SULTANA A SHORT STORY BY MASTIN RUSMALA

SULTANA

Hello, my name is Sultana, my full name is Sultana Paveen. My dad is Indian where is living in Howrah Calcutta, and my mom is lndonesian where is living in Yogyakarta. I lived in Yogyakarta since 2000. When l was 6 years old. My Dad has a fabric bussines in Yogyakarta. Since I lived here in this beautiful city. My dad always teaches me how to speak hindi even l am not living in India. But he never forget his hometown. I was born in Howrah but then l moved here for family bussines.

I study in one of good university here for my master degree. I took management company major. I had so many friends here, most of them are Javanese due to l live in Java island. I can speak bahasa Indonesia and also their mother language Javanese.

My hobby is yoga. I like it. One of my favorite place to do my yoga is in Jambupress hotel. Their hotel have so many nature atmospheres. Until then l met with Asim khan. A guy is from Pakistan. In that hotel there are so many facilities which are we can use such as : Yoga, Gym, zumba, spa and etc.

**********

Okay then how this is the story started…..

On Sunday l decided not to take my Yoga class but l went there for a gym. I was alone and doing gym until then a guy offered me a mineral water.

“ don’t push so hard.” Suddenly he shocked me and offered me a mineral water.

“ oh thanks.”

“Asim”.

“Sultana.”

We had a chit chat for a minutes until then l decided to go back at my home and he asked me for a coffee on next Sunday. And yes l agree. Besides l don’t have any plans tho.

We met in coffee shop and had a long conversation. He was here in this city because he is a student exchange in software engineer. I stayed for 5 months until then he should go back in Lahore Pakistan.

He already here for 2 months so still 3 months left.

Asim was really good guy. He is easy going person until then 2 weeks after we spent together hangout, had a coffee, and movie.

I don’t know after 2 weeks what happened to me, it was like l usually ask him to go out and just accompany me out. But then l grabbed my phone and try to whatsapp him.

I wrote…

Lets go for a date.

Ah,…. No no no that’s too sluty.

Okay, Asim l like you

Ahhhh not again it is like l don’t have self esteem.

Lets go for a dinner.

And accidently l sent it to him.

And then he called me.

My phone was ringing and we both each other kept quite until then …

“hi.” I said

“ are you sure, do you want to have a dinner with me.”

“Mhmmm… Yeah why not?”

“okay. I will arrange it. See you on Saturday in Hono Restaurant at 8 pm. And please wear special dress.”

I really prepared it well. I wore pink dress with guci pounch whose l carry. And l saw him sat in from of edge of table.

And then a song played. It was from adelle “ make you feel my Love”.

And some of people stare of us.

I asked him.

“What is happening Asim?”

Until then Asim go down and asked me.

“will you marry me?”

Oh My God. Of course l said yes, l love Asim and l didn’t realized that he loved me too even before he knew my feelings.

******

It was 5 months Asim stayed here. So, it was time to left this city but before he would leave this city. I asked him to accompany me and had a quality time together. We really had a happy time.

“Asim l know you will be back here, you promised me, na ?”

“ of course l will be back soon, l will miss you all day and don’t worry. We can facetime all the times.”

Until then l cried and hugged him tightly.

“ I will tell my baba and Ammi that you will come back here after 8 months to marry me.”

“l promise.” Said Asim and kissed my forehead

******

I told my dad and my mom that l want to marry Pakistani guy. My mom agreed and my dad yes of course he does not agree. Even l know his country has some sentimental problems with Pakistan but l don’t care. This is not about the country, this is about a heart and future.

Even l tried so hard to make my dad agreed about this marriage but still when l mentioned about Pakistan he was like ,…. Ah.. upset or something.

*****

Asim told me that he would have his graduation soon and I really want to go there and surprised him with my coming.

In October 8^th, l decided to come in Pakistan. The next day when l was opening my window in my hotel  But when l was there l did not understand why so many people were running.

And almost all guests in this hotel also already checked up. Until then l heard a guy said

“Bomb Blast”

And then after everything is calm.

What l was really so scared. I tried to called Asim but his phone is not active.

I went out of the hotel and tried to found a taxi that take me in Asim’s house.

A Pakistani girl stared at me it was like l was terrorist or something.

“ Arree, Sutlana. “ His sister called me

She grabbed me quickly and told her parents that l came. Her mommy tried to call Asim but it still his phone is not active.

Suddenly some polices came and told us that Asim is in Hospital now because of Bomb blast that happened in near Masjid when he was in Jumma Pray.

I was really shocked. We went there in hospital to see Asim.

I cried a lot, and Prayed to Allah .

Please don’t leave me, Asim. I really love you and lets build our future to be a husband and wife and then build our own palace.

Asim is in ICU room which is really so bad.

But before l went to restroom. There was a boy came and said ..

“ Ammma.”

I touched his hair and hugged him. Asim’s mom came and explained me that kid is Asim’s son.

He told me that before he went in Indonesia to do student exchange. He married with Aisha but because of a car accident in Islamabad. She passed away. 3 years ago Imran was almost one year. I took care of Imran, and then when he came back from Indonesia Asim told us that he would marry Sultana a half indian where living in Indonesia. He told us to visit you soon there and Asim also told Imran that he will meet his Mama after so many liars he should say to Imran that his mama actually passed away. He does not want to see little Imran is so sad until then he will realized by hiself.

I don’t what should l do, my head is dizzy and l can not take a conclusion and suddently got angry. Yes of course l was disappointed of him that he never tell me about his past. His amma told me not to leave him and all.

Doctor came and said to us that Asim is no more and he said our doctor was did the best but we could not do much if Allah wants it….

“Innalilahi’wainnalilahi rojiun”.

But before doctor left he gave me a letter for Sultana.

Dear my Sultana..

I know l have lied to you about my previous marriage and even l have a son.

But promise me when you knew my son and he called you “ Amma” it means l have told him that you will be his mother. I wrote this letter before l went for Jumma Pray because l know you will come to Pakistani after your Mommy called me and said to take care of you.

Sultana, l felt like l need someone to take care of my son and raise him until then he will be a big guy and could make parents be proud of him. Please take care of him.

I cried all day after l read his letter. It felt like he already has a feeling that he will leave us. Asim, l promised l will take care of Imran and even l should stay in Pakistan l will do and l will be your new family in your house. But 1 year later l asked Imran to visit my city Yogyakarta to meet with my parents.

Since then, l moved in my city with Imran and he studies and play around with friends happily until he could forget what happen with his daddy, Asim.

Iam sure you can see Asim. Your Son and I are happy.

Mastin Rusmala

Sunday, June 3th 2018