"This is your passport as well as your child's," said Mr. Leonard, who a moment later handed over the booklet needed by Mrs. Jesseline.
Mrs. Jesseline then showed a gleam of joy on her face.
"Finally we can fly tonight, honey," said Mrs. Jesseline as she tightly gripped the hand of the girl beside her.
The lines on her happy face really couldn't lie to Mrs. Jesseline's condition. After days of living like a fugitive, finally on the thirtieth day of the month of Ramadan, she and her daughter were able to travel to other countries. Burying all the dreams she should have achieved with his little family.
Meanwhile, Shakira, still has a heavy heart to leave France. There are so many beautiful memories that were painted in his first days as a convert. However, God's destiny signaled for him to immediately let go of everything that would happen next. He spread his chest and didn't try not to show his objections in front of Mrs. Jesseline. Because, without the protection and sacrifice of the woman he loved so much, most likely, Shakira's life would have wandered far into the hands of God.
"Thank you very much Mr. Leonard for helping me. I am very indebted to you," said Mrs. Jesseline with her hands placed in front of her chest.
So happy, Mrs. Jesseline to tears of emotion. He felt very lucky to be surrounded by Muslim people who were so kind to him. Although, in reality there were some people he had never met before. In fact, previously he was deceived by the assumption that the Muslims were disguised as perpetrators of crimes in the world.
Meanwhile, Mr. Leonard only replied to Mrs. Jesseline's words by bowing slightly. He also felt happy to be able to provide assistance which at first he was very hesitant to do.
After the passport-making process was completed, Mrs. Jesseline then said goodbye to Mr. Leonard.
"Then I'll say goodbye, sir. Thank you again," said Mrs. Jesseline, who continued to show her sweet smile.
"Let me take it to the front. Please meet Mr. Vincent," said Mr. Leonard, who then walked towards the exit of the high-rise building.
Outside the building, Mrs. Eveline and Mr. Vincent were busy with their cell phones. The feeling of boredom when they have to wait a long time makes them have no other choice but to scroll through their cellphone screens. Seeing news posts that are being widely discussed, also monitoring the case of news of the arrest of Bram--Buss Jesseline's husband--.
The sound of Mrs. Jesseline's shoes tapping made the couple spontaneously take their eyes off the phone screen. Seeing a middle-aged woman who had been holding her child's hand—Shakira—. And behind them there was also a man who was very meritorious that day.
"Are you done, ma'am?" asked Mr. Vincent as he curled his lips upwards.
"With me, everything must be lightning fast!" said Mr. Leonard before Mrs. Jesseline let out a sound from his mouth.
Under such circumstances, Mr. Leonard still likes to joke with Mr. Vincent. It is undeniable that the title of the friendliest young man who fell into his hands during the admission of new students at the campus they occupied was not wrong. The proof, until that second, there is no line that shows that he is a person who is rigid and indifferent to new people.
Then, Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Eveline laughed out loud at the sentence that was said earlier.
"You're always joking, aren't you?" teased Mrs. Eveline whose stomach hurt from laughing at Mr. Leonard's behavior.
"Well, I'm not joking, ma'am. Well, that's the proof in a matter of hours, the passport of my mother's best friend is in her hands," said Mr. Leonard, who pretended to be proud.
In fact, he does not like to be proud or boast about himself. Because, he knows perfection only belongs to God. So, it is a sin if he, with all his limitations, actually boasts in front of others.
He, who was aware of Mrs. Eveline's joke, answered it with a joke as well.
"I'm joking, ma'am. Just ask Vincent, who was already full of jokes from my college days," said Mr. Leonard, who claimed that the previous sentence didn't mean anything.
"I understand, sir ..." said Mrs. Eveline in a melodious tone.
That day was indeed a happy day for all those in front of the high-rise building. Where, they can gather and interact with their old friends again.
Feeling that it was time to go to the airport, Mrs. Jesseline then gave a signal to Mr. Vincent to immediately say goodbye to the man who had made the happy atmosphere even more complete.
"Okay. I hope Mrs. Jesseline and Shakira can reach their destination safely. And I hope that another time we can be reunited," said Mr. Leonard in an authoritative tone.
The professional man is always able to position himself properly. There are times when he has to be friendly, there are times when he has to maintain the image of an educated person.
"Thank you for helping me for the umpteenth time," said Mr. Vincent as he hugged his best friend.
"Don't hesitate to ask me for help, Vincent!" said Mr. Leonard while patting his friend's back lightly.
Then, Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Eveline immediately took Mrs. Jesseline to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Because, Mrs. Jesseline took a flight ticket at 15.00 French time with the Garuda-Indonesia airline.
***
Paris-Charles de Gaulle . Airport
The boisterous voices of prospective airplane passengers at the airport sounded so clear to the ears. Many people walk around with suitcases and some other luggage. There are those who are alone, and not infrequently those who are in that place with their relatives.
"Thank you so much, Eveline!" said Mrs. Jesseline as she hugged her best friend who was always there for her.
The road of life is so steep, forcing Mrs. Jesseline to stay away from her homeland. Everything that happened seemed to force him to stay upright, even though his legs were starting to get weak and helpless.
"No need to thank Jesseline. Mas Vincent and I will always help as long as we can," whispered Mrs. Eveline in her best friend's ear.
As long as they were friends, there was never a bad memory that happened between them. Even after graduation, they had once communicated with each other. It turned out that it did not necessarily make their friendship extinct in the lapse of time. In fact, the first time Mrs. Jesseline called, Mrs. Eveline looked so happy.
"Oh, yes ... keep me posted on the progress of Livie's case, yes. I still feel very sorry for her," said Mrs. Jesseline when she was no longer in a hug.
Mrs. Eveline pursed her lips for a moment.
"I'll always keep you posted."
Even though they were both injured because their families were involved in criminal cases, they never showed their respective selfishness. In fact, if Mrs. Jesseline wanted to, she would never help in the investigation of Mr. Vincent or be a witness in Livie's trial which in the end made her family entangled as well. However, Mrs. Jesseline's heart never paid any heed to her intentions which would have a big impact in the future.
"Auntie ..." Shakira called in the middle of the emotion between Mrs. Jesseline and Mrs. Eveline.
Three pairs of eyeballs from the people in front of Shakira then looked at him seriously. Oh, it turned out that the boy's face was still very sad and he clearly objected to leaving France.
"Shakira took this for Hilda, yes," said Shakira as she handed the gift box to Mrs. Eveline.
The box was actually the gift box that Mr. Bram used to give his birthday present. Yesterday, she had intentionally wrapped a small gift and a letter to give to Hilda. Because, while participating in sharing in the Fajar community, Shakira is very close to a girl who is younger than her.
"What's this?" asked Mrs. Eveline who was already holding the gift box.
Shakira then responded with a faint smile.
"A memento for Hilda, Auntie," said the girl with teary eyes.
Mrs. Eveline who noticed the look on Shakira's face finally decided to hug the girl. He really understood the condition of his heart at that time. Because, a child as young as him shouldn't feel the situation he is in now.
"Later, Auntie will tell Hilda, yes, Dear. You and your mother must be strong through all of this." Mrs. Eveline said while stroking the girl's head gently.
While she was in a state of emotion, suddenly a warning sound from the airport officer made Mrs. Eveline let go of Shakira's arms.
"We have to get in right away, Eveline. Thank you again, okay?" Mrs. Jesseline said goodbye as she held onto her suitcases.
Mrs. Eveline only responded with a nod. His eyes were already wet with the clear liquid he had been holding back.
"Take care of yourself, Jesseline! Let me know when you arrive in Indonesia!" said Mrs. Eveline half-screaming.
It was a very meaningful evening for both Mrs. Eveline and Mrs. Jesseline. They also promised to keep in touch and communicate well even though they were separated by distance.
"Don't cry here. We'd better head home!" said Mr. Vincent with a hand that kept stroking his wife's head.
To be continued ....