short story english translate

 

Opportunity

Zulaikha akbar, is what my name stands for. Quite beautiful isn't it, my father gave my name Zulaikha because he liked the love story between the prophet yusuf and Zulaikha. That's why my father named me Zulaikha. I come from a big family, that's right I am the 5th child of 5 siblings. But of my four siblings, only I am not married. Not without reason, I am still a student at one of the universities in this rainy city.

"Zulaikha, hurry downstairs dear, mom already cooked you breakfast."

That's right, it was the voice of my mother, the most nagging and fussy mother, but loving to all her children, especially me. Finally I went down the stairs and rushed to the dining table to eat with my father and mother. "kha, how is your final project? Has it been completed yet?" my father asked me, because indeed I was currently in my last semester and was waiting for graduation. "Dadhhhh, so don't be busy taking care of office work, until you forget that your child is already in trial just waiting for graduation." Yes, that's how my father is, if he's busy forgetting about all his children's activities. "masyaallah, it turns out that my youngest daughter is about to finish her studies, just work. Regarding work, don't be confused, let me work in my father's office, surely you won't think about anything else."

Honestly, I really hate what my dad says when it comes to the words "calm down, there's a dad." It's not that I hate my father if he wants to help me. However, how long can I continue to be restrained like this. Maybe you think being me is very fun, but in reality being me is very, very miserable. During the 22 years I lived in this mortal world, there was not a single thing that I lived with my wishes. Starting from when I was in kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, high school, even in college.

Unlike my four siblings, they all lived their educational lives according to what they wanted and aspired to. Whenever I asked them why I was always being demanded, they would answer that I was the youngest child, and there was already experience from my siblings. I think it's very old-fashioned, if I'm always being demanded like this, while they don't really understand what I dream and aspire to. Sometimes I want to escape from this prison without bars, but what about the fate of my parents. They will feel like they have failed to educate a child like me, they will be disappointed with what I have lived through.

The clock was already 09.00, I immediately rushed back to the room to make the bed and everything else. Dad had already left for work again, shortly after me, dad, and mom had breakfast together. Because today I have no more activities on campus, I intend to watch the movie alone. If anyone asks me where my friends are, then I will answer, they are in their respective positions. They all only need me when they need me, but I don't really care and think about it. After all, if they realize what they have done to me, they will turn their bodies back and come back to me with the phrase "kha, are you busy? I'm stressed, I need a friend to talk to, and I think you're the right person for me to talk to." Do I hold a grudge against them? Or do I feel annoyed? In the past, I would probably answer "yes" but as time goes by now I would answer "no." There's no point in resenting someone who has no involvement in my life with any of them.

After finishing getting ready to leave, I went back downstairs to say goodbye to mom. "bunnnnn, Zulaikha went out first, want some me time, because Zulaikha was boring staying alone at home alone, especially since there was no prince to pick her up, Zulaikha better go alone." I said to my mother, whose beauty is incomparable to the angels of heaven if my father said. "Zulaikha...!!! The mother's habit deh is not budeg, again in this house is not in goaaaa, the mother is also here why do you have to shout ah, where from above again. Talk nicely, dear." Said the beloved mother to her youngest daughter. Her youngest daughter's habit of shouting at home and always being scolded by her mother is the spice of the crowd in this grand family home. "hehehehe, I on behalf of Zulaikha akbar binti akbar ahmad apologize for the mistake I made for yelling at this beloved mother, I hope the mother understands her beautiful and sholehah youngest child." Behind her cheerful, bawdy, chatty, chatty, excited, and other attitudes. Believe me out there she is very very calm, quiet, but not to the point of being alone in the corner, used to be iyah but not now. She can now socialize a little, because the major she chose in college is psychology, so there is no reason not to be social.

"Zulaikha, you're already neat, where are you going."

"Yehhh, mom, Zulaikha has already asked permission from mom, if Zulaikha wants to go to the movies."

"Are you alone?" Her mother teased.

"Ahhhh what mother, Zulaikha is alone, who are you talking about?"

"I'm sure, so be careful. Don't come home late at night, dad knows, mom will get scolded."

Age is not a limit to freedom for Zulaikha, for her the age may be 22 but about play permits, like a junior high school child who is stepping into the teenage stage. "Mom, it's okay, Zulaikha is 22 now, not a teenager anymore, but an adult, Zulaikha understands." After an incomparable debate between mother and daughter, Zulaikha finally left the house and her mother to go to the movies.

Today is Wednesday so not many people come to the movie theater, it might be full but not during the time I watch. The distinctive smell that I breathed in, hah I really missed it, surely the origin of this smell lies in the ladies in white. Popcorn, that's right. I decided to buy one medium popcorn with one red velvet drink. The correct rule is to buy the ticket first and then buy the food, right. But it didn't apply to me, Zulaikha Akbar, because watching it was impromptu and confused about which title to watch. Finally, I bought the snacks first while thinking about what movie I would watch, then bought a ticket to watch it.

"What do you want to watch?" asked a woman wearing a white shirt with a cream-colored headscarf and wearing a batik skirt, complete with beautiful but not thick makeup that became her attraction.  "Dear God at 13.00." After buying and taking the ticket, I then rushed into the studio because the announcement of the studio door that I would occupy was already open. Many pairs of eyes were looking at me. Is it wrong if I go to the movies alone, and don't bring a friend to watch or with a partner like the people around me. Ah never mind, anyway I was very ignorant of that stare. my original intention was to watch just as an entertainer, filling my free time.

It turns out that watching alone is not a big deal. I enjoyed myself and was happy as usual. Don't expect me to go straight home after watching. If you guessed that, then you guessed wrong. Of course this is my golden opportunity. Then I continued my full day agenda with myself of course.

It was already 6 p.m. and I was still in the mall that I was going to alone. Because I wanted to relax after getting home, I finally decided to pray in the mall.

But when he got home.

"kha, what time is it, do you remember the time when you play, you have this habit, you like to forget when you go home, at this hour you just arrived home. What time did you leave?"

It's not unusual for me to come home past maghrib time, so I'll be greeted with the words that have just been spoken by the only person in power in this house. Who else if not this grand father. Freedom of time was not obtained by me as the youngest child. I don't know what sins my four siblings have committed, so that the impact is even on this innocent last child. Who else if not me, Zulaikha Akbar binti Akbar.

"Well, what do you really want from Zulaikha, everything you say is always followed by Zulaikha, you tell Zulaikha this, Zulaikha follows, you tell Zulaikha that, Zulaikha follows. Even when Zulaikha had a chance to be free from Dad's orders, which Zulaikha thought were constantly directed at Zulaikha, Dad still didn't even give Zulaikha a chance to express herself like most people." My tone was starting to become unnatural for now. Because honestly, I shouldn't have used that tone of voice to my father, who is my parent. Maybe if people saw it, I would be called a disobedient child, even though in reality I was actually defending what I had been suppressing. Not because of negative things.

"What do you mean, you're fighting dad?" Look, I'm not fighting, I'm just arguing about what I've been going through.

"Dad, Zulaikha majored in psychology, Zulaikha always listened to people's complaints, Zulaikha always gave advice on what was the topic of the problem of each of Zulaikha's patients. But on the other hand Zulaikha felt inappropriate, and sad. What Zulaikha gave to all of them, honestly Zulaikha never got from anyone, Zulaikha could be a good listener for them, but who was a good listener for Zulaikha. Zulaikha gave them advice on problems, but Zulaikha was never given good advice when she was in trouble. So here it's really them who need Zulaikha, or Zulaikha who is actually crazy."

Zulaikha's anger had really peaked. "Zulaikha, you haven't finished talking yet!!!"

Called her father to Zulaikha who indeed after what she had released Zulaikha immediately left the place of their debate earlier. And immediately entered her most beautiful room among other rooms if Zulaikha said. "bughhh...!!!" came the sound of a loudly closed door, which indicated that the person who closed the door was really emotionally high or hard level.

Crying? Of course not, either you are immune because of experience or indeed the sadness is covered by resentment. Therefore, just to get out might be defeated by anger. After all, what is Zulaikha's problem today? Just because she came home late, which according to you, if you discuss the matter, you can say it's not late, right?....

After entering the room with anger, Zulaikha immediately cleaned her body, and of course if she was already in the room looking at the mattress, who could refuse the waving call from the soft one. Maybe accepting the offer from the soft one was not a problem, just waiting for isya time, Zulaikha thought.

Meanwhile, outside Zulaikha's room, there was still a conversation between husband and wife who were arguing with each other.

"Well, never mind, his name is also a young man, anyway Zulaikha had already asked permission from mom. Mother also believes in her, if she will not lie to us too, when the prayer schedule is also she will not just leave it. She is also 22 years old, what should be prohibited from that age. He's an adult too, not a teenager anymore, he already knows what's good for him and what's not good for him."

Maybe you could say this is a defense from the wingless angel in this house, to the only prince in this house. That's right, if I don't forget to tell you that this grand family is indeed dominated by all angels, which means that there are no boys in this family except for Zulaikha's father, and maybe the husbands of Zulaikha's sisters.

"Mom, what I mean by saying that is that I want her to think, mom, that the relationships out there can't be controlled anymore. Whether she's an adult or a teenager, whether she's 15 years old, 17 years old, 22 years old or even older than Zulaikha. I want to educate her properly. I forbid her to do this and forbid her to do that, not for me, but for her as well. I want her to be a good woman, who is in accordance with what has become a reflection of what a woman should be. Remember once again, I'm not restraining her here, but I'm educating her, so that she becomes a good woman. Not without reason but for her too."

Parents are always afraid and worried if their children get into the wrong relationships, or even afraid that their children will fall into bad things. But believe me, Zulaikha is not a child like that. Moreover, religious upbringing has been planted from childhood both for Zulaikha, or for her other siblings.

" iyah dad, bunda understand really, but trust me with bunda, Inshallah with God's permission and prayers from us as parents, all of them not only Zulaikha, but her older siblings who are married, are not included and belong to what you mean. The key is one, we continue to give advice to them. Gradually they will also think for themselves. What is certain is that our duties as parents have been fulfilled."

Additional from the mother to avoid the husband's negative thoughts for the youngest child.

"Let's just rest now, tomorrow will be normal again."

After a debate that could be considered emotionally draining between my father and me earlier. It was already late, after the evening prayer, I had time to do my routine activities as a woman in general. Especially if it's not skincare. In this age that can be considered generation z, believe me there is not a single woman who does not use skincare. Right? Answer honestly for you women in this world. Even I'm confused, for children in their teens there is already skincare. Back in my day, I never knew what skincare was, after stepping into college, and my status changed from student to student, then I knew what skincare was like. It turns out that it's not just washing your face, there are stages and procedures that must be followed, and fulfilled. Wellhhh it is true that today is indeed an advanced age. Even my nephew who is still a baby has a special skincare. I have to think twice and consider between getting married and having children. Spending so much already makes me shudder. It will be safe if I'm matched with a big boss, but if not? It's bad, isn't it.

Ah never mind, why am I talking about this skincare thing. I'm not an expert, and I'm not promoting a product either. So let's finish our discussion about skincare and just go to sleep. That's enough about today, it seems that behind the word Happy, yes it will not last forever, there must always be an end to the problem.

Days had passed, and the argument between the father and his youngest son had ended peacefully. After all, misunderstandings, arguments, or whatever it was called in the family circle, were not something strange, and were always there to decorate, not to obstruct the view of a house.

Ohh iyah, you know, today at my house is gathering all my siblings and their husbands and children who are cute, annoying, but still sholeh and sholehah. Eitsss but there is not my proposal event, if you think and menenbak like that. You are very, very wrong. Tomorrow is my graduation day, you can imagine how busy my family is, starting from my father, mother, brothers, sisters-in-law, and my beloved nephews. They are busy, they are complicated, it's like there will be a wedding event, even though this is only my graduation event, which if you know what the flow of graduation is like, you will definitely think "oh God, the family's bat intention."

The only ones who entered the building were me and my family representatives, and even then only one person, the rest inevitably had to wait outside. I had already imagined how miserable my siblings would be. But no matter what, they were like this because they were enthusiastic and happy about my final achievement. Moreover, I was the last child. It is undeniable how relieved and free my father's breath is now. He has succeeded in giving birth to all five of his children to become scholars, although in reality, the siblings became housewives. Not by their will, but by the direction of their husbands, which the husband's direction or order inevitably must be fulfilled and implemented. Their heaven no longer lies with their mothers, but with their respective husbands.

"mityyyyyyyyyy, why don't you open the door to the room, I miss mityy, don't mityy miss me?" shouted the boy outside my bedroom door. Ahh if there is already an army of boys, it always makes my room messy, like a broken ship. One time, my sweet nephew played with me in my room, I used up a bottle of shampoo and broke a bottle of parfume, my skincare. As a result, my room was filled with too much fragrance, to the point that I had to evacuate to the next room. Just inhaling it made me dizzy. I really wanted to get angry at the cute kids, but what the hell, there was no point in scolding them. Maybe I'll direct them and give them advice on what they did wrong, and they should take responsibility for what they've done. At least if we make a mistake, don't forget to apologize for what we have done. It's not about the goods but the responsibility of themselves.

"What the heckhhhh khawarijjjjj my handsome son masyaallah, whose sholehnya masyaallah, whose smart and intelligent masyaallah, whose behavior nauzubillah but mityyy love this." That's how friendly I am, no doubt. "You don't have to go into mity's room to miss her, then mitty will have to deal with your room." Finally, Zulaikha rushed out with her nephew and went downstairs to gather with other family members.

Do not be strange, because it has been discussed that Zulaikha's family is a large family, so once there is a gathering there is always a roast, eat together or even just suki-sukian. Each discussion came out of the mouth of each brother to the younger brother, between brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

"Deck, how will you do after graduation?" asked the husband of my third sister.

"What does that mean sis? Yes, thank God, of course I'm really happy, because I'm free from lecturers who are really passionate about teaching, especially lecturers who require Zulaikha to stay up late every day. I'm really thankful for that."

"hahaha, you're so basic. But that's not what I mean. What do you want to do in the future?" Yes, actually Zulaikha already understood exactly where the conversation was going.

"Yes, work, especially."

"nikah dek nikah, how about that, is there already a candidate or not, how come this sholehah woman rich in zulaikha akbar has no one to crush."

"ouchhhh, kak ahmad start deh, the discussion is too far ah, Zulaikha is lazy to respond, just about to graduate tomorrow, already asked in that direction. Again, Zulaikha also wants to be happy happy first."

"Well, if you haven't, I happen to have a male acquaintance who is really suitable for you, who knows, you guys are a match and yes, you are suitable too." Now I've guessed where the direction of the game is.

" kak ahmad who is kind and diligent in saving money, as well as loving his children and wife. Already deh the discussion, about the soul mate anyway already deh, we skip first yah. Better now we celebrate Zulaikha's pre-graduation for tomorrow, okeh gak."

In the end, everyone stopped discussing the matchmaking. And they continued their family fun activities. However, some of the nieces and nephews have also entered the room, just to sleep with their babies because it's time for my little angels to rest. I'm not married, and I don't have children, but the presence of my nieces and nephews is like a child to me.

The next day, Zulaikha already appeared with a simple beautiful face makeup, but very pangling if people say, and this is not the result of MUA makeup. This is the result of the creation of Zulaikha's own hand skills, according to her hiring MUA is very very wasteful of a lot of money, even though in reality she just swiped the money at her ATM. But still, while we can and are able to do it ourselves, why should we rely on others. Itung itung is fun and has new experiences too.

The pastel-colored kebaya she wore was her fourth sister's former engagement kebaya. As mentioned above, Zulaikha is a thrifty child, and doesn't bother, as long as it's there and can still be used, why don't we use it again.

"masyaallah tabarakallah, the mother's child is really beautiful siiii, who is the mother until her child can be this beautiful."

It's always like that, but that doesn't mean I'm uncomfortable, but it's a common statement from people isn't it. "I'm sorry, let's just go, let the older siblings and the younger ones catch up later, if you wait, Zulaikha will be late."

Event after event had begun, the summoning of the graduates had been carried out. The graduation ceremony lasted for 3 hours. After the graduation ceremony was over, then Zulaikha and her family took a picture together at one of the famous photo studios in the city of Bogor.

Hah, what a tiring event today. But even though it was tiring, today's agenda was quite exciting. From start to finish. Until in the end, happiness was not long in my life.

"Zulaikha, when you're done please come downstairs dear, your father's mother and brother want to discuss a few issues." Ya rabb, what other temptation would you give me as a weak servant like this? I regretted in my heart after hearing my mother's words.

After everything was done and I was clean, I decided to go downstairs and hang out with the rest of the family.

"Honey, you know that the mother now is not the old mother anymore, a healthy mother, a fit mother. But at this time the mother already has problems in this mother's health. You know, mom has had this disease for a long time. Even your high school days were filled with days with your mother in a hospital that we both don't even know what the layout of the city is like. Earlier about a few hours ago, the mother was informed by the hospital there, and was required to return for treatment again, because honestly the results from the past did not produce good results. And here the mother has discussed with others, regarding who will help the mother. And according to mutual agreement too, without, reducing the feeling of displeasure of the mother to you. Mom hopes you want to help and help mom like before again. Considering that the others already have their own responsibilities."

Really, this sentence, the city, even the hospital is still my trauma. And it's hard to get rid of, even though it's been years. I don't mind, but what about the responsibilities of my other siblings. Every time there's a problem like this, it's always me who is relied on, always me who is used as their excuse. Not even for my father's initiative. So if it's like this, and I've been given this kind of responsibility, what can I do? I can't bear to refuse it, honestly if there are things that are not wearing like this, they all always delegate it to me. It's not that I don't want to, but I question the responsibility of my other siblings. Okay I can tolerate it for now. But a few years ago? Where did they go?

Whether I want to or not, whether I like it or not, whether I accept it or not. The point is that I have to go, after all, apart from me, then who else will help Mother. Mother and I will leave on Wednesday. Either using a private vehicle, or using a travel service.

"Inshallah, Zulaikha will help, as much as she can."

I have to start from scratch, I thought. After the family discussion, I went straight to my room. Not because I was sad, it's just that I wanted to rest because the activity was very, very tiring. Arriving at the room I did not go to bed but sat down and breathed the night air on the balcony of my room, with a view of my neighbor's house. Haaaa..... this air, is the air that I miss, the cool air after the rain is indeed very much a supporter of my contemplation time. While carrying a book and a ballpoint pen. At times like this I always write my complaints on a white paper.

Wednesday has come, my mother and I are already on our way to the city that has the satay building. today the road is a little jammed, when is bandung not jammed, I asked myself. Traffic and many people, wearing uniforms, and not wearing uniforms, decorate the morning in this city. Mom and I had arrived at one of the most famous hospitals in the city. The density of people inside is undeniable, just as dense as at the red light I passed earlier. Both young and old, you will find it in this place I'm going to. Both children and adults. My sadness arose, my pity came. Honestly, in things like this I easily shed tears, how could I not, their enthusiasm is very high to be able to recover like before. The same thing is like my mother, for years until now the spirit of the mother is very high to get well, even though the doctor there always hangs hope, that's what makes me feel sorry for my mother. There is no return for the fighting spirit of recovery for my bundaku.

"tea, can you leave my child, just for a moment, I happen to want to go to that room first for a minute to confirm for azhan for a while." Asked a young mother about 24 years old and not much different from me it seems. "Oh yes, tea is fine, it's okay here, I happen to be waiting for my mother too." Azhan is a name that I rarely hear and is also very special. But when I saw his son I was a little surprised, it seems that Azhan is not a child like usual, but he has a specialty among other children. "Ouch teteh, thank you so much for bothering me. By the way, did you come here alone or what? Where did you come from?" asked this young mother to me, because I am a psychologist, at least a little more I understand how this woman's character is when she chats with me. Patient, accepting the situation as it is, cheerful, and always doing what has become a consequence. "Not at all bothered by tea, again, Azhan is also very good, he understands where he doesn't want to bother his mother. Incidentally, I'm alone with my mom, I'm from the rainy city, understand where it is if not my beloved Bogor." I'm like that, easy to get along with people, because maybe my basic psychologist is already ingrained.

"azhan has a disorder among other children, azhan has been declared downsyndrome since he was only 3 days old, at first I didn't accept this, because I was complaining about what trials God had entrusted to me. When people out there are gathering with their families, my mother and father have left this world first since I was 17 years old, that's the toughest test I've ever felt. They both had an accident, while traveling somewhere. I had no younger siblings or older siblings, I lived alone. Fortunately, my mother's sister was willing to take care of me and help me until now. He doesn't differentiate between me as his nephew and his biological son. He helped me with my studies, even though it was not entirely my wish, but I still went through it, because I was sure that what my mother's sister had directed for me was a good thing for me too. I always learned to accept the situation even though in reality I wanted to rebel. Graduating from college, qodarulah I immediately got married and well my happiness was very very high, I thought that now I was no longer alone. But happiness is false, when I gave birth to azhan, God gave me another test that required me to fight with my husband. But what else can I do, this is God's decree, I as his servant who has many sins can only accept it sincerely, and live it with a smile, even though other hearts are also mouths and thoughts." This young mother told me, because maybe she just wanted to share her story and experience with me. As soon as she found out that my major was psychology.

Mrs. Mud Aini's experience really opened my mind. My suffering so far has only been orders and freedom, but so far after I lived it there were no strange things that became the result, even positive things from the results that had been directed beforehand from my parents. But there is still a bit of a mistake in my opinion if my father is too strict with me even though in essence he wants his son to be on the right track.

Before I knew it, my mother's consultation with the doctor was over, do you know what miracle God gave to my family? Mother was declared cured of her illness. The small lump on her kidney has disappeared, because of God's power. I was happy and excited about this news. I immediately hugged my mother and felt unexpected.

After the good news, Zulaikha went to a nearby minimarket in front of the hospital to buy snacks and drinks for their journey home. But just as Zulaikha finished shopping and was about to cross the road, a car sped up and it seems that the car's brakes failed spontaneously and within seconds, the car hit Zulaikha who was in the right position.

"ZULAIKHA...........!!!!!!!!" The mother shouted to Zulaikha, the people around immediately ran to help Zulaikha, who would have thought that her clean white clothes were now stained with blood stains flowing from Zulaikha's body. Zulaikha was immediately taken into the hospital, on the cage Zulaikha said. "Mother, Zulaikha is afraid, Zulaikha doesn't want to be left alone, Zulaikha wants to be together with father and mother. Zulaikha is afraid to be alone. Zulaikha wants to go home and doesn't want to be here."

"Doctor, please help my child, I beg you." The mother said as soon as Zulaikha was unconscious. However, there was no hope for Zulaikha. It was the last conversation between the mother and her youngest child. Yes, Zulaikha was declared dead due to bleeding in her brain.

Not waiting long, Zulaikha's body was immediately taken to the funeral home. And immediately buried the next day. The longing that Zulaikha left to her family was very painful, a longing that could not be treated other than through prayer, the screams in every corner of the room would never be heard again. When the mother entered Zulaikha's room, she was greeted by a book that her youngest child had always confided in.

"I actually don't hate my family, it's just that the way my family educates me is not suitable for me who often rebels. I am very grateful to have been born into this great family. Even though there is a bit of restraint but that is the characteristic of this family. Maybe I won't write in this book anymore, because I've complained enough, along with the full content of this book. Whoever among you reads it, congratulations you managed to become a reader of my first book. There is something you need to know about me, I don't like crowded atmosphere, but I'm afraid to be left alone. Until we meet again, from me Zulaikha akbar binti akbar."

It didn't feel like his mother's tears always came out without his culture realizing it, so all this time he never complained and accepted that opinion, a big mistake. Where is the figure of a mother who is a good listener for her child. It turned out that the parting sentence in the book was really the last parting sentence for Zulaikha.

But, guilt is just guilt, it cannot be changed. The guilt intensified as her mother confided in her youngest son in a book.