Bridal Flowers

Picking up Happiness

وَّخَلَقْنٰكُمْ اَزْوَا جًا ۙ 

"And We created you in pairs,"

(QS. An-Naba' 78: Verse 8)

                                       ***

Heavy, my eyes felt heavy and so hard to open. But even so, stubbornly I began to open my eyes that felt uncomfortable.

Spontaneously, the thing that first greeted my eyes was a strong and bright light. After getting used to the light that entered my eyes, I was finally able to clearly see the environment that I was in now. Spreading my gaze in all directions I found that my current place was my own room.

Why am I in my room?

Wasn't I at Mas Gio's application. Well, I was there and got a surprise that Mas Gio turned out to come propose to me.Saqila was angry and did not accept if the girl Mas Gio was asking for was me. Later then.. Safira says it all.he says that it was Saqila and Puspa who had ruined my marriage. And Mas Dimas also.also admitted it.and after that I ended up here.

Oh Allah.hiks.

What has happened.do not I mean, Saqila and Puspa?

They were family so they could not possibly do such a cruel thing to their families.

They are impossible.but, why does the incident at the application feel so real?

Could it be just my illusion?

Cclack

"Annais?" Call Umi surprised behind my bedroom door.

"Miss.." Call me awkward.

Umi stepped in with a tray in her right hand. Then with careful movement he closed the door and walked slowly closer to my bed.

"Umi, what's wrong?" I was worried when I found Umi's face looks not okay. His eyes looked red and swollen, then his face was so sweet and pale.

Is Umi sick?

Trying to get up from my sleeping position, Umi frantically held my shoulder. My face looked at me with a view I could hardly understand.

What the hell is it?

Putting the tray of food on my bed, Umi then pulled the chair near my dressing table and placed it next to my bed. Sit himself down, with a natural step he then opened the hood that covered the tray. Showing some warm food that actually looks very very very appetizing, but somehow seeing this can not interest me.

I'm not hungry.

"Eat ya, son, Umi's a bribe." Umi's voice finally after a long moment of silence.

Shaking slowly, I rejected Umi's offer as subtly as possible so that I wouldn't offend her.

"Annisa's not hungry, Umi." Say as softly as possible.

"A little bit, is it okay?" Persuade Umi with such a soft voice and sound carefully. This voice had not heard her for a long time. Hearing it now somehow attracted me to it when I was a child, spoiled and stubbornly refusing a bribe from Umi. But Umi never got angry when I behaved like that, she softened her voice even more. It made it hard for me to refuse again and obediently accept it.

That feeling I'm experiencing again now. Umi's gentle and affectionate attention, I've long missed her.

"One spoon only." My words finally relented while opening my mouth to take a bribe from Umi.

"Three spoons, huh?" He persuaded again, inserting the mouth into my mouth.

Chewing slowly, I tried to hold back my ringing sound because my cheeks were stiff and uncomfortable.

Swallow, "Only three mouthfuls." My words reminded Umi who was immediately responded to a smile by Umi. For a moment, I didn't know I had to open or close my mouth because it was so rare to see such a gentle smile of Umi.

Why all of Umi's current behavior always reminds me of a warm and loving past. I'm afraid that if this is just a dream and it's all going for me, I'm afraid that this isn't real.

Because if that were the case, it would be very painful.

"Hem, three spoons." He answered while feeding me another second spoon.

Chewing with great effort, my mouth really feels uncomfortable at this moment. As if he refused to put food in it.

Swallowing recklessly, my throat suddenly felt tight and painful. Tied me up with a cough that was so painful and dry.

"Oh Allah, Annisa. It's drinking warm milk first." Panicked Umi while helping me sit and lean on my bed. Then with a panic movement I drank warm milk given Umi, drink it smoothly almost finish him in one time.

Feeling lighter, I then tried to regulate my breathing even better to reduce the still uncomfortable feeling in my throat.

"There's no need to rush, son, because it's going to be like that. You'll choke and feel uncomfortable around your throat. Slow down while eating and take longer to chew your food to make it easier to digest." Umi's advice seemed panicked while taking over the milk glass from my hand.

"Sorry Umi, Annisa is no longer strong enough to eat the last bribe because somehow Annisa's mouth feels so uncomfortable." My voice refused to eat the last mouthful. I did not lie when I said this as well I was afraid that when I received the third bribe instead of succeeding in swallowing I vomited it instead. It would be very redundant if that happened and therefore I chose to say it honestly and definitely to Umi.

Sighing, Umi then put the tray over my drawer. Closing it again with the hood, Umi looked back at me who was still looking at her curiously.

"Umi, what's wrong?" Ask me finally can not stand the look of sadness that overshadowed my beautiful face Umi.

Subduing her head, Umi hesitantly grabbed my right hand. Grasping it softly but every now and then I will feel a strong squeeze.

Oh my God what happened to my Umi?

"Annisa," Call Umi in a soft and not as cold voice as usual.

Confused, "Yes, Umi?" Answer me try as gently as possible.

"Do you hate us?" His question sounded trembling.

Hate you guys?

What does Umi mean?

"Why should I hate you all?" I'm confused. You are my family so why should I hate you?

Raising her face, Umi looked at me with her red eyes that drained a warm and clear liquid.

"Umi, Umi why are you crying?" Panicked me while quickly removing the clear liquid from her beautiful face.

"What's up Umi? Why is Umi suddenly crying?" Ask me to sue. My Umi suddenly cried in front of me so who wouldn't be afraid to see her mother like this in front of her child?

"Annisa, forgive Umi and Abi, son.we do not know if all this time we have misunderstood you and ruthlessly always give you a cold shoulder. Umi knows that Umi's been hurting you all along, son. Forgive Umi."

Stunned, my hand suddenly froze. No, rather I'm the one who's silent can't do anything. My body was suddenly numb and unable to move. For a moment my memory returned to my memory when I had just woken up.

So, it wasn't even my dream illusion?

It´s real.

Gently rubbed her face, "Umi, forget all that. I don't think it needs to be remembered because it's not a good memory." Finally my voice decided. Never mind, everything has already happened and cannot be changed again. There is nothing to remember from that difficult time unless God has never left me.

Thank God, I am always in the grace of God. There is no better happiness than this.

"Umi doesn't know what to say to your apologies, son. This-"

"Don't say it again, Umi." Cut me out in panic. No, I don't like to listen to Umi pleading like this because it doesn't feel right for a mother who has given birth and raised me to behave like this.

"Annisa has forgotten everything and promised never to bring it up again, Umi is also someone important to Annisa. Hearing Umi plead like this Annisa was so disappointed with Annisa, just because Annisa made Umi become like this, how presumptuous Annisa was. So, don't say it again Umi because Annisa will definitely feel bad for Annisa if she hears it again." I don't want to hear Umi's voice pleading with a voice of sadness. I want to forget everything and act like it never happened.

Although the pain will never be forgotten but still, it is all the past and I should have forgotten and buried deeply.

"Just... How was Saqila after that time, Umi?" Doubtful, I can actually guess that he will never be okay. Besides, the reason he ruined his marriage was because I was too spoiled. Right, this whole thing was my fault from the start.

If, if I don't get too close to my family then Saqila will never feel this way.

Well, this is my fault!

"Saqila," Umi's voice also sounded hesitant and doubtful.

Nodding small, I understood that Umi might as well still not believe all that and felt heavy with my question.

"So afternoon he was sent to the boarding house of Abu Hurairah, the boarding house of Abi and Umi's companions in the opposite town." Umi's voice finally made me instantly surprised.

No, I know where this boarding school is but why was Saqila sent to that place?

Saqila already knew religion well enough and.and why should she be sent to that place?

Don't-don't it can't be!

"Umi, why did Saqila have to be sent to Abu Hurairah boarding school?. This..I mean Annisa, Saqila already knows our religion well so why should she be sent there?. Don't tell me if it's all because.. because of Annisa?"

Smiling little, Umi looked so pale as she stared at me this softly. "This Annisa isn't because of you, son. This is precisely what we do for the good of him and for everything to work out properly." Soft yam.

"What does Umi mean?" I still don't understand the meaning of his words.

Grabbing my right hand, "Annisa, your sister Saqila has a jinn disease, baby. We had to send him to that place to cure him of the jinn's disorder because his condition was already unable to distinguish good and bad things, between brothers and others. Saqila is already unable to distinguish you all, son so we have no other way but to send him to that place. As you know our best friend's boarding school is a boarding school that is proven to be able to treat diseases that deal with things like this. Even our friends are great scholars who are famous for their great ruqya and in accordance with Islam. Son, don't worry about Saqila because she won't be there for long. It might be a month or three months at most, depending on what Saqila wants to escape from the disturbance." Umi obviously made me even more surprised.

Saqila has such a disease?

But since when?

Hasn't he always looked fine and carried out the religious routine diligently and on time?

"But Saqila looks fine Umi, even everything that smells of worship and religion he did diligently and on time. Why..why could he have such a disease?"

"Son, the sheitan is smarter than humans so it's only natural that we never realize that Saqila has such a disorder. In addition, he always acted as if nothing had ever happened to him or he had never felt a real disturbance in him. We've all been fooled, son."

Ah, I forgot.I forgot that this enemy of ours is an intelligent enemy. Even his intelligence can surpass us as humans.

"Annisa understands, Umi." My voice can no longer say anything. This reason sounds obvious enough to me to always remember Allah, the Almighty One who will always protect me.

"It's all because of Annisa, Umi. If only Annisa had noticed Saqila then none of this would have happened and Saqila would not have experienced this kind of disturbance. Annisa was too greedy all this time and forgot about Saqila's mentality, this was all because of Annisa-"

"Don't make Umi say it again, Annisa. Umi promised not to bring all that up. Annisa, stop your guilt because the ones who should be the most guilty here are Abi and Umi. It was because we who did not pay attention to our other daughters well. So, if you bring up the matter again then it's Umi who will feel the most guilt." Cut Umi looks so sad. His red eyes even now began to pool because of the warm liquid that wanted to get out of the warm place immediately.

"Annisa's sorry, Umi." Please feel guilty.

The hearts of parents are like this, they are soft and fragile. The mistake we made for them was his fault.

"There's no need to apologize anymore. Besides, in a few days you're getting married, so it's not interesting to see the bride-to-be grieving before her wedding."

Be married?

"Married..Umi mean who will get married?" Was Gio's proposal accepted by Umi and Abi?

"Of course you are, my son who else but you are here." Say Umi with a smile that feels softer and more comfortable.

"But wasn't Saqila taken to Abu Hurairah's boarding school?"

POV Author

Clenching her hand against Annisa's palm that felt warm and tender, "Wouldn't the one getting married is Annisa so what does that have to do with Saqila, son?" Tanya Umi feels funny at the innocence of her first daughter who still looks dazed.

"No, what Annisa means is that Saqila went to the boarding school for treatment, so why did you accept Mas Gio's proposal for me?. Don't you ever think that Saqila's gonna get angry knowing all this?" He sounded worried and agitated.

"Saqila knew it all, son, and it was true that he was so angry when he heard Abi accept Gio's proposal. Why did we accept his proposal when Saqila was taken away? It was because we knew that it was futile to reject Gio's proposal and make Saqila's heart satisfied only for a while because after that he would definitely act again. As for the other considerations we are also aware that you should find your happiness. You should feel the happiness you want and we have no right to stand in the way. Annisa, Umi and Abi Ridho, son, you are married to Gio. We're ridho, son.hiks.." It was hard to let go of her daughter to fetch her daughter's dream happiness. But once again they had no right to prevent him from achieving that happiness because his daughter had long suffered because of them. So let him take that happiness from the man who will be with him is the man who is idolized by Allah SWT.

Moaning softly, "Annisa.. Annisa does not want Umi, Annisa still not happy you then.then let Annisa mengun-"

"Our happiness is to see the daughter we raised with happy affection with her dreams. Son, don't even think about delaying your happiness just because you haven't made us happy. Know, son, that seeing you smile on your back without regret is our greatest wish. Sending you to the man whom God has longed for is our greatest wish and seeing you live happily with your priest is our greatest wish, so Annisa please manifest this greatest desire of ours with Gio. We're old and have no power to wait any longer, Annisa did you hear Umi, son?"

Which parents are unhappy to see their child marry a perfect man like Gio?

Even in terms of religion it is certain and in terms of economics was no doubt. So which parents are unhappy to see their children live with a perfect man like Gio?

Umi and Abi will never repeat the same mistake so they choose to approve Annisa with Gio. Because in addition to being able to be religiously and economically, Gio has also put his heart on their daughter since long ago. So why hesitate to let go?

"Name.hiks.. Annisa.hiks.." Choked by her cries, Annisa could no longer continue her words. He was also sad because he had to leave his parents. Her biggest dream is to marry the man she loves, God finally granted after a difficult time.

However, he still could not leave his parents. He felt like he could not leave them in contrast to one year ago when he had to forcefully marry Mas Dimas.

"Son," Gently stroked the top of Annisa's head.

"Don't worry and think that you left us. No, it's not, son, because the fact is you can still come to this house and even live with your husband later you can still. We won't feel lonely, son, because you can still go home. After all, there are still Safira and Saqila who will accompany Umi and Abi so you don't have to worry. As for after you get married later you will also add members of this house.Give us descendants who are sholeh and sholehah, who is not happy, son?" As if reading Annisa's mind, Umi elaborates the tangled thread with a single pull. Trying to open Annisa's mind so as not to tangle again.

What Umi said was her dream. He had a dream that his children would marry the man they loved. Live happily and give birth to descendants who are sholeh and sholehah that please their eyes and hearts.

Then, the house is usually crowded just because these five members will be crowded with new and noisy members. Making the atmosphere of the house more cheerful and harmonious, Umi can not wait for the day to arrive.

"But still a hyx.. Annisa finds it hard to leave you.." Annisa muttered still with a restless mood.

Cclack

Shifting their eyes, he found Abi's head peeking into Annisa's room.

"Abi?" Annisa's voice spontaneously called out to Abi, gesturing for Abi to enter her room to join the two of them.

"Did Abi interrupt the conversation between the two of you?" Her question sounded gentle and careful.

Shuffling softly, Annisa with a gentle smile answered Abi's question. Showing a beautiful face that is pale and wet with tears that are still warm.

"Mas in." Umi's voice welcomed her as she got up from her seat and invited Abi to sit in her seat. He then naturally climbed onto the bed of Annisa, sitting comfortably and getting used to it.

"Hey, why is the beautiful and sweet daughter of Abi crying? Did something happen?"

"Abi, Annisa's grown up and not a kid anymore." Annisa's sweat for feeling funny with Abi's call so cute to her.

This was Abi's calling when he was a child and naive.

"Alright, Abi will not tease people who feel they are adults and not children anymore." Abi's voice caved.

"Annisa is a grown up." Remember Annisa again who then makes Abi and Umi smile funny.

"Okay, grown-up so what makes you cry?" Abi's question still teases Annisa.

Shaking her head, Annisa with a small smile improved her more comfortable sitting.

"Annisa's getting married.." Annisa's voice started a serious chat. Although he knew that Abi knew very well, he still told him.

"Right, Annisa's getting married." Abi said confirming Annisa's words seriously.

"But Annisa's not ready yet." His voice told. Not not ready to get married but more to not be ready to leave both parents.

Nodding her head, Abi knew that her daughter was thinking about something.

"Why aren't you ready, son?" Abi asked curiously to be clear on the point.

Subduing her head, Annisa was actually embarrassed to discuss something like this with her Abinya.

"Annisa's still not ready to leave you all.. Annisa thinks staying longer with you guys is okay." Clearly Annisa conveyed her heart voice.

Nodding slowly, Abi slowly picked up a smart phone tucked inside his pocket. Fiddling for a bit, finally the sound of a connected phone echoed in Annisa's ears.

"Hallo, Gio's assalamualaikum?" Abi's voice started a chat with the person across the street.

Deg

Annisa frantically stuck a warm blanket that covered part of her body.

Why.why did Abinya contact Gio rather than directly answer his anxiety.

Little laugh, "Now maybe you'll understand." Umi said gently while stroking the top of Annisa's head.

"Waalaikumussalam, yes Abi, this is Gio." His heavy and soothing voice echoed within Annisa's room. Making Annisa's heart that was once agitated is now hit by the sound of repeated thumping.

Subduing her head, she tried to hide the hue of her face which Annisa believed must be very clear and felt so hot.

For a moment, no sound of anything came from across there.

"Gio, are you still there?" Abi asked a little worried afraid of the person across there for nothing.

"Yes Abi, Gio is still here." Gio's voice finally sounded calmer than usual.

"Abi, whatever Annisa's reason for rejecting Gio it can't be valid anymore because Gio's proposal to Annisa is Annisa's promise to Gio."

Hearing this Abi's hand involuntarily stroked her chest, "Whatever why Annisa refused to marry Gio can Abi explain it?" Gio's calm and resolute voice asked for an explanation.

Following Annisa's complaint, "Annisa is still unable to leave us as her parents and wants to stay longer." Clearly Abi was short which Gio immediately understood.

"Oh.so it's like that. Abi, please tell Annisa that even after she is married to Gio, I will never prevent her from coming and living with Umi and Abi again. After marriage we are all family so why should I limit my wife to meeting her parents who have given birth and raised her for me? I am ridho and sincere if she comes to visit and stay there as long as she goes through my permission as her husband later. Abi, please tell Annisa what I'm saying." It was clearly Gio who was increasingly making his face feel hot. Even his heartbeat was so fast and huge, it resounded powerfully within his body.

"I'll tell you, then I'll close it." Abi promised when it was just his talk.

"Thank you Abi, assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh." Close Gio giving his regards.

"Waalaikumussalam warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh." Abi replied to the greeting followed by Umi and Annisa.

"You heard it, didn't you?" Abi's voice again started the chat.

"Listen, Abi." Annisa said with a blushed face.

Sighing, "Annisa, her future husband won't ban you if you want to visit or stay here as long as you ask her permission. Besides, we also as parents want to see you live happily and give birth to great grandchildren who are sholeha as well. For us there is nothing greater in his happiness than this. Seeing you smile happily in the arms with your loved ones and live in peace and harmony with them. We will feel at peace when we see it all. Moreover, one year ago your marriage had failed and you have been living suffering for this one, we have no reason to hinder your happiness. We're ridho, son." Said Abi with his soothing voice.

Abi is always haunted with a sense of regret when he remembers how much Annisa suffered. So it was only natural that he took this step to give Annisa a chance to achieve her happiness, he and Umi would not stand in the way that God had written for their daughter.

"Annisa, understand Abi." Say Annisa softly. He was hesitant to leave his loved ones, but he also knew that as much as he doubted it came from the devil. But he also did not want to deny that Gio was the one who had stolen his heart, so did he have to refuse when he who he always skipped when long nights came to ask for him?

Annisa thought, not because it was time for her to be happy with the person she loved and was guided by Allah SWT. She also wanted to give birth to grandchildren who were sholeh and sholeha for both parents. Her biological parents or Gio's parents, they were the most important people for Annisa.

So, to realize his parents' second biggest dream he will marry Mas Gio. Live happily and harmoniously with the priest God created for him.

O Allah, Annisa will have no doubt about the line you have written for this weak servant.

\*\*\*

"Stand up right, Annisa!" Puspa complained that had focused on measuring Annisa's body.

Smiling embarrassedly, "I've tried to stand up properly." The objection is because he was already being kind when measured by Puspa and Mbak Yana.

"So stop moving your legs." Pinta Mbak Yana held back a laugh. He knew that Annisa was nervous because in five days he would do a kabul ijab.

"I'll try." Annisa tries to control her nervousness.

Today is five days before the big day. All the misunderstandings that occurred in the past he has resolved since he regained consciousness from his stupor. Starting from both parents, then with Puspa and finally with all his family who are now busy planning his wedding.

The days were peaceful, but it was not as peaceful as Annisa had hoped because she was still looking for the time and waiting for the right time to contact Saqila.

Speaking as usual, he hoped that day would come back and Saqila would forgive his old mistakes.

Because no matter how big of a mistake it was and how much suffering Annisa was going through, it was just the past. It'll soon be Annisa forget about her new life.

"Sir Annisa's daydreaming again." Safira's voice that had just watched the excitement created by Puspa and Mbak Yana.

"He's better daydreaming than being conscious because it would mess up the size we're making. Sapphira anyway, don't you intend to help us measure your soon-to-be-happy brother?" Tanya Puspa looked so overwhelmed facing Annisa who was so nervous.

Lifting his shoulders indifferently, he casually stuffed the snacks into his small mouth. "Ah.I don't understand the matter of measuring or whatever it is dealing with clothes. So I better not interfere or I'll make it all the more messed up." This is the truth because he does not understand things like this. So it's better to let him not interfere at all than to let him interfere but actually he messed it up.

Raising his eyebrows, "Don't lie, I know if you can do it. Moreover, you have also been taken by Mbak Yana out of town, what business do you do besides helping Mbak Yana take care of her buttons." Puspa still remembers a few months ago Mbak Yana brought Safira out of town, if you think again it must be a boutique affair.

Nodding her head, "I did help Ms. Yana out of town to take care of her boutique, but that doesn't mean I helped her sew or what's there that smells with clothes." Safira half-justifies.

"Then, what business are you doing there?"

Entering the food again, "I take care of the dispute that occurred between the boutique owned by Mbak Yana and the boutique of others. The boutique took the clothes that Ma'am Yana's boutique had sewed and said that it was their work. So, I was there helping her out. Passing through musyarawah or even passing Indonesian law. That's what I leave to the two of them as the ones who are fighting, if you don't believe it then ask Mbak Yana who is a client of my evil deeds."

Shocked, Annisa and Puspa subconsciously turn their attention to Mbak Yana who is busy drawing Annisa's wedding dress.

"Hem, he's my criminal lawyer." Said Mbak Yana looks not so concerned and is still busy on his activities to draw.

"You-you"

"Don't praise me, I know I'm great but don't praise me first." Cut Safira jahil which was immediately responded to an irritated movement by Puspa.

"He's really narcissistic." Mumam Puspa did not end his mind while rolling the measuring rope into its original place.

"Is it finished?" Suddenly Umi's voice entered into all of their hearing.

Turning her gaze to Umi who was walking towards all of them, "It's done, buk'de." Replied Mbak Yana politely who was immediately embraced quickly by Umi.

"Good." Umi said while pulling Annisa following her enthusiastic steps.

"Let's go with Umi."

"Where's Umi?" This was not Annisa's voice, but this was Sapphira's voice that quickly stood up following Uminya's footsteps.

"Choosing a suitable hena for her wedding." Answer Umi briefly. Hearing this was not only Safira who was enthusiastic but Puspa also moved quickly. Likening his steps with Sapphira, he was also curious about the color of hena that the bride-to-be wanted.

"Why are you following me?" Ask Safira big head.

Twisting her eyeballs lazily, "I'm obviously following Annisa."

"Have it, don't make a fuss." Lerai Umi was not bothered at all with the minor dispute of Puspa and Sapphira.

"Umi, won't the hena that Annisa will use be adjusted to the color of her wedding dress?" Safira asked curiously because usually all of it has been arranged since the wedding dress was designed.

"Yes, Buk'de." Follow Puspa agreeing to Safira's question.

Smile softly, "In the present age and what you see out there is like that. But our family traditions are different, especially if the bride and groom are a couple who love each other then the color of the hena must be dropped on the choice of the groom." Obviously Umi who made the two of them immediately beroh ria, just found out if their families like this.

Still confused, "But Buk'de, why didn't he do that at Annisa's first wedding?" Tanya Puspa was confused. At her first marriage to Dimas why Annisa did not ask Dimas to choose her henya color, let alone choose to use Annisa not at that time.

"It was because Annisa refused to use hena at that moment." Umi's speech now increasingly makes Puspa and Safira curious.

"Why doesn't Annisa use hena?" Sapphire asked impatiently.

Putting her head down, there was a tinge of red coloring her pretty face."It is because our family asks the bridegroom to choose the color of the hena when the bride and the groom are already in love with each other. And.and at the time it wasn't.so.so.so.." Annisa could not finish her words because she was so embarrassed. Even his heart had been pounding hard since Umi said he had to choose the color of hena. Ah, no. more precisely that the one who chooses the color of hena is her bridegroom.

"Ah, so Big Brother chose hena because now brother loves the bridegroom. Hem..I understand." Clarify Sapphira further makes Annisa blush.

"Well, like that." Annisa muttered feeling floating.

"Annisa, come here." Call Aunt Arum who is already standing among the various colors of hena.

"Take a good look and tell the groom-to-be some colors that interest you and let him determine what color you're going to choose." Said Aunt Arum explaining the steps Annisa would take.

Spreading her gaze, Annisa had already found some kind of color that caught her attention. A color that was neither too bright nor too dense, Annisa had already put it into her memory.

"Then call Gio." Umi said while handing over the house phone to Annisa.

Shamed, Annisa with a blush face took over the house phone from Uminya's hand.

Pressing several digits of the number, the phone connection was immediately echoed in Annisa's ear.

"Assalamualaikum Mas Gio, this is Annisa." Annisa's voice was soft as the person across the street picked up the phone.

"Waalaikumussalam Annisa, this is Gio." Gio's voice sounded soft and soothing. Making Annisa for a moment can feel the soothing spring breeze and full of romance.

"Mas Gio. must choose the color for the hena that Annisa will use tomorrow." Annisa's voice whispered to tell.

The person across the street smiled softly, momentarily imagining Annisa in her wedding dress and the beautifully engraved hena in her white, smooth and beautiful hands.

"Then tell me what colors have caught Annisa's attention." Gio knew that the Annisa family's custom was to give the groom the opportunity to choose the hena color that the bride would use.

Ah, how sweet.

Subduing her head, Annisa felt as if Gio was now in front of her. Stand up and look at him through their high gap that is so prominent.

"The colors that attracted Annisa's attention were the black of the Nabawi, the white of the Arab, the orange of India, the brown of Mecca, the brown of the Nabawi and the gold of Pakistan. Mas Gio.. What color does Mas Gio want Annisa to wear?"

Neutralizing the sound of his heartbeat, Gio tried to sound as calm as possible when facing this girl of his tribe. Luckily Annisa was across there because otherwise, Gio did not know Annisa's opinion when he saw her that looked ridiculous like this.

Neutralizing his heartbeat, Gio carefully imagined Annisa using those hena colors. Imagining the most attractive colors for his wife-ah, meaning for his future wife tomorrow.

"I think the color that suits you is the brown color of Mecca. That's me for you." Gio answered finally after thinking for a long time and imagined Annisa using that color.

Smiling satisfied, Annisa also initially wanted to choose this color for tomorrow if she was allowed to choose. But after hearing the results that Gio gave somehow Annisa's heart was pounding.

"Em, Annisa will use it, then call Annisa close well, Mas, assalamualai-" Annisa blushed to end their conversation.

"Annisa wait," Gio's voice managed to cut off his speech.

Clenching his hand on the house phone, "Yes, Mas?" Annisa could no longer feel her footing.

A sweet smile full of longs, "Mas can't wait to see you on that day." Whispered Gio in a seductive tone, inciting Annisa to enter into the prison of her longing misty heart.

Groping her pounding heart, "Hem, Annisa was also already impatient to see Mas on that day." Annisa muttered more to whisper but could still be heard clearly by Gio.

"Then I'll see Annisa, assalamualaikum."

"See you Mas, waalaikumussalam." Annisa replied to Gio's sweet greeting.

Putting down the phone, Annisa longed to look at the phone. As if the chatter was just an illusion for her, she still could not believe that she and Gio would soon be united in marriage.

"Uhuk.uhuk..puyeng me same this virus, uhuk.uhuk.." Coughing Safira jahil made Annisa immediately surprised and quickly put the phone back into place.

"Huh, nosy you, son." Tegur Umi can not stand to see Annisa getting stiff if the tease continues.

"What color did he choose?" Aunt Rumi asked for the result of their secret chat.

Neutralizing his heartbeat, "That's the brown color of Mecca, Mas Gio chose it for Annisa to use." Annisa answered blushing.

"Will I be like Annisa when faced with the same conditions?" Safira muttered in curiosity.

Twisted his eyeballs, "Like Annisa? Are you healthy when you think about this?" The voice did not run out Puspa disperse the daydreams of Safira for his future which is still uncertain.

"Shut up, I never asked for your opinion." Safira said annoyed.

"I just reminded you." Bisik Puspa well intentioned. Because hey, Sapphira's too cruel for a woman's size.

"Alright, then it is certain that you will use a brown hena from Mecca. You'll be given two days before your wedding, oh I forgot to say this did you ask Gio about wearing a veil or not on your wedding day?"

Stunned, Annisa nervously shook her head. "I didn't ask you." Annisa answered honestly.

Nodding his senses, Aunt Arum also understood if Annisa contacted Gio again then the situation might be a little awkward.

"Well, you don't have to use a veil because you don't use the natural veil of everyday life. Then you can rest or make the necessary preparations for your wedding." Said Aunt Arum who was then immediately taken obediently by Annisa.

\*\*\*

Three nights before the wedding, Annisa can only be quiet and not do in the room. Umi said she is a bride and it is not natural to see a busy bride at the time of her wedding is very close.

Annisa did not argue and obediently stayed in the room because she had experienced it even though she would still feel bored.

Sometimes Puspa, Kayla and Sapphira accompanied him in conversation. But still it was lacking because he needed activity, even Nanda and Mira never contacted him as if they had been swallowed by the earth. Ah, Annisa misses them both so much.

Dert..

The phone that he had long ignored interrupted Annisa's daydream, turning his eyes he found a no. that was not registered in his contact.

Feeling hesitant, Annisa carefully picks up the phone and hopes that the caller is from someone she knows.

"Hallo, assalamualaikum?" Annisa's voice when she picked up the phone.

Silent.

There is no confirmation from the caller.

"Hallo"

"Sir Annisa,"

Deg

Annisa involuntarily tightened her grip on the smart phone that was in her ear.

"Saqila?" Annisa's voice was nervous as well.

"Yes, this is Saqila." Saqila's voice across the street answered Annisa's question.

Silent.

Annisa doesn't know where to start because their situation is different, unlike when everything seems to be fine.

"I'm sorry," Saqila started the conversation.

"Saqila, what are you talking about, Dek?"

"Don't pretend like nothing's ever happened, Annisa, Saqila's sorry for everything Saqila's done. Sorry.and happy new life with Mas Gio."

"Saqila, no. No, the most guilty person is actually here Big Brother and not you. As for Sister's marriage to Mas Gio if you disagree then Brother will be p-p-"

"I'll forget it." Cut Saqila fought strong across there.

"Living here and going through the treatment made me slowly realize that I couldn't impose the fate God wrote. Everything was already in the scenario so to reclaim Mas Gio from Big Brother was a forbidden and absurd thought I had ever done. Sister Annisa, I'm sorry for playing with your life and for all the crimes I've committed. Sister Annisa I'm sorry and I'm really willing and happy to see you together with Mas Gio. Saqila sincerely O Allah.." Saqila's whisper tried to hold back her sobs.

"Saqila..Brother, I'm sorry, Dek.."

"Stop apologizing because we both know that I was a troublemaker in your life. And also please don't say sorry anymore because that way I'll always know how humiliated I was all along

"Saqila's enough, Dek-"

"For Sister's wedding night, I'm sorry for not being able to come. I pray that Allah will bless your marriage and give you the trust of children who are sholeh and sholeha like Annisa and Mas Gio." Cut Saqila to prayer.

"Aamiin Allahumma Aamin O Allah.hiks.."

"Sir Annisa good night and good luck with your new life."

Tud

Tud

Tud

Saqila closed their connection with one breath. Adjusting his hunting breath holding back the cry, he stroked his chest that felt tight with a hasty movement.

Forget about Saqila, it's time to start a new life.

Elsewhere, after Saqila turned off their connection, Annisa sobbed her handphone she used to talk to Saqila.

"O Allah, ease the steps of Saqila as you walk back to You. Protect him in Your protection and meet him with the man whom You have written in Your line of destiny.."

"Aamiin Allahumma Aamin O Allah.."

Seriate...

Kyaaa.tomorrow the last episode well and mom will be preoccupied no longer with a new book. I don't think this book is finally over too.

Beware of this part, it's so boring!