LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

38. Faris or Furqan?

Maryam opened the door of the back room occupied by Sarah. He saw that the girl was still sitting on the prayer mat wearing mukena finished her prayer after the prayer isya.

“Sarah, finish praying later, meet Bang Rais yes. There's something he wants to talk to you.” he said while gushing his cuby face on the door leaf.

The girl just nodded at the words of her cousin's wife. He soon finished his prayer and took off his face. He decided not to eat dinner anymore because the time had shown ten o'clock at night. After all, he was not too hungry because he had eaten fried kwetiau that his partner had bought.

“Sit here. Something you want to tell you.”

Rais orders once he sees Sarah out of her room. Since last night, starting the journey home from Rangkang Kupi to get home, the man continued to think about the things that Ustadj Faruk said about Furqan's intention to preach Sarah. But this morning Rais did not have time to convey it to the girl because at half-seven he had to leave for the factory.

And he felt tonight it had to be told to Sarah. His cousin's sister must know immediately to quickly determine the attitude so that Furqan is not stuck with Sarah's answer.

“What's up, Bang?”

Sarah asked after she sat down in front of Rais. Maryam also sat quietly next to him after she put Rayhan to sleep. The woman already knew what to say because her husband had spoken to her this afternoon.

And Rais had warned his wife not to confuse this conversation with his words which sometimes troubled Sarah.

“Before you want to ask, how far are you from Mr Edward?”

Sarah was flabbergasted to hear Rais' question. He didn't expect Rais to ask that.

“I just want to do good to people who want to emigrate, bang. Just as my brother suggested, my father also asked him to learn first about Islamic science. After he is steady with his attitude, then that means it will be discussed again.”

“Are you and Edward there planning to go to a more serious stage? Because you guys look familiar. You and him met last night. I don't think it was a coincidence.” he smiled.

“According to Brother, he is a caring man, not only with his partner, but also on his family.”

“I haven't thought at all about marrying her, Bang. In times like these, anything can change right?”

Sarah said as if asserting to Rais that there had been no significant progress between his relationship with the Englishman.

“Including if anyone else is abusing you?”

“Why do you ask like that?” sarah nodded her forehead.

“This is what you want to tell you.”

the man replied while taking a deep breath.

“Yesterday Ustadj Faruk called the elder brother to convey that Tengku Furqan wanted to preach you.”

Sarah is shocked to hear Rais' confession. Before the night he was introduced by Rais and knew that the man was a friend of his cousin's brother, Sarah already knew Furqan. Even though they only see each other when they cross paths. He said he was a friendly and polite man.

But knowing that the Acehnese man preached it was beyond belief. It turned out that the man had been watching him all along. Edward said last night right about Furqan. It's just nice that he doesn't like it too much.

“Then what is your answer to Tengku Furqan?”

"Abang has no right to answer anything. That's why now you ask directly. What's your answer?”

“I can't answer anything. If according to brother, who should I choose?”

“You want an honest answer from your brother's heart?”

Sarah nodded. But her little heart said another . He hesitated with his attitude a few seconds ago who asked Rais. He seemed to have guessed what answer the man would give.

Sarah felt suddenly that something was uprooted in her heart when she heard the man's answer.

“What because he's Brother's friend?”

“Ya!” Rais answered steadily.

“Because Tengku Furqan brother's friend, so brother knows very well about himself. He's someone qualified to be your escort. Surely you understand what your brother means, don't you?”

Sarah did not answer or nodded. The girl could only bow. He understands that there are four things to be seen from someone who will be married. The first is his science and religion. And that is no doubt from a Furqan who has a strong and noble character.

The second is his family. Although Sarah does not know Furqan, the girl is convinced that the man comes from a respectable family.

The third treasure. Sarah had no idea how much the man and his family had wealth. But if you see the representative Kupi Rangkangkat and located in a strategic area, it does not seem excessive if he suspects billions of rupiah Furqan money embedded in the cafe. And all that is more than enough to support his wife's child, even to be used to fight in the way of God.

The last one is his face. Sarah did not reply if Tengku Furqan had a beautiful level. Even not infrequently he heard the men who attended the study of Ustadj Faruk whispered in the back about the good looks of the young adult.

It was hard for Sarah to find any reproach in Furqan. The man was a near-perfect figure to be made a candidate for priest. All the criteria are on him.

“Tengku Furqan is not only handsome, but he also has a high religious knowledge, rich, and comes from a respectable family.”

Sarah's daydreams about Furqan instantly crumbled because of Rais's words.

“While Edward...?”

Rais' words stopped to see Sarah who had lowered her head immediately looked up her face as the name was called. It seemed that he did not sincerely compare the man with Furqan. It is unfair to compare two people whose religious level is much different. Not caring about Sarah's wrinkled forehead, Rais continued his words.

“The man may have good looks and wealth. But not with religious science. And what about his family tree?”

“It's not wise to Bang, comparing the two of them like that. Tengku Furqan has been studying religion for a dozen years, while Edward, has just become a convert.”

“Again Islam gives privileges to a pagan who sincerely wants to embrace Islam. They are reborn as new people and God takes away all their past sins. May God grant His mercy to Edward who is learning.”

Rais just kept quiet hearing the girl's words. He looked at his wife who was still hearing their conversation diligently.

“So what about Tengku Furqan's proposal? Accepted or not?” asked the man for his certainty.

“I'm sorry Bang. I can't give you an answer right now.”

Sarah felt it took her time to make this important decision. Decisions that will define his life later. It's not just like choosing what to eat today? Fried rice or chicken noodles?

“It's best not to take long, Sarah. Poor Tengku Furqan stuck waiting for your answer.”

"Yes, Bang. I understand.”

“One message Brother. Don't risk your life just waiting for someone who isn't sure. While there are others who are sure to want to be your life companion. Haqul yakkin.”

“The soul mate, step, meeting, and death of man have all been arranged by the Khalik. I believe, whatever will happen to me later, it has been determined by Him.” he said staring at Rais.

“Tomorrow morning I'll go home and tell Dad about this.”

Sarah got up from her seat and went back into the room. Leaving that husband-wife who was staring at his departure with a wondering heart. What exactly is on your mind, Sarah?