
The higher the tree, the stronger the wind that comes.
I think that term is also suitable to be used to describe the relationship between me and Mas Ilham who always get tested. The stronger our love, the more intense the slander that comes to test the love between us.
Yep. Again slander. Not even a week of Ramadan fasting in that year, even the rumors circulating about my pregnancy have not completely dimmed, I have been again slandered by someone in a more heinous way again.
That Friday, my father-in-law, Abi Rahman, went out of town to attend an event, where he was asked to be his speaker. The event was quite large, with a series of activities held for one week. So, the absence of Abi in his house made Umi want to stay at our house. Well, finally, after the assar on Friday afternoon, Mas Ilham went to pick up Umi. That day there was no cremation in the house. My brother-in-law was accompanying Abi Rahman out of town, because that was his world Ikram. He was the youngest, a child who followed in the footsteps of his father.
Less than an hour later, the bell rang. Mas Ilham and Umi came at a time when I was busy with the menu breaking which was still on the stove. In order not to forget my cooking, I turned off the stove first and hurried to the front room to open the door.
"Assalamu'alaikum, Nduk. You healthy?" I asked Umi who opened the door.
"Wa'alaikumussalam Umi. Thank God, when it's healthy." I approached him closer and kissed his hand. "Our own how's it going?"
"Alhamdulillah," he said. "As you can see. Umi is also healthy. Moreover, want to increase grandchildren, must always be healthy, dong...! Granny's tough."
"Alhamdulillah. Here if you help bring the bag," said I who had reached out to grab the big bag that had just been issued by Mas Ilham from the car, while he himself resumed other tasks: unload the cargo in the back of the car, then take out the vegetable basket from inside.
Ah, Umi's too good. Just one bag of clothes he was as good as me.
Me and Mas Ilham just throw a glance while smiling at each other. "Yes, Honey. Let me" said Mas Ilham. "There, gih. Login."
"All right." I nodded, then turned around to follow my mother-in-law who had walked first. And, upon arrival inside, Umi immediately put her handbag on the living room chair. But...
My heart stopped beating when I saw the trousers * men's nature and a pack of used *condoms lying on the living room chair, even complete with white liquid in it.
"Leh, you're fasting, right?" asked Umi to investigate to her son who just entered and followed behind me.
For God's sake, I'm scared. Maybe my face is pale too. I shook my head with my mouth shut, pleading in my heart to Mas Ilham so that he would not think strangely of me after his death, and still believe in me completely. Obviously, right now I'm very scared.
Help me, Lord. Help me....