That Storm Must've Passed

Unsuspectedly

"Asshalaamu'alaikum..."

Sapa Hendi on the sidelines of my busy teaching.

"Wa'alaikumussalaam. warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh.." I replied not wanting to make Hendi wait long.

"What's this for.." she asked.

"I'm still teaching this..why?"

"Oo..ya already...when is your free time Din? Remember.you promised me we'd like a video call..."

"Wait ya...later about 13 hours time in my place...insya Allah can...??" bargained.

"Mmm.yes..."

Hendi closed our short chat.

In the meantime, I'm back to finishing my teaching job. Somehow my heart so pounding imagine how I face the camera with Hendi later.

Without feeling the time has shown at 12:35. It's time I ended my studies with the kids as they came home.

While waiting for Hendi's call, I cleaned up my teaching equipment and prepared to take water wudlu because when the prayer dhuhur almost arrived.

I think instead I faced Him first before I faced Hendi face later so that my feelings were calmer and not nervous.

After the prayer, I grabbed my lunch box and started to enjoy it slowly.

Every now and then I glance at my phone to check if there are any incoming messages or calls.

Even until I finished lunch, Hendi hadn't called me yet. But I don't want to start. So I prepared to go to my tutoring house.

As I walked towards my motorbike parked in the back yard of the school, I felt my phone vibrate.

While walking I grabbed the phone that was in my pocket. I saw on his screen a glimpse of wa's message from Hendi.

"Still in school, Din?"

I opened my phone and I replied to the message.

"Yes.still Hen. How's it?"

"Now is Din? Can I call you?"

"Yes can.." I said while arranging my earphones.

Shortly after, a video call ringed.

As I greeted Hendi's call, I looked for a seat in the schoolyard so I could talk comfortably.

"Assalaamu'alaikum Dina's.." Hendi opened the conversation.

At that moment his face was visible on my phone screen.

I don't know why I'm so nervous and my heart's pounding.

"Wa'alaikumussalaam warahmatullaahi wabarakatuh." I answered without being able to look at Hendi's face.

I don't know why I was being misbehaved.

"It was about two decades ago.."

"How's Din's story?"

"Ah.when is the story.. You haven't changed much either. Your face is still the same as before." I said softly.

"Ah time..I'm already this old and.see.." said Hendi while holding his thin hair.

"Yes.but your face is still the same and hasn't changed." I said.

"By Din instead.you are more beautiful and youthful." praise Hendi who makes me ashamed.

"If you were in front of me, I couldn't help but hug you Din." Hendi said again, his words made me even more misbehaved. It felt like my cheeks were red and warm. Why Hendi was that brave was blunt.

"Let's look here at me.Don't look down like that.." - Goda Hendi.

Oh my God.Why is he like that.

"Oh Hen. Shame on me." I'll take it upon myself while looking away.

"You're so adorable Din." she cried nonstop.

"Well, Hen...ntar, do we call again sometime?" I said without daring to look at his face but once in a while I glanced and Hendi's smile was really able to make me misbehave.

"Eee eee.....n't ten minutes to finish??" cut Hendi while glaring.

"Lha Yes you are.. Do not tease me..ntar if I fall in love how??" my words masked the insolent feeling that was in my heart avenging his temptation.

"Well, it's good that you can fall in love with me." she said with a smile.

Damn Hendi.

"How will your wife?" manyu overwhelmed.

"Biarin...I call you mama huh??" Asked Hendi while still smiling to tease me.

"Switch...you this...stop what teases me..???" door weld.

"Alright, good Din.really, I will call you 'mama'.ntar we connect again in our chat yesa. ne I again have a guest." said Hendi again.

"He uh.Good Hen. I'm going to go to this Les too. See you later. Assalaamu'alaikum.." I said shut down our conversation.

"Wa'alaikumussalaam.."

And the video call was cut off.

While heading to where my bike is parked, my mind can not be separated from the shadow of Hendi's face.

Indeed, his face still remains the same and if suddenly I meet him on the road, maybe I can immediately guess it, but it is not blurred to see the lines of his face that indicate the age that is no longer young. But that is what looks fascinating.

Just this time I noticed and realized that Hendi is not like the Hendi I used to know.

That said, I felt like I could really fall for her since that video call that afternoon.

Even as long as I give private lessons, my mind can't be separated from Hendi's face. I really started to fall for him.