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Tell the Truth

8.

Maybe today is the last day he's in Banyan because the next day, he has to get out of here. There are many plans ahead that he has not finished especially—, following his parents who he believes are waiting.

For that, he first conveyed his intention to propose to Ros, as well as asking for opinions, how the best they think. In the living room of the house of Ros, all the family gathered; beren, Ros, Arok and also his wife. Only men speak, because women listen more.

“What are you going to go for how long?” ask Arok.

“Give me one week.”

“Yes, it's okay. We wait one week ahead.”

“But if you only apply first how, Bang? I can't marry Ros anytime soon.”

“Why?”

“I still want to continue education.”

“How long?”

“Cannot be determined how long. But I have to get into the pesantren to further deepen my religious knowledge which is still very minimal, Bang,” replied Haikal who actually began to sweat coldly. Last night, he had already gathered mentally, deciding to be honest by telling him who he really was—but today. There is still fear that is gripping. He was afraid that the boiling coffee on the table would fill his body. Therefore, he tried to get rid of it first.

He had thought about that!!

“I thought you had passed.”

“Not yet,” said Haikal started avoiding eye contact, “maaf, Bang. Actually .... I've been hiding.”

Not only Arok, the look on the faces of everyone who was there immediately changed when he heard his statement just now. Haikal's body trembled even more at that moment. Surely this body gesture is very obvious if they realize it.

“You mean?” ask Arok.

“I am not Ustaz Salman as you know.”

They fell silent, for he continued his explanation.

‘You must dare to admit your mistake, Kal. Got to! Don't be a coward!’

First Haikal sighed, before finally saying resignedly, “I Haikal Al Fatir, son of Kauman and Dawiya. I'm not Ustaz Salman as you've thought I am. I'm just an ordinary young man who happened to be straying when he was wanted by the police some time ago.”

But Arok's smile this time made him confused so he wondered in his heart. Huh, shouldn't he be angry?!

“Actually, we also already know.”

Deg.

Arok's remarks just made Haikal stretch widen his eyes.

“Yesterday when you left, Mr. RT came here and said, that a religious scholar government shipment did not come. They say, by the month of Ramadan, all ustaz have been called. So we weren't too surprised when you said it like this. Of course we were disappointed because you lied to us. But yes, I have. After all, you also why would you want when we came to that night. Surprisingly, you keep teaching well,” explained Arok with a long description.

Haikal lowered his head, how shameful it was clearly unmeasurable. He was caught lying and they denounced him!?

All his life, only once did he feel like his face was being pelted with filth.

“What should I say to all citizens, Bang?” haikal asked with bated breath. A large stone seemed to block his throat.

“No need, we just thank you for the religious knowledge that you have shared. Never have people here been so eager to teach. Maybe, you are not a government shipment, but God's shipment for us. If you feel yourself less well, do not say anything, just cover your disgrace, do not you unload because God also covers it.”

Haikal's tears immediately spilled. “I feel guilty for lying to them.”

“Maybe you lied to them, but I'm sure, not with the studies you've been giving all this time.”

“We understand because actually nothing is perfect.”

Feeling one hand pat her shoulder made Haikal turn her head. Beren hugged him. “Already, you don't need to get to that. Keep teaching for us.”

“I don't have any face anymore, Bang. I'm already embarrassed because I'm actually the same as you guys who don't know anything.”

Arok interjected, “Continue your education, be a true religious scholar.”

Haikal. “One more time please forgive me.”

“Already, it's okay. Get out, but you better apply for my daughter. Bring your parents here. There's no way I can cancel your plans—moreover, Ros is crazy about you.”

“Dad?!” ros's squealing made everyone laugh at once. “Why are you so happy to tease me?” his lips were pursed, his eyes had already condensed a sign of rain soon to fall.

“I love to see you cry. So do not crybaby,” said Arok bullied his own child. “It's big, it's still colossal.”

“I'll be here soon to bring Daddy and Bundo, Bang,” Haikal said as he promised.

“Yes, I keep your promise.”

🌺🌺🌺

One by one the problems are over. It was not as horrible as he imagined. God makes his way to goodness easier. It is not wrong from some of the books that he has read, that God will make it easier for someone to walk if he does not make things difficult for others, and vice versa.

Tonight, he went back to teaching like yesterday. And in closing, he expressed his apology, saying goodbye that he will not teach in this place again tomorrow.

“What will Ustaz come here again?” ask one of the old men.

“God willing, pray, yes, sir. May I always have the opportunity to come here. I happen to announce, God willing next week, I will propose to Mr. Arok's daughter. Please pray the blessing, may we arrive at the stage of marriage.”

“Alhamdulillah..” answer everything simultaneously until all eyes are fixed on one of the girls who is sitting in the corner. Huhh, I don't know what it's like. It feels like Ros wants to fly into the clouds because it has been acknowledged in public like this. He felt very special about the man. ‘Taste of being an impromptu artist!’

“Ciye, congratulations, yes. Turns out secretly tokcer too, you, Ros. Wear what?” ask one of his friends.

“Apaan, hell!” cebik Ros refuted their words, “ya, I wear susuk. Skewers that make cook.”

“That's his name sutil!”

“Sunday!”

The next day, Haikal got ready. He cleaned up all his things to put in the bag—following the books he had been buying. ‘This is more than when I first came.’

However, there was something he could not bring, namely the envelope he had gotten from there so he handed it to Beren. “This is for you only, Bang.”

“Well, why did you return it? This is from the congregation, as a form of their gratitude for you, Ustaz.”

“Don't call me Ustaz Salman again. Call me Haikal Al Fatir.”

“Cannot. His tongue is already into the patri,” Beren said sticking out his tongue. “Let them keep calling you so let you adjust.”

Beren returned the money to Haikal's bag. “This is halal money, you use it tomorrow to propose to Ros. That's better.”

“But, Bang. For which Brother?”

“Quite pray that I can quickly mate.”

“Ya already, then. Hopefully this month you can be a soul mate.”

“Aamiin,” Beren responded with a big smile. This prayer has been granted. Later that month, Beren got his soul mate. The man thought this was no coincidence. Because all this time, his prayers have never been granted. He believes he was given a soul mate through the prayer of Ustaz Salman.