Assalamu'Alaikum Love

Baffled

Fazas

At first I thought my wedding day was going to be a normal one, because I realized that there was not much I could do to prepare for the wedding in three weeks. I who was on Thursday even busy taking the final semester exam really can't take care of my own wedding. Even Wahyu took care of my wedding dress and drove her to my room two days ago.

There are no special events that we plan after the ijab qabul event. There was no invitation for my friends except Hana and Ainun whom I contacted two days ago. There are also no other plans that are usually planned by the bride and groom after the marriage contract. Well, I don't think that's important either because the most important thing is that we are husband and wife.

“What do you expect from a wedding that is only prepared in three weeks, Za?” I even whispered that phrase a few times after the dawn prayer and I was asked to start getting ready by my mother.

But my guess is wrong. I was not involved in preparing for my marriage to Gibran, but Wahyu, my mother, and my brother did it for me. Decorations that I originally thought would only be very ordinary turned out to be made very beautiful at the request of the people of Revelation. Also the wedding dress that my older brother chose was really pretty and fitting on my body. And I didn't know that an exterior designer like her could take care of a wedding dress for her little sister.

“It's a shame that a bride as beautiful as this should be covered with a veil.” Goda mbak Retno, a neighbor and distant brother of my mother who helped me get ready and put on makeup. “But indeed look forward to a woman who actually can only be seen by her husband.” Imbuh mbak Retno who makes me stare a thin smile while following the orders mbak Retno who is still busy putting on my face.

Just as I opened my eyes, a young woman with a wide maroon and a wide headscarf was standing in the doorway of my room, smiling happily. And this is one of the two best surprises I got on my wedding day.

“Ainun,” I think because I contacted Ainun two days before my wedding with mas Gibran while Ainun is now settled in Semarang, he will not come plus his condition is pregnant. But he's actually there. Ainun walked towards me and hugged me for a long time which almost made me cry because of haru if only Retno asked me not to cry.

“You don't think you're coming, Nun.”

“Sorry can only come today, Za. I actually wanted to come from last night and accompany you to study, but my husband can only today.” he said regretfully after releasing my embrace and gently touching the side of my face. “And do you think I'm that late until I don't come on my sister's wedding day?”

“Thank you.”

“And I brought a surprise for you.”

And the surprise Ainun brought me was the best surprise I got this morning. The surprise that again made me almost cry because I was so excited. Again in the doorway of my room, a middle-aged lung woman stood up and cheered a sincere smile while in her hands a fresh lily that looked very beautiful.

“Ummi,” this time I got up from my chair to approach ummi Usammah and hug the woman. It was really surprising to find my foster mother in my house while I never told her about this marriage.

“Ummi know where Za got married today?” I think it's like a child who hasn't seen his mother for a long time. Inviting Ummi Usammah to sit on the edge of my bed and make Ainun and mbak Retno shake their heads to see my behavior to Ummi Usammah.

“Ainun reported to ummi. And why would you not invite ummi to your wedding?”

“Suddenly, mi. Za alone did not have time to prepare anything.” It was me who made Ummi Usammah pinch my cheek before gently hugging me back.

“Bismillah, may this be your first and last marriage, dear. May Allah bless the marriage of the two of you and Allah grant His kindness to both of you.” Ummi said gently before handing over a bouquet of fresh lilies that he had brought to me.

And I just wanted to re-hug ummi and say thank you when two girls came back into my room with my mom. A woman of the mother's age and another woman who might be the same age as Ainun, but she looked younger. The two women looked beautiful with their long kebaya and gray headscarves.

“Masya Allah, beautiful once daughter mama.” Said the woman as she approached me and hugged me. And without asking, I already knew who this woman was even though I had never seen her. Liana Wibisana is the mother of Gibran who lives in Jakarta.

“Welcome, bu.” I said in the end after Renata took off her hug from me and grabbed Liana's mother's right hand and kissed her reverently.

“Call mom, babe.”

“Assalamu’alaikum, ma.”

“Wa’alacumsalam, Faza. Sorry to meet you today, son.” It was as if the people present on my wedding day were trying to reduce the nervousness I had been feeling since last night. Even so with my mother who gently kissed my forehead as if she wanted to say that everything would go smoothly and everything would be fine. “Welcome to the big family of Wibisana, dear.”

“And even if I was two years older than you, I would still call you mbak.” Renata said that made everyone in my room laugh because of it. “But most importantly, welcome to join the Wibisana family, sister-in-law.”

And our laughter and jokes only stopped when Rento said that Ijab qabul is about to start and I need to be ready soon. Lucky because I don't wear a lot of jewelry and enough with a simple hijab and a headdress. That's why I don't have to make Retno frantic because it takes a long time to prepare the bride's makeup.

“Pray, ask God to mourn your wedding today, son.” Ummi Usammah said while putting a veil on my face and leading me out of the room. Sitting beside me and disturbing my right hand during the procession of ijab qabul is done outside the house. Listen carefully to every word that the ruler said to us both, as well as a series of sentences of direction given to Gibran before doing the ijab qabul with abah.

And my nervousness only grew when the witnesses stated that our marriage was valid after Gibran successfully uttered the phrase ijab qabul in one breath. Nervousness mixed with a feeling of relief as I led do’a for both of us and for the invited guests in a hoarse voice.

“Alhamdulillah,” I whispered after I finished reading the series do’a and ummi and Ainun accompanied me to walk out of the house to approach abah and mas Gibran.

My husband's.

Ah, it feels strange when I call the man with the word ‘suamiku’ even though in fact today he has indeed become my husband. I didn't lie when I said I was still so awkward when I asked me to sit next to Gibran and sign my marriage book. I could even feel my hands trembling and making my brother mock me and invite the laughter of the guests present today, including Gibran.

“Thank you, mas.” Right, it felt really awkward when I reached out my right hand and let Gibran put on a ring in my sweet finger. But the awkwardness and nervousness that I've felt since just came out when this man touched the top of my head with his right hand and delivered a series of do’a for me. And that awkwardness turned into a bliss that rose up in my heart as Gibran gently kissed my forehead without hesitation before all the guests present today.

“Tabarakallah, darling.”

Dear.

Again it feels too rushed to remember that last month, Gibran even turned away from me when I confessed my feelings to him. It felt like everything happened so quickly when we remembered that last month, there were so many events that made us turn our backs on each other even though at first we had a chance to meet.

But the ‘sayang’ call that Gibran gave me today, and the touch I got from him today opened my eyes and understood. If God wills, anything can happen.

Is not Allah the All-Ruler of All? Just as He arranged for Gibran Wibisana to be the fulfillment of half my religion.

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