The Tomb Next to the House
34. Althaf

"Althaf why?"

"Let's go home first." There was a heavy breathing from Raihan's voice.

"Died to say it, Mas. Don't make me curious" I urged.

Instead of answering, Raihan pulled my hand away from there. Leaving the flames on the crate that was getting bigger because of the wind.

Throughout the journey Raihan was silent. Though I kept raving tirelessly asking what really happened with Althaf.

"Eh? How are the neighbors gathering in front of our house? What are they doing?" I was surprised when I saw my house from a short distance away.

I saw a tomb next to my house. The blood that was shed has now receded. There are only a few traces of redness around the tomb. A little relieved, everything finally returned to normal.

Raihan and I flushed the crowd in front of our house. Sometimes there are whispers from those who tell me to be patient. What's wrong?

"Via's."

The heavy voice of Raihan who was currently staring intensely at me made me nervous instantly.

"Don't say .." "given me with a voice almost inaudible to my own ears. I can't continue the sentence that had occurred to me in my mind.

Mas Raihan opened the door to Althaf's room. I looked to make sure of my son's condition.

Alhamdulillahot. He's still intact there. He lay quietly on his bed. Though before I thought if he was missing or what.

"Why, Mas? Althaf is fine, really. Oh, sleep again." I turned to look at Raihan's sad face.

He took my hand and led me into our son's room. It was only then that I realized something strange about Althaf's body.

"Al?" lirih. He took her ice-cold hand.

"Althaf?!" I was surprised when I felt my son's body was stiff and looked very pale.

"ag ... It's been taken God, Deck."

Instantly my body slumped and fell on the floor. My eyes were still staring pushyly at Althaf who was lying quietly on the bed.

"Don't joke, Mum. Not funny." I smiled bitterly hoping that Raihan was really joking.

Unfortunately the sobs that sounded clear from him seemed to tell me if he was not joking. But since when? Didn't Althaf still help me get the crate out in Mr. Kades's backyard?

Oh, naw. Don't you just help me that ....

"Fucking eye!" makiku beat my own eyes.

"Dec, that. Al was calm there. Don't hurt yourself. He'll be sad later, if you see you like this." Mas Raihan stopped my actions by holding both of my hands.

Enliven my body in its arms. We cried together beside Althaf's body, which grew colder.

It felt like my husband's body was shaking so much. The shoulders that usually look sturdy are hollow like powerless. Even the tears that he had never shown were now flowing without cue.

The man I know is strong and tough showing his current weak side. Even with me who could not resist the roar, reciting the name of Althaf many times.

Still hoping he'll be back on our side. Accompanying our lives until he grows up, has a family, has children, and ... I can't go on. My chest was so claustrophobic as to imagine the wonderful plans that now only memories remain.

Up there I saw Althaf standing with his sweet smile towards us. His hand waved as if giving a good-bye speech, just like when he first entered the school first.

"ag ... Don't stay in Mama. Mama and Papa still need you here .. "my light is interrupted by sobs that have sounded hoarse.

"Althaf!" I screamed before feeling the head start to weigh. Until the instantaneous sight darkens.

The panicked sounds from some of the neighbors outside the room I could still hear before it was completely dark.