WRONG MARRIAGE

229.

Zalfa's footsteps came to a halt as he passed through the door of Mary's room. He heard the voice of someone reading iqro’ stammering. Zalfa knew that voice. Maria. Zalfa opened the door of Mary's room, and saw Mary reading the iqro, as if she were studying it. One thing that makes Zalfa feel amazed, Maria opened youtube to be able to learn to recognize the letter hijaiyah. Ustad Bukhori seems to be theorizing to give reference and guidance on how to learn to read iqro’. Now Bukhori ustad already has a youtube account and charity by spreading knowledge through social media in the hope of being useful to many people, including people like Maria who really need a teacher to learn to teach.

Masyaa Allah. He stepped in, the sound of his steps made Mary stop her reading and looked at Zalfa who was smiling very sweet even though his face was pale for being unwell.

“I don't understand this reading at all.” Maria blurs when caught reading iqro’.

Zalfa sat by Mary's side with a big smile, how wet her heart was to see her mother-in-law had a passion for religious knowledge.

“I'll show you those letters to Mama. Believe me, you will learn it quickly. We learn together, Mama,” Zalfa said with glazed eyes. Heart's moved.

“Really? You want to teach me to read the Qur’an?” Maria sumringa.

“Very willing. I just feel grateful Mama is willing to learn this.”

“I heard you teach. And I really want to be able to read the Qur’an just like you did. Would be very happy if you can read with a rhythm as good as that.”

Amazingly, Maria was knocked to learn to teach even at her age which is no longer young.

“Arkhan, Mama's son became one example of a convert who was admired throughout the country because of his beautiful voice while teaching. He's really amazing. Mama could be like him. We can start whenever Mama wants. Now can be.” Zalfa excited.

“Do not now. You haven't had breakfast. I don't want you to do anything. I've been frying omelettes. You want to eat it?” Mary stood up. “Si Yen didn't come here, she said she was sick. So I cooked for you.”

Zalfa stood up as well. He looked at Maria doubtfully. He really did not want fried food, he now prefers soupy food, whatever the type of cooking, which Zalfa clearly felt more enjoying fruitful food. But would he offend Mary if she refused Mary's offer? Her mother-in-law was tired of cooking, but was rejected.

“Ooh... Alright. Let the omelet be eaten by Elijah. What do you want to eat now? Do I need to buy it outside? Or do you want me to cook?”

An enthralling offer, Zalfa was delighted to hear it. Mary's heart is truly glorious. He always does good to others, glorifies others, no matter what he glorifies is his own son-in-law. That is the science that Mary applies from her previous teachings before she converted, namely doing good to fellow humans. It was fortunate that Zalfa had a mother-in-law as good as Mary.

“We cook together in the kitchen, we use the ingredients,” said Zalfa.

“You sure? Don't you feel nauseous when you smell the spice in the kitchen?” Maria frowned.

True what her in-laws said, Zalfa must have felt nauseous while smelling the piercing aroma of the ingredients in the kitchen. But he felt very uneasy if he just sat on his hands and it was his in-laws who served him. If only his real mother had behaved like that, perhaps Zalfa would have felt free. But Zalfa forgot that Mary had treated him like a son.

“Mama's right, yes we have to go to my cafe. We eat there. The waiter there will cook the food according to our request,” invite Zalfa.

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TB

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