the towel so it didn't fall to the floor, his eyes searched for me.

When he saw me walking towards the room after locking the door,

“Make me hot tea, Mia” he said, then his head disappeared from behind the wall.

I prepared Bram's nightgown, then went to the kitchen to make hot tea as he requested. After bathing he sat in the living room, I came with his order of hot tea.

"Where from, late at night just got home?" I asked again, because I didn't get the answer.

Instead of answering, he opened the front door, took out his cigarette and cell phone, and stepped out onto the terrace. He sat facing the street.

"Overtime at the office," he answered, lighting a cigarette.

"Please bring my tea here," he begged.

The front porch of the house is Bram's favorite place. From there, we could look directly at the streets and other houses. Suppler and bougainvillea trees are neatly arranged, lined in pots along our yard. The colorful bougainvillea flowers like natural dyes beautify the page. The houses here are without fences, only trees that serve as fences as well as decorations in every house.

I brought hot tea to the terrace of the house, Bram seemed engrossed in playing with his cellphone while smoking.

"Bram, I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. Can you deliver, me?” I asked, handing him the tea.

“Tomorrow is still busy, Friday is short. Saturday only."

Not denying or agreeing with his answer, he walked straight into the house, caught a glimpse of Bram watching me go.

"Mia, you go to sleep first," said Bram.

Arrgghhh...!!! This pain recurs again. The head is like being crushed by a boulder. While walking towards the room, both hands massaged his head, but it didn't affect, the pain was getting worse.

Bram was still engrossed in his cellphone accompanied by a glass of hot tea. I don't know how many rolls of tobacco he'll finish. Before entering the room I looked for medicine to relieve the pain in my head. One white pill accompanied by a glass of water enters the body. After that enter the room and lay down on the bed.

I took a long, deep breath, slowly exhaling it. Repeat several times, so that the pain in the head is slightly reduced. Eyes began to feel heavy, somehow after how many breaths drifted away in a dream.

BRAM

Today is very tiring, very tired head. Actually, I wanted to ask Mia to accompany me, I really wanted to tell about the annoying incident today. From his seat, seeing Mia step into the house, he massaged his head. His face was a little pale, like he wasn't feeling well. Mia... don't get sick, we need you.

Only two cigarettes were burned, the tea in the mug was still one third. It's better to go to bed early, so that the brain can return to normal tomorrow morning. I stepped inside the house, locked the door and walked towards Mahira's room.

Mahira is fast asleep, our little girl is growing up healthy. Mia is an amazing mother, without Mia, what kind of life we ​​would live. I walked over to Mahira, kissed her forehead, adjusted her blanket, looked at her face again for a while. After leaving the room, slowly closed the door so as not to make a sound that disturbed Mahira's sleep.

In our bedroom lay a beautiful woman who bound my heart, who made me fall in love with her from the first sight. Stuck standing at the door of the room, smiling slightly looking at Azmia who was curled up on the bed, hugging the bolster. Azmia Miranti Baratakusuma, how difficult it is to win your heart. Has your heart now belonged to me, Mia???

Slowly walked over to Azmia, sitting next to her. Gently stroked her thick black hair, kissing her forehead. Under any circumstances you still look beautiful and attractive, Mia. Looking at Azmia's face for so long, my eyes darted through her eyes taking us back several years ago.

Atta`Awun Mosque, July 2000

Azmia and I sat in the courtyard of the mosque, enjoying the soothing nature paintings. The dominance of the green color from the thick trees that thrive on the peak highlands, the cold that slowly approaches anyone who is in that place. It didn't move us to do what couples usually do, we just sat and chatted.

"Why did you choose me, Bram?"

"I'm in love with you, Mia."

"But why should I? We both know..." Mia breathed, "I... have no love in my heart for you, Bram." he said slowly.

"No problem, will wait until that love can be mine. I want you to be Bramantyo's mistress." I said firmly.

No more diction spoken, we looked at each other.

Mia looked away from me, then, "I will do whatever Mother wants, to keep my promise."

I shifted closer to Mia, for the first time Mia didn't refuse when my hand held hers, the engagement ring wrapped around our ring finger. Can not be expressed in words the happiness felt, three months later Mia officially became my wife.

My mouth is wide open, eyes slightly watery, recalling all the memories that have pierced through time. Memories are never lost in the memory of the brain. Always pray, Mia's heart can be mine. Slowly lay down beside Mia, intertwining her hands with hers. The murotal chant pulled into the subconscious, slowly the eyes began to close, entering dreamland.