The Tomb Next to the House
37. Radish

In the afternoon with a speck of cloud overcast, I still felt at home sitting in front of the window while looking at the two tombs beside the house.

One tomb with a headstone, and another one still flattened to the ground. I don't know when I can hide this from Raihan.

A lot of things have happened lately, so I almost forgot my second son's grave. Similarly, Raihan mas who in recent weeks like to go home late.

Ever since Althaf left our side, as if my relationship with Raihan's people has stretched. He rarely spends time at home. Just work and work. Just go home to sleep and eat. Even exchanging words is now rarely done.

"Mama."

The voice that I long for so much is like a soul. I looked back where the voice came from.

My two eyelids suddenly widened perfectly, watching a boy holding a baby I was sure it was a baby girl.

"A-s .... " It was as if my esophagus was so dry that just saying one word felt so hard to me.

"Al's sister is beautiful, Ma," Althaf said while kissing the baby in her cradle. It was obvious that he loved his sister very much.

Waitaminute! Her sister?! Means the baby in the sling is my second child who is none other than Bryan's child.

Without being able to reply to her words, I walked up to them. With hands that have been stretched out to reach the beautiful baby in the sling Althaf.

Now the baby has moved into my arms. A very sad feeling immediately attacked the heart. It was our dream to have a baby girl after Althaf graduated from elementary school.

But the dream will only be a wishful thinking that is blown by the wind and then evaporates on the clouds.

"Hiks .... " Sheeps and tears I can't hold anymore.

Heart's broken. The whole dream of seeing my proud son is gone. The shadow to see him grow up, complete all levels of education, to get married and fond of grandchildren is now only a fantasy.

Man can only plan, God's destiny determines. With the name of Allah's asthma I chanted all the pain I felt.

"What's Al's sister's name, Ma?"

The voice returned to awaken me to the beautiful baby in the arms. Even her innocent, sinless face had already showered some kisses.

"Yes name .... " I was finally able to respond to Althaf's question after strengthening my heart that was still shrouded in grief.

"Al's waiting, Ma."

I thought for a moment. "Umm, her name is Rada."

"Rada?"

"Yes, the combination of papa's first name is the first letter and the last letter of Mama's name. If taken from papa's first name the same nickname Mama became Ravia. How funny, huh? Haha."

Let it. Although this baby is not Raihan's child, at least he can treat my extreme disappointment because of our failed dream.

I laughed, Althaf did too. We laughed together over the harsh reality. I did not feel my laughter that was originally cheerful, the longer it sounded sad.

I cry again in the laughter. Until Raihan's call I didn't reveal it at all. I don't even know when he's coming home.

I felt the shaking of Raihan's hand on both my shoulders getting louder.

"Be careful! Later Rada can fall," I snapped as I brushed off Raihan's hand and took a few steps back to avoid it.

"Rada?" Mas Raihan frowned.

"Oh, yes. Sorry, Mas. I forgot to tell you that we have a new family member. This is Rada, Althaf's sister." I thrust the beautiful baby in front of Raihan.

But not the good response I got. Mas Raihan just fell silent while looking at us with a strange look.

"Why, Mas? Doesn't she want a daughter? It's our dream, isn't it?"

"Conscious, Deck. I know you lost Althaf. But don't believe it. You're scaring the hell out of me." Mas Raihan held me in his arms.

"Mas, careful! Rada can be nervous," my jolt tried to avoid the body of Raihan mas which even more tightened his embrace.

"Rada won't be able to breathe, Mas!" nagging me again, but Raihan's mas still doesn't seem to care.

I force his body with one hand. Because the other hand is still busy carrying Rada.

"Why are you, Dek?!" raihan snapped, making me surprised.

"Mas snatch me? This is what is it?! Just like a son and wife. Oh, so did you know this kid wasn't Mas's kid? Okay, I'll ng me."

Raihan seemed to be trying to catch his breath. With a troubled face he asked. "What am I about, Dek?"

"I thought that Rada was not Mas's son. But Bryan's son."

The man in front of me looked even more astonished by my confession just now. I know this is a hard reality for him. But that is how it is.

"But I will still regard this child as our son. I want to too, right?" many enthusiast.

"Don't be crazy, Dek .. "groan.

"Who's crazy, Mom? It's reality. You don't accept it?"

"You're crazy." Mas Raihan shook his head and left me.

"Mass? Went where? Do you want to take Rada first? Just a second, Mas," Racauku, chasing Raihan from behind.

"Mas! Wait dong!" My screams are not even ignored.

Mas Raihan just left with his car, he didn't even say where to go. Basic, just want to be people.

"Patience, Son. Later papa will also receive you." My darling kiss landed on the forehead of the beautiful baby I was carrying.

Honestly, she's pretty like her mom.