MOON IN PESANTREN

Bad News

The second floor corridor was already filled with twelve grade santri in sailor uniform. Monday is so bright. Rays from the center of the solar system enter ventilation holes. Penetrate window. Provides brightness to all corners of the room. I sat next to the bookshelf, reading motivational books. I still have my phone, intending to reply to Andra's message last night. However, I paused because I remembered what Andra said in the cafeteria two years ago, when we were in tenth grade.

That night it was clear he said that he was close to me just because of Umi Devi's request. After the incident that night, I did stay away from him but without any guilt he continued to approach me. He did not know that I had heard all his words that night. Stay friends with him by pretending not to know. I tried to think positively, it's not wrong that he made friends with me because of his mother's request. Perhaps, he was just trying to be a submissive child. That day I thought I could not just stay away from Andra because it could be abi and umi would ask. As much as I can forget what I heard.

Now I'm very confused. If I don't contact Andra, I'm not feeling good to Umi Devi, even I promised to find out about Andra. Ah, this makes me so tired. It was with a heavy heart that I asked him if he really smoked. It's up to him to be offended by my question.

Krieg!

Lessons are about to begin, I'll be right back in my seat. Looking at Aidha who was still sleeping.

I grinned. "Aidha, wake!" Peeved her cheek.

***

This afternoon the sun was so hot. Do not hesitate to give the rays to make the skin scorching. Sultry body wants to go to the room immediately, change clothes and clean the body. It seems like it is still quite a while to get to the room because now I am still waiting for Aidha who does not know when to return.

"Nyesel, come home with Aidha. Suddenly he has ijtima with his organization? That's why I went home with the others. Kan Aidha can go home with the organization," my brother who sat alone on the stairs to the first floor.

The corridor was already very quiet, only the santri were left who were picketing classes. I'm wailing like a fool. Ah, Aidha, you have so much heart. It was very hot today and my stomach was hungry too.

"Why sit alone on the stairs?" asked Ustadzah who went through the stairs and saw me.

I smiled kindly. "After waiting, Ustadzah."

"Too you're home soon. Don't take lunch, yeah."

"Okay, Ustadzah," I replied, and the Ustadzah left.

I leaned against the wall beside me. "Did I tell Aidha if I want to go home? Ah, shame there are so many guys. If I suddenly go home, Aidha will find me, how? Where is the laper."

"Sley?"

I turned to the source of the voice. Andra was standing behind me holding her school bag. Then he sat down beside me. Leave little room if anyone will pass the stairs.

"Why? tanyaku.

"So I picketed and accidentally saw you. Oh yeah, I just happened to meet you here, so I'd like to answer your question in the chat this morning."

I'm nodding. "Yes. Please."

"Yes, my cell got a cigarette from my old friend at the back gate."

I swallowed spit. He was ready for the answer and waiting for the next explanation.

"I'm going to take a cigarette from my friend. I have no other choice, I'm sorry right now. I'm really scared of the outside shampoo, Cells."

I smiled at her side. "Niesel? At the end there are always regrets. Please don't ruin the hopes of the old man, Andra."

Andra just looked at me. There seemed to be a hint of fear in his narrowed eyes. I could hear her breathing many times.

"But, are you really smoking in the pesantren?"

"I don't smoke a single stick, Cell. I have no intention of smoking anymore."

I am confused by his words. "Why did you get that cigarette?"

"Why should cigarettes? In pesantren instead of little interest?"

Andra nodded. "Maybe santri nisa rarely know if actually santri rijal many who will smoke. They will smoke if there is a cigarette in front of them, it could be not smoking because it obeys the rules or avoids the bad risks of cigarettes. Like a seventh-grade santri who deliberately crowed so that they were out of here, yes because they entered here was not his desire. Cigarettes are expensive anyway, Cell. Moreover, sold in a place like gini, must have priced much higher."

Pause a few seconds, Andra again explained, "I used to manage the store with David until they could finance their own needs at Junior High School. After David died, the shop that had David's father was closed with him. So, temen I always say that I'm the cause of my difficulties now and I have to take responsibility."

I shake my head. "Why did he say that? Because you were driving a motorcycle with David that day until David died? So, he said you were the cause of David's death? And you believe her words?"

Andra just kept quiet.

I believe Andra already knew that David's death was God's decree and could not be changed. But, as a human being, Andra must have a sense of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Dra" I said after realizing my tone had gone up even though maybe Andra had tried to convince herself that it was God's decree. "So, the cigarettes aren't on you, are they?"

"No."

I stroked the chest. "Alhamdulillah. So, it's safe, right?"

Andra laughed a little. "Hopefully." Shut up for a few seconds, and Andra continued, "Teacher has been horrified that our forces are carrying cigarettes. Worse, the Teacher Council asked the chairman to find out who the person was. Do you know that the head of the santri is my own temen? He's in my room, even a few days ago he knew I had a cigarette."

"Keep him in the Teacher Council?"

"After he knew my alesan, he was confused to report it or not. But, after I thought about it, it's better that he keep reporting" he said. Then, Andra sighed slowly. "So, I told him to make a report, even though the other roommates did not agree if I was reported."

My eyes widened. Then, look at him closely. Confused by what Andra had in mind. "What's? Are you ready for outside? Then you don't think about Umi Devi's feelings?"

Just as Andra was about to open her mouth, Aidha's voice suddenly sounded. "Seli, come home."

Andra and I turned to the source of the voice and saw Aidha standing behind us carrying a bag and grafting her shoes.

***

Ompreng my meal which already contains rice with vegetable side dishes and know only I've been staring since. My hunger was gone after hearing Andra's words on the school steps. I became very confused as to what I should say to Umi Devi. I'm sure until now Andra has not told his mother because from yesterday Umi Devi kept asking Andra news to me.

Seeing Aidha who had greedily put food into his mouth, I rushed to devour my food. Me and Aidha were too late to the restaurant, plus I was daydreaming, it could be longer until his room.

"You don't, anyway, Cell? Last time I ijtima, the chairman I said we as upperclassmen should often give education to the underclassmen so far in cigarettes. So that nothing happens to our generation anymore. Is there anyone else in our army smoking again?"

My hand ready to put food stopped. I bite my lips. Last year there were indeed santri our generation who were expelled for smoking. Apparently the news that there is a force of ours who smoke again is increasingly widespread.

I smiled bitterly. "Maybe there is."

"Yes, the news is, he'll be in court soon."

"Trial? Who are you hearing from, Dha?"

"So my friends when Ijtima said that. He said to the horrors of the boys. But I don't know the truth either, anyway. You were talking to Andra, she didn't tell me?"

"I'm peeing, Dha. Shrimp, yuk." My reason for switching the conversation.

***