The Soulmate Must Meet

Episode 19 - Honor of Hijab

Everyone present looked in admiration at me. Though I only try to do my best, and this is the first da'wah experience, but the present exceeds the real da'wah done by the famous Da’i. I could not help but hold back my tears, the judges who came from various boarding schools also applauded. I don't know what amazed me?

“Mom didn't think you could do that,” said Ms. Masriyah.

“I also did not expect Mother..”.

“Interesting theme, where do you get inspiration?”

“Di Jakarta.”

“Jakarta?”

“Iya Ma'am, there are many Muslim women in hijab. Yet they forget that the hijab is to cover the aurat, to guard it from the fires of hell. While there are, they are hijab but show the uratnya.”

“Betul also... not only in Jakarta, in Cirebon only a lot. Women in hijab but wearing tight clothes.”

“That makes me restless Ma'am. Even not only the general public, among schools based on Islam is also the same.”

“Hhh... Mother is also very concerned about conditions like this.”

“I feel ashamed as a woman if see that.”

Ms. Masriyah looked at me, her face was very sad, but behind her desire it had a strong authority. Ever since I took the stage, he was the sharpest looking at me, it seemed like he was researching my development here, and I didn't disappoint performing on stage either.

In addition, there was also a green veiled woman who kept watching when I performed. She never knew me, but I often saw her chatting with Subhan after dawn prayers. Usually, there is spiritual morning and nature recognition, where all the santri freely roam around the streets of hills and rice fields near the cottage. That woman never looked at me.

In fact, until when I chatted with Masriyah's mother, she still looked at me. Who her?

“Firman and hadith, you brought it very precisely,” said bu Masriyah surprised me.

“I tried to explore first, before appearing earlier, Mom. Because, sometimes hijab is also a culture in certain countries.”

“That's right, many countries are not Muslim, but the women wear hijab. However, Indonesia does not include the culture Ibu think. because, in Indonesia hijab women are muslim.”.

“Iya Ma'am…. In India there are also non-Muslims who wear hijab.”

“That's exactly what's interesting, you pack it into a rich understanding of meaning.”

“Thank you Mom... actually because I read about it before, and a little experience that I have met. So that when in front I can talk a little.”

I glanced at Khodijah and Aisyah, they were chatting with the green veiled woman. Well, maybe she's looking for information about me, hopefully they'll be trustworthy women, not talking bad things about me. Although in reality I'm not necessarily good.

“Oh yes, later tonight you can come to Mom's house?” ask Masriyah's mother.

“God willing, Mom..”

“Alright then, Mom stay first. Assalamu’alaikum.”.

“Wa’alaikumussalam.”.

After the departure of Ms. Masriyah, my mind was attacked by the question, why did Masriyah's mother ask me to go to her house? And the green veiled woman was getting more and more engrossed in chatting with Khodijah and Asiyah, while Subhan had yet to be seen.

The sound of applause broke everything, a male santri took the stage, he began to open his proselytizing. Of course I was surprised, the santri man was Subhan, on stage he was not the slightest bit awkward or stiff, his clothes were also like a professional Da’i. Just like habib. Wearing white clothes. I feel a lot of enthusiasm from students, especially women. The green veiled woman also stopped her chatter, she dissolved in this atmosphere.

Apparently Subhan was not visible from earlier, must be preparing to appear next, and the theme he brought was no less great. He brought the theme of marriage, the boundaries of marriage itself, and also the obligations of a husband and wife in marriage. Of course this is very interesting for the students who really crave happiness in marriage, especially female students who wait for the presence of a priest in the household later. From Subhan's lecture, they can learn, including me.

“Sstt... Subhan turned out to be famous huh?” aisyah's voice surprised me, while Khodijah was apart, she sat next to the green veiled woman.

“I also did not expect,” I replied.

“Wah... will be many rivals dong!” ledek Aisha.

“The fool is in the hands of God,” I smile.

“But nyesek also if until it does not become married with Subhan.”

“More precisely married..”.

“Iya married, hehehe.”

The judges were also amazed by Subhan's appearance, moreover he brought his preaching very communicative, often interspersed with humor, making the atmosphere not boring, different from me who was more scientific in bringing da'wah. Subhan was like a witch, bewitching everyone present, I never expected this. The person I know accidentally is a smart santri.

I secretly admired him too, of course he entered into the criteria of being the priest of choice, because such a man I was looking for. Deep, intelligent understanding of religion is also firm. If you say handsome, Subhan is indeed a handsome man. Will I be able to attract his attention?

This pessimism suddenly appears, because in fact Subhan is much loved by female students.

“Oh yes, Fatimah was your name, indeed you ever chat?” ask Aisyah.

“Fatimah?”

“Iya.. time do not know?”

I shook my head.

“It.... the green veiled!” Aisyah looked at the woman, she was very serious about looking at Subhan.

“Oh... her name is Fatimah?”

“Iya.. he is the chairman of the board of taklim hut, every Friday night there is often a discussion tafsir al-Quran.”

“Seriously? How come I never heard of that assembly?”

“The assembly was only approved by Ms. Masriyah this morning.”

“Oh..”

The woman turned out to be an intelligent person as well, of course influential among her friends, because she became an assemblyman. But why did he keep watching me, then ask about my name all?

“He invited Kak Khodijah to join,” continued Aisyah.

“Khodijah want?”

“Kak Khodijah has not answered, surely later tonight will be discussed by him in the room.”

“Later tonight I was asked to see Ms. Masriyah.”

Aisyah was surprised, she looked at me more seriously. For a moment I forgot Subhan who was preaching on stage.

“Anggun what's the problem?”

“Trouble?”

“Iya.. usually Mom calls santri if she has problems.”.

My heart was pounding hearing that. As far as I know, I have no problem in the guava cabin. I've also paid off expenses at the boarding school for three years, the proceeds from selling the house. I thought, let me have nothing, as long as I can study, then make money, then buy another house.

“Kok silent?” ask Aisyah.

“Entahlah... as far as I know, there is no problem anything.”

“Mmm... continue why asked come?”

I also never know the reason why Ms. Masriyah asked me to come to her house by myself, but this is indeed a puzzle to me.

“Hopefully just want to chat yes..”.

“Amiin..”.

The sound of laughter resuscitated us. Apparently Subhan had just thrown a joke, everyone present was very enthusiastic watching him preach. Subhan has succeeded in becoming Da’i, and I am sure he will be the champion. There is no gender difference in this race. Male and female students compete for the champion, although the competition is not held to find the champion, or the best. More about learning for students who study here.

And a few minutes later Subhan put an end to everything, boisterous applause greeted Subhan, all looking elated and amazed at this male santri. Aisyah was also cheering in excitement, but this behavior of hers was just teasing me, she was intending to heat me up, really funny this friend of mine.

“Ayooo samperin him! People will take it!” exclaim Aisyah.

“Ih, can-can Bu Masriyah angry tahuu... we must still appreciate the boundaries between men and women, no matter how amazing the woman is against men.”

“Well...did you know that you admire Subhan?”

“For me, you remain the best,” said Khodijah after arriving.

“Ah... don't like to praise,” I smile at her.

“Not really.. if you are compared with Subhan of course different, but, what you do is the first time. While Subhan has been the umpteenth time, meaning you have done the best thing,” explained Khodijah.

“Where did Kak Khodijah know?” ask Aisyah.

“Fatimah told me.”

“Fatimah? How can he know?” aisyah's question is the same as mine, only I can't say it.

“He has known Subhan for a long time, it can be said one generation. We are still beginners here, but we are lucky to be with them, this is thanks to Bu Masriyah who always gives encouragement to our class.”

That is true, because all female students who are the same age as us, rarely appear, or appear in public. Only I, Aisyah and Khodijah are always active, I myself never know why this could happen. Maybe they are still learning to adapt in this environment.

But Khodijah's words about Fatimah made me more nervous, Fatimah's eyes on me must have something. I don't know if it's Subhan or not, which is why I'm not comfortable with his eyes.

“Tuh view! Fatimah greets Subhan!” exclaim Aisyah.

We glanced at them, indeed Subhan and Fatimah were very familiar looking as if they had known for a long time, this heart was painful, there was a feeling of annoyance to see it. Eh? Am I jealous? No way, Subhan is nobody to me, he is still free to choose and be chosen.

“Ciee... Someone is heartbroken!” Aisyah even let out, making me keki.

“Wus! You are.. Don't like to be teased ah! Not good...,” bela Khodijah.

But his eyes glanced at me, as if he was also curious about the change in my face. What am I supposed to do?

The host took the stage, breaking my mood, and everyone present was fixed on the stage. He told me that the event for today is over, and it will be two days later, there will be a Habib who fills out the lecture, then it will be closed with the announcement of the winner. All are allowed to leave their places and go back to their rooms.

My eyes tried to see Subhan and Fatimah, they separated, while I immediately headed to Masriyah's house. I wondered what it was, so he called me to talk at his house.

Suddenly remembered Aisyah's remark, that every santri called Masriyah's mother had a problem. I can't avoid that I'm not really not troubled, when it comes to this cottage, I'm dazed by the turmoil that peaked.

My feet stalled on the porch, my memory goes back into the past, when I first came here, Masriyah's mother who welcomed me.

“Tumben has arrived,” mother Masriyah standing in front of me.

He had also just arrived, perhaps after delivering the judges home from the cottage, so he had just arrived.

“Iya.. Mom, mumpung not too late.”.

“Come in!”

Masriyah stepped ahead of me who was still standing, opened the door, and followed her into the house. The atmosphere of the house had not changed at all, as if he did not want to change it either. Let it be as it is, reflecting a simple person.

I sat down, while Masriyah's mother left me, maybe she would put down the bag she was carrying, a few minutes later she came again with a cup of warm sweet tea.

“It's drunk first..”.

Without shame I immediately drank warm tea, from earlier it was very thirsty, even when seeing Fatimah familiar with Subhan, the drier this throat. I wanted to be involved to know what was going on with them.

“You seem to be agitated?”

“No Ma'am, just that was quite draining,” immediately I replied. In order not to be clearly seen this anxiety by Ms. Masriyah.

“Dakwah is tiring, and also does not make a lot of money. The person who preaches must be sincere without any reward.”.

“I understand Mom..”

Masriyah's husband came in. She looked at us, I stood up to honor her arrival, Masriyah greeted her and kissed her husband's hand. Without any talk, maybe he felt bad that I was here, and then he went inside the house. Then we sat back down.

“There's something I want to talk to you about,” said Ms. Masriyah.

The deg! This heart beating.

“If I have any mistake please forgive..”.

“Error?”

“Iya Ma'am.. Maybe I have an error so called here.”

Masriyah even smiled at my words.

“No... absolutely no.”

I raised my head, our eyes met each other. It was like looking into the eyes of a mother, the eyes that always loved her child.

“It's about Fatimah,” connect bu Masriyah.

Fatima? What's with the woman santri, it seems that from earlier she was playing before me. Is this perhaps the peak? I was dealing with Masriyah's mother because of her sharp equivalents?

“Fatimah? Who is she Mom.. I do not know her yet,” answered me trying not to be frank.

“That's exactly it, I want you guys to get acquainted.”

“I don't understand what Mother.” means

“Begini.. Fatimah just made a study group, an assembly ta’lim. I thought you two were a good fit.”

“I'm still learning Mom..”

I looked down again, there was a feeling of anxiety mixed with embarrassment, why should I? Why doesn't Khodijah know better about it all. Khodijah was invited by Fatimah to join, while I was not at all. No approach, even seen as an enemy.

“Mom needs you there, because I'm sure you can be the best.”

There is a happy feeling to hear that, but I do not want to be complacent by a compliment, it could be misleading.

“Thanks Mom..

“There is no reason. A Muslim woman should be able to hold the trust given by others.”

I bowed, powerless to argue. The firmness of Masriyah's mother made my heart shrink even more. I never knew anyone who was in that assembly, none of whom I knew. I can be exiled, especially I'm not very good at getting along.

“You can also many friends there..”.

Masriyah's mother's words were as if a premonition, that Masriyah's mother knew what was disturbing me. This confusion is increasingly ambushing, should I follow the request of Ms. Masriyah, or I refuse it.

“Alright, Mom give you time to think.”

Suddenly relieved, I can discuss with Khodijah and Aisyah. I don't want to be rash to make decisions, they are my friends, of course I have to be involved in decision-making, so they also feel appreciated.

“Thank you Mom..”

“Sama-sama, now can go home, it is late at night.”

Then I say goodbye.

“Anggun!” call Ms. Masriyah before I go far.

“Remember, that hijab for Muslim women is not only a dress, but an honor. And I really like your da'wah earlier.”

“Thank you Mom... I still have a lot to learn again.”

“Everyone is still learning.”

I smiled, and Masriyah smiled. I felt the warmth from her, the warmth of a mother.

“Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Wa’alaikumussalam.”

Tonight I stepped in with a lot of questions in my head, so what is this process called maturity?