MOON IN PESANTREN

Does He?

5 years later.

This tired body I leaned on the back of the chair. Closing your eyes for a moment. This job is pretty tired of me. However, I am very grateful for all the help, ease, and enjoyment that God has given me. His goodness can never be counted.

I'm the one who failed to get into college through SNMPTN. Apparently, after I was more active in studying for UTBK which of course accompanied by do’a, Alhamdulillah with God's permission I was able to be accepted in the Psychology study program through the SBMPTN pathway.

Although I was in the boarding school from IPA, but I was determined to enter Psychology, a study program that is usually in great demand by IPS majors. I got accepted at the campus where Zahra and Harsa received medicine through SNMPTN. Time goes on, my college days are over. Now I work as a Human Resource Department (HRD) in a company.

My eyes stared at the scene outside my work window. Seeing such a bright sky, gave color to every step of the breadwinners and blessings. Memories take me to the day that Andra expresses his feelings for me, which manages to make me happy to mix up sad at one time. Actually I didn't expect Andra to say it. I thought she would never be able to reveal that because in her heart she still had feelings for the woman who was her first love. The other one is Adelia Princess.

My phone's vibrating. An incoming call from someone whose whereabouts are very far away.  He is Zafar Candra Manaf. The man, who is usually called Andra, is still in Ankara, Turkey. Since two months ago, I've been waiting for him.

“Wa’allaikumsalam.” I answered Andra's greeting over the phone.

“You are no longer busy, are you?” This was a question he always asked at the beginning of every conversation.

There was a small smile on my lips, then replied, “No, kok.”

“I have good news for you. Not for you, but for both of us. Want denger?”

“Bby. What tuh?”

“I go home to indo next week,” Andra said a little whisper.

My eyes widen. “Serious?”

“Iya dong seriously. Same time would-be wife, I lied.”

There was a smile on my lips. Then I gave thanks in my heart. This will be the first meeting since five years. We never met not because Andra never came home, but because of our own wishes.

The expression of Andra's feelings for me on the day of the pesantren return did not make us bound by status, did not make us wait for each other, did not make us limit ourselves when close to the other. At that time we both agreed to be friends as usual, as if nothing had ever happened.

Why that? For we know that God has written a soul mate for His servant. No matter how strong we are, if God says we are not a match, we will never be united. Conversely, no matter how far apart, if paired, it will still be met.

“Alhamdulillah, Dra. Seneng. May you survive to your destination. I'm waiting for you here.”

“Aamiin. How are you doing now? Inget yes, although busy, you can not be late to eat.”

“Siap. This is the same agreement you want to have lunch outside.”

“Oh? Yeah, well, if that's how the phone closes first. Let you eat. Later we continue to chat.”

“OK. Assalamualaikum, Zafar Candra Manaf.”

Andra chuckled and replied, “Wa’allaikumsalam, Selina Mufida.”

When I was in college, I used to like each other with men who were an organization with me but we didn't have the same thoughts. We often have different opinions and do not fit in. After that, I once liked kating in my faculty, it turns out he also likes me, but he only stated it when he was betrothed by his parents. And now my faculty-level brother is married. So, I accepted when Andra intended to abuse me.

...*** ...

After work, I took the time to visit Zahra's house and stay there because Zahra's husband was still in the boarding house. Understandably, her husband was an Ustadz in our former boarding school. They bought a house near the home of Ustadz Zidan's parents, coincidentally located not far from the hospital where Zahra now carries out coas or Doctoral Professional Education. We still meet often because we live in the same city.

“Sel, when was the last time you communicated with Harsa? zahra asked as she sat down beside me and enjoyed the snack in her hand.

I looked at Zahra with a probing look. “What's up? How did you suddenly talk about Harsa?” I took the remote and changed the television broadcast. “Don't discuss Harsa again, Ra. I have nothing to do with him. Never mind having a relationship, I chat with him already never from five years ago.”

“Iya-iya.” Zahra. “So gini, I read the group my friends in college first. They discussed Harsa who said she wanted to whip girls.”

I took a snack in Zahra's hand. “Indeed why would Harsa want to preach girls? It's good dong. We are now in the age to get married. He will follow you means.”

“Yes, Alhamdulillah. I was just wondering who that girl was. Kan Harsa never fancied any girl during college. Until now has entered the koas time only he is still single.”

“Hemm. Continues?”

“You know yourself, Harsa is very famous on campus because he is the chairman of BEM FK, even many girls who have a crush on him from the era in pesantren until now. Many say anyway, the reason Harsa rejects the girl who has a crush on him because Harsa has not been able to move on from the woman he likes time in pesantren. The girl he loves at school is you. The question is, who is the woman he will preach. Is that you, Sel?”

“Do not ngaco, Ra,” my word flat.

Where could it be me. Even though we were a college, we were not as close as we used to be. Five years ago Harsa decided to take away her feelings for me. Moreover, he served as the chairman of BEM Faculty of Medicine, to say hello to him I was insecure. I'm sure the woman who managed to take Harsa's heart must be beautiful, kind, accomplished and certainly sincere. Until someone like Harsa intends to preach it.

Zahra still did not give up. “I'm sure that Harsa still likes you until now, Sel.”

I sighed softly, then looked at Zahra seriously. “Don't talk about Harsa again yeah, Ra. Harsa liked me five years ago. It's not ethical that until now I still assume he had feelings like before. Especially now that he wants to kill someone. I committed to Andra two months ago, Ra.”

Zahra hugged me tight. “Sorry, Cell. I'm just afraid you're disappointed again with Andra. I want you to have the right man who can make you happy. From now on, whatever your decision, I will support it. While it does not make you sad.”

“Makasih, Zahra.”

Andra and Adelia both studied in Turkey and attended the same university. For foreign students, tomer or Turkish language courses are mandatory requirements to attend lectures there. The program is run for one year. During that one year, Andra and Adelia would often be together if I saw from Adelia's factory.

I don't know if it's true they're just friends like Andra said they were. But they still liked each other. That's what Zahra was worried about, she was afraid that I would be disappointed in Andra again.

Five years ago, Andra and I agreed to forget our feelings and move on with each other. Until two months ago, Andra contacted me and told me that she had never had any relations with Adelia while in Turkey. They are just ordinary friends.

The conversation Andra and Adelia had over the phone that I heard on the day of the boarding school was right that they made a pact to meet. They meet to prepare for their college enrollment only. That's what Andra told me. Adelia already has a fiancee. I finally decided to accept the goodwill of Andra who wanted to worship me after he returned from Turkey. But is he really the soul mate that God has destined me for?

...*** ...

...Don't forget Vote yaa💜...