Short Story (Cerpen)

About Rere

‘Nice morning’, that's the foreign language. This morning was so bright. The chirping of birds adds to the bustling atmosphere of the cottage. For me, the cottage is my mouth where I study, with the provision of tenacity, patience and seriousness, I am sure that I can be a successful person in the future. As the saying goes, “man Jadda wa jada” I make that word my main principle, as if it motivates me to keep trying and not easy to despair. Although the world seems to me hard, the wheels of life are unceasingly spinning, I must be able to believe that I must be first, and best.

I looked at the leaves that swayed with the breeze. My mind went back to someone who had disappeared for a long time. Ever since I entered this cottage, she hut, too, I've never received a starry blue letter, a brown red ribbon stick, and my favorite Lollipop candy. Sometimes, I cried myself in the corner of the dorm, thinking she had forgotten me and loved another santriwati. However, I tried several times to dismiss the bad assumption, and I failed.

Elder brother. Yeah, that name is my calling to him. Since I was still sitting on the Junior High, we were always together, laughing together, eating together, sad was felt together. But, everything changed since we entered the same cabin. Maybe, just one time he sent me letters, chocolates and my favorite candy. I don't know, has my name vanished in his world?!.

“Nea, you why?” ask my best friend, Risma who might have been looking at me. I admit, he's the only one who understands my feelings. From Junior High, he was my trust.

“I'm fine, Risma” answered me lying. He just looked at me full of question marks.

“Come on Nea, tell me what you are thinking, I feel sad if you continue like this” sigh Risma with curiosity. As a friend, my job is to appreciate it, even though I seem to want to keep my problems to myself, but I can't. With so many subjects, memorization of the book and other tasks makes me unable to bear problems alone.

“I remember Brother, ris” said I bowed lethargic. I still hold my alfiyah without looking at Risma.

“Nea, come on. forget for a moment your brother. You know, no matter how much you love her, you still have to put your ideals together, your lessons. Don't be the one who fails just because of it. If you are a mate, you must be reunited by Allah” Risma advises me. His advice has taken possession of my soul. Kuresapi well his advice is very similar to that of an ustadzah.

“Thank you Risma, you are always willing to listen to my grievances. I'm happy to have a friend like you” I said with a smile. I looked at her slightly sad face. Maybe he felt what I felt too.

“Well, that's dong, smile back. You if a beautiful smile you know, I think I became rivaled, hehe” said Risma while poke me.

“Ihh no kok, still wait for you” sahutku while replying to his colekan. We both joked for a long time. Until it doesn't feel like nine o'clock arrived. I'm going to school soon, my heart.

I set my foot on the path to Musholla. I do first Dhuha prayer, where this has been my routine since I was Junior High. Alhamdulillah, I still feel the cold of this special air. The atmosphere of the cottage is so beautiful, decorated always by the beautiful voices that read the verses of the Quran. As if living in heaven. After praying, I immediately took my textbooks and books. I've had some good times at this cottage, before I regret it.

Ohhhh…!! It doesn't feel like the day is passing. I feel this tired every day that maybe only on Friday’at I am not as busy. My duty as an ustadzah, santri is so tiring but, for the sake of science, I will fight until the last blood point. Tonight is a free night for me and for the rest. I read the novel I borrowed from Risma while lying on my stomach in my room.

“Kling.. kling..” my phone reads. As an ustadzah, I am allowed to bring gadgets to the cottage, in order to communicate with – ustadzah others. Kuraih my phone and I open a message I received from a mysterious person (only number).

“Assalamu’alaikum dear sister, how are you?” The SMS text reads well. I felt the SMS was no stranger to my ears. His words unfortunately, as if reminding me of Brother. ‘is he Brother?!’ my mind is turned back to the person I love and also love me. But I kept that in mind, because I'm sure he must have loved another girl besides me. I put down my novel and my finger replied to an SMS from the unknown person. A few seconds later, the SMS was answered.

“Alhamdulillah if sister is fine. Does your sister remember me? Here I miss you and still love you” that SMS reminds me of the atmosphere when with Brother. I remember when I was held in a flower garden, when I was in a ketchup, when I was advised at my graduation at which time my brother had finished High School. Even though our age is far apart, we love each other. And the most memorable moment for me, when my brother kissed me on the eve of Lebaran.

“Abang darling same Sister. Don't disappoint you, brother always loves sister. Although later we are far from love brother remains for you” the words are still stored in my brain. little by little tears flow from my eyes. How sweet that atmosphere is, my heart.

“Nea..” that voice surprised me. I immediately turned my face away while wiping away the tears.

“You why Nea? You sick?” Ask Risma who is getting closer. I just shook my head.

“What... about your brother?!”

“Iya”. Answer's short. I took a deep breath. It is quite difficult when it comes to repeating the sweet story that somehow will be completely repeated.

“I remember when Brother was by my side, Ris. When my brother advised me at my graduation at Junior High, when I was let down on the night of lebaran accidentally. Is my graduation next week she's coming?” I asked with a hoarse voice. Risma tried to calm me down.

“Nea, I'm sure your brother will come to your graduation later. Most importantly now, you are studying hard. Remember that! Tomorrow is the first exam, you have to prepare everything. About your brother forget for a moment yes, this is for your future” said Risma who hugged me. I wept. I spilled all my junk, until I felt a little relieved and light.

Night is incarnated. The presence of the faithful moon star becomes a decoration of the night without which the night is not as sweet. After teaching another santriwati, I continued by studying. This time I chose to study alone, alone from the crowd, from the laughter of friends and the ugliness of the Risma. I understand the role and character that is funny but mature. Maybe he won't see me sad about my problems.

Eleven o'clock at night, my phone rang. For a moment I looked at the screen of the phone, the name Risma.

“Assalamualaikum Nea, where are you? are you disappearing? You're not doing anything bad, are you?” His voice seemed to hit my eardrum.

“Wa’alaikumsalam, what is Risma? I studied in mushola again, I did not say anything, rest assured God is with us okay”, I assured him. There was a sigh of relief across.

“Thank God you learned. Is it not finished?”

“Alhamdulillah is gone. Oya, already yes I want to go there, I am sleepy, assalamu’alaikum”

“Bissur’ah! Wa’alaikumsalam” I ended my call and headed straight for the cottage.

The atmosphere of the cottage for me never feels lonely even though the other ustadzahs have fallen asleep. Risma is not an ustadzah. She was just a santriwati who was loved by Nyai Ma. Because of his cleverness I admire him. But strangely, he did not want to be appointed as an ustadzah like me. He prefers to be an ordinary santriwati, so he said. I just smiled and heard it.

And on Sunday, July 8, 2013, my graduation was completed. The cottage was also crowded, filled with guardians of the existing santriwati-santriwati. Smiles and laughter adorn their faces. Subhanallah, I felt that happiness again after three years. Mom and Dad were present. I saw happy faces on their faces.

Finally, at ten o'clock the show is over. I approached them and cried happily in their arms.

“Healthy you, son?” Mom stroked my cheek gently.

“Iya Ma'am. Nea, it's healthy. Dad and mom are healthy, right?”

“Alhamdulillah son, we are in good health. Ohya, today someone wants to meet you” said the father with a smile on his lips.

“Who is well?” I'm astonished. Dad just smiled. I looked at my mother, smiling too.

“Yes already, you just wait here. We want to go to the end there, want to see you, yes” said the mother who passed away leaving me. Dad followed mom from behind, left me dumbstruck and wondered, who is she?! What's he…

“Assalamu’alaikum” sounds no stranger to me. I answered his greetings while looking.

“Abang?!” I'm appalled. He really came today. He looks so much better than the last time I saw him.

“Great sister yes. Subhanallah.. Brother amazed by adik” Seraya patted my shoulder.

“Thank you, bang” I replied. Long time no see makes me even more nervous to talk.

“How can I be quiet like this? Do you mind if you come here?!” Ask my brother who touched my chin. I was getting nervous, while from a distance there was Risma who was looking at me with a keen eye. Oh my God, I'm really embarrassed.

“I... missed Abang” those words suddenly came out of my lips. I really don't believe it, how brave is that for a man?.

“Abang also misses sister, even very torturous. Brother once SMS the same sister, but the second time not reciprocated” said my brother who pouted. Ah, she looks even more funny when she's pouting.

“I'm sorry bang. I didn't know that..”

“Already, it doesn't matter. Now my miss has been cured, right?!” Ask my brother who is getting closer. My eyes and her eyes are only five inches away.

“Abang? We're too close. People are looking at us” I said nervously. Risma on the other end looked up at me. Watch out for you, Ris, my mind is upset.

“Astagfirullah, sorry brother. All right, we're sitting now” I didn't realize that Brother was taking me to sit down. My mind floated. I dare not look around me. They may be whispering about me or…

“Dik, let's sit” call my brother once again. I also sat without a sound.

“Abang has two requests” said my brother. This time I tried to look at him.

“What's bang?”

“First, Brother want us to study together in the city. The second request, brother wants to menghitbah sister. Brother want to?” Ask with sparkling eyes, waiting for an answer.

“Abang serious?”

“Abang serious! This is proof of love. Brother does not want to be separated for long like this, rather than arising slander, Brother will marry you. Brother want?” Brother begged. He seemed impatient to hear my answer. His eyes are still looking straight at me.

“Bismillah.. I want to bang” With a smile I answer it. A happy smile on my brother's lips. He looks so happy, I can't imagine how happy he is.

“Alhamdulillah's.. Syukron katsir. Uhibbuki Fillah” her smile continued to expand.

“Afwan” I replied with a smile. Risma saw me from a distance. I blinked my eyes at him, and he replied.

“I think you've forgotten me. Or Brother already has another woman” said me with a little annoyed tone. My brother laughed and heard it.

“Abang is not that easy to forget, brother. Brother remains faithful to brother, and though we are far away. Brother still loves you because of God, remember that!” Brother pinched both of my cheeks. I smiled wide at him. In my heart I felt gratitude for God. He has a more beautiful plan. He returned my brother to be the halal one, and not just ‘abang’. I love you because of God.. Allah Akbar!!