First Love of Ustadz

Chapter 6 An unexpected meeting

Two months have passed the husband of Rhea. Andri, Rhea's husband was decided to die by the police who handled the accident case.

At that time Andri was on duty out of town, but the next day Rhea got word from the police that her husband died in an accident, the car driven by Andri into the ravine.

In the car there was a woman who according to police data she was the secretary Andri was found dead and there were many wounds on his body. But Andri's body was not found in the car.

Police said that Andri's body was thrown from the car because the door to the driver's seat, which was allegedly driven by Andri, was open.

According to the employees of their workplace, indeed they both often do tasks outside the city that can be weeks, and not only that, they say that Andri and Silvi, who have been working for years, his secretary had a special relationship.

So they are sure if indeed who was in the car was Andri and Silvi, given that they were on their way to the city of Bogor.

Rhea's eyes were tightly closed, her eyes were so hot that she heard all the facts. She did not expect that a husband who loved her so much could betray her and die together with the woman without giving her clarity of their relationship.

Rhea's tears fell unstoppably. Her tears could not stand it anymore. His defense is now broken. He did not think that he would feel this all at his age which is still arguably young and not blessed with a child.

Her marriage was not long. He can't think straight anymore. Everything came so fast to him. Until she waited for certainty from the police about the search for her husband's body.

Five months have passed. The passing day was felt by Ustad Fariz with full struggle. Struggling to eliminate his love for the woman whose name has been etched beautifully in his heart.

Ustad Fariz became an idol Ustad especially women in Pondok Pesantren Al-Mukmin because of his handsome face and his humorous appearance when teaching and preaching and also of course his beautiful voice when chanting versesallah's Verses.

Kyai Farhan passed away two weeks ago. He handed over the management of Pondok Pesantren to Ustad Fariz who he considered as his own son.

Ustad Fariz was considered a child by Kyai Farhan and Umi Sarifah because Ustad Fariz was so friendly, obedient and respectful to people older than him.

Therefore Umi Sarifah agreed with her husband's decision to submit the management of Pondok Pesantren Al-Mukmin to Ustad Fariz and Kyai Farhan advised that Ustad Fariz and Mirna take care and love Umi Sarifah as Mother themselves.

Now Ustad Fariz is called Kyai by the santri. But he still asked to be called Ustad by another Ustad because the call was so peaceful for him, reminding him of the figure of Rheina Az Zahra.

And Mirna was called Mother by them. Since Ustad Fariz himself requested that they call his wife Mother, he hoped that she would soon be able to conceive a child from him. And also for Ustad Fariz to remain reminded of Bu Ratih who he called Mother.

It has been the age of their marriage but they have not been blessed with a child. Umi Sarifah always comforted them to be patient, but Umi Sarifah also told them that she wanted to have grandchildren before she died.

But Umi Sarifah did not pressure them, she encouraged them by saying that they were being tested by Allah so that they would be patient.

At a market in a rural area, Rhea chose vegetables and fruits. One year she was declared a widow who was left dead by her husband. Andri was pronounced dead by police because his body was not found.

It's been a year and the police have declared Andri dead. Rhea wants to forget all the bitterness of her life and wants to start a new life by moving from her hometown, the city that provides happiness and also sadness in her life.

The father and mother disapprove of Rhea's decision, but they eventually let Rhea live in another city and take Rhea to the place in the hope that her son can find his happiness in the new place.

With a carefree heart Rhea brought her groceries to her home. Rhea occupied her grandmother's house that was gone. The house is still well maintained because there is Bik Darmi and Mr. Sardi who had taken care of the house. Now Rhea lives at her grandmother's house accompanied by Bik Darmi and Pak Sardi who are ready to help and take Rhea anywhere.

Rhea did not work, because she had resigned from her job for a long time, making it difficult for her to find work. But thanks to his hobbies and skills, now he has the busyness and income from his hobbies and skills.

Rhea has a YouTube channel that has a lot of followers, she benefits from the show. Rhea showed herself cooking food, making cakes and sharing other culinary tips on her channel.

Besides, he became a book writer. Initially only as a hobby, he scratched his life story through ink on paper, but without realizing a friend who initially played home and read the graffiti Rhea's story became interested.

Rhea's friend was an editor at a book printing press. He became interested in Rhea's writing after reading it. He asked Rhea for permission to file it with her company.

And the sustenance came unexpectedly. Publishers were interested in Rhea's writing and after they revised the book Rhea was published and received a positive response from readers.

Zahra, Rhea's pen name and channel name. The name was a nickname and a name stored in Fariz's Ustad cell phone contacts.

Somehow Rhea used the name as her new beginning, and she felt blessed by the name, her books and channels brought many benefits that could sustain the cost of her life now without a husband.

"Non Rhea want to cook now?" ask Bik Darmi by removing all Rhea's groceries from plastic bags.

"Yes Bik, in a moment, this wants Rhea ready first. Bik Darmi rest aja gapapa," Rhea smiled looking at Bik Darmi who was like his own Bu Dhe.

"Bik Darmi is here Non, help Non Rhea. Bik Darmi seneng really Non Rhea is here, the house is rame, Bibik also has his friend here," Bik Darmi smiled and Rhea hugged Bik Darmi with affection.

"Rhea also really likes living here Bik. Bik Darmi is like Budhe Rhea. Mr. Sardi also helped Rhea a lot here. Rhea glad to have you here. Thank you Bik..," Rhea let go of her embrace and put on her apron.

Now Rhea started recording her cooking activities for her You Tube channel. And in the evening Rhea returned with her hobby as a writer.

Today Ustad Fariz went to a bookstore located in the Market. He was shopping for books for the needs of the library in his cottage. So many books he had brought to the point that the book he had mounted in his hand had fallen for bumping into someone in front of him.

Bruuks...

Ustad Fariz's book fell scattered. He picked up his books and put them back together. But there was a familiar voice heard.

"I'm sorry..I'm not accidentally, this..," a woman's voice sounded familiar to Ustad Fariz's hearing.

Their eyes met, they were both shocked to find their first love that they had not met for a long time was now in front of them. Rhea's hand was still outstretched in front of Ustad Fariz, giving her book that had fallen off.

"Ustad..."

"Rhea.... Zahras...."

They were lulled by their clashing eyes for a few minutes. It was only when the clerk helped collect all of Fariz's Ustad books scattered on the floor and handed them to him.

"Ustad.... Ustad why is it here?" Rhea asked awkwardly. His heartbeats were still the same as they used to be, but this time his chest did not feel any pain like the last time they met. Now Rhea's heart was happy to meet Ustad Fariz. Somehow it could be like that Rhea also did not understand.

Ustad Fariz felt the same way as Rhea. His heart was pounding again and he felt very happy to meet his first love.

"I live here now. You how are you? Why is it here?" Ustad Fariz got carried away awkwardly like Rhea.

"Did you live here? Seriously? How can?" Rhea being herself, now she has a lot of talk without feeling awkward because of the shock of knowing Ustad Fariz lived in the same village as her.

"One-tonne beautiful..," he unconsciously recited the name to Rhea after a long time he did not use.

Back when they were close, Ustad Fariz always called Rhea pretty when teasing her. It was because Rhea herself who had always called herself a beautiful girl. So Ustad Fariz called her beautiful when teasing her.

"Ish Ustad did not change, remember the name for Rhea, hehehe... oiya why Ustad could be here?" Rhea had completely forgotten that they were once far away from each other.

"I now take care of Pondok Pesantren here. Why are you here yourself?" Ustad Fariz did not blink to see the beautiful face of Rhea who increased the level of beauty according to him.

"I moved to the grandmother's house here Ustad," Rhea smiled sweetly as usual.

"Your grandmother's house? With who? Same mom dad come? Or with your husband?" ustad Fariz's questions were fixed on Rhea.

"I live here alone Ustad, there is Bik Darmi and Mr. Sardi who accompany me at home. Father and Mother remained there," Rhea answered Ustad Fariz's question without mentioning her husband, the wound she wanted to close.

"Emmm... Does your husband work here so you move to this place?" somehow Ustad Fariz wanted to know everything that had happened to Rhea.

"No," Rhea opened the cover of the book she was holding and affixed her signature there, she avoided Ustad Fariz's gaze, she was afraid that her wound would be easily noticed by Ustad Fariz.

"Rhea Az Zahra... Are you hiding something?" Ustad Fariz stared fixedly at Rhea's face.

"Emmm... Ustad, this is a book for Ustad. I signed it too. It read yes," Rhea handed over the book she had signed just now.

Ustad Fariz looked at the astonishment of the book Rhea had given him. Rhea understood the bewildered face of Ustad Fariz.

"That will all be answered," Rhea smiled at Ustad Fariz.

"Can you tell me the outline? I will read this book later, "Ustad Fariz is trying to negotiate with Rhea.

"Huffftt..it's my book Ustad, later Ustad must know everything that happened to me all this time. And I'm single Ustad. Hehehe.." Rhea tried to toughen up and laugh to cover up her deep wounds and grief, but her teary eyes described the wound in her heart.

Ustad Fariz looked in Rhea's eyes. He was like hypnotized, all he had in mind was Rhea and her happiness.

Ustad Fariz wanted to ask Rhea more questions, but Rhea avoided it, she immediately said goodbye to Ustad Fariz and paid for the book she had given to Ustad Fariz.

Ustad Fariz's throat seemed choked could not let out a word. He could only stare at Rhea's back and Rhea's departure which caused many questions to be asked of her.

Rhea got into the car driven by Mr. Sardi. She did not expect that she could meet her first love in the village where her grandmother was.

Rhea had been to the bookstore to find out the book that was sold in the store. But fate said another, he was met with the person he had longed for in his heart.

Ustad Fariz immediately returned to Pondok Pesantren and immediately he gave the book he bought earlier to the librarian.

After that he went to his room, he paid close attention to the book given by Rhea before reading. There, on the main cover of the book, ZAHRA names the author with the title

The Secret of My Life .

Ustad Fariz's eyes looked up at the author's name.

Who wrote this book my Zahra? Rhea Az Zahra's? but he told me to read this book to find out what happened to him. I had to read it, Inner Ustad Fariz told him to read it.

Ustad Fariz's tears fell as soon as she read the book written by Rhea. He did not think about everything that was written in the book. He wanted to ask Rhea the truth. Because he was afraid that the book was not entirely Rhea's life.

Ustad Fariz wanted to call Rhea's number, but she was disinclined that she hadn't called it in a long time. He was also afraid that the number would no longer be used by Rhea.

Put the phone back on the table. Slowly reopened the book, until his eyes were fixed on the first sheet after the book cover. There was a letter written beautifully with a pen and a signature as he remembered it was written by Rhea. He looked up at the writing, and he immediately grabbed his phone and pressed Rhea's number which he had owned a long time ago.

Tuuut...