Chapter 4 Miss Dad

After five hours on the ship, Nada was finally able to set foot in the port of Merak. The ship he was on had to be detained for several hours because there were no ships sailing at the port of Merak. Until there is no place to anchor the ship.

Nada still has a long way to go. It takes a few more hours to get to Jakarta. Nada was having a hard time walking because she couldn't bear to wake Nazril, so she had to carry Nazril who was asleep.

The clock showed four in the morning, she intended to wait for dawn to arrive after that she would continue her journey in search of her husband. From a distance of several meters, Nada saw the mosque, he rushed there frailly.

Arriving at the mosque, Nada immediately put Nazril to sleep in the far corner of the mosque. Meanwhile he was about to take ablution water. The ablution water hit Nada's beautiful face, providing freshness amidst the dryness of her heart. In the midst of sadness and in the midst of despair.

After completing his ablution, Nada wore the mukena available there. Then chant the holy verses of the Koran to win hearts. I couldn't feel the tears in my eyes. Nada was confused as to why she looked like a weak woman who always cried all the time.

In the past, it wasn't like this, you could even say that he rarely cried, even though his heart really wanted to cry, but he could hold it in as best he could. Now? Even the smallest thing that reminded her of her husband made her immediately cry. Maybe he was tired. His heart, mind and soul too.

Not long after the sound of the call to prayer resounded, Nada stopped reading the Koran. He put it away for now and focused on listening to the call to prayer. While listening, he followed the pronunciation of the call to prayer every time he finished saying one verse.

Again, Nada cried. I don't know how many tears he shed. I don't know how much crying he did. Too often, even so often, that he doesn't even know how often she cries.

'oh my God, O Rahman, O womb. I ask you to bless every step I take. Give me ease in the process of searching for my husband,' she groaned to herself.

After that, Nada got up to perform morning prayers in congregation. After the prayer, Nada did not immediately leave, he still sat quietly in the mosque. It was still too dark to continue the journey, thought Nada.

While waiting for the sun to rise until its light illuminates the natural world, Nada opened her bag and took out two envelopes whose colors were worn out. It was a letter that Aziz sent before he disappeared like he was swallowed by the earth.

The first envelope or first letter bears the day, date and month the letter was written. Then at the bottom right there is written the address from which the letter was sent. And at the top on the left is Nada's name along with her home address.

Nada slowly opened the letter, rereading the contents carefully. Nada still remembers the contents of the letter, the contents of which said that Aziz liked his job and promised that next month he would send Nada her first salary. After that, Nada folded the letter again and opened the second envelope.

This is where disaster begins to strike. The contents of the letter stated that Aziz did not receive a salary, meaning that he was cheated by only using his labor without being paid. Then in the next sentence it is written

I'll look for another job. Sorry, it turns out my promise to send you money didn't come true. I promise that after I get another job I will regularly send you money so you can use it to meet Nazril's needs. This is my promise Nada.

Nada suddenly sobbed after finishing reading the letter from Aziz. He didn't expect that after that letter there would be no more news from him. Even though Nada always waited and hoped that there would be good news in the third letter. Never mind that there was no good news about the arrival of the third letter.

It feels like if I have to remember that it will bring back old wounds. But, hasn't Nada's heart been hurt since the beginning? Yes, very deeply hurt.

Slowly there was a small movement from Nazril. He slept so soundly. Nada quickly put back the letter from Aziz then wiped her tears quickly.

Nazril stretched. Then opened his eyes and yawned very widely.

"Mother, are you there yet?" he asked, when he realized he wasn't on the ship anymore.

Nada smiled, then rubbed Nazril's sitting head anxiously with a confused facial expression.

"Rest first, son. "Soon we will take the bus and go to Jakarta," said Nada.

Nada tidied Nazril's clothes which looked wrinkled and messy. Then combed Nazril's short hair with his fingers. Nazril just silently received treatment from his mother. Until one sentence came out of Nazril's mouth and succeeded in making Nada speechless.

"Mother, what is Nazril's father like?" Nazril asked so innocently.

Nada looked sadly at Nazril. For the first time, Nazril asked how his father was. Usually Nazril would just say he missed dad or wanted to meet dad, but this time? It seems that Nazril's desire to know is getting bigger.

Nada turned Nazril's body so that he was facing her. Then Nada took the cellphone and pressed the camera application.

"Look at the camera?" Nada ordered Nazril.

Nazril followed his mother's instructions.

"Father is very similar to you. "If Nazril wants to know father, then look at Nazril," said Nada.

Nazril then looked at his mother.

"Does it look a lot like Nazril?" he asked again, apparently he was still not satisfied.

"Yeah, very similar."

Nada put the cellphone back. Then he carried the six year old boy's body in his lap.

"Listen, Mom, I'll tell you about Dad."

"Yes, Nazril will listen."

After that, Nada told her all about Aziz-her husband and Nazril's father. She told how good her husband was, so friendly, smiling and never looking for problems with other people. In fact, Kotabumi residents really like her husband's figure. Without exception.

Nazril, who was listening, just nodded and occasionally a smile appeared on Nazril's lips. Then it changed to an expression of amazement and happiness.

"Mother, Nazril really wants to meet father quickly. Nazril wanted to hug dad and then wanted to say that Nazril really missed and loved dad very much," said Nazril very excitedly after Nada ended her story about Aziz.

Instead of being happy, for some reason Nada was sad when she heard Nazril's words. He was afraid, afraid that what he expected would not be appropriate. What if she is unable to find the husband she loves and longs for? Then, what about his and Nazril's hopes?

I don't know, he doesn't know either. For now, just try and the results only Allah knows.

The sun had appeared, shining brightly to illuminate the world. Nada and Nazril rushed, they wanted to get a bus to Jakarta as soon as possible, so that the search for their husband could be realized quickly. However, before that, Nada intended to find breakfast first. Apparently his stomach couldn't be compromised anymore, it was already asking to be filled.

Nada held Nazril's hand then the other hand held the bag. Together Nada and Nazril walked out of the mosque. Just as Nada was about to put sandals on Nazril, suddenly someone's voice managed to startle Nada.

"Sis, let's go!"