Anila For Anala

CHAPTER 6 - MEETING

Azan Maghrib was mumbling when Maliq arrived at the hotel lobby.

"What floor's the musical, ma'am?" ask Maliq to someone at the reception desk.

"Three floor, brother. Exit the elevator turn right. Right next to the restaurant" he explained.

 "Okay, thanks, Ma'am."

"Together."

Maliq to the directed location. Luckily, the location is next to the restaurant. Where Maliq made a meeting appointment.

In the musala there are already some people who want to perform prayers. Maliq stands in the ranks of the masters.

Alhamdulillahot. Still had time to pray together at the beginning of time, thanks Maliq in heart.

One after another left the musala, perhaps continuing the activity. Not with Maliq. Maliq decided to wait in the musala until the agreed time. The best place to wait.

Maliq took out a mushaf and read it over a few pages. Until the reading stops at the favorite verse .. Anila. Ar Rum 48: "It is God who sends the wind, and the wind moves the cloud, and Allah sets it out in the sky according to what He wills, and makes it clot, then you see the rain coming out of his cracks, and when He sends it down upon His servants whom He wills, they are suddenly glad." 

The verse that always made Anila big-headed and said, "No, no, I am the bringer of happiness. God, you said, not me."

"Yes, yes," said Maliq with a spinning eyeball, lazy to argue.

If it's like that. Anila smiled in satisfaction while patting her chest. You brat, the inner Maliq shook his head. Maliq is indeed anxious. If only they had not been together puberty, Anila's cheeks had been pinched Maliq so anxious.

Astarghfirullah's. Why think of Anila? Seven years have passed. All those memories are still vivid in Maliq's memory. Until when Maliq can completely forget Anila. Friends who unplanned make Maliq fall in love and reject many women.

Anila is not the woman who made Maliq fall in love at first sight. It is time that creates it, until finally the taste is present and grows. Little by little but deep-rooted. The roots spread and grip strongly, even too strongly.  

Anila's simplicity in thinking and acting. The initial reason Maliq sympathized. But over time, that simplicity is also what often makes Maliq worried. Fostering a desire to protect and protect. Anila was never suspicious, too trusting of people. They think everyone is just like him. 

Anila never had a backup plan, nor did she have any anticipation. The goal is singular, even by achieving it. What if it fails? Just rework it. That simple. Anila's simple mind at once made Maliq able to enjoy life today. Not much to worry about thinking about the future, just thankful for today.

I don't know, since in Jakarta the shadow of Anila more often appears in the minds of Maliq. Maliq more often visit the memory room. It feels so close. Maybe because the distance between Jakarta and Bandung makes Maliq feel that way.

The sound of high shoes approaching. Stop around the face of the musala before it finally disappears. The digital clock of the prayer timer makes a sound. The sign has entered the time of prayer. There was no one else but Maliq and someone behind the curtain between the male and female places of prayer. 

Not long after, several youths in white-black uniforms entered. Possibly hotel training officer. One of them approached the pulpit. At first Maliq thought he would pray. Turns out wrong, he recites the ikamah. When finished, he invited Maliq to lead the prayer. Maliq looked back, making sure that he was the one being gestured by the young man. 

"Istau wala takhtalifu, fatakhtalifa qulubahum. Allahuahokbar." Maliq begins salat.

...***...

The meeting was smooth, at least not too much revision. God willing, his return schedule can be on schedule. So Maliq can focus on taking care of other things. Marriage, like. Seven years, it felt like enough time to bury Anila's shadow. Start a new life. 

Maliq turned on his old motorbike by sideways. The engine that is still maintained makes the motor turn on with only one side. Maliq is traveling at moderate speed. Passed a few parked cars towards the guard post. Full hotel parking on the weekend. Passing through the fork, suddenly the motor was like being pushed from behind. Making a motor driven Maliq oreng. The motor body tilted until it fell on Maliq's calf, before the car's wheels grinded the rear wheels of the motor.

Maliq tried to pull the pinched leg. Yet futile. The more attractive he is, the more pain he feels. Enforcing the motor with this sitting condition is very difficult. Moreover, he only rests on one leg that is free. 

A woman came out in a dark purple dress. Her hair was unraveling until she had her shoulders open.

"Give me," she screeched. He quickly lifted the Maliq motorbike. His high shoes did not hinder his deft steps. His smooth hands were full of energy. Once lifted, the old Maliq motor can be enforced.  

Finished up the motor, he tucked his unraveling hair into his ears, asking, "Nothing, Mas ...," he thought before continuing, "Maliq?"

Maliq squinted his eyes before he could recognize the woman. Not likely. "Anila?"

...***...

...Seneng, yes, if you meet an old friend....

...But what if Anila and Maliq were, huh? Also, no, huh?...