MARITA

Matter of The Heart (Part 1)

Three beautiful women were walking hand in hand passing store displays. Sometimes they stopped to look at the display or went into the store to look around or to buy something. Laughter and embrace were abundance in exchange between them.

"Ma, I really miss you." Marita squeezed her mother's hand as they sat in the bench out side the cinema.

"I miss you terribly too, dear" Mama Vina caressed Marita's cheek. "I am glad I am here."

"I am glad you are here." Marita put her head on Mama Vina's shoulder. "Nothing compares to you being here, mama"

"I know, Love," Mama Vina kissed the top of her daughter's head lovingly.

"Is everything alright for the wedding?" she asked

"Yep, all is well. We have contacted a wedding organizer and Mama Rosa is directly in charge with everything." Marita still rest her head on her mother's shoulder and enjoying her embrace.

"What do you need me to do?"

Marita sat up and looked at her mother's eyes. "I want you here. That's all"

"I am here, darling. I am here"

"AAANDD.... I am here too," Marita plopped herself down next to Mama Vina. She put her head on Mama Vina's shoulder too. Mama Vina put her other arm around Diah. She loves Diah as her own daughter.

"You do know that I cherished you being here with Marita". She sighed. "Both of you are my daughters. I love you both so much". Marita and Diah could feel their eyes wet so they hugged her left and right.

"Ma, thank you. Thank you for taking care of me after..." Diah couldn't continue her words.

Mama Vina squeezed Diah's arm. "Your parents are good people. They loved Marita just as I love you. It is my pleasure to love their child as my own."

"Diah, you and I are soul-sister. You should never see yourself as an outsider. We belong," Marita reached across and hold Diah's Hand.

Mama Vina's eyes were brimming too. "One day, if it is your turn, Diah. I don't know how it will be in Islam but when it is your time to get married. I hope you will see me as your parent too."

"You are already are, Ma". Diah sobbed. The three of them embraced tightly.

"OK. I think we should go now. People are looking at us, Girls" Mama Vina tapped her two girls when it became too uncomfortable for people around them.

They wiped their tears and gather their belonging.

"Should three of us go back to the toilet again. To check ourself?" said Marita.

"No, You and Mama can go. I have used their toilet before. The lady attendant will probably give me the look hhehehe..." said Diah.

"OK, Wait here ya." Marita pulled Mama Vina and went to the direction of the cinema toilet.

Diah was scrolling through her Instagram when her eyes caught a familiar figure in the crowd opposite the cinema. She walked toward the railing to get a better view across when suddenly the tall handsome man popped above the crowd.

Frank eyes accidentally cought Diah's when he was talking to a group of young people. He raised his eyebrows surprised to see her. He waved. Diah had no excuse but to wave back. In her heart, Diah muttered, 'don't come here... don't come here..." Luckily, Frank was deep in conversation with the group that he did not and instead continue to talk with them.

Diah walked back to the bench just as Marita and Mama Vina came out.

"Let's go. I am hungry now, Girls" said Mama Vina.