Rel(A)Tionships

A - 8

At Mr. Salim's house...

Alvi and Arfi went into their room. Because it was late afternoon, they rushed to bathe because they were going to go to Mama Alvi's tomb.

"Vi, take a shower together"

"What's? Crazy you are Mas"

"Why? I'm your husband, come on, baby"

"Hahaha, that's really good. Aaaaaaaaa" cried Alvi directly into the bathroom. He immediately locked the bathroom door, letting Arfi who kept banging on the door.

"I'm your husband Vi, open my dear dong"

"Mas Arfi what the hell? Eating wrong, right? Don't want it, I don't want it"

"You're ashamed, huh? It's okay, I won't comment"

"Aahhhh, Mas Arfi perverted"

After that, there was no more knocking on the door or shouting from Arfi. Alvi hurriedly finished her bath and immediately changed into clothes. Then he went down to the living room, approached the Papa who was struggling with his leptop. The girl immediately slept on Ardi's lap, interrupting Ardi's work there.

"Bad boy" muttered Ardi as he pinched his daughter's cheek.

"Pa, what's a loveless marriage that's going to go well?"

"Without love? Whatchu mean? You forget, Papa used to love your Mama, but over time, your Mama loved Papa more than Papa loved her"

Ah, Alvi remembered the story of her parents. Papa and Mama Alvi used to not love each other. Only Ardi is so in love with the female figure of Solehah, namely Mama Alvi. They were met accidentally at a lecture event held by Mr. Kyai in his boarding school.

From this, Papa Alvi began to feel a strong heart thump when he looked at Mama Alvi who was walking alone from the bathroom. He who is naughty and so confident like Alvi, just went to Mama Alvi and asked her name and phone number.

But Mama Alvi is not a woman who opens up to others, especially if it is a man. He did not even look at Papa Arfi at all, only bowed and passed away. After the meeting, Ardi tried hard to find out who the woman who managed to steal his heart. Here he was looking for the woman, until Pak Kyai reunited Ardi to Mama Alvi.

The accidental meeting once again made Ardi a hope. In front of Mr. Kyai, he declares his love for Mama Alvi. Without further ado, Mr. Kyai struck him with a turban. It could be that a brandal like Ardi dared to express his love for the men's dream woman.

However, Ardi got the home address and name of Mama Alvi, Levia. After that, Ardi continued to follow wherever Levia went. To the teaching place, to the campus, to the mosque, he always wanted to make sure if Levia was okay. Until that day comes, the day Levia invites Ardi to speak for the first time.

"Stop bothering me, I was disturbed by your presence" Levia said.

"Oh Miss, you're finally talking to me. I want to be your girlfriend, that's all, really"

"I don't want to, please stay away"

"What do I have to do to get you to accept me?"

"Come to my father, and ask me to be your wife. That's the best way, now go and don't bother me anymore, please" Levia said in a pique. He was so disturbed by the presence of Ardi at that time.

After that brief conversation, Ardi was no longer visible. Levia was a little happy and calm, but he could not deny if the presence of Ardi filled the time of the last few days. He began to feel bored and look for the figure of Ardi. But he was not as determined as Ardi, Levia just waited and tried to forget him.

One day, Ardi shows up at his house. Levia's father gave a Qur'an to Ardi to read at once. Ardi who is notoriously naughty, can't read it right. His reading is still not eloquent and disconnected.

"Son Ardi, I'm not looking for a rich and handsome son-in-law. I'm looking for a son-in-law who can take responsibility and guide my only daughter"

"Alright sir, I say goodbye. I'll be back again, Assalamualaikum"

Levia's father asked her daughter to sit in front of him. He looked at Levia closely. As a father, he knew how his daughter felt. For many years they lived alone.

"You like that young man?"

"I'm sorry Dad"

"It's okay, I should have known from the beginning. But Levia, I have to make sure you get the right young man. You trust him?"

Unknowingly Levia nodded. That feeling had already begun to grow, ever since Ardi had continued to be present in the days of Levia. The young girl could only wait, wait and wait.

A year has passed, now Levia has graduated from college. She became a teacher teaching and making small businesses, making mukenah and hijab. There were so many young men who came to see Levia, but none of them were able to shake the girl's heart.

Until one day...

"Assynogaic"

"Waalaikumsalam, how can I help you?" Ask Levia kindly. He was silent when he looked at the young man he knew very well.

"May I meet your father?"

"Mas Ardi? Please come in Mas, I'll call Dad" said Levia. He wanted to go inside, but Ardi called him.

"Miss Levia, do you still remember my name? Have you been waiting for me all this time?"

Levia, who answered nothing, ran in and called her father. Levia's father looked at Ardi with his flat face. No pleasantries, he immediately opened the Qur'an and asked Ardi to read it at that time.

Now, the same people with different skills. The sweet voice of Ardi sounded beautiful when teaching, even his tajwid made Levia's father smile widely.

"Shadaqallahul-'adzim"

"You made my daughter wait too long Son Ardi" Levia's father said with a majestic smile. He hugged Ardi and greeted him with pride.

"I'm sorry sir, I need the courage to come here again"

"Well, tomorrow bring your parents here"

"Why wait for tomorrow, I'm already here" said Mr. Salim.

"The salim? Your son? So our Mr Kyai is the one who taught him to teach? It's worth not disappointing" praised Levia's father as he hugged one by one his best friend.

This surprise, Levia could never understand. If only Ardi had said sooner if he were the son of Lord Salim. Maybe the father will accept it without having to wait that long.

The story was always Levia told Alvi when her daughter was still in elementary school. And now, Alvi believes that love comes because two people who are used to spending time together.

"Papa, I'm curious, why didn't Papa say that Papa was Mr. Salim's son?"

"Because Papa loves your mama so much. Papa wants your Mama to know that Papa will fight to get her"

"Aaaahhh, Papa so sweet anyway. I love Papa"

"Papa loves you too. Tuh Arfi was waiting" said Ardi while moving his chin towards the front.