CHASING THE PEARL OF HEAVEN

#29

Bismillah Hirrahmaanirrahiim

Allahumma Shalli'alaa Sayyidina Muhammad

Wa'alaa 'Alihii Sayyidina Muhammad

Not once or twice has it happened in a week. Many times Asha had to swallow saliva along with the bitterness that arrived - suddenly attacked. Asha did not expect, it turned out that her semester vacation this time was very unpleasant.

The days were so slow and agonizing that every time they accidentally passed each other on the street, not a smile anything more greet. They are exactly people who don't know each other. Did the young man have a brain stutter due to the events in Talihan? Then what do you expect from the son of a great Kiyai Abdurrahman Lathif like Azam? Which is rough and hard as a rock? Asked gently? Called sweet? Asha, please stop hoping for something impossible.

The girl let out a long sigh, so was her feelings for Azam? Asha did not know.but she wanted to know.

After a full day of Asha doing his activities, teaching Arabic literature, Muroja'ah memorized a little. Almost every night Asha just spent time daydreaming Azam. The goal to this pesantren seemed to be destroyed instantly. Azam consciously took his axis, turning his world to scatter everywhere. Did not Azam know that his presence was so imprinted on Asha?

The girl taps - taps the ballpoint pen on the wooden table where she compiles the matter - a new daily replay tomorrow. The window nets are left slightly open to display the natural pesantren scenery. For a moment Asha was tempted to follow him alone, perhaps with so little relief.

After wearing a sweater, he started down the path. A bamboo pole with a light bulb of yellow color under the disc shaded throughout its journey. The cold wind coming from the lake gently caressed her dress and veil.

Asha walked like a confused person. With such a path was not able to divert his mind about his meeting with Azam who he so longed for but ended up disappointed. Asha even recalled the time he walked through the forest Talihan together. Does Azam still consider her a troublesome girl so much that he does not want to be close or talk to her?

Suddenly the girl gasped.

"Who's there...?!"

Asha tensed as she stepped, instead of retreating she was closer to the lake looking for the black shadow figure that had passed there. Asha should not have to be curious or even investigate. But what the hell can happen in the pendoker pesantren Askhabul Kahfi? Intruders, thieves or even other bad guys? Asha swore she would find nothing there but Karma.

"Who's there?"

Ualngnya, but there is no slightest movement in return.

"Astahfirulloh...?!"

His thin slippers swept away the slippery grass that was covered in soft soil. The girl closed her eyes and prepared to accept the slightest impact. But that did not happen, because his body was like being held in the air. Especially when he felt a sturdy hand already pulling on his arm, saving Asha from the minor injury he might receive.

Unfortunately the hand was too strong when pulling it and even made it fall into the arms of his helper. The girl gasped and reflexively looked for something to hold on to. He gasped again as he realized the back he reached was bare-chested, from dripping hair - netes of water to Asha's shoulders.

"Bluggish..."

That coarse whisper possessed Asha's hearing. Inclusively, he widened his eyelids. Just hearing her voice alone could already make Asha's body suddenly freeze. A moment Asha felt the man's hand gripping her hip, shaking.

Quickly - quickly Asha let go of that hug as she set her footing. His heart beat rhythmically as they sat, Azam standing before him with a stiff jaw. Lightning, the man was already wearing his t-shirt which was previously tied around his waist. Azam rubbed his face that was still wet, hiding the eye rays that a moment ago felt Asha was very different.

"What are you doing here?"

He asked ferociously, will not let Asha think clearly about the tragedy just now.Gadis wavered, not able to relieve his shock.

" I-I'm on my way..."

His words were stammered, trying to be honest but failing.

"At two in the morning?!"

"Yes".

Asha's face harrumphed in embarrassment, her lips opening shut in confusion.

"In santri putra bathing area?!"

Azam looked at her like the dumbest girl in the world.

The girl was surprised instead of playing, looked around to reassure herself and closed her eyes fretfully. What the hell is this, why did he walk all the way here?

"You walk - walk in the santri bath area of putra nona, at two in the morning".

He said repeating, his pronunciation was like scorn. Crossing his hands and staring at Asha lamat - lamat. The girl moved in her place.

Azam leaned his body to look at Asha with full investigation. He deliberately looked at his face water so closely. A few moments later, a few inches away, like finding a victory.

"Ah.I know. You must have deliberately wanted to meet me, right, Asha?".

Asha opened her lips but there was not a single word she could speak.

"I-I...".

"Well.say your defense!".

Azam was getting more and more bold to wander forward, his eyes glittering - lightning with anger and longing. How he with death - death keep away from the girl. But he instead appeared before him with a look as beautiful as an angel.

"Are you walking while dreaming of me?"

"What?! Don't think of anything - sort of. I just...!"

Asha thought hard, her hand trying to push Azam's body. But the young man suddenly turned as hard as a rock.

"Ak - I don't know why I got here. I don't know?!"

The exclamation was frustrating because Azam was pressing on.

Azam silently looked at Asha's red face, then put both of his hands into his pants pocket.

"All right, whatever your reason is. Let me take you to the inn. Who knew you would unknowingly enter the son's santri cubicle? Or worse yet enter the gurame fish pond!".

Asha did not answer, her face was already very red like a tomato that was too late to cook.

They walked in silence, the awkward atmosphere made Asha even more uncomfortable.

"Why are you acting like you don't recognize me?"

It's too late that this journey is filled with emptiness. A girl needs an explanation, right?

"No need to ask, it's my business...!".

Ketus answer.

Asha looked at his back with dislike. It was very desirable that he shouted that Azam's answer was very important to him. Let Asha not be hostile to the young man, and also be a yardstick of whether he should bury in - in his feelings or not.

Asha was silent for 5 minutes, observing the entirety of the youth. How was he after he was hit by a lot of bullets? What suffering did Azam endure to protect himself?

"Are you hurt so badly...? I mean, you were shot that time. Actually I'd love to see you, but...!"

Asha really made a confusion when talking seriously with Azam.

"I know, don't talk anymore!"

It's still judes.

"I want to say thank you..."

"I know..."

Cut hard.

No, Azam will not know how deeply Asha misses him. Every answer Azam even more hurt Asha's heart. Did he not like Azam so much? Asha wanted to stop walking and just cry.

Still curious about the story of Doble A (Asha & Azam).

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