Antara Darah dan Hati: Dream Reality English Translation

Chapter 9 Part 5 "Gelukkige verjaardag"

POV Lodewijk

It has been 2 weeks since my brother died and was buried like a Muslim, it was Mr. Erwin and mevrouw Sofia who helped me to find an Islamic organization that was willing to give him a proper burial for a Muslim. During the funeral procession, the look on his smiling face never changes, he really died in a noble state.

After the funeral, because he was a Muslim and both of our parents were dead, most of his inheritance fell to me, which meant his house was now in my possession. Actually, the house where he lived was not his house but rather the house of our late parents in which passed on to him when they both died.

When I first set foot in my house again, I saw nothing much had changed. Everything still looks organized and neat, not like my apartment which is a bit messy, hihi.

When I walked around the living room, I saw a picture of us when we were little. There is a photo when we took part in the children's soccer championship. There are photos when we graduated from school and of course photos when we were both celebrated our birthdays that were celebrated with our late parents.

Birthday, I just remembered today is our birthday. I took the photo and looked at it for quite a long time because there are memories that always being repeated when we celebrated our birthdays. When we were teenagers and exchanging gifts that we bought for each of us whose money was earned from part-time work, I always gave him things he liked while he, he always gave me things that he thought I would like, hhhh... broeder. He never wanted to bother to ask what I wanted, but even so, I always appreciate and use his gifts because the gifts he bought for me are usually clothes. Maybe he thinks clothes have more usage for me than having to bother thinking about gifts that I wouldn't necessarily use because they don't have any function.

Today is our birthday but this time I will celebrate it myself heheh, sad. I can't give him a physical gift but I can read Surah Yasin for him. I know the tone of my Qur'an reading is not good but at least that's all I can do.

I took the ablution water, went to his room to perform evening prayers then opened Surah Yasin page of my Qur'an book, read it with the intention to be given to my deceased brother. Some time passed until finally I finished reading then tidied the prayer equipment and went out of the house to Liesbeth's family restaurant.

When I arrived, I was welcomed by Liesbeth. Seeing my face that was not beaming as usual seemed to make her wonder. I sat in a guest chair near the window and then she approached me with a menu.

"Assalamualaikum, brother Lodewijk." she said in a soft tone.

"Waalaikumussalaam."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm still sad but the sadness will pass with time, Insha Allah."

"I think you need to cheer up, brother. I believe brother Ludwig would not like to see you saddened like this." she said trying to cheer me up.

"Hm, I think he would." answered me whilst giving her a little smile to reply to her words while reading the food menu, looking for cakes that are provided.

"Liesbeth, what kind of cakes that this restaurant serve?"

"Oh, Tiramisu, Blackforest, Cheesecake, Fruit Cake, there are many."

"Which one do you think Ludwig would order? He often comes here too right? Has he ever ordered a cake or something?"

"Hmmm, let me remember first, I think he once ordered a cheese cake."

"Heh, I thought only a Dutchman who could be a kaaskop (cheese enthusiast). Well, I order one slice and if there is a candle please put the candle on it, it's our birthday."

"Whoa, gefeliciteerd broeder Lodewijk! Gelukkig vejaardag! Barakallaahu fii umriik! (Whoa, congratulation brother Lodewijk! Happy birthday!)"

"Yes Liesbeth, aamiin, thanks. Oh and one Bir Pletok please"

"Okay brother Lodewijk, please wait!"

"Yes, thank you Liesbeth."

Liesbeth left me for some time and then she brought a piece of cheese cake with a small candle on it along with a glass of warm Bir Pletok.

"These are all your orders brother, smakkelijk eten!"

"Yes Liesbeth, dankje."

When I saw the birthday cake, I remember when we were little, me and him often fighting over who had the right to blow out the cake's candles only when we were teenagers, Ludwig did not like blowing the candles because for him it was childish so I was the who blew them instead. I'm wondering if he was here with me would he want to blow out the candle? Ah, I don't know, but remembering and thinking about it made me shed a little bit of tears.

I took a breath, exhaled and then blew out the candle. After the candle went out, I prayed for him then for myself then said bismillaah and ate it. After eating it, I went out for a while to smoke. However, when I smoke, somehow I see him approaching me then his hand grabbed the cigarette that I was smoking. He's smiling but his smile is calm, what exactly am I looking at?!

I closed my eyes immediately then opened them slowly. When both of my eyes were open, he was gone. Is it possible? Heh, heheheh, heheheheh! Yes, yes, I understand. I understand Ludwig, even in death you still feel uncomfortable with me smoking huh? Sorry brother, smoking feels good but, if that's what you want then I'll do it. Ik zal niet meer roken broeder, bedankt voor elke dag die we samen doorbrachten, gelukkige vejaardag. (I will stop smoking brother, thank you for all the days that we've spent together, happy birthday.)

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* Play the song below

Dutch dictionary

Kaaskop = cheese head (cheese enthusiast)

Arabic dictionary

Barakallaahu fii umriik = may God bless your age.