Steps to go home mbah habib | Tebuireng Online

“Sorry, Mbah. We already have enough people to cut and clean the sacrificial animals.”

The voice of the young man with a black hat sounded firmly, although a little hesitant. He folded the list of names in his hand, then turned to his friends who were busy moving a pile of meat to plastic pockets.

Mbah Habib smiled a little, even though his heart choked.

“No daddy, son …,” he said quietly while tidying the corner of his pec that began to be shabby. “Mbah just want to help, if you can. So you can bring a little for Aleeya, my granddaughter.”

The young man looked down, couldn’t have the heart. There is something from Mbah Habib’s face, deep wrinkles, soft eyes but keeps many wounds, which make him want to say yes. But the rules have been made that the committee may not distribute meat to people who work if it is considered a reward.

Before the young man could answer, a man with white hat came over.

“Pak Kiai from Pondok Al-Ikhlas needs help. Many sacrificial animals, but the students are not enough. Mbah, want to come with me there?” he asked.

Mbah Habib nodded quickly, his eyes sparkled. “Want, son. Mbah wants to help.”

***

Pondok al-Ikhlas is not a strange place to Mbah Habib. In the past, the deceased his son had a chance to stay there before the accident claimed him three years ago. Since then, Mbah Habib’s life seemed to lose direction. His wife often fell ill because of longing, and Aleeya his only grandchildren, became solace in the rest of his old age.

His mother Aleeya, son -in -law Mbah Habib, left the village and remarried. Never returned, even when her husband was buried.

Since then, Mbah Habib has been everything to Aleeya, father, mother, and playmate.

With old hands but still strong, Mbah Habib skinned goats, helping to burn the feathers on the stove, even cut and measuring the meat. Sweat pouring out of his face, but a smile never disappeared.

Pak Kiai and the committee in the cottage appreciated it, but still holding the principle.

“Mbah, we will give you a little meat for Mbah. But this is not a payment. This is a gift from us,” said Pak Kiai firmly but warmly.

Mbah Habib nodded fully thank you. “Thank you, Kiai.” He said with a stronger hand cutting the meat, it seemed like Mbah was very enthusiastic.

***

In the afternoon before sunset. The village sky has begun to bear, the wind blows carrying a distinctive aroma of wet soil and firewood.

In his hand, Mbah Habib held two plastic bags one containing one kilo of beef, the other one kilo of goat meat.

The steps are fast, not as usual. Every few meters, he stopped for a moment, wiped sweat on his forehead, then continued the journey with a big smile.

In his head there was only one shadow of Aleya’s cheerful face, and his wife was now more lying than standing. He knows, this meat is not just about food about love, about togetherness, about happiness that is difficult to buy.

***

Mbah Habib’s house stands simple at the end of the village. Walled board, rusty zinc roof. But that’s where true love resides.

“Assalamualaikum … aleeya … Mbah go home!” Mbah Habib shouted from outside the bamboo fence.

The door to the house opens quickly. Aleeya, a nine -year -old little girl, ran to hug her grandfather.

“Mbah! Mbah bring meat?!” he asked enthusiastically, his eyes sparkled hopefully.

“Yes, dear. Beef and goat. We can make satay tonight,” said Mbah Habib, hugging his grandchildren tightly.

From inside the house, there was a coughing sound softly.

“Grandma, look … bring the meat!” Aleya is very good when running inside.

Mbah Habib’s wife, Mbah Putri, smiled weakly from a wooden couch. His eyes filled with tears seeing her husband standing in front of the door with a meat bag in his hand.

“Alhamdulillah … Alhamdulillah,” he whispered softly.

Mbah Habib sat next to his wife, holding the thin and cold hand.

“I promise, Mbok … As long as this breath is still there, I will make you happy,” he said quietly.

Mbah Putri cried. Not because of sadness, but because of such deep love, what he felt was never extinguished even though age and time went on.

***

That night, Mbah Habib’s little house was full of warmth. The smell of grilled satay spread all over. Aleeya laughed seeing the burnt satay burned. They eat together on a pandanus mat, under the dim oil lamp.

“Aleya is very happy, Mbah.

Mbah Habib smiled, but his heart was a little sore.

“The important thing is we are grateful, yes. God loves the fortune of any way,” he said.

That night, before going to bed, Aleeya kissed his grandfather’s cheek. “Thanks, Mbah. I love Mbah.”

Mbah Habib hugged her granddaughter. His eyes stared at the ceiling of the house. He knows, life will not be easy. But as long as he can still step, he will continue to fight for the two women he loves the most.

*****

The next morning, neighbors began to arrive.

“Eh, Mbah yesterday helped at the cottage huh? Great. Hearing Mbah is still strong to cut goats!”

Mbah Habib just smiled. He doesn’t need praise. All he needed was Aleeya’s little laugh and a peaceful smile from his wife. Life is not about how much we have, but about how much we love what is left.

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Writer: Ummu Masrurah