Naura, who filled Adam's entire heart and soul, disappeared like a beautiful dream and finally woke up again. Adam didn't understand it all, trying to rise from his despair and helplessness.

Although it was a very difficult reality to accept, he couldn't bear to see his mother's tears continue to fall.

Long suppressed, the helplessness that had always weighed him down finally crumbled. Adam fought with all his might to rise again. In his eyes, his mother was his only hope for recovery.

There was no one else! If Naura left him, who would he rise for but the mother who had given birth to him and cared for him every moment?

At least, today, he had to start again by being himself. Fighting with a strong footing as Adam, a newly reborn servant of God. Adam began to believe that the days ahead would always be filled with happiness.

If he couldn't be of use to others, it was enough not to sadden his parents and his friend, Syarif. They were the ones who were always there for him when he wiped away his sadness. Because thousands of friends who smile with you are nothing compared to those who wipe away your tears.

Bismillah! Adam tried to rise from his slump. He would strive to mend his ways.

Adam still sat in front of Kenanga Lake, the site of his most beautiful memories with the person he loved so much, Naura. Slowly, Adam began to rise from his seat. His legs still very frail, Adam slowly picked up a stone under his feet. There was a rock with a beautiful, flat, round plate.

He picked it up. Adam stood up, though a little unsteady on his feet. He took a running start and pulled the stone back with his right hand. Finding the right position, he threw it.

The water splashed, and the stone bounced five times on the surface. Adam smiled, his strength still there. It had been a long time since he had been able to move his body and limbs. His recovery was a blessing for him, Adam now believed. He was ready to face life with sincerity.

"You threw well, Adam! Even though you've been asleep for years, you can now throw stones well again. Just like your life from now on, you must manage it well, too. And one more thing, never disappoint your mother," Syarif raised his right hand and pointed his index finger at Adam.

Adam smiled, "You never change. Always babbling about what I should do. Ha... ha... ha..., but that's what makes you my friend, Syarif." Adam gently patted his friend's shoulder and passed him, sitting back down on the wooden chair.

For some reason, Syarif felt happy that Adam could meet him and talk to him again. It had been a long time since they had been together and talked together. Today, Syarif probably felt like this Sunday was more than just Eid al-Fitr. His only friend who had always been with him at the Islamic boarding school was Adam.

They had been together from elementary school all the way through high school. Then, they went their separate ways as they each went their separate ways. Adam went back to school, and Syarif quit his job. However, they always met. Adam had a strong desire to learn, so he continued his studies and majored in Literature because he loved it.

Because of his love for literature, he always described Naura as a beauty that could overshadow the entire world—that's what he always said. They were best friends who always met at night or at the village prayer room near their house.

In front of Syarif, Adam always talked about Naura. This, that. The world seemed to be filled only with Naura, which was why his love was so great, and when Naura left him, only lamentation remained.

"You haven't married Aisyah yet, Syarif?"

Adam's question woke Syarif from his reverie. Sure enough, Aisyah was the Islamic boarding school student Syarif had once had a crush on. Love blossomed, and they committed to being together. However, because Adam was ill, Syarif asked Aisyah's parents to postpone their wedding. To protect his friend, Syarif was willing to postpone his happiness, namely, his wedding. Fortunately, Aisyah didn't complain and waited faithfully.

"You're Adam, how can I get married when you're always stuck in your room! I don't want you to be absent on my wedding day, friend." Syarif didn't look at Adam, but instead, his eyes were fixed on the lake, just like Adam when he spoke. He acted like Adam always did.

"You're so poetic, Syarif, you're like a poet," Adam's smile widened, making Syarif laugh too.

"I'm learning from you, friend. Aren't you the one who always answers other people's serious questions with those strange words?"

And the two friends laughed again, their chuckles echoing in unison, their small voices echoing the sound of fish splashing in the oxygen above the water in Kenanga Lake.

"Hey, Syarif, answer my question first. When are you going to marry Aisyah?" Adam asked again, wanting his friend to get married and stop waiting for him.

"So, Adam... are you feeling better? If you promise to come to my wedding, I'll propose to Aisyah as soon as possible. That is, if you're fully recovered, of course."

Adam adjusted his sitting position. Indeed, his body wasn't completely healthy. It was as if he'd been in a coma for a few years, his body still frail and perhaps only needing a few days to recover. Adam reassured himself that he would recover quickly and be able to do everything on his own. His sadness and helplessness were palpable; he simply couldn't accept the reality of what had happened to him.

"Huffff," Syarif heard Adam's slow breathing, "You know, Syarif, I've actually been aware of what was happening for over two years and understand the situation. It's just... I just can't accept the reality of what's happening to me. I just can't accept reality, and I don't feel like living anymore."

Adam looked at the lake again, and Syarif listened intently. It seemed Adam had a lot to say, and Syarif was ready to listen to his friend's story, waiting patiently.

"I couldn't accept the fact that Naura left me. Then... I wanted my life to end. But... I couldn't, and I kept crying because of you; my mother and best friends were always there to take care of me and always support me. That's what gave me the will to live, but I lost the will to rise above my adversity. In the end, all I could do was cry.

I'm a broken person, Syarif. I can't endure trials, and I'm a failure in facing reality. But you are the ones who always stand by me without complaint."

Adam smiled and looked up at the beautiful sky, studded with brightness, and the sun shining brightly.