The Muazin

Episode 9

The thought of Gus Fawaid continues to haunt us. In fact, even in retrospect I couldn't concentrate. Last night, the time to study was also replaced by the shadow of him, as a result I did not master all the material for today's replay.

"That's done soon enough to be collected, yes. The remaining time is 5 minutes," said Bu Dwi–guru Ekonomi.

"Astaghfirullah." I reflect on saying Istighfar. Suddenly, the classmates turned to look at my seat. 

"Why, Zaya? Done already?" ask Ms. Dwi.

"Eh, be-lum, Mom. A little more."

He just holds his head. Another bit? My answer sheet just filled in half. This brain is completely blank, I can't think clearly, the thought of Gus Fawaid having mastered this self.

I was confused as to how, to cheat but of course this heart rejected it. But, this is urgent, there are only a few minutes left, and the answer sheet is half empty. I had to poke Safa and ask her for help. Safa kindly gave me an answer to a completely foreign question in my head.

Slowly and cautiously, my hand began to write down the answer Safa gave me. Just one more line, the race's relief. But suddenly the answer sheet that was in the hand was immediately pulled by someone.

"Tomorrow you're immediately remidi in the teacher's office!"

Like being struck by lightning. Shame and fear become one. How could Ms Dwi suddenly be behind my seat? He was on the teacher's desk. I just kept quiet and hesitated to hear his statement, and also had to accept the fact that I had to immediately get paid tomorrow. 

Why should I be caught. In fact, in this class also many other friends who also cheat. Unmitigated, there are those who deliberately write answers on small paper and keep them in place of his transparent pencil. Their table was full of scribbles of material that was pierced with pencils. Why would I know? Of course, it's been a tradition in my class maybe in other classes too.

The habit of cheating I never do except being sprained like that. I also choose to ask questions rather than copy answers from friends or from cheats. Sifa told me so quietly, but bad luck is indeed siding with this self. I have to accept it.

"You're the reason, Za. Don't you usually think of it?" sifa asked when the replay was over.

"I'm a dude, Fa."

"Why?"

"Just like Gus Fawaid."

"God! Because of thinking about Gus Fawaid, you did not learn? Don't get crazy you are, Za."

"Astaghfirullah .. not like that, Fa. I was just thinking, did Gus Fawaid really know me before?"

"Couldn't you? Where do you know?"

I explained everything Mas Ali said about Gus Fawaid to Safa. About me who's known Gus Fawaid since I was a kid, and also he who likes to interrupt until I cry. I was like an amnesiac, for I told something about my own childhood but I did not remember it at all. Safa listened to all the stories I told carefully.

My mind was making a fantasy of my own about the childhood I had with Gus Fawaid. Somehow, but this brain cleverly strings the pieces of the story that Mas Ali said then arranged them into a beautiful childhood shadow.

"Oalah .. pantesan, Za."

"That, Gus Fawaid is different from you. If it's with other women he's very indifferent, but if you're friendly, right? Smile again."

"Lha keep going, what's the connection?"

"Yes obviously have something to do .. That means he already knows you from childhood, his hobby is also ngusilin you. If I think so, Za. Gus Fawaid was hoping you'd want him. Proven from his different attitude with you, O Zaya .. understand me?"

I started to digest all the words from Safa. Is that really so? Then why doesn't Gus Fawaid just talk to me directly? I was curious about my childhood with him. Until home, I will interrogate Mas Ali about this matter, so that the memory in my brain can remember everything back. 

***

Arriving at home, I immediately looked for the figure of Mas Ali. All the corners of the house did not escape my search, but he did not exist. The room was also empty, there was no sign of life in it.

"Mom, where the hell is Mas Ali, why am I looking for nothing?" I have a mother who is cooking in the kitchen.

"To his house. What the hell are you doing?"

"Not really, just want something. Which one is it?"

"Udah, I'll be home later. You eat first. It's mateng."

Mom went to prepare the food at the table, but I was still thinking about the matter. It feels so bad to be in this condition. Perhaps, to others, a matter like this was only trivial and meant nothing. Unlike me who has high curiosity. Especially about the person I was idolizing.

Long wait, finally Mas Ali came too. I also approached him directly.

"Where the hell is it, Mas? Waiting to know that?" 

My patience began to thin, this self wanted to immediately find out the true facts about the past.

"From Fawaid's house, why the hell?"

My body warmed when I heard that name. In time, his name was called when I wanted to know more about him.

"Oh .. E-ee .. ask the question." Damnit damnit! I suddenly started talking about Gus Fawaid. In fact, before Mas Ali came, I could not wait for this time to ask him directly.

"What the hell, not so clear. Udahlan Mas wants to take a shower. Later on it's nanyanya. After all, surely your question is also not important. Aye, right?"

Mas Ali just left without waiting for an answer to his question. My fault is also actually because it suddenly became a gerogi like this.

I'm getting more and more overwhelmed by prolonged. Anyway, tonight, I have to get Mas Ali to tell me about what happened a dozen years ago. About my childhood with Gus Fawaid.