The Blink is Dusk.
Baby Sister

A WEEK PASSED.

*

The morning was bright, looking a red hue in the east. The sun is getting ready for its task. Aram feeds his pet chickens. After that Aram immediately set out to find used goods. Aram hung his provisions on the wall of the cart. Just like his father did before. Sometimes Aram remembers his father. How his father's stock was still hanging on the wagon when he died killed by robbers.

"Grandma, Kopek, Aram go look for second-hand stuff first." Aram said to Grandma and Salika who were sweeping the floor. Luran and Figan seem to be asleep.

"Yes Aram, be careful. Go home not too sore." Said Grandma, Salika smiled at Aram while nodding. Grandma's packing her cake wares. Aram said his greetings and departed. Along the way there were sounds of crashing cart tires on the street holes.

"Grukukkp. Grudukk." The Aramaic wagon.

While at home, grandma is ready to leave. Put up sling baskets and uphold wide cake containers.

"Sworty." Complaining Salika, she seemed to lean against the wall and hold her stomach.

"You're why Lika." Grandma Say. Salika remained silent for a while and her stomach improved again.

"It's okay, Grandma. Maybe Lika wants to poop." Said Salika, then continued sweeping the floor.

"Oh, thank goodness then. You don't get too tired, take plenty of rest. But Salika also had to take frequent walks. Good for your age." Grandma said, she then stepped out while upholding the merchandise overhead. Salika led to the front door. The atmosphere is still dim, the streets are still clean. Grandma said her regards, and went to trade.

"Cake. Cake. Breakfast, breakfast." Grandma said all the way.

"Sworty." Said Salika again, she felt pain in her stomach. He sat back down and a few moments later his stomach improved again. Salika finished sweeping the floor, she enveloped Luran and Figan who were still fast asleep. Then he washed the dishes, and the stomach ache like that came back. Salika felt strange, she took a bath and washed. While taking a bath also several times the pain is repeated.

"Copek, why." Areha asked as she saw Salika grimacing in pain coming out of the bathroom. Salika says she has a stomachache. After wearing black robe and light green hijab that grandmother loved. Salika then dried the clothes. Salika hurriedly, as she wanted to lie down immediately.

"Copek, dirty clothes let Areha wash. kopek do not get tired, will get sick." Areha.

"It's okay, just wash it." Salika said, she felt bad just eating sleep. A few moments after drying clothes.

"Salika, have a bath and wash." Bibik Tuyi asked, he tote the plastic bag filled with garbage towards the trash.

"Yes Bik." Salika replied, while enduring the pain. Bibik Tuyi looked at Salika's pale face. Bibik Walah ahead, hang clothes that have not dried yesterday. Aunt Walah looked at Salika who hurriedly entered while topping the bucket and basin. After laying the bucket and basin, Salika lay down on the side of the wall with a mat. Areha was having breakfast looking at Salika who was grimacing in pain. He seemed restless, sometimes calm, sometimes moving back and forth.

"Kopek. Is Kopek in the wind, want Areha crack." Areha asked, she sat down by Salika's side while eating mpek-mpek and vinegar. Salika just shook her head, she closed her eyes.

...*****...

Riha left for work, looking neat with indomaret clothes. Locking doors and putting on shoes. Uncle Yuro pulled out a motorcycle and his two children were also in elementary school uniforms following out. Tuyi's aunt stood on the porch, her two children kissing Bibik Tuyi's hands.

"Come, I've been waiting." Bibik Tuyi. He helped the youngest child get on the bike.

"Mom, we're leaving yeah." Said Uncle Yuro, then he left for work while taking his son to school. Riha started riding the motorbike and called Bibik Tuyi.

"Bik Work." Said Riha.

"Yes Riha, work before work is forbidden like a bibik." Bibik Tuyi's voice with a smile. Riha laughed, then left for work. I mean Bibik Tuyi women often miss work opportunities when she was married because she joined the husband and took care of the family.

...*****...

Pak Leban and his two younger siblings met at a place to eat in the tourist park of Benteng Kuta Besak Palembang City. BKB the term Palembang community calls the tourist spot. River Side is the name of the cafe they went to. View them Ampera Bridge, Musi River, and ships back and forth on the river. Visitors to tourist attractions down and back, there are taking pictures near the belida fish monument. The kettle seemed to be swinging around selling mpek-mpek and snacks.

The three brothers had all just returned from work. How to find their mother. Mr. Leban really seriously wants to find his mother again until he meets. In the conversation, they agreed.

"Well, if the koyong is really sure Umak is still alive. We'll see you until we meet." Said Uncle Barda, he agreed with his brother.

"Alright, I agree too." Sahut Zeta, responding to the words of her two brothers.

Two waiters came with their orders. Fruit juice drink, rice fish sambal and moved bones. They talked about how to find their mother. Mr. Leban also told me about his dream. Although he had previously told me through his cell phone.

He also told me that he had been looking alone for more than a month. Sometimes accompanied by his wife. Sometimes accompanied by Mr. Hadi, his brother-in-law.

Mr. Leban managed to convince his two younger siblings that his mother was still alive. They share the direction and territory within Palembang City looking for the mother. Their agreement, every Saturday and Sunday will be looking for their mother, Grandma Cik Rumi.

Over time, sunlight continues to lean westward. Then hit the surface of the river Musi and Ampera Bridge. A faint yellow light appeared on the surface of the river.

...*****...

Grandma arrived at the rented at five in the afternoon. As he entered heard the sound of Salika's agonizing moans. Areha seemed to be crying on Salika's side. Areha was worried and scared because Salika had an upset stomach from noon. Salika and Areha did not understand why Salika's stomach continued to hurt. Luran and Figan just sat leaning back watching Salika. Both wanted to help but did not know what to do.

"Assalamualaik." There was a sound coming from the rented door.

"Grandma, kopek has a stomachache." Said Figan when he saw Grandma get into the contract. Grandma was surprised and she began to understand. Salika's stomach ache from the morning sign she was about to give birth. Grandma rushed over, she put down the basket and the container of cake. Then approached Salika who was lying down while going back and forth.

"Sworty." Swishing salika's mouth while closing her eyes.

"Salika, it's been a long time sick." Grandma asked, then grandma touched the belly of Salika who was pregnant big.

"Suffering since noon, Grandma" said Salika.

"You're giving birth, like." Grandmother said.

"Right of Nek, Salika could not take it anymore. It hurts so bad." Salika.

"Patience, let's go to the mother midwife's house." Grandma said, then she helped Salika get up. Salika continued to groan and rose slowly to Grandma's help.

"Grandma Salika why." Ask Bibik Walah, when he saw Grandma memapah Salika out of contract.

"It looks like she's about to give birth, this is going to the midwife's house." Grandma answered, Auntie has pity on Grandma. Calm grandma is weak because she is old and tired.

"Junka, watch Deak. I want to take Salika to the midwife's house." Said Bibik Walah, Junka. Areha came out from inside the Contract and tore a bag of clothes and cloth. Figan and Luran looked to notice from the door passageway. Magrib Aram just returned. Figan and Luran tell us that Salika is about to give birth. After the Aramaic prayer also followed to the mother's house midwife. Midwife's house is not far away, just two blocks from Aram's contract. Indeed, they already know the home of midwives, because it has been several times for treatment.

...*****...

The mother midwife started to check on Salika. Starting from his blood pressure and health. Two nurses also approached, preparing tools, especially hand t-shirts.

"If you start to get sick from the morning. I think it's just a stomachache. Sometimes it hurts, it stops and it hurts again. The more it is day and evening the more it hurts." Obviously Salika while grimacing. The midwife understood and explained that Salika was going to give birth. In the morning Salika started the first opening said the mother midwife. When examined by the mother midwife, Salika had entered four openings. There are still six openings mother midwife explained. Then Salika must be patient.

"Your son, it seems like a man. It's been a long and difficult process." Grandmother said.

"Yes it looks like." The Legacy of the Walah Bible.

"Sworty." Said Salika, grandma kneeling back and Bibik Walah rubbed Salika's shoulders. Areha sat quietly watching. All waited until Salika entered the opening of ten. At dawn Salika gave birth.

"Sworty." Salika's screams never stopped, and the hands never stood still. The mother-in-law continued to teach Salika. Salika screamed, straining and finally her child was born in her struggle.

"Pull your breath, Push. Push trus." That's how the midwife taught Salika. Salika took a breath and then slowly pushed. Several times he kept doing it. Not playing with the pain, Salika's tears unraveled.

"Mothers. Mother. Forgive me mother." That was the scream that came out of Salika's mouth when her child was almost born. Grandma patiently held Salika and stroked her hair. Salika's hand held the bedding iron firmly. Salika endured the pain during childbirth. Especially when the baby's head is still gagged on ***********.

"A little more, a little more." All cold sweat awaits his birth. Then, the baby Salika can be born.

"Uuuwwwaaaaaa." Salika screamed a long time. Blood flooded the plastic carpet. ******** Salika is torn and tears are shed. Pain that cannot be expressed in words.

"Eakkkkkkkkkr. Eeaaakkk." Baby boy Salika crying. All laughing happily the baby was born safe.

Salika stared at her baby's lethargy in the arms of the midwife's mother. Two nurses took care of the baby, bathed and put on a cloth. Salika still feels her pain, as the midwife and a young midwife sew up ***********. A painful and happy experience. Unforgettable in his life.

Now that Salika's eyes were open, the love and fantasy she had dreamed of all this time did not exist in the real world. This is the result of mischief all along. What his mother said and his advice are now all evident. Salika was really hit, but it was too late.

Now he is making improvements to his life. Love is not a game of words, but of sincerity and responsibility. Love is not***, nor is it attention and romance. But love is understanding and togetherness.

...*****...

"Bibik, where's Salika's husband." Ask Mother midwife. Salika did not hear the mother midwife's question. Because they're in the medicine room. Grandma looked at the midwife deeply. Grandma asked to speak alone. Then the mother midwife invites into the work room midwife. Sit in a chair in front of the desk.

"Sorry mother midwife, I'd like to tell you a moment. But the midwife had to keep it a secret and not ask Salika who the father of her child was." Grandmother said.

"Alright Bik." Said the forty-year-old midwife. The body is fat and full, about 169 centimeters in height. White and long hair. He is not veiled because there are no adult men. Grandma told me all about Salika. Hearing that the mother midwife became concerned and sad. She also understood what Grandma meant.

"Alright then Bik. To make a description of birth, ask him, who's name is made." Said mother midwife. The midwife wanted to keep Salika feeling. But birth certificates are necessary for population administration, and the identity of the child is later required at school.

"Sir. Dukes. Duk's." The sound of a cough was heard, then the sound of dawn.

"It's dawn." They said Aram appeared to be still asleep on a mat in the front room of the midwife's house. Two nurses came in and out, Salika was lying weakly and an infusion was hanging beside her. Areha awakens Aram, she is asked to pronounce the azan in the ears of the baby son Salika. Aram slowly rubs on the left and right ear of the baby.

"Baby sister." Call Areha slowly, baby Salika has begun to learn to drink breast milk.

...*****...

"The cost of Salika's labor is one and a half million. But the midwife asked to be paid one million. He helps us, pays him no haste, said the midwife." Grandma said to Aram that morning.

"Aram has been thinking about the cost of kopek labor. How about we sell Aram chicken again." Aram said, Grandma was silent for a while.

"You are sincere Aram, your chicken is sold again." Grandmother said.

"Ikhlas Grandma. Aram remembered with brother AF who gave the chicken. He bought the chicken from a troubled mother. The mother's son was sick and her husband had not yet returned to the city. So he had no money to treat his son. The brother bought it because he wanted to help. Then he gave the chicken to Aram. That chicken is now a lot. Aram learned from the brother. So Aram is sincere and wants to be like that big brother." Said Aram.

"You are a good son and your heart is clean Aram. Grandma's proud of you. Your mom and dad are lucky to have a kid like you. Both are proud of you. If all the girls in this world knew your heart. Everyone will fall in love with you." Grandmother said.

"Grandma, don't praise." Said Aram with a smile.

"All of us buy baby tools, Aram." Grandmother said.

"Yes Nek." Sahut Aramaic. "Copek already has a name for a baby sister." Ask Aram again. Then he sipped on a sweet, warm-toenail tea.

"Not yet, we'll ask." Grandma Say.

Silently Salika heard Grandma and Aram's conversation. Salika was moved and her eyes were teary. He realized that his life was nothing. Thus, Salika finally became humble and gentle. The beauty of life lies in kindness.

...*****...

"Because the chicken is quite a lot, so the rent of the place becomes two hundred thousand, Uwa." Market security to grandma. Grandma was shocked to death. How could he trade one day only rent up to two hundred thousand rupiahs. While the rent of the stall for one month is only three hundred thousand rupiah.

"Oh, it's so expensive, sir." Grandmother said.

"Indeed so, Grandma, it's the rule from my leader." That security word. Grandma glanced at Aram, and Aram was so confused. Aram knew that security was fooling them. Use the hardships of their lives. If they refuse, then it is difficult to find a good location to sell Aram chickens. While the need is urgent, the grandmother will buy clothes and baby equipment Salika. Also to pay for Salika's delivery fee. Aram thought for a moment, and grandma waited for Aram's decision.

"Yes, it's okay, Grandma." Aramaic. Grandma took a deep breath, deep in her heart prying over the act of market security. They sold thirty Aramaic chickens.

Half of Aram's domesticated chickens have been sold within the month. Aram is sad, his ambition to become a chicken farmer seems not to be realized. When his chickens are sold. But what to say, because the need is urgent. They sell until the market closes. Alhamdulillah, by late afternoon all the Aramaic chickens were sold.

"Ha. ha. ha." Laughter two market security.

"Currently continue." Said one of them, then fanned the hundred thousand bills on their faces. Aram and grandma came home, the next day grandma shopping clothes and baby tools Salika. That night they gathered around baby Salika.

"Tandrun's." Salika said, telling everyone her son's name. Grandma, Aram, Areha, Luran and Figan are happy. Everyone loves Salika and her son. They began to call upon Salika's son.

"Andru." Call Areha. "We call Andru." Areha's advice, everyone agrees. From outside there was a lot of noise. It turned out that the mother of the rented owner, some of the neighboring mothers, Bibik Walah, Bibik Tuyi, Riha, Deak, Junka, came to see the baby son of Salika. All of them brought gifts, some gave gifts of clothes, money, baby toiletries, and detergents. Salika now feels happy family life. As she looked at her son's eyeballs, Salika's heart became happy. His life spirit grew bigger. She is determined to care for and raise her child.

...*****...

One night it rained very hard. From afternoon until noon tomorrow. Almost the entire city of Palembang was flooded. Swamps are abundant, rivers are flowing.

Meanwhile, a crocodile from the mouth of the Banyuasin river explored the rivers and swamps. Banyuasin River is indeed a lot of crocodile river ferocious.

The crocodile, during heavy rains and when flooding covered the bulk, continued to explore swimming without direction. So that the crocodile got lost away from the nest.

The crocodile finally arrived in a swamp on the edge of Palembang City. The rain stopped and the water receded. So that the crocodile can not go back to the nest. So the crocodile, staying in the swamps located on the side of the highway.

...*****...