The Halal Love

43

Nisa repeatedly looked at the screen of her phone. Determine whether or not a message is in. But for more than an hour, his phone showed no sign of a message.

"Heh, why the hell? From that moment on was very nervous. Here's a report that needs to be followed how it works." Sarah handed over a stack of files that were inexplicably filled to Nisa.

Inevitably, Nisa puts down her phone, then takes the report, reads it at a glance. Then turn on the laptop, to make a different report in exactly the same way as the pile of paper that was handed to him earlier.

Just 5 minutes his fingers were busy dancing on the keyboard, the clinking sound of his cellphone interrupted. There's a message coming in. Nisa hastily read it.

From: Samuel

I'm up ahead

Nisa turned off her laptop, putting together a pile of papers on the table with random movements. Then he ran out, before Sarah found him.

Nisa is in a hurry. He just sent Samuel an SMS whether he had free time, if yes, he wanted to talk about something. And the SMS did not get any reply for more than an hour. Nisa thought Samuel would not answer her. But now, it was precisely the man who suddenly said he was in front of his apprentice place. It really can't be guessed. Her thought.

Nisa again accelerated her pace down the corridor, until her eyes caught a figure standing in front of the Hospital door. The distance between the two is 7 meters. Nisa paused for a moment to neutralize her heartbeat.

*****

"Say you wanna talk?" Samuel began to speak after throwing the nipple into the ashtray.

Currently they were at the Cafe opposite the Hospital where Nisa was interning. Since then, silence has surrounded both. Nisa didn't know where to start the conversation.

"I'm sorry I took your time." Instead of talking to the point, Nisa actually mince words.

Samuel raised both eyebrows, then acted pretentiously by folding both hands on the table, as if preparing to listen to what Nisa wanted to say.

"Why do you want to resign from your post?" Nisa wants to grieve her stupidity. He should have used the right opening line before throwing the question.

Samuel raised his head, looking straight at Nisa. At such a gaze, Nisa felt her entire body almost frozen. Hurriedly he threw a glance in any direction.

"If you ask this because someone told you to, then I will not answer. Because you already know the answer." Samuel's gaze still could not be separated from the figure who was sitting rigidly in front of him.

Nisa's trying to neutralize her heartbeat. Samuel's gaze was intimidating. "I want to know it directly from you." Said later.

Samuel fixed his sitting position. "Which do you think is more useful between the roots and the leaves?" Ask.

Nisa frowned, not understanding Samuel's words that suddenly discussed the roots and leaves. Like this, Nisa asked about what a fan was, but Samuel even mentioned the types of fans.

"Rice." However, Nisa finally answered Samuel's question.

"Why roots?" Samuel threw the question back.

"Rice contains mineral salts that deliver food to the tree. Without roots, a tree cannot live."

Samuel nodded. "But the roots only provide the benefits of the plant itself."

"Then?"

"If I think the more useful is the leaves."

Nisa frowned at Samuel's reply. But he still did not intend to open his voice, waiting for Samuel to continue his sentence.

"Rubber only benefits the tree. When the tree dies, the roots die. And end there his services. While the leaves never wait for adults to benefit. The leaves are not selfish. It produces oxygen for life. Even the energy produced through photosynthesis is not stored in the leaves, but is handed over to the fruit, at the roots for certain plants. When the fall came, he fell and accepted his destiny. Even if it has fallen and decayed, humus can be used for fertilizer."

Nisa was silent for a moment, trying to digest Samuel's words. "So, you're going to emulate the principle of leaves?" Guess it.

Samuel did not answer, he just sniffed his shoulders, then drank his espresso.

Samuel put down his espress glass, "I want to emulate the principle of leaves, but it seems difficult."

"Does that have anything to do with you wanting to leave office?" Nisa's spot on target.

Samuel breathed a heavy sigh. "It could have been like that if you had judged it so. I want to contribute to the people, the people who are far more than the students in our Campus. Ye know? How many people in our country are forcibly deprived of their rights? Only a few people want to fight for them. I want to be part of the people who fight for them." Samuel leaned his back on the chair. "Being the vice president of BEM only made me demanded to continue to maintain a good image, even though I was as bad as humans." Samuel laughed heartily. "When I became an outside activist trying to fight for the rights of the people, I didn't have to bother showing a false good image. I became who I am, what I am. Like it or not, it wouldn't worry me to tarnish the good name of an institution."

Nisa speechless. This time he really knew what Samuel wanted. And one thing he had to realize, that no one could stop Samuel's intentions. The decision is in his hands. After all, taking off office is not a big sin.

For some reason, there was a bit of relief that infiltrated Nisa's heart. Part of his heart was grateful that Samuel had resigned because of good intentions. At least it has nothing to do with him.

"Oh yes, please if you meet Vika, don't tell her what I said earlier. And next time, don't over-love being compassionate to people. You have to say no, if you feel uncomfortable."

Nisa gnashing. He had no idea that Samuel knew of his plans with Vika. He doesn't want to take responsibility, if Vika gets angry after this.

*****

"So the road here with snails?" Alfian's bent face follows with his sarcasm directly greeting Sarah as her body approaches the Hospital parking lot. His face was very complicated, like he was tired and dizzy. Oath by konoha, this is the first time Sarah saw Alfian's usually handsome face so tangled like a mop that had just been squeezed to dry.

Sarah put seyum on the lips even though in the spray sarcasm sentence ala Alfian Fatah Situmorang. "There's a file that needs to be worked on first." Sarah said, still trying to maintain her sweet smile.

Alfian ignored Sarah's words. He rushes to the spot where his car is parked, forcing Sarah to run a little after his long steps. Sarah grumbled in the back.

Once in the car, Alfian did not immediately drive his car. He sat quietly leaning his back against the chair and closed his eyes. Sarah who saw that did not bother. He chose to play his gadget and began busy scrolling through instagram feeds.

"When are you graduating?"

After quietly covering the two, Alfian suddenly threw the bombastic question.

Sarah snorted, she only glanced at Alfian at a glance and then returned busy with her gadget. "Rhetorical question." The answer.

Alfian opened his eyes, then looked towards Sarah. "Papa asked for our marriage to be quickened."

Sarah almost dropped her favorite phone if only her hand movements were not alert. "Aren't we agreed to get married after I graduated?!" Sarah started riding. His tone did not sound relaxed at all.

Alfian looked at Sarah with a difficult look. Sarah threw a glance out the window. Reluctant to stare at Alfian's black eye bead that today looked dim.

"I think so too. But Papa asked for everything to be accelerated, or if not..."

"If it's okay?!" Cut Sarah.

"I'll be paired with another woman."

There was a strange rumble that suddenly infiltrated into Sarah's heart. I don't know what her name is, which Sarah obviously doesn't like. "Give me time to think."

*****

Today the red date, Samuel exhaled at the limit of annoyance and relief as there was no need to reason to go to Campus. Papa and Harris were also on holiday, since the morning they had karaoke together in the family room to make Samuel wake up. Irritatedly he stood up, pulled away the warm blanket that was still wrapped around his body, then rushed over to his family.

"It's so quiet this morning, that the whistling of the birds in the morning doesn't sound." Samuel rebuked his family members with sarcasm and took a seat between them.

"Birds chirp times instead of whistling. You UN Bahasa Indonesia use cheat huh?" Mama said no less sarcastic.

Samuel was staring at Mama, feeling unaccepted with his words that said he was cheating when UN. "Ma, people who cheat it must be high value. It's me, the standard value is like it's still being accused of cheating."

Mama laughed a little. "Yes, you***** is very, very cheating but still low value."

"Ma.." Samuel put on a half-dead face. It makes my mom no longer continue her words.

"Tumben, aren't you going to college?" The voice came from Harris who had been singing the lyrics of the song Stinky Band when his voice was not good.

Samuel leaned his back against the sofa, "Red date." Answer's short.

"Tumbens. You don't usually know the red date." This time, Papa spoke.

Feeling the corner, Samuel sank his head against the back of the sofa. "I want to resign as vice chairman of BEM."

"What?!" The question was posed by Mama, Papa and Harris.

Samuel just put on an innocent face. Afterwards he melengos, feeling that the response of his family members is very excessive. Samuel just wanted to resign as vice chairman of BEM, not vice president.

"What's the problem? Same story as Mama!" Mama said that while pinching Samuel's arm. Makes Samuel complain of pain.

"Lo's out at the demo tell him to step down, huh?" Harris was guessing. And behold, his guess is very immoral. How could he have thought that his sister had a demo to step down?

"Whatever your reasons, try to consider everything carefully first." The only person who can still be rational when being shocked is Papa.

Samuel glanced at each member of his family. Feeling the look of intimidation, Samuel finally relented. He let out a rude breath, "Sam doesn't feel like he just took the position."

"Yes, you didn't pantes." Harris said quickly. Making Mama growled, to hit the mouth of his eldest son spontaneously.

Samuel rolled a lazy eyeball. But he continued his words after receiving instructions from Mama. "So that vice-chairman of BEM was always under the spotlight from everywhere, and it forced me to come up with the good image I was making up. And I'm sure you understand what I mean, after all you who understand me the worst. I don't want to live something that I don't think is in line with me. I don't want the position I hold, I'm considered a good person. But it is far from a good word. I better be an ordinary student, no need to appear to maintain self-image. And of course the leader's burden is no longer burdensome."

Mama squinted suspicious eyes. The woman who knew Samuel better than anyone else felt that there was still something his son had covered up. "You sure? Isn't being vice-chairman of BEM your dream long ago?"

Samuel nodded, "Just first. After trying, it was normal. It's not anymore."

"This, try thinking well. Removing office before the maturity period is not something that can be done. Moreover, the reason you are not clear like that. I'm sure you'll have another reason." Harris commented.

Papa let out a heavy sigh, "Since when have you run away from such a responsibility?"

Samuel fell silent. Explaining the Papa question.

"If you want to resign, you have to make sure that the institution you once led with your colleagues will not experience any problems in the future."

Samuel nodded steadily. "I've even prepared a competent replacement candidate." Vigorously.

Mama, Papa and Harris looked at each other. Just this time they saw there were people who were very excited about the decline in office.

*****

"Nis, what are we eating? Run a discussion, yuk!" Sarah talks to Nisa in the middle of the noisy Hall during the forum discussion mode. Nisa and Sarah should now discuss the continuation of the project and some obstacles that occur along with other intern friends. But none of them were interested in the subject. Sarah is busy playing the game Onet on Nisa's phone, while Nisa just sits while doodling her binder stuffing.

"Nice," Sarah elbowed Nisa's hip. "There is a Mas Kahfi app for you." Sarah handed the phone to the owner.

Nisa pensively, then grabbed the flat object. Since the internship at RSJ which is not far from Kahfi's workplace, the man was aggressively making an approach to Nisa. Sometimes it comes with offering help, sometimes it also appears to offer a meal together as it is today. However, Nisa rarely accepted the offer. If he accepted, he would invite Sarah to accompany him.

Nisa did not type in any reply, she just skimmed the contents of the message and then gave her phone back to Sarah.

"Why?" Ask Sarah.

"Mas Kahfi ngajakin eat pas ishoma later in the restaurant across there."

"Not answered?"

Nisa only glanced at Sarah at a glance, then her eyes were busy looking at the results of the scribbles. "Later on." Answer's short.

Sarah grunts. Since she decided to stay away from Samuel, Nisa is seen no longer opening the door of her heart to anyone. Even Sarah was worried, if her best friend was numb.

*****

Vika had just finished her morning proker after getting a chat from Fathur saying that the man was waiting for her in front of the Post.

With gontai steps, Vika walked out to meet Fathur. Honestly speaking, his heart was still arrogant discussing the matter of BEM and the people involved in it. Especially after getting word from Nisa, that the girl could not do much to help her convince Samuel. It felt like Vika wanted to tear Samuel's face apart since yesterday.

"Why are you here?"

Fathur looked up after focusing on fighting with his phone.

The man put his cell phone into a pocket of jeans with a flexible movement. "We want a meeting to discuss Samuel's departure."

Vika folded both hands on the chest. "Ah my males. Ever since the news reached my ears, my mood has deteriorated with each passing day."

"Lo don't like that dong. Appreciate Sam's decision."

Vika squinted, "Lo agrees that Sam really left?"

Fathur sighed heavily, "Absolutely not. But yes, what else if he still remains tight with his decision. You know for yourself, how Sam. If he believes in something that is considered true, then he will continue to partanin his belief."

"How serious? What's the point of a meeting if it's all clear it's like that."

"It's about Sam's replacement candidate." Fathur.

Vika turned her head, "Is there yet?!"

Fathur nodded steadily. "Udah. And this is on Sam's proposal directly."

"Oh yeah? Who?" Vika is getting curious.

"Lo." Fathur pointed at Vika. Makes the girl look at it completely.

*****

After getting the astonishing news from Fathur who said that Samuel appointed himself as a candidate for the successor of the vice chairman of BEM, inevitably Vika finally put herself in the back seat of the Fathur motorcycle to the Campus to attend a meeting.

Many times Vika cursed Samuel and swore to dismember the body of the man who was not sane. He could have done so, without even asking for his approval.

Upon arrival at the Campus, Vika immediately moved quickly towards Basecamp, no longer concerned with the sound of Fathur's cry calling out her name.

"Where's samuel?!"

Seto who was lying in Basecamp was shocked to see the arrival of Vika who immediately opened the door while asking for Samuel's whereabouts with a creepy aura.

"Where did you ask Samuel?!"

Seto swallowed his hard-earned saliva. "Anu.. Again fight futsal." Gagu's words.

Vika did not say anything afterwards, she immediately rushed towards the futsal field.

"Woy Vik, cool off your head first. Don't use emotions!" Fathur yelled from a distance, but not at all.

When he arrived at the futsal court, Vika found a boisterous atmosphere that lasted as usual. Samuel with his hair in the midget style of Wiro Sableng was getting cheers from the audience. It seems like her groupies are not diminishing, but are increasing.

Vika grunts. It's nice that he's casually enjoying a futsal game while he's just causing trouble for Vika. But inevitably, Vika must continue to wait until the game is over. It is impossible right, he suddenly sneaked into the match. He could have been dragged out dishonorable.

"Well, good thing Sam's playing." Fathur came with a frenzy. He tried to catch his breath. "Eh terrorize me yes, Vik. You have to keep talking about this problem with a cool head. Don't get carried away by emotions."

Vika. "Emang why? It's only natural that I'm angry. He made a decision that involved me without asking for my consent." Vika grumbled.

Fathur scratched his non-itchy head, "Yes, but everything is fine. That's why we want to hold a meeting. Please don't make the mood worse."

"Lo what the hell. I don't know what my position is. I really do not accept being made a candidate to replace the vice chairman of BEM. You think it's easy to hold that department?!"

Fathur no longer said anything. Know yourself that when women are emotional, then what must be done by men is silence.