The Halal Love
23
The typewriter sounds much louder in the hallway of the 3x3-sized room. The entire occupant was busy staring at the monitor screen in front of each of them.
“Gue has been done.”
Fathur yawned while stretching his muscles that felt stiff because he sat for hours in front of the monitor screen. The furore of Fathur that broke the silence, made the eyes of two people sampled the man to him.
Samuel handed a stack of papers to Fathur.
“Don't mussle first, there are still many.”
Fathur let out a frustrated sigh, he looked at the pile of paper with the sight of an outcast kitten asking for help. It made Samuel laugh with satisfaction and Vika who only had expression raised one eyebrow.
Instead of taking the pile that was handed to him to finish immediately, Fathur instead took a good position by lying next to Samuel.
“Eh Sam, you still remember his son Mr Kyai?”
Samuel stopped his activity, then turned to Fathur, “Still. Why?”
“Say Mr. Lek me, she's the ideal woman.”
Samuel frowned deeply, “I mean lo?”
Fathur got up from his position. “Dia hafidz Qur’an. And apparently, he was one of the Ustadzah who taught in Pesantren. He majored in prestigious courses here. Psychology, cool right?”
“Terus?”
Fathur menoyor Samuel's head, “Lo from earlier nanya doang.”
“Yes because I don't understand.” Samuel Protest.
“Which part do you not understand?”
“Why did you suddenly discuss his son Pak Kyai?” Samuel looks sentimental.
Fathur thought for a moment. “Through my Mr. Lek's story, I seem interested.”
Spontaneous course Samuel immediately stood up, “Lo do not macem-macem, yes!”
Fathur was astonished to see Samuel's conduct that there was no wind no sudden rain of emotion. “Lo why?”
Samuel glanced at Vika. While the girl instead threw a look in the other direction and refocused on the monitor whose cursor flickered.
“Lo can be attracted to other women, sipapun. But don't be the same son Mr. Kyai.”
Fathur tried to trace the meaning implied on Samuel's face. Then a second later, his annoying smirk appeared, “Lo likes his son Pak Kyai.” Fathur smiled obliquely.
Samuel looked at Fathur with a murderous look. “Awas aja lo if until the other children know!”
“We can't compete healthily?”
Samuel looked at Fathur with a gaze that seemed to say, if you still want to see the sun tomorrow morning then never do that.
Fathur laughs loudly until he holds his stomach, “Not thought I if you can like girls. Kirain you do not have time for such a thing, because your time is up for dating the same book and proposal along with *****bengnyanya.”
Samuel grunting. Fathur was still not satisfied laughing at him.
“Vik, lo diem aja kayak statue in love life.”
Vika raised her head. The girl had actually been listening to the conversation of the two men in front of her. Even he had since just typed the origin in the laptop because he could not focus.
“Yes, what would I like to comment? Falling in love is natural. You are overreacting.”
Fathur mangosteen pretends to understand. “Lo jealous right?”
Vika throws Fathur using empty drink bottle, “Home lo.”
Fathur chuckles again, “Honest, Vik. I know everything.”
Vika's face turned into pias. He was afraid if Fathur spoke carelessly.
“The reason you have always cared about Sam, always secretly pay attention to this brat while sleeping, is because you like him, right?” Fathur raised his eyebrows teasing Vika. Samuel looked at Vika with a questionable look.
“Lo have any problem what the hell is the same me?” Vika's emotions began to ignite.
“Gue confessed it purely as his friend Sam.”
“Yes, Vik. Minus people can see, if your attitude has always shown you like Sam.”
Vika slams the mouse in her hand, until Samuel and Fathur are shocked. “Don't you know! I never liked Sam, let alone got jealous!” Vika leaves Basecamp with explosive emotions.
“Vik! Vika!” Samuel tried to stop the girl.
Samuel growled with Fathur “Ah lo anyway, carelessly when talking.” While Fathur scratched his head that does not itch. He only jokingly uttered a sentence addressed to Vika. But Vika takes it seriously.
\*
Nisa sits on the park bench, watching the Santriwati who are scattering out of Class. Every morning until evening the gate of the Pesantren Putri is always open during the local children study.
Pesantren never charge anything. In fact, it bears some learning needs such as books, pencils, pens, and some other stationery. Children in Pesantren also do not need to wear uniforms, as long as they use appropriate clothing and wear hijab for santriwati.
Breezy wind blows playing veil –small hoods running in the Park. The laughter of the boys sounded heartbreaking. Longing for childhood calls for reviewing the pieces of memory that are still stored.
In the past, Nisa almost never had time at home. He always spent his time in Pesantren, to study and study religion. In addition, he also had to memorize. Until Nisa officially declared as santriwati. Mingle with other fellow students.
It was also where he was raised. Growing up in a religious environment made him accustomed to religious rules. Ummi and Abinya always hope, the environment where he grew up able to be a supporter of their dreams to make his only daughter hafidz Qur’an.
“Assalamu’alaikum.”
A heavy sound stopped Nisa's daydream. He turned around, and a familiar face was staring at him.
“How are you?”
“Alhamdulillah good.”
The man smiled meaningfully. “Old no see, you changed a lot.”
Nisa smiles knot, “What do you need?”
The man sat down on a long bench that was a bit far from Nisa.
“I need to be the same Mr. Kyai. She exists?”
“There. Let's go Home.”
Nisa walks first towards her house. The man followed his steps behind.
“Wait here, I call Abi.”
The man nodded. While waiting for Mr. Kyai, he looked around the medallion neatly arranged in a glass cabinet. The medal belonged to Nisa. The result of several races and activities that followed him since childhood until now. Nisa has always attracted the attention of men.
“MasyaAllah, Kahfis. How are you?”
The man called Kahfi stood up as soon as he saw Mr. Kyai. He bowed politely, then kissed the old man's hand with reverence.
“Alhamdulillah well, Mr. Kyai.”
Mr. Kyai smiled as he patted the young man on the shoulder.
“Your father is healthy?”
“White, healthy Mr. Kyai.”
Nisa appears carrying a snack tray complete with warm tea to welcome her guests. Kahfi's gaze was fixed on Nisa who was serving dishes. 10 years did not meet, making him pangling with the girl. Nisa changed a lot, starting from her clothes, which used to only wear an ordinary rectangular hijab, this time her hijab stretched wider, and she looked more graceful.His face was once innocent and black typical of children, and the, now it's much cleaner and brighter.
“If you may know, Nisa lectures where?” Kahfi opened his voice after a moment of silence.
“Used Dharma University.” Answer Nisa.
“Your lecture is done, huh? Already working?” This time it was Mr. Kyai who opened his voice.
Kahfi nodded, “Nggih. Just finished the resident last year, alhamduliih is now again an internship at Gatot Hospital Subroto.”
Mr. Kyai nodded. “It just so happened that Nisa this year had her internship at RSJ near it as well.”
The eyes of the man sparkled, “Oh huh? Then I can help you there.” Her speech.
“Thank you in advance, but no need to bother, Mas.” Nisa rejects Kahfi's subtle good intentions.
Perfume with the nature of Nisa who always felt uncomfortable asking for help from others, the man did not want to force his good intentions to Nisa again. He can't make Nisa feel bad about him.
\*
The weather's clear out there. But cloudy hangs in the heart of a girl who is laying her face in the corner of the Library where she hid herself. That cloudy is a blend of cloudy sadness and silliness. Yes, Vika who looks sad and overcast is more ridiculous around her.
The clock on the opposite wall shows the number twelve with its short needle and the number nine with a long needle. The ishoma time for employees of the University will begin. In a moment, officers will expel one by one visitors, including Vika. But the girl was still reluctant to leave the place.
He was too lazy to go back to Basecamp. He was ashamed to meet Samuel, and it seemed that the intention to tear Fathur's face was still not lost. He regretted his spontaneous reaction.
He should be professional and still look calm. Not just a momentary emotion due to Fathur's speech. He should have more control over his emotions. He should not have run away from Basecamp. Vika ruffles her hair in frustration.
“You borrow all?” ask the Library clerk who suddenly approached Vika's desk.
Vika raises her head and realizes that there are several piles of books that she uses to cover her head.
“Maximum four times borrow, time forget? Get out first, Dek. As usual, take a break. Book let's stay here first.”
The attendant pointed to the pile of five-five books that filled Vika's table.
Vika floated a reflex nod. He had no intention of borrowing a book. Immediately, he stood up and returned the officer's smile with a forced smile.
Vika out of the Library. The sound of the rumbling of his stomach that gave the alarm that he was hungry, pulled himself to the Canteen right then and there.He chose to spend lunchtime at the closer Canteen of the Faculty of Letters.
The girl ordered a bowl of chicken noodles and her favorite avocado juice. While waiting for his order to come, Vika observed the display case. See one by one snacks lined up there. There are risoles, tofu fill, parchment, shrimp peyek, grilled fish, all of which look delicious when hungry.
Only the second sip that entered into Vika's mouth, when the lobe of his nose caught the aroma of vanilla mixed with mint that he was very familiar, because the aroma was not a common aroma that is easily found in Guna Dharma. There is only one person who wears perfume with such fragrance.
Vika sniffing air. The smell is getting sharper in the nose. He caught the source of the scent. His neck muscles stiffened and moved round towards the entrance of the Canteen. The sound of a constant thumping in the ears. Not the sound of the drum that greeted the emergence of the source of the aroma, but the heart of the Vika increased.
Then with a similar slow motion in the films bouncing in Vika's vision. A pair of tiered legs clad in belel jeans whose color looks fade and converse buluk shoes appear alternately. Tap, tap, tap! Right foot.. left foot... right foot.
Vika raised her eyes from the end of the gray Converse shoe. Exploring up, to the heel, to the knee, Vika pulled her eyes before she sat with the owner of the shoe. Without even seeing her face, Vika knew who she was.
“Lo escaped here apparently.” Samuel pulled an empty chair in front of Vika.
Vika lowered her head deeply. He played a spoon in a bowl of chicken noodles in front of him. Seeing this, Samuel chuckled.
“The secretary I know has never been shy like this. Usually he is always firm, raising his chin haughtily.”
“Lo believe what Fathur says?” The sound was just a small tweet. Luckily Samuel still had a good hearing.
“Lo just calm down, I do not believe the same Kunyuk.”
Vika raised her face slowly. He found Samuel's sincere gaze.
“A Vika who is bar-bar, it is impossible to fall in love secretly.” Samuel chuckles.
Vika clapped the man's shoulder in annoyance, until he stopped his laughter. “Sorry sorry. It makes no sense if you fall in love with me.”
Vika was silent, for some reason Samuel's sentence just touched her heart. It was as if he did not deserve to be with the man in front of him. Actually it is not the fall of love Vika against Samuel who makes no sense, God who fell in love with the opposite sex is normal is not it? But it was Vika's delusion that hoped Samuel had the same feelings as her that could not be justified. The girl smiled, covering up her fragility and intending to rearrange her broken heart.
\*
Jakarta Street in the afternoon is like a sea of vehicles that have no break-up. Especially if the rainy season comes like this. The return becomes the most beautiful thing at the same time upset. Orange color mixed with dark that sullen spoiled up there as if calling people who like to capture twilight photos to then enliven in social media. God likes to balance the dark with a soothing touch-the light, bringing everyone back to calm down.
Samuel drove his two-wheeler faster. Adzan maghrib heard the earthy mulain of the Masji-Masjid loudspeaker on the roadside. Right in front of a large mosque, Samuel pulled his motorcycle over.
Men try to realize i’tikad good who say want to fix themselves. Yesterday, Nisa had given a prayer guide book that he said Samuel could make a pedman when there was an intention or prayer reading that was forgotten. Since then, Samuel who used to read non-fiction books, for a full week switched the consumption of reading to prayer guide books. This led to a big question mark among his friends. Even Fathur the mouth of the nyinyir thought that Samuel was going to die.
After taking ablution water, Samuel entered the mosque to do sunnah prayers, followed by Maghrib prayers. At first he felt alien and had trouble dividing his time. Because sometimes when his work is playing, Adzan has been reverberating. Luckily there was Fathur who always asked him to pray. Although Fathur the mouth of the nyinyir and the pusher abis, but the man was very attentive with his friends.
As he was about to put on his shoes, Samuel was shocked by his shoes that were nowhere to be seen. He surrounded the entire courtyard of the mosque, but nil, he did not find it. Samuel had just intended to take off his shoes, when suddenly a man who got out of the car ran in a row while carrying a shoe.
The man looks dizzy. As Samuel watched the shoes the man was holding, he approached. “Mas, sorry it's my shoe.”
The man looked at Samuel from top to bottom, and saw Samuel's barefoot chicken feet. “Sorry, Mom. I was wearing the wrong shoes. The end is similar, and I happen to be in a hurry to pay less attention. This I give back.
” The man gave up Samuel's boots.
Samuel nodded and smiled, “No papa, Mas. Thank you.”
“Not to say thank you, I was wrong. Then I go first. Assalamu’alaikum.” The man took his shoes and rushed back into his car.
Samuel answered the greeting in his heart. He didn't care so much about the man. After putting on his shoes, he rushed to get a motorbike and continued on his way.
\*
“Nduk, this is someone calling, said your lecturer.”
Nisa who was doing her job suddenly stopped as soon as Abinya handed the phone to her. He was a little surprised, whose lecturer called him these nights? What is there need?
He attached the phone to the ear, “Assalamu’alaikum.”
Silent. There's no answer.
Nisa tried repeating her greeting.
“Assalamu’alaikum.”
There is also no voice that says.
“Sorry who is this with?”
The sound of breaths being heard.
“Wa’alaikumsalam.”
Male voice. As Nisa recalled, no male lecturer had ever contacted her. Suddenly he felt parno. He was about to end the call when someone across the phone spoke again.
“This is me, Samuel. Don't shut down just yet.”
Nisa breathed a sigh of relief. But suddenly Nisa remembered something. At that time he deliberately gave his Abinya mobile number to Samuel, so that the man could not contact him. But now Samuel contacted Abinya and he admitted to being a lecturer of Nisa. This is so desperate for Samuel.
“Why are you calling here?!” Nisa whispered in fear that her Abinya who was outside heard.
“Someone I want to ask.” Answer Samuel plain.
“Iya, but why should we call him here? We will meet you tomorrow at Campus.” Nisa's banging with men across there.
“Nis, forgot yes? You said if there was a need I could call you at this number. You are the one who gave her number Abimu?”
Nisa cursed her stupidity.
“OK, it's my fault. No more calling at this number. Record my number.” Nisa started to mention her phone number.
Samuel smiled with satisfaction now. He imagined Nisa's panicked face.
“I can call you at that number?”
“Do not phone! Ask what you want to ask through a personal chat.
Assalamu’alaikum.” Nisa ended the call unilaterally. His heart almost jumped. He really did not expect that Samuel would contact him.
Nisa returned Abinya's phone timidly. He tried to neutralize the look on his face so that Abinya did not suspect.
“What does your lecturer call you these nights, Nduk?”.
“Say there is an incomplete task Nisa in the eyes of her college, Bi.” Nisa said the sentence with a trembling tone. He's not good at lying. He never lied to his brother. Nisa apologizes to Abi in her heart for feeling guilty.
Her brother understood.
“But your lecturer's voice sounds so young, Nduk.”
“Ah that is because he is still young.” Nisa laughed awkwardly covering up her lie.
Abi noticed her only daughter's intense puppet, “Bener?”
Nisa misbehaved, cold sweat falling down her forehead.
“Bener, Bi.”
“Abi thought your girlfriend loh.”
Nisa shook her head quickly. “No, Bi. Nope. Astaghfirullah can't date.”
Abi laughs at Nisa's behavior that looks funny in her eyes.
“Abi don't think that's macem-macem.” Nisa's pouting now.
As usual, her brother likes to tease her. Seeing her daughter pouting like that, Abi finally relented.
“Iya Yes Abi trust.”
Nisa immediately turned into her room. He closed the door, then breathed a sigh of relief. If Abinya finds out that she is lying, she is finished.
The sound of a vibrating device ringing makes Nisa quickly pick up the flat object. When you open whatsapp, one new message comes from an unknown number.
“What is the law of adults who do not know teaching properly?”
Nisa patted the jidat. I was worried about Samuel. The man always questioned the basics to start the conversation. Even according to Nisa, without her answering, Samuel already knew what the answer was.
Nisa typed something in return. “Go to Pesantren, I will introduce you to Ustadz Agam. He who God willing will teach you to teach.”
Nisa deactivated her phone. Don't bother waiting for a reply from Samuel. Bad butterflies are dancing in her stomach, as if laughing at Nisa's behavior tonight.
\*
Samuel put down his cell phone after replying to Nisa's message. Ceklis one. The girl is active. Samuel smiled at him. Nisa must be angry at him right now. Either get the courage from where, Samuel suddenly got a crazy idea to be able to talk to Nisa.
Perhaps Nisa thought, when giving her Abinya's phone number, Samuel would never dare to contact her. But not Samuel his name if he does not do anti-mainstream things to realize his wishes.
“Fall in love lo, yes?” Harris, who had been watching her sister's behavior, finally spoke up.
Samuel is still smiling, “Emang lo doang who can fall in love?”
Harris felt sad to see Samuel who was like crazy, “Have moved on?”
Samuel sniffed his shoulders indifferently.
“Who now?”
Samuel turned his focus on the phone screen towards Harris who was currently putting on his face.
“Someone who is able to change my world.” Samuel raised an eyebrow.
“Najis.” Hiss Harris. A moment later he remembered something, “This is why you are diligent worship lately?”
Samuel only glanced at a glance while showing his smile back, making Harris squeak.
“The container is because of God, not because of man. Wrong intention lo.” His protest.
“Gue worship because and for God really. Denger yes, my beloved brother, He is indeed my encouragement to worship, but my intention is still pure lillahi ta’ala. I don't want riya’.” Samuel.
Harris threw a pillow at Samuel inhumanely. Intentions want to advise, instead he got a cult back from his sister.
