CHASING THE PEARL OF HEAVEN

#28

Bismillah Hirrahmaa Nirrahiim

Allahumma Shalli'alaa Sayyidina Muhammad

Wa'alaa 'Aalihi Sayyidina Muhammad

They walked past the students' study, the small vegetable garden and the gurame fish pond. Also Mushalla At-Tauhid a bustling sound santri teachi.

Asha did not wrongly accept this offer. A peaceful place to expel all the bad prejudices that he is experiencing.

Kiyai Lathif house side by side with other buildings that are longer and seem ancient. Floored with shiny wood plitur, the house looks very beautiful with lanterns that look like pigeon brackets. Asha was convinced, if the Kiyai Lathif family did come from Java, precisely Magelang. Viewed from various ornaments and calligraphy in the frame with peacock carvings provide elements of the thick culture of the land of Java.

Alifah said there were six teachers there, but Asha did not need to worry because her bed had been prepared far away.

"It looks like there are guests Al, did our arrival not disturb them...?"

Alifah glanced at a few pairs of sandals and a pair of shoes on the terrace of Kiyai Lathif's house, as if close relatives were gathering there.

"Loh of course not mbak, Kiyai Lathif himself who asked me to take the Asha ma'am to him before taking Asha's mbak rest..."

Asha nodded in understanding and followed Alifah taking off her slipper shoes on the ceramic steps.

"Assynoltom..."

The sound of Alifah's cry must have been heard all the way to the house, Asha who was behind him was just a ring - a head bobble.

Before long a middle-aged woman appeared behind the corner in the house. Asha is known as Bu 'deh Fatimah. He is the younger brother of Kiyai Lathif and the one who offers Asha to teach here. They became acquainted at the same time following Islamic studies at the study center almost a year ago.

"Wa'alaikum salam Warahmatullahi Westarakatuh..."

Answer gently. His face sparkled as he found the figure of Asha standing shyly behind Alifah.

"God..have you arrived apparently? We're very worried, since the afternoon your phone is very difficult to contact...!"

Asha smiled as she raised her completely dead phone, stepping forward to greet Bu 'deh Fatimah.

"Sorry, ma'am 'deh, Aa' Arkha, the most annoying sister who picked me up at the seminar, threw a little tantrum, bumping into the merchant on the sidewalk. Be Papa take care of it first..."

"Innallah...Are they okay - what? Are you hurt? Why don't you tell Bu 'deh let Alifah pick you up at the terminal..."

"It's okay - what really Bu 'deh.Maybe even now Aa' and Papa are asleep. They're like IronMan, how could they get hurt if they only get a little bump...?!"

Asha giggled to himself because of his words, Fatimah pinched Asha's nose squash. Why the hell with his nose? Why is everyone so happy to pinch his nose?

"Hmmm.basic naughty girl. Let's enter these noble guests, let's see that all the families are gathering..."

Fatimah excitedly led Asha into the living room. There already sat Kiyai Lathif and his wife Nyai Halimah in an antique wooden chair covered in foam smiling warmly at him.

"So this is Hanifah's daughter from the city we've been waiting for since this afternoon. Surprised, this girl is always worrying...!"

The two old men nodded kindly and greeted his arrival with warmth. Asha immediately came and insisted on thanking him for accepting it.

"No need to hesitate, son, just think of it as your own home. We thank you for your willingness to teach in this place"

Said Kiyai Lathif's wife, Nyai Halimah by gently rubbing Asha's head.

"It is precisely Asha who must thank you for being accepted here. This opportunity did not come twice. Asha is happy if the knowledge I have obtained can be shared with others..."

Nyai Halimah was blown away by the tenderness of Asha through her speech.

Asha glanced at Bu 'deh Fatimah with confusion and curiosity, how the room was full of joy that was so thick. Madam Deh Fatimah smiled at him.

" Because Gus has returned to this house. Kiyai's usually quiet living room will suddenly become a reading garden in heaven later, Asha...!"

Bu's words 'deh Fatimah were echoed by Kiyai Lathif and his wife, but Asha was still confused.

"Alright, you better just get to know him directly so as not to be awkward. Because God willing he taught in the third grade. Of course you'll see him a lot later..."

"He's our youngest son who just got back from town..."

Kiyai Lathif said with a radiant face. Asha nodded while poking her lips, a habit she did not realize when nervousness started to hit her.

Suddenly Bu Deh Fatimah called her nephew from afar by waving her hand.

"Gus..here! Guests from Jakarta who want to teach here have come...!"

He is the youngest son of Kiyai Abdurrahman Lathif.

Asha almost fainted in disbelief. Khoirul Azam was like a ghost that emerged from the bathroom hallway with a slightly flaky spike of hair that was slightly wet. Just as surprised, the young man dropped the towel from his hand. His eyes looked straight at Asha with a fluttering void, a deep longing and a feeling so painful.

O Allah, how much Asha longed for that face that was for six months without certainty of the direction of his feelings. But why did those soot-black eyes turn back as cold as winter in Switzerland?

After some time in the inertia, Ms. Deh Fatimah opened her voice.

"Do you know each other?"

Azam glanced at Bu'dehnya before whining away into his room.

"Not at all..."

Asha's heart is like a prick - a needle prick infusion.

...****************...

"I don't want to teach, don't you understand? I just came here to see Abi and Umi, not to linger - long...!"

Azam's screams were heard outside Kiyai Lathif's house. It would surprise anyone who accidentally passed through it.

Nyai Halimah's voice followed him later.

"Please, stay here, son...Don't ever leave us again. You have no idea how much we love you. You are part of our family...!"

"I want to get out the wind...!"

"Azam...?"

"Gus...?"

Asha clutched her chest, why could Azam be so angry with his family? Why did Azam make his parents cry? It turned out that the young man had not changed, was still rude and irritable.

Busy with his own thoughts know - know the figure of Azam was already in front of him with a strident step - agile. Spontaneous Asha just pegged on the ceramic steps while holding his report book tightly.

Ms. Deh fatimah, her two older sisters and Nyai Halimah called out the young man's name from behind. Azam, however, did not seem to pierce him. Azam even just passed through it as if there was no one - who was standing there. Just like the wind that passed through a withered tree that made it fall and fall there.

Alhamhamdulillah.

Like..like..give chrysanthemum let the author get excited...