Two Ribs
POV RAHMAN
Today my brother assigned me to deliver rice and some other goods to Abi Abdi's pesantren which is located quite far from the city. I also drive a car with Doni who is also my cousin and assistant.
As soon as we arrived at the boarding school, we dropped off the items we brought with us assisted by several male students.
Ummi, Abi Abdi's wife asked us to rest in the pendopo pesantren before me and Doni decided to return home.
"Rest first. Don't go straight home. Soon Ashar. Pray here, just come home".
Me and Doni nodded their heads in agreement to Ummi's request.
We sat in the balei in front of the pendopo. While looking at the activities of the santri who have prepared to go to the mosque because soon the azan ashar will reverberate.
It was then that my eyes saw ummi walking with the veiled woman that I believed Humaira her son ummi and another woman who was not veiled.
For some reason, my eyes refused to turn from the woman who kept bowing. He was not veiled, his face was pure white. His nose is thick, not sharp nor pug. Her face was comfortable to look at even though I knew looking at the opposite sex was forbidden by religion. Especially in a school like this. But I kept looking at him until they were out of my sight.
There was something strange about that clean and white face. His eye. Yes, I saw his eyes. Even though we didn't look directly at him, I saw his eyes. The eyes don't shine. It is a sadness so deep.
"Come to the mosque. We pray Ashar!".
I was shocked when Abi patted me on the shoulder. I also followed Abi to the mosque. My curiosity for the woman made me look for her here and there.
"Which why? What were you looking for earlier?"
Doni's voice resuscitated me. I also just shook my head while heading to a place of ablution.
I'll ask abi later. Who is that girl?
########
"Bang Rahman's? Bang Doni's? Assalamualaikum"
"Girishama".
Doni and I answered the greetings from Humaira.
"How are you doing Humaira?"
I asked while trying to look at the person hiding behind Humaira.
"Good bang, brother brother come in. Ira's gonna make you a drink".
"We're going home. Waiting for abi. He said someone wanted to leave it for you".
"Well if so. Ira go in first bang. Assalamualaikum".
"Girishama".
Before long Abi Abdi was out of the house carrying a large basket containing fruits.
"Give this report to your brother. And also this fruit".
"Good Abi"
"Abi, who's that girl Humaira was with?"
Abi glimpsed me.
"She's still illegal for you to pin down"
I'm laughing a little.
"Rahman tau abi, Rahman just asked. Who's she?"
"Ariyanti. Her husband died in an accident a few months ago"
"His iddah is over, isn't it abi?"
"Still, for the next few months".
"I mean abi?"
"When pregnant. Because of her she was depressed when her husband had an accident. Was treated at RSJ. Then abi brought her here for abi urat".
"Worthy, from his eyes Rahman saw the sadness of bi".
"Don't look at your opposite sex"
"Rahman knows bi, Rahman also just accidentally. Rahman was curious".
"You want to marry her when her term is over. Abi is so grateful"
Instantly I fell silent.
"Too late bi" I muttered little.
Abi looked at me, putting on a questionable face.
"Abah has waved a woman to Rahman bi. We're getting married. Maybe you'll come over to invite Abi".
Abi smiled back patting my shoulder.
"Stupid is a secret. We don't know how ahead. Even though humans have planned. Abi sure, you guys are fooling around".
"Come fortune-telling?"
"Husst. must not foresee. There is only faith in Abi's heart. Already, go there. Do not forget to pray maghrib later on the road".
"Good Abi"
I kissed abi's hands. After saying my regards, I left the abi towards where my car was parked. I don't know why my mind is still on that woman named Ariyanti.
Ah, if only I had seen her before my brother and Rahim proposed to Sarah. Maybe I will consider Abi's advice to ask Ariyanti when her child is born and her period is over.
Ah if only. If only.
