My Choice of Woman

Episode 1's

“A woman should be able to cook. Pity if you are married but can not cook, indeed her husband wants to be fed what?” said Jihan.

“Cooking does not seem to be a requirement for marriage. There are men who match women who can not cook,” Balqis reply to disagree on the statement of Jihan.

“How do you think, do women who are going to get married should be able to cook first?” ask Jihan to Farah.

“In my opinion, even though the woman can not cook, she will try hard to learn to cook for her loved ones,” replied Farah.

Balqis and Jihan. They were Farah's best friends since entering High School. Today is the last day of the national exam. In a few months Farah, Balqis and Jihan will graduate from high school. It's time to be mature to choose the path to take for the future. Work? The lecture? Or fix yourself to get married.

“I agree with Farah, yes at least cooking activities can still be learned,” Balqis said.

“Today talking about marriage problems? Did you pass this you want to get married?” ask Farah who had listened to the topic of the discussion of her two friends.

“Not so fast anyway. At least we can plan for the future. Do you want to marry Far?” tanya Jihan was accompanied by laughter.

“The future may be planned, but I am not ready if I have to marry young. I want to go to college first.”

“Farah, we can discourse but God determines. If you meet a soul mate today how? And suddenly there's a guy who proposes to you how? If Allah has willed then you can what Far?” balqis said softly.

"It looks like our topic is off the mark. Not the initial intention we want to learn about entering college huh?” kilah Farah while opening the veil she was wearing earlier.

“Astaghfirullah Farah, how do you open the hijab anyway? Your hair!” Balqis.

“Balqis, we are just three women all, after all our basecamp is also closed so it is safe to open the hijab here,” reply Jihan defended Farah.

Balqis was the most religious person among Farah and Jihan. She was used to wearing a long headscarf. Even wearing a dress that matches the color of the hijab. Sometimes Balqis also wears a veil when going hangout. It doesn't matter to Farah and Jihan, the important thing is that they're together.

If Balqis is very close to her aura, Farah and Jihan are different. Although to go out of the house and to school wearing a hijab but not as long as Balqis wear. Jihan prefers a contemporary and fashionable hijab style. While Farah wears a hijab if there is a need, if at home Farah let her hair down.

Their basecamp was behind Balqis' house. It used to be an unused warehouse. Two years ago after getting permission from Ustad Ahmad— his father Balqis, finally this warehouse can be used for them to study together or just read a book.

This basecamp is more than enough for 3 people. There was even one bookcase of novels purchased at a bookstore or book bazaar in their city. In total there were 45 books they bought since first grade High School. To save money, they usually buy different novels, if they are finished reading, then they exchange novels with each other.

“You are planning to major in what? if I was a farm,” asked Jihan in silence.

“If I majored in education,” Balqis replied.

“If you are Far, what majors would you like to major?” ask Jihan.

“No target yet.”

***

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh, Ma Farah home,” greetings Farah when entering her house.

“Wa’alaikumussalam warahmatullah wabarakatuh, from anywhere just came home?” mama asked while busy preparing the dishes for dinner.

Farah kissed her mother's hand, “From Balqis Ma's house, Farah was already saying goodbye to papa.”

“Hormally, your Papa must have forgotten not to tell Mama.”

Farah smiled seeing her mother upset. “Other times if Farah wants to go, will be alone with Mama,” said Farah to calm her mother.

“Yes, yes next time you have to pay to Mama too. Farah please help Mama, bring this food to the dining table ya.”

“There will be guests, huh Ma? Mama cook a lot?”

“Iya. Aunt Lia wants to come here.”

“Tante Lia, who's Ma? Friend Mama?”

“Farah forgot yes, Aunt Lia that took care of you from the baby, when Mama was still working first.”

Ah later also met, thought Farah who was pacing around like an iron taking dishes containing side dishes from the kitchen to the dining table.

After Isya the person who was waiting finally came. Shady woman with motherly face. Wearing a black robe and hood.

Beautiful, thought Farah.

Aunt Lia is with a handsome man and is younger than Aunt Lia. Farah guessed it must be Aunt Lia's son.

“Wah, already big yes Farah, now what age Farah?” aunty Lia asked as she shook hands with Farah while stroking Farah's head.

“It's been 19 years Auntie,” replied Farah.

“Don't call aunty, just call Mommy huh?”

“Iya Mother.”

Dinner is in progress. Only Mama, Papa and Aunt Lia— mother who is chatting with cool. The guy only spoke very irately. Introducing his name Ilham, the second child of Lia's mother. Only talk when asked. Farah could guess from the look on her face, if the man was very uncomfortable and might be bored with this dinner.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Lia's mother and her son returned home. Farah helps clean and wash dishes and dirty glasses that are on the dining table.

“Farah, according to Farah how was Ilham?” ask Mama the real question which surprised Farah a little.

“Handsome,” replied Farah briefly.

“Farah likes?”

Farah scrunched her forehead. “Means Mama?” I was confused by my question this time.

"Indeed from the first Mama, Papa and Aunt Lia kepengen so besan.”

“Mama want to mate me! Ma, Farah has not graduated from school.” Farah was a little shocked at Mama's statement.

“Farah is already big, after all Nak Ilham is also good, the moral is also good, and in financial terms it can be said to be well established,” said Mama reassured.

“Mama, Farah wants to go to college. Farah is not ready for marriage,” Farah protests.

“But, Mama wants the best for you dear.”

“Best? Best for whom! For Farah or Mama? Sorry Ma, I have my own choice. I have the right to choose my own life.” Farah sobbed, running towards her room.

“Mama just wanted to see Farah happy Pa,” said the mother who also sobbed at her husband who had been quietly listening to the conversation between mother and child.

Papa nodded in agreement. “Already Ma, already,” Calm his wife, “We appreciate Farah's decision.”

***

A black car drove smoothly on the deserted road. The inspiration driving the car was a little surprised by the question from the mother.

“Nak Farah you think is beautiful?”

“The name is also female, it must be beautiful.”

“Meanour Mother, Inspiration likes not the same nak Farah?”

“Mother, she is very childish, she is still in High School and has not graduated,” replied Ilham who actually knows the direction of the conversation between herself and her Mother. “After all, I have no intention of getting married. I'm still busy Bun.”

“You are always busy with your own business. Every time you go to work, you are lonely at home. Mommy wants you to get married immediately so that someone accompanies Mommy at home.”

This time, the inspiration answered nothing. Quiescent. No more conversations, Ilham just focuses on driving this car to get to the destination quickly. A little upset, Ilham wanted to obey his mother's request to join the dinner.