Already Or Halalkanized?
7. Position is not important
" and how?" ask Naira enthusiastically.
" are you listening to me?"
" of course, ahh sorry.. You asked me to shut up, but I asked. What conditions have I failed to fulfill?" 😰
" no, the pot is done. You got away." 😃
" ahh, thank goodness."
" but there's a bonus condition." 😌
" there was no such thing before." 😒
" i just want to know. If it wasn't for you being naughty, why would you make two hideouts like this?"
" i'm not bad. You know that enough." 😒
" i can't believe it. Could you be any more naughty than me?"
" this you! I've never been drunk, let alone slept with the opposite sex!" 😡
" yes, yeah.. Alright. Then what's the evidence?" 😏
" i only came here after the exam was over. So in those moments, you were banned from coming here. Understood?"
" why?"
" because I just want to be alone."
" why?"
" because I don't want anyone to know how I'm doing."
" why?"
" sir, is there no other question?" 😃
" your long-winded answer. That's why I asked the same question."
" but you haven't answered my question either." 😒
" ahh, really? Which one?" 🙁
" how the story goes, you fainted. Were you taken to the hospital or left there?"
" ohh, I don't know. But when I woke up, I was already here. That's why I want to run away anyway, I don't know where I'm going." 😅
Naira was silent. He understood why Zidan was able to walk that far while trying to escape the pesantren. That's because he doesn't know where to go.
" then you?? Don't dodge by pretending to be silent." 😒
" ahh, huh?" 🙁
" don't pretend to forget, too, what you have to answer me."
" ahh, yes, okay." 😑
" i.." 😞
" it is actually a bit depressed to bear the status as the child of the head of this pesantren. Actually was.. Abi didn't put too much pressure on me to be the best santri here. But I feel.."
" i always feel like I'm a failure in everyone's eyes, when I can't be the best here."
" i'm ashamed.."
" everyone here is so fond of me, respects me, ignores me."
" i'm not that special. I just want to be a kid that my mom and dad can really be proud of. Not just bearing the status of being the daughter of an Abi Yusuf."
" i would like to be known as Naira Humaira, with my own achievements."
" i heard you have two brothers? Why do you feel burdened by yourself?"
" you may not know yet, my sister brother Zahra. He is expelled by Abi himself, for being caught dating another santri. I don't know what the details are."
" while my older brother, Zain's brother. He insisted on pursuing his goals and studying abroad."
" are you the last child?"
" yes." 😅
" that's why, you feel like all the weight is on your shoulders? You want to be your father's successor?? Awesome.." ☺ compliment Zidan on Naira.
" yes, my dream is so. But it's not as easy as I dreamed. Every human being's ability has its limits."
" so every time you finish the exam you're here because.."
" yes, I always fail to get first place. I've always been second, from the beginning to the present." 😞
" Naira, man,"
" as long as you know.."
" people like me have a hard time getting good recognition from others."
" you're lucky to be born a person of respect even before you've made a mark."
" you just have to mean it."
" it's true, human ability has its limits."
" but when we reach the limit and try to exceed it, isn't it already so incredible?"
" what does a position mean?"
" it's just a title, I believe you've got more than that."
" what?" 🙁
" will." 😉
Naira was silent. This kid, at least made Naira aware. It doesn't matter where he is at the moment. He just needs to try better than before. Don't stop, let alone retreat.
" Zidan's.."
" thank you." 😊
" yes." answered Zidan briefly.
" hoaam! Can you please go? I'm tired.."
" your father is not here, I want to take a break. It's not wrong you told me this place." 😌
" you.." 😑
" i won't skip, just relax. After all, the water is enough for this afternoon's ablution. I'll fill up the water later this afternoon."
" haish. She think this is a hotel or what?" 😒 Naira grumbled while leaving.
" assalamu'alaikum!" naira shouted to Zidan's surprise.
" uh, Wa'alaikumsalam." 😑
Naira Dormitory.
" Ra, where are you going?"
" err, i.. That's.. Haven't helped Nisa's ustadzah in her room." 😰
" ohh, the pantesan I'm looking everywhere is not there. This is your fruit soup that's flooded."
" it's the same."
" btw, the midterms don't feel like we're staying another week?" marwa opened the topic.
" what?! Another week?" ayana said so shocked.
" why is that?" 🙁 ask Marwa.
" i haven't memorized!!" 😫
" well, it's still this far.. This week is enough."
" not enough for me!!" 😫
" the test this time must not be too difficult really." 😉 said Naira encouraged Ayana.
In his little heart, he was the one who was very afraid to face this test.
A week passed like a blink. Midterm exams are coming. Naira is haunted by her nervousness. But he tried to calm down. Sometimes Zidan's words were ringing in his ears.
" you just have to mean it."
" it's true, human ability has its limits."
" but when we reach the limit and try to exceed it, isn't it already so incredible?"
" what does a position mean?"
" it's just a title, I believe you've got more than that."
" what?" 🙁
" will." 😉
Naira strengthened her resolve.
" i just have to try, you try.."
" maximizing what I have, transcending the limits I can still achieve."
" i don't want that position anymore!"
Naira's spirit is burning, she does everything to the best of her ability. Until it doesn't feel like time after time the exam just passes. Finally came the announcement for those who received the first highest value position.
" our dorms always get top 10." 😃
" maybe it is so now" Naira told Shofa.
" i'm sure this time you got first position, Naira." 😉 Fatma said.
" don't be hopeful, I'm not as ambitious as I used to be. I don't care where I'm going now." 😅
" don't pretend you're not tense." 😒
" ahh, yeah okay. You won Fatma." 😅
Naira said trying to make her mind not feel disappointed with the announcement that will soon arrive.
" 10th place, Shofa Awaliyah."
" huh? I'm down to rank 10?!" 😫
" you were 8, right?" ask Marwa.
" yes!" 😫
" Shofa is only ranked 10, am I not going to enter the top 10 this time?? Yesterday I got the 10th position." 😰 Ayana getting nervous.
" quiet, just one rank. We don't know who's up yet and who's down." 😅 Naira trying to calm her friends.
" rank 9, Marwa Khairunnisa."
" thank God, I'm still consistent." 😪
" but I'm right now behind you!!" 😫 said Shofa annoyed.
" quietly I'll just make fun of you when we're in the dorm." 😉
" Marvah!!" 😩
" stage 8, the Dawn is coming."
" rank 7, Agnia Agustina."
" rank 6, Gibran Siddiq Mulyana."
" i resigned.. How could I possibly be in the top 5." 😢
" patiently, Ayana.." 😟 says Fatma calms Ayana down.
" Rank 5, Ayana Moon."
" Ayanah!!" 😱 cries out Fatma resuscitates Ayana.
" ahh, am I the only one who's heard wrong here?" 😳
" no, Ayana. You have made incredible progress. You got 5th, congratulations."
" you're a sly stump, Ayana. Why are you so fast ahead of me and Marwa?!" 😭
" where I know, I didn't expect this to happen either. Don't ask me." 😫
" fourth place, Dimas Cahya Maulana."
" third rank, Fatma Azizah."
" i rose from fourth, so third." 😜 taunted Fatma on her three best friends who were in behind her.
" second rank, Alfan Khairan Fauzi."
" what?! Alfan rank two?? And Naira?" 😱 Fatma shocked because she has not heard the name Naira.
Instead he even heard other names that have never entered the top 10.
" who is this Alfan Khairan Fauzi?" tanya Shofa is curious.
" goodbye, Alfan, you've just entered but you've got second place."
" new santri?" whispered Marwa.
" i think so." answered Ayana.
" how on is Naira?" 😰
" can't he be behind us? All this time he's always been ranked 2?"
" already, guys. I said don't expect too much from me. I'm fine." ☺
" and the first rank is achieved by.."
" it must be Hasbi Athallah again." said all the santri there.
" Humaira Naira. Congratulations, you managed to rank first."
" what?! I'm Mr Ustadz?!" 😳
To be continue..
