The Bujang Lapuk
The arrival of Aunt Sarah

Not yet able to fully calm down after the arrival of the woman who claimed to be Alif's omen, the house bell rang. Indicates that someone is coming to visit.

"Who else?" gerutu Za who was still upset considering the woman's words earlier.

Fadhil, who was sitting next to her, opened the door. Za stayed inside, worried that the woman would come again.

But moments later Fadhil went inside with two women. One of them was dragging a suitcase. Za is shocked to see the arrival of Aunt Sarah and her son Zara.

"Mir!" Aunty Sarah called Aira's name but what she stared at was a baby in Za's arms. The woman approached and was about to take Alif. Za held Alif even tighter. She's afraid Aunt Sarah took it. Not because it should not but the unstable condition of Aunt Sarah certainly worries Za. Moreover, the presence of Alif is desired.

Za was astonished. Alif as if bayo were wasted while in the hospital. But after she grows up to be a cute baby, they arrive. Za would certainly not be willing if one of them took Alif from him.

"Auntie can be a sling?"

Aunty Sarah's dreamy gaze made Za suddenly touched. Tate Sarah may not be what she used to be. But Za will never forget how warm the woman's attitude was.

Za looked towards Fadhil. Ask for approval if Alif will be fine when carried by the tantenya. Seeing Fadhil nod slowly, Za also gave Alif to Aunt Sarah. The woman was happy not to play. He carried his grandson, holding Alif like everyone else.

"Mir!" Aunty Sarah still thinks Alif is Aira.

Za smiled, nodding, understanding the condition of the woman. He let Aunt Sarah fondle Alif. The baby looks comfortable too. Probably because of the blood ties of both.

"I'm sorry I came without giving any news" Zara said, dropping herself on the sofa.

"Mama's so fussy this month. He always asked to go home to meet Aira. I had trouble calming him down. Mama's really testing patience" Zara said, looking frustrated.

"Auntie Sarah is sick. You should understand that, Ra," said Fadhil.

"I understand, Mas. I don't have a problem with Mama staying with me. But my husband.." Zara peed at the base of his nose.

"Drink first, Ra." Za held out the glass of water he had just taken.

"Thank you, Ma'am," said Zara then he sipped cold water given by Za.

"I don't know what else to do, Mom. My husband's getting here seems to mind Mama staying with us. She's really not who I've known all along." The breath from Zara's mouth showed as if there was a heavy burden she wanted to take out.

"Then this is how I want to work again. So that Mama does not follow the burden of my husband. But what about my kids?" Clear spots began to gather in the corner of Zara's eyes.

"Until, my husband gave me a choice!" Zara's tears finally fell.

Za wrapped his arms. He grabbed and rubbed Zara's arm. He should be thankful again. Fadhil not only accepted himself well, but also accepted both of his parents. If he was in Zara's position, it would certainly feel the same way. The dilemma between filial piety to the husband or to parents whose condition desperately needs his attention as a child who is now the only one.

"I couldn't bear to let Mama stay home alone. Meanwhile, if I have to pay people to take care of Mama, I can't. My life is completely borne by my husband. Maybe a few years after my kids go to school I can find a job. But for now, I can't. I'm really confused, Mom."

"Leave Aunt Sarah here. I will take care of it," said Fadhil after just silent since then to hear the complaints of his cousin's sister.

"No way, Mom. We have troubled this family by taking care of Aira's child" Zara replied.

"Then will you continue to take care of your mother and sacrifice your family? While your kids still need you."

Zara fell silent. Fadhil understood that his cousin was feeling awkward, especially to Za.

"Rest first, Ra. We must have been tired all night on the road."

Zara nodded. He got off the sofa dragging his suitcase into one of the guest rooms. His body looks very tired. Even his steps were shaken.

"Sleeping aira!"

Aunty Sarah's words distract Za from her husband's cousin. He approached Aunt Sarah to see Alif who was really sleeping. The puffed-up baby looked calm in his grandmother's arms.

"Let's sleep in the room first, yeah. I'll wake up playing again. Now Auntie also has to rest. Aunt's tired, right?" Za should even be like a kindergarten teacher talking to Aunt Sarah.

The woman nodded obediently. "Tante lives with you, can you?" Speech that makes Za again pity with Aunt Sarah. Although maybe his psychic condition is now different, maybe he also felt uncomfortable while living in Zara's house.

Za held the woman who had once held her warm when they first met. Rubbing the woman's back with her right hand while her left hand holds Alif.

"Aunty likes living here?"

Aunt Sarah nodded. "Like. Auntie wants to be with Aira." Aira seemed to fulfill Aunt Sarah's fantasy.

Za guided the woman to one of the rooms. He told her to rest after a long journey. Last night on the road, of course, Za understood that if they took the road, she just didn't understand why Zara did it. Because to his knowledge, Zara lived well.

After making sure Aunt Sarah was calm, Za took Alif up to the room. The baby seemed not to be disturbed by all the activities he did from the guest room to go up to the nursery.

Za flinched as a pair of arms suddenly circled around her waist. Fortunately, Alif had been put to sleep in his tiny bed.

"Thank you, Za."

Za frowned "For?"

"In the spaciousness of your heart accept Aunt Sarah."

Za thinned his lips while flipping his body. "I just want to be like you, Mom. Planting as much goodness as possible. Because we don't know from the tree where we can harvest the fruit."

"MasyaAllah. My wife," Fadhil stared in admiration at his moody wife. Sometimes it's like a kid, but if it's mature like it is now, it always makes him see a different side of Za. But that was Za, who was easily touched by his heart. He would not have the heart to see someone suffer.