The Muazin

Episode 3

Damn, when the inauguration of a new member like this, Safa could not attend because she was having a fever. I had to go to the mosque myself, fortunately it was time for Ashar, I still dared to go alone.

With lightning fast I have parked the motorbike in the spacious courtyard of the mosque, there are a bunch of children who have come, they are the children of Tsanawiyah–seen from the posture and his face is still plain, plain, plus there's Intan there–I know him. Inevitably I have to join them, yes I sat alone in the corner of the mosque foyer, ogah lah.

"Assalamualaik." I say hello to all of them.

"Waalaikumsalam," they answered compactly.

"Eh, Sister Zaya. Here, Ma'am!" Intan waved his hand, he is quite familiar with me.

"Come join, has it been a long time?" ask pleasantries.

Actually, most of these kids already know me, because they were all my underclassmen back when Tsanawiyah was. Plus, I was an active member of OSIS back then, making a lot of students recognize me.

They seem to be chatting things that are worth talking about for a child his age. I just played with HP from earlier, while waiting for other members to come.

Before long, several people appeared from inside the mosque. They passed through a side door into the mosque. There was Dina, Umi, and one person I didn't know her name, but had seen her face. Understandably, his house that was the farthest from the mosque among them was only me.

"Hi, Za. It's old?" umi greetings.

"Yet. A short distance from your arrival," I replied.

"Do you really want to come?" ask Dina.

"What's wrong?" 

"This is it, RISMA."

"Oh, yes. Why is it?"

"Yes, it's okay. Your house is a good distance."

"It's not a problem it's mah, haha."

We were late in a warm chat, until unknowingly many people had gathered in the mosque foyer. Some are also inside.

"Hello, Zaya!"

Fian again. I have to be extra patient this time, considering I will often meet him, at school or in the mosque.

I just returned with a smile.

"I'm joining here yak?" lightly said.

"Ih. Don't-don't! That's it, join memen-tenemen aja. Why are you coming with us?" irritated say.

"Why is that why?"

"I don't want to."

"Wouldn't what?"

"Don't want you to sit down with us here!" my answer is upset.

"O Allah is evil."

Dina, Umi, and Fitri–, their friends, just laughed at my behavior against Fian. Shame on that one guy.

"Dwelling. Not gonna!" He left the four of us laughing. I was upset, while my three friends seemed to be enjoying the entertainment just now.

Amidst the laughing sounds of my friends, a motorbike entered the courtyard of the mosque. There were two people in a piggy bank, not visible face clearly because of obstructed helmet worn by the driver. The motor was passing the road beside the mosque, it turns out that the one who was piggybacked was Pak Muhsin–imam Al Husna mosque. I saw him because he was piggybacking by sitting sideways which made his shady face clearly visible, we all greeted with our heads down and smiled.

"Gus Fawaid, isn't it?" 

Fitri's question restores my focus to my friends.

"Yes, he's on vacation at the cottage. It's been about a week like it's at home." Umi answered Fitri's question.

"Who's Gus Fawaid?" I'm starting to get curious.

"The youngest son of Mr. Muhsin. I don't know" replied Umi.

"Well, I just found out. Kirain's only son is Miss Syifa and Mas Farhan doang."

"Oah. Where have you been, Za. Gus Fawaid is handsome."

"Ganteng, but the cuteness begs for mercy." Dina.

We laughed together, and then there was an order from inside the mosque for everyone to gather inside.

The appointment of a new member of the mosque teenager this time took quite a long time, it was caused by everyone who appointed me to be secretary, and I did not want to. We argued until it took a lot of time. Not to be outdone, Mbak Wulan– the old secretary still forced me and finally I had to obey his wishes despite being forced.

The meeting as well as the inauguration of the new members of the mosque teenagers was completed before Magrib time, we all chose to congregate here. Not wanting to waste time, I immediately took the water wudu to the north of the mosque which borders the place of male wudu and separated by a barrier wall.

"During his cottage vacation, Gus?" There was a familiar voice in my ear. Fian was talking to someone behind this separation wall.

"Lumayan, can make refreshing," replied the man accompanied by laughter. Who else is the person called "Gus" here if not Gus Fawaid that Umi talked about earlier. According to my hearing, it seems that Gus Fawaid is a friendly person, evident when he talks to Fian. There's no cue at all.

"First yes, I want azan."

"Ready, Gus!"

I immediately entered the mosque and prepared to wear a mukena. Until then…

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…

My heart felt like it was watered by ice water, the heart felt rhythmic even tighter. The voice of the azan was exactly the voice of the muezzin I was looking for. 

Allaahu Akbar's...

His voice was soft and melodious, the rhythm was also different from the others, making anyone who heard it would be stunned. 

Until the azan ended, I remained standing while holding the face that had not been attached to the body.

"Za, why stand up, no pegel?" Umi's voice broke my daydream.

"E-eh yes... Who was azan?" I finally asked him that question.

"Gus Fawaid, good right?"

O Allah, so all this time Gus Fawaid was the owner of that beautiful voice?