ZULFA FORTITUDE
Guilt

"Mas, why use a drink like this?" asked the strange looking Maria with a few bottles of whisky on the table.

"Biasalah .. for friends." replied Herman lightly.

Not wanting to argue further, he left Herman. Moreover, it sounded someone calling from the front. He opened the door of his house, and found someone carrying the food they ordered yesterday.

"How much, Bang."

"That number is already written in the note, Madam ."

"Oh yeah, wait a minute." Mary left the man, taking the money in his room. Before long, he was back. By bringing a certain amount of money in accordance with the price stated.

"Thank you, Bang."

"Together, Madam."

Maria returned to the living room to arrange all the dishes. Without him noticing Herman was watching him intensely. And hugged himself very tightly. I forgot to give him a little kiss.

"It turns out, my wife is skilled as well."

"Muji .. there must be a desire."

"Can't you?"

"Yesterday I didn't want to."

"Hehehe ..." only laughter in response and lustful gazes.

Until late at night, the little party was not over. Until they spend the available wisky. They disbanded one by one. Maria and Herman are busy getting things done.

"Mas, was there a drink?"

"Just a little, Yang. Just respecting them."

"But it mustn't be in your faith."

"But if it's not, I'm dizzy."

"Oh ..." although astonished, but Mary did not dare to blame Herman's reasons that she did not understand.

"You're tired, Yang."

"Not what, Mas." all the time this time he washes kitchen utensils. For love, patience ....

The days were wonderful for both Herman and Maria. But in the middle of it all, in Herman's little heart, there was guilt he was trying to hide from Mary. Often he secretly drank liquor to relieve his guilt.

"Mas, drink again?"

"Friends out winning the project. Party bit. It's nothing."

"I know, I miss Zulfa, Kan."

Herman stopped his way. Looking back at Maria.

"I like it, my wife is jealous." With one finger, he wiped the tears of Mary that flowed down both of his cheeks. Then she gently kissed Mary on her forehead and lips. Made Maria sculpt for a moment. The feeling floated, regardless of whether Herman was still thinking about Mbak Zulfa or not. Herman is with him now. So there is no regret to continue living with Herman until now.

But when, on another day, Herman came home with the stinging smell of drink, Mary grew sad. Especially when they sleep, not infrequently Herman delirious by calling the name Zulfa. Tormented him.

At nearly seven years of age, Mary was pregnant. The attention given by Herman is getting excessive and also spoiling it as well. Maybe Herman has started to forget about Zulfa, Maria thought.

But it turns out he was wrong. When found in the gallery of Herman's old handpone, still saved photos mbak Zulfa and also his sons and daughters. He was jealous, but he realized. He chose to be present as the third person in their household. At that time he wanted to retreat, but ....

"Why have you been sad lately. What is troubling your mind ... or do you want something?"

"No, Mas." Maria was silent for a moment, continuing her remaining dinner.

"Later it's the same baby in your stomach you know.." while giving a small bribe to his wife.

"Mas, can I ask you something?"

"Ask!"

"Mas, is it time for Zulfa to get pregnant, and it's like this?" Herman smiled faintly in response to Maria's question.

Not not to answer. But ... whether Maria will be able to accept it with her honesty. That he was unable to remove the name Zulfa from his soul. And she felt even more guilty when she found out Zulfa was raising her sons alone. While he now has fun other women, even though his wife.

"Mas, if mas had to choose between mbak Zulfa and me, mas choose which one." Herman immediately put down his spoon, looking at Maria with a question mark.

"This you, there you are." replied Herman trying to restore the atmosphere.

"Yes. If I don't exist, I can go to Zulfa again."

"Did my baby want to see his stepmother, yeah." Back Herman feeds Maria, so that their dinner could be over soon. Because there's a lot of work to be done tonight. To make the boss satisfied with the results of his work.

"No, Mas." answered Mary hurriedly. However, he could not, if it really happened.

"But if it is. I'll be happy." replied Herman accordingly. Makes his chest clench with guilt.

I don't know. When pregnant like this Mary is getting spoiled and shows unwarranted jealousy. Thankfully, Herman patiently took care of her. However Mary was his wife, and there was life in her womb that she needed to take care of.

They enjoy eating in silence. Not long before it's finished. Herman returned to his desk in the living room. Leaving Maria who was cleaning the dining table.

After finishing that, he waited for Herman in their room. Again he remembered the old handpone that Herman kept in his personal closet. Right now, there was a growing sense of regret within him. Wanted him to end it by apologizing directly to Zulfa.

Old Mary looked at Zulfa's number on the handpone. Contacting .... Is not yes ....

Gathering all the courage, he finally called the number. Without him noticing, Herman had been standing behind him.

Hopefully Zulfa's number hasn't been changed. The phone is connected, but it takes a long time to pick up. Patience ....

Finally caught up too.

"Assalamu'alaikum ..." which confused me to answer what. I am still a stranger to those words.

Finally I tried to reply with the word, "Hallo ..."

There's no answer. I have to be patient, so that this guilt does not torture me more. After a long time, there was finally an answer.

"Hallo too, who am I talking to?" the sap, which made me nervous for a moment.

"I'm sorry, let me introduce myself first."

These words suddenly stuck as if they did not want to come out. Especially when Herman got me from behind.

"Who did you call, Yang."

"Sister Zulfa."

"How dare you."

"It's already there gech .... It's a woman-to-woman conversation. Don't bother me yet."

But Herman grabbed me so tightly that I could hardly breathe.

"Mas, don't dong. I'm having a hard time breathing, Nich."

After successfully escaping from the deckapan mas Herman. I continue what is my purpose.

"Sorry waiting. But am I really talking to Zulfa?"

"Yes right. You who?"

"I am Mary, his wife, and Herman."

He seems surprised by what I said. Ah ... I started the introduction wrong. There was a great trembling voice from the woman I called Zulfa.

"Then, if you're Herman's wife, what's the matter of calling me."

I was silent for a moment hearing her voice that was holding back anger.

"I ... I ..." It feels like this tongue is a hoax to say sorry to him.

"I don't think there's anything else to talk about." He suddenly closed it off unilaterally.

I was confused what to do. Moreover, Herman came back to hold me very tightly.

"Have a good call, dear."