The Love of the Sinner

CHAPTER 11. Come to Ndalem

Read until it's over, yeah. After that, like and comment. May today all my friends always be in good condition.

***

CHAPTER 11

      Every day Aulia studied religion with Grandpa Yusuf and Grandma Halima. Every afternoon, he also studied at the Al-Ikhlas mosque. It did not feel like 3 months Aulia lived there with the two people who were old, but still excited in living her days.

      The state of the pesantren is getting crowded because there will be a reunion event Akbar. The students who used to study there were many who were present. Grandpa Yusuf's house became one of the destinations where his students who had graduated. 

     Aulia already knew that the house she was in now would have many guests. So he made various snacks and dishes from the produce of the earth in the garden of Grandpa Joseph.

"Oh, it turns out you are good at processing ingredients from yams and jackfruit," said Grandma Halimah.

"I used to love participating in mommy activities on RT. Usually they make preparations from materials that are in stock or the price is cheap. Also during the fruit season, we can be anything," explained Aulia while her hands were busy putting purple sweet potato sponge dough into the baking pan. One in the steamed and the other in the roast 

"It turns out you can make these yam chips feel crunchy and easily chewed by parents like grandma. This sweet potato being kremes also tastes good. Grandpa must love this, the beige is soft, crunchy and sweet," praised Grandma Halimah.

"Alhamdulillah, if Grandma likes it. Hope others like it, too" said Aulia.

"You are good at processing materials, so we can present guests with various types. Though everything is made of yam," said Grandma Aulia.

     Since yesterday Aulia has been busy making food from yams. While busy making it, he was listening to the murotal of the Qur'an and the lecture. For him must not waste time without adding knowledge and charity in order to get a reward.

"Son, what's this dough for?" ask Grandma Halimah when she sees the dough in a medium-sized basin.

"That's for making donuts, Grandma. It turned out that there was a little potato brought by Grandpa Joseph. So just donuts" replied Aulia.

"God, can you make this too?" Grandma Halimah likes donuts.

      By noon all the materials had been finished by Aulia. Grandma and Grandpa Yusuf were happy to be able to entertain the guests who came to his house.

"Son, you made four bowls. Please deliver one baking sheet to ndalem, for Kiai Akbar and Nyai Khadijah. Surely they like this sponge" Grandma Halimah said.

"Well, Grandma," said Aulia.

     Lately Aulia often wears a veil if out of the house. He was once bullied by several people. Both men and women because of their beauty. To avoid slander and adultery, Aulia decided to wear a veil.

      The distance from Grandpa Yusuf's house to ndalem is about one kilometer. Such a distance for the size in the village is fairly close. So Aulia walked there. He wears a navy-colored robe and pins a crackle containing a steamed sweet potato sponge. Less than 10 minutes Aulia has arrived at Kiai Akbar's ndalem.

"Assalamu'alaikum" Aulia's greeting.

"Wa'alaikumsalam" replied the people who were there in unison.

"Aulia," called Gus Fathir who was sitting on the terrace with many people.

"I came here to deliver the sponge from Grandma Halimah to Kiai Akbar and Nyai Khadijah," said Aulia while handing over the crackle she had brought.

"Alhamdulillah, thank you," said Fathir.

"Either. Excuse me, Gus. Assalamu'alaikum," said Aulia while bowing her gaze, then left because she felt uncomfortable for many people who noticed her.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," replied everyone who was there.

"His grandson, Ustadz Yusuf," replied Fathir. Everyone knew that Ustadz Yusuf and Ustadzah Halimah had no children or grandchildren. Certainly those who are called children or grandchildren are students who are in direct care and guidance.

"It looks like the face behind the veil is beautiful. The look in his eyes was also cool and his eyeballs were beautiful," one chirped and was approved by the others.

"You guys, you gotta keep your eyes on me!" firmly Fathir while walking into the house.

***

      Akbar's reunion event held at the Pesantren Al-Ikhlas ran smoothly for three days. During that time Aulia was busy entertaining guests who came to the house of Grandpa Joseph. However, it does not make him negligent in learning to find knowledge, let alone worship the Creator.

"Aulia, please deliver this to Kiai Akbar's house," Grandma Halimah asked as she handed over a bag of raw cassava.

"Not done yet, Grandma?" ask Aulia. Usually Grandma Halimah always gives food that has been processed.

"No, he said to make it grated, then squeezed and taken water," replied Grandma Halimah.

"Oh, make a drug like it," concluded Aulia.

"Yes, like you yesterday. Most eat spicy and fried-fried. So, you are hot inside," Grandma Halimah said with a seductive smile.

"Yes, Grandma. Aulia was so tormented that she couldn't poop," Aulia replied with a laugh in embarrassment.

***

     As usual Aulia walked to ndalem. On the way he met Fathir who had just returned from college.

"Come, come with me! All right, go home" Fathir asked.

"Shall I leave this cassava to Gus?" 

"Don't. Grandma Halimah asked you to deliver it to Abah. Yes, you must be trusted. You love Abah directly," refused Fathir. Actually, he wanted to ask Aulia something. However, it was difficult for them to have time to talk together.

"Alright then," said Aulia again walking.

"Hey, Aulia. Why don't you come with me in the car, let's hurry?" Fathir invites us to come together to Ndalem.

"Thank you, Gus. I'm just walking. Afraid of any slander later," Aulia and Fathir replied just sighing.

"Well then, I'll go first, yeah!" Fathir drove his car back, in his heart he cursed his stupidity.

     Fathir knows Aulia is now often in the spotlight of people around the pesantren. The girl also started wearing a veil because she wanted to keep herself from slander. There used to be an incident, a male santri glanced at Aulia because she was fascinated by her beauty, it was reported to her future wife who was also a santriwati there. So, there is a report that mentions that Aulia likes to tease the male santri.

"O Allah, do good to Aulia" murmured Fathir.

'May me and him be in the destiny that You write in the Mahfudz Way, ' said Aulia praying in her heart.

"Oh Allah, did I overdo it asking him as my soul mate. Conscious Lia ... aware! He is who and who you are," murmured Aulia while hitting her head slowly.

***    

Will Aulia's feelings be reciprocated by Fathir? Follow their story.