The Love of the Sinner

Chapter 21. Kiai Sholeh's Story

Friends read alon-alon to completion, yes. Not to fail to focus. Keep loving and commenting. Have a nice day.

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Chapter 21

     Grandma Halimah embraces Aulia's body. He also felt concerned to hear the words of Kiai Sholeh just now. 

"Sorry Kiai Sholeh, why are you talking like that?" asked Grandpa Yusuf with a dislike look.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to expose someone's disgrace. Just a reflex surprised me, Ustadz Yusuf. Truly I have no ill intentions" replied Kiai Sholeh.

"But what you said already hurt our hearts. It's not your right to talk like that" Grandma Halimah said.

"I don't mind Aulia's past because everyone has a past. Moreover, now he also repented. And what I want to marry is Aulia who is now," Fathir replied in defense of Aulia.

"Son, everyone has a past. But remember who you are? You are the future successor to the leader of the Al-Ikhlas boarding school. What people say later if they know the past of a woman's wife is not good" said one who joined the group and was justified by others.

     There was a commotion in the meeting room. Many people disagree that Fathir is married to Aulia. They postponed the wedding because it would tarnish the good name of the pesantren and their village.

"It has. You all don't talk anymore. You should not insult or scorn Aulia. She was a teenage girl who had gone the wrong way. But God loves him very much. Thus, he could repent and now always draw near to the Creator. We must not speak of the disgrace of our brother. Not that you already know that if we cover the disgrace of others, God will cover our disgrace in the world and in the hereafter" said Kiai Akbar.

"But, Mr. Kiai. This is for the good of everyone who lives in pesantren and residents who live in pesantren neighborhoods. The wife of a Gus must be able to be a figure imitated by Muslim women," said one mother who participated and was justified again by other mothers.

     Aulia still shed her tears despite not making a sound. Grandma Halimah still hugged and rubbed the back of her adopted child.

     Not far from there Annisa looked at Aulia with pity, sadness, and did not believe that her best friend had such a past story. Although for most people the city is not strange, if a girl is not a virgin. However, in the village it is a bad thing. The girls in the village still kept their chastity. Only with her husband is entitled to do that later.

"Gus Fathir better think again of the intention to preach Aulia," said Grandpa Yusuf finally.

"All right then. We'll talk about this back at home. Hopefully the decision later is the best" replied Kiai Akbar.

     Nyai Khadijah and Nyai Sarah were very excited when they came to preach. Now, both seem disappointed. For both of them Aulia is a dream daughter-in-law.

"I hope to everyone present here, don't talk about this out there. It's enough we know Aulia's past. It's not good to expose someone's disgrace" said Nyai Khadijah and everyone remained silent.

***

     After the return of the guests, Aulia entered the room. He shed his tears of sorrow. The night is expected to be a beautiful night, it becomes a gray night.

     Grandma Halimah and Grandpa Yusuf did not dare to disturb the poor girl. They let Aulia spill her grief. They sat not far from Aulia's door

"Sir, did you know this before?" ask Grandma Halimah.

"Not much you know, Mom. Gus Fathir said that his neighbor said Aulia was not married and only lived with her father. You have no bad thoughts on Aulia. At that time the father and Gus Fathir thought that Aulia was pregnant not by his will. You only found out after Aulia told her own story. But, he did not say who the man was" Grandpa Yusuf replied.

"Pity Aulia. May God give him the best way" said Joseph's grandfather, looking at the door of Aulia's room.

***

     Now the ndalem family gathered and questioned Fathir. They talked about that.

"This is because Mr. Lik Sholeh, try if you just keep quiet do not talk about Aulia's past, Mas Fathir must be menghitbah Lia," said Annisa.

"You don't talk like that. This happened already the will of God. He is the one who rules everything" His reply Sarah to her nephew.

"Yes. But there's no need to talk about it first. Why did Mr. Lik Sholeh, even say it in front of the crowd. So, opening up the disgrace of Aulia that she had covered up," said Annisa.

"Sir Lik you that's not wrong either. The prospective husband of a man is also entitled to know with everything that is on his future wife. One of them is the past" Nyai Sarah said.

"Then, why don't Mr. Lik Sholeh talk to Mas Fathir and Abah, in person. Just given a decision," replied Annisa disappointed.

     Meanwhile, in another room Fathir, Kiai Akbar, Kiai Sholeh, and some elders. There were probably about 11 people there, talking about it.

"Why does a boy talk like that?" ask someone to Kiai Sholeh.

"I'm Khilaf, Kang Mas. I was surprised and happy, just now. The person I was looking for had already met," replied Kiai Sholeh.

"Mas Sholeh's referring?" kiai Akbar asked not to understand.

"Some time ago, there were people looking for Aulia. At that time I remembered Aulia's adopted son Ustadz Yusuf. But, it could be that the person was different to what he meant. I'll help you find where I've been. If, meeting him I will tell him, "the sister-in-law replied.

"How did Mas Sholeh know the same who was looking for Aulia?" ask someone else again.

"Pak Mulyono Abimana has a younger brother named Mr. Damar Abimana, we also became familiar and close. I happen to know the family's personal driver, Yusril. Yesterday when I filled my studies at the home of Mr. Mulyono, Mr. Damar's family also came. There I was spoken to by their son. He asked the law of marrying a pregnant woman. Then, I explain. She cried while telling her the problem. He said he was always looking for his girlfriend because he wanted to marry her. Because of pity and I would ask him if he found the girl. He showed me his picture, but he was not veiled" Kiai Sholeh said.

"Then why did Aulia run away? Why didn't he hold that man accountable?" read that guy again.

"Said Rangga, Mr. Damar and his wife were furious. They did not approve of the marriage between his son and the driver's son. They both loved Aulia. But, they are embarrassed if they have a daughter-in-law from the bottom. That is what I understand from the story of Rangga. The young man loved his girlfriend very much. He also deeply regrets his actions that have done the forbidden thing with his lover," replied Kiai Sholeh.

"I don't mind Aulia's past. I also know what happened to him. From the beginning I had convinced myself that Aulia was a good girl. People who know him also judge him so" Fathir said

"If she's a good girl, why can't she keep her honor?" ask someone else again.

"Because they do not understand religion and no one gives them warning of sin" Fathir replied

***

Will Fathir fight for his love for Aulia? How's their story going next? Wait for it to go on, yeah.