Devotion of Love

You are the Best

Arkan sits cross-legged inside the pesantren mosque. He is holding the Quran. Arkan decided to remain silent in the mosque. After Abi Salim asked him to stay at his house. Arkan prefers to sleep inside the mosque. Rather than having to sleep under the same roof as Aura.

Abi Salim invited Arkan to go to the mosque. With notes Arkan spent the dinner provided by him. Like eating simalakama fruit, Arkan must agree to the terms of Abi Salim. All for the sake of getting away from Aura and not approaching zina. Arkan finally decided to teach. To make his heart feel calm and peaceful.

Nearly half an hour later, Arkan was teaching at the mosque. Without Arkan noticing, Abi Salim sat on the terrace of the mosque waiting for him. He listened to the sweet voice of Arkan while teaching. Abi Salim closed his eyes while leaning against the pedestal of the mosque. The clock has shown exactly at 02:00 in the morning. Soon some santri will wake up to perform tahajud prayers.

"Guil!" greeting Abi Salim, Arkan turned his head back. He saw Abi Salim sitting on the terrace. Arkan shut down the Quran. Arkan gently kissed the Quran he had just read.

Walking half stooped. Arkan approached Abi Salim. Arkan kissed the back of the teacher's hand. Arkan sat right in front of Abi Salim with a feeling of wonder. Arkan knew that Abi Salim would wake up at this hour. Because the residents of the pesantren are accustomed to performing night prayers.

"Abi, is anyone approaching me? If there's any need for me, Abi just call me. So Abi doesn't have to bother coming at me!" arkan said politely, Abi mangosteen understood. With a smile, Abi Salim looked at Arkan's handsome face.

Abi Salim stared at Arkan's face. One of his best students who had to get out of the pesantren. Before Arkan was able to complete his education in the pesantren. Arkan must take the medical university entrance exam. Just to pursue the scholarship he wanted. The separation of Arkan and Abi Salim was very painful. But that's the reality that has to happen. Abi Salim lost one of the santri who could be proud of him.

"Arkan, your voice calms my mind and my heart. I remember the day you left this boarding school. The day I had to take off my best santri. The candidate who I hope will be able to lead my pesantren later. But I have to forget my wish, when I see the great hope that radiates in your eyes. The desire to be a doctor that never seems to change!" abi Salim said, Arkan lowered his head without being able to look into the teacher's eyes.

Abi Salim gently stroked Arkan's hair. Lovingly, Abi Salim looked at Arkan's face. There was a sense of loss he had ever felt. But all disappeared when he met Hafidz. The man who is predicted will be the priest of the afterlife Aura.

"Arkan, you left and I did not prevent it. You left without asking or hearing my opinion. Today I want you to leave, but after you answer all my questions. I want to know the reality that is stored in your mind!" abi Salim said firmly and coldly, Arkan shook his head weakly.

Arkan is a santri. There is no right in him to be too honest with the teacher. Abi Salim was not only Arkan's teacher, he was also his father. Arkan had great respect for Abi Salim, never in his heart and mind to contradict his words.

"Abi, did Arkan make a mistake? If yes, tell me. So I can fix it. Forgive Arkan, if you accidentally pissed you off and made a mistake!" arkan said softly and full of regrets.

"So you know Hafidz. The man I'm going to match up with Aura. The man I wish I could be the leader of this pesantren!" abi Salim said, Arkan nodded slowly.

The sound of Abi Salim's long breath. The breath seemed heavy considering the age of Abi Salim who was no longer young. The silence of the night felt real, only the cold felt piercing Arkan's bones.

"Abi, what does Abi really want to say? I do know Hafidz. As far as I know him, he's a good young man. So what does this have to do with me? I've only ever known him, but I'm not that close to being worthy of an opinion!" arkan said, Abi Salim was silent.

Hafidz Arif Shaleh the youngest son of a distinguished family. One of the students in the boarding school who graduated two years ago. If Arkan gets out of the pesantren, before he finishes his education. Instead, Hafidz left the pesantren, to pursue a deeper religious education. Hafidz is a messenger of the Qur'an like Aura. Arkan knew him once, because both were once one room.

Arkan recalled his conversation with Aura earlier. Arkan never thought. Aura would immediately talk to Abi Salim. Arkan was very afraid, if Abi Salim misunderstood his words to Aura. What did he say to Aura? Just an opinion of the problem that Auram was thinking about Not wanting to teach Aura to be disrespectful.

"If Abi has chosen Hafidz, of course he is the best man for Aura. I don't know a man better than him!" arkan said firmly, looking down. Abi Salim looked at Arkan who remained calm. There was no jealousy or anger in Arkan's eyes. A calmness that holds millions of thoughts.

"If he is the best. Why did Aura refuse him? Aura said there was another man who pulled her heart. Someone I don't think is appropriate to accompany Aura!" abi said coldly, Arkan lowered his head.

"I hope Brother Aura doesn't say anything wrong. Who is the man who captivated her heart? I wish he could make my sister Aura happy!" inner Arkan.

"Because sister Aura deserves to be happy. Sis Aura deserves to choose whom she depends on? But still with your blessing. I'm sorry Abi Salim; I didn't mean to advise Abi. Namub, it would be nice if you let Brother Aura know brother Hafidz. While Abi knows the man who makes Aura's sister captivated. So that Abi and Aura's relationship will still improve. Listening is not a bad thing. At least Abi can see the other side of Aura's choice!" arkan lirih.

"If that's you, which side do you want to show me?" sahut Abi Salim, Arkan shook his head in disbelief.

"Remain Abi, I'm not that man!" arkan said firmly.

"You asked me to listen, when I did. Why don't you even believe it?"

"For I do not deserve to be the priest of Aura. The knowledge he has, it's too heavy I bear. My shoulders are too fragile to sustain his knowledge. My hands and feet are too weak, in order to hold and step together with Aura's feet!" sahut Arkan's.

"You rejected Aura?" abi Salim said short and cold.

"I questioned him, so I refused. I don't feel worthy to be his priest. I was afraid I would just hurt him. Sister Aura is a good woman and deserves the best. Not a dark-hearted man like me!" said Arkan again.

"Abi, it's hypocritical if I'm not interested in Brother Aura. His good man will be able to be a good wife and mother. My heart is still filled with fear. That's why I don't want to hope for more. If it's gonna make her cry!"

"You are the best priest!" abi Salim said, patting Arkan's shoulder gently.

"I mean Abi?"

"It's not science or treasure that will make my daughter happy. Your understanding and sense of care for his future will make him happy. I don't need a daughter-in-law who is highly skilled or of great wealth. I need a heart that understands my daughter's tears and smile. Meet Aura with courage. Like you asked him to dare to meet me. Decide the best among you. I will fully support your decision!"