Happiness Does Not Have to be Rich
Neighborly gossip

" Athaghfirullah.." cried Zahra.

Azzam who was sleeping was shocked by the sound of his wife's screams. He immediately sat down with a still slightly blurry look.

" Dear, what's wrong?" azzam asked in a hoarse voice.

" Mad, Rama's got a fever. I'll just go home, okay?"

" Oh yeah, we're going home now."

" What about Bang Rayyan? It's too bad to be left alone."

" How did you get home? You don't want to bring your own car."

Ben who had been silent since then finally spoke up because he did not want the couple to argue about something that was not important.

" I'm sorry, brother-in-law" Ben interrupted.

" Hmm...?" Zahra and Azzam looked at Ruben at the same time.

" Look... Instead of you arguing, I can take sister-in-law home and check the state of the person you're talking about."

" Rama's my son, Ben. He is only three years old" said Azzam.

" Yes, I took the equipment in my room and the drugs that might be needed."

" But_.." said Zahra hesitated.

" Come, sister-in-law... I'm not a bad person." Ben said.

" You just go home, Zam. I'm here by myself it's okay. Poor Rama no one accompanies." said Rayyan.

" No, Bang. Mas Azzam stay here to keep brother until he recovers. Let Rama be Zahra's responsibility." said Zahra softly.

" Beware, if Ben is like - just kill him." said Azzam.

" Well...! It can't be so, Dr. Ruben has been kind enough to take her home." said Zahra.

" Hhh...! All right, I hope our son's okay."

Azzam hugged his wife tightly even though there were others who looked at him with envy. The man who was once famous for being cold to the woman, now likes to indulge in public places.

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" Sister-in-law, where's your house?" ask Ben.

" In this suburban village. Keep going, I'll show you the direction." replied Zahra.

Now Zahra and Ben are in the doctor's car. Both are on their way to Zahra village.

" Sister-in-law, may I ask you something?"

" Ask what?"

" Why can sister-in-law get to know the polar man, anyway?"

" sthat mean?"

" That, the Azzam. He's the coldest man and the most anti-girl."

" Masa' anyway? Mas Azzam is friendly to everyone even though he doesn't talk much."

" oh, huh? Since when did he become friendly? Whoa... Must be given an award like that."

Zahra smiled faintly as she stared at the street in front of her without comment. True said Ben, her husband did not talk much and impressed indifferent with the surrounding although slowly able to put themselves in the middle of rural communities.

" Doctor, stop by in front for a second, okay? Buy food for Rama."

" Don't call me that, brother-in-law." Ben said.

" Your age must be older than Doctor Ruben."

" Anything can't call like that anymore!"

Ben parked his car in front of a rice stall. He came down like a little boy who did not want to be separated from his mother.

" Why come down?" ask Zahra astonished.

" Want to take care of brother-in-law so as not to be bothered by brash guys." replied Ben eagerly.

" It's up, but payin' ya?"

" Sister-in-law take it easy, if you need this restaurant I buy for sister."

" Just believe it,"

Zahra ordered five packs of rice to eat at home for Marni and Agus, who had taken care of Rama.

" Avready, sister-in-law?"

" Just wrapped, Ben."

Finished with the food business, Ben and Zahra again continue their journey to the village. Zahra asks Ben to be quick because he is worried about his son's situation.

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Arriving home, Zahra tells Ben to wait on the terrace because he will pick up Rama at Marni's house.

" Assalamu'alaikum." said Zahra.

" Wa'alaikumsalam, have you gone home?" agus Balas.

" Already, Gus. Rama why?"

" Fever, Mother. It was already in love with the drug Mother, but Rama fussy looking for mbak Zahra."

" You're coming to Ma'am's house, huh? Ma'am was brought home by his friend Mas Azzam, a doctor. He'll check on Rama."

" Yes, Ma'am."

Zahra saw Rama still crying in Bu Marni's arms. The boy was already very close to the middle-aged woman. Since the baby is indeed Marni ma'am took care of Rama because Zahra is still not experienced in taking care of children.

" I'm sorry, Mom? Zahra always bothers me." said Zahra softly.

" What are you talking about, Za? You're like my own children and grandchildren."

" Thank you, Mom."

Zahra held her son who was still crying. Following Miss Marni and Agus, Zahra walked towards her house.

" Doctor Ben, let's go inside" said Zahra.

" Yes, Brother. I took the equipment in the car first." said Ben.

Zahra entered the house first with Miss Marni and Agus. They're sitting in the living room waiting for Ben.

While outside the house, Ben took a bag containing health equipment that he stored in the car. Just as he was about to open his car door, two middle-aged women approached him.

" So, are you Zahra's friend?" ask one of my mothers.

" Yes, Mom. I'm Zahra's friend." replied Ben kindly.

" What's the usual temen deket?" tell another mother.

" What does that mean, Mom?" Ben felt that something was wrong from their gaze.

" Halaahh... Everyone also knows that Zahra often brings different men."

" Mom-mom don't just talk, Zahra's a good girl-well."

" That's what we should be listening to. Don't be the next victim."

" Sorry, Mom. Looks like you guys just misunderstood."

" Hhh... Stubborn, I guess we didn't know that you were here just two? Where there is a woman who has married and even walk alone with another man."

" Athaghfirullah's... Don't be slanderous, Mom! His responsibilities are heavy in the afterlife. Take care of your mouth, do not imitate your grandchildren later." growled Ben.

" No need to be holy, my friend! We know you're one of Zahra's many affairs. Poor Azzam had a wife like her."

Zahra, who has been waiting for too long inside the house, follows Ben who is still in the yard with his two female neighbors.

" Ben, what's wrong?" ask Zahra.

" It's okay, come in first." said Ben.

Zahra felt strange with the attitude of Ben who arrived - suddenly put on a flat face. He also got a snide look from two of his neighbors.

" Why...?" lirih Zahra's.

" Come in, I'll get the bag first."

" Mrs Titin, Miss Ambar...? Is there anything important?" ask Zahra.

" Zahra_.." said Bu Ambar wanted to reveal something but was cut by Ben.

" Come on in! Your son is more important than taking care of a vague thing like this."

Ben immediately pulled Zahra's arm away from the neighbor. Ben will not be able to believe the gossip of Zahra's neighbors who have crossed the line. He believes that Zahra is a good woman and Azzam is also unlikely to choose a wrong life partner.

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TB

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