A DEEP WOUND

Damn cat

A few months in the pesantren finally made me feel at home. Especially since becoming friends with Salsa. I don't feel bored being in a boarding house. The challenge of being santriwati stemmed the unbearable longing for parents. Tears often even flow down the cheeks. First in pesantrenan often cry because it misses home and mother.

That kind of feeling is not felt by me. Other friends feel that way too. Life being a boarding school kid is not as easy as I imagined. All must be on time, which I inevitably have to run in order to achieve the dream.

“Manda. Manda .. ,” call Salsa who pats my back from behind.

“What's up?” ask me to turn my back on seeing the girl I thought was best friend since living in the cottage.

“Antum Arabic task is done?” salsa asked who was sitting on the bench behind me.

“Ya, already. why?” I answered facing back.

“Ana does not know the number five, ajarin dong?” with a parched face from a Salsa looking at me. “If vocabulary, Antum already memorized.”

“God willing, memorize. Where is the PR Antum. Here's Ana ajarin, sneak! afraid wetaz Firdaus will come.”

I was still facing back to teach a task that Salsa could not yet. When I was just about to explain my best friend, suddenly one of the ustaz in the cottage came to our classroom.

“Ikhtirom ... Hayyun,” said the class leader who gave a message so that all students stood up.

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarokatuh.”

I also quickly stood up as my friends greeted the teacher who came and had made me feel shocked too when I was going to teach Salsa suddenly ustaz came to class.

With a little slow footsteps and very authoritative get into our class. A handsome, tall man entered my class.

All santriwati was wrong when they saw the figure of Ustaz which was none other than .. he said his name was ustaz Aris.

Unless I'm just indifferent to the attitude of the other friends. Ustaz who came was not ustaz Firdaus but who came was Ustaz Aris who was also the son of the founder of the boarding school Ar-Rahman. Ustaz who is now standing in front of the class, who has a handsome face and a high posture like an Arab man makes the santriwati wrong to see it.

I don't know what makes other friends behave like that. And not with me who just gape at the sight of ustaz Aris. This is the first time I've seen him since I went to school in the cottage. Curiosity also made me have to ask my colleague Ica.

“Ca ... Who is he?” I asked who whispered Ica.

“Antum don't know him? He is Mudir's son (Chief of school), ” replied Ica again who whispered to me.

“Meanway? the principal's son?” ask me again with curiosity.

“Iya, Manda. Kok can, Antum does not know Ustaz Aris who is so handsome ask ampiuunnn.” Ica swung her mouth telling me with a face of her own smile.

“Gimana Ana can know, Ana ‘kan new here,” replied me again with a chat.

“He is a graduate of Cairo University, Manda. He was one of Mudir's children who was sintered plus handsome.” Ica so sumringah face forward see ustaz Aris.

I don't know what makes students admire young people. Is it because of his skill or his intelligence? To me ustaz Aris is mediocre. What is special??

******

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarokatuh. Shobahul khaer (good morning),” said ustaz Aris who said good morning to the santriwati in Arabic.

“Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatulli wabarokaaatuh. Shobaa hun nur (good morning too),” replied all santriwati including me too.

“Ustaz straight to the point, maybe here there are already know ana and who do not know. This Intensive class ‘kan, for those who have Aliyah here must be familiar with ana. But ... for new santriwati may not know.”

I who heard the words of Ustaz Aris just fell silent and lowered my head. When I didn't pay much attention, I heard friends reprimanding ustaz Aris for being silent.

“Why silent, Ustaz?” ask the santriwati to ustaz Aris.

“Afwan. So ... who do not know ana, please ask later to anti friends who have been here for a long time,” said ustaz Aris again answered the santriwati.

“Kaifahalukum jami’an,” said ustaz Aris (ask news to santriwati).

“Alhamdulillah nahnu bikhairi,” replied the santriwati who said they (all is fine).

“Wa antum, Ustaz. Kaifahaluka?” cetus Ica my sitting friend who suddenly asked ustaz Aris news. So that makes the santriwati laugh at him. Ica ventured to ask back the news of Ustaz Aris. I also heard Ica's spark frown and was shocked to see her reaction was so intense with the arrival of our ustaz.

“Weehhhh, this antum ... kespontilan!” said one of my friends.

“If ana, thank God,” reply ustaz Aris with a big smile.

I who became a sitting friend Ica just smiled to see my best friend. The other friends laughed at Ica. And Ustaz Aris answered with Alhamdulillah. I accidentally saw Ustaz Aris. Even unintentionally we met each other.

I tried to keep my eyes on him because it wasn't the mahrom quickly lowered my head. It is undeniable that besides being handsome and pious, Ustaz Aris is a very smart person so that he can get to school at the University of Cairo by getting a scholarship. That I heard from the whispers of other santriwati.

Said Ica His age is still young also able to make the santriwati stunned and amazed by all the advantages it has.

“Today, ustaz Firdaus cannot teach you. Because he also has to take care of things. Oh yes, said ustaz Firdaus before learning Arabic. Said you guys have to memorize vocabulary first at least five words?” ustaz Aris asked all of us.

“Iya, Ustaz. Keep being called one by one,” replied our class leader named Arum.

“Alright, before learning Arabic. Ustaz will call you one by one to go forward memorizing vocabulary.

Ustaz Aris then called santriwati one by one to memorize the vocabulary, after the santriwati were called.

Now it's my turn to memorize vocabulary. I stood up straight in front of the class without any hesitation. Begin memorizing vocabulary one by one.

“Sabbu rhatun : Whiteboard, Syakpun : Roof, Thobasirun : Chalk, Suratun: picture, Tollasatun : board eraser, Seat’yun : Seat.” That's the Arabic vocabulary I memorized in front of the class and heard by ustaz Aris and the other santriwati.

“Anti Who's name?” ask ustaz Aris as I'm about to sit back on my bench. I also put my feet up to be put up.

“Ismi Imanda Ramdhani,” I replied with a lowered gaze.

“Ouuhh,”

Then I sat down after telling ustaz Aris my name.

“She's name is Antum?” ask Ica who is sitting next to me. Perhaps, he heard ustaz Aris's question hence asking me like that.

“Iya,” answer. “Why?”

“Nothing. How come she doesn't have the name ana.”

“Maybe, he already knows antum. What's in it, even if he has a name, doesn't matter! Ca.” I answered my friend with his rent. I also don't know why Ica suddenly got upset with the question.

******

After the prayer, that night I and other santriwati changed the house in santriwati's room. Then go with Salsa to the kitchen to eat.

Arriving in the kitchen, the santriwati queue to wait for each rice ration\-each. This is the life in the pesantren must queue when taking food rations.

“For so long these kids take rice,” said Salsa with her upset face, standing in the crowd of friends who were queuing. Really sucks.

“Sabar, later also part,” I replied to Salsa.

“Padahana yes, Da. Rice is divided equally, but do not know them if divided by rice like to choose. Wonder!” Salsa told me while weaving her mouth in annoyance with the other santriwati.

Not long after, it was my turn and Salsa to take the rice given by the mudhabiroh in charge of cooking. Rice was taken through the window by me and Salsa.

We finally got the rice. Salsa and I were looking for a place to eat together.

“We sit there aja,” Salsa told me.

Salsa and I decided to sit by the fish pond. When we had just eaten half the rice, suddenly the bell finished eating rang.

Tett .. tett ...

“Iiihhh .. swear! pingin ana is angry! just ate, bel has been deserted.” Salsa who was near me was very upset while mocking her rice because she was upset.

“You ate it! don't be angry mulu,” scold me who was also upset.

“They are spitty. It's faster than ever, Manda.”

I who heard Salsa's annoyance just nodded in agreement.

“Wahid (One) .. .” said mudhabiroh began counting in Arabic so that the santriwati in time to re-assemble.

“The name is to be thrown away?” ask me to Salsa. “Do not throw it away! We love fish only, rather than redundant.” I stepped up to take Salsa to the pond to give the remaining fish the rice we ate.

“Isnani (Two) ..!” mudhabiroh shouted the count to two for the santriwati.

“Sketan, Salsa.”

I ran with Salsa to quickly get to study together. Because if not on time the santriwati who are late will be punished. Yes and indeed it has become a rule in the cottage to be on time.

“Sala .. ,” when the count of three is spoken by Mudhabiroh. Salsa and I sat down with the other santriwati. If you imagine, the stomach feels bad. We just finished eating must run around for fear of being punished by mudhabiroh. Huhh, patience.

Learning together began to take place every night as usual. That night there were also busy making assignments, some were busy memorizing verses al-qur’an, some were even busy memorizing speeches. Co-study is done from eight to eleven o'clock at night. Similarly, I who mingle learning along with other students.

The process of learning together took place, Mudhabiroh came forward to announce something.

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarokatuh,” said one of the Mudhabiroh standing in front of the santriwati.

“Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarokaatuh,” we replied the santriwati.

“Tonight, ana will announce who will be on piked night duty. 1. Nautica, 2. Iman Ramdhani, 3. Salsa Wardani, 4. Mudhabiroh Aini Jannati's. That's what's going to be tonight's assignment. Remember that! its task starts at twelve pm.” Firmly Mudhabiroh announces who will be duty for the night. Night piked is meant to be on guard at night, where the piked starts from twelve pm until dawn.

“Means ana, Ica, same antum Manda. One group take care tonight. Iiiihhh ... where are you lenye-lenye really, the cowardly ask for an ampiuun ... ?? how can we one kelom ..”

Salsa who was talking told me, suddenly Mudhabiroh heard it. To make him angry. If I can be honest, I do not like the attitude of mudhabiroh if scolding us.

“Hehh .. Who told you to talk? Ana's not done talking. Why Ukhti Salsa even play by the way, gossip later!” said Mudhabiroh who scolded Salsa with a slightly loud tone of voice.

Salsa immediately shut up and threw her mouth because she was upset by Mudhabiroh. Mudhabiroh is a manager in pesantrenan that can be trusted. However, their duties are different. Mudhabiroh is like an OSIS bond. But because in pesantrenan so it is called Mudhabiroh or Mudhabir.

******

“Manda. Manda ..”

“Iya, pause, ana want to put a book first.” I don't care what Salsa calls. I still focus on tidying up the book and putting it in the bag.

Selsesai tidied up my book and Salsa came out to get ready for the night. It can also be called if the people at home or in the village, this is called ngronda. At Ar-Rahman boarding school every night has a turn to watch the night. Keep the night is not only for the santriwati, but santriwan also have a turn to guard the night.

“Which color, Da?” salsa asked me while standing at the door of the santriwati's room.

“Ana don't know, Sa. ‘Kan just came out also same antum.”

“You wait here, I want to go to the room find him.” Salsa left me alone.

I have a strange friend!” just now use Arabic, now the language is not clear. Me already? ana already?” However, even though it often irritates me. I admit Salsa was the best friend during school in the boarding school.

I stood alone with a quiet atmosphere. There was the sound of crickets, and the wind slowly passed. The sound of the crickets that have now stopped being heard by me, now it is the turn of the sound of the dog to make my horse hair stand up because of the horror of hearing it. If you know, our boarding house is close to gardens and rice fields. And far from the crowd. So, no wonder also in our cottage there are so many dogs. If it's the night, it feels horrified and haunted.

The sinister atmosphere, which made me uncomfortable finally decided to call Salsa who had so long ago called Ica. Before calling them, I stood looking around the courtyard in the hut. I just kept pestering you myself while rubbing the back of my neck.

I waited for Salsa to call Ica and Mudhabiroh Aini did not appear to come. The longer I waited alone, the more it gave me the creeps.

However, I tried to shake off the fear. Waiting is indeed a very annoying thing and maybe many people do not like to wait long. Coupled with a quiet atmosphere makes the atmosphere even more sinister. Because of the long wait, I immediately went to Salsa who was in the other santriwati's room. Fear is human.

“Salsa! antum did it! Long time?” With an annoyed face I saw Salsa eating something with Ica. I think I want to be angry. Have friends, have been waiting for a long time even fun eating.

“Mmm ... Afwan, B. It's Ica don't eat noodles, so I'm following along. You want to eat?” Salsa offered me noodles without any guilt at all she invited me to eat.

“No! come out, later if seen the same ustazah no one guard, we can be scolded!!” with an annoyed face I left those who still ate noodles.

The night was getting late I was with other santriwati watching while wandering around the santriwati cottage. And santriwan who served also like that, around the lodge santri putra only. As we walked around together, I involuntarily heard something sound.

“Eeh .. just a moment, antum do not hear the voice of crying people do not.” I told Ica, Salsa, and Mudhabiroh Aini who were on guard that night.

“What's the sound, Manda?” ask Ica.

“Before long ago, how come there are crying people?” sounds said Mudhabiroh Aini again.

Platkk .... (Sounds the sound of falling things)

My friends and I heard the sound and were shocked. And ... There's a little fear I feel.

“What a sound is ...,” Salsa began to approach while tightly holding my cold hand.

“Iiihh .. antum anything at all, Sa. Leasin!” I said to Salsa with my hand drawn.

Then, without wanting to be curious, I invited Ica, Salsa, and Mudhabiroh Aini to see what had fallen.

In the boarding house there are several coconut trees, and there is a garden in the cottage. So if the night because there are no lights makes the situation even more sinister.

I immediately took Ica, Salsa, and Aini to look at the fallen thing. While Mudhabiroh Aini is in charge of directing the light around the bushes.

“Neverything,” says Mudhabiroh Aini.

“Aaa ...!!! oh, my God, Da. That's what!!” Salsa shouted loudly near me while pulling my hijab tightly.

I don't know what I saw with the other guys. A woman wearing a white shirt with her face covered with hair.

What do we see Is it a real ghost? Or is there just someone who wants to scare us? Questions started to surround my mind.

“Astagfirullah thing’azim .. O Allah,” said Aini subdued the light of her flashlight with her hands that began to tremble.

While Salsa and Ica immediately ran away with a hysterical scream leaving me and Aini.

“Manda. ayok go. Scribbles! Aini came running because of the fear I abandoned her.

And finally I came running, because it could not be denied that I was also afraid and goosebumps. With a place so dark let alone more abandoned by other friends makes me run as fast as possible to return to the cottage santriwati.

I ran so fast, and was suddenly hit by something. It made me scream as loud as possible.

Vntok .... (I hit something)

“Aduuuhhh .. huuu huuu huuu, Aaaaaa ..!!!” I'm notosan now screaming hysterically. When I see someone in front of me.

“Heh, anti why?” unintentionally ustaz Aris held my hand. I was silent, I thought the one in front of me was a ghost. But it didn't. And a flashlight directed at my face by Ustaz Aris.

I quickly pulled my hand from Aris's ustaz hand. The instant heartbeat was felt by me at that moment. What is this feeling? I don't know what it means. And I was confused by the heartbeat I felt.

Whether I felt the beating of the heart afraid or because Aris's ustaz view was so sharp to me. Without purpose our gazes met each other.

“Astagfirullah thing’azim .. ,” said I lowered my head to look away.

“Anti why?” ask ustaz Aris.

Just silence I do with fear and sweating.

Ustaz Aris then invited me to return to the santriwati cottage. Might? Because he saw me scared so invite to return to the cottage santriwati.

Arriving in front of the terrace santriwati cottage. Ustaz Aris asked me.

“Anti why was it?” ask ustaz Aris again as I sit down.

“Hemm ... Afwan, Ustaz. Ana was screaming earlier.” With my face still terrified, I tried to tell Ustaz Aris about what I saw with the other santriwati.

While Ustaz Aris who was told did not believe my story. Finally, she went to the place where me and the other female friends saw the creature that made us afraid.

It only took ten minutes, ustaz Flow back again. “Maybe just anti feeling. There is nothing\-nothing" said ustaz Aris after returning.

“No, Ustaz. It wasn't Anna who saw it. Ica, Salsa, and Mudhabiroh Aini also see.” I'm trying to explain.

“Ya already, anti same anti friends anti here-here only. No need to travel tonight. Soon also at three o'clock, do not forget to wake up the other santriwati for midnight prayers.”

Ustaz Aris then left after ordering me and other friends to stay in front of the terrace of the cottage santriwati so as not to go around again.

“Na’am, Ustaz.” I nodded in agreement.