LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

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Once in Jakarta, Edward headed straight to his office. When he reached the lobby, the receptionist greeted him with a respectful nod and a smile. He nodded back while entering the office. As the man passed by the employee room, all the employees stood up to say their greetings with a smile. Edward was amazed by the attitude of his employees who were not as usual.

Just as he was about to enter his own room, the man saw Adrian coming out of his room for a coffee break.

“Adrian. Do you know why everyone today looks at me weird?” edward asked his assistant.

“Before your curiosity was answered, I want to get an explanation first from you about the uproar that spread among employees since yesterday.” said the man while herding Edward into his room.

“What complaint do you mean, Adrian?” ask the man after they are inside.

“News about you becoming a convert. Is that true, Mister?”

“Then I no longer need to convey to them about this.” said Edward smiled.

“It is true.”

“Then I also no longer need to explain why employees behave strangely to you.” explained Adrian diplomatic while extending his hand.

“Welcome to you who have become a Muslim.”

“Thank you, Adrian.” Edward smiled back at the words.

“Sorry Sir, but I hope your decision is not just for imaging.”

“Means?” Edward scrunched his forehead.

“Isu circulating that you converted because you have a special relationship with one of the Muslim women.”

“What!!?” Edward glares.

“I hope you do not take the wrong decision with the motive of finding sympathy with the woman you like.” Adrian said.

“ Because there are actually other women who sympathize with you, but you yourself do not respect him.”

Edward was offended by Adrian's recent remarks that harassed him.

“Sorry, Adrian. It doesn't seem to be your job as an assistant to interfere with my personal matters.” Edward looked at the man unhappily.

“It has become my duty to keep an eye on you, Mr. Edward." he said no less keenly staring.

"Don't let the wild issues circulating because your statement can affect Zafora Indonesia on the stock exchange.”

“Your thoughts are too much, Adrian. There's nothing about this company. I know better than you!”

"Justeru I judge, as someone who first became a Muslim, you do not sympathize in the least with what I have done.”

“You should be a spiritual role model for me. Not just to make me down like this!"

Edward spoke with emotion as he left the man staring while throwing a glance out the window. During getting to know Adrian, only this time he spoke with a high tone like this to him.

Let's see Edward Anderson, how long you've held on to your new status Adrian said.

What can you do with just two days of being a Muslim? While I, who was born into a devout Islamic family, still live in this kind of misery.

“Again, what did you mean earlier by saying there are other women who sympathize with me?” edward asked after sitting in his chair.

“How much do you know about me and Anjani? Or even so much that you know that he likes me that I don't know myself?”

“For sure, I am the one who understands best the meaning of a friendship, Mr.” he said still looking out.

“I question your loyalty, Adrian. Are you my assistant or Anjani Adinegoro's fan? Where are you located?”

Adrian looked away at Edward. Instantly his face looked tense.

“We'd better forget this debate, Mr. Edward. Forgive me for messing with your personal life. Excuse me Mr.” the man said as he walked away.

Edward did not answer his assistant. His eyes closed for a moment, as if he wanted to get away from the fatigue that was afflicting him.

O God, is this one of the trials for me who wants to know You?

...------------------------------------------------...

Edward's relaxing in his apartment tonight.

He sat on the couch watching the English Premier League on one of the international sports channels. Tonight Manchester United play at home to Tottenham Hotspur. And for the sake of getting the atmosphere of the Old Trafold Stadium, he deliberately wore the jersey of his city pride club that got the nickname Red Devil, the Red Devils.

Edward was not happy to watch it himself. He thought he would ask Mikaila to come to just accompany him to watch the ball. He misses the Russian woman. But he realized that he could no longer do it. There is too much temptation for him to endure.

The man also thought of calling Adrian. But he soon realized that he was tense with his assistant due to a debate this afternoon.

Edward had just placed a can of soda that he had just stirred a little at the table and was about to open a large bag of barbeqyu-flavored potato chips, when a call was heard from his smartphone. Who calls these nights, grunts and picks things up on the table. But instantly his eyes sparkled as the man knew who the person who called him was.

“Assallamualaikum, Mr. Faris.”

There was a voice across after Edward picked up the call.

“Wa’alaikumsallam, what is Sarah?” edward asked, shrinking the volume of the television. The man was quite surprised because this time the girl called him.

“Sorry Sir if I interrupt your break.”

“Same does not bother.” said Edward laughed. So the man was happy to call Sarah.

“I'm watching this English League.”

“Oh, it turns out you are also a football fan, Mr Faris?”

Edward heard a soft laugh from across.

“So yes, Mister?”

“About that, Sarah.” said Edward laughed.

“Sorry Sir, there are actually very few things I would like to talk to you about. But it looks like tonight's your quality time. Next time, then.”

“Nothing.” he said quickly.

“Tak problems. I can see replays or reviews later on the internet. What's up, Sarah?"

“You know not yet, if all employees are talking about you and me?”

“I don't know yet. Talking about how it means?” tanyanya. Want to not want him to remember the debate again this afternoon.

“They all think we have a special relationship, Mr.”

“Didn't we have a special relationship, Sarah?” Edward frowned upon hearing the girl's statement.

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. I even proposed to you. But since the two of us haven't been in line, then the proposal has been postponed. That means I'm ready to marry you, Sarah.”

“Master, yesterday you spoke to my father, from the conversation it can be concluded that we have not any ties.”

“He gave you a chance to learn first about Islam, after you steady become a Muslim, then you talk again to my father”

“OK. So now what should I do with those gossipy employees?” edward asked no longer to argue about their status.

“Should I issue a statement that we have no relationship?”

“It doesn't need to be like that, sir. Only we should both keep each other's attitude.”

“You think my attitude is wrong, Sarah?” edward asked annoyed.

“It is not so, Sir. We are still in the Taaruf period. It means that you and I are still trying to get to know each other's nature. Maybe in the era of taaruf like this, one of us will change his stance.”

Did you find out about my vices and plan to leave me Sarah? Edward's face looked wry.

“Will be legitimate, if you later decide not to continue the intention to propose to me. Because we do have to choose the best person to accompany our entire life.”

“So I beg you, you do not need to first talk about the master's plan to others. We're just acting normal, like you and the other women.”

“Do you feel unsure of my sincerity, Sarah?”

"I'm sure you really mean it to me. But the fate of that person who knows, sir? We humans are only obliged to strive, try, but still God will determine.”

“Do you feel like we're not getting married?” ask Edward again full of turmoil.

“I don't know, Mr. Faris. Let time answer it.”

The man's heart grew more troubled to hear Sarah's answer.

“So I can't show you that I like you and plan to marry you?”

“Mr Faris, it should not be shown to the general public, when a man and woman are in the process of taaruf."

"Because if it turns out that later will not be married, then they will both be the subject of conversation and banter of everyone.”

Edward flabbergasted. He did not think that was the reason Sarah forbade him to publicize their relationship. You know now why in Islam the word dating or dating is not known. He really didn't think that far.

“That should be told to everyone, if the two are married and legally married. So that there is no slander and misunderstanding."

"That's the point, why it is necessary to hold a walimatul ursy or a wedding party, Mr.”

“I understand now, Sarah. I will study Islam with great determination. If I have been able to become a Muslim who believes and deserves to be your imam, I will come again to meet Father to propose to you. And we'll get married as soon as.”

Because there was no response from Sarah across the street, the man greeted me again.

“Halo Sarah?”

“Ya Mr.” There was Sarah's voice again.

“Why silent?”

“I don't know what to answer, Mr.” said the girl in a blushing voice.

Edward smiled as he realized Sarah was embarrassed when he mentioned the proposal and got married. To melt the stiff atmosphere, Edward also changed the subject.

“Oh yes Sarah, tomorrow I will go to the boarding school to meet Ustadj Zakaria.”

“Amiin. I wish you well Mr. Faris demands knowledge. Insha'allah. That's all I want to say, Mr.”

“Assallamaicum.”

“Wa’allaikumsallam.” Edward replied while waiting for Sarah to hang up her phone call with a smile.

I will study diligently to deserve to be your priest, Sarah. In his heart, Edward made the promise he had said.

The man so no longer want to watch the action of his favorite club, the Red Devils.