STEADFASTNESS OF LOVE
Raihan's Memories

RAIHAN POV

A few months ago, in one of the largest shopping malls in my hometown. The first time I saw you, the veiled woman who knocked on my heart's door. I saw you standing inside one of the biggest shops in that shopping mall. Toka who happens to belong to my extended family. I see you standing in worry among the many luxurious and expensive games. But somehow I was stunned to see your simple appearance? The game you use, not comparable to the game in this store.

I keep seeing you worry about choosing. I don't know who you picked the game for? Obviously your waste is not due to price. But because the model is too much and afraid not to fit the recipient of the gift. With a firm step I approached you. I chose one that I think is simple, but very elegant when used by parents. Honestly, I was happy when I saw you buy the game I chose.

Both my eyes are reluctant to leave your beautiful figure. I follow where your little steps are, there's a strange taste in my heart. The first time I was so interested in a woman. Not because of possessions, not because of faces, not because of social status and education. I asked in my heart. What is inside you? So I'm so interested in you. What do I see in your figure? Until my eyes can't turn away from your little steps.

I followed your footsteps for a long time. Now my footsteps seem to want to greet you. I approach you with my bold steps. I offered you a bottle of mineral water, hoping I'd get a friend's hand from you. But reality is not as easy as I expected. Straightly and firmly you rejected my friendship. I heard there are other men who deserve you. I took a step back, my heart was torn to nothing. Rejection that opens my eyes and heart. The truth of you I can no longer recognize.

I stared at your little steps away. Carrying a melodious voice that instantly filled my heart. I saw your back move away. Bringing hope to my asaku that has run aground. Your feet are starting to become invisible. Awakening myself there's no way we're united. I'm back to being an Achmad Raihan Maulana who will never be subdued by love.

Is it a soul mate or is it already written? We met the next day. The second meeting that left me unable to turn away from you. Although I know, there are other women waiting for certainty from me. The woman I don't think deserves to be my sidekick. The woman I looked at one eye only because of the different social status between us. The woman I put aside when I met you. But that woman is also the one who is now breaking me down.

I see how light the hand you have. There was no disgust or fear of seeing blood splattered. I don't see the strings in your face when helping others. Again and again my feet refuse to stay away from you. Keep following your footstep into a hospital. Your appearance is no longer perfect. Your white hijab is no longer white. The blood stain gives red color to your hijab. I see you getting charming with a stain that never makes you uncomfortable.

I followed your steps for a long time, until I realized how soft and warm you were. It is so easy to give help. Without you hoping for the reply you receive. Your appearance is no longer perfect. Makes you look more beautiful. It's not the physical perfection I see from you. A perfection of heart that I could never see from another woman.

You're not the first woman I know. You're not the first woman to make me fall in love. But I assure you, you are the woman who made me crumble and fall. If only I had to choose, treasure or you. I will choose to live with you. In each of your gazes there was an aura that calmed my heart. Instead my treasure kept me away from the word calm.

The hospital became our second meeting place. As well as where I know who you really are? You are no other woman I set aside and I do not consider her existence. The woman I insulted only because of social status that is not the same as me. A stupid woman who loves me, without asking who I am?

I remember every anger. Your voice is like a knife incision slicing through my veins. I felt the greatest pain, I felt the greatest regret of my life. Curse my stupidity that rejected you without me knowing your sincerity. If only time could I turn. I want to run around. I'll erase my bad thoughts about you. The woman who loves me and I dream of as my mother. But hurt by my arrogance. Your words are full of decisiveness and certainty. Rejection of the matchmaking spoken, because of my mistake. I still clearly feel it. Your cynical gaze as well as your straightforward voice, made me realize. You are no ordinary woman.

I realized how stupid and despicable I was then. I say love, but from the same lips I despise you. But the way of soul mate seems to want us together. My anger and stupidity are meaningless. Compared to your faith and trust in me. Although mistakes are real, they do not necessarily separate us. Now after so long together. You should sleep so long. Do you not pity me, your weak husband is helpless. Without your smile and voice.

Get up baby, I'm fragile without your ribs. I am weak without your hard attitude. I'm devastated unceremoniously. When I realized you weren't beside me. Wake up baby, you've punished me enough. Should I cry blood, that you may believe the earnestness of my heart. If you want to go. Take me with you, so that I will not be lonely without you and our children.

THE RAIHAN POV END

"Diehale!" greet Faiq, while patting Raihan's shoulder slowly.

Faiq saw Raihan sleeping with his hands. Raihan lowered his head only to cover the tears that kept dripping. Raihan's hand held onto Vania's hand tightly. As if he did not want to be separated and away from Vania's body. A body that has been asleep for more than two days. There was no smile on Vania's face. Only a pale face with no visible expression.

Raihan looked up to see Faiq standing right beside him. Faiq comes as a doctor who takes care of his little sister Vania. Faiq smiled wryly towards Raihan. Encourage Raihan not to fall and be destroyed.

"Sister Faiq, that's how angry your sister is with me! Until he doesn't want to see my face anymore. Look at him sleeping soundly, as if he doesn't want to wake up. He wants to forget me, he's gone to bring the fruits of our love!" said Raihan, then looked down back.

Raihan was crying and crying, that was all he could do. Looking at Vania's cooling body. He was frustrated and could no longer control his life. Raihan is devastated. Vania stayed away and kept away in her way.

"Raihan, Vania was indeed fast asleep. The medicine I gave him calmed down. He had to forget for a moment the problem he was thinking about. Once everything stabilizes, our little Vania will return with her cheerfulness!" faiq said, Raihan shook his head weakly.

Raihan's tears never end. He continued to cry and cry to see the condition of Vania who continued to weaken. Faiq saw Raihan's great love for Vania. No more words can make Raihan strong. In addition to continuing to let him cry, in order to reduce the shock of seeing the condition of Vania.

"Vania is not a flabby woman, she is strong invincible. Let Vania sleep now, there will be plenty of time for you with Vania later. Don't give up, believe me everything's fine!" faiq lirih.