BLESSINGS OF LOVE
Dejection

Sunday morning Yu Chen had already set out to train gymnastics in the front square of the District office.

Groups of mothers from several villages gathered into one there, plus other general participants.

If this event is usually Yu Chen will take some friends as well, sharing the windfall even though the results are not much.

Only sometimes if Ms. Camat comes to gymnastics, like to give more tips to all gymnastics teachers.

It is good to add pocket money, because Sunday must be a lot of people selling food around the square.

So Ahan will definitely accompany his mother to train gymnastics, he will adventure to find snacks while his mother was jumping on stage for fortune.

Aliong had just finished washing the clothes of his entire family, then he swept the house and mopped the floor.

After all, he rested with a cup of black coffee.

There was a sound of a motor coming from outside, Aliong saw the wall clock was still eight in the morning.

"Who's out there? there was no way Yu Chen had returned at this hour," Aliong thought as he immediately got up to check who had come.

When approaching the exit, it was seen Aming his eldest son was in front of the gate while guiding his motorcycle into the house.

"Oh, the last one is here. Since when is it here ?" aming does not like the existence of his father.

"Aming, how are you? papah has been here almost a week with your mom and your sister" replied Aliong.

"Isn't he? didn't you hear me wrong? or is that not wrong?" Aming showed her dislike for her father.

"Aming, listen to papah apologize" said Aliong while looking limp.

"Know I whose name is papah is a man who gives a living with halal money for his son and wife," Aming said with gestures as if challenging Aliong.

"The man who gives the child and wife a living with illicit money, what should I call it? The man, who was eventually imprisoned and made his wife suffer, had to feed the two children alone".

Aliong was silent and lowered his head, he understood that his eldest son would definitely reject him.

"Aming, papah knows that papah is guilty. Because papah is greedy, all of you are affected. Please forgive papah and give papah a chance to fix everything" Aliong said with sadness.

"A chance?" Aming was heard mocking his father.

"Aming, papah is really sorry and as long as you know, seven years languishing in a prison cell while carrying the burden of guilt to the three of you," Aliong expressed his sorrow for all his behavior.

Aming and Aliong were both silent, Each one had his own thoughts in his mind.

"We had absolutely no money, Ahan cried hungry for food. Mamah had no money at all, the house was seized by the bank so we moved here".

"Unlike now, it is still a warehouse of used car spare parts. Lucky a lot of bottles of used alcohol drinks next to this warehouse. Drinks that used to be downed by an Aliong and his friends while scattering illegal money".

Aming looked at his father with a cynical look, and Aliong could only accept that gaze with resignation.

"Mom and I collected the old bottles, and then I sold them to the junkyard. Gathered money to buy a pack of rice. Ahan ate first, then mamah asked me to eat the rest of Ahan. I know mamah lied about saying not hungry, then me and mamah shared Ahan's leftover rice, "Aming recalled the beginning of his misery when his father went to prison.

"The car showroom is destroyed, the business akung messy. Finally engku Asiaw running a car repair shop in front until now. And I'm the car wash guy, cleaning up the oil and stuff. It pays fifty thousand per week, and it's pretty good to eat two days".

(Akung \= grandpa; Engku\= uncle. The call that is commonly made by most of the descendants of Chinese)

Aliong was silent as he let out his tears, he felt very guilty to his family who became devastated by his mistake.

"I heard from Mamah yesterday, he said that he wanted to join the company had Mario. It's crazy, isn't it? Used to go to jail for joining the company, now out of prison instead join again there. Is it really that happy to be in prison?" Aming insinuated his father with a spicy.

"You're wrong Aming, not Mario's company put Papah in jail. But indeed the papah is khilaf, even Mario has often reminded papah," Aliong explained to his son.

"still defended? what did that get from them? seven-year-old daughter suffers, she's good abroad. I don't think, that's defending Mario. Let the wife's child be hard, just so happy," Aming passed and went into his room.

Aliong hurt his heart, his eldest son to look hate and not even want to call himself papah.

He could only sigh deeply while hoping that his son could understand his true state.

Yu Chen and Ahan enter the courtyard of the former car showroom building which has now switched functions to become an auto repair shop managed by Asiaw.

Sunday the car repair shop closed, but they had their own way from the side of the workshop to the back which was where Aliong and his family lived.

Seen in the yard Aliong was washing two motorcycles, one belonging to Aming and another office inventory that Aliong just got yesterday afternoon.

"Mom, there's Koko Aming coming!"exclaimed Ahan when he saw the whereabouts of his brother's motorcycle.

"Yes, just now your kokomu came, now it is behind," Aliong told his youngest child.

Ahan looked delighted, then he immediately ran past the side of the workshop heading back to their residence.

"How was Aming when he met you?"yu Chen asked her husband.

Aliong just smiled and did not answer his wife's question, instead he said so.

"Motor keep it here, I want to wash it. When I'm done, I bring it into everything. Now you meet your son, maybe he hasn't had breakfast yet" Aliong said, grabbing his wife's motorcycle key.

Yu Chen did not ask any more, he understood that his eldest son was noisier and hostile towards his father.

Stepping inside, Yu Chen looked as if he was walking around wondering what had happened between his son and father.

"Semoga saja tidak terjadi keributan, semoga mereka baik-baik saja," ujar Yu Chen dalam hatinya.

"Aming, what else?".

"Eh, Mommy. This goes to wash clothes, if my work uniform has been washed every day. It's everyday clothes, I don't have time to wash" Aming replied with a smile to his mother.

"In mess there's no washing machine?"ask Yu Chen.

"There, two-handed stamp. Hahahaha," Aming replied, marking his mother.

"Hehehehe, yes, you have to take it home if you do not have time to wash, anyway. There will be this washing machine, so blind but it can still be used, really," Yu Chen said with a laugh.

"So you met Papah, how?" yu Chen asked as he looked at Aming.

"Oh, it's normal. He asked for the keys to the bike, to wash my bike. Yes, quite a bit of cleaning," replied Aming trivial once.

"Didn't you say what you were like?" ask Yu Chen again.

"Nothing, I'm the same he didn't talk. Lazy also chat with him, want to say what the hell is it?" Aming asked back with a face that showed dislike to his father.

"Don't do that, papah is affectionate and proud of you. Anyway, you papah boy. Give your papah a chance to change," Yu Chen advised his son.

Aming laughed cynically, then said," Mamah, how will it change? He works again at his brother Mario's. It's the same lie, and then there's another case. Just free".

"But papah said, later if the payday will be given all to mamah. And your papah has proven for more than a week here, not smoking nor drinking alcohol anymore" Yu Chen said.

"Okay, let's see. If he could change, maybe Aming would also change his mind. Now we don't know how he's going to go?" Aming gave the impression of not believing in his father's behavior.

"Mama, this is Aming's first salary. Mamah just wear it, who knows for Ahan's school needs".

Yu Chen immediately shed tears when his eldest son gave an envelope containing money which was his first salary working in an official automotive repair shop.

"This is all for mama, what will you do? maybe you also need money for personal needs?" yu Chen asked with tears.

"Aming has a kok, do you like there are customers to give tips. Or there is an honor from overtime hours, it makes Aming wear everyday," said his son.

"Thank you, you're so moved" Yu Chen said while still crying.

"Have not been more," said Aming while in fact he also felt moved.

"Ahan was also given money as koko, this is two hundred and fifty thousand," said Ahan suddenly while showing money from his brother to his mother.

"Don't be extravagant, you should tube. No need to buy something that is not important" Aming told his sister.

"Ready, calm my brother. I also have a job now," Ahan said proudly.

"What job?" ask Aming.

"I get paid by my friends as long as I make their PR" Ahan said proudly.

"Well, this. Watch out you don't work like that anymore. It's not honest, it's the seed of a criminal like your father. Once again I heard you were working with a PR friend, then asked for a fee. I'm tabok, I don't really like you like that!!!" Aming was so angry when Ahan turned out to be cheating by doing the work of his friends for payment.

"Lu teach friends, group study can be. But it doesn't have to be paid the same money. Watch out, remember what I said," Aming warned his sister again.

Ahan of course became frightened, she was shocked her brother was furious after listening to what he had done.

"Ahan, Koko doesn't want you to cheat. Don't let me, son, you don't agree with what you're doing either. Later if your teacher knows, surely you will be blamed by your friends. Since you received the money is not lawful," Yu Chen also advised his son.

"Yes, Ahan promised not to be so anymore," Ahan replied with a face full of regret.

Aming sighed, then continued to wash her clothes. Secretly he remembers his old High School days, he taught some pretty girl friends but his brain was on less all.

Study group, Aming who helps complete their task. The payment is that each girl must treat herself to eat alternately, and if the value is good each must want to be invited to kiss with her.

Aming giggled himself while drying clothes, fortunately his mother was bathing and his sister was busy putting money into the piggy bank. So no one will ask why he laughed alone because remember the old High School days.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Maliangkay's family must have gone to church.

After the last service, Mr. Michael and several other Elders were seen counting the offerings and donations to Pastor Yosep's family.

Because Pastor Joseph's wife was still ill, the day's service was led by another pastor from a neighboring church.

"Mother Soraya, wait a minute,!!!" mister Michael was half running after Soraya who was about to go to the car with her two girls.

Soraya stopped her steps and waited for Mr. Michael who was heading towards her.

"Mother Soraya, I would like to inform you that the total acceptance of donations is twenty-one million more. We will present the plan tomorrow to Pastor Yosep. Will you be participating?" asked Mr. Michael while looking at Soraya's face.

"Oh, gratitude can be accumulated a lot. Sorry, I can't seem to go. Tomorrow I have started teaching again after a long leave of absence" Soraya replied.

"Oh, what a pity. Though the highest value of donations was yesterday from the Maliangkay family. I think there will be representatives who will attend from the Maliangkay family" Mr. Michael told Soraya.

"No, we believe in all the elders and administrators of the church. And sorry the donation yesterday was not from the entire Maliangkay family, but some of her friends Mother Rosalinda my sister-in-law," Soraya said.

"Oh..so, fine if for example there is no representative also we will convey to Pastor Yosep tomorrow".

"Sorry, tomorrow Mr. Michael does not need to mention the name of the person donating. Because the name contributes it sincerely and sincerely, so I think it is not wise if it is mentioned from whom and who. Just say it as a sign of love from our church congregation," Soraya added the message to Mr. Michael.

"All right, thanks again. Eh...sorry if I may, is my mother willing to give me her contact number?" ask Mr. Michael looks nervous.

"For what, sir?".

"Yes, who knows, once in a while we would like to ask for help for church events".

"Hmmm, this is my business card. There is a contact number connected to a chat message. If there is anything please contact. Sorry we said goodbye, as usual Sunday there was a family gathering at my in-laws' house," Soraya gave a business card saying goodbye.

Mr. Michael held Soraya's business card while waiting for Soraya to drive her car out of the churchyard.

After no more looks Soraya's car, then Mr. Michael like an excited young man while kissing the business card and put it in his shirt pocket.

"Yes!!!"he was strangled but slowly then he glanced right and left afraid that anyone would see his behavior.

Fuad had just landed at Jakarta airport, and he contacted Aletha for a cheap but good lodging reference.

"Sir Fuad, in my sister's apartment building, there are several places that are indeed rented. The price is obviously cheaper than the hotel, but the facilities are the same as the hotel," Aletha said with a thumping heart as she reached for a phone call from Fuad.

He did not at all imagine that Fuad would call him to ask for a reference to the inn.

"Oh, is there now? I expected to stay in Jakarta for about two or three days" Fuad asked for certainty.

"In the meantime, I'm asking my sister to help me. I will contact Mr. Fuad immediately" Aletha replied.

"Okay, I'm waiting. Now go get some food first" Fuad replied casually.

Aletha immediately woke up Magenta who was still sleeping because he was enjoying a work holiday.

"Please, Gen.Help me, ask which room to rent. This is for my friend" Aletha pleaded with her sister very much.

"Aduuuhhh, whose friend, which one is it? since when does Etha have friends in Jakarta?" Magenta looks upset because his brother woke up.

"Gen, this is a friend who is both family of the deceased in Palembang. Father Fuad his name, his wife died there. And he will stay a few days in Jakarta to take care of some things about his wife's death" Aletha explained to her sister.

"Well, how did Etha get to know this guy?"Magenta.

"Today we met by accident in the river where Mas Asrul drowned, and this father also accompanied me to his village of Jena. It just so happened that Mr. Fuad had a friend of the original Palembang people, so he and his friend helped us so that we could go to Mas Asrul's tomb" Aletha explained to her sister.

"Jeez, Jena's name would be. Though I have crossed all the memories of having been friends with her," Magenta was so upset that he was betrayed by his best friend who snatched his sister's husband.

"So how? want to help my friend?"aletha asked with a pleading face.

"Hmmm, yeah, wait. I'll try to contact my friend first" Magenta said.

It appears that Magenta contacted someone, then he hung up the phone and approached his brother.

"There's a room in my friend's apartment, it just happens to be the size of a studio. So it's suitable for just one person. The price issue later if Mr. Fuad has come here, will meet directly with my friend. Which is definitely cheaper than the hotel," Magenta told his brother.

"Okay, I'll tell my friend right away. Thank you well, Gen," replied Aletha looking so happy.

Magenta felt strange to see his sister's behavior like a teenager in love.

Fuad after receiving a call from Aletha, finally agrees to rent an apartment belonging to his friend Magenta.

Before going to Magenta's apartment according to Aletha's instructions, he went around the city of Jakarta first by bus way.

Fuad really enjoyed the journey, many years of his life just exhausted in the middle of the high sea dealing with oil pipes.

Now he was given a month's leave because his wife died in an accident, so he enjoyed it even though his heart was sad.

"Why didn't I have much time with Asmila, now that she's gone, I can have time to walk around like this" Fuad felt regret in his heart.

Finally Fuad was able to find the apartment Aletha was referring to, and she immediately contacted Aletha to inform her that she was in front of her apartment.

"Sorry, I'm late. I was trying to get on the bus way to get here and there. But it's nice to take that bus way" Fuad said when he met Aletha in the lobby of the apartment building.

Magenta is seen following Aletha and just exited the elevator door.

"This is my sister Magenta, she lives in an apartment here," Aletha introduced her sister and as usual Magenta just smiled.

"Come, we go up to the fifteenth floor. The place my friend rented was there. Please talk to my friend directly" said Magenta, pulling his brother's hand towards the elevator and Fuad followed in his second step.

"It's fair to see the fish run out of water, apparently the handsome widower," whispered Magenta as his face dodged toward Aletha.

"Hmmm, he's just a new friend. You don't accuse me like that, we both just lost our partners. If anyone hears later it's not good, you know," Aletha tried to dodge it.

Magenta poked his tongue out at his brother, "What if I take it, sincerely not?".

"Yes, whatever. A man's soul is in God's hands" said Aletha but her face changed slightly.

Magenta giggles and smiles at his brother's behavior who seems to be tempted by Fuad's good looks.

They arrive on the fifteenth floor, the elevator doors open and the three of them exit following Magenta's steps towards a room on the floor.

"Hi, Rey." called Magenta to someone in an apartment room whose door was open.

"Eh, O Gen." came the voice of the man from inside.

Then came the figure of a man in black, dressed neatly and his face was quite handsome.

"Rey, this is my sister Aletha and this is her new friend named Pak Fuad who will rent your room" Magenta said, introducing the man to Aletha and Fuad.

"I'm Reynaldi, his friend Magenta," Reynaldi said as he reached out to Aletha and Fuad.

"Is this the room I'm going to rent?" ask Fuad.

"Yes, please come in. Have a look, the room is small studio size. I used to live here, now I have my own house in a housing complex," Reynaldi invited Fuad and Aletha to see the condition of his small apartment.

"This is good, I'm interested. How much is the rent per day?" ask Fuad.

"Actually not rented, only if there are friends or relatives want to occupy please. Stay filled with electricity tokens, pay water bills and security. Just like that" said Reynaldi with a smile.

"Oh, what's the bill?" ask Fuad again.

"This month I have paid, at most next month. Not all, because Mr. Fuad will only stay a few days here" said Reynaldi again.

Fuad looked at each other with Aletha karwna equally confused.

"Just wear it, sir. It was easy for Magenta to set up, "Reynaldi smiled again.

"I'm not feeling good?" answer Fuad.

"Rey, who's that house with?" ask Aletha.

"While still alone, still waiting for Magenta's readiness to stay with me," Reynaldi replied casually as he looked at Magenta.

"You are." Aletha looked up as her finger pointed at her sister and Reynaldi.

"Yes, we were going to Semarang. Because Rey wants to get acquainted with papih and mamih. There is only the case of Mas Asrul, so I postpone it first" Magenta said.

"Hmmm, I'll be back with you to Semarang. Papih and mamih should know soon, and I am also looking forward to my sister's wedding, too" Aletha was so happy.

"But..," said Magenta.

"No Gen, my life story is not your life story. Come on, you guys should get married. Don't delay it any longer. Not because there's a household case, and then you change your mind. There's nothing to do with your life" Aletha so eagerly gave a statement to her sister and Fuad also became a little stunned to see her.

Reynaldi and Magenta looked at each other, then both nodded and Magenta said, "Well, sister Etha will return to Semarang. We'll be in".

Of course Aletha was very happy and hugged her sister tightly with happy tears.

That night Fuad stayed at Reynaldi's apartment. But he refuses when Reynaldi invites him to dinner with Aletha and Magenta. It's not nice to think because it's probably a family event.

Coincidentally that night he got an email from Buluk again, because Asmila's phone can be opened and lucky seventy-five percent of the data can still be opened.

Lots of photos of Asmila being alone with Mario, accidentally taken pictures, but most Asmila took it secretly.

Boiling down again Fuad's heart saw him, then he remembered Soraya and immediately contacted her.

"If tomorrow I can't, my teaching schedule is tight till night. How about Tuesday, because on that day the schedule with the lower students so that I can leave it to my assistant," Soraya replied so when Fuad invited to meet to check the boarding room Asmila.

"Ready, later on Tuesday morning I remind you again Mother Soraya," Fuad said while looking at her face with great irritation.

In the evening, Aletha knocked on the door of the apartment room that Fuad lived in, and tried to call her cell phone several times, but there was no answer.

That night Fuad was at a nightclub, he got drunk and he paid a woman a night to accompany him in a hotel. And having the woman that night make love, she spilled all her frustration by getting drunk and making love to the paid woman earlier.

Life is painful for some people who experience it.

But it's actually a test of the heart for the living, giving them a chance to improve.

Being patient in the experiment, staying close to God is the point.