The Soulmate Must Meet

Episode 23 - Victory is Delayed Failure

Announcement of the winner of the da'wah race will be announced, all are delighted. Making busy at the boarding school, the committee that has been formed prepares everything, the stage is more lively than usual. The show's fillers are also more numerous, more variegated. Not only that, the pesantren invited Da’i famous to fill in the event, who else if not Ustadz Abdul Somad.

Santri often see Abdul Somad appear on television to give lectures, and it is a joy for students to meet the famous ustad. Likewise with me, when in Jakarta I had the desire to meet him, let alone be able to pour out this heart, but it was no longer a desire. For I am here to improve, to find my way of life, which I must have felt anxious to wait for the announcement.

And the anxiety was also not visible from my face alone, the students who participated in this race waited with anxious expectations. Several invited guests have arrived, from local officials and the leaders of boarding houses around Cirebon. Events like this are not just a celebration, but a gathering place for pesantren cottage leaders.

Ms. Masriyah and Mr. Kyai sat in front of the stage. I was just sitting in the middle row with Khodijah and Aisyah, while in the front row the male santri crowded, these eyes were looking for Subhan, I haven't seen him in days. He seemed to be swallowed by time, after the incident I decided not to join the assembly of the taklim, led Fatimah. Let me know that I am not accepted by Fatimah.

Ms. Masriyah also did not know, I'm sure she would have called me if she found out that I was absent from the forum. But, Fatimah was seen by me, she was in the reception line, of course as the committee, it seemed she was busy organizing her people. Fatimah has the soul of a leader, I realize that. However, his talent was used for an arrogance, that was a pity.

“Who's day?” Aisyah nudged my arm.

“Nothing...just look at the situation,” I replied.

“Don't lie! It must be Subhan's nyari, right? Tuh... cornered!” point Aisyah.

I followed Aisyah's directions. Subhan was sitting casually in the corner of the room, he did not show himself in public, preferring to be alone like that. Is he really a loner? Just like I am happy with the silence. I feel that silence is the most loyal friend of all.

“Ciee... There's a miss!” chirp Aisyah again.

I realized, then pretended to take my eyes off, pinching Aisyah's hand. Maybe what Aisyah said was also true that I had a turmoil of longing, but why? Didn't Subhan also not care about me, he never gave any sign that he liked me.

“Sst... don't be matedekin continue, later even run away.” Khodijah also join nimbrung.

Apparently they want revenge after the incident with Abdullah. Before they started, the show's readers had already taken the stage, then read out the arrangement of the event. Then, some of the performers rose, we were enthralled with the Sufi dances of Turkey, and the poet recited the poems with great interest. Music accompanies, dancers circulate, poetry readers cry, everything dissolves in poetry.

Poetry turns out not only a conversation that often friends throw in school first, poetry is a prayer, hope for God, and the realization can be a cry, regret or surrender. I got hooked, and learned a new lesson from this performance. Really, I have a lot to learn.

Tearless tears also wet the cheeks of the audience who touched his heart. The atmosphere suddenly filled with tears, the cheerful cheers at first disappeared instantly just by a poem. At the end of the performance of the poem, boisterous applause, all satisfied with the appearance, hopefully they get the meaning of the words in the poem. Hope so…

“It wasn't Fatimah?” Khodijah gave a signal.

I saw Fatimah approaching Subhan, then they chatted, occasionally seen laughing. Now, I am more convinced that Fatimah does like Subhan, maybe he is jealous of me, because Subhan is always watching me, although not every time, only in a certain time, even if he meets.

It's shortsighted that if he spills it on me, why not just come straight to Subhan, it's more responsible, and it doesn't hurt my respect for him. Although I respected him as the head of the assembly, but now, I don't want to submit to him anymore. I had to fight back, before being trampled by him. Not a grudge, but I don't accept being treated like that, let alone being a Muslim.

“Kok your face is cynical so?” whiskey Aisyah.

Khodijah glanced at me, he must have guessed that there was a problem between me and Fatimah. Even though I haven't told you the truth, they would have guessed what happened to me.

“Nothing is ok...,” I replied flat.

“I didn't ask what was it? Just why did your face turn cynical, as if you hated Fatimah.”

I'm silent. Hidden will also be found out, such as storing carcasses, if harboring hatred.

“Jealous may be.. but do not hate..,” said Khodijah.

“I'm not jealous!” tukasku.

Aisha and Khodijah looked at each other. This hatred has indeed spread into my heart, I can no longer forgive the treatment of Fatimah, I must rebel, do not want me to lose by people who deliberately want to destroy my life. I am not the old Grace, who can only resign in every exam. I have risen, ready to fight or defend.

“Then what happened between you?” ask Aisyah.

I tried to gather my courage to tell the truth, but I could not get it out yet, I was devastated by the attitude of Fatimah as if I was her enemy.

“Hhhh..

For a moment we were silent. Aisha was impatient, and so was Khodijah, but Khodijah was calmer, unlike Aisha.

Suddenly there was a boisterous applause, the performance of Sufi dances and poetry readings had ended, now the host took the stage, then asked Ms. Masriyah to go on stage, read the announcement of the winner of the da'wah competition. Ms. Masriyah walked casually, carrying a woman I can not deny, very clearly visible from her aura.

“We'd better talk about it again,” said Khodijah.

All listening, my eyes glancing towards Fatimah and Subhan, they also watched closely.

“I am very proud of the santri-santri in this boarding school, they have high fighting power. To sacrifice for religion and science. As young people in this modern world, they are generations of Islam that must be empowered by the elderly, not utilized,” the voice of Masriyah bu is like thundering in this hall. Everything is getting quiet.

The guests also listened, they nodded their heads in agreement with Masriyah. An exemplary woman for a leader, Fatimah should learn from Masriyah to become a leader.

“Dakwah is not to make money, but to invite people back to the right path, as well as for a Da’i, they must learn from what he conveys, because the essence of man is to learn, not to teach,” loudly ma'am Masriyah said.

I agree with Ms. Masriyah, now there are many da'wah competitions on TV, but finally just to make money, but finally, though there is clearly a prohibition in the Quran for every Muslim not to ask for money in religious science.

“I was very moved to watch the Da’i from the santri-santri in this pesantren in one week ago, until in the end I was also more moved to read to anyone who won the race. However, it must be remembered, that victory is not the end of everything, not to measure greatness. But, victory is a process of learning to be a humble person.”

The words were greeted by a standing ovation from everyone present, Masriyah smiled, she looked around the hall, and someone came up to her, giving her a piece of paper, and, it must contain the winners who have been highly anticipated by the students and participants.

“Alright, in this hand is a piece of paper. I suggest the participants prepare heart medication to not be dislodged.”

The laughter of the santri melts the atmosphere. Masriyah can also make jokes apparently on stage, so the atmosphere does not become tense.

“Alright.. for the third champion I beg with respect to sister Fatimah to go on stage,” said Ms. Masriyah.

All eyes looked around, looking for Fatimah. My eyes immediately found Fatimah who was alone with Subhan. Fatimah tried to master her delight, she walked towards the stage, all applause greeted her. While I still looked at her differently, Fatimah looked arrogant on stage.

Masriyah kissed Fatimah's forehead, then was welcome to sit in the place that had been provided.

“For Anggun sister please go up on stage, apparently he did not in vain come to Cirebon to study,” bu Masriyah quite calmly read out the da'wah champions, he was like not announcing the winner. What a tense atmosphere to be mediocre.

But for me, it's still tense. Aisyah and Khodijah hugged me who was still in disbelief with the flatness of Masriyah maam mentioned my name as the second champion. Well, I'm really happy, embarrassed and anxious too.

“Come on stage!” whiskey Aisyah.

“Eh?”

“You did it!” khodijah.

I was still confused, while everyone was staring towards the commotion caused by Aisyah, excessive cheers. It is natural that a friend is very happy if he gets good news from his best friend.

I slowly got up from the bench, and was greeted by boisterous applause. I was still shy about stepping, but Masriyah's face encouraged me to keep moving. Instead, Fatimah looked at me cynically, an eye that harbored hatred, the war seemed to be about to begin.

The eyes of the invited guests also followed my footsteps to get to the stage. Masriyah also kissed my forehead, there was no different treatment between me and Fatimah, until finally I was welcome in the place beside Fatimah. I reached out as a form of appreciation for the success of Fatimah. He seemed reluctant to welcome, but, of course, he would not look arrogant by everyone present, until finally receiving my helping hand.

“Next, the first winner for the indictment race this time is..”.

All silence, waiting for the name to be mentioned by Ms. Masriyah. I also feel the tension, being champion two is already very extraordinary for me, but, in the race to remain champion one is the happiest thing. Fatimah's angry face looked increasingly unpleasant. Maybe he felt defeated by me, because he got the third champion.

“Subhan, welcome to go on stage!”

Male students immediately cheered with joy, maybe they also felt worried that the one who won the da'wah race was female students again. But it turns out Subhan can represent them. I was also surprised to hear the name, even though it was certain that he would win. Subhan got up from his seat, then stepped calmly. Mr. Kyai greeted him, and kissed Subhan's forehead, his sign encouragingly. Here, kissing the forehead is a form of respect for others. Subhan took the stage, but he stood apart from us, because of the different types. Then Ustad Uje took to the stage to give prizes, in the form of trophies and scholarships for one semester. Here, every race there is always a scholarship as a gift, not in the form of goods or cash.

“Remember, I don't feel lost you're not in the assembly. And... to me, you haven't won from me,” said Fatimah.

I did not fully understand the meaning of Fatimah, but I tried not to pay attention to it, the symbol of the gift I received from the ustad Abdul Somad, then Fatimah also got it. Subhan glanced at me as I tried to take my eyes off Fatimah. Our eyes clashed, and he smiled at me.

After the gift-giving ceremony was over, I got off the stage. Aisyah and Khodijah greeted with hugs, they were very happy with my success. Subhan approached me, his smile not also missing from his lips.

“Alhamdulillah. I like the theme you brought at that time, it was very realistic,” he said.

“Thank you... You are also better at making everyone present fascinated,” reply me.

Fatimah looked at us. His gaze became more and more hateful, I tried not to bully him, until finally we were made aware by the voice of Ustad Abdul Somad opened his proselytizing with greetings. The closing event is indeed a spiritual flush delivered by the famous ustad. He brought me an interesting theme, a theme that would remind me not to be lulled into success. All began to sit on their respective benches, listening to Abdul Somad's lecture, victory was a delayed failure.