GUS IDOL
Beautiful gift
GUS IDOL
Time passed, did not feel the fast of Ramadan has entered the 25th day.My days are almost never missed with Gus Abdi even though only by phone and beautiful messages. Sometimes we steal each other's eyes when we accidentally meet him in the night.
When he came to the musholla for all, then I quietly arranged his sandals neatly.
When I was in the kitchen to help cook Nyai's mother, sometimes Gus Abdi paced in the kitchen like a dazed person. When asked always the answer is something he is looking for. I smiled at her looking at her mischievous behavior.
"After all the books of khatam insyaallah kulo wangsul gus."
My words called.
For a moment he was silent. Actually my heart is heavy to say this, if time can be pulled back, I still want to stay longer in this boarding school.
"When?"
"God willing, maybe two more days all the khatam, ngaose genengan also tomorrow already khatam right?"
"Why don't you wait till takbir's night?"
"Mbak-mbak return after khataman gus, if I am here until night takbir means alone dong."
This time he didn't talk much. I don't know, maybe because I said I'd be home in two days.
"Sir."
"Falem?"
"Mboten do wangsul ngggeh. Teng mriki mawon."
(No need to go home, just here)
"Where can I gus, mosok kulo told me to be the guardian of the cottage?"
"Sir.."
"Daaleeeemmm."
"Kulo kalih kalihan, pardon wangsul ngggeh."
(I love you, don't go home)
Deg-deg.. Deg-deg.. Deg-deg..
The sound of my heart already sounded like a beating drum. I can't describe the expression on my face right now, I'm definitely surprised not playing. I can't believe those words came out of his mouth either.
I think my cheeks are now blushing, fortunately I just sit here alone, in the usual place I met with Gus Abdi is on the terrace of the musholla.
Santri ma'am pocketed that this place is where I meditate every night, no one will occupy it when the hours I spent with gus Abdi. They thought I was calling my girlfriend, but the person they thought was Gus Abdi. I can't imagine how they would express if the one who calls me every day is their idol gus.
"Dad?"
"Falem sayy's.. Uh, gus!" I patted my own mouth. I almost spoke wrong.
"Are you quiet?"
"Jengan just said what gus? It's a little unclear." Intentionally so that I can hear that sentence back.
"I love you, Hilya."
Again, my heart broke again. It felt like my body was soaring above the clouds. I want to scream as loud as possible, telling the whole world that Gus Abdi expressed his love for me.
A moment later I became silent, between confused and not knowing what to say.
Should I say that I love him too? But I'm so embarrassed to say it.
"Ehm. gus. Yes, it was called indri. Looks like something's important." I tried to end the phone.
"Assalamu'alaikum." I quickly said my greetings and ended our conversation.
I immediately ran looking for indri, I hugged him tightly after I found him watching tv with other mbak-mbak.
Indri seemed confused by my strange behavior, I just smiled happily answering his question.
***
After all the books of khatam we all held a thanksgiving that is by breaking the fast along with slaughtering chicken village and then will be cooked in the kitchen ndalem.
Today we cook big, there are six princesses who help cook in the kitchen including mbak Qonita, mbak Rana, mbak Shima, mbak Bilqis, mbak Kayla and me. Assisted by two mothers who incidentally neighbors this cottage, those who mix spices and cooking, while we are tasked to help, such as peeling onions, grating coconuts, peeling vegetables and others.
There are also some kang hut that help as well because all the santri sons and daughters today will give thanks simultaneously. If calculated the total number of santri sons and daughters there are about 400 people.
Lodge kang power will be needed to relieve our work to be finished quickly in time, among which they will help slaughter chicken, break coconut, cook rice, and wash cooking utensils. While we women cook various kinds of menus that will be served later.
Today I did not see Gus Abdi, probably because the atmosphere of ndalem was crowded. Suddenly I missed him.
Ever since he declared his love that night, I don't know why he hasn't called me again. Is it possible that he was angry that I didn't respond to him, instead of hanging up the phone?.
Today is the last day I am in this pesantren, tomorrow I will go home along with indri and other princess santri. We will be picked up by our parents. I feel like I've missed home, want to feel iftar and sahur with family. I also miss Ubed, my younger brother who likes me jahilin. While mas Azam my older brother usually he will return from the pesantren at night takbir.
The mat stretched across the courtyard of the hut, the banana leaves neatly laid out lengthwise surrounding the breadth of the mat, some lined in the middle. On top of the banana leaves will be filled with rice along with a complete side dish. Coupled with mixed ice that has been poured into plastic cups. We also provide a place on the terrace of the musholla if the yard is not adequate for seating all students. We just hope it doesn't rain.
This meal together moment is what I like most when at the school. We are used to eating together in one container. As well as my original dipesantren, usually me and friends one sip (cooking) will eat together in one somersault. Sometimes we make ice marimas in plastic bucket containers or plastic jars of old pastries because we don't have a teapot. Our minumpun water directly takes it from the well or faucet without boiling it. Fresher in my opinion. But strangely when I try to drink raw water at home it feels like vomiting.
***
By noon almost all students have been picked up by their parents. Only a few remain. I packed up all my things to make sure no one was left behind. My parents will pick up later in the afternoon because if noon they bother to take care of our clothing store which is leading up to lebaran like this will be very crowded buyers. Indri has also been picked up since this morning.
One month in Al-Kautsar pesantren is enough to leave a sweet impression in my mind. Where I met a man I knew well through social networks who turned out to be the only son of Kyai, the nanny of this boarding school. What a fact I never thought.
And the worst thing is that I fell in love with him.
I checked my phone again, hoping for a message from Gus Abdillah, but in fact there was only disappointment. Until now he hasn't called me again. Is it possible that he is not serious about me? So when he found out I was coming home he suddenly walked away from me?.
I exhaled a rough breath, giving a little air space in my chest that suddenly became congested. My eyes warmed up, slowly a clear circle fell from the corner of the eye. I shouldn't have expected much more from him.
Yes, never mind, I don't deserve him.
I sat pensively in the musholla, the place where I used to chat with her by air. I looked at the window that he usually stood there. Lonely, there's nobody there.
***
"Matursuwun ma'am, have been guarding Hilya all this time. Sorry if it's a hassle". Mom said as we sat in the ndalem guest room.
"Mboten bothered mbak Rum, even kulo sing ngerepotne his son until. Every day he helps me cook here."
His mother looked at me with a friendly smile.
"It's natural ma'am, mosok to delicious stay to eat but do not want recoso. The beauty of Hilyane bu, lhawong one of the purposes of dipondokne to learn independently really."
"Oh, yeah. Mbak Rum at that time nduk Hilya did not ask what marriage was ready yet, he said there was no candidate. Wouldn't you look for it?". Nyai's mother glanced at me followed by my mother's gaze. Suddenly I became nervous. Mom nudged my arm with her elbow.
I only replied with a sign "what the hell is buk".
"Children today rarely want to be betrothed mom, want to dance alone." Said mom. I kept my head down, but my heart was relieved.
"Abdi yo ngono mbak, betrothed here and there is nothing suitable. Many come here to bring proposals for their daughters but none of them looked at the same Abdi." Nyai's mother sighed.
At first glance I felt Nyai's mother was glancing at me, as well as my mother. I feel like there's something weird here, I don't know what it is.
After saying goodbye, my mother and I stepped into our car parked outside the entrance gate, precisely on the side of the road. When it was about to enter it turned out that the car door was still locked, and Abahku was not there. Maybe he's still in ndalem putra.
When the phone call turned out Abah's phone was in the car, finally mom returned to the ndalem to look for Abah.
A moment later appeared a person from behind the gate with a panicked-looking facial expression.
"Gus?" Mumbles.
"It's a good thing you haven't come back to the deck yet" he said as he stepped closer.
He offered a square-shaped package that was not too big but also not small.
"Please accept the deck, just think of it as a memento."
I hesitated to accept it, but when I looked into her sincere eyes, I accepted the package.
"I'm sorry that these two days can't call. HP kulo is still in service, run out to the pond while feeding fish."
I was a little surprised to hear his words. Turns out my guess was wrong, I've been su'udzon to him.
As soon as my heart became relieved, I noticed a smile on the corner of my lips.
"Mboten nopo - nopo gus."
"Save by the way, be careful on the road." He said while letting out his sweet smile. He also passed away leaving me who was still standing next to the car.
Somewhat long I waited for mother, "actually Abah where the hell, why so long," I grumbled with lips that had advanced two centi. I dropped my big bag on the ground and threw my ass over it.
I stared at the box of Gus Abdi's gifts, "what about it?" I murmured in my heart.
"Who do you get from?"
Mother's voice surprised me. My parents finally showed up.
"From mom's friend." Reply origin.
"Special friend?" Ask Abah.
"A fried rice, really? Special?!". They chuckle.
***
Upon arrival at home I went straight into my room, I can't wait to open the package.
With a heart pounding while saying bismillah I tear the flower paper wrapping, and a white box appears. When I opened it turned out to be a Qur'an tafsir. At first glance it is not special, but when I look at each corner my eyes are fixed on the bottom of the Qur'an which looks like there is a hollow page. Looks like something's bugging him.
When I opened the page my eyes were wide open, my palms shut my mouth which spontaneously opened out of amazement at the thing I was seeing right now. I can't believe it, a small golden circle tied to the leash of the Koran's courtyard. And also a small paper tucked between the pages, it appears a writing scratched on it. I took the paper with trembling hands and read it,
"Will you help me complete some of my faith?"
Abdillahs.
I could no longer hold back the tears of happiness that fell apart. A happiness that I have longed for, which I almost threw away for fear of disappointment.
The words of gratitude I endlessly recite to the Most Love, Allah swt.
Alhamdulillahot.. Alhamdulillahot.. Alhamdulillahot..
I tightly embraced the ring and the Qur'an from it and I covered it with a golden cover.
Uhibbuka filah.
If the phone wasn't broken, then right now I'm going to call him and answer "nggeh kulo purun gus." (Yes, I want a gus.)
"Hil?" My mother's voice shocked me, her head already poking out from behind my bedroom door.
"Just come straight into the room, don't you miss the same? Wanted it that way."
"Switch the buk, take a break." My Kilah.
"Kui to, kadone?"(That's yes, the card.) Asked kepo's mother with a smile. His eyes were fixed on the Qur'an which I embraced. While I hid it in my hand.
I'm nodding.
"Yes, wes. Help mom get ready. I'll break the fast soon." Declare mother.
"Snake, buk."
Suddenly I thought of Indri, wanting to feel like I shared this happiness with her. But let it be later if I meet him on a feast day, I'll show him this ring immediately so he's surprised.
***
"Kok tumben cook a lot of bouquets?" Tanyaku was surprised to see the ingredients in the kitchen so much is not as usual. There is chicken meat, beef, catfish, fruits, as well as other ingredients.
"Later tonight, night takbir, tomorrow Eid. You don't want to eat well tomorrow?" Answer the mother who was busy cleaning catfish.
"Can, it's still tomorrow?"
"Now, that's okay, too. Tomorrow is just an angelin."
I round my mouth.
"And let ibuke pass, let the spit be done." Declare mother.
Without answering I immediately picked up the knife and sat on the floor and began peeling the onions.
"Assalamu'alaikum." Sayup-sayup heard the sound of greetings from the front of the house.
"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. Look at Hil, who's coming."
Just about to stand up suddenly there was my brother standing on the side of the kitchen door.
"Mas Azam? Tumben wes back home. Usually tonight." My hand welcomes Azam's hand and kisses the back of his hand.
"Alhamdulillah, healthy le?" I immediately washed the stairs and then welcomed Azam.
"Mother's word"
"Wes gek ndang salin dik Zam, leren-leren kono. Let's travel adoh kok" said the mother cut off the talk mas Azam.
(Pocket change clothes first Zam, rest there. After a long trip.)
"Nuggeth buk." Mas Azam stepped out of the kitchen.
"Nduk, please buy a skewer. I forgot to buy it." Declare mother.
"You want to make satay buk?"
"Yes, that's the chicken partly made satay later. Some of it is made of spicy chicken." Said the mother while offering twenty thousand dollars.
"One tie yo." Another imbibing.
I nodded then washed my hands and hurried away.
The Ashar Adhan reverberated, almost 80% of our cooking was finished. Just prepare mixed ice, make trancam, and wait for cooked rice. Sambal satay also stay brewed because the mother has made it from yesterday so that the work today is quickly completed because of the nature of sambal satay right, durable not easily stale like sambal pecel.
Today's iftar menu is really special makes me impatient to wait for the break time.
Asr prayer jam I went to the kitchen again continuing the unfinished work.
Mom looks back and forth looking at the wall clock.
"It's still a long time, magribnya." I said that was cutting pineapple into small pieces for a mixture of ice fruit. I peeled the pineapple before Ashar.
"Gek ndang dimarekne nduk, selak magrib ngko." (Cepet completed nduk, hunt magrib later).
"Ubeds..! Carpete wes covered?" Call my sister's mother.
"Sampun..!" A voice sounded from inside the house.
"Tengnopo how ndadak mbeber buk carpet?" Ask wonder.
(Why use the title of all carpets?)
"Later open the fast lesehan aja let loose."
"Owh.." My mouth is perfectly round.
20 minutes before the time to break the various fruits that I hadotongi had finished just making the sauce. Mother told Azam to break the ice cubes into small pieces. Lauk paukpun has been arranged neatly in a container that has been prepared and rice placed in several containers.
"Says some for tomorrow, why is it served all buk? It's mostly just four people." I was surprised to see so many and varied food offerings.
"Later three additional people, your friend wants to break the fast together here." Mom answered with a strange smile.
"Oh, the guest's coming." Call Ubed whose steps are getting closer to the kitchen.
To be continued
