The Halal Love

38

The weather today looks so bright. Not even showing the slightest sign that it rained heavily last night. Though Nisa hopes, today it rains all day so that she can delay his departure.

Already more than ten times Nisa paced in front of the mirror, looking at herself wearing a peach-colored robe, wrapped in a rectangular veil of matching color, she said, and the face he made looks fresher with a touch of liptint that is slightly reddish, inconspicuous, just to disguise the pale color of his lips. Many times the girl made sure that there was nothing wrong with her fashion today. But somehow, he lost his confidence.

The sound of the phone ringing vibrating above the nightstand distracted him. When Nisa looked up, Samuel's name was plastered there. Jantun Nisa tba-tba bedegup with irregular rhythm. With slightly trembling hands, he picked up his phone.

"Hello, Nis. You where?" Ask Samuel over there.

Nisa took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "It's still home."

"So here, right?"

Nisa nodded, "Yes, this is ready." Her speech.

Samuel was silent for a moment, before he finally spoke again. "Are you sure you want to come here by yourself? I'll pick you up, will you?"

Nisa shook her head quickly, even though Samuel did not see her. "No. Don't need. I'm alone, not papa." Nisa tried to make her tone sound as relaxed as possible.

"Hmmm.. Usually that's it, Nis. Guys always pick up the girl. Especially if the girl wants to visit her house."

Nisa swallowed her hard-earned saliva. I disagree with Samuel's assumption. "Sam, we're not in that kind of relationship." Nisa warned.

Samuel was silent again. But before long, he chuckled. "Yes forgot. Yaudah, you come here when you're ready. My family is waiting. Yes, calis?"

Nisa growled in the heart. It was like to have Samuel's head covered with bricks at this time. It was delicious that he looked relaxed and joking like that, while Nisa was desperately holding the nerve.

Nisa did not respond to Samuel's words. He immediately turned off the connection unilaterally.

Once again, Nisa pegs herself in front of the mirror for the last time. He stared at the reflection of the face that was in the mirror for quite a while. Before he finally said basmallah, then left his room.

*****

When he arrived in front of Samuel's house, the first time Nisa caught is a beautiful impression. Around the house was planted with many green plants. Even next to the house, there is an almost complete vegetable garden. There are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, long beans, ground kale, mustard, and if not one of the pumpkin vines.

To the south, it can be seen standing firmly with a jengkol tree that is so big and bushy fruit. Nisa just found out, it turns out that Samuel is a malevolent fighter.

Nisa is standing at the door. His hand was hanging in the air, his brain was still thinking, knocking on the door or not. Actually he could have escaped by now, considering no one had seen him. But it seemed, the blurred option would only worsen his position.

"Nisa? Why are you standing there?"

Samuel's figure poked out behind the door. Nisa reflexively retreated backwards, even almost hitting the big pot behind her. He looks nervous. Samuel came without warning. Even Nisa did not hear the sound of the doorknob being swiveled from inside.

"Noise! Let's go in."

Nisa still stands. Even though Samuel had invited her into the house.

"Just be calm, your future-in-law is not fierce." Samuel blinked one eye tempting Nisa. The girl flickered funny like she was flickering.

Upon entering the house, Nisa was amazed by the beauty of the house. The green color that dominates the room, makes Nisa sure that Mama Samuel likes the cool color. In the middle room there are three large sofas neatly arranged around a glass table. Photos hang on the wall to the right. While the wall hangings become one on the left wall below which there are long shelves containing cute miniatu-miniatures, such as antique cars, planes, and so on, and other miniatures that Nisa did not know the shape but listed some country names there.

Not only there, in the corner of the room there is a large closet, with various awards. The big cup loomed to be the most prominent, with the words Champion 1 political debate I am the President 2014. In addition there are many small trophies and charters, ranging from bronze charters, silver to gold.

"Mama Papa is inside. Come on!"

Nisa shifted her focus. He followed Samuel, passing through the middle. It is still dominated by green. The room looks comfortable. There was a fur carpet lying on the floor, in front of him a large television. Then some rooms. There are 4 rooms in the room. And a room that had no doors, but a curtain hung over it. Inside there was a large stacking shelf without doors containing many books. It looks like a mini library.

"Eh, is this what Nisa's called?"

A middle-aged woman wearing a maroon scarf came over to Nisa. His face is so warm. Although she had fine wrinkles on her face, she still looked beautiful and energetic.

Nisa cheered the woman, kissing her palm. "Yes, aunt." His heart seemed to be jumping at the moment.

"His hands are cold. Don't be groggy, baby." The woman chuckled while rubbing Nisa's shoulder.

Nisa smiled awkwardly. The woman in front of him was so frontal. Nisa's misbehaving it.

"Eh yaudah, sit down. Where do you want to sit? In the living room or in the living room?" Ask again.

"The middle room, Ma. He's not a guest." Samuel interrupted.

The woman Samuel called Mama laughed. Even the smile kept on its face.

"Jude here, baby. Aunt get a drink first." The woman rushed into the kitchen.

"Look out, Nis. My mom is a really nice girl, right?" Samuel.

Nisa looked to the side. Then back to face throw when his bead accidentally met the eye with Samuel's bead.

"Sam, which book are you…"

A man whose face was almost similar to Samuel's stone just came out from inside the room. His hair is thin, he wears a lot of pomade. The man hung up his words as soon as he saw Nisa.

"Well, you can be polite if anyone visits?" Samuel Protest.

The man threw a warm smile at Nisa. Making Nisa reply to him with an awkward smile.

"There are guests. Sorry yes!"

Nisa nodded, hinting at the 'nothing' answer'. The man went back into his room and closed the door.

"His camera came from earlier?" This time it was a middle-aged man who had appeared from the direction of the kitchen. How many residents are there in this house? Inner Nisa.

The man had a newspaper in his left hand, and coffee in his right. Glasses perched on the nose look a little sagging.

"Udah, pa." Samuel said the sentence just now as his eyes glanced at Nisa, hinting the girl to greet her Papa.

"Yes, Om. I'm Nisa." Nisa cupped both palms to her chest, while throwing a polite smile.

Papa nodded in understanding.

"Here here, Nisa. Sit here, we'll tell the stories first." Mom came out of the kitchen. Bring a drink complete with snacks on the tray.

Nisa nodded awkwardly. He glanced at Samuel, his gaze as if asking for help to be removed from an awkward situation. But Samuel threw a soothing smile, as if to say, 'No papa. Jalanin.'

Feeling like she had no choice, Nisa sat on the carpet. Right next to Mama.

"New tea mama knows, if Samuel has a girl friend like Nisa. Hijab, pretty." Mama smiled warmly.

"Yes. Usually also the ones who often come here are just BEM kids, same as Alila." Papa added.

Hearing Alila's name mentioned, while the look on Nisa's face changed.

"If a guy has not made a girl to know his family, the sign is that the man is serious."

Suddenly Sarah's words ring in Nisa's ears. Was Alila also close to Samuel's family? Did Samuel also take his relationship with Alila seriously? Or put it this way, Alila had also been in her position now?

"In the past, there was no need to carry it." Seeing Nisa's changed expression, Samuel tried to melt the atmosphere.

Papa cleared his throat, then chipped. Understand with the character of his son who always rises tension every discuss Alila, his former candidate. Even his wife yesterday said that when Alila went to the house, Samuel actually heated up the girl by saying that he would bring a new prospective daughter-in-law for his mother. Basic, fuckboy his son, hurt a woman's heart without feeling the slightest guilt.

"Oh yeah, Nisa's tea said it's the same as Samuel, huh? Is it old semester? Busy dong is now taking care of preparation for graduation?" Mama threw a question at Nisa. He even looks so excited.

Nisa smiled, then nodded. "Still busy working on internships, Auntie. This semester God willing focus there first." Soft talk.

Nisa nodded. Amazed, it turned out that Mama Samuel knew a lot about her. How many things did Samuel tell his mother? Or maybe when Abi rejected it first, he also told me? Nisa shakes. Throw away prejudices.

"Yes aunty."

"No wonder why aunt knows so much about you. Samuel, how hell-bent on your pain to Auntie." He pointed his chin at Samuel. The man just threw his grin.

"You must be diligent about college, huh? No, not Samuel. It's an old semester but there's still a lot of value that's not right. So many of his college eyes are repeating." Said Mama grumbling.

"Please calm down, Ma. Sam must have graduated too." Said Samuel lightly. That made Mama angry.

"Yes, graduation. But I don't know when. Bosen Mama with Papa waiting for you with your brother graduation. College is not finished, nothing is done." This time my mother was angry. His face turned fierce, just like the antagonists in the movies.

Samuel whines. "Ma, it's not good to be angry in front of a potential ghost."

"No papa, right, Nis? So that you know also how the bad nature of Samuel, let's not mengesel later." Say Mama.

"Ma, ordinary people praise their children, so that they look good in front of prospective ghosts, well Mama, just open the disgrace of their own children." Samuel put on a face.

"What would you like to praise from you?" It's a circus for this mother, Samuel's inner.

"Judek. Than we fuss here, mending a meal. Papa laper's. Go, Nis!" Papa mediates. If it is not stopped, then the debate between Samuel and his mother will never find an end. Samuel would keep chiming in with jokes, while his Mama with Sarkas words that could cause anyone's heart to hurt upon hearing it.

*****

Sarah linked her lines into one. He's fidgeting. His gaze was mellow, as if a torrential rain was about to fall from his eye peluk.

"Lil, muroja'ah, come on." Take Iin, one of his roommates.

They are currently in the room. The afternoon before Maghrib is the time of muroja'ah. Memorizing the surahs in the Qur'an that have been memorized before.

Alila just nodded. The girl sat facing the window. His gaze was blank, as if describing his thoughts.

"Don't like sitting alone, Lil. Especially while dreaming like a gini. Not good." Say Iin.

That girl isn't bereming. Even Iin wasn't sure if he had been heard by Alila.

Iin shook his head. It's free, since two days ago, Alila was like that. Just sitting alone. His eyes were empty, but his eyes were glazed. He did not even participate in the program and pray together. He admitted to praying alone in the room, whether it was true or not. It's just that Iin doesn't want to sue'udzon. He had also repeatedly asked the condition of the girl, but Alila's answer was always the same, he just shook his head without saying a word. Iin berinisiaitive, if Alila still continues like that, then he will report it to Ustadzah Hanum, to be dealt with immediately.

*****

Nisa laughed as Harris threw a dimey bayolan but was able to shake her stomach. The man, if at a glance, seems authoritative, but having known him further, he is not much different from samuel. Equally gesrek.

"First, the young Papa was including a cogan that was valued by many women. As long as Papa smiled at them, they immediately hysterically shouted Papa's name." Papa jumawa. The man did not want to lose with his two sons who had thrown a guyonan until they made all the people at the dinner table laugh out loud.

"Mama isn't, Pah?" Samuel chimed.

Papa smiled wryly, "Except your Mama. He's a big selling point. If anyone talks about Papa's fame, he immediately ridiculed Papa. Yes, your mother ngehina Papa in public. He said gini, 'The capital looks doang, but morals are not real. Zero in lesson. I guess I'll be interested in you. Amit-amit jabang baby. If the rest of you are the only man in the world left, then I would rather be a lifelong spinster than marry you!' Papa imitates Mama's style of speech.

Red hue running down Mama's cheeks. The woman was muttering while chopping meat on her plate using a spoon with sadism.

Samuel and Haris' laughter broke instantly. Even the little Nizar laughed. As if so satisfied listening there is one lack of Mama who knows. Because, all this time, his mother always looked right.

Nisa just smelled a smile. Samuel's family was so warm. Only today did he know them, but it felt like years. Merela was so accepting of Nisa with open arms, and treating the girl was not like a stranger. Even Mama seemed to welcome him like her own child who had just returned from the regional state. No awkwardness at all. That's what makes Nisa also look more relaxed. It turns out that meeting Samuel's family is not as scary as it is in his shadow. I think he wants to stay with them longer. This kind of warmth has not been obtained since Nisa Umminya died. It used to be like this too. Any time feels memorable when He, Abi, Ummi have gathered together. The difference is, Samuel has a brother who adds to the crowd, while he is an only child.

Nisa helps Mama clean up the kitchen after lunch is over. He took the dirty dishes, took them to the sink and washed them. Mama has even forbidden, so that Nisa does not do that. But Nisa was still tight, so Mama let her. And stay them both in the kitchen as it is today.

"Nisa. Did Samuel ever tell you about Alila?" Mama suddenly opened her voice, she asked that very carefully so that Nisa did not misunderstand.

Nisa nodded. "Yes, Aunt. Nisa also knows Alila." He spoke together with a smile that decorated the corners of his lips.

Mama stopped the table wiping activity. The middle-aged woman was standing facing Nisa at the moment. "Samuel was very disappointed with Alila. He feels betrayed. She hated Alila. Her heart was so hard to open the door sorry for the girl. But Alila, instead aggressively approached Samuel after 2 years disappeared. Aunty does not understand, how to respond to them both. Because every time Samuel gets angry at Alila, the girl goes straight to Auntie, but the auntie knows that the auntie's son is hurting because of her." Mama took a breath. "But the aunt was so relieved when she found out, Samuel had a crush on someone other than Alila." Mama looked at Nisa with a pleading gaze. "Tante can ask tolon for you?" Ask.

Nisa nodded spontaneously, "See what aunty please?"

"Please hold on to Samuel. Don't let Alila into her life again. It was enough that Samuel harbored heartache. It's time to welcome a new happiness, a new love, with a different person."

Nisa's pecking on the spot. Mama Samuel just asked her to hang out with Samuel. Can he? The problem is that Abinya does not approve of it. What should he do now? What answer should he give to the woman who is pleading with him at this time?

"How, Nisa?" Ask again.

Nisa nodded slowly. "I'll try, aunt. But I can't promise. For the soul is in God's hands. God could have brought me closer to Samuel now, but He could have separated me from him"

Mama smiled sincerely. He nodded. He was amazed by Nisa's thoughtful way of thinking. The girl handed over all matters to the Almighty. Rarely found someone like Nisa, her inner.

*****

Nisa arrives at Pesantren after Ashar. He performed Ashar prayers at Samuel's house. And he also chose to go home alone, though Samuel and his family convinced Nisa many times to have Samuel drive her. But the girl was determined to stay on her feet. He did not avoid something bad that might happen if he went home with a man who is not his mahram.

As soon as she arrived, Nisa did not head straight for Home. He saw the atmosphere of the princess pesantren so crowded. The santri ran towards the south, the santri's room. Nisa decides to head towards the princess pesantren first, to see what is going on.

"Peach you!!! Or I will hurt this woman's body!!!"

Nisa almost screamed when she saw Alila holding the scissors and preparing to stick them into her own stomach.

"Shut up, you holy-ass!!" Alila snapped at Ustadzah Hanum who was teaching beside her. Afterwards the girl laughed gigglingly. Laughter that Nisa had never heard before. As Nisa recalled too, Alila's voice changed. The girl had a soft voice, not a shrill voice like she heard right now.

"Alila why?" Nisa asked the santriwati who was beside her.

"Corruption, Brother." Say the girl. His tone shook, like a frightened person.

"You are all holy-spirits, and hypocrites!!!!" The look in Alila's eyes. Look one by one at the people who surround him. As soon as he saw Nisa from a distance, he shouted back. "Particularly you!!" Designate it. "You're hypocrites! Your nature is inferior to night workers! You hide from your vices under the shar'i clothes you wear! Though your nature is far more rotten than the rot of garbage!" He kept screaming.

All eyes were on Nisa. What did Alila mean by saying those words? Ah yes, maybe the one who is controlling the body at this time is not Alila, but what harm he did to the subtle creature of God who is not in the know?

"Sok chaste, chagrin." Alila spit as if disgusted. "You hurt this girl so deeply. You claim to be religious, but snatch the one he loves!"

Nisa jerks. Didn't think that sentence came out of Alila's lips. He's not a usurper. Samuel asked him to stay. Alila is Samuel's past. The girl had no right to accuse Alila of seizing the person she loved. Because their story is long over.

Nisa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He tried

to stay calm. The girl tried to move closer. "Give me a glass of water." His order.

A santriwati in a hurry ran and thrust a glass of water towards Nisa.

"Don't come near!! He hates you." He was meant by Alila. The creature refuses Nisa to approach Alila.

Nisa tried to recite the Ruqyah verses into the water. "Shut up!! Shutup!! You are not holy to cast those spells!!" Alila continued to scream and shimmy like a mad cow.

Nisa doesn't care about Alila anymore. The girl continued to read the Ruqyah verses again. The scissors held successfully released by Nisa. Nisa hands the scissors over to Iin, and tells him to take it as far as possible.

"Naruddu bikal a'da min kulli wijhatin, wabil ismi narmihim minal bu'dhi bi syathat. Fa'anta roja'iyya divine wasyaidhi."

"Shut up or I'll rip your filthy mouth out!!!" Alila kept screaming. She pulled her own hair. Some santriwati tried to hold it, but the power of the girl was so strong.

Nisa walked over. Holding a glass filled with water, then read the Ruqyah verse again. This time he read the verse of the chair, followed by three qul, then, blew it in the water.

As soon as she finished, Nisa forced the water to Alila. The girl shook her head to avoid the ruqyah water that she would drink. But Nisa did it. With the help of some of the sisters, the water managed to get into Alila's mouth, and in her swallow.

"I'll be back again! Remember that!!!"

Alila's body fell to the floor. His body is so limp. He spewed something into the basin that had been prepared every time facing possessed santriwati.