NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#152
"Abdul khalik! Abdul Khalik!" call Nyai Mustiani half yelling. He came out of his room and stepped out of the house. He stopped for a moment on the porch of the house watching the rain that still fell heavily. After that he went down and stopped in front of Abdul Khalik's room. Master Izzul Islam who was lying in his room, and was just about to fall asleep, immediately woke up to hear the call. He tried to catch the direction of Nyai Mustiani's foot between the sounds of rain. I don't know what his mother needs until these nights he was looking for abdul Khalik. Master Izzul Islam glanced at the wall clock. It's 12 o'clock at night. The rain is still out there. This time more often wind. Because no more Nyai Mustiani sounds were heard outside, Master Izzul Islam decided to continue his sleep.
Abdul Khalik immediately opened the door to his room when several times he was heard pounding outside his room. It was as if he had just woken up from his sleep.
"I, Ms. Nyai," Abdul Khalik said when he saw Nyai Mustiani standing at the door.
"You call the children and tell them to go to the mother's room" Nyai Mustiani said. Abdul khalik nodded his head. After saying that, Nyai Mustiani turned around and returned to her room.
* * * * *
Suhaini, Zulhiyani and Jamilah, the three santriwati who accompanied Nyai Mustiani every night in her room, could only look at each other after their gazes simultaneously pointed towards the wall clock. It's 3 p.m. Already this late, Nyai Mustiani has not also told them to return to their respective rooms. They were already feeling so tired with the position of sitting together beside Nyai Mustiani. Their hands also felt sore because they continued to take turns kneading Nyai Mustiani's body. Plus, their stomachs are starting to feel hungry.
Nyai Mustiani turned one by one towards them.
"Suhaini, and you, Jamilah, you two can go back to the dorm. Zulhiyani stayed a while. There's something I want to talk about" Nyai Mustiani said. The three looked at each other again. Especially Zulhiyani who was told to stay. He looked agitated as his two friends got up and left him.
Nyai Mustiani smiled and got up. Zulhiyani who sat on the edge of the bed told him to get closer. Rather hesitantly and timidly, Zulhiyani shifted her body and drew closer to where Nyai Mustiani was pointing at.
Nyai Mustiani then stepped towards the small closet in the corner of her room. From inside the closet, he took out a small box where the ring was black. For a moment he looked at the box in his hand. He smiled to himself and let out a long sigh.
Nyai Mustiani closed her closet and stepped towards the bed. Zulhiyani who was watching Nyai Mustiani questioningly, immediately lowered her head as Nyai Mustiani turned around and stepped towards her. The cold sweat that gathered on his forehead occasionally rubbed him. Heart's pounding. He did not understand why Nyai Mustiani told him to stay alone in the room.
Nyai Mustiani threw her body slowly on the bed. He took one of Zulhiyani's hands and told him to come closer. The ring box was placed in front of Zulhiyani and opened it. A gold ring with a diamond head the size of a soybean seed, seemed to be glittering under the light of a lamp in the middle of the room. Zulhiyani sighed softly as she glanced towards the ring. Nyai Mustiani smiled.
"This ring is deliberately kept for the future wife of Master. I bought this ring fifteen years ago. This time I took it out again. You're the only person I'm showing you this ring." Nyai Mustiani took the ring. Zulhiyani's left hand was in his hands. Zulhiyani's hands shook violently. He had pulled his hand when Nyai Mustiani was about to insert the ring into his ring finger.
Cold sweat poured from Zulhiyani's forehead and neck. He felt numb when he realized the ring was now attached to his ring finger. Feeling inappropriate, he attempts to get the ring back out, but Nyai Mustiani immediately prevents him.
"You can't take it off before I say. I'm not satisfied to see that ring on your ring finger. The ring must remain there" Nyai Mustiani said.
"But, Miss Nyai?" zulhiyani said in a soft voice trying to resist.
Nyai Mustiani shook her head. Both of Zulhiyani's hands were in his hands. He noticed the ring on Zulhiyani's ring finger. A small smile returned to her lips.
"Tonight, this ring will be yours."
"But, Nyai Ma'am. I don't deserve it" Zulhiyani said. Stay with her face down.
"Worthy and not, I determined it. I'm so glad you're wearing that ring. Do you know what that means?"
Zulhiyani shook her head small. Nyai Mustiani smiled.
"If I'm happy to see the ring I bought worn by a girl, it means I'm looking forward to her being Master Teacher's wife" Nyai Mustiani said. Nyai Mustiani's words startled Zulhiyani. He wanted to take the ring off his ring finger, but he was afraid Nyai Mustiani would scold him. She never expected Nyai Mustiani to have her stay alone in her room to tell her that she would be made the future wife of Master Izzul Islam.
"How is. Do you want my mother to marry my son?"
Zulhiyani remained silent. He doesn't know what to answer. At this moment he felt like he was in an empty space without any air. Slender. There was only Nyai Mustiani's voice that echoed in his ears.
Nyai Mustiani smiled. Zulhiyani's head was rubbed.
* * * * *
Master Izzul Islam opened his eyes slowly. It was like hearing the door knock. Master Izzul Islam rubbed his eyes and woke up. The mood seems quiet. There was no sound of rain outside the house. Apparently the rain has stopped.
"Who?"
"It's mommy. Get up and meet mom in the room" Nyai Mustiani said. Master Izzul Islam immediately stepped up to take his black shirt and peci. After that he immediately came out.
Master Izzul Islam knocked on the door of the room when he arrived in front of Nyai Mustiani's room. The drowsiness that still controlled his eyes, made him yawn several times.
The door slowly opened. Master Izzul Islam was so shocked when he saw Zulhiyani standing behind the door inviting him in. Master Izzul Islam scrunched his forehead. Seeing one of the students who often accompanied Nyai Mustiani every night still in the room, he immediately set his gaze towards the wall clock in the room. He didn't see wrong. Almost 4 in the morning. But why did the santriwati still survive in her mother's room?, alone again. Inner Master Izzul Islam curious.
Master Teacher Izzul Islam looked in wonder at Nyai Mustiani who was smiling towards him. Sometimes he glanced at Zulhiyani who was still standing by the door.
"Why is he still here, ma'am. Doesn't she have to go to school tomorrow?" ask Master Izzul Islam when he has sat in front of Nyai Mustiani. Nyai Mustiani smiled as she turned towards Zulhiyani.
"For tomorrow, let him not enter first. She's tired of taking care of mom from now on,"
"But pity, Mom. He is already sleepy" said Master Izzul Islam. Nyai Mustiani did not answer. He holds the shoulders of Master Izzul Islam.
"Son, his name is Zulhiyani. Every night she accompanied me here. I feel comfortable with him. His son is good too. I'm sure she could be a good wife to you,"
"Yes, God..." Master Izzul Islam rubbed his face. He shook his head while squeezing his forehead.
Master Izzul Islam turned his head towards Zulhiyani who was still standing at the door.
"You may return to the dorm" said Master Izzul Islam. Zulhiyani saluted by bowing half her body. After that, he walked out while closing the door.
"Mom, please. No more hasty decisions. The rules in our foundation are clear. Teachers married to one of his students will be subject to dismissal. What would people say if the chairman of the foundation himself broke that rule,"
"That rule is for teachers, not for foundation leaders."
"Yes, Mom. But that doesn't mean the chairman of the foundation is free to do it." Master Guru Izzul Islam gave a long sigh.
"I as the chairman of the foundation often give a briefing to the board of teachers and students to obey all the rules and regulations in the neighborhood of the foundation and boarding school. What people say when I don't do what I say. I beg you, Ma. This time think carefully." Nyai Mustiani smiled.
"It has. Mom thought about it carefully. Like, if this is food, the food is overripe so it can not be eaten again," said Nyai Mustiani lightly.
"Astaghfirullah, Mom. Why is it that mom wants to see me married soon, it's messed up like this."
"You how. It's your complicated mind that's messed up." Nyai Mustiani patted a pillow nearby. He then laid his head on a pillow.
"It has. Now you can get out. I gave Zulayha a ring that I bought fifteen years ago. You are officially engaged to her. Come on, I'm going to sleep" said Nyai Mustiani. He immediately closed his eyes and deliberately did not pay attention to Master Izzul Islam who still seemed to want to protest with the decision Nyai Mustiani.
Seeing Nyai Mustiani as if he no longer wanted to continue his conversation, Master Izzul Islam rose and stepped weakly out of the room.
