ZULFA FORTITUDE
Accident

Like yesterday, Mary waits behind the school gates. To see only his sons. There is happiness in itself, when it can watch his sons and daughters playing cheerfully. Aldo who is always excited even though it looks very closed. Likewise with Tia, who is more open and cheerful. There was no sadness on their faces.

But today, there is a feeling of longing that is very very painful to his soul. He hugged his two sons. He wants to be called Mother. Words he had never heard again.

He immediately headed for the security guard post, to be summoned by his son who was seen just a moment ago.

"Sir, can you call Aldo?"

"Sorry whose mother?"

I want to say that he is the mother. But the tongue feels muddy. Maria was silent for a moment. How would you say mommy was an ex-convict. Makes himself disengage his intentions.

"No need, sir. Thanks." Thanks."

"Oh yes, Mom. You're welcome."

Maria left the place. Back out, back to the gate. He should be satisfied with that situation. Strange woman, thought Sattam.

Actually Aldo knows, every day the mother is behind the gate. But Aldo still remembers vividly, when Mary stabbed her father and grandmother. So he was still afraid to see her. He could only stare at her from afar and while saying mother ....

If it's Tia, it's far from the gate. However, sometimes he caught a glimpse of the whereabouts of his mother. Makes her very sad. Just like before, he was still afraid to meet Mary.

It caught the attention of Master.

"What's up, Tia."

"There's nothing, Master."

"Do you know that woman?"

"She's Mary's mother" answered Tia bowing her head.

The teacher saw the sadness on Tia's face, making her unbearable.

"Oh, don't think about it. Play it."

Tia immediately passed from before Master Ma'am. He went to friends, played together until the bell went off.

And so too with Mary. He left the gate when the doorbell rang. He stepped towards the parked car across the street. Where Alfa waited patiently for him.

The road in front of the school was very narrow. He crossed over calmly. But unexpectedly, there was a black car traveling at high speed heading towards him.

Alfa who saw that, immediately got out of her car. Wanted to get Maria.

But darling ....

Braaaakkk ... Alpha and Maria were slammed.

The car hit them. He didn't stop, just kept going and left them.

That happened, very quickly. No one could stop the car from escaping. Especially record the number.

He left Alpha and Maria with serious wounds. Blood came out of his nose and other parts of his body.

Some people around the place were shocked. Soon they swarm. School security guard out. Aldo followed behind him. It just so happens that he hasn't been in class.

Innalilahi wa Inna illaihi.

"You know, Aldo."

Aldo nodded and cried without a sound.

"Grandpa Alpha and Our Lady."

"Call an ambulance" one of them exclaimed.

Mr. Satpam immediately picked up his phone. Contact the nearest hospital. So before long, the ambulance came with a police car, to secure the incident.

Several health workers lifted the bodies of Alfa and Maria into the ambulance.

"Sir, may Aldo come with them" Aldo said, as the ambulance was about to leave.

The security guard was sad to hear Aldo's request. But it's not his right to let Aldo out of school. He took a deep breath.

"Let's go in, you miss the lesson later" said Mr. Satpam. He brought her back to class. With heavy steps, Aldo followed after him. But for a long time there was a sobbing sound from Aldo's lips, making Pak Satpam could not bear.

Mr. Satpam frowned.

"Then, who's taking Aldo every day?"

"That's mother Zulfa. Brother Irwan ."

Although still confused, but Pak Satpam did not dare to ask more. Moreover, Aldo is getting sobbing.

"Alright, but you have to get permission first."

The security guard took Aldo to the teacher's room.

"What's wrong with Aldo, sir," the principal asked, coincidentally being at that place.

Briefly, Mr. Satpam recounted the accident that had just occurred in front of the school. Meanwhile Aldo was still with his sobs. The teacher tried to understand, then nodded.

"Alright, Aldo. Mom will call your mom. Just a minute."

💎

Meanwhile at the factory, Zulfa was very surprised when his phone rang. Seen on the screen from the Master Mother of her stepchildren. The school doesn't usually call him. What's wrong with Aldo and Tia.

"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wa barokatuh, is this really Zulfa's mother."

"Wa alaikum salam warahmatullahi wa barokatuh. Yes, I am alone. What's up?"

"There was just an accident in front of the school. Apparently, Aldo knew the man. Until now she was crying. But he's fine. Can you come to school. He's waiting for me" said a woman on the other end of the phone.

Zulfa's face stiffened instantly. Don't-don't, that accident was Maria. I don't know if his gut says that. Wasn't all she knew, Maria had secretly been to her son's school. Aldo knew him. It is likely that it was Maria.

Oh God, I beg of you

Strengthen children

"good. Immediately I went there. Thanks for the information. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wa barokatuh."

"Wa alaikum salam warahmatullahi wa barokatuh."

As soon as he closed his phone, Zulfa immediately contacted Dinda. Fortunately, Dinda always stoodby in her place. Once contacted, he was ready. Zulfa rushed to the parking lot. Dinda was already behind the wheel.

"Where, Mom."

"To school, Aldo."

Not usually, his employer to school at hours like this. Want to ask to fulfill his curiosity and also expel the silence that occurred. But undone. Because of Dinda's very restless face. Even repeatedly he looked at the cellphone, but still seemed hesitant to contact someone. Dinda did not dare to disturb. He prefers to concentrate on driving. To get to Aldo's school.

It didn't take long, Zulfa and Dinda had already reached the school gate. Zulfa was welcomed by the school security.

"The mother is Aldo?"

"Yes, where's my son right now."

"Let me take. He's in the office."

"thank you. But can you call them pearls."

"Yes, Miss Zulfa." Mr. Satpam is headed for the Mutia class. While Zulfa immediately headed for the headmaster's office, meeting Aldo who had been waiting for a long time. Still with his cry, until his eyes were swollen.

"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wa barokatuh" said Zulfa, as he entered the principal's room.

When he saw Zulfa's mother coming, Aldo immediately approached her. Zulfa immediately embraced in his arms.

"Wa alaikum salam warahmatullahi wa barokatuh" replied the headmaster.

"Sorry, Miss Zulfa. Bothers."

"It's okay, Mom. I was happy, immediately told."

"So it's true, they're not Bu Zulfa's sons."

"True, she's the one who's here every day."

There wasn't much talk between them, until Tia came along.