When I was married, my (late) father said that it was impossible to hold a party as he was sick. So he promised us to hold a real party whenever my younger brother, Anam, got married.
The time came. Sadly, my father had gone so my mother and I planned to arrange a party for my brother's wedding ceremony. After discussing with my younger brother's father in-law to be, we agreed to hold the party in Malang. My brother asked us to match the day with his birthday. That's why we chose June 28, as the day of wedding. During a month, we prepared everything related to the wedding. Once in a while, I went to Malang to give a hand for the preparation.
It was Thursday morning on June 25. I had finished writing certificates of graduation belonged to my students when the telephone rang. I picked up the phone and heard a news I had never expected. A friend of my brother on the phone said that my brother got an accident in Sukodadi Lamongan. His car was crashed by a truck during his going home to Bojonegoro. He planned to get his leave that Thursday to prepare his marriage. I was shocked to know that his condition was really bad. He was carried to RSAD (Army Hospital) Surabaya for treatment.
In panic, I told my wife what had happened. I asked her not to tell the news to my mother. That was the start of a horror.
I was confused to decide what I had to do first. I had a responsibility to submit the certificate to my school but I had to go to Surabaya immediately. I was terrified to imagine the difficulties appearing related to my brother's marriage.
After a while I could manage my emotion. I realized I wouldn't be able to solve the problem unless I did it one by one, step by step. So the first thing I did was packing the certificate in a big envelope. Then I phoned my school to take it at my house. The next, I phoned my brother in-law, Iqbal, to borrow his car as I had to go to Surabaya as soon as possible. He told me that, coincidently, his father in-law-Mr. Sujak- would go to Surabaya that day. He asked me to come to his house in Sumberrejo.
During our journey to Surabaya, I saw a horrible view. When we reached Sukodadi and passed the Sukodadi Police Station, I recognized a wrecked car parked in front of the office. It was my brother's! The condition was badly damaged. I couldn't imagine how bad my brother's condition was. I felt my head going to explode to think about him.
In about three hours we arrived at RSAD in Surabaya. I thanked to Mr. Sujak for the ride. Because of his business, he continued his journey. Next, I ran to the receptionist to ask the information where my brother was treated. A receptionist showed me the number of room. Again, I ran as quickly as possible to look for the room. In a minute, I found it. The door was closed and the stuation was so quiet. I opened the door and held my breath. I expected the best on my brother's condition but I had to be ready to accept the worst reality.
There he was! I saw my beloved brother lying on the bed unconsciously. I cried and hugged him. I have never cried for him before. But it was an exception. He was still in faint because of the sleeping pill. I searched the damage on his whole body. I thanked to God to know that only his right leg was broken. A nurse told me that he would be operated the following day. She also said that his condition was not too bad over-all.
After knowing his real condition, I started to think about what I had to do.
At about one o'clock in the afternoon, my brother got conscious. I was really happy to see a smile on his face. "Thanks God I was safe" he said. I tapped his shoulder and said, "Yes. It could have been worse!"
A moment later some of his friends came, so I had a chance to inform my brother's latest condition to my wife. At that time, I still had no handphone; therefore I went to a public phone to call her. After telling the condition, I asked my wife to give idea about what I had to do. She said that I ought to call my uncle to discuss about it. I agreed and called him.
What a complicated moment!
Both my uncle and aunt were shocked to hear the news. They got panicked to imagine how difficult to face the situation. I asked them to come to Surabaya to talk about everything related to my brother's condition and the preparation of his wedding. They promised to go to Surabaya as soon as possible. Next, I had to tell our mother about it. But I had no idea to tell her directly. She would be deeply shocked to know my brother's condition. So I arranged a plan.
I called my wife to fetch our mother in Simbatan, my wife and I live in Campurejo, by renting a car. I told her to create a lie that my brother's boss, at the time my brother was an ajudant of Pangdam-MayJen Ahmad Junaedi Sikki, wanted to meet her. Then I asked my brother to inform his boss that our mother would meet him. That's why the car headed for the Pangdam's house on Jalan Raya Darmo. Of course Mrs. Junaedi who told our mother about the accident. Fortunately, our mother was tough enough to hear the bad news. She cried and said that it had been God's plan. At about six in the evening, my wife, our mother, and Hadid came to the hospital accompanied by Mrs. Junaedi. Our mother cried sadly in about ten or twenty minutes. We kept silence to see the sorrow.
But the story had not been over yet. It was just a beginning. I had to tell my brother's father in-law to be who was in Malang.
It was the most difficult part of the situation. I could not imagine how panicked he was to hear the news since the wedding was less than three days. Nevertheless, I had to be strong to tell him the truth nless everything would be messy.
My hands were trembling, when I picked up the phone. I dialed the buttons nervously. I had chosen and arranged the softest words I got. Yet, still I couldn't avoid the weary. When the line was connected, I recoqnized the voice. It was Mr. Amir so I started speaking. While listening my news, he said "Allah" repeatedly.
Praise to Allah SWT! Mr. Amir could control his mind immediately. He accepted the accident as an Allah's Plan so he told me to be patient and calm. He, himself, was confused to face the situation. He wasn't able to overcome the problem; therefore he wanted to meet me soon. I agreed and waited him in Surabaya.
At about 8 o'clock that evening, he arrived at hospital. He came to my borther's room directly. Once he saw my brother lying on the bed, he cried and hugged him. It was a breath-taking moment.
A moment later, my uncle and aunt came accompanied with my cousin Dian. Entering the room, they also cried sadly. My aunt hugged my mother and they cried together in some time.
But the show must go on!
We realized that the invitation for the wedding had been spreaded to our relatives and friends; therefore it was impossible to cancel the party. So, that night we discussed the solution for the problem until dawn. Actually, I was very tired but I could not close my eyes. My blood ran quickly whenever I remembered what would happen later.
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