A DEEP WOUND

Punishment

“Home antum turned out to be far too,” said Salsa who had just arrived at my house.

“Kan already a long time ago, ana said that ana's house is far away. Antum' will know the distance west Lombok to north Lombok, far!” We are now sitting close.

“Why did you not stop by first, earlier?” I watched Salsa play the phone.

“He was too busy,” replied Salsa scowling her mouth.

“Ouuhh, keep him back to west Lombok?"

“Yes not, Manda. He's here, again KKN.”

“Oouuhhh she lectures?” I now get up from my seat.

“Iya, just a moment again has started to finish,” replied Salsa.

I then went into the kitchen and came out to bring Salsa tea and simple snacks. That same day, Salsa was staying at my house. Because his brother KKN is also in northern Lombok. So, he decided to stay the night.

At night, Salsa and I in the room took the time to recount the burden that was on my mind. The confusion I felt at that moment made me worry too.

“Ana want same story,” I said sitting near Salsa.

“What story?” Salsa plays her phone.

“Ustaz Aris ..." said I stopped the words.

“Oouhh, yes. Ana forgot her name against that problem, Ustaz. How was he anterin antum home?” Salsa was now sitting in front of me waiting for me to tell her everything. I also started to get nervous.

“What antum means? yes, ordinary. But, this is another one? Two days ago he came here again.” With a flat and anxious look I told him in front of Salsa.

“What! is he here? For what?” Salsa was full of questions.

“She got married,” answered me slowly and then looked down.

“What!! Uhuk ... Uhuk ... ,” Salsa suddenly coughed at my words. Either he was shocked or ... how?

“Iiihhh .. antum. Ana confused??” I now spread my legs near Salsa.

“Antum clear story dong. Ana does not understand and still does not believe the same thing that Antum said. Cook invited to marry?” Salsa glared at me with her shocked face. It was like hearing bad news.

“Ana doesn't know either, Sa. He said, want to marry with ana when you finish school later.” This time I bit my finger in front of my best friend.

“Completed ...? where does school mean? in the cottage?”

“Yes, he promises to do business in college in Cairo also later.”

“Awh ..." Salsa held her head, "actually if ana anyway? it's up to antum. It is also a matter of preparation antum anything is ready. But ... cook yes antum want to marry young.”

“Ana does have the same feeling, Ustaz Aris. But there's a lot of things too that ana thinks, Sa.” I was sitting in a study chair facing Salsa.

“If ana, anyway, just support any antum decision. And ... it's also good if antum married the same, Ustaz Aris. The figure of a priest candidate who is coveted ‘kan by every woman. Who the hell, who does not want to have a potential husband solemn, handsome, pinter, tajir, an Ustaz who can really lead antum to the real road.” This time, my best friend's advice really touched my heart. In fact, this heart feels melted hearing the advice of my best friend. Aaahhh .. no! melting ice cubes.

“Eatya, yes, Sa. But .. is it possible that his family would accept ana for who she is. Ana ‘kan is not a person to be,” I said sitting again near Salsa. With a feeling of uneasiness while pouring out my heart to my friend.

“While antum is not a person. Antum has a heart. Beautiful antum heart so, Ustaz Aris fell in love with antum. Moreover, antum bertar again .. may want to be Hafizah.” Salsa held onto my two hands with a big smile staring at me.

“Hafizah. Ana ‘kan has not memorized 30 juz. This antum ...,” I replied giggling.

“Ana know, but .. some Ustazah only, have predicted that antum will be Hafizah. Because antum cepet really hafalinnya, and most memorization.”

“Aminn by Allah, Amen. Thank you, Antum has become a good friend for Ana. Alright, ana will try to be sure to marry Ustaz Aris.” I hugged my friend happily.

 

The next day, when I delivered Salsa who was going home was picked up by her brother. We waited for Brother Salsa in front of my house. As I stood at the door of the house, my mother suddenly called out to me.

 

“Manda,” call Mom.

“Iya, Buk. Why?” I turned my body around to face my mother.

“Sini, Son. I want to ask you something,” said mom looking at me strangely. Now he stands before me.

“Actually, what did Ustaz Aris come here for yesterday?”

“Manda don't know, Buk. Why is that mother again?” I answered nervously. Why else would you ask about Ustaz Aris?

“Mother, just a wonder? why are you so familiar with him?” ask mom again suspecting me by wrinkling her eyebrows.

“Eemmmm ... Manda came out first, yeah, Buk. Kasian Salsa was alone sitting outside,” I said leaving mother out to avoid her question that began to be suspicious of me. I don't know, mother thinks what my familiarity with my ustaz looks like.

I was sitting on the porch with Salsa, and my friend was playing the phone. Understandably, my friend since coming to the house he was just busy with his cellphone.

Meanwhile, I daydreamed about Mother's question.

Maafin Manda, Buk. Manda had to hide this from mom first. I promise, Buk. When it's time, I'll tell you the happy news later. God willing, I will not disappoint my mother.

“Antum why?” salsa asked to look at me.

“Hm, no kok,” replied I smiled blandly.

We waited long enough for the arrival of Salsa's brother. Finally, Brother Salsa came. Call it Riko, Salsa's brother who loves her very much. That's how Salsa told me.

“Wa’alaikumsalam,” replied me and Salsa.

“Kakkak an. Here sit first,” Salsa invites her brother to sit down.

I smiled at Salsa's sister. I also forgot to take her to sit down. And make him a drink. However, when I was going to the kitchen Salsa was invited home by her brother. Then I did not make drinks for Riko.

“You guys be careful, yes,” I said to Salsa who will ride on her Brother's motor.

“Yes, Manda. Assalamu’alaikum,” said Salsa and her brother smiled broadly at me.

“Salsa ... wait a minute, Nak.” Suddenly she came out to Salsa and gave her a parcel.

“What's this, Buk?” ask Salsa.

“Mother's Sales, Son. We will eat, yes, at home. Hope you like,” said mother kindly to Salsa.

After Salsa came home, I went in to help her.

“Why just a day Salsa nginepnya?” ask the mother who is frying.

“Ne-know, Buk. Depends on ‘kakan his brother who picked up. Actually his sister again KKN, but Salsa did not dare to stay long. Afraid to be angry with his father, Buk.” I tidied the cake while putting it in the basket.

“Oouhhhh ... so,” replied Mother.

That day, it was all over. Mom and I went out to sell. During the school holidays, I always helped my mom sell around.

My mother's struggle made me so salute. One day I would like to be happy and raise his Hajj. Because my mom is happy, too.

******

Sit alone in a small room. Decorated by the surrounding bamboo that has begun to weathered. I sat in a chair reading a book.

And without me knowing, my mother was behind me. I was surprised to see him who had been behind me from when. I don't know what else to ask.

“Manda. You haven't answered Mom's question this morning. What is your answer?” ask mom by looking at me. Maybe this time I'll interrogate me.

“Which Mother's Question?” I asked with a nervous face.

“You really, no relationship is anything the same, Ustaz Aris?” Mother's questions made me even more scared and nervous.

I took a deep breath and then took it out violently.

“Truly, Buk. Nothing,” I replied again.

“But why is he so good with you. He is also very familiar with you. Gini, Son. I was afraid if you had a relationship with him. I'm afraid your ideals who want to go to school in Cairo so hindered.”

“God willing, Buk. Manda may not forget the same wishes of Manda who wants to become Hafizah and can go to school at Cairo University later.” I tried to convince my mother even by lying to hide the relationship with ustaz Aris for a while.

“Yes already, I believe in you. Remember that! your job is in boarding school and looking for knowledge. Don't do the no-no!” firmly mother while stroking the top of my head.

I tried to smile broadly at my mother, but inside my little heart. I feel guilty for lying to him. I tried to be sure with the promises of ustaz Aris who married me nant. And sure not to disappoint mom later. Because Ustaz Aris also promised to help me to enter the University of Cairo to be a hope for me.

I lay my body on my bed. Thank God, I was able to avoid my mother's suspicion. Trying to close my eyes by widening a little smile at the corners of my lips. A feeling of happiness that cannot be shared with my mother. By the promise of Ustaz Aris.

******

“Hallo, Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Wa’alaikumsalam,” answered me who smiled happily at the phone call from ustaz Aris.

“Anti again what?” ask Ustaz Aris to me

.

“No more doing, Ustaz. Just sit around.”

“Ana think anti already sleeping?”

“But, Ustaz. What is antum doing?” I now lie on the bed staring at the ceiling of my simple room.

“For the same phone anti,” reply ustaz Aris. And there was the sound of his own giggling.

“Hmm. Antum well, the answer is always like that. ana serious. What else is Antum?” now I'm singing my mouth.

“Magain anti, again imagine what kind of smile Anti.” Ustaz Aris teases me. It is undeniable, I feel ashamed but happy also with all the words of my teacher.

“Iihhh, indeed antum never see ana smile?” tanyaku now hugging the doll that was given by Ustaz Aris.

“Never. 'You can't watch someone who isn't a mahrom. Moreover anti mandangin, strictly forbidden in Islam!” it was Ustaz Aris who explained me.

“Okeee, we know!”

“Anti sleep there, so ana pingin married the same anti so as to mandangin seyuman sweet anti.” Ustaz Aris teased me again with a small laugh.

“Ya. Ana sleeps first. But ... antum also have to sleep,” I hugged my doll tightly with a smile of my own.

“Good, would-be my angel. Take care of your health, yes. Assalamu’alaikum,” said Ustaz Aris closed the conversation between the two of us.

“Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullohhi wabarokatuh,” I replied with a smooth voice and a very happy heart.