Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

24. Empty in Asa and Taste.

...🍁If you are a real man, surely you know who and what are your priorities.🍁...

Hara's.

Actually, every time I spend the night at Wawan's house, I can not rest in peace. Naufal who talks a lot and often makes a scene if I am there, makes me want to not want to serve the adorable little boy.

Also the voice of mbak Nabila and mas Akmal who was reading the scriptures always managed to cultivate my curiosity. I often see Pak Wawan wake up in the morning to worship and berdo’a. He looks very solemn saying do’a which is only spoken in the heart.

Until now I am still amazed by the lifestyle of Wawan's family. The time they used to rest was only a little, but they did not look exhausted. Although all day doing work and other activities that drain energy.

This family also lives simply. There are no latest model gadgets with the most advanced features, no famous brand items worn, household furniture is also just ordinary. But they always look happy.

Mbak Nabila was mad at me because I bought Naufal lego for hundreds of thousands. For me it is not expensive, especially I have never given a gift to anyone. Buying Naufal a toy doesn't weigh me much.

But apparently mbak Nabila does not agree with me, “do not waste money just to buy toys. It is better to use to buy more useful items.”

But I'm not so deterred. Every time I visit, I keep buying Naufal a lot of toys and snacks. Although always get a disapproving look from mbak Nabila. For me it was exciting to see the cheerful twinkle of Naufal while receiving souvenirs from me.

The night after returning from the hospital, I took the family of Pak Wawan to a Muslim clothing store with a famous brand. At first they refused, but I forced Akmal to stop the car in front of the booth.

Three pieces of cocoa clothes and a dress with matching colors became their choice. Although it was too late because the price they think is fantastic, but I do not mind paying for their groceries.

“Hara, this is very expensive,” mbak Nabila whispered when he saw the price tag on his shirt, “if you buy in the store near home can get three.”

“But there is no brand like this, Mbak.” My answer while pointing to the logo on the bottom of the dress that has just been tried by mbak Nabila.

“Same, time. There or no brand, both can be used.”

“Never a pa-pa, right, Ma'am?” I do not accept the rejection that Nabila wants to launch. Soon I took the shirt from Nabila's hands and took it to the cashier.

When passing through the corner of the booth displaying the hijab, I was reminded of the main reason I brought the family of Wawan to this Muslim fashion store. I noticed the hijab that was worn by Mbak Nabila. From the size and way mbak Nabila wear it, almost the same as used by Jenar.

When I was treating the wound, I asked Irkham what cloth Jenar was wearing to cover my wound. Irkham said it was Jenar's hijab. I felt bad because when I washed the cloth, the bloodstain could not disappear perfectly, still leaving marks.

I thought I should change the bloodstained hijab by buying a new hijab. I don't think it's hard to find the same color as the hijab, let alone I've photographed it using my phone. So just get shaken.

“Mbak!” I had to bend a little so I could whisper in front of the ears mbak Nabila, “cariin the same hijab as the one that mbak wear.”

Mbak Nabila frowned while looking at me. I immediately explained before Nabila prejudiced a no-no to me, “tadi accidentally dirtyin hijab millik his sister boss. If not replaced worry boss angry, I could-can be fired.”

“I'm not lying, Ma'am.” I'm determined because it looks like Nabila doesn't believe my story.

“What's up, anyway?” Mas Akmal interrupted, probably because he saw me and Mbak Nabila whispering to each other.

“Hara ask to choose a hijab like this.” Answer mbak Nabila casually while pointing at the hijab she wears.

“Hara want to wear hijab?”

“Mas ... start, deh!” Mbak Nabila rolled his eyes because his serious speech was even responded jokingly by Akmal mas.

“Bu’e .. when does numpak odong-odong.” (Bu’e .. when to ride odong-odong.) Naufal started whining.

Mbak Nabila looked at me, immediately I showed a mobile phone screen that showed the color of the hijab. In order to mbak Nabila immediately find me a hijab of the same color.

“Less expensive no, huh, Ma'am? Anything better than this?” I asked when mbak Nabila found a hijab that was the same color but not as wide as the one Nabila was wearing.

“The base wants to find a hijab that model like what?” Not even my question was answered by mbak Nabila, the store employee has approached us. It must be because we have not found the item we were looking for.

“His brother your boss used to wear a big hijab?” Ask mbak Nabila.

I nodded, “I don't know what brand, but the size is the same as what Nabila used. Wider in fact, almost to the knee.”

“Oh! No jumbo hijab, Mommy? Which color is peach.” Mbak Nabila asked the store employee.

“You are instant or quadrilateral?” The shop worker asked.

I just kept watching Mbak Nabila and the store employees choose the hijab. I don't know any Muslim fashion models at all. Just know even if there is an instant hijab model, I guess only instant food turns out there is also an instant hijab.

I handed over the hijab to mbak Nabila. Since from the store the hijab is neatly stored in a plastic bag. I never opened it at all until I brought it to Magelang.

I was about to give it to Jenar myself while saying thank you. But until noon and I have to take Reyfan and Mr. Fares to Temanggung, the girl has not woken up. Either he sleeps or faints, until he does not wake up even though the sun is already hot.

As usual, I never activate my phone when I'm working. But because my job is more relaxed here, so I can check the incoming messages while Reyfan and Mr. Fares are talking to the tobacco collectors.

One missed call and several incoming messages, including from mbak Nabila and Aneesha. I opened a message from Aneesha first, worried that something was important because I couldn't answer her call earlier.

I frowned as I read the row of messages sent by Aneesha. One corner of my lips lifted slightly as I read the last line of the message. But soon I put him back down because I heard Deheman's voice next to me.

“WA from whom? Until those smiles read it?”

“Who smiles? Regular aja.”

Reyfan pointed at my face with his index finger, “I can't possibly miss a look! You were smiling, even a little bit. Who sent the message, anyway?”

“You know? But don't be surprised!”

“What should I be surprised by?”

“Because of your wife who sent us a message.” I showed her the roomchat that showed Aneesha's name complete with the message she sent and I was reading earlier.

“Ngapain Aneesha send WA to you?” Without Reyfan's warning, I grabbed the phone I held. Her expression looks strange after reading the message on my phone, “ini-”

I laughed contentedly, triumphantly because I could work on it. When else can prank Reyfan without being scolded? If it was an ordinary day, I just held hp he must have been very angry. But Reyfan who is fierce turned into a good and calm child if he is with his father-in-law.

“Rey!”

I approached Reyfan and Mr. Fares. They both seemed to have found no agreement with the monger over the talk about tobacco prices. It's time to step in, if this is the case. For any trivial negotiation, there is nothing an Immanuel Kagendra Hara would not win.

***

From Temanggung, we did not go back to Magelang's house. Mr. Fares asked us to stop at a boarding house located in Tegalrejo. He said he wanted to visit Mr. Kyai, because yesterday had not been there. Hunts got word of Jenar passing out, so they went home soon.

I don't know why Mr. Fares has to do such a troublesome habit. Visiting the place of the clergy, on pilgrimage to the graves of ancestors and scholars, still had time to give compensation to orphanages around Magelang. Though he already has his own orphanage foundation in Surabaya.

I'm waiting for Mr. Fares and Reyfan outside the boarding school. The wind that was blowing a bit hard swept the cold towards the surface of my skin. Dried leaves are strung from the twigs of trees that are swayed by the wind. The santri who wear cocoa clothes and gloves complete with black peci then-pass by carrying a book in hand.

Mumbles softly until laughter comes to my ear. They look happy, like they have no burden at all. Isn't living in a boarding house the same as when I was living in a dormitory? Many rules and restrictions. But why did those children seem to be so enjoying, not looking restrained? Maybe because they are used to being able to enjoy life with a lot of rules and constraints.

I waited a long time for Fares and Reyfan. I've had a pack of cigarettes but they didn't come out either. What exactly are they talking about with Mr. Kyai?

They only appeared when I was surfing in cyberspace, a little refresh the mind by looking at posts on instagram. The tail of my eye caught Mr. Fares and Reyfan out of the main house called ndalem. Sorted by a man I knew very well, Faiz. I know he's one of the ustadz in this boarding school.

I bowed a little to greet him. Mas Faiz extended the right hand that I immediately welcomed. We shake hands, Faiz also patted my shoulder while saying hello, “how are you doing Hara?”

“Good, Mas.” My answer.

“We're home, yes, Iz. Don't forget tomorrow comes.” Pamit Pak Fares opened the car door.

“Insyaalloh, Um. Gus Hafidz sampun didawuhi rawuh dareng, Om?” (Gus Hafidz has been asked to come yet, Om?)

Hearing the name uttered by Faiz, I immediately remembered the son of Kyai who lived in the boarding house near the house of Pak Wawan. Could they be the same person?

“Already. Yesterday pas sowan to there I invited.” Javan mr Fares.

“Ya, already. Then.”

“We're saying goodbye, yes, Mas.” Reyfan opened the car door after shaking hands with Faiz.

“Mari, Mas.” My pamphlet to Faiz. Meeting Faiz, it was very cold. Either because the air here always feels cool, or my heart is fed by a feeling I don't know what its name is. So that just hearing a short speech from Faiz mas can feel serene.

“Be careful, yes, mas Hara.”

Mas Faiz could have called me by name without any greeting frills. From the obvious age that Faiz was older than me, she was also a cousin-in-law of Aneesha. If it's my employer, right?

But the courtesy of Faiz who called me with the greeting ‘mas’ made me feel appreciated. It's what makes me respect her, makes me want to always be polite to her, appreciates her chivalry towards me.

“Where else are we?” I asked when driving a car out of the parking lot of the boarding school.

“Rome.” Answer Reyfan.

“Try Aneesha, Rey! What he bought, all of us way home.” Mr. Fares voiced from the back bench, “ usually pregnant women like to eat what it is. Would be happy if bought by-by her husband.”

“Good, Dad. I'll call first.” Answer Reyfan.

“That's all you have to remember, Rey. Get used to coming home from anywhere, bring a wife souvenir. Usually the wife in the house is not just waiting for us to come home, but waiting to be brought what we are.”

“Iya, Dad. I will remember.”

“More than in a state of pregnancy. The welcome must be different if we go home empty-handed or with the fruit of the hand. Follow all her wishes, Rey!”

“Definitely, dong, Dad. I don't want my son to be reeled because his mother's desire is not fulfilled.”

“Who can the child be sagged if his mother's wishes are not obeyed?”

“Lho, right, many say. If his mother craves not followed later the child born can be ileran, Yah.”

“Ah! That myth, Rey.”

“But many say, you know, Well.”

“Dad you know, yes. The child is not because the cravings are not followed. That's because it makes his parents not clean but instead eat and drink.”

Reyfan turned his head, just as I also turned to him. We looked at each other for a moment, before I refocused on the highway again. While Reyfan cleared his throat like he wanted to say something but choked.

“Don't ask where did you get that theory from? I also forgot who said it. Just really never heard of a study that contained such content.”

I thinned my lips, throwing a glance at the side window. Dodge from staring at Reyfan's face which began to slightly squeak reddish. It's typical that he's feeling embarrassed or awkward.

“We as men should give priority to cleanliness, Rey. Don't ignore it, because we are the leaders of the family. How our children will begin with the way we make them. Our religion rules everything, if we want to learn. So-”

Mr. Fares did not continue the sentence, because Reyfan twisted his body while cutting politely. Glancing at me for a moment before he said, “we discuss this at home, Dad. Not now! Pity someone who is not married here.”

I don't really care what they're talking about. What they're talking about has nothing to do with me. As much as they would talk about anything, I'd normally not put my eyes and ears on if that's what I had to do. Not accidentally hearing will be ignored immediately, because it is not my business.

I drove the vehicle at high speed. It feels good to be able to drive without getting stuck and sultry. The city is pleasant, cool and the traffic is smooth.

“Close to buy tofu peel, yes, Hara. Aneesha peeping tofu.”

The true male mirror is indeed Reyfan and Mr. Fares, always knowing what they prioritize above all else. Whatever they do outside, it always boils down to family. Then what about me? Until now I have not found for whom and for what life I live. Asa and rasaku have not emptied ….

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Seriate....