MOON IN PESANTREN

Outside of Conjecture

Streets with trees lined up on the edges of the crowded twelfth-grade students.  We were marching towards the building that had an auditorium on its highest floor. The building is adjacent to the main gate of the pesantren. The sound of knocking coming from the foot steps in the shoes dominated. Like princesses, the santri nisa use slippers and wedges with attractive colors. There are those who wear traditional clothing Sumatra, Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Sunda, Betawi and various clothes from other regions that are characteristic. Colorful as if animals and plants were welcoming us.

Initially this anniversary event will be held at night so that more can feel. However, the proposal of submission of activities was rejected by the Teacher Council on the grounds that it was feared would bring harm. So we chose to do this in the morning. The head of the force and his colleagues arranged the line to remain conducive until entering the auditorium.

Elevator door opens. I and some of my friends arrived in front of the auditorium. Staring how beautiful the decorations made by the team since two days ago. Decorations featuring the diversity of customs in Indonesia. A large banner inscribed with ‘Happy Anniversary’ is emblazoned above the main door with flickering lights adorning it.

“Great decoration,” praise Syilla after sitting in her chair.

“It. The decor team is a huge totality, right?” Dilla as the decor team answered Syilla's praise.

Bungong jeumpa, bungong jeumpa

Meugah in Aceh

Bungong teuleube, teuleube

Lovely lagoina ...

Aceh regional song titled ‘Bungong Jeumpa’ echoed in the auditorium, providing a happy atmosphere. We who had been sitting on this red chair turned to the door, watching the people of Adam enter through the main door. Many of them use blangkon as head coverings, batik or safari clothes and various other customs.

The formal host stood up, opening the event. Continued remarks by the Teacher Council along with staff and reports of the managing chairman. Do not forget to sing the song Indonesia Raya, the whole stand.

“The next event, the recitation of the holy verses of Al-Qur’an and Sari Tilawah. To Harsa Al-Hafidz and Az-Zahra Maulida, please.” Zafran and Maryam as the host invited. Harsa and Zahra who were sitting behind the host's chair, stood up, reciting some verses from Surah Al-Baqarah.

“Keren really them, the clothes make that agreement,” said Nisa who sat at the corner.

“On couple ih. I'm not couple with anyone.” Syilla.

Iffah pulled the tissue on the table towards him. “No need to think about a pair of clothes, just wait for a halal couple.” He patted his face that began to dry while reflecting.

Aidha patted my shoulder. Asking me to look at the santri rijal row seat. Andra was sitting on the side and in line with me, wearing a pair of clothes with the one I was wearing. He looks so cool wearing that outfit.

The show has been taken over by non-formal hosts. Like comedians, they make us laugh out loud by their rants and mannerisms. Traditional dance forms, this year I choose not to follow any appearance, intend to be a spectator only. The band's performance was able to make the entire auditorium sing along while raising their respective applause balloons. Shortly after, Aidha and I covered the toilet in the middle of the show. We chose to go through the side stairs to the 4th floor toilet, because the corridor to the nearest toilet was being used by the friends who were about to perform.

“Sepi really here.” Aidha turned his head to and fro because it seemed like there were only the two of us. “Eh, Cell, it's Harsa, right? Why is he there? Should be on stage.”

I followed Aidha's lead to the end of the corridor on the left before the toilet. “Ndon't know, huh. Yuk, I'm kebelet, nih.” I pulled Aidha's hand to rush towards the toilet.

Getting out of the toilet and getting ready to go up the stairs, I took a look at the place where Harsa was standing. I also wondered if he was there alone. However, it turns out that he was no longer there. “Dha, Harsa really wasn't, anyway?”

Aidha kept walking then turned to look at me with a look of wonder. “Harannah. You mean not how Harsa?” He was silent for a moment, as if remembering something. “What was that delicate creature, huh?”

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward, I also felt Aidha who began to worry, turning to and fro as she continued to walk in this quiet and quite dark corridor. I swallowed quickly. Trying to be relaxed. “No, can Harsa already go earlier.”

“You nyariin me?”

“Aidha, can I ask for help?”

Aidha.

“Please go back to the auditorium first, I want to talk to Seli. Afwan, yes.”

I gawked at what I had just heard from Harsa's mouth. Harsa could have said that, scaring me. “You want to do something? Don't macem-macem, want me to boxing?”

“Emang you think I want what? Mau-”

“Enough, enough. You guys talk, I'll go first. Beware of Harsa if you dare to macem-macem to Seli, abis live you.” Aidha pointed at Harsa's face in a threatening tone.

Just now that I wanted to open my mouth to ban Aidha from leaving, suddenly Harsa turned her head towards me. Makes me awkward. Since it's already this way, then I let it go and anyway I want to know what he's going to say. “You said what?”

“Sorry.” Pause for a few seconds, Harsa continued her sentence. “I'm sorry I can't be Ali bin Abi Thalib who is able to harbor his feelings until the devil doesn't know.”

I stared at Harsa at a glance then chuckled in amusement. “What does Harsa mean? Just go ahead, what do you want to say? Don't use prolog.” I still chuckle a little considering Harsa's previous words.

“I like you. That was aja.”

I'm speechless. Trying to digest Harsa's words. Did I hear wrong? What's all of a sudden Harsa like this to me? Is he kidding? I didn't answer her words, just stared at the wall. Mutely.

“I don't want to know how you feel to me, I don't need to know about it so you don't need to answer anything. I just want to be honest with you because we don't know when our life time will end. Besides, I cape this whole thing, hehe. May what I say today not bring harm to you and myself. If you want to be close or like other guys, no need to feel bad for me. The match is set so I am not afraid to lose my soul mate. After all, I do not know who my soul mate will be," Harsa said firmly.

“Still love me.” That's all I can say to him.

“Yuk get back there. Immediately after the video and shooting sessions. Your clothes are the same couple Andra, said the committee must be a photo together whose clothes are a couple. Make a representative of each custom shirt.” Harsa walked first and I followed her.

“Your clothes are the same Zahra is also a couple.”

“Seli, let's take a photo. Biasalah, I asked to send us our photos.” Andra appeared in front of us all of a sudden.

Why would he know I'm here again? Must be Aidha who said. But, Andra heard Harsa's words earlier no, huh? I hope he hasn't come when Harsa says that.

“Seli ...,” call them together.

“Eeeh, i-yes. Ayok, photos there just so you guys, briefly another photo session, right?” I turned to them in turn, then without waiting for their answer, I immediately walked away from them.

***

Note:

Afwan: Sorry