Anila For Anala

CHAPTER 5 - THE PEDICAB WHEEL

Anila arrived in Jakarta two hours before the event began. Anila had to hurry. She had to go to the laundry to pick up her dress. Not to be left behind, to the salon to perfect the appearance.

Anila did it alone. No assistant, even to take care of the apartment is also done alone. Anila closed off all access for anyone to enter her personal life.

No close friends, especially friends.

Friends ... Hauna .. Maliq. How are they doing now, huh?

...***...

The pedicab wheel, as it is called. Anila, Hauna, and Maliq. They are both from engineering faculty, just different majors. Anila and Hauna Industrial Engineering, while Maliq Architectural Engineering. The three know each other when they are members of MAPAL–Natural Lovers Student.

Don't imagine Maliq as a gentleman because it is friendly with women. No. gabe. He's a real man, normal. Don't ask how many women are sending greetings to Anila and Hauna. Do not ask how many women are disappointed because Maliq rejected. A bunch. He was famous, even in medical school. 

It feels Maliq makes Anila and Hauna as a shield from the invitation of aggressive women. However, Anila and Hauna who realized did not have any problem. They are actively protecting Ustaz Maliq.

Yes, Ustaz Maliq. So satirical Anila and Hauna if it has been lectured at length by Maliq, "The book should not be tight! Do not pray! The hood is not picketed! Her hair looks good, huh!" There are many more Ustaz Maliq. However, were Anila and Hauna deterred? No. gabe. They even often tease Maliq by deliberately doing wrong. At the end of Maliq only head bobbles at the behavior of his two best friends.

Although often upset by Anila and Hauna, Maliq never withdrew. No matter how busy he is, when he finds out Anila and Hauna are riding on motorcycles more than Maghrib time, Maliq will leave all the busyness. Trailing Anila and Hauna's motorbike from behind with his father's old motorcycle.

“I think, both of you are simply mean to be,” said Hauna suddenly. Right after the three of them watched the movie in the cinema. Anila sits between Hauna and Maliq. Anila and Maliq argue about many things. But at the same time has a lot in common. One of them, not going out.

“Front even your nature is similar. I was made aja,” said Hauna when tired of hearing the debate coachman Anila and Maliq. The ultimate sentence that can stop endless debate. If so, Anila's mouth locked, her vocabulary swallowed up. Instantly his brain was empty, and his face heated up.

The thing that Anila liked the most was when the three of them were traveling and stopping by at the little musala. At that time, usually Maliq who became the priest of prayer. Her melodious voice and reading rhythm, were still imprinted in Anila's memory. 

...***...

Salad. Astarghfirullah's. Anila beristighfar's. Anila felt guilty. Busyness makes him not aware of the time until it is too late for the beginning of the asar prayer. 

“Mbak, I pray first,” permission Anila on the makeup artist who is daubing her face.

“Eh .. but, Ma'am .. this is already given foundation.” 

“Biarin, Ma'am. Then repeat. I pay more.” Anila stood up from the chair and hurried to perform the prayer.

Slip cape dress burgundy bandaged groomed body Anila. Accents of the robe formed from the cleavage of the arm, making Anila look sagging, stylish, and modern.

Round tables with plain white tablecloth surrounded by senanda chairs. Pink roses decorate every table and corner of the room. The music of the instrument flowed, not many people were present. Anila glanced at the clock on her phone. Azan isya soon. Anila who still has wudu back away from the ballroom. Regular walking following the sign of the musala.

Old brown hiking boots. The only shoe on the musala shelf. The marker is only one visitor in it. A curtain restricts the place of prayer of men and women. It was time, Anila glanced at the digital clock of the prayer time pointer in front of the musala. 

Allahuakbar .. Allahuakbar .. Anila listens to every sentence of iqomah. 

“Istau wala takhtalifu, fatakhtalifa qulubahum.” The voice of the priest straightening the saf left Anila stunned for a moment.

"Allahuakbar." Momentary silence. Anila imitates the priest.

"Alhamdulilbornobili'alamin…." Anila's focus was split. Can't be right. That voice, that rhythm. Oh, my God, not now. Not at this moment. Not when I'm dressed like this. Anila repeated in her heart. This time, the prayer felt long. Anila really did not enjoy the prayers in the solemn. If only there were no priests leading the readings and movements, Anila had forgotten the readings and the number of rakaats that had been used.

"Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullah .. Assalamu'alaikum." Anila immediately got up, rising from her final seat. Fold the mukena and put it back on the shelf at the end of the musala. Without prayer, without prayer. Anila stepped outside the musala. Placing glancing at the shoe rack. The old brown hiking boots were still upright in their original place. The owner is not yet out.

Anila pushed the elevator button to the top floor of the hotel. The voice of the host has been thunderous accompanied by music that is no less blaring. Anila chose to sit among the people she knew at first glance. Avoid a protracted conversation. His mind is too upset.

At this time Anila needed time to organize herself and pound her heart. More oxygen to get to his brain. So that his brain can think clearly. If he could escape an instant, but it was impossible. Already entered the core event. His name is already referred to as the award recipient nominee. 

The beat of the drum is getting faster, louder, and blaring. Anila was lucky to beat fast and fast her heart was distracted by the sound of a drum. If all was quiet, Anila was sure her ears could hear the loud thump of her heart. No. gabe. Not because of the wait for who the award recipients are. However, the voice of the prayer priest continued to resonate inside his head.

"Nodya Ayu Ristanila." The host mentioned Anila's name. As hard as possible Anila put the brakes on her heart rate. Turned his face into quiet mode. Taking a deep breath and pulling to the right-left side of both sides of her lips. 

Anila welcomed some congratulatory hands. Without further ado, Anila escaped from the crowd. I don't think it's necessary to say goodbye to everyone. Anila only whispered to her boss to go home first because she was too tired.

Like a thief trying to escape. Anila made sure the corridor was quiet before deciding to turn. Including when selecting the elevator, all the elevator buttons are pressed. Peering from the side of the door. Fear of facing others from the elevator. 

Succeeds. Anila got into her car. He can breathe a sigh of relief now. Anila adjusted her gasping breath before putting on the seat belt and starting the machine. Turn on the radio that plays low-beat songs. Hope it can help equate the heart rhythm with the beat of the rhythm of the song.

Anila runs the car in peace. Succeeded away. A satisfied smile fell on his lips. He just needs to turn in front, hand over the parking card and.

Anila arrived at the turn, not looking to the left. A motorcycle suddenly appeared and with a flash was already in front of Anila's car. Gosh darn. Anila hit something. It sounds like a clamped object between the tires of a car and the floor.

Anila opened the steering wheel door without closing it back so panicked. Saw the thing he was pushing. Motorcycle tire. Mercifully. There's a sense of relief. A sense of relief that lasted for a moment, because he realized the rider's leg was hit by the collapsed motor body.

"Jeez." Without thinking long Anila straightened the motor that fell because it was hit by him. As a former child of MAPALA, Anila's power cannot be equated with that of an ordinary woman. After the bike managed to stand perfectly, Anila ensured the state of the biker. "It's okay, Mum…." Anila was silent for a moment, "Maliq?"