Not Nackal, Nurul!

Where is Icha?

“Om, actually Icha hurts what, Om?” ask Nurul to Mr. Sudarsono.  “Since childhood Icha always spoiled.  Just a little headache immediately asked to be found a drug in the pharmacy, although actually not being really a headache.  Icha may have fought with friends at school, or there are things that humiliate him, that's all,” said Mr. Sudarsono.

Nurul, who knew Icha a little, confirmed the word.  Since Icha was close to Nurul, Icha began to replace her dependence on drugs with herbal teas made by Nurul.  Often Nurul only make mild herbal teas to give a relaxing effect.

“Icha told Om that Nurul often gave him tea and began to rarely take chemical drugs.  Icha is sick in the defense of her body, Nurul.  Since staying away from Nurul, the habit has arisen again.  Icha is easily sick and exhausted and perhaps Om will drop his studies in the Middle East. Icha should not be far from Om,” said Mr. Sudarsono.

“The body of Icha rejects all types of medical treatment, can no longer take chemical drugs, let alone chemical treatment, as sophisticated as any of it.  Icha suffers from an abnormality in her white blood cells, Nurul.  Only alternative medicine can help.  Om sure, the treatment you can rely on the most,” continued Mr. Sudarsono.

Hearing that, Nurul's mind seemed to be sliced.  It was as if he had just been dragged back to his mother's critical mediation.  “Nurul is afraid of failure, Om,” said Nurul bowed lethargic.  “One's journey is destiny, there is no need to be a burden to you.  Those who leave will not return,” said Mr. Sudarsono.  Hearing that, Nurul's father was astonished.  Nurul's father raised a part of his eyebrows.  Did Mr Sudarsono just quip Nurul against his late mother?

Nurul's father knew very well the conversation between Mr. Sudarsono and Nurul.  It was as if the two of them had been communicating with each other all along about the woman's departure.  Not with Nurul.  Nurul.  Why is Mr Sudarsono's word so accurate?  Nurul looked at his father and then Mr. Sudarsono.  Was it all this time behind him, his father was secretly talking about it?  The words of Mr. Sudarsono have made each of them harbor different suspicions.

Waiting for Nurul's refutation that never came out of his mouth, Mr. Sudarsono continued his persuasion.  “Whatever Om will do for Icha.  Ustadz, I can double my donation to this foundation.  Even Nurul's tuition can be my responsibility.  For the sake of Icha,” said Mr. Sudarsono firmly.

Nurul and Nurul's father rounded their eyes and looked at each other.  “Emh, indeed the affection of parents no one can afford it, there is no price for material of any size for the sake of that affection.  For us, the material is not the main reason to help Icha.  Nurul already considers Icha as his own sister, Icha for me is my son too,” said Nurul's father.

“So, we've come to our deal?” said Mr. Sudarsono with sumringah.  Nurul nodded and his father looked at Nurul with a smile.  For Nurul, this is also his opportunity to provide a way out of financial problems in this boarding school.  Moreover, Nurul has a desire to go to college.  It would be very difficult if you only rely on the income of his parents to finance him to college.

“Sorry, Icha.  Not that I'm selfless.  But I'm in need of help from your family too, Nurul's inner”.

“So we leave tomorrow morning, yes?” said Mr. Sudarsono.  “Emh, do you rest here?  The journey up to here just arrived earlier,” persuaded Nurul's father.  “There is no more time.  I am worried about the condition of Icha,”, said Mr. Sudarsono.  “Good, Om.  What time do we leave?  Let me immediately pack if the departure is right in the morning,” said Nurul.  “Not early in the morning right.  I'm afraid I haven't woken up.  Ten o'clock,” said Mr. Sudarsono.  “I have arranged a flight on time when I arrived in Surabaya,” he continued.

Nurul and Nurul's father breathed a sigh of relief.  There was still time for Nurul to stay longer in this place.  However, between Nurul and her father, both feel heavy to separate. 

*

Time pass.  Nurul was still doing activities at the mosque at dawn as usual.  A kitchen worker approached Nurul.

“Propositions, you want to go to Jakarta?” said panic.  The fat woman felt lost when Nurul went that far.  The woman's words had caught the attention of Nurul's other junior friends.

“Ssst... Why does Bhibbik know where?” is from nurul said in a soft voice after pulling the fat woman aside.  “Important subject, Rul.  But right?” said the woman.  “Iya, right.  Later ten o'clock Nurul departs,” replied Nurul.  “Yes, Allah. Mak de iyye? Bhibbik is sad, Rul.  Later Bhibbik prepare your favorite snacks for you to bring, huh?" said the fat lady.

“MBAAK... MBAK NURUL... “ call other santriwati to Nurul.  “YAA..?” Nurul waved his hand after saying.  “Just later if you want to leave first with Bhibbik, yes, Rul,” said the fat woman ended her conversation.

*

That time also arrived, where Nurul will leave with Mr. Sudarsono and his rental driver.  The pesantren are all over Nurul.  The atmosphere is exactly the same as those who take the departure of pilgrims or Umrah.  Nurul is a figure that is so popular and liked in this pesantren, especially among santriwati.

There are also several communities outside the pesantren complex that drove Nurul to the rental car of Mr. Sudarsono.  After kissing his father's hand, Nurul said his greetings and waved away.  Seemed lost from the look on his father's face that he tried to hide.  

“God's Mass.  Why is it so dramatic?  Nurul will be gone for a while, at least one month.  Why am I so melancholy?” inner father Nurul.  Nurul's father chuckled and waved to Nurul, indicating that Nurul's departure did not make him too sad.

*

The car drove too.  “Yes geez.. It turns out that is so if there are villagers who want to go.  The motorcade was very excited,” said Mr. Sudarsono.  The term ‘orang kampung’ caught Nurul's attention and he immediately looked at Mr. Sudarsono.  Looks like Mr. Sudarsono wasn't that arrogant before.

Looking at Nurul who suddenly looked at him from behind a mirror on the ceiling in the car, Mr. Sudarsono chuckled.  I mean Om, in big cities are no longer found like that.  Hate also yes if here,” said Mr. Sudarsono who tried to improve his speech in front of Nurul.  But, still the tone and expression of Mr. Sudarsono still looks so haughty.

*

Nurul was on a plane for the first time, then he walked in a large airport.  So large and contains souvenir shops, food, and facilities that resemble a mall.  Nurul endured her admiration.  He did not want to be seen in front of Mr. Sudarsono who increasingly showed his arrogant attitude as a rich man.

The grueling journey paid off when Mr. Sudarsono's private driver picked them up and took them to Mr. Sudarsono's residence.  On the left and right side of the road are rows of tall buildings.  Nurul did not expect to be able to see the sights of the metropolitan capital that he had only seen from television.

The journey ends in a grand mansion.  Nurul got out of the car and was immediately greeted by helpers who then brought Nurul's luggage.  “Welcome, Nurul!”  A socialite-style woman greeted him.  “Thank you, Auntie.  Can I find Icha now?” nurul asked without caring who was in front of him.

The woman and Mr. Sudarsono looked at each other.  “Mas?  Mas did not say that.. “ said the woman hesitated.  “Where is Icha? Aunty? Om?” nurul asked once again still with his smile.  Seeing that the two people in front of him did not answer him, instead using facial expression sign language, Nurul was suspicious.  “Di... mana.. I... cha... “ said Nurul lowered his voice while frowning his forehead.

What secret are these two people playing?