SALSA SECRETS

Mrs. Widya came home at three o'clock in the morning, she was surprised when she saw Kartika had just come out of the bathroom.

"You're not sleeping, Tika?" she asked. Kartika smiled," I want to perform the evening prayer, mom, " she replied.

"O Allah,... You turned out to be a good child, " Widya said while hugging Kartika.

"We pray together, okay, wait for mom for a while," she said again and Widya rushed to take the water of ablution and they also performed a third of the night prayer together.

After finishing the prayer, Widya invited Kartika to sit with her in the family room.

"Aryani told Mom, Son. Kartika, please do not ever say that you are jinxed. There's no such thing, Son."

"You don't know who I am, if you know maybe you will drive me out of this house right now," said Kartika.

Widya sighed deeply, "Well, then, tell me, mom is ready to listen," said Widya firmly. Kartika took a deep breath several times, it took readiness to open her identity to Widya. But he doesn't want anything covered up. Kartika also told how and where she first met Rivan. Until they finally get married.

Widya listened to Kartika's entire story with facial expressions that were sometimes shocked, even tense, and brought out tears. At the end of the story, the woman immediately pulls Kartika into her arms.

"Dear God, the weight of your life is heavy. Kartika, I don't blame you. Now, instead of mom telling the story, Yes. Salsa's not your real daughter. She was Mom's adopted. In the past, the mother's biological daughter, her sister Aryani lost in infancy. And the presence of Salsa to treat the wounds of the mother's heart," said Widya.

"My late husband loved Salsa more than Aryani, but I understand that the loss of the child was very heavy. So much so, Salsa grew up to be a proud and selfish child. Until finally the mother's husband died leaving a lot of debt to the late Mr. Wahyu, Rivan's father.

"Salsa and Rivan have known each other since high school, but they only dated in college. Then, their relationship broke up in the middle of the road. I understand because Salsa is selfish and hard. After the mother of that time, Rivan also had a lover. But, somehow the story, Reni suddenly came and asked Salsa to return to Rivan.

"Mom has a hand in this. At that time Salsa was abandoned by her lover a week before marriage, so I thought it was better to accept Rivan's son. Moreover, I feel a lot of debt to Mr. Wahyu. Finally, Salsa wanted to and they got back in touch. Until finally married.

"It was only when they were married, that the new mother found out that Salsa almost returned to a former lover who had dumped her. He is also the one who has taken up Salsa. So, the relationship between Rivan and Salsa was not right from the beginning.

"I finally know, if Salsa never serves Rivan well. Just asking for money and money, even later, mom knew if Salsa and her ex were back in touch. I was disappointed with Salsa. So, mom does not blame Rivan at all if he drops talak to Salsa. My mother's son was wrong."

Kartika heard Widya's story, ah it turns out that what looks beautiful and smooth on the outside is not necessarily beautiful on the inside.

"Kartika, if you want, you can temporarily stay here with us. Think of mom and Aryani as their own family."

"That's right, Tika, just be my sister and stay here. My mother and I will take care of you also Dania if Tante Reni attacks you again, " said Aryani who suddenly appeared with wet eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't hear your story, Kartika. Your real mother is so outrageous. Selling your children for the sake of paying the debt, there is no gratitude at all, " said Aryani.

"I am sincere, Ma'am. But, by her admission, she was not my biological mother. But, I don't know how the story of Sulastri's mother can raise me," said Kartika softly.

Widya smiled and stroked Kartika's face slowly. "Your heart is glorious, son. May God be with you every step of the way. And hopefully, you will be reunited with your biological parents in the future. Oya, this morning Salsa and Mas revelation His Father Rivan will be buried. Rivan will also be transferred to a closer hospital. So, you can occasionally visit with Aryani. You don't have to go to the funeral. I don't want Reni to embarrass you again. Just wait at home, later with new Aryani to the Tomb, yes, " said Widya.

Kartika nodded, " Okay, Mom. Thank you very much, " replied Kartika.

"You're welcome, son."

When the funeral took place, Aryani and Kartika were not present, only when Widya sent a message that Reni was on her way to pick up Saskia, did Aryani rush Kartika to the hospital to visit Rivan.

It was deliberately done so that Reni and Kartika did not meet. Widya did not have the heart if Reni continued to say that Kartika was jinxed.

It turned out that Rahmat took care of the transfer to Rivan hospital and of course, Kartika was not difficult to see her husband's condition. Dania who saw the condition of Rivan who installed several AIDS immediately cried sadly.

"According to doctors, his condition is not stable yet, Rivan was conscious for a while, but came back like this," said Rahmat.

Dania slowly approached Rivan and held his father's hand. Then the little girl kissed Rivan's forehead.

"Daddy, This is Dania. You know not, it used to be when Dania had not met you, Dania was sad because many were teasing and calling Dania an illegitimate child. But, when you came, Dania was happy, it turned out that his father Dania was a good person. My mother said that a good man is loved by God. If indeed daddy is not strong because of illness, Dania sincerely anyway, Daddy returned to God. Dania is sad to see you like this, but if you love us, you must wake up and be strong, " Dania said in a trembling voice.

Hearing Dania's plain words, everything in the room shed tears. Aryani and Kartika hugged each other while Rahmat pretended to look up, while he was holding back tears as well.

However, suddenly Rivan's body gave a response. His hands moved slowly, it made Aryani and Kartika startled. What else when Rivan's eyes opened slowly. Grace immediately ran out to call the doctor.

Kartika pulled Dania's hand away from Rivan's bed while the doctor examined them. "You know, my condition is improving. Even though there was no hope at all, this is a miracle," said the doctor with a smile.

Kartika and Aryani sighed with relief, especially when they saw Rivan moving his hand as a gesture so that Kartika and Aryani approached.

"Mom and Dad, Where Are you going?" asked Rivan.

"Keep Salsa," Aryani said quickly.

Rivan nodded slowly, then he gestured to Dania. The little girl came closer.

"Just now, Papa heard Dania's voice calling Papa, so Papa can go home," said Rivan.

"Don't be sick anymore, Yes. Get well soon, so we can play together again, " said Dania innocently. Rivan smiled, then he looked at his wife, "sorry for the trouble," he said. Kartika just shook her head slowly while grasping Rivan's hand slowly.

In the afternoon, when he received a message that Reni was on her way to the hospital, Aryani immediately took Dania and Kartika home.

"Sorry, Tika, we are cats. I don't like it when Aunt Reni always blames you. Even though it is clear Salsa also has a share in this problem. All would not have happened if from the very beginning Rivan and Salsa were honest if their relationship already could not continue. Rivan is also outrageous, just like he used to tell you to abort, " said Aryani.

Kartika just smiled, " I was wrong too, Ma'am. I should also be more restrained, rather than following momentary emotions and passions."

"In essence, all three of you are wrong," Aryani broke up while chuckling amused.

Arriving home, Widya welcomed their arrival with smiling faces.

"Have you been to the Tomb?" he asked.

"Yes, Mom."

"Yes, let's take an afternoon shower."

"Saskia came with Aunt Reni?" asked Aryani.

Widya nodded, " Ms. Reni is stubborn. He insisted on taking Saskia with him. We are his family here too."

"It's Hard, Mom. Oya, where's Yunita?"

"He studied in his room. Kartika, if later Rivan is healthy you can stay at Rivan's House. You can formalize your marriage legally. You guys just married Siri, didn't you?"

"Yes, Mom."

Kartika lowered her head to hear Widya's words.

"Why, dear?"

Suddenly, Kartika raised her face. In his lifetime he had never been called Dear by his mother, Sulastri. Even his mother-in-law hated him. But the woman in front of him was so gentle and affectionate. Tears fell down her white cheeks.

"Loh, why are you crying? Did you speak wrong?" ask Widya confused.

Kartika shook her head slowly, " Mom, I have never been called Dear in my life by Mrs. Sulastri who raised me since childhood. Did you just call me honey? I didn't hear you wrong, did I?"

"O God, Tika ...."

Widya immediately took Kartika into her arms. He felt sorry and moved to hear Kartika's confession. Even hearing the story of his life he felt very moved.