LOVE THE EXPATRIATE
19. The Girl Behind the Hijab (2)
Do you personally mind the veil I wear, Mr Edward?" said Sarah.
“If it turns out that your guess is correct, I object to your veil, what is your attitude, Miss?” edward asked defiantly.
“I will resign from here, Mr.” said the girl steady.
Edward smiled before giving an affirmation.
“I am not a racist person towards any particular ethnicity or religion, Miss.”
“In the company also there are no regulations that prohibit for women who want to wear a veil while working. As long as it does not interfere with its performance, I assume it is not a problem.”
“That is my thought, why do some Muslim women cover their whole body and hair all the time like you, Miss Sarah?”
“Why did you ask that, Mister?”
“Just wanted to know, Miss Sarah.”
Sarah frowned at the words of the man before her. He felt that what he was asking was already a personal matter. Or rather about his principles and outlook on life. The girl could have refused to answer her boss's questions that had nothing to do with her performance.
But finally Sarah thought, that as a Muslim, she also had the obligation to give the correct explanation of Islam to people who did not understand it.
“For us Muslim women, almost all parts of her body are forbidden to be shown to men. Besides their hands and faces. These women are only allowed to show their hair, hands, and feet only to certain men with whom they have a blood relation, such as their father and siblings.”
Edward was stunned to hear there was such a rule.
“Many Muslim women I have met. Either here or in my country. But why are some of them not covering their bodies and hair?”
“All back to each individual, Sir. There are of us whose faith has been established so will sincerely close the aura.”
“But some of us still have weak faith. So this is a big decision. They need a long process to emigrate in his life.”
“Because if you have decided to do so, they must be consequent with that commitment”
“What is hijrah, Miss?” edward asked, frowning.
“When someone wants to change himself for the better.”
“But isn't the beauty of a woman a gift to be proud of, Miss?”
“Islam also says if a woman is a beautiful jewelry in the world. But jewelry for those who are entitled to have it, Mr.” said Sarah straightened out.
“Every man deserves to have any woman. It's become a law of nature, right?”
“You are wrong, Sir. Not all are entitled to it.” said Sarah smiled.
“So who's the lucky guy?” tanyakanya.
“Men who have legally married her.”
Edward was flabbergasted by Sarah's reply.
“Covering body and hair is a command. Opening up a part of their body is a sin. Their bodies can bring forth lustful men.”
“Oh yes, why on my visit the other day, you apologized when I shook hands? Miss also refused when I took her to the cafe.”
“Muslim women are prohibited from contact with foreign men., Mr.”
“Also forbidden to go both, if it is not a matter of work or something very urgent.”
“Why is that?”
"Because there are many bad possibilities that will be encountered, such will happen things that violate the norm.”
“But I invite you in crowded places. There's no way I'll be disrespectful with you.”
“But there will still be prejudice and slander for those who see it, Tuan”
“So how can they get to know each other if there is such a rule?”
“Islam allows a woman to meet a man she will marry with the aim of getting to know each other's nature, but on condition, must be accompanied by her father or brother.”
Edward nodded at Sarah's words.
“I can not imagine, how strange it would be if I dated a woman who was guarded by her father beside.”
“But it is already so legal, Mr. Edward.” said Sarah smiling.
Because Edward did not search for her again with questions, the girl also ventured to escape from the unofficial interview.
“Sorry Sir, if there is nothing more you want to ask, I beg your permission to return to work.”
“Please, Sarah. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.”
“Sama-sama, Mr.” said Sarah as she stood up and exited the room.
After Sarah's departure, Edward threw his body into the back of the chair. He looked at his conversation with the girl. It turns out that Sarah's life is very much different from the life of Anjani and Mikaila. And his own life too. The girl was very obedient to live her trust. Sarah lives by strict rules and norms, but she looks so comfortable and happy.
And he himself?
He is so proud of his freedom. Don't want to be bound by the rules that will bind it. But is he happy with that freedom? Deep in his heart, Edward secretly felt that his soul was restless and empty.
Edward was born into a Christian family. But they are not a conservative family. Papa and his mother were very democratic towards their children. They give the man complete freedom in making any decision, if it will make him happy. Includes the freedom not to be tied to a particular marriage or belief.
Edward noticed Sarah serving customers through a computer screen connected to the camera in front. To be honest he admitted, Sarah is still less beautiful when compared to Anjani. And losing sexy of course. But the man felt that there was a powerful aura that the girl had. It is like having a beauty that radiates from within. And that inner beauty emerged from the veil that covered it. The veil gave the impression of honor, firm, and awake.
“He was different Mr. Purnomo.” said Edward turned to Purnomo when the man entered his room.
“Yes, you are right, Mr.” replied smiling as his gaze was also fixed on the monitor screen.
So many words in Edward's mind about Sarah. That girl was like something behind the curtain. You must be curious to uncover what is behind the curtain.
Suddenly it was in his heart what had felt distant and very foreign to him. He wants his life to be organized and bound. He wanted to build a family with a woman.
He wants to get married.
