Adult Zone
28. Three Faces in One Face

...THREE FACES IN ONE PROSTRATE...

...Author by: David Khanz...

The raindrops began to fall bathing the rock of the ground I was treading between my little run to a nearby bus stop at the end of the front road there. The dust of the rest of the sun grill slowly floated and melded together with the small point of the weeping space ruler who was darkening. Thank goodness I was able to arrive at my shady spot before this body soaked in natural weather. The most important thing for me is that the file of documents I carry in my deck is not wet to melt the ink of letters that are neatly written on white sheets of paper. The printed text I typed for a few days in a cafe not far from where I stand today.

I retreated a little backwards avoiding the sloping lunge of wind-swept rainwater and past the shady boundary of the roof side of the stop. Some of the sparks forced the lower part of my body to feel the cold moist melt of the sky tears.

Other than me, there are some people who also take shelter there. Surely there are those who while waiting for public transport invitation or just take shelter for a moment until this rain subsides.

"Sorry, you want to switch places with me here so you don't get too wet with rain splashes?" asked a man who was standing right next to me all of a sudden.

I turned for a moment towards the man and looked at the person standing next to him. There was a middle-aged woman there. Perhaps this is why the man felt uncomfortable standing among my people. Especially when it rains like this.

"Oh, can. Surely you don't mind, do you?" my question was immediately answered by the nod and smile of the man. "Thank you, sir!"

We both immediately switched places. Not bad this time I do not have to focus extra on protecting the file documents that I hold tightly in my deck from the rain vapor that continues to fly around us.

"Back to work, Mom?" asked the man back after a while we fell silent in silence.

I did not immediately answer between my attention to the passing of various types of vehicles in front of us. It felt like a long time waiting for the public transportation I used to use to get to my place of residence.

"No, I'm from the cafe down the street" I replied without a look at the man.

"Snakes?" asked the man again in a voice that sounded like it was accompanied by the ruckus of his laughter.

"Do I look like an online gamer, sir?"

For a moment the man noticed the clothes I was wearing. Loose trousers combined with a long suit of clothes were scattered to cover half of my calf. As well as hijab syar'i which is also very large protruding covering my chest area.

"Eh, I'm sorry my question didn't mean to-" Uncompleted my remark suddenly a sedan vehicle was speeding by and grinding a puddle of water that was wallowing right in front of us.

Instantly splashing water splashed and slapped the body of some of the shading figures under the stop. Me included. Also the document file that I had been protecting behind my arms. Now all the drenched wet mixed with the splash of puddle water earlier.

Then suddenly there was a tire scream that collided with slippery and wet asphalt. Apparently the sedan had stopped a little far and retreated regularly to come to us. Then it stopped right in front of the stop where we were.

The rear vehicle glass slowly opened followed by the appearance of a young man with a cloudy face containing regret and immediately came down to us.

"I apologize for my negligence, Father and Mother!" the man said as he looked at us one by one. "I'm really happy!"

I could only be silent while paying attention to the document file sheet that was in my grasp. Looks like some of it has already mixed with water and melted the printing ink. Some of the voices beside me sounded like they were grumbling because their clothes were wet from the splash of puddle water earlier.

"Once again I apologize and ask for the sincerity of the Father and Mother all who are here to forgive me" the young man returned in a distressed voice. Maybe because I feel guilty. "Or maybe to make up for my mistake earlier I want to offer you a free ride to the destination of all the Fathers and Mothers who are here? I'm ready for-"

"Well, 'that's it, dong! Responsibility!" just make a sound there.

"Can. Can. Can..", others chimed in.

"Good! I will ask my driver to take Mr and Mother all to their respective places of residence!", said the young man as he approached the driver who was still behind the wheel of the vehicle.

The chauffeur? Perhaps this man was not of the ordinary people. The car is of the type of vehicle that is not cheap. He approached his driver and was willing to rain just to talk for a while there. Even though with his status it could be precisely he himself who called his driver to come. Just incredible! I murmured in my heart.

"Please go in Father and Mother! My driver's father will drive me to the destination! Inshaa Allah.", said the young man finally.

Some of the people who were taking shelter under the bus stop scattered and immediately entered the vehicle. But not with me. Also the man I talked to.

"This father and mother did not come in?", asked the young man to me and the man beside me.

I shook my head. "Thank you, sir! The car is full!".

The man patted his own forehead.

"Astaghfirullah.I did not see it so scared! Please ma'af! Then I can call the freight online and let me pay for it! How's it?".

I shook my head.

"Thank you, sir! Don't bother. My home is not so far from here. I don't mean to wait for public transport. Just shelter from the rain!", who answered this time the man who was still standing beside me earlier. "But I don't know with…".

"No, Sir! Thank you!", answered me without waiting for the man next to me to say it was over.

I just focused on my dossier that was soaked. That means I have to re-print the original scarf not too far from where we are.

"I saw from earlier that Mother noticed the file that Mother was holding? Also wet, ma'am?", the young man noticed the sheet I was clipping behind my arms.

"Not an important file, sir! But…"

"If I can help you I want to replace it with a new mold. How, Mom? Mother has a soft copy of it let me help reprint it later. Or..Mom can come anytime to where I work!"

The young man was also chatty. So determined to be able to make up for his mistakes earlier. It's not entirely his fault, is it? It could be due to the negligence of the driver. I was busy muttering to myself. Being in one place with two foreign men and being held back from there because of the rain, it feels like a dilemma between wet rain or ready to fall prey to Adam? I pray that they are not such people. Besides, I noticed that both of them have good weight.

"No need, sir! I intend to return to the cafe at the end of this road after this rain has subsided. Let today be a long day for me…"

"Oh don't let me be tormented with this guilty feeling even though Mom may have forgiven me. But if Mom is willing to give her sincerity to make amends, it will be one of the most beautiful histories of my life today, Mom! How about…?!" the young man remained steadfast.

Ah.. Could he! His attitude really put me in a not so easy position to keep resisting. Then I slowly agreed to it through a nod of my head.

"Thank you, Rabbi." cried the young man finally in a happy voice and did not forget to wipe his face with his palms.

Unconsciously I seemed to be smiling looking at the man's attitude with my face half-down. I don't know if I really had no choice but to maybe share happily with someone else. Including the young man.

"Oh, what about this father? Did.", the young man did not continue his speech. He noticed the face of the man standing right next to me. "Ma'af.seems like this Father…"

"Yogi right?" exclaimed the man who was beside me while pointing at the young man who was standing right in front of him. "Suhendra Yoga?"

"You...Andra huh? Andra…"

"Andra Darminto.to be exact!"

The two exclaimed happily and the complex embraced each other with loud laughter.

"Yes Allah.I don't think that we can see you again here with my own friend! It's a long time and almost don't know you are.", said the young man named Yogi Suhendra with English accented local area in Indonesia. "Oh thank God.Alhamdulillah! I'm so glad to meet you again, friend!"

(Oh Allah, it did not occur to us that we would meet my own friends here apparently! It's been a long time and I barely know my friend…! Oh thank you God! It's finally great to be reunited with you, man!)

"Yeah me too, friend! See..how different you are now!", replied the man named Andra Darminta while hugging his best friend again.

(Yes me too, man! How different you are now!)

"What is different am I? It's me as you know!"

(What's different? I am as you know dong ah!)

Andra patted Yogi's shoulder while watching his best friend's appearance. Then then Yogi's eyes glanced at me who was only silent watching the two men. "Yours?"

(The woman is yours?)

"What?"

(What)

"Your wife?"

(Your wife)

"Ngaco you ah!", answered Andra blushed.

"So…?"

(Then?)

"I'm nothing your friend, Mr. Yogi! We were just both sheltering in the same place!", I replied with a sudden feeling of discomfort. Hopefully the rain will stop soon or at least the male driver named Yogi will return soon and bring the two men passed from that place.

"Oh ma'af, Mom! I thought.", said Yogi in a slow voice and I could barely hear among the raindrops of the wind.

"Don't understand English?", asked me half-literate but deliberately I accompanied with a little smile so as not to seem haughty.

"That's not what I mean, Mom! I thought this Mom was my friend's wife?!"

"Ngaco lu ah!", Andra's chimpanzee elbowed Yogi's arm violently.

I smile. "I am still single and unmarried! Is that clear, guys?"

The two men nodded their heads repeatedly. Funny I think too!

That's how I got to know two young men named Andra and Yogi. A meeting that accidentally brought together two close friends who have not met for a long time. I also added a new list of friends. Both had higher education in the same place. Overseas. It is located in Al-Azhar, Egypt. Separated for some time because of busyness and living a different life.

Yogi Suhendra comes from a financially well-off family. It is not so surprising that he could easily get higher education abroad. While Andra Darminto must work hard to get various opportunities to get scholarships in order to realize his goals of studying at one of the centers of Islamic religious science in the world. His persistence and perseverance in disciplining himself successfully drove him to the land of Fir'aun until the end and achieved a fairly proud achievement. Andra is aware of the economic conditions of her parents who are all deficient most can only take her to high school. He managed to prove that the economy is not a barrier for a person to be able to achieve his dreams. Both Yogi Suhendra and Andra Darminto have religious family backgrounds.

It's just that fate said another, after completing his last education level Yogi Suhendra must participate in the business of octopus family is growing. While Andra Darminto participated in practicing the results of his search for knowledge by becoming an official teaching staff at a famous university in the city which was shared by his best friend, Yogi Suhendra.

While me? Still struggling with my unfinished script assignments and sometimes clashing with the demands of my work as an active writer in an Islamic magazine specifically women. Like the last one that day. File files that I have prepared to send to the editorial desk through courier services must be hampered due to the incident during the rain.

But the silver lining is that I get to know great people like Yogi and Andra. Two new friends who often share knowledge and are comfortable to discuss together. Moreover, Yogi, the man often gives full attention to me even the smallest things. I don't want to get too carried away in the rhythm of my own feelings. Maybe it is already the original habit of a Suhendra Yogi in treating his friends. Including me and Andra Darminto.

Likewise with Andra, this one man often also provides positive input and help in completing the rest of my script tasks whose ending limits are just waiting for the day. His attitude is straight and does not like pleasantries.

"Hi..bengong with you!"

One voice broke my daydream. Izmi, one of my most chatty and affectionate sidekicks promotes other men who have long wanted to have a more serious relationship with me.

"There is a greeting from Prakash!", he said as he sat near me. The rest of the seats next to me were long and wide.

"What?", asked me not so able to concentrate due to the shock earlier.

"Greetings..from Prakash! Listen no?", ledek Izmi while paying attention to the laptop screen in front of me.

Hhmmm...name again right? Almost every time he met Prakash's name he first mentioned. Mother Comblang!

"Alaikumsalaam.", I replied slowly.

"What the hell is that written? Article for the magazine again?", Izmi pay attention to the writing on the screen carefully.

"Ch cry from dumbfounded!", reply me accordingly.

"Well, I saw that I was just dumb?! What was written?!", Izmi started teasing. "Or don't you think about Prakash again?"

Izmi screamed for a moment as her arm managed to pinch firmly.

"It hurts so much the pinch of people who are in love again!", instead of the hatchet even more so. Sebel!

"What the hell are you, Izmi? Just disturb me ah ah!"

Izmi's laughter suddenly stopped. The girl's eyes were busy watching the laptop in front of me.

"Who's laptop? Got you, Nur?", asked Izmi inquiring. At such times I was most reluctant to clash with the girl's eyes. I don't know it's like there's magic that makes me unable to hide what's in my head. "Honor wrote you've melted, right? Wui..would there be a treaty event!"

This time you are wrong, Izmi! The laptop I didn't get from the honor of writing my article. But…

"Or...certainly from a new friend who is a young businessman, rich, cool and at the same time still single right?", Izmi began to guess and his guess is often right. "What's his name? I forgot…"

"Izmi, what the hell are you? I got this laptop…"

"…from a man named Yogi Suhendra! Right, Nur?", Izmi pointed her index finger at me.

I'm not interested in answering.

"Cock quiet? My guess is right, right? Hayooo.", this time Izmi's index finger swirled before my eyes.

"Izmi.", I flicked the girl's index finger away from my face.

"Yes? Just admit it, Nur!", Izmi's laughter began to break disturbing my concentration on the laptop screen.

"If so, why?", I began to get annoyed but could do nothing. Can only let Izmi engross herself with her crisp laughter.

"Soal if from...hhmm..oh yes! Andra Darmini's…"

"Andra Darminto, say!"

"Cuileeehhhh.until you memorize his full name! Waw..", again Izmi's laughter broke.

Oops.I got hit by the trap. It is most likely that this one of my best friends provoked my honesty. Aaaarrggh….

"He's a teacher! Surely his monthly salary is more he chooses to save for marriage preparation rather than buy you a laptop! Understand lecturer jones! Haha..", Izmi's unceasingly teasing me. "Si Prakash is more unlikely! Guys of Indian descent who are said to be willing to convert if you marry the same you are participating in your buyin laptop! Make dikantin meal alone still ngandelin money his parents who have a convection business!"

"Alright, Izmi! It's not good to talk about other people! It's not good to hear others, say!", I'm starting to feel uncomfortable with my best friend's clumsiness. It is far from funny.

"Lho.I'll tell you again, Nur! Who would you choose for your husband!? Remember that, Nur! After graduation, you will be asked to marry your parents as soon as possible. Let them hurry up momong grandson…."

"I want to go home!"

"Eit..don't go first dong, say! The time just so much?!", Izmi held back my body movements that were preparing to rise from my seat. "Okay..we relax huh?! Aww.apwan…"

Sebel! The most annoying friend at the same time I can not refuse if I have asked.

"OK.when serious! Story dong, Nur!", Izmi sulks while holding my finger.

"What news? I told you something you said before!"

"The laptop", point at Izmi with her plumed-eyed end.

I took a breath for a moment.

"The loving yogi", I said at last.

"Are you exactly what I'm guessing?"

"He felt guilty for making my article material wet in a mess. Repeatedly asked me to come to his office but I didn't want to. Until finally he himself who came and gave the laptop with a little pushy…"

"…and when one day he asks you to be his companion will you also accept it with compulsion?", Izmi starts to get serious while looking deeply into my eyeballs.

"Duh.Nur Azizah! You can't distinguish the eyes of someone who's in love, can you?"

"Who's in love? Me?"

"Yogi.., say! She's in love with you!"

"Ah..you could have! No! Where could it be?", I inched away and as much as possible avoided Izmi's increasingly clingy eyes.

"And you also feel like you have the same thing!", Izmi grabbed my face and pulled it so that she could look back at my eyes that were moving awfully wrong.

"I'm in love? Same Yogi too?", I started guessing. I hope this time Izmi is wrong.

"Your eyes say something else when you speak and say a name, Nur!"

"You're getting weird! You're better suited to being a shaman rather than an economist.." this time replace me who laughs.

"Oh my goodness, Nur! You're not funny!

Asterghfirullah…"

"Lwow,.afwan, Izmi! I'm just kidding! Forgive me yes", I suddenly felt sorry for what I said. He means kidding. But…

"You love other men, huh, Nur?"

"Who? Prakash means?"

"Don't say that name, Nur!"

"Why?"

"Because he's right behind you…"

"Astaghfirullah's…"

I just realized the presence of Prakash figure who apparently has long stood right behind me. Izmi laughed at the shock I experienced. Forgive my best friend this one. It's nice to see me in trouble like this.

"Hi..Nur! Izmi! You talking about me again, huh?" prakash asked casually and sat in the right seat facing me.

The hour hand was almost pulled over to the early hours. I still can't clench my eyelids to pick up a dream. Leaning on the bed while repeating the shadow sheet of my life that has been passed. One by one the presence ringing in my mind knitted into a burden of the heart. Prakash, Andra and Yogi are alternately present in the corridors of my head to spread the charm of true love.

I was confused to make a choice that God gave me. Each other has an aura that can make my principles a little shaky. Andra and Yogi, two young men who have a strong religious foundation as a foundation of faith. It was ideal to be a candidate for priest for my family the following day. It's just that the two are much different from the establishment side. While Prakash was so persistent in hunting down my sympathies with various strands of promising phrases.

"I've been driven from my own family, Nur! They don't think of me as part of the family!", Prakash said one day.

"Lho why is that?", asked me surprised and immediately stopped my lunch activities in a cafeteria in the campus environment.

Prakash took a breath for a moment that looked so heavy. The look of the male's eyes looked hollow and uninspired.

"I've become a convert, Nur! In accordance with my promise used to be with you!", replied Prakash slowly. His brownish eyeballs with slightly curly lashes looked at me fixedly. There was a lot of bitterness, anxiety and also great hope emanating there. Of course, his designation for me is one.

Thank God, I whispered in my heart. Happiness or fear that suddenly fills my breath. For sure I felt like I was resting on a pedestal. Stepping forward or backward will have the same effect.

"Why are you silent, Nur? You're not happy with my seriousness? Or is there still less proof that I really love you?", Prakash's voice sounded a little restrained.

"I'm grateful and happy, Prakash! But..", I was a bit hesitant as well I had to be frank with my true feelings. This is not just a matter of love but more than honesty that I have to convey with various severe consequences.

"But why? You don't love me?"

Ah..Prakash! Just looking at her face would be a big lie if I told her that I wasn't interested in her. It is the greatest pride of my people to have a companion like him. But when love is not a god, the whisper of honesty of instinct is a tolerable reason.

"It's not just about love, Prakash! I am a woman and I do not want to speak with the condition of my heart as it is now even though it is our nature!", I try to avoid as much as I can so that the man does not continue to wonder. At least he's willing to wait until a time I can't figure out for myself.

"That means you also keep the same taste as me right? But there's someone coming in between our taste meetings, right?", Prakash began to investigate.

"I can't figure it out yet, Prakash! I have to ask my Lord first!"

"How does God give you an answer, Nur? At least I can hear it from him!"

"There's a lot you have to learn from the religion you just believed in, Prakash! If God can show His power, why should God listen to His voice? Your belief in God's existence is the strongest foundation on which to see, hear and feel how God wills for your life!"

"I don't understand!"

"Iqra…"

"meaning?"

"Much read the Qur'an, understand its contents and practice it in your daily life. That will make you not ask much about the Lord…!! Believe me!", I gave Prakash a book on religious guidance. "Learn this! If there is something you do not understand, in it I write a mobile number that can be contacted along with the address of my teacher!"

That was the last time I met Prakash. The man disappeared somewhere. No news of it. Even when I asked the teacher of my studies he never came a young man of Indian descent. Even at the graduation ceremony I did not see his figure present there. Where's Prakash…

Another with Yogi and Andra, my two new friends also took the time to attend my graduation. Both of them even introduced themselves to my parents. Take lunch with my family at a table at a famous restaurant in the city and filled with their small talk.

There was one thing that caught my attention. While gathering with the two of them in that place, I repeatedly noticed my father's attitude towards Yogi. It seems my father was very fond of the young man. He is often heard praising the success of Yogi in taking care of his family's company. Decak awe and a proud look in the eyes of my father seemed to signal that he really wanted me to mate with Yogi.

"No Dad! I haven't decided on that yet! Please forgive your son.", I replied when Father asked me to accept Yogi as my future husband.

"What are you waiting for, Ndok? Your college is done. Your age is growing. While you are the only child of Father and Mother! We would love to see you get married soon and give us a grandchild" Dad said on the sidelines of our family gathering in front of the TV. "You looking for a job? So career woman? Women are not prosecuted for that, Ndok! Enough to equip yourself with religious knowledge in order to educate and guide your children later, that's all! If you are married to a Yogi, you do not have to bother to fulfill your rights. Yogi is ready for that. What else is in doubt?"

"It's not that problem, Dad! I'm ready to step into marriage, but it takes time to decide what's best for me and Mom and Dad!", I'm still trying to convince you.

"Determine who else? Andra? A prakasah? Or Arya maybe? They're not fully prepared for that yet, Ndok! Moreover, the Prakash who just became a convert and now his existence somewhere? Aryans? Especially! His future is unclear! Andra? What's interesting about him?", Dad's voice began to rise.

"Patience, Sir! Let our children choose. Who will live it, will he alone? We as parents can only suggest the best. The choice let our children decide. The most important thing is for him and us too! Simple right, sir?", Mother chimed in with her soft soothing voice.

"Well, what I'm doing is suggesting the best for our son, Mom? All for the good of him, too?"

"Yes, I know! But what is wrong if we give full trust to our children? The one who fell in love was not us.", Mom laughed curtly beside Dad until his shoulders shook.

"Why do you know where? Don't you fucking know!".

"And I experienced it myself, sir! Was I told to choose the Father or a friend of the Father? Who do I finally choose? Father too, right? At that time you had what to try?", Mother once again poked hard.

"Yaaaa..choose me dong?!", Dad suddenly felt clumsy.

"Why do I prefer Father? Because I believe that you can make me happy…"

"But it's a different situation and condition, Mom!"

"What's different? In love, no story has a history of its own. But what often changes are the actors, sir! Because love is an undeniable fitrah and is born from the deepest side of the heart and protected from the colorful contamination of the manipulating world. God has chosen that part of His body because that's where a man will begin the first step to being good or vice versa. And the mind is the primary sensor acting as filtration…"

"Masyaa Allah….So wise is the thread that you speak, my wife!"

"…I read a Facebook post from a friend of mine. That's how it sounds…"

"Yeeee...is other than your original thought, Mom?!"

I chuckled at the jokes of my parents.

Dad looked at me deeply. I know what you think is for my happiness. No parent wants to see their child happy. But sometimes the way to judge a problem is what often brings together an argument in the hallway of debate.

"All Daddy leave it to you, Ndok! We trust you completely. If you need advice, our hands will always be open to embrace you. And do not forget, all the secrets of life are with His owner. Ask for a little leak of your life story from Him. Inshaa Allah is All-Good and He will always give the best for His good servant.", I rubbed my head repeatedly. The touch was so soft and seeped into my crown. Provides a lot of positive energy that can make me strong in believing to choose the best among the good.

"Thank God I have done it, Father!", I replied, finally venturing to open myself.

"Oh yeah? What clues did you get, Ndok?"

Mom and Dad looked at each other.

I took a deep breath before continuing my words. "The three of them came through my dreams with their respective smiles!"

"Including Arya?", Dad scowled.

I shook my head with a smile looking at my father's two eyeballs that held a lot of curiosity.

"The man you mentioned earlier!"

"Yogi, Andra and Prakash?"

This time I nodded my head slowly while bowing to my opponent. It is not powerful if you have to see the look in your eyes that will be disappointed if my choice is not in accordance with what he wants.

"Who will you choose, Ndok?", asked Father once more.

Mom patted Dad's shoulder slowly. It means not to force me to reveal it now if it is not ready.

"God willing, he will soon come to see Father and Mother!", I answered at last.

I really couldn't pronounce the name of the man I chose to be my future companion. I'm afraid that name will disappoint my expectations. But I am sure that the guidance that God gave was not wrong. He is the right candidate for the priesthood and will help guide me to the path of life that God is pleased with. It is not an easy choice to face the reality.

After our conversation in the family room, Dad didn't question much about the same thing. He behaved as usual. Even tend to choose to be silent even though we are present in the same room. I know he's not angry. But the disappointment that radiated through the look on his face was unable to deceive his gaze as we looked at each other.

Forgive your son, Father! It's not your intention to hurt you. But this is my life principle. I have decided it with the help of God's whisper. And this is where I must risk everything with all my confidence in His power. As well as the guidance and upbringing of religious policies that I often received from my parents.

"Hi, say! Assalamu'alaikum…"

My first greeting while talking with my friend Izmi who I long did not hold a friendship since the graduation ceremony was on campus some time ago through our mobile plane.

"Wa'alaikumusslaam, Nur! How are you?", Izmi replied from the other end in a slow voice.

"Thank God I am good! How about yourself?"

"Alhamdulillah too, Nur! Eh...how is the development of your relationship with Prakash?", suddenly Izmi immediately asked about the man who had been chasing me so often.

"Kok Prakash anyway? What do I have to do with him?", I laughed a little.

"Ooohh...I thought you were with her?".

"No! I've decided to accept someone!"

"Who? Yogi huh?"

"No! Let's guess who?"

"You mean..Andra don't you?"

I didn't answer right away. My laughter just blew away after Izmi mentioned that one name.

"You're seriously taking Andra's proposal, Nur? Not wrong?", suddenly Izmi's voice seemed stuck between his questions.

"God willing, Izmi!"

Our conversation was suddenly silent for a moment. I don't know what we should talk about next. It was not as usual that happened between us. Izmi is usually the most crowded if you have talked about this one topic.

Until finally we ended our phone call with a little bit of humor that felt crisp and cause confusion. Freaky…

That was the last conversation we had with Izmi. After that it was very difficult to contact my close friend. His phone number is always inactive.

I don't know.I don't want to think anything. Maybe there is something Izmi is dealing with or her phone could be lost somewhere.

"Ndok, there's someone who wants to see you!", Father's voice broke my daydream.

I turned to look at my father who was standing at the door of my open room.

"Yes, just a minute, Dad! I change my clothes first!", I said while struggling to clean up the prayer equipment I still wear.

Just realized apparently long ago I was pensive after performing my Maghrib prayer earlier. I still remember my friend Izmi. I feel like something has gone wrong with her attitude lately. It just disappeared without any clear news. As a friend who has been familiar for so long is certainly a strange phenomenon to find an oddity that has not ended such a base.

Oh yes I forgot that today Andra and her family will come to visit my house as promised. The man was well established and sure to bring his family together with my parents. As a first step to straighten our relationship towards a more serious and halal level.

"You're sure of your choice, Ndok?", asked Dad as the Andra family filed their proposal on the sidelines of a family meeting.

"God willing.Dad! I was sure that he was the right man to be my family's future priest and also my good Father and Mother's son-in-law!", I replied without daring to look me in the eyes of my father.

"Not Yogikah, Ndok?", once again I want to make sure.

Slowly I ventured to look into Dad's eyes that were starting to sink in. "I did not dare to go before the provisions of life that God had set and did not intend to disappoint Dad at all. God willing this is my life choice and for our common good."

"You sure?"

"Dad, there's something extraordinary that I saw from the figure of an Andra. He really fits the type of guy I've been craving for all this time. Yogi may also be the type of man who is a lot of the desire of other women. Me included. But when it comes to choosing, my belief is that Andra is a better person. Wh why? He is a man who does not give up easily in life. Always passionate in achieving his goals and dreams of life. Financially, he may be a bit different from Yogi who lives with wealth. But hope you understand, to be the person you are today Andra must live it starting from the lowest point. His determination is only one of effort and do'a. Even after that he dedicated his life to the benefit of others. Become a teacher with a small income. But that's where the value is, Dad! He was able to stand alone on the lack of life that sustained him!"

"If Yogi…?"

Yogi again! Thought I didn't think it out.

"I don't want to compare but the reality is like that. Since childhood until now Yogi is not accustomed to living in a state of complete deprivation. His life needs are always met. Nothing makes it difficult for him to reach his desire because everything is supported by the economic conditions of his family are adequate. Such circumstances worry him will actually give birth to an attitude that will not be ready if one day find a phase of life that is not ordinary he lived. His soul is fragile. I want to live this life with a strong and determined companion. Like Dad…"

"Like me?"

"A Father who is able to deliver children just his wayang reach his goals just by capitalizing on retirement income that is not how big. But all this time I had never seen my father complain and give up until I was finally able to stand gracefully above my own abilities because of the extraordinary figure that was in my life! Would it be wrong for me to pay attention to the person I love and then apply an example of someone who will rob a father of his rights to his daughter to another man who has never been do you recognize him at all? Isn't it natural that I should be willing to obey the men of my future priest more than my own father? Then what kind of man should take care of Daddy's favorite son that you've been proud of? Is it my fault that then my choice fell on a tough male figure who is believed to be able to keep a trust of a father?"

My tears began to slowly drip down my cheeks. It hurt so much to hold the tip of my tongue that it was scratching the wall of my throat that was drying. Until it did not feel a moment later I was in the warm embrace of the love of my father.

"I'm proud of you, son!", said Dad slowly and landed his kiss on the end of my forehead which was still blocked by the hijab.

"That's because I love you…."

"Prepare because soon the father-in-law will be here soon…"

I smiled happily. The wrinkle line of smiles on Dad's face can not hide that he really hopes for the soon presence of a next generation of his genes. God willing I will help make it happen, Dad!

My heart feels like flowers. The new mentor is ready to welcome the continuation of my life story later. But far away there was a whisper of heart that said softly, "Initially I hoped you would be in line with Yogi, Nur! And that means that I have a lot of opportunities to get to know each other with Andra. But reality says otherwise I must swallow this bitter taste and try to forget it along with the shadows of beauty that we often miss. I don't know if I can live the remnants of my life's dream on this verdict of a scurvy…"

A piece of paper fell from her trembling hand after reading the lab test results she received that day that she was positive for cancer….

...EXPIRE...