Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

52. Munchies

🍁Many humans have unknowingly made a big mistake, when there is a reminder, just look for justification.🍁

“Hara! When you leave, the door is locked, yes! The key is to put the usual place.”

“Yes, Mbak.”

“Mbak has made coffee.”

“Still, yes, Mbak.”

I opened the curtains, just as Nabila put a cup of coffee on the dining table. He took a mukena that was draped on the back of the dining chair while saying, “don't forget breakfast first.”

“Yes, Mbak.”

“Be careful driving later, if you are tired of rest. Say the same mr. kyai, do not be forced.”

“Iya, Mbak.”

Mbak Nabila will step up, but like remembering something. He turned around, approaching me while pointing his index finger. Speaking firmly, “remember Hara! No whiskey, beer, wine, or other illicit drinks. You are being an aide to mr. Kyai, indirectly you carry the good name of the entire boarding house.”

“Iya, Ma'am. Hara knows.”

“Once again mbak nemu whiskey bottle, mbak ask you not to stay here lagI!" Ma'am does not want any illegal goods in this house.”

“Iya, Ma'am. Hara apologized, just forgot to throw the bottle.”

“This you!” mbak Nabila hit my arm with all his might, until it felt sore. He looked at me sharply while saying, “must be how many times mbak said? Heem? Don't buy such illegal stuff! Halal drinks alone are a lot of good, this is even drinking illegal goods. Basic!”

I rubbed the arm that felt sore, while Mbak Nabila still continued to talk while beating my arm. Although his hand was small, but his punch was sore and very hot. My arm felt like it was on fire from being hit by Mbak Nabila. Surprisingly, I don't want to dodge, nor do I want to retaliate. If only someone else had done it, I might have finished it.

Although only a few months to live with mbak Nabila, but all his words have been like the king's word to me. Like having power that cannot be denied, it must be done. Though Mbak Nabila does not look like a person to be feared, only he does have the authority as well as motherly nature.

Maybe because of that, I didn't dare to argue with him. I who have long missed my mother, like being able to feel the affection of a mother from mbak Nabila. Although he was always chatty and a lot of rules, but I never wanted to rebel, like I always obeyed my mother.

Nabila was angry because he found a whiskey bottle in my jacket pocket. The wet jacket left in Akmal's car after dropping off Jenar last night. I have not been able to get rid of it, it was first discovered by mbak Nabila.

He was angry with me, threatening to expel me. Surprisingly, I was so scared to see him angry, when it should have been fine to get kicked out. After all, I have a nicer and bigger house in Jakarta. I don't know why it doesn't feel like I have to leave this house. I feel comfortable living with this family.

“You heard what I said, Hara?”

I scratched my head which of course was not itchy. Not that I didn't hear what Nabila said, but I was confused what to answer? Because there was too much and too soon that he said. Like entering simultaneously into the ear, then scramble each other to be passed on by the condition to the brain to be digested.

“Hara! You-”

Mbak Nabila has not finished the sentence, mas Akmal has held both his shoulders to calm down, “alah! Enough you're angry. Already from earlier you talk about Hara, pity .. she will not be breakfast because it is full as you say.”

“But, Mas! He should be told, if such a drink is not good, can damage his body.”

“Hara is an adult, she must have known,” said mas Akmal by continuing to wipe the arms mbak Nabila.

“Already know, kok, still drunk.” grumbled mbak Nabila, staring cynically at me. I could only grimace in shame, like a boy who was being scolded by his mother for making a grave mistake.

“Already, yes! We can be late for morning prayers if you keep getting angry. The same father Naufal has departed, you know.”

If only Akmal did not remind, maybe even Nabila still continued to lecture me. She who is so graceful and gentle, can instantly become a lioness when she is angry. Do not think the same mas Akmal, can be very patient face mbak Nabila. If he is angry like having a vocabulary that will never run out. It continues like a train track that has no end of its base.

I pulled out a chair, then sat on it. I still hear Nabila grumbling, while out of the house. One corner of my lips slightly raised, looking at the full menu presented at the dining table. What time does Nabila wake up and prepare all this? And last night, when I came home from dropping off Jenar, she was still awake. Aren't you tired?

See, right? Being very angry though, mbak Nabila still prepare healthy and complete food for me. To be proof that in this house, I was accepted sincerely. Mbak Nabila loves me unconditionally and without distinction, even though in reality we are different.

I took a cup of coffee that was still hot, took a little sip and then inhaled deeply. The aroma of instant black coffee is familiar, clearly smelled. I closed my eyes, felt the scent enter the brain, sending a calming signal. A moment of my thoughts drifted, reminding me of last night's events.

“Looks like I need coffee.” Jenar greeting terngalang.

Maybe this is what Jenar felt, when inhaling the aroma of coffee. Calm down, head feels light. Unfortunately last night I only bought him instant milk coffee in a bottle that had been cooled. It certainly smells less pungent, unlike this black coffee.

Deserve Jenar to ask for jasmine flowers on mbak Nabila. She must need something that smells good to fight my deodorant scent. Must have to try hard, hold back so that his phobias do not relapse. He should have told me frankly from the beginning, about his hobby. So I don't have to wear a deodorant when I drive him home. So no need to torture yourself.

It turns out that it is as big a result of seeing heartbreaking events in the past. Prolonged trauma that is difficult to lose. If Jenar who only saw could have such trauma, what about those who experienced it firsthand? It is appropriate to commit suicide.

Oh, ****! Why am I thinking about him? Remember Hara! She's just Aneesha's sister, not who I am.

I rubbed a rough face, to be aware of the daydream. I have to have breakfast so that my stomach is not empty. Because in a moment, we have to take kyai Ali to fill the study to Salatiga. Traveling far enough, I had to be awake and energetic. As Mbak Nabila said, I can't drink whiskey. Usually if I have to stay up all day, whiskey is the solution.

This time no, because mbak Nabila has warned. Can be really kicked out of this house if I break it. I better eat breakfast and spend coffee mbak Nabila alone, hoping to maintain stamina during the trip later.

***

The sun peeked out from behind the hill. Its rays spread out in all directions, warmly hitting the wet earth due to the rain last night. The remaining rainwater mixed with dew heats up exposed to sunlight, evaporates into the air, then lost carried by the wind.

The road is still very quiet, making me able to drive the vehicle quickly, almost without obstacles. The sound of a radio announcer heard from the car audio accompanied the trip.

I occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror inside, looking at Kyai Ali who had since departed earlier drowned in his book. Maybe he is learning what he will say in later studies.

The crisp sound of the radio announcer made me glance at the direction of the car audio. The traffic lights were red, my hands outstretched to add a little more volume to the radio.

“The first jasmine flowers .. what, the hell, life philosophy can we take from a flower that has this seductive scent? Eh? When it comes to flirting, jasmine flowers are synonymous with women, right? Have a noble character and purity, such as white color and a soft aroma, but not pricking the nose.”

I don't know why I want to listen carefully to reviews from radio broadcasters about jasmine flowers. Without asking, my memory was called, when Jenar asked for jasmine flowers on mbak Nabila. Then he smelled the flowers in the bag of crackle deep along the way. I was thinking strangely about it before I knew why Jenar needed the smell of jasmine flowers. To remove the scent coming from my body.

Is that as scared as he was with the smell of perfume mixed with alcohol? What if he smelled a similar smell when he was in the middle of a crowd? Is he also going to faint like he was with me yesterday? Or vomiting like last night? Who would help her later if she suddenly fainted in a public place?

This is why I'm thinking about him again, anyway? Lack of work thinks about people's children.

“No! It makes no sense!” I muttered while shaking my head. Calling back that consciousness that had been wandering for a moment.

“What's up, Hara! What doesn't make sense?”

Damnit damnit! Kyai sir must have heard my mutterings. What do I have to answer? There's no way I'm saying I'm thinking about Jenar's trauma, right? If not answered, he would ask.

“Eh? No kyai sir, I saw his sons in front. Though still very small and cold air, danger. It doesn't make sense, does it, Mr kyai?” Luckily, I got used to thinking fast and answering my questions immediately.

I watched from the rearview mirror inside, Kyai Ali nodded his head twice. Then close the book and say, “sometimes that do not make sense to us, it has become commonplace for others. Maybe because our reason has not arrived like their thinking alone.”

“So, yes, Mr kyai?” I responded to Mr. Kyai's words, so as not to be seen if he was lying.

“Oya, Hara! Nabila said to me, he said he was angry with you because he knew you still like to drink, yes?”

Ow hell! This is why Mbak Nabila told kyai Ali everything, anyway? Just make a fuss about this bottle of whiskey.

I replied carefully, “iya, Mr. kyai.”

“What's your goal, Hara? Drink because you like it or any other reason?”

“Sometimes I need to warm up, or if I feel tired but still have to work. I need that drink to stay awake.”

“It is not possible to drink coffee or stamina-boosting drinks that do not contain alcohol? Didn't you know that drinking intoxicating alcohol is forbidden?”

“The effect of coffee is only for a moment for me, can not fight drowsiness. I am not used to drinking stamina drinks. In my religion is not prohibited from drinking alcohol, Mr. kyai.” I express my opinion as well as the reason to justify what I do.

“Is it true that in your religion is not prohibited?”

I frowned, glancing briefly at the rearview mirror inside. Mr. Kyai Ali was also looking in the same direction, waiting for my answer. However, mr. Kyai's words made me hesitate to answer.

“Yakin not banned? Have you never read a book that says like this: woe to those who become good at drinking and champions in mixing liquor.” (Isaiah 5:22)

“There is also Proverbs 20:1 reads like this: wine is a scorner, liquor is a tribute, it is not wise people are staggered by it.”

“There are many more verses that prohibit drinking intoxicating liquor. Indeed, there are still many differences of opinion about the content of al-kitab, but it can be broadly drawn to the conclusion that your religion prohibits its people from consuming intoxicating drinks.”

How does the Lord know the word of God? Did he study the gospel too? How could he have memorized the contents of the verse of the Book?

“If you still have doubts and want a more detailed explanation, go to church! Ask the pastor about prohibitions and punishments for drunkards.”

“Drink a little or a lot of alcohol, equally detrimental, Hara! You can certainly learn from what you have been doing in the big city there. What consequences do you do when you are drunk, there are already many people you harm when you are drunk.”

“Because of drunkenness, you lose your mind, and then act out of control. Because your mind has been possessed by a demon, until you are not aware of having done a bad action.”

Kyai Ali sighed heavily before continuing, “ until now I cannot accept your treatment in that city, Hara. Aren't you thinking about the future of those women?”

“Although they gave themselves up willingly, even though you have already paid them, but I cannot justify your behavior. You never thought, what if one of them is your brother. Would you like your brother to sell himself?”

“Pak Kyai, about it I-”

I could not continue the sentence, for kyai Ali raised his hand. A sign that he doesn't want to hear my reasons.

He said firmly, “I know that you are not wearing all the items you have bought. That's what I'm worried about, Hara.”

“You don't want to, like it or dislike it, I ask you to stop. My goal of asking you to be my driver is this. I know that when it comes to money, you don't need it, I know your job in Jakarta is better many times than this. But-”

“Because I know and I see, so I can't let you keep doing wrong. Moreover, you are the child of Widuri, a good friend of my wife. Now even you live with Wawan, my confidant since long ago.”

“I know you're a good person, Hara. It's a shame that you behave like that. Don't get me wrong! I don't want to patronize, because I'm not your teacher. I have no other intention, other than wanting you to be a truly good human being overall. Although no human being is perfect, at least do not violate religious rules and norms of decency.”

I listened to everything Mr. Kyai said. There was nothing I missed a word, until I was willing to turn down the volume of the car audio.put it into the brain to digest, then live it wholeheartedly.

It's still early, but I've got a lot. Not money or goods, but lectures from two different people who highlight feelings. Success made me miserable.

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Note: A snippet of the word of God I got from the source. Does not represent the opinion of all congregations. Please correct me if I am wrong. 😁😍