HALAL LOVER (Already Published )

Section 15

Azizah was standing on the balcony of the room. The night wind was blowing pretty hard. The long black Khimar he was wearing was swayed by the gusts of wind. The girl looked straight ahead. His mind was still reminded of his best friend, Aisyah. There was no news, even when he married the girl did not come. Where's she? That is what Azizah always questioned.

Even his phone number could no longer be reached. What's the reason Aisyah disappeared? But Azizah knew very well, if she was the reason for Aisha's disappearance. If only, the marriage did not happen. Maybe, at this time the girl can still be with her close friend. But whatever the power, he can't resist the wishes of his parents. Even though he had to sacrifice his friendship which is now destroyed.

Bulir serenur managed to escape. Falling down the little girl's cheeks. He nodded, remembering everything that had happened. But, the rice has become porridge everything is impossible to return as usual.

"If only I could refuse that match. I'm sorry Aisyah. I am a fool! It's all my fault, I'm sorry." Azizah cursed herself with tears that kept flowing.

"Where are you, Shah? Why did you disappear like swallowed by the earth. In fact, saying goodbye to me is not. You where? I miss you." The girl continued to cry as she looked at the photo of her togetherness with Aisyah in her cell phone gallery.

Without the girl knowing, it turns out Ghibran has come and is standing looking at him from behind. The young man just fell silent and felt sorry to see Azizah grieving. It was just as bad as Azizah. Because he had to let go of the person he admired all this time, namely Aisyah. The friend of the woman who is now his wife.

In fact, Ghibran was equally curious. Why did Aisyah leave without saying goodbye before. How ruined, that girl? Is that how hurt he is? They have to go and disappear.

Not feeling, tears fell from the big eyes of the young man. He let the tears wash his cheeks while still looking at Azizah. Azizah was still unaware of the Ghibran's presence there. Guilt now increasingly afflicts Azizah. He felt he was the first person to destroy his best friend.

"Yes, Allah" said Azizah, bowing down weakly.

Ghibran swept his increasingly flowing tears. Slowly, he stepped foot closer to Azizah who was still bowed to the monument.

"I know you must be thinking of Ayesha" said the young man, staring straight at her and holding his hands on the fence.

Azizah raised a face that had been soaked by tears and tried to wipe away her tears, then turned to Ghibran who was still looking ahead.

"It's all my fault. If only this marriage had not happened then surely Aisha would still be with us." Azizah continued to blame herself for Aisha's departure.

"Don't keep blaming yourself, it's also my fault. If only I could refuse our match. Maybe, things won't turn out like this." The ghibran breathed a rough breath.

"But, it's all happened. There is nothing to be sorry about and feel guilty about. You're not entirely wrong Zah, I'm wrong too. Our parents are also wrong for overextending their daughter's son.

But, it needs to be underlined. God has destined us to be together. Well, even though we can't love each other yet. I was just as hurt as Aisyah. But, I'm more chesty and, maybe Aisyah is not strong enough to accept all these realities as an adult" Ghibran said at length.

"It's late at night, you better go to sleep quickly. It's not good if it's still out at night. The night wind is not good for health."

Ghibran patted Azizah's shoulder gently, the girl just stared at the hand of Ghibran who was patting her shoulder. Then Ghibran left Azizah.

Azizah just stared at the ghibran's departure into the room. Without him noticing, the girl covered the smile on her lips and continued to look at the young man's departure. Could it be that the girl was starting to feel different feelings for her husband?

Azizah had fallen asleep on a long gray sofa not far from the Ghibran bed. His face was lethargic, probably from crying until he was exhausted and fell asleep.

While Ghibran was still awake, he could not close his eyes. Remembering what happened that he saw. Seeing Azizah crying considering Aisyah made the young man even more hurt.

They are already married. However, unlike most newlyweds or other married couples. They slept separately, Ghibran slept in his bed and Azizah slept on a long sofa.

Moreover, because their marriage occurred because of arranged marriage. And there is no taste whatsoever, neither Azizah nor Ghibran. Ghibran who admired the figure of Aisyah and Azizah who liked Fahmi. However, all that is destroyed to comply with the requests and wishes of parents.

The ghibran rests its head on the head of the bed. He looked straight ahead, thinking of Aisyah who had suddenly disappeared. Where did the girl go? Maybe that's what he's asking. The handsome young man rubbed his face rough while exhaling. His eyes glanced at Azizah who had fallen asleep on the sofa. He observed Azizah's sleeping face and looked very good. However, there was no blanket covering the girl.

Ghibran stepped with a blanket and approached Azizah, who was fast asleep. Then, he covered the blanket on Azizah's body to cover the beautiful girl's neck. Then Ghibran stepped back to his bed. However, he did not fall asleep immediately. He looked back at Azizah from a distance.

"I know, you must feel guilty for Aisha's departure, Zah. But I'm as guilty as you and I hurt Zah so badly. This marriage is not wrong, but we are wrong. I shouldn't have admired Aisyah this deep. Maybe it won't hurt like this. I shouldn't have loved a woman who wasn't my soul mate. Right now, I can't love you yet and I don't know if I can love you?"

The ghibran stood still looking at the sleeping Azizah. The young man laid his body and slowly closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

The next day, at exactly 04:35 Azizah woke up from her sleep. He was surprised to see the blanket covering his body. As the girl remembered, she didn't wear a blanket last night. Who put the blanket on? Azizah turned to the sleeping Ghibran.

"Could it be, that shitty guy?" Batin Azizah said as she continued to look at Ghibran.

The girl got up from the sofa and folded the blanket. Azizah stepped towards the bathroom to fetch the ablution water because the dawn time had already arrived.

Without awakening the Ghibran, he performed his own morning prayers. The last of the Ghibranites awoke and saw Azizah praying. Azizah looked to the right and then left and recited the do'a.

"Yes my Lord, only to You do I ask for help. Please show me where Aisha is. Give him back, God. I know I was wrong because I hurt two people at once. Give fortitude to Aisha's heart, protect her wherever she is. Aamiin, yes rabbalalamin." Azizah rubbed her face with both her palms.

"Why didn't you wake me?" The voice of the Ghibran shocked the silent Azizah. The girl turned to Ghibran who was already standing next to her.

"Sorry, I saw you sleep well. Therefore, I do not have the heart to make the building," said Azizah slowly.

"Haduhh, it's early dawn. You should have just woken me up. If it's like this, I may have misfortune," grumbled Ghibran as he walked to the bathroom.

Azizah was only astonished to see the Ghibran reaction. Who scolded himself for not waking up.

"I guess the guy was crashing again. Time because it is not built ampe angry that. It's mh, nyebelinya. You shitty guy! It's good to play with my anger. Don't know who he is, who I am. Who does he think he is? Aby was just as umy never got that angry scolding me. It sucks!" annoyed Azizah, still staring at the bathroom door.

"Astagfirullahaladzim, patient Azizah patiently. That man is now your husband. You have to obey him and don't fight. What if I fight? He was also wrong, angry at me at will," continued the girl as she got up from her seat.

The ghibran has finished in its bathing ritual. She came out of the bathroom rubbing her wet hair. Unlike usual, if you finish the bath just wear a towel wrapped around his waist. This morning, the young man was wearing a black plain shirt with cream-colored knee-length pants. Maybe, fearing that yesterday's events will happen again. When Azizah saw herself only bare-chested.

Although they are both married but not yet fully a husband and wife. Because there are still distances and restrictions between them, of course, they themselves make it. Funny that sounds.

Slowly the Ghibran set foot, his eyes looking around. It was when he was looking for something. Well, the young man was looking for Azizah's whereabouts. However, he did not see Azizah there anymore.

"Where did that chatty lady go?" said Ghibran while celingak. Stop rubbing her hair.

"What, lest he get angry and run away. Because I was scolding him? Ah, it's impossible. Say it, I better pray now."

Ghibran also took a cocoa shirt in his closet, then put on the cocoa. And immediately do his duty as a Muslim, namely, dawn prayer fardhu.

Azizah was alone in the kitchen. After she finished the morning prayer, the girl went straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Not good taste, if you have to umi in-laws who continuously prepare breakfast. But he didn't help a bit. What kind of daughter-in-law is she? Maybe that's what's on his mind.

Azizah is busy cooking breakfast, ranging from chopping vegetables, frying fish and eggs. Not a difficult thing for him, because this he used to do in his own home. A smile of sumringah adorned the face of her father who was focusing on cooking.

Ghibran came out of his room and went down the steps one by one with his head slightly bowed. Until the last rung, he lifted his handsome face and saw Azizah was in the kitchen alone.

"What's that chatty woman in the kitchen?" ghibran said a little curious.

The young man also walked into the kitchen. He walked closer to Azizah, and stood right behind Azizah who was pacing back and forth doing her work.

"What are you doing here?" ghibran asked a little mockingly.

Knowing Ghibran was there, Azizah was just ordinary and even seemed to look indifferent to him. Not one single bit of effort to look at the Ghibran. Perhaps, it is still resentful towards Ghibran for scolding him at dawn.

"What, you can't see? What am I doing here?" Azizah asked back in a pleasant manner.

"Are you able to cook? Later, at most there is salty cuisine," ledek handsome young man while chuckling.

"Just kid! I can cook, as long as you know, yeah!" azizah said annoyed as she looked towards Ghibran.

"Oh, huh? Are you sure your cooking will be good?" asked Ghibran in disbelief, slightly bringing his face closer to the girl's face.

I don't know what Azizah is feeling. Getting that treatment he could only be silent and look at the face of Ghibran who was mocking him. Now, his chest was beating faster than usual. I don't know what the girl is feeling right now. A feeling of love or just a feeling of surprise. Now they look at each other.

"Huh, rest assured!" Azizah turned her face, turned her back to Ghibran and put some distance between them.

"I'm sure my cooking must be delicious" he continued steadily. Ghibran just smiled mockingly at the girl.

Arguing with the Ghibran. Azizah forgot, if she was frying an omelet. And there was the smell of food in the noses of the two men.

"Kok, you got a bad smell?" asked Azizah while sniffing her nose.

"Yes" replied Ghibran.

"Astagfirullahaladzim! The eggs." Azizah immediately remembered the egg that was being fried. Then immediately turned his body.

Azizah immediately turned off the stove, but her homemade omelet was charred, black like charcoal.

"Well, charred," the girl lifted the burnt egg still in the pan. Azizah immediately turned to Ghibran who had chuckled amusedly.

"This is all because of you" cried Azizah, blaming Ghibran.

"Well, I'm guilty of it."

"Well, if you don't come here and I don't argue. It's gotta be the egg ain't gonna burn."

"Fry the egg aja gosong, he said can cook," ledek Ghibran while laughing.

Azizah was annoyed at the attitude of Ghibran who laughed at her continuously. He was furious, his face was now reddish like a burning fire.

"You, this is Dad!" pekik Azizah was upset.

"Kabuuuur!" Ghibran immediately ran away from Azizah.

Azizah only looked at the young man's departure with resentment in her heart. Then he finished his cooking again. Unbeknownst to them, it turns out that Pak Haryo and Umi Aminah are watching them behind the wall. They tekkeh see the behavior of the newlyweds.

"Look, by. Very funny, both of them" said Aminah.

"A, aby. Hopefully, they can quickly love each other, yeah by?"

"Aamiinu. We just pray my."

They also left the place. While Azizah is still focused on finishing her cooking. Although resentment still enveloped him because of the behavior of the Ghibran earlier. He had to make an omelet again.

\* \* \*

"Cong, nduk. It was still morning in the kitchen," said Umi Aminah approached Azizah who was still busy cooking.

"Yes mi, Azizah is making breakfast." Azizah turned to her umi-in-law.

"Why not wake up umy?" ask umy Aminah.

"It's okay my, this is Zizah's job. Besides, it's not good if Umi keeps making breakfast. Now there is Azizah." Azizah smiled at Umy Aminah.

"Hmm, yasuda. Now you clean up first. Let umi take care of this."

"But, mi ...." Not yet Azizah continued her speech, umi Aminah immediately cut off Azizah's speech.

"There's no buts. Come on, there."

"But mi. It's okay, let Zizah finish it."

"Let's just earth, it's okay. It'll be noon soon, and you'll have to prepare the equipment for your husband's work, son."

"Ah, yes. Yasudah, then Zizah clean up first mi."

Umi Aminah just nodded with a smile and Azizah left the kitchen. Azizah went into the room, and found Ghibran still asleep in bed.

"What! She asleep? After what he did, it was so good to sleep. Look at it later, I'll teach you a lesson!" Azizah took a little towel glanced at the Ghibran then went inside the bathroom.

Ghibran opened his eyes and chuckled softly at the words Azizah had said.

"Let's see, I'll teach you a lesson. Hahaa, you chatty girl." Ghibran imitated Azizah's speech and then chuckled again.

"Oh no! Why am I so happy? Why, does it feel so happy to make that girl feel annoyed? Really, I don't understand," he continued to feel awkward at heart.

Crc ...

The sound of the door opening sounded and came out the figure of a girl berparas ayu. Ghibran immediately pretended to sleep again and now he turned his back to Azizah. Azizah, who was already wearing a cream-colored robe wrapped in a hijab covering her chest, sat at the dressing table. The girl accidentally wears a robe in the bathroom. Because, he knew very well in the room there was still a Ghibran.

Azizah sprinkled baby powder on her palm and then applied it on her face. A little orange-brown lipstick adorned her tiny lips. I don't know when she started wearing lipstick on her lips. Lastly, he applied telon oil to the baby and flattened the neckline which is always covered by hijab.

Secretly, Ghibran peeked under his blanket. His eyes looked at Azizah who was sitting on the dressing chair. Azizah looked at him a little. Then, hurriedly the young man pretended to fall back asleep.

Azizah got up from her seat and stepped into a large cupboard made of dark brown teak wood. With floral motifs, beautify the look of the closet belonging to Ghibran. Slowly, the girl opened the closet door and took out a plain gray shirt. Then he put the shirt on the bed. Not to forget, black cotton pants are also placed there. And the girl went out of the room.

After Azizah's departure, Ghibran woke up and took off the blanket that covered his body. He looked at the shirt and pants that had been prepared by Azizah. A smile on his face.

"Although, we have not really become husband and wife completely. But Azizah did not forget her duty. O Allah, can I forget Aisha and try to love Azizah?"

Ghibran breathed rough while still staring at the shirt and pants on his mattress.

Meanwhile, Azizah was busy preparing breakfast. The girl arranged every meal she brought in the kitchen assisted by her mother-in-law. Very painstakingly, doing the job, a smile adorned his face.

"Have it done, son?" ask the umi-in-law.

"Already, mi," replied Azizah keeping a pile of dishes on the dining table.

"Well, breakfast is over." Haryo came and sat down.

"Call your husband, son," said Aminah.

"Excite, mi."

Azizah had not stepped up, Ghibran had already come and immediately sat on a chair.

"Sobahul khoir by, My, Zah," said Ghibran, turning slightly to Azizah. Azizah was silent.

Had he misheard, there was a wind from where the young man also greeted him. The girl only fell silent after hearing the greeting from Ghibran. Actually, it's a natural thing. But, somehow for him the greeting was very different. I don't know what Azizah is feeling right now. But, for sure at this time he was a little happy.

"Lho, I'm daydreaming." The words of Umi Aminah disperse the daydreams of Azizah who had just fallen silent.

"Bo, yes cepet served after all, your husband," continued the little middle-aged woman.

"Ha, yes mi."

Azizah hurriedly served the Ghibran. Starting from storing rice on a plate and taking the side dishes.

"Related, son. Take breakfast," take Mr. Haryo, while putting food in his mouth.

"Yes, by." As Azizah was ordered by her father-in-law, she sat down next to Ghibran. And immediately come eat.

"Oh, yes. This breakfast, all the Azizah are cooked by," said Aminah Umi.

Hearing the words of his mother-in-law Azizah just fell silent and ate. Ghibran, he focused on eating food on his plate.

"Oh, yeah? It feels different."

"Why by? Azizah's cooking is not good?" asked Azizah a little huffed.

"Oh, no, no. It is, it is very delicious," replied Mr. Haryo while smiling, umi Aminahpun smiling.

"Alhamdulillah, if umi same aby like Zizah cuisine." Azizah smiled.

"Ohokay.. Ohok.." Ghibran coughed, Azizah immediately gave a glass of water to Ghibran. The ghibran immediately gulped it down.

"Bo, yes be careful to lek, eat it," said Umi Aminah.

"Yes, you are like a child." Mr. Haryo chimed in on his wife's remarks.

Azizah who saw him slightly chuckled softly. Looking at the young man's already crimson face held a spicy flavor. The girl deliberately gave chili seasoning rather a lot on food belonging to Ghibran. The girl could not help but laugh, she covered her mouth with both hands.

"You, why lek?" ask Mr. Haryo.

"No by, Ghibran is okay. It's just that the food was a little spicy" Ghibran said glancing at Azizah. Azizah simply held back her laughter seeing the Ghibran reaction.

"Whatever, this wong is nothing spicy, son," the mummy argued.

"Perhaps, Ghibran's tongue is wrong mi. Yasudah, Ghibran is leaving first." Ghibran stood up, turned slightly to Azizah. Azizah still held back her laughter.

"Assalamualaikum" Ghibran kissed his parents' hands and left.

Azizah followed behind with a Ghibran briefcase. Without the young man knowing.

"Ghibran, wait." call Azizah, Ghibran stopped from his steps and turned his head without saying anything. Azizah immediately approached the Ghibran which was already on the front porch.

"Here, your bag is missing." Azizah thrust a black bag in front of Ghibran.

"Thank you." Ghibran grabbed the bag and stepped back. However, for a second, he turned back to Azizah.

"I, know. It must have been you, right?" accuse Ghibran.

"You mean?" Azizah pretended not to know.

"Yes, why can't my food be spicy while others won't."

"That's a reply because you were bothering me this morning."

"Ha, I really said. You did it. You shitty girl! Look at it later, you'll get the package."

"I'm not scared!"

"You don't know who the Ghibran is yet." Ghibran stepped away walking towards the car.

"I'm not scared!" shout Azizah.

"Basin' girl sucks!" Ghibran no less screaming while getting into the car.

"You're more annoying. You shitty guy!" Azizah shouted back. Ghibran has gone to speed with his car.

"This is just the beginning of the Ghibran. So don't fuck around, same Azizah." Azizah smiled and entered the house.