My Bow to the Destiny of Love

Meeting (Part 2)

"Why Ustadz called Ayra by the name of Zahra."

"It's more beautiful to say and easier to call my mouth."

Chayra remained silent without responding to Ghibran's reply.

"Zara.."

"Mm.."

"You sitting or standing?"

"I'm sitting at the door, Ustadz."

"Don't call me Ustadz, Zahra!"

"But I'm not comfortable."

"A man like me doesn't deserve to be called Ustadz. An Ustadz can always keep their eyes and heart from sin. While I am just a leleki hina who always think of a woman who I want to immediately stop. So that I don't sin when I think about it."

Chayra was silent. Not knowing what to respond to the Ghibran's long sentence.

"Zahra, why are you quiet?"

"I don't know what to say."

"Aren't you going to ask, who is the woman I mean?"

"I have no right to ask that. Because it's Ustadz's personal business."

"What if that woman is you?"

"I don't trust myself to say the woman Ustadz meant is me."

"Don't call me Ustadz, Zahra."

"I'm not as confident as it is to say the woman that Ghibran meant is me."

Ghibran developed his smile. "I'm so glad to hear your answer."

"Mm.."

"Zara.."

"Mm.."

"But the woman I want to stop is you."

Silent

Ghibran is still faithfully awaiting answers from Chayra.

Not getting Chayra's answer. They were surprised by Tania's bomb-like voice.

"B. aa.. True to my guess, Ustadz Ghibran will take Ayra ta'aruf. Tega once Ustadz did this to us."

Saras smothered Tania's mouth. "Why are you so loud, Nia?! We're just here with Ayra. Don't fuck around, you!"

Tania nodded as she tried to pull Saras hand firmly in her mouth. "But I can't hear Ustadz Ghibran's words to Ayra."

Ghibran lowered his head, trying to digest Tania's intentions. "Zahra, what happened to Tania?"

"He's a big fan of Ghibran's."

"really?" Ghibran was shocked to hear that.

"Don't ask again. I've already given the answer to Brother."

Ghibran chuckles. Her heart grew more and more flowery hearing Ayra call her Big Brother.

"Sister.."

"Yes, Zahra.."

"What exactly is the purpose of my brother asking me to meet."

"As Tania said earlier."

"What?"

The ghibran breathed deeply. "Chayra Azzahra, listen to me."

"Yes, Brother."

"I Ghibran Abdullah would like to invite you to ta'aruf. So that we get to know each other better. And may God allow us to complete each other."

Saras and Tania whispered to each other. "It's usually very official, like people want a proposal."

Tania simply nodded her head in approval of Saras' words.

Never get an answer, Ghibran's feelings so not because of. Fear of rejection from Chayra. He dared to ask." Zahra, are you still there?"

"Yes, Brother. I'm still here." That's the short answer Ghibran received from Chayra.

"I'm waiting for your answer."

"I'm not old enough, brother." Chayra replied slightly stuttered.

"I'm not going to ask you to marry me right away, Zahra. I just wanted to invite you to ta'aruf, so that we get to know each other better. I also need your answers to be sure so that this feeling can calm down."

"Sir Ghibran doesn't know me yet."

"That's why I want to know you."

"What if I refuse?"

"I'd be very disappointed to hear that."

"Give me time to make a choice."

"How many days?"

"Depends on when God gives us guidance."

"You want to pray Istikharah first."

"That's religious advice when we have trouble making two choices."

"Subhanallah, you are amazing. But, is it that hard for you to give me an answer?"

"Astagfirullahal'adzim, forgive me, Zahra."

"Sorry for what, brother?"

"I'm sorry for being reckless. And.. Zahras.."

"Yes, Brother."

"Can I expect to get a yes from you?"

"Don't expect too much, brother. It is not good to expect too much from humans. God's destiny is certain."

Ghibran recites istighfar. He felt defeated deep in maturity thinking of a Chayra Azzahra who was a child yesterday afternoon.

"Sir Ghibran!"

Ghibran gasped in shock at hearing his name being mentioned by Chayra.

"Can I go back to the hostel now?"

Hearing Chayra's question, Ghibran got up and opened the door for Chayra.

Chayra who was also already standing was surprised to see the door that suddenly opened wide.

They stared at each other trying to digest the raging feeling within each other's chests. They smiled while holding back the growing debate.

Chayra looked down but could not lie. His smile held a sense of admiration for the figure of a handsome man who was still smiling and looking at him with a gaze no less amazed.

"Astagfirullahal.." The two said Istighfar simultaneously and both looked down. Realizing their sins for too long to see each other.

"Come, go ahead, please." Ghibran allowed the three girls to leave him.

Tania first came out and led the line.

However, just a few steps...

"Wait!" The three turned back to hear the voice of Ghibran stop their steps.

"Zara.."

"Yes, Brother." Chayra raised her face and looked at Ghibran at a glance.

"Ana. ana uhibopen fillah.."

Chayra. His face was hot because it was red. His smile rattled at the recognition of the Ghibran. Heart's blossoming. He immediately lowered his head so that Ghibran would not be free to see his cheeks blushing red.

"Waahh, Ustadz Ghibaran is really cool. I also want dong, in a romantic like that." Tania felt her cheeks that were joined in red hearing Ghibran's words earlier.

Anxious Saras looked at Tania's excessive behavior, approached and directly touched Tania's forehead violently.

"Aaww, Saras, what the hell are you doing?!" Tania protest that directly rubbed her forehead that was a bit red because of Saras's actions

"You slurped by the way. You realize who you're talking to?!"

Ghibran just smiled at their behavior.

"Let's go back." Chayra pulled the hands of her two friends. They left the Ghibran still standing staring at Chayra's back which was getting further away from him.

* * *

After performing the Dhuha prayer, Chayra walked hand in hand with Saras. Tania was not present at the Assembly of Ta'lim. Saras said, Tania was hot cold after returning from the Ta'lim Assembly yesterday. He still does not believe that Ghibran really mngajak Chayra ta'aruf.

Chayra also does not believe that Tania is sick because of it.

Just gonna sit on the long bench where they used to hang out. Chayra saw Mr. Ismail waving at her in front of the house. Chayra abandoned her intention to sit down.

"What's up, Ayra?" Ask Saras.

"I think Abah called me."

Saras turned his head towards Ismail, who was still standing in front of his house. "Yes, Ayra. Then I'll go to the dorm. Maybe Abah wants to say something to you." Saras quickly left Chayra who had also walked closer to Mr. Ismail.

"Assalamualaikum, Abah.." Chayra grabbed Ismail's hand and kissed him.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, son." Smiling and rubbing Chayra's head.

"What's up, Abah. Tumben early in the morning called Ayra."

Mr. Ismail smiled again and invited Chayra to sit on the porch of the house. "There's something Abah wants to ask you."

"What's that about, Abah?"

"About Ghibran."

Chayra was surprised. However, he tried to remain calm and looked back at Mr. Ismail." What happened to Ghibran's brother, Abah?"

"Last night Abah met him. And he told me about the results of his meeting yesterday with you."

Chayra looked embarrassed, her face red. But he tried to avoid the gaze of Mr. Ismail.

"Why don't you give him an answer right away, son?"

"Kan, Abah taught Ayra to pray istikharah before making a choice." Chayra still did not dare to look at Mr. Ismail because the red hue on his face had not disappeared.

"Do you still doubt his seriousness, son?"

"It's not so, Abah. But, Ayra was only afraid that it would be wrong to make a decision."

"It's you like this that makes Abah so proud of you, son."

"I mean, Abah?"

"You're a strong woman, son. Not wavering even in suguhi various kinds of words that shake."

Bu Ainun suddenly appeared at the door. Her face was slightly wrinkled looking at her husband. "Breakfast first, Abah. The kid just got home, and was invited to talk. It's nine o'clock, it's past breakfast."

"Yes Ummi, honey. Don't be mad, dong, it's still morning."

"That don't mess around if you don't want punishment."

"Come on, Abah. Ummi will ride on the apitam." Chayra whispered near Mr. Ismail's ear. Not daring to speak in a loud voice afraid of the tantrum of Ms. Ainun. Mr. Ismail nodded while giggling.

"What do you whisper to each other?!" Ms. Ainun looked at Mr. Ismail and Chayra with a cynical look.

"Secret.." Say the two together and then run inside. Leaving behind the still irritated Bu Ainun.

* * *