MOON IN PESANTREN

Stories from Andra's past

I looked for the source of the voice calling my name. I saw Andra looking at me while giving a code to open my phone. I pretend I didn't see it. Then I immediately looked at the television that featured the dance team santri rijal with the song 'Dynamite' from BTS.

This Islamic new year event is expected to be completed before dzuhur, meaning about 1 hour away. The speech of the Shaykh was over half an hour ago, now the appearance of the santri like dance, traditional dance and so on. Andra continued to code me to open the phone, I finally obeyed her. A message from Andra.

Andra

Seli, have a chat, yuk. Want to ask advice from you.

^^^Yaudah aja story.

^^^

Talk directly now. It's hard to write about the length of the story.

^^^Pentant ga? Klo ga important males.

^^^

So mean.

^^^👍👍

^^^

I asked your parents for permission first, yeah.

I haven't had time to reply to Andra's last message to reject it, it turns out Andra has approached my parents. "Assalamallaikum, Umi, Abi." Andra salim to Abi and Umi.

"Wa'allaikumsalam" replied Abi and Umi.

Had to, really have Andra to talk now? my grumbling in my heart.

Whether Andra was talking to my parents because it was crowded so it was not too audible, suddenly Umi told me to come with Andra. There was no choice, I followed Andra towards the courtyard of the mosque.

Andra sat on one of the mosque's garden chairs. "Here, Cell."

I sat in that long chair so that Andra and I were not too close. "You want advice on what, Ndra?"

"About Vira."

I turned towards him with an eyebrow raised by one. "Is it all about Vira?" I stood up from the chair. "I'm not good at conversation, Andra."

"Just a minute, Seli. Before me, I needed your point of view as a girl."

I sighed and finally sat back down because I needed to listen to Andra's explanation. It is also not good to reject someone who asks for an opinion.

"You must know about me and Vira. I know very well that dating is haram, I had to accept Vira's request because of my guilt, Seli."

Me and Andra did use my-your language because they had been used since the 10th grade after being told by Umi Devi.

I don't answer Andra's words. I'm waiting for Andra's next sentence.

"Vira was the younger brother of David, the upperclassman I used to be in Junior High. I was with David Temen deket because at that time I was more hanging out with my upperclassmen. My association at that time could be said to be bad, they were smokers and even the consumption of ecstasy pills."

"You too dong?"

"I'm the same David. That day there was a summit event with friends, but David could not come because of illness, I keep making him come because I think it's the last show before they graduate and I want everyone to come along. In honor of my invitation, David came after I followed him to his house. While on the way to the motorbike to the gathering place, suddenly I somehow lost control and happened to be in front of the truck again speeding badly. As a result, we were in an accident."

"Innalilahi wainna ilaihi raaji. Then what happened to you guys after that?"

Andra lowered her head then took a deep breath and exhaled violently. "David died, Cell."

"I feel so guilty about it, Cell. We just found out that David had heart disease so he died on the spot. If only I hadn't told him maybe it wasn't gini."

Although I never felt what Andra felt, but I know very well what it feels like to lose someone let alone have our intervention in that incident. Guilt must be in our hearts and minds as human beings, these sentient beings. From Andra's face was very visible a sense of regret about this incident.

"No need to blame yourself, Ndra. This is God's destiny, the way is like this. All you need to do now is do'ain David always, Ndra."

"Yes, Cell." Andra closed her narrowed eyes, trying to close.

"Emm.so you said the only ones who didn't smoke were you with David. Then you started smoking after this?" I hesitantly asked because I was curious.

"Dad. David never smoked apparently because he had heart disease, if I did not interest in smoking at that time. But, after the death of David ceases to smoke and stupid precisely I was the one who became a smoker at that time because of my sense of co-spirited David with self-harm. Thank goodness I was able to stop after entering this pesantren. I accidentally met Vira in Exkul Basket and I just found out that she's David's sister. Vira asked me to be her boyfriend after I told her that I took her sister away that day. Vira wants to have a male figure who can protect and pay attention to him like David first."

It's beyond my expectations, I really didn't know that they were going out at Vira's request and for that reason. But, whatever the reason, the name of dating is still haram and if damaged will harm them too if it turns out Andra has no taste for Vira, of course it will hurt Vira.

"So you said you accepted Vira's request because of your guilt, and you yourself like Vira or not, Ndra?"

"Yet, Cell. That's why I want to ask advice from you as a girl, if she won't hurt if she knows I don't feel anything. Not to mention, I don't want to date anymore either, Sel. Dating is a relationship that has no end, only devoid of time and energy. I want to get married right away if you are ready to be born and ready to be financially."

I didn't answer, confused what I should respond to. I have no experience with this either.

"Cell, how good is it about my relationship with Vira?"

My phone's grinding, incoming call from Wardah's sister.

"Assalamallaikum, Seli."

"Wa'allaikumsalam. Why, Brother?"

"This show is over. You come here to go to the dormitory directly together, no need to search anymore."

"OK Brother. I'm otw."

I closed the call after answering Wardah's greeting.

"Why, Cell?" ask Andra.

I'm standing. "The way is done. Back, yuk. We will continue sometime."

Andra nodded and followed me to my feet.

"Andra, Sally. What are you two doing here?"

The thing I was most worried about happened as well. Vira came when I was with Andra, after I found out Vira was dating Andra I didn't want to get into their problems. I don't want to ruin anything nor do I want to hurt anyone.

Andra answered immediately. "I'm talking to Seli, Vir."

"Two of you?"

Andra nodded.

Vira smiled at me and Andra. "Oh yes. That's me first, yeah." He also went to the toilet.

Although Vira doesn't look angry or upset, but I know very well she feels jealous when I'm with Andra. I never thought that Vira would be like this to Andra because she used to be able to cover up her feelings for Andra.

"Corn, Cell."

"Just go first, Ndra."

I tried my best not to get too close to Andra, but there was no way I could really get away from her because our parents were so familiar.