Falling In The Hugs of the Earth
Chapter 11
"WHAT?"
"I'm in a match" Fadil repeated. "The late Abah gave me a will to propose and marry his best friend's son. In the letter, I was asked to propose to the girl who had the pair of rings I received."
"Ring?" Again Muammar and Fatih asked in unison
"Hm" Fadil nodded softly. He was eager to curse the contents of the letter he read at that time. But he is self-conscious. Although he wanted to resist, but deep down he wanted to make his parents happy. "I don't know what to do after I know who it is"
"Do you know who owns the other ring?"
"Who?"
"Come, Fren! Tell us who's the girl?"
"If you know, that means you've met him, right?"
"Jeez, Fren! Have you met or even proposed to the girl?"
Fadil looked at the two of them in annoyance. Has not been able to answer or give an explanation, suddenly...
Hmhungggg....
The sound of iron plates falling right in front of the room of the three of them.
"Sorry" Ukail said with a cry and immediately scattered into the lap of Fadil.
The three ustadz smiled kindly to welcome Ukail. Yes, this is the closeness of Fadil with Pak Kyai's youngest son. The whole town knows that. If Mr. Kyai had a daughter, it is certain that Fadil would be appointed as his son-in-law.
"Who's here, Gus?" (Gus/Ning is a call in Javanese language that signifies an honor for a child ustadz or Kyai)
"Who's here?" Ask soft Fadil. With Ukail on his lap, the burden of his thoughts regarding the 'living partner' was slightly reduced.
"Himself" he answered briefly.
Muammar smiled. In addition to the funny face of Ukail, he also smiled because he saw the face of his best friend to be a sumringah. Contrast that with 5 minutes before. "So what's that?" Ask
"I throw the plate, hihi" Ukail Laughter followed the three ustadz.
"Yuk, eat first" Fadil stood holding Ukail. It was common for him to accompany even the little boy. So do not be surprised if the lunch hour is often cut because of Ukail.
Brakbrak.. Sets.. Hmmmm...
Cling... Uhuk..
Fadil looked at the wonder of the santri who were stirring. The terrace rooms and the next corridor are full of santri-santri circling trays. They're having lunch! One two bowed in reverence. Some were busy chewing, some were choking on the shock of seeing Fadil suddenly come out of the room, one or two helping to pat the choking friend on the back. More were clumsy as Fadil passed through that corridor. Right in the middle of the Ukail corridor laughed.
"Why, Gus?" Fadil paused for a moment. Staring at the little Gus he was carrying. In addition to Ukail who suddenly laughed, Fadil also stopped his legs because he felt all the santri there was holding his breath.
"Santri was nagging earlier. Um Ustadz what's the story?" Ukail said on the sidelines of his laughter
Hearing Ukail's answer, almost all the students there suddenly chatted casually with each other. Tumultuous. The choking soldiers are now choking back. Some laughed so they wouldn't be suspected. One or two chews quickly to get out of the hall. Fadil who understood what happened immediately stepped foot no matter. The focus now is on Ukail lunch. Only after that will he prepare mentally for the blowing of rumors again.
***
"Where's Hayoo from?" Ask Bu Nyai jail. Although he memorized death if Ukail went his son must be to Fadil's place.
"Tadi, Ukail lata santri many brothers"
"Where?"
"Thus. There. Brothers like listening to ustadz story loh"
"Oh, huh?" Nyai Bu smiled. His youngest son was always like that. "What story is it?"
"Don't know" Ukail answered with a crisp laugh showing the rows of his teeth. "Keep I throw the plate. They're shocked, hahaha"
"Tossing plates?"
***
After leaving, Fadil returned to his room. Along the way, of course, his ears were hot with news stories about him. Fadil laid his body on the bed to calm his chaotic mind. He grabbed his phone.
"Dear"
Eyes sparkling. He really did not expect to get a quick reply.
"Yes?"
"*I missed you"
"Quick Halalkan"
"Are you okay? Are you really healthy right now?"
"Who is sick*?"
Fadil. "What kind of question is this?" Embracing a smile back typing answers.
"*Is the medicine from Nyai's mother over? Is the stomach acid still going up?"
"Stop worrying about me. I beg you"
"I love you. I'll be here soon to get you to the pelaminan"
"I knew. We must be going to the sewers. But I doubt if I'll be the bride"
"I told you to trust me"
"Seeing the current trending gossip, I'd rather come to the guarantee as an invited guest"
"No, Syifa. Please believe me*"
Silent...
Many times Fadil stared at the screen of his phone but there was no answer from Syifa.
***
Fatimah was standing on the roof of the building. His eyes were empty, his hands were trembling. He wanted to run to hug his mother. Crying in his warm embrace also asked for an explanation of what really happened. "Or should I ask Fadil first?" His inner. Many times he took the privilege of tempering his anger after hearing the news from Mutia.
Flashback.
"Have you heard?"
Fatimah who was busy correcting santri's duties looked at Mutia. I don't know when his friend has been standing in front of his desk.
"Santri is talking about ustadz Fadil. He said he was being betrothed to the son of Abanya's best friend"
"I know" Fatimah answered briefly. He was busy staring at the task sheet.
Mutia sighs. "So which one is right? The candidate santri here, or the prospective child of his parents' best friend?" Mutia walked towards Syifa's table, taking out some papers as well as a book. A quick look at the schedule and then back to sigh.
"Why indeed?" Fatimah smiled in shame. Mutia was busy picking up some stuff on Syifa's desk and choking off Fatimah's blushing cheeks.
"I wonder who it is. From what I heard, she had the same pair of rings" Mutia kept busy arranging things, papers, books, books, re-examining the schedule and what she was going to bring.
"Pair ring..." This time Fatimah was silent. He asked himself "How is it possible? I don't have a pair of rings that Mutia means"
"Yeah. From what I heard, Ustadz Fadil has already met the girl. I really envy her" If this Mutia already embraces material books and other teaching equipment.
"Oh yeah?" Fatimah smiled "Not just meet, she even proposed..."
"Oh yeah?" Mutia who had just walked a few steps immediately stopped and exclaimed at Fatimah. He could not believe what he had just heard.
"Sure" replied Fatimah full of emphasis.
"Who?"
"You said santri here or the son of his late parents' best friend"
"No. I mean who told you? How do you know?"
Fatimah smiled, sticking out her tongue as if saying "It's a secret"
