MOON IN PESANTREN

Apologies

The sun rose and set every day, time continued to spin incessantly. Leaving behind memories and starting a new story every morning. The duty of man is to be grateful for all that he has today. No, not just a treasure as a happiness to be grateful for. The pleasure of God is far greater than we realize.

I am truly grateful to be given the opportunity to smell the world. Now I realize that God is very good to me, after His sinful servant continues to make mistakes but you always forgive. So why are there still many people who do not want to ask for His forgiveness when Allah is forgiving.

The final semester exam is over. Without feeling a few more days we will return to each other's homes, to a place that is so missed when we are here and the most boring place when we miss here. We went home for a month each semester. Maybe this holiday will be the last vacation, because next semester we will not return here, we have graduated and will be busy with lectures, work or other activities.

"Just leaving!" Iffah woke up from her seat after tying shoelaces on the dorm patio.

Me and the others stood up and walked towards the school. Today the distribution of rapots and the retrieval of competency test books - memorization of letters ordered because tomorrow we have started to leave this pesantren. Requirements before returning home are to complete memorization of the letters ordered and the duty of boarding cleanliness pickets.

"You've packed everything, huh? asked Syilla as she continued walking.

"I haven't" answered Naila.

Among the ten of us, Syilla was indeed the most relaxed. All the things he didn't think too much about, like this return. He will pack the goods when the time is fixed and must be finished for him.

"Okay, Nai."

We finally got to school. Take off your shoes and start climbing the stairs to the 2nd floor. When I reached the middle of the 2nd floor, I saw Andra standing by the pole.

"Seli," call Andra.

"Hi, Andra," I said. I was actually intending to pretend not to look so as not to have to greet him. He and I are no longer close friends like they were 2 years ago. I've been awkward and afraid of hurting Vira.

"Tumben is not nyamperin, Cell?" goda Aidha is welcomed by other friends.

I frowned. "No. What's nyamperin? Request candy?"

"Ciaa. is usually also given silverqueen."

"Well, let's go to class." I walked first to class.

After I sat down and laid my head down at the table, I picked up my phone and browsed social media.

"Seli, it was called Andra in the middle. How about class?" Aidha sat in his place.

I'm looking. "Called Andra? Not horrifying me. Why would you want to say him?"

"Either. Try to get in the middle."

"Ih what ah. It's not too important later." I continued to scroll through instagram.

The Ustadzahs of my class were already in front of the class when the bell rang. Thankfully, I kept my phone.

Rapot was distributed after the announcement of champions one through ten. Of course Zahra was the only champion and Alhamdulillah this semester I got the 3rd champion even though my learning is not as smart as Zahra.

After Ustadzah Fathimah gave instructions before we returned to the community, after which we chatted freely with our homeroom teacher. Someone asked Harsa how many champions in her class. It turns out that Harsa Al-Hafidz aka the perfectionist guy got the first champion in his class. Really, there are so many skills from this guy. I lost far away. Actually it does not matter because everyone has advantages and disadvantages of each.

***

Colorful uniforms filled the hall. The stage was already full of chairs for the Shaykh and his ranks. Dozens of lights were already lit inside and outside the hall. The red carpet had already stretched from the front door of the hall to the stage. The santri wear their own uniforms complete with black suits and subordinates.

A large banner that read, 'Tausyiah Shaykh Introduction to Santri's Return has been clearly displayed. The choir, the hadroh team and various other arts that will perform tonight are ready backstage. Large salon speakers in every corner of the hall have issued sholawat music.

I sat down with my roommate on the chair by the red carpet. All are ready to listen to the direction of the Shaykh before we return to society.

"Sley."

I looked at the source of the voice. "They?" I just realized that the one sitting next to me was Vira.

He smiled and touched my hand.

"I'm sorry, Cell."

"Eh? Sorry why?"

He didn't answer just looking at me with his smile.

My phone is shaking, a sign of an incoming message. It was from Andra.

Andra

Selina, I'm done with Vira. I don't want to make her wish for me, let alone a haram date.

So, Vira same Andra is not dating? Then why did Vira apologize to me? Confusing. Maybe he feels guilty for ever accusing me of a no-no.

Drrrtt!!

I saw a message from Andra back in a few minutes later.

Andra

Seli, this morning at sklah I called knpa even msuk kls?

Though I want to tell klo bsk km plng with me.

Lazy response joking Andra, I closed my phone and went back to chatting with my friends. Among my roommates there are 3 people who come from outside the island of Java. Nisa who comes from Sulawesi, Naila comes from Aceh and Aninda comes from Papua. It is fortunate that I have many friends who come from different regions because we can share our experiences in each region and also have knowledge about areas that have never been visited.

Drrrtt!

Drrrtt!

Sister Wardah💜

Saltiness.

Deck, if km go home with the Andra family, would you?

^^^These are not funny ah.

^^^

Really sucks. Why Wardah Sis and Andra joking can be the same. Make a pact? Really bummer. The show has started, I listen to the direction of the Shaykh while sometimes chatting as well, it is difficult to focus on listening to people talking in a very crowded place like this.

"Seli, you're lucky."

I looked at Vira who was looking at me. "meaning?"

"I envy you who have a whole family and have a very good friend like Andra. I actually like Andra from the 10th grade, but I'm always inferior to Andra so I don't dare say yes when you ask first. Because of the fact*****, I... ."

I stroked his hand. My heart melos because as I know the Vira family is not intact since long ago, even Vira's parents almost never come here, Muharram last month was not. Especially after the departure of David, an older brother who is very dear to him. I deeply understand how Vira feels right now.

"The point is that now I realize, not all the things that other people have we must have as well. Everyone has different tests and happiness."

After the show, I got a call from Wardah that my family can't pick me up tomorrow. Abi and Umi are taking care of a sick grandmother in the village. Kak Wardah takes care of her toddler son while her husband still has needs in Kalimantan. Mas Adam, who can always spare time for me just tomorrow must attend the graduation event of his students and there are some affairs that can not be left behind.

I was very forced to accept the invitation of Umi Devi who called to take me home tomorrow after Ummiku asked for help from Andra's mother. I'm not feeling well and don't want to bother the Andra family let alone Andra and Umi Devi being so good to me all this time.

Actually I really want to go home with Faaz alone by public transportation, because my house and this boarding school are both in West Java, only different cities, but Abi forbid. If we wait for Adam, Faaz will not, he wants to go home. Especially after knowing that Umi told us to go home with Andra, Faaz was immediately excited because he was also very close to Andra since entering here.

***