Bound Mumtaz
chapter 64. The other side of Zayin.

****

Zahra repeatedly called Hito but not lifted, his head really dizzy plagiarism case is really taking energy and time, he said, plus LIPI who was interested in this research until a few days he went back and forth to LIPI.

Stomach hungry, Zahra drove his bike slowly he was tempted to stop for dinner at the restaurant that looks crowded.

As they entered the restaurant, their eyes focused on Hito and a woman he knew, they sat at the corner table laughing happily.

As soon as his mood for food disappeared, he contacted Hito again, and his chest hurt when Hito refused his phone call and chose to continue the conversation with the woman.

Unaware of her watery eyes despite being held back her tears still poured down her cheeks, she wiped her cheeks violently, she hated when she felt weak.

For the umpteenth time the stubborn Zahra called Hito," hello..." Sapa Zahra when her connection was lifted by Hito.

" Hello, what are you doing with my phone!?" It sounded like there was a dislike tone from Hito's voice.

" Can't I call you? What are you doing?" Ask Zahra.

" No, I'm in an important meeting, what are you doing?"

" You said that if your phone meeting was deactivated, I was looking at you with Ziva." Zahra replied as she stared at Hito hiding behind a trading storefront.

"....." Hito did not answer, he went to look for Zahra with a worried look, and was upset.

" Where are you? I'm looking for you but I can't find you, please tell me where are you?"

"......"

" I'm sorry." Hito continued to search for Zahra throughout the area in the restaurant.

Zahra rushed to hide behind a parked vehicle in front of the restaurant as Hito headed outside the restaurant. He bit his lower lip so as not to let out a cry.

When he saw Hito turning back into the restaurant Zahra rushed towards his motorbike. He flanked his phone with his helmet

" Ara, where are you? Give me a chance to explain. FIG!"

BRAK!!!

There was a sound of a collision across the connection, Hito panicked he stepped out into the parking area of the restaurant, not far from the restaurant many people crowded because of an accident, Hito's face paled, he ran over to him.

His eyes widened when he found Zahra limp with her hands and feet hurt by a sideways motor because of a fall, he approached Zahra and reached out to help. 

Zahra looked at Hito with disappointment and he held out Hito's hand

" R..." Lirih Hito's.

" I'm sorry, but I didn't see any passing mbak." Said the panic-stricken man who turned out to be a teenager.

" Let me drive to the hospital with an injured hand."  The man reached out and Zahra received the stranger's helping hand and entered the car.

" Thank you, ma'am." The car left the scene leaving Hito staring blankly.

*****

Mama continued to cry even though they were home, she was afraid of the events five years ago where her husband died because of repeated accidents.

" Ma, dong cried. Brother is also okay just scuffed doang."

" You don't know how scared your mom is when you get a phone call if you're in an accident, if you die like your dad did?" Mama took out her teeth.

" I'm sorry, but you're okay. Kan!"

" Night no one is allowed to leave the house, maybe this is a rebuke from God because we are too busy each of us." When I saw mumtaz, Ibn and Daniel stood up, hearing their mother say they were sitting back on the couch.

" Sir,..." 

" Here you go to your room, you don't hear that you have to rest. Mumtaz, take your brother to his room. You guys go into each other's rooms, too." Mama went into her bedroom.

Mumtaz stood on the doorstep of Brother Zahra's room with his hands crossed.

Brother Zahra sat on his bed with his legs propped up by pillows.

" Can you tell me now, what's wrong with you?"

" Mommy, this is just an accident."

" Sister thought I accepted the reason brother always orderly traffic, now an accident just because of out of focus?"

" Yes, um,..."

" Sister story or I'm looking for it myself, and anything that causes sister to not focus will be countered." Sharp word.

" Okay, I saw Hito and Ziva eating together while I didn't pick up the phone, which made me not focus." Said Zahra who felt intimidated by Mumtaz's aura.

" Why not tamperin, even cry yourself."

" Sister isn't...." His words stopped when he realized Mumtaz already knew what was happening.

" Ishh, where did Ibn I confiscate his laptop." Zahra scolded.

" Don't be silly, I told him to find out."

" Mommy, don't overdo you."

" Sister thinks only mama is scared when you hear you're in an accident? I'm the same Ayin too, brother. Brother knows right since my father died I'm the head of the family and I feel self-loathing I fit know you were in an accident especially because of that jerk."

" Hito is not a jerk, I'm a better one."

" her martial brother now? He often makes you cry."

" Because I love her, but..."

" Did he love you?" Zahra.

" You also know that he also loves me, only sometimes my sister is tired, sometimes it's sad for you who feel like you're related to the person who made you die, not to mention our busy until the communication is not smooth..."

" Want to back off, and surrender?" Ask Mumtaz.

" Sometimes, but mom says that if you still have the feeling and are sure to continue fighting, I can't let go of my feelings like an irresponsible person just like that after you compromise my feelings, I can't let go, especially Zayin." Brother Zahra said in his tears.

Mumtaz glanced at Zayin who was standing not far from him leaning in front of Zahra's room.

" I feel guilty about you guys, but I can't do that either. I know he's busy, but I don't know why I've needed him so much lately."

" Over than us?"

" You and Ayin are too busy, I can't..."

Mumtaz sat beside Zahra's brother holding Zahra's fused hand on his lap.

" If there was Ayin, he would have said it was so complicated" said Mumtaz chuckling, Zahra chuckling.

" When have you been talking to your own family? ayin and I are men, where women are sheltered. You, Tia, mama have always been our priority. I'm sorry that we've been so busy with our own business lately."

Zahra shook her head "you're also in trouble."

" That's no excuse, brother wants us to lose Ayin's stubbornness and carelessness? Brother want me to feel guilty about this family?" Brother Zahra shook his head.

" Sister just doesn't want to be a hassle."

" Even I know you're again famous for plagiarism."

Zahra raised her head in shock.

" Sister, you have many sisters, you think Daniel, Jimmy, Ibnu will let you go to Germany without our supervision? As long as you are in Germany Birawa and Atma Madina always scramble to assign his men to watch over you, so does Ibnu with his computer skills, the Ratih, just a trivial matter."

Brother Zahra looked at Mumtaz with an unreadable gaze he hugged Mumtaz tightly, crying there letting out all his weight.

For a while they were just hugging, Mumtaz unraveled his embrace "if Hito was too busy coming at us who was always there for brother."

Zahra nodded, "why are you all so mature, but I'm your first child."

" Because we've been preparing ourselves as protectors since my father died." Said Zayin who appeared to himself on the doorstep.

" Stop being strong, if you are too tired to come to us do not look far" said Zayin asserted

" Sister thought I didn't know that brother who charges-in my school when Aa mumuy erorr?."

" Dh, it's the result of teaching tutoring as you become a martial arts coach."

"  Tia cost I mean."

" Yes, teach the first child."

" I'm his twin brother, I'm a boy I should be the one who charges him, brother for his own tuition fees is hard."

" Do I still care that you're hard on your own?"

" Here I want to make it clear that you have a brother who can be swaddled, so before relying on the boys of people, if you need the support of your own family man who must be sandeled." Zayin said firmly.

" Do I have to shoot Hito so he'll cry?"

" Heh, just saying it." Sewot brother Zahra does not accept.

" Cih, it was angry Hito like this, now digress. Ribet is so female."

Zahra and Mumtaz looked at each other, and then they laughed.

" Haha...."

Zayin left the room with a smile on his lips.

\*\*\*\*\*

Unlike Hito who entered his apartment lethargic without turning on the lights still with his clothes shabby, he dropped himself on the sofa by leaning on the sofa while his hands grabbed his hair.

Still remembered the look of Zahra's disappointment over him, the wound that Zahra got because of him.

Deerr....

He picks up his phone immediately hoping it's Zahra, but it turns out Zivara called him, she slams his phone in annoyance, and settles down on her head of the couch until falling asleep releasing emotions. 

\*\*\*\*

" Sister, you really want to go to the hospital even though you have injuries?" Ask mom wonder. They congregate in the living room for *family time*

" Yes, there's something to do."

" Sister..." Mom is getting angry.

" Ma, brother went to the hospital with Aa." Mumtaz holds mom's shoulder soothingly.

" Muy, sometime we go to Pema campus yuk, there's live music, right?" bring Zahra.

" may."

" Emang who is not a campus child can attend your campus Pema, A?" Ask mom enthusiastically.

" Could, why ma? Want to come too?" Ask Daniel.

" Yes, you can often leave your mother at home. Lonely know, before you had your own building gather here, but now visiting is rare. Is it because you're rich so you don't need a mom?" Mama sulks.

Daniel, Ibn, and Mumtaz were stunned, and quickly shook their heads.

" Not so ma, we are excellent students and carry out state duties, so busy is super." Ibnu dramatized

" Lagian mama is also no longer busy managing her coffee shop, huh?!" Zayin.

" Eh, yes too. Not so lonely." Say mama relaxed that makes the children stare.

" What the hell isn't so clear." Rutuk Zahra.

" ma, said mother if you need interior help contact mother" said Daniel

" really? call now." Mama's in her bedroom.n't long to rejoin.

" Isshh, that's the guy. again the campus's own smug fashion." dumel Daniel.

" Assalamualaikum." Brother Edel entered the house by holding Adel followed by Heru.

" What I'm saying is, they don't watch tv so the tv in front too" said Edel.

Without further ado, Edel turned on the television.

" The police have issued a decision to stop the investigation because they have found no unlawful acts and lack of evidence for your case, Muy." Said Edel excitedly while handing Adel to the lap of Zayin who was sitting casually eating brownies.

" The police said, after examining witnesses and the parties concerned, they found no criminal. As for what you did in the category *force Majoure*, for being desperate to defend yourself, in this case Sicily."

" When was it announced?" Ask Ibn.

" Yesterday afternoon."

" Sir, don't you follow the news of this case?" Ask Edel to mom.

" No, it can't be the same for kids. Fear of wrinkles fast he said Zayin."

" Mom?" Zahra asked confusedly.

" Yes, mbak. I want to change my call to mbak from Aunt to mbak. We're gonna make it big."

" Who's the same?" Daniel fished while glancing at Zayin who was feeding Adel a brownie cake.

" Ayin and Adel. You guys don't call me brother anymore, either, but Auntie. You call Heru, om. But to me brother, it's not polite to know." Brother Edel scowled.

" Sister,..." Zayin unintentionally raised his voice intonation somewhat out of anger.

" why? You don't want to marry Adel?" Edel asked suddenly a weak voice with a sad mimic.

" It's not so, it doesn't pantes that way."

" What's because of aunt's past? Is it because Adel is the result of a disregard, you refuse Adel?"

Zayin's reflex closed Adel's ear, "what does Auntie mean? I never thought I'd get that far." Zayin's voice sharpened, everyone was shocked because Zayin had just released a sinister aura.

" Right said Nebuy Sri, you who are religious cannot make Adel the son...." Edel hiccupped unable to continue his words "become part of your family." Lirih Edel in Heru's arms.

They were shocked. Zayin passes Adel to his mother, approaches Edel and sits him on the couch. Zayin crouched down by bending one leg in front of the bowed Edel.

" Tan, sorry, it's not Ayin's intention to refuse but it's like preempting God's destiny. Adel is still a toddler while Ayin is an adult, Ayin feels uncomfortable talking about it now."

Zayin squeezed both hands of Edel "for now for Ayin in addition to the country only three women who became the center of Ayin's attention; brother, Tia, and mother. Three that alone has made Ayin mumet plus neighbor kayak kak Edel, Ayin still concluded the woman's business is grumbling and can not be added anymore."

Edel raised his head and chuckled in response to Zayin's words, Zayin smiled.

" man is a place of error and sin, the best sinner is the one who regrets and repents. Ayin is not as good as Auntie thought, we worship more because we are aware our sins are mounting, so fellow sinners do not insecure each other, okay!?" Zayin shook his grip slowly. And gave a smile while raising his eyebrows.

" But Aunt asked Ayin to be with God through do, yes!" Tawar Edel's.

" Ayin was flattered, but in the future do not miss Adel, Adel's time is still long let him enjoy every phase of his life as he wishes. Who knows, there's a better soul mate for Adel." Said the wise Zayin brothers gawking to find a serious Zayin.

" You, really, did not reject Adel because of Adel...."

" Ayin doesn't refuse, just uncomfortable, like a pedophile. We and our family never think negatively about Adel we all love Adel."

" Tuuuh kaaaannn, you're the only one who cares for Adel. Because only you can take Adel." Edel Whine.

Zayin stood "Ishh, so the handsome and wise Ayin is rare, but the consequences are troublesome. Ah, handsome people want breakfast first."  Zayin went to the dining room, while the others snorted at Zayin's spiciness.

Heru stared at Zayin's astonishment.

" Yin, the level of nausea can be reduced?" Edel asked following Zayin to the dining room.

" No, Ayin so far there are still many who pursue especially if reduced, which there is a aunt who is limp with Ayin, duh nambuk ribet deh." Zayin shuddered in horror at the thought.

Mama just smiled. " The handsome guy's a grown-up too." Monologue mama while looking at Zayin.

\*\*\*\*

" Lo, why the tangle is so, what has to do with Zahra's puffy eyes" said Hito dropped himself on the sofa in Hito's study.

Hito looked at Heru, "Zahra crying?"

" Not in front of me, but it was fitting to visit his house his eyes were swollen."

Hito restores her hair.

" Call him if you think." suggested Heru.

" hp I ruined my slam."

" custom, want to be bought again?"

" Don't, mending gini is not written by grandma."

" hello granddaughter handsome." said Grandma sumringah entered the work space Hito while stretching out her hands hoping for a hug from the grandchild who did not respond to it.

grandma neutralizes the look on her face despite being disappointed with the coldness of the grandchild." Don't forget today lunch with Ziva, grandma already told him."

oh!!!!

" I'm sorry, a guest named Zayin insisted on meeting the father" the secretary said.

Hito and Heru looked at each other in shock, grandma standing on standby.

" Please enter." Hito stepped onto the sofa.

" I'm sorry, interrupt your time" Zayin said.

Hito shook Zayin's hand "Just shocked, not usually Zahra's family stopped by here. please sit."

Zayin sat down with a relaxed body gesture, he glanced at Heru.

" I'll leave if it bothers me." said Heru about to stand up.

" No need, you can be a witness."

" What do you need with my granddaughter?" ask grandma judes.

" It has nothing to do with you, you can get out of here" Zayin said.

Hito, Heru, and Grandma were shocked by Zayin's bravery.

" You..."

" I'm not your grandson, I have no obligation to listen to you, so before you talk and spend my time, I warn you that I won't listen to your babble."

grandma glared with Zayin's disrespectful attitude. He stepped out of Hito's room.

On the doorstep she reminded, "Hito, don't forget Ziva is waiting for you to have lunch at the sultan's hotel restaurant."

" You can tell Ziva not to bother about Hito, because he's going to have lunch with Zahra's sister." Zayin approached grandma.

" YOU.." Grandma had raised the hand that was holding the bag about to hit Zayin.

" One time you hit me, I make sure you're held in detention bars, don't test my patience, I'm not a mumtaz, Brother Zahra, I'm not, or a mama who could be silent to hear people's insults against my family." Zayin got closer to standing in front of grandma.

BRAK!!!!

grandma closed the door hard, Zayin turned back to face Hito and sat himself on the sofa.

" The warning I said to grandma applies to you, om Hito." zayin stared directly at Hito's bead.

Hito let out a heavy sigh, "i didn't mean to lie to Zahra, but I can only say whatever news about me and Ziva it's all just grandma's will."

" Om, if you're no longer able to protect Ala's brother let him go. Don't let him suffer, we're compromising with your relationship because we convinced ourselves that you can make him happy."

Hito fell silent not wanting to interrupt the outpouring of hearts of his future sister-in-law.

" Without bringing up the past, but it's not easy for us to see you with her, milling between us, but we understand by looking at her happiness every time she talks about you until last night she cried because of you. Not just that once but more, Aa Mumtaz and I can no longer tolerate that. Whatever choice you make, we're ready to accept the most painful for you!!"

Hito flinched at the warning from Zayin.

" i think there's been a misunderstanding here, I've never changed about my feelings for Zahra, whatever grandma wants me to fight at the moment. I'm just strategizing."

" i hold the word om, well I go want to study in order to rival Hartadraja." circas Zayin.

\*\*\*\*\*

" Muy, new brother realized. Today your clothes are as neat as an exmud." Zahra watched Mumtaz from head to toe in a muddy-haired look, with a maroon-red shirt covered in a black suit and black pants.

" gr, just ordinary. Today I asked Aa Temenin, so if you want to go home call Daniel or Ibnu aja yes, we meet directly on campus." Mumtaz put Zahra's lunch on her desk.

Chequek!!!

Sister Reni entered the room with a stack of maps.

" Eh, there's Mumtaz. Sorry to bother you, but the patient is already on the doctor ngantri doc. sure you want to open the practice?" sansi Reni handed over the map.

" yes, just start."

" Mumtaz, congratulations on stopping the investigation. We're sure you're innocent." Reni.

" Thank you, ma'am. Brother, I'm saying goodbye." Mumtaz kissed Zahra's hands and forehead. 

In the lobby Mumtaz met Bara and Gama, Heru, and Hazam, and greeted them.

" we're going straight to the office." Bara.

" Yes, sure." Say them in unison.

\*\*\*\*\*

Mommy Elena and the Sicilian who were busy getting ready for college were watching the news about Mumtaz suddenly he was disturbed to find a thought that tickled his heart

" Deck, aren't you worried that Mumtaz might be rude to you at times?"...