The Love of the Sinner

Chapter 28. The Khitbah of Fathir

Read until it's over, yeah. Keep loving and commenting. Have a nice day.

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Chapter 28

      The day Joseph's grandfather had an accident. Fathir and all his family visited the Darussalam Pesantren at the wishes of Kiai Basir.

"We came here to preach Ning Aliyah to Gus Fathir" Kiai Sholeh said, glancing at her nephew. He also felt sad because it was clearly the radiance of sadness in Fathir's eyes.

"Alhamdulillah, we will gladly receive a proposal from the Kiai Basir family," replied Kiai Rojaq.

"Thank God, then. Hopefully with the establishment of this familial bond, our relationships are all getting closer" continued Kiai Basir with a smile full of happiness.

"What if we just direct the pronunciation of ijab qobul, it seems that these two brides-to-be are impatient if they wait a long time again" said one of the Kiai Rojaq family.

"Really, too. Something good must be hastened" continued Kiai Rojaq.

"It looks like we haven't prepared for it yet. We don't bring anything for the dowry" Kiai Akbar argued politely feeling bad.

"Isn't Gus Fathir a hafidz? It will not be said if the dowry is in the form of Surah Al-fatihah and Surah Ar-Rahman," asked Kiai Rojaq.

"True, Gus Fathir are you prepared to say ijab qobul today?" ask Kiai Basir.

"It would be better if the dowry was not just a recitation of the Qur'an. At least there is jewelry that can be given as well" replied Fathir.

"I don't mind just reading the Qur'an. Not that a good Muslim is not burdensome in terms of dowry. I ridho lillahi ta'ala with dowry reading surah Al Fatihah and surah Ar-Rahman," refuted Ning Aliyah.

     It is beyond belief that Kiai Akbar's family. Actually, their initial purpose was to preach Ning Aliyah. It is actually continued with ijab qobul between Fathir and Kiai Rojaq. Ning Aliyah was now the wife of Fathir.

     While chanting the qobul, Fathir shed tears. Not because he remembered his promise to God who would be a responsible husband in building a family in accordance with the teachings of Islam. However, he wept because he could not keep the girl who allegedly as his heresy in the world until the next. When the pronunciation of the ijab qobul was imagined Aulia who was crying.

'Aulia forgive me, can't make you the only woman I married.' Inner Fathir was crying bitterly.

***

     The first night Fathir and Ning Aliyah failed because Annisa forced her brother to come home and visit Joseph's grandfather who had an accident. However, they all undo his intentions because the condition of Joseph's grandfather is not in loss. Kiai Akbar's family gathers and calls Aulia to ask about Joseph's grandfather's recent condition. They also asked about the chronology of the accident.

"Said Mr. Slamet was in a hurry because his son was about to give birth while his husband was on duty outside the city. When turning he did not reduce the speed of the car. Meanwhile, Joseph's grandfather was riding a motorcycle in front of him. A collision ensued and Joseph's grandfather fell to the shoulder of the road. Her leg suffered a minor fracture" Aulia explained in a stinging voice as she was mostly crying.

"Alhamdulillah, if not as bad as our shadow. Sorry we have not been able to visit Ustadz Yusuf. However, we will try to be able to visit as soon as possible" said Kiai Akbar. 

      Kiai Akbar actually shed tears upon hearing Aulia's voice. He was saddened when he heard that his teacher had an accident. However, it was even more sad if he thought about the poor girl's reaction when he found out her son had already married another woman.

     Fathir was with his family that night. He deliberately chose to linger with his family.

"Gus Fathir, why are you still here? There, your wife is waiting in the room" said Kiai Basir.

"I-yes," Fathir replied. 

     Fathir stepped footily towards Ning Aliyah's room. He wished his wife had slept. So, they do not do the first night like most newlyweds do.

     When he entered the room, it turned out that Ning Aliyah was still awake and was reading a book on the bed. Fathir said his greetings and asked why his wife had not slept.

"I am waiting for my husband. It was possible that Gus needed or wanted something," Ning Aliyah said shyly.

***

     After a few days Joseph's grandfather was hospitalized. Joseph's grandfather was allowed to go home today. Although grandfather could walk slowly, Aulia asked Joseph's grandfather to use a wheelchair. Even Aulia bought an electric wheelchair, although a used one, but still very good because it was only briefly used by the previous owner.

"Father happy, tuh. Just look at the one who did not want to use a wheelchair, now even happily use it," said Halimah's grandmother with a small laugh.

"Asik, right, Cake?" aulia asked with a big smile.

"In this case, grandfather will not trouble you two later" replied Joseph with a smile.

     Fortunately at Joseph's grandfather's house all the rooms were spacious and there was not much furniture. So, do not make it difficult when moving using the wheelchair. Even Aulia added a little tile on the front porch so that the wheelchair can slide easily if you want to get down from the terrace to the yard.

"Assalamu'alaikum," greeting someone whose voice Aulia was familiar with.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," Aulia replied and quickly opened the door.

     The smile engraved behind his veil instantly disappeared when he saw there was a figure he had only seen once while in the ndalem. Kiai Akbar's extended family came to visit Joseph's grandfather.

"How are you doing now?" kiai Basir asked as Joseph's grandfather sat on the sofa.

"As Kiai saw. Thank God, God still gives me the opportunity to seek more rewards" replied Joseph's grandfather.

"Yes, God is very dear to you, Ustadz," Kiai Akbar continued.

     Aulia only serves sweet tea water and chips. There was no soft food steamed because he still could not process food.

     The eyes of Aulia and Fathir were rubbed for a moment as the girl placed the glass in front of her. So did the woman that Aulia believed was Ning Aliyah. Although wearing a veil, but a mole at the end of his eye is clearly visible.

"Maybe I still have work to do before the angel of the lifethrower comes to me" said Joseph's grandfather with a small laugh and followed by another laugh.

"In addition to visiting Ustadz Yusuf, we came here also because there is another purpose," said Kiai Akbar.

"What is that, Mr Kiai?" asked Joseph's grandfather to look at his protege first.

"Can we recite Aulia?" kiai Akbar asked seriously.

"For whom?" ask grandfather Yusuf.

"Being Gus Fathir's second wife" replied Kiai Basir.

    Aulia felt her chest crept up firmly. The stifling that he felt at the moment. His eyes are hot too. Of course this was not a surprise to him. When his best friend said that he was in the boarding school owned by Kiai Rojaq, he had suspected that Fathir was preaching Ning Aliyah. Even though he already knew that, it still felt very painful when he heard it directly.

    Ning Aliyah turned her face away as her eyes rubbed with Aulia's eyes. Meanwhile, Annisa shed tears. His eyes also look red and swollen. Fathir himself lowered his head.

***

Will Aulia receive a proposal from Fathir? Wait for it to go, yeah!

While waiting up the next chapter, yuk read also to my other works. No less exciting, loh!