Is There Another Love in Your Heart?

4. A Message

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We currently have a comfortable boarding house. There's already a bed, a closet, a table and a fan. Each room also has a kitchen and bathroom so it does not need to mix with other residents. We buy other equipment as necessary. It is located between the parents' house and the school. It must be a bit expensive. Zulfan himself was looking for him.

“You like?” he said while looking at my face. I nodded while holding back the cold hot body from groggy.

After Ashar we say goodbye to Mom and Dad. I had told them this plan. Fortunately, my parents were quite moderate. Not the kind that holds tradition.

I have a friend whose parents are pretty rigid with all sorts of rules. For example, a couple of newlyweds may leave the house after a week of wedding or after a sling. After passing the traditional rituals that take place there. The most common is usually after the event on the female side, then proceed to the male party event. Zulfan told me after two weeks the plan would introduce me to his family. Currently there are some affairs still to be solved first.

My mother and father let go of me. You look so lost. I told him I would visit often. Moreover, there are still tutoring children at home. At least three times a week can come. You look relieved at last.

I got a week off from school. I should have used this time to get to know each other with Zulfan. But it turns out he can't take a holiday.

I spent all day in my room. There's not much I'm doing. After cleaning, read books, toys, sleep and so over and over again. It turns out unemployment is tired too.

All day I felt lonely alone in the hostel.

I'm actually very clingy with him. Every day must go back and forth Surabaya Jombang must be very tiring. Depart early in the morning to avoid traffic jams and go home at night.

He asked me to be patient for a few months. A friend of his would set up a new boarding school and MTS in the Gresik area and ask him to teach there later. It's not that far from the school where I teach. No more than ten kilos. Currently, there are other construction and preparation processes.

Zulfan is very attentive. Although he was busy with outside affairs, but when together, he always took the time to chat and even tease me. He is good at melting the atmosphere.

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“Dik, we know each other first yes. Let's just say we're dating,” god. I blushed in shame.

“Emang you have dated how many times, Dik?”

“Idiih, let me be a girl. Never, know!” answer manyun. Zulfan stared at my answer.

“Yang really? Why not dating?” god again.

“Nobody wants to be with me.”

“Lying ah!. The proof is the same with you. Pasa first look instantly like.”

“Preet. Just be that. Ntar nyesel you.” I said, shaking my lips. I love hearing his confession.

“Nyesel not from the past, yes?” the god pulled my nose. I screamed and let go of his hand. But baby I lost strong. Instead he held me in his arms.

“Still not clean huh, Dik?” he said, whispering in my ear. There was a thump in his heart that was getting noisy.

“We are dating, why ask so,” my god. Trying to stretch his embrace. Even he's getting stronger.

“Heh, is going out with his own wife. So donk.” free The rumbling in my heart grew more and more timid.

“If you have dated how many times?” I asked back.

“Hey, you think your mas is a fuckin' guy. So indiscriminate is my wife.” His hand tried to touch my cheek.

“Nobody wants the same. Only you want to. Look out, ntar you nyesel.”

“Hiih. What the heck he likes to follow,” I replied annoyed.

“Dik's. Why do you want to accept my application?” tanyakanya.

“Because Ustadz Hakim.”

“Oh so you know Ustadz Hakim?”

“Not really. he who filled studies near home. My neighbor's brother.” I clearly. Zulfan.

“If you are, why would you propose to me?”

“Hmm kasi know no ya?” goda.

“Jadi.indeed mas ask for a wife candidate. Actually, Ustadz Hakim is not as familiar. There are some who introduce, but no one fits.” yet

“Why choose me?”

“First, because you are beautiful and sholehah.”

My face immediately blushed.

“Second, you are different from most other women. Fits my taste. Third, I steady.”

“Mas know where. Don't know me yet.” Zulfan smile.

“So after Ustadz Hakim gave you photos and information about you, I tried to find out. Twice in front of your school, Dik!”

“What?” I'm awed. Kok can. “Part of how can my photo be sent without asking permission first. Ihh cheating!”

“Yes I don't know. It's taken a photo. It's!” Zulfan showed me some pictures of me in his hape.

“That's an old photo two years ago when I was the MC of the prophet's maid show at the mosque deket house. I don't even have that photo.”

“Terus, mas just do it in my school.” I'm getting anxious.

“First of all, I sat in the warkop in front of your school. There you meet your students. Mas nanya once, uh she told me a lot about you.” I pinched his arm.

“What's his name? What are the kids by the way?”

“RHS donk.” Zulfan.

“Continue the second?” ask me curious

“The second, fitting mas prayer friday at the mosque near your school. Meet your students again. Chat, justany. He told me a lot of things too. He seems like a big fan of yours. He even ngasi no wa, Fb and Igmu. After that, I started following your social media. From there mas more firmly propose you.”

“Hiih..mas intentions really yes. Investigate me until then. Then what else?”

“Terus.to your house bed. Pas see first, uh it turns out more beautiful than his photo.”

“Ihh dreadlocks again.” I pinched his hand. He caught my hand and kissed it.

“Guman mas can gombalin you, darling.” It feels really hovering in a husband's combalin.

On the fourth day after we went. Early in the morning after dawn, Zulfan pamit wanted to go to the cottage because there was important business he said. As usual, I drove him to the front door. Kissing his hands full of reverence. He kissed me back and whispered warm words in my ear. My face may have blushed from the blush.

Today I spent time at the hostel. Prepare teaching materials, read books and write articles. Several times my article has been published in print. Since college and active in journalism, I began to actively write.

In the afternoon, I prepare the dishes for dinner. Today I'm going to cook my husband's love. He ordered to be cooked capcay and chicken seasoning rujak. I am glad to do it.

Until after isya’ Zulfan has not come as well. I'm getting restless. Not usually this late. Many times I opened the window curtains to peek out.

Around nine in the evening, there was a message through whatsaap coming in.

[Assalamu alaikum, sorry tonight I didn't go home. There was an important and sudden affair. Sorry just ngasi tofu. insyallah three days. It's not what, is it? You take good care of yourself. I love you, baby]

I read the message with sadness. Why are you just giving news? Three days? There is a great sense of disappointment. Then I retaliated.

[Yes, it's okay. Be careful]

Three days of waiting for his return felt very long and boring. I think time is going so slow. This heart began to be overwhelmed with feelings of no-no. I always try to shake off the negative thoughts that arise. I even suspected if my husband had a woman other than me. I have not known him more closely. Cook yes, he could do this to me. Oh God, this chest feels tight. I was angry in silence.

And as usual the reaction of my fellow teachers saw my presence. I'm in all-out temptation. Until I can't speak.

Time goes on for so long. Especially when the night comes. Alone in the kost. Just a lonely friend. Especially this new hostel. There are still many empty rooms. The other occupants were resting and shutting the door shut.

I started counting the days. My husband should be home today. It's already the third day like the message in his wa. I can't wait to see his presence.

After praying isya’ I opened the mushaf Al Quran. To calm the heart that starts to break.

‘What if he doesn't come home?’

This time I want to be different. Despite being married for several days, Zulfan had never seen me look without a hijab. Even when I sleep I still wear a hijab.

But today I want to welcome him. I combed my black hair. I usually wear a dress and a hijab. Tonight I'm wearing a little open shirt. With a little different makeup than usual. I wonder how he reacted.

The night is late. Zulfan hasn't come home yet. The heart begins to be disappointed and disappointed. I lay my body on the bed. When the eyes were about to fall asleep, the door of the room was knocked three times. I'mawake. Finally came too, my mind.

“Assalamu aleikum.”

“Waalaikum greetings.”

Zulfan had been standing at the door. He looked at me for a moment. It seems like he was enchanted by my appearance. Look nervous and smile. This is the first time he has seen me without a hijab.

His face looks very tired. I kissed her hands full of reverence. Then I grabbed the bag in his hand. Even though I was upset I tried to smile to welcome him. I don't want to ruin the mood. Better to give up. Keep being nice.

“Mas looks tired. I'm getting hot water for a shower?

“Mas not shower. It's night. Wash your face only.”

Then I put out a clean towel and prepared a change of clothes.

“Still.” Her speech. Now he looks fresher not as I was.

“Mas want to eat? I cooked your favorite.”

“Today, Dik. I want to rest. It's okay, isn't it? Sorry today was so tired. You also have to rest.”

Zulfan was ready to lie down. He looked very carefully. My eyes followed his movements until he completely collapsed on the bed. Not how long he slept. The snoring is smooth and rhythmic. There is a disappointment I cannot hide. Why is his attitude suddenly so cold?

Then I went to the bathroom to pick up ablution. I used to make it a habit to go to bed before going to bed. I lay my body beside him. These eyes are foggy.

The melodious sound of the dawn Adhan awakens the dream-filled souls. I opened my eyes. Glanced at the figure who was still sleeping beside me. My husband is not usually like this. Usually he always wakes up before dawn to tahajud then recite while waiting for dawn. Maybe he's really tired. I didn't wake him. Let it be later.

I prepared for the morning prayers in the room. I spread prayer to honor Allah. After that I taught in a soft voice so as not to disturb his sleep.

When I turned around I saw Zulfan was awake . his gaze was so shady.

“You've prayed, brother?

“Mas.”

“Kok mas not awakened? Let us get together.”

“Mas is perfectly comfortable. I don't have the heart.” My answer. He smiles.

“Come on, Mas. Hunting dawn later.”

Zulfan tried to rise. But he grimaced with pain. I approached. I see it looks like there are bruises on his face and some parts of his body.

“Mas, you why? Fall or why?”

“Iya. It's not okay. Sick little.”

It seems like he has trouble sitting down. I'm trying to help her. But he refused subtly.

“Why didn't you say it fell? Wa gitu.” sesalku.

“Gak papa's. Just go here.”

“Cuman?” My protest.

“It must hurt, right?”He smiled to see me.

“Mas tayamum only yes?”

“Can, coke. Why are you worried so?”

I just shook my head. “Then I cook first yes.”

I'm used to busying in the kitchen after dawn prayers. Today I cooked the vegetables and fried gurami. Hit a six-cuisine already cooked all.

“Mas, let's have breakfast first!”

I took Zulfan who was lying down on the bed.

“Mas is not used to breakfast this early. Later even stomach pain. You first don't papa.” Her request.

“Then I will stock only. I will not eat at school. If you want to eat, here yes, Mas.” I said while pointing at the side dishes and vegetables.

Around 06:30 I was ready with my work clothes on. Zulfan was still lying down while reading.

“Mas does not work?”

“Seems not.” He put the book.

“Self in kost is okay?”

“Gak papa's. Why?” Zulfan smile.

“Wait to teach until what time, Dik?”

“Jam one. But today there is a schedule of grinding up to three hours less a quarter. Is it okay?” many doubt.

“It's okay. Mas has been used to taking care of himself.”

‘Actually I want him to say don't be long. Hurry home. I don't like being alone in the store. Why did he say it was okay. Can take care of yourself.’

“Dik, can you ask please get me a bag?” I immediately picked up the thing my husband asked for.

“This Mas.” Sodor

Zulfan was like looking for something in his bag.

“Dik, here's the shopping money!” I accept it doubt. I held the envelope thick.

“Kan is still there, Mas. Kok has been added. This is a lot.”

“Emang you know how much it is. Not opened yet said much. If it contains thousands.”

I blushed.”Thanks, Mas. I'm leaving now. Let's not be late. Assalamu aleikum ”

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