After the Rain

Entrance Exams

Unintentionally, Yandri sees with his own eyes how the mother treats Daniar. And as always, out of respect for his mother, Yandri tries to be patient even though in his heart he does not accept when his wife is again blamed.

Patience, Bun. Father knows Mother is a very strong woman, Inner Yandri. Therefore, Yandri immediately took his wife away from his mother's house.

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No parting words were spoken from the couple's lips. One thing they know, this is already a fateful suratan they have to go through. Both Yandri and Daniar, they learn to love each other.

"Take care of yourself, Bun. Please educate Bintang well when Dad is not with him" Yandri said to his wife.

Daniar nodded. "Dad, take good care of yourself there. Don't forget to eat, despite the solid activities," Daniar replied.

Yandri. A second later she kissed Daniar's forehead and hugged him.

After bidding farewell to her in-laws, Yandri took an online taxi that had been booked. This morning, he was going to Jakarta to follow the group of teachers who will be dispatched from the city of Jakarta to Cirebon.

At 1 p.m., Yandri arrived at the headquarters. The place where he conducted the academic test two weeks ago. Along with the other teachers, Yandri was given the opportunity to rest while waiting for the teachers who had not come.

"

Which area, Tadz?" ask a man in a tie.

"I am from Tasikmalaya" replied Yandri.

"Oh. Introduce, my name is Danny from Central Jakarta," continued the man as he reached out.

"Yandri. I'm Yandri Gunawan" Yandri replied as he shook the hand of the man in a tie who is now his conversation partner.

By late afternoon, all the teachers who had successfully passed the academic test had gathered. Mr. Adit, as the coordinator in charge of the reception of new teachers, began to brief the teachers who were about to depart tonight. Not to forget Mr. Alam as the supervisor, also provides encouragement and motivation to new teachers so that they can easily adapt to the environment there. Until after performing the magrib prayer, the teachers began to enter the bus that had been provided.

"Bismilbornrahmanirrahim. Before we go, let us together recite the prayer first!" exclaimed Mr. Adit who was standing between the rows of side seats to lead the do'a.

"Subhaanal ladzii sakh khoro lanaa haadzaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqriniin. Innaa ilaa robbinaa lamunqolibuun."

Bus passengers join forces to seek protection for the journey they will be traveling through tonight. Shortly thereafter, cars drove through the streets of the capital at night.

Yandri pulled out his phone. His fingers danced agilely on the keypad. He was writing a message to his wife.

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There has been something missing in Daniar's life since her husband left. However, what her husband did was nothing but for the future of her and their child as well. Daniar should be patient with this separation. Because he was sure, this farewell was not forever.

Ting!

A whatsapp notification came in. Daniar grabbed his phone which was located on the nightstand. His lips smiled when he found out who had sent the message. Daniar also rubbed his phone screen to read messages from yandri.

Assalamu'alaikum, Bun.

The bus I was riding had already left. Ask for his prayers so that we arrive at our destination safely. Aamyn

From Dad

Daniar replied to her husband's message.

Of course, Dad. Wherever Father's feet step, Mother's do'a always accompanies. May Allah SWT always protect Dad wherever Dad is. Aamiins.

From Mother

For a moment, they exchanged messages and told stories about the day they had to go through without the presence of a partner. Strange indeed, but they have to get used to it.

At 21:00, Ms. Salma entered her daughter's room, which was still brightly visible. Salma then knocked on her son's door.

"Just enter, the door is not locked," replied Daniar from inside the room.

Ms. Salma opened the door to Daniar's room. The mother of one child was leaning her back against the bed.

"Not sleeping, Ni?" ask Miss Salma.

"Yet Ma'am, this is Niar who has been chatting with Yandri" Daniar replied.

"Once more, Mom. Ba'da magrib," replied Daniar again.

"Where have you got now?"

"Last time yandri sent a message, he said he had entered the toll."

"May all survive until the destination yes, Ni."

"Aamiin's."

"Oh yeah, get some sleep!" concluded Ms. Salma while confirming her grandson's blanket.

Daniar nodded. He began to break his body and closed his eyes. Shortly after, his sense of hearing caught the sound of a closed door. It looks like her mother has already come out of her room.

I don't know how long Daniar slept. Until the loud ringing of the phone woke him up.

Ish, who called midnight like this? batin Daniar while reaching back his phone from the top of the nightstand. "Dad?!" muttered.

Daniar shifts the green button to receive a call from the husband.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Dad! Arrived yet?" ask Daniar.

"Bun, Brother Nauval is in prison" Yandri replied in a trembling voice.

"What?!" pekik Daniar who immediately straightened his body. "What do you mean, Dad? How could Nauval's brother be in prison?" ask Daniar.

"Dad doesn't know either, but Laila just called and said that the police arrested Nauval's brother" Yandri replied.

"What was Nauval involved with, to the point of dealing with the police?" ask Daniar.

"Come, Bun. Laila's voice is not clear. It was too noisy in the bus."

"Where is Dad now?" ask Daniar

"This just came out of the toll, Bun. Is resting in the rest area," replied Yandri.

"Continue?" continue Daniar.

"Dad should be back, Bun. Brother Laila asked Father for help to take care of Nauval's freedom" Yandri replied.

Daniar. Instantly he remembered the trust of Hajjah Minah. At that time, Grandma Hajjah Minah once said to Daniar.

"People who will enter the boarding school there, will definitely face the entrance exam, Neng. Whether it's a test that comes from himself, family, closest friends, or people far away. One we must remember. When our resolve is already unanimous, ignore the distraction. Because it's just a whisper of a Shaiton that will shake our faith."

"Hallo, Bun! Mommy can still hear Dad, right? Looks like the signal here is starting to get bad."

Yandri's call immediately disperse Daniar's daydream about his grandmother's trust.

"Yes, Dad. Father's voice was still clear" Daniar replied.

"Yes, then I want to see Mr. Adit first, Bun. Looks like Dad didn't come to the dorm tonight" Yandri said.

"Wait, Dad! Think carefully, do not take action. Mommy remembers that Grandpa Hajjah was once bi–"

Tut-tut-tut!

Phone connection was cut off due to poor signal. Daniar's head felt heavy. She was very confident that what her husband was facing right now, was a form of exam that would test the extent of her husband's confidence to enter the boarding school. The actual boarding school of education was established by the fighters to continue his struggle in upholding Islam.

"If we want to wage jihad, of course we must have strong faith. And the strength of that belief will be seen if we can pass the inner test." Those words were still clearly ringing in Daniar's ears.

O Lord .. please give the servant's husband Your instruction, inner Daniar.

Daniar gets out of bed. He walked back and forth while tightly holding his phone.

"Ish, what should I do?" muttered Daniar.

Suddenly, the phone in his hand rang again. Daniar read the caller's id.

"Sir Tania? Subhanallah .. I know what I have to do now. Thank you God ...."

Daniar is back to the green button. "Assalamu'alaikum, Wak!"