Red Rose-Love In Three Countries

Dia

"Yes" Yijia again walked behind Sari, until finally they came to a large house made of concrete cement, a house that is quite modern for the villagers.

"Assalamu'alaikum"

"Va'alaikumussalam, Saris. Come on in, Bibi has been waiting for you" Aunty Asih immediately welcomed the arrival of Sari and Yijia, she immediately brought the two of them into the house and sat on the long sofa.

"Aunty's made me drink first" Aunty Asih walked back to the kitchen, leaving Sari and Yijia sitting in the guest room.

"Assalamu'alaikum Kak Sari" the gentle greeting of a tall, pure white young man, his face bright with his natural red lips.

It was very natural if Sari wanted to match him with Yijia, even at a glance they looked very harmonious and suitable.

"Assalamu'alaikum Kak Sari" this time another young man who was no less handsome gave his greetings to Sari. He was almost the same height as Yijia. Although not as white as the other young man, but his skin was very clean. The light of her eyes was very beautiful, her face was shady and peaceful.

"Wa'alaikumussalam, Yusuf, Ustadz" replied Sari, she developed her smile wide.

"Syifa, introduce this Yusuf and this Ustadz Rahim" Sari introduced the two young men to Yijia in turn

"Ustadz, Yusuf, meet Syifa, my niece"

"Assalamu'alaikum" Ustadz Rahim and Joseph together

"Wa'alaikumussalam" Yijia replied, she immediately lowered her head, in shame.

Not long after Aunty Asih came from the kitchen, carrying a few glasses of drinking water. He seemed to have known that there would be many people in the guest room, he brought drinks just like the number of people in the room at this time.

"This please drink" Aunt Asih put the drink she brought from the kitchen earlier, in front of Sari and Yijia.

"Is the problem already solved Joseph?"

"Yet, ma'am, Ustadz helped a lot"

"Thank you Ustadz, let's sit down first"

"Sama-sama Bi, it was Joseph who worked very hard. But sorry Bi, Rahim said goodbye first, there's still other business"

"Oh so, yes have been careful on the road, once again thank you" said Bibi, who was only met with a small nod and charming smile from the young Ustadz.

"Asslamu'alaikum" he said, kissing Aunty Asih's hand

"Wa'alaikumussalam" Bi Asih replied, ushering in the departure of Ustadz Rahim at the doorstep.

After the young Ustadz left, Bi Asih went back to Yijia and Sari. Joseph wanted to leave, but was soon stopped by his mother.

"Yusuf wait, sit down first. Remember what I said earlier, there is someone I want to introduce you to" Bi Asih sat on the sofa, beside Yijia.

Hearing his mother's order to return and sit there, Yusuf immediately obeyed what his mother said. Joseph sat opposite Jijiah and Sari, and looked at his mother, with astonished eyes.

"It's Syifa"

Joseph just shook his head, responding to his mother's words. He didn't ask any questions, as this wasn't the first time his mother had introduced a girl to him. The average girl from the village he already knew, but different from Yijia who he had just met for the first time.

"Friend him, huh?"

"My friends' mother is all male"

"Nothing" Joseph immediately lowered his head, what his mother said was right, there was no harm in male or female friendship. As long as you can keep your distance and obey the existing norms, you can make friends with anyone.

Yijia and Sari laughed at Joseph's shy behavior, and Joseph could not even lift his head. After his mother's statement, of course, he felt ashamed.

"Dear Syifa, Yusuf was a little shy, but his son was very kind and understanding" now Aunt Asih turned her attention to Yijia again

"Yes Bi, Yusuf must be good, like Bibi" Yijia replied kindly

"Good child, you could have praised Auntie" Aunt Asih stroked Yijia's head

"It is fortunate to be able to live here, not only to have family, but also good friends, and the villagers are also very friendly and considerate. They don't even think of me like a stranger, who only meets in their village. Thank God, you have given me a good path." Inner Yijia

\*

Since Jijia and Sari went to the house of Bibi Asih, Joseph and Jijia became more and more familiar. Sometimes Joseph and Dimas came to visit his Grandmother Yijia, either to meet Amat, Husband of Sari. Or just to greet Yijia and chat with her.

Joseph was a very good young man, not only was he always gentle and polite, but he was also very protective of Jijia. Joseph always came with Dimas or Ustadz Rahim, so as not to be alone with Yijia, which could cause slander.

Ustadz Rahim himself often came to teach Yijia to teach, which was always accompanied by Sari. Yijia began to deepen her religious knowledge, the correct way of Salat and its reading.

Yijia was very happy with the presence of people who always supported her, she also felt admiration for Ustadz Rahim, who was good at religious knowledge at a very young age. It only differed a few years from Yijia, making them easy to make friends.

Yijia really admired the young Ustadz very much, he always respected him and regarded him as a good teacher.

Yijia's life went back as it should, but it was also not exactly normal, almost abnormal! because his life is now like without burden and hardship. It is quite unequivocal that life goes without distress, but this is the new life of Jijia, which makes everyone feel envious.

"Syifa, Joseph is coming!" granny Yijia exclaimed from outside the house. Hearing the Grandma's cry, Yijia immediately came out of her room, went to memorize the Grandma who was sitting casually on a chair under the lute tree.

"Yes, Grandma"

"Look, Joseph has come, bring him in and give him a drink"

"No Grandma, Joseph came here just to deliver this, from Mother to Syifa" Joseph gave a plastic package to Jejiah

"Thank you" Yijia received Joseph's gift, smiling kindly at Joseph who was standing in front of her.

It had become commonplace, for Yijia. Aunt Asih always sent something for her, as an excuse for Joseph to meet Yijia.

"Thank you back"

"Send to Auntie too"

"Yes, then I'll say goodbye"

"Eh wait" without Yijia noticing, he grabbed Joseph's arm. Joseph was startled and looked at Jijiah, as soon as Jejiah regained his senses, and hurriedly removed his hand from Joseph's arm. Yusuf's face suddenly blushed, looking very clear because of his white face. So did Jijiah, he felt very ashamed that he had held Joseph's arm.

\*

* "Three Years Later " *

Yijia was standing beside the river, glaring cheerfully. His black hair danced around in the wind, in his arms a young boy was soundly asleep.

"Cleave to sleep, my dear"