The Moon Among the Stars

11

Ayumi looked at Kahfi's shadow until it disappeared from her sight. Not even had time to thank Kak Kahfi for giving Ayumi, but the one who gave hastily left.

Kak Kahfi's plastic bag was placed on the fence, and Ayumi finished her homework by sweeping the yard of Granny Arsy's house.

"Ayumi, drink warm tea first let your body warm up" Grandma Arsy told Ayumi and put warm tea complete with fried bananas as a snack.

"Yes Nek. It's gonna be over soon. Ayumi flowers the trash first to the outside." said Ayumi half-screaming from the front yard.

Ayumi walked out of the courtyard to remove the garbage that had been collected inside the large pitcher. Ayumi's footsteps were slow and very careful that the pengki containing the trash did not spill and fell back into the courtyard that Ayumi passed while walking.

"Ayumi ..." call someone out loud. Stranger voices from across the street.

Ayumi sped up her pace and immediately threw the trash from inside the pengki into the big trash can.

"Ayumi ..." shouted someone from across the street.

It was seen the man running across the highway which still looked dark and deserted.

"Astagfirullah Afnan? Ayumi was scared" Ayumi told Afnan.

"Yes Ayumi. Forgive Brother yes. Last morning run around the village, see you have been diligent early in the morning gini. Find breakfast yuk, Ay?" said Afnan slowly while looking at Ayumi's two eyes that looked swollen.

Stared as if he had a mistake, Ayumi lowered her head.

"You've been crying Ayumi? What was? Weren't you okay last night. Arsy's grandmother scolded you for coming home late at night?" tanya Afnan.

Ayumi only took a deep breath and was silent waiting for Afnan to finish his talk.

"Is that the only question?" ayumi asked Afnan who looked anxious and panicked.

Afnan nodded his head slowly. "So I need answers, not silence. Don't make you anxious" said Afnan firmly and looks possessive.

"Ayumi was crying last night. Ayumi misses Daddy and Mommy." said Ayumi very softly. His voice sounded hoarse like it was being held back.

"There's a big sister, Ayumi. Brother will not let Ayumi alone and grieve. Make Brother your best friend." said Afnan pleading.

"To within Brother. It's not good to talk here, it's better on the porch. All breakfast at home." said Ayumi slowly and then walked first to the terrace of Grandma Arsy's house.

Grandma Arsy looked at Ayumi fixedly, as if asking for an answer why Nak Afnan could be with her so early in the morning.

"Ayumi, go inside. You better take a shower and get ready for school" said Granny Arsy with a firm attitude.

Ayumi did not answer Grandma Arsy's words. Ayumi was quite aware of the big mistake she made herself. Ayumi sped up her pace and rushed inside the house as Grandma Arsy wished.

Afnan walked right behind Ayumi. Afnan listened to Grandma Arsy's words to Ayumi. All was his fault that could not hold back his longing for not meeting his beloved girl.

His heart was agitated and anxious last night when he left Ayumi. It feels very different when trying to get close to Zura because he is tired of waiting for the presence of Ayumi who is never sure.

However, Afnan's prayers have been granted by Allah SWT. The meeting unintentionally returned when the two of them were indeed quite mature.

"What's wrong with Afnan. Isn't it still dark, but Nak Afnan is already in the house of a girl who is not his mahram." said Granny Arsy advised.

"Whatever that's the reason. Use the adab and manners that occur in this village. Keep your good name here, Son Afnan. Not Grandma forbid you to come here. Your goals should be clear, your ages are quite different. Ayumi still has goals she wants to achieve. Not only because the incident ten years ago can be used as an excuse to approach Ayumi in a way that is not good. Please pay attention." said Grandma Arsy very firmly.

"Sorry Grandma. Afnan does not mean anything, especially with events in the past. At that time Afnan really sincerely helped Ayumi. But ..." Afnan's speech stopped when he wanted to tell the truth to Grandma Arsy.

Afnan lowered his head, looking slightly nervous and reluctant to look at Grandma Arsy's face as usual. This morning was really tough and incredibly nervous.

"But what's Afnan's son?" ask Grandma Arsy with curiosity.

"Afnan loves Ayumi" Afnan said a little loudly but his breathing seemed to be panting and frightened.

"What are you saying, Son Afnan. Don't play Grandma's favorite girl. She's the only granddaughter Grandma has. As much as possible Grandma will take care, not Grandma let it be easily seduced by men who want to play games alone." said Grandma Arsy very firmly.

"Afnan seriously Grandma. Afnan doesn't mess around with this. Afnan has loved Ayumi ever since. Afnan's feelings are different every time he sees Ayumi's smile." said Afnan half-begging to be believed. His words are true from the heart and sincere, not just nonsense young men who only worship the beauty of women.

"No Grandma doubted. Ayumi was still a child, not even seventeen years old. It is not time to know the heart. Grandma was happy if Ayumi did not choose to be friends wrongly. Even that's what Grandma expected." said Granny Arsy.

"Is this a rejection of Nek?" afnan asked hesitantly to dare herself to look at Grandma Arsy's face in front of her.

Arsy's grandmother laughed off hearing Afnan's innocent-looking words.

"Not a rejection but more able to keep Ayumi until the right time. All options are in Ayumi's hands. Grandma can only give advice on which is good and which is not good for Ayumi Grandma's favorite granddaughter." said Grandma Arsy while throwing a smile to Afnan.

At least Afnan understood what Grandma Arsy meant, that Ayumi still had aspirations., if Afnan could wait please, even if it could not wait it was also not a problem.

"Afnan understands Nek. Allow Afnan to always take care of Ayumi and wait for Ayumi until the time comes" said Afnan slowly.

Grandma Arsy nodded her head slowly.

"The sun is gone, son Afnan does not teach?" ask Grandma Arsy directly to the intention and purpose to get Afnan to go home immediately.

"Yes Nek. Afnan said to go home first to prepare himself. Please tell Ayumi, after this I picked up to go to school together" said Afnan slowly.

"Good Grandma will tell Ayumi" said Grandma Arsy briefly.

Afnan immediately moved from his seat and said goodbye to Grandma Arsy.

Again his heart was happy. At least what has been fought for so far Afnan can get.

Afnan's smile continued to be happy until he reached his home.

Ayumi had been preparing since. Already wearing uniforms and other attributes to go to school and wait for Grandma Arsy to finish talking with Kak Afnan.

Grandma Arsy went inside and brought dishes and glasses to the kitchen.

"What's wrong, Grandma? It seems serious." asked Ayumi while sipping on the sweet hot tea made by Grandma Arsy.

"There's nothing Ayumi. Just a normal conversation. It's a little stressful because there's something to argue about." Granny Arsy explained briefly.

Ayumi was only speechless and did not reply to Grandma Arsy's words.