A photo

Part 1.

Derrtt... derrtt...

My cell phone vibrated during the last class on campus. Luckily, the phone vibrates, if it rings, it will be confiscated again, like last month. While putting the books scattered on the table, I glanced at the screen of the incoming message. Some chats enter the green application.

"Okay, because class is over, then we end this meeting! Good afternoon everyone!" said Mrs. the lecturer who is famous for being super killer on this campus.

"Good afternoon, ma'am!" we said in unison.

I'm still sitting behind the desk, checking my phone again. There was a message from my mother, but she sent a message. Even though I'll be going home soon, because today there's no schedule for hanging out with college friends.

"Assalamu'alaikum son, you still take a long time to come home from college, huh?" Mother asked.

"Accompany Mother to the clinic, let's go! After this ask to be accompanied to the clinic!" I explained.

"Loh, Papa and your stepbrother are not at home?" asked Arini confused.

"Papa is still out of town, maybe the day after tomorrow! As for my sister, they come home from work in the afternoon!"

"Oh-yes," Arini patted her forehead.

"So your mother is alone, huh?" Arini is confused

"Mother of three at home, with Mbok Nah

and Mr. Dirman security," I said.

"Dah-ah, you're just a census officer, you've been asking for a long time," I scolded.

"Hee... hee, that's a sign I care about you as a friend," he said.

"Between caring and stupid, there's a thin difference!" my joke.

"Haa ... haa, you fussy," said Arini.

Fifteen minutes later, my car arrived in front of Arini's house. He immediately got off and thanked him for the ride. My best friend is a cheerful and patient person. He can soothe my heart when angry, and upset. I'm still single at this age, it doesn't make me feel inferior.

It's better to go to the right college first, about love will come at the right time. When a person has been successful in his career, automatically a life partner will come without being searched for. That's what I believe from then until now.

The fun of daydreaming, it doesn't feel like it's just in front of the fence. Not to mention honking, Mr. Dirman immediately opened the gate. Cars enter and park in the yard. Then I went downstairs carrying a bag containing quite a lot of course books today.

"Good afternoon, Miss Zahra!" said Mr. Dirman, the security of my house.

"Good day sir!" I said while knocking on the door

********

Assalamu'alaikum," I said.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," Mbok Nah's voice answered my greeting.

Kreekk... the door was opened, Mbok Nah's head appeared from behind the door. I did not see Mother in the living room and kitchen.

"Mom, where's Mbok?" I asked.

"Mrs. Meysa is in her room, Non! She said she wasn't feeling well," said Mbok.

"Oh-yeah, I'm going to my room first," I said.

I went upstairs to my room. Mother's bedroom door was closed tightly. I'll just knock, I thought. After putting down the bag and charging the cellphone, then I changed clothes. Then came out to knock on Mother's door.

Our rooms are next to each other, I asked Papa to make a room on the second floor. So that you can continue to be close to Mother when Papa is out of town.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Mother! This is Zahra who has come home from college.

There was no sound of people in the room, surely Mother was sleeping. I knocked again, eehhh, apparently the door was not locked. I slowly walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. Mother was sleeping with her back, I held her hand and forehead, it did feel warm.

"Bund... Zahra is home here!" I said.

"Ehm," Mom mumbled.

Since two days ago, Mother looks unwell. He often had a fever when Papa was out of town. Even though Papa always video calls when he is out on duty. Mother rarely hangs out with her friends, she spends more time at the boutique until the afternoon.

Papa gives freedom and trust.

********

full to Mother for a career. After all, Mother is patient, never angry, one more a hard worker. Unlike me, who is fierce, temperamental but still cute and fond of me.

Initially, the boutique managed by Mother was ordinary. Only a shop that sells syar'i Muslim clothing and contemporary hijab models. Because of Mother's hard work from when I was little until now, the shop has turned into a famous boutique in this city.

He always promotes the latest products through his social media. Often participates in fashion competition events, by hiring several models to wear their products. You are also good at designing your own clothes. Can be called a designer too. It is his talent to scribble on paper.

My thoughts were shattered when Mother asked me to have lunch, while asking to be fed. Because you don't have an appetite, who knows if you feed it, it becomes an appetite.

"Just a moment, va Bund Zahra, take the rice first.

"Just a moment, Bund, Zahra first get the rice, then bring it here with the drinking water!" I said.

"Yeah," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I rushed down to the ground floor to grab lunch. Then back again with a plate of rice and side dishes and a glass of water. While eating, Mother told me about her boutique which will be joining the event again next week.

Many customers like Mother's work. Because the design material is beautiful, light and soft in use. Mother wants me to continue in her footsteps. Career in the field of fashion aka designer.

Enjoy telling stories about your mother's dreams. The rice on the plate was completely sold out, we ate together, I fed it into Mother's mouth. It looks like he devoured the rice and the side dishes. Looks like Mom misses Papa. Even though this is the work system that Papa has been doing since they got married.

Later, Aunt Rosa, Papa's ex-wife

Lately, Aunt Rosa, Papa's ex-wife likes to find out. Maybe that's what made you think again. Since marrying Mother, Brother Rey and Sis Mona, my half-sisters, prefer to live with Mother rather than her own mother.

"Za, take Mother to the clinic first, okay! After that, just go to the supermarket!" she ordered.

"Yes, bud!" I said.

"Mom, change clothes and wash your face first!" He got up from the edge of the bed and walked to the bathroom next to mine.

Inadvertently, I saw in the slightly open drawer, there was a photo. My confused soul struggled, then I took the photo and saw whose face was in the photo. Turns out it was Mom and Dad's wedding photo. What are you holding that photo for?

To be continued ....

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