MOON IN PESANTREN

Session

The bad news I heard was trying to deny it. Hopefully the news regarding Andra's trial by the teacher council is just gossip, not truth. Even our conversation yesterday was not finished, so there were still many questions in my head that were unanswered.

I'm nervous like this just because I think about Andra's case. But, I'm sure the other classmates also feel sad when there are friends who will be expelled. Likewise, when we were in tenth grade, where one of our classmates was expelled for the same case, the hall was filled with tears as he said goodbye. We are like family here. All our activities are done together. Passing punishments together, running around because of being poured out, waiting in line to eat and shower, all those moments cannot be taken away.

Notification of the message from Umi Devi I still look at. My fingers feel stiff. Confused to answer what questions from Andra's mother. I finally decided to answer it later. I went out to get some fresh air this afternoon.

"Zahra's in the room again? Can you please call me?"

In front of the room I found Harsa standing. The dormitory boardroom is indeed on the first floor, so it is common if santri rijal meets directly. I agree with a slow nod. Go back into the room and tell Zahra that she is wanted by Harsa. After that I went back outside.

"Now Zahra is out" I said. Then, I walked towards the crowd of children who were watching television in the middle corridor of this first floor.

Watching children sometimes makes the heart go back to childhood. Always happy. Only cry because of small problems and can return happy when you forget. Such simple times are sometimes missed.

While looking at the large television, my gaze occasionally covered towards Harsa and Zahra who were sitting in the front seat of the library. I immediately pretended to look the other way as Harsa seemed to be looking towards me. Geez, why am I wondering what they're talking about? Can't be like this.

Soon I moved and went back to my room. Returning to reach for the phone and intend to reply to a message from Umi Devi.

Dddrrc ... Dddrrttt ... .

"Assalamualaikum, Cell. Can you ask for a favor? Are you busy, huh?" Andra's tone across sounded agitated and in a hurry.

"Yes, waalaikumsalam. Not busy. Why, Andra?"

"Emm, as I said yesterday at school, I'm going to the same meeting of the Teacher Council and the assembly of this mall, Sel. Can you please tell Fatih, right? He's playing football on your dorm field, Sel. Please tell me I can't come here this afternoon."

I was limp when I heard Andra was really going to trial, even tonight. Apparently the news is true. "Yes, I'll tell your sister. Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, Cell. Oh yeah, I'm asking for one more favor. I haven't been able to tell my mom about this, I don't know how to say it. Mother must have been to you anyway, right? You answer as much as you can, yes, Cell. I know you can talk to me without freaking me out. What was it like, Cell?"

I rubbed my face rough. "Why are you the one who told you to make a report? You want to get out on purpose?"

I heard Andra laughing. Then he replied, "That is his duty as the head of the santri, Sel. In fact, he has been entrusted with finding out who did it. It's also my own fault so I have to take responsibility. I send everything to God. Please do'ain hope the result is good, yes, Cell."

Test ... .

My tears were dripping despite trying to hold me back. I was massaging the forehead that was starting to feel dizzy. Then, close your eyes trying to catch your breath and stop the tears. "Yes, Dra. Aamiin's."

***

Fatih was busy grinding the ball in the front field of the dormitory. His team is competing with 6th class student Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. He looks very similar to Andra. Although still seventh grade, his posture can already be said to be high for a child his age. His face and skin look like Andra.

Seeing the seat near the empty field, I walked up to the chair. Sit while watching this football game. The seventh-grade team uses green while the opposing team is pink.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

I looked at the reflexes. "Eh, Hansa. Yes, I can." Then, my eyes returned to the field. Harsa followed. I thought Harsa was still chatting with Zahra, it was done.

"Afwan, Cell. Your hijab is less tidy, there's hair coming out."

Shortly after, the match was over. I waved to Fatih as he looked at me. But it seems he didn't see me.

"Later they'll be here, too. Nih, their bags are here." Harsa pointed at the pile of bags that were not far from the chair we were sitting in.

Seeing Harsa, I realized why Andra asked me to help deliver a message to Fatih? Why not just a guy friend? Aren't Andra's friends a lot in this dorm?

"Still doing Duha prayers?" Harsa's voice shifted my focus from the field.

"Still."

Harsa's smile expanded, visible from the tail of my eyes. I did not dare to look at him, only able to see with a single glance.

I got out of my chair and approached Fatih. Leaving behind Harsa who was sitting while looking at me from a distance. "Say, he said your brother can't come here."

"yeah. Continue to Bang Andra not nitipin Qur'an translate that word, brother? Got me, I'll be punished again. The punishment was the twitching, " Fatih grumbled after sipping water and dousing his hair to make it feel fresh.

"Yes have a sister if so. Take it to the room first."

Three minutes later, I returned and handed over the Quran to Fatih.

"False, Brother. Oh yes, whose generation of brothers smoking, Brother? He said he wanted to go to trial, huh?"

Astagfirullah, it turns out that Fatih did not know that it was his own brother. What if she finds out her brother's going to trial? Fatih in this pesantren not yet one year, he is not too comfortable if from what I see. What if her sister gets kicked out?

I pat Fatih's shoulder. "The flick back to the dormitory keeps bathing, get ready for the mosque. I'll get punished again, you know."

***

The burden on my shoulder has decreased. I felt much better after telling Umi Devi what happened to Andra. I said everything with the words that I had packed so well that Umi Devi would not worry too much about her second child. It was not in vain that I studied psychology.

Although Umi Devi had cried when she heard that, but at least Umi Devi already knew the state of her son. However, a mother has the right to know the difficulties faced by her baby. It would be more painful if he suddenly got word his son had been expelled. Whatever adult a child may be, it still needs a mother's do'a. With a do'a from Umi Devi, Insyaallah Andra gets the best.

"Andra's finished yet, huh, the trial?" my murmurs slowly while standing near the gate of the Teacher Council building.

Aidha who had walked in front of me looked back. "Seli, ayok. What's in there?"

While still looking towards the courtroom located on the second floor, I made a small run towards Aidha. "Wait, Dha."

After finishing tahfidz and Isya prayers, Aidha invited me to buy snacks at the store. Afterwards, I deliberately took Aidha through the Teacher Council building. In case Andra finishes the trial, I can just ask. May the result be good, O Allah.

"Selci ... ."

I heard Andra's voice calling my name from a distance.

***