MUST BE A DEPOSIT
TMS EPS 51: ASSALAMU'ALAIKUM MOTHER IN LAW

Cold sweat washed over his body. His hands shook, when he saw the DNA results that were proof of all the truth. Syma's suspicions have been true. It is fitting that Ceyda always avoids every time Syma will meet Ersad with him.

"What's Syma? Are you sick?" Deriya looked at him worriedly.

"Aunt Deriya. Does Auntie know where Miss Ceyda lives?"

"Don't know. But I have his card, wait a minute." Deriya rushes to get a card to give to Syma.

"It's.... " Syma immediately took it.

"Thank you Auntie. I have to go now. Tell Aina too, I'll be right back."

Deriya just nodded in confusion. Because I want to ask even if it is too late. Syma left first.

******

Syma finally arrived at Ceyda's residence. According to the address on the card. And around that place, there was only one simple but beautiful house. There is no impression of luxury but unsightly.

The grass and flowers were lined up and neatly arranged in the courtyard of the house. It's just that the house looks deserted like it's uninhabited.

Syma tried to knock on the door. But there is no answer from within. He tried again and again, until Ceyda came out slowly opening the door.

Ceyda frowned when she saw who had come to her house.

"Shyma?"

"Assalamu'alaikum Madame Ceyda. Ah, sorry.maybe I'm not polite calling you that.

Assalamu'alaikum Mother-in-Law" Syma said with a mysterious smile engraved on her face.

Suddenly it made Ceyda shocked half to death. The woman doesn't know how to respond. He was not ready for this truth.

Ceyda closed the door of her house. But swiftly, Syma held it so that the door was not closed perfectly.

"Mother-in-law, don't close the door. We should talk... " Syma tried her hardest to open the door that would be closed tightly.

"Go from here, Syma. I'm not your in-law! You're wrong."

"I already know everything. I have all the evidence. I can't dodge it anymore. Please open the door and let me talk."

"No Syma.

GO AWAYL!

I'm not your Mother-in-law. Get out of my house!"

Too upset by Ceyda's words. Syma opened the door and entered her house. His breath went up and down with anger.

"What are you really hiding? why did I do this to Mas Ersad. He's your flesh and blood! how could you do this to her, what's my husband's fault?" Syma let out all her anger. I hope the woman is aware of what she is doing.

"Because I hate him.I hate him so much."

"LIED!

Even from Mom's gaze when she saw it, I knew that it was love. Not hatred!

Why Ma'am? why do you do this.. Answer my honest question, what made you leave her?" Ceyda shook her head hard. He did not want to let out a single sound to answer Syma's question.

But what did he get?

Educated by his grandfather, making him a cowardly man. His own grandfather even had the heart to create trauma to this day.

Mas Ersad always locked himself up. Every night she cried just to have Mom by her side.

The shadow of Mom's face was always ringing in her head. He just wants Mom...

It's just Mom she needs."

It was heartbroken that Ceyda heard things she never wanted to know. Ceyda sat down limp as she lamented her fate. Her tears are flowing. Just sobs that sounded bitter.

"I'm a Mother. I have a little daughter named Zea. And soon, I'll have a second child. I know how it hurts when I'm away from my son. I couldn't even breathe with relief, if a day hadn't heard from my son.

Then how can you bear to, abandon Mas Ersad since childhood just like that? tell me Mom? What is your heart made of, to let Mas Ersad fight alone to face the rigors of life. Tell the..... " Syma almost groaned because she could not resist the sadness mixed with anger in her.

"YOU THINK HE'S THE ONE WHO'S SUFFERING? I ALSO SUFFER FROM SYMA... I SUFFERED MORE FROM HIM....

THE WOUNDS HE FELT WERE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE PAIN MY HEART HAD ON HIS FATHER!"

"Where is Mas Ersad's fault? tell me, is that his fault?"

Ceyda shook her head as she continued to sob. her body shook with a cry that never subsided.

"I'm a fool, Syma. I realized my stupidity first. I was angry at my husband, but instead vented it on my own son who knew nothing. Ersad's face that was very similar to his father made me dark in the eyes and just left him. I hate it every time I see his face because I always remember Enggar Wijaya.

I'm a fool, Syma. I am a human demon. That's why I'm afraid to meet him.

I was afraid of his hatred. If Ersad sees me, I'm sure he'll be angry. Because it's too late. It's too late to fix everything. All that's left is the pain of my selfishness."

A regretful roar was clearly visible on his face.

"It is never too late, as long as the breath is still blowing. It's time you guys mend a fractured relationship."

"No Syma. Ersad will never forgive me. I also realized that I didn't deserve her forgiveness. Let it be like this, let me love her long distance. Seeing him in silence. This is better."

"It can't be like that, Mother. You are her real mother. The relationship between you cannot be like this. It's time for you to be happy."

"You don't understand Syma. The wounds I have created are so deep. Even though he can forgive me, but the wound will still scar. I can't watch him suffer anymore.

Promise me. Promise to make Ersad happy. Replace my position as the woman who loves him. Mother please Syma... "

"Sorry Mother. But I can't... We can never be happy if you guys still can't make up.

Forgiveness is sometimes not easy because wounds in the heart often leave scars. However, difficult does not mean it cannot. Because I love you I want you back together. Make peace with the past, and live tomorrow with peace.

My paradise is with my husband. But my husband's heaven is still under his mother's feet. And my duty as a wife, is to help the husband reach for his paradise." Syma spoke slowly, but with great emphasis.

Ceyda herself was speechless. He was not sure Ersad would forgive him for what he had done.

But because of the determination of Syma. He finally agreed. 'Let's just do what happens later. At least I've tried,'

TB