BROMOCORAS
Ballad Bracelet Kaoka

Ajimukti sat on a chair that was quite soft even though it was not as tender as a sofa on the terrace of Kyai Aminudin's house on the left side of the stage. His attitude was calm, showing little to no anxiety or nervousness. Besides a row of participants also seemed to have prepared in their respective seats that have been prepared by the committee according to their registration number. There are about fifties participants who will participate in this competition who come from various pesantren in East Java. While a little far in front of him, on the right side of the stage four chairs with a small table above which there are several bottles of drinks and vases of flowers look still empty.

Ajimukti glanced at the number attached to his left side. There is a number 24, that means he will perform after almost half of the participants perform.

Before long a man of medium stature with a typical santri-style fashion stood in the middle of the stage by holding a speaker mic. Looks like the host.

And true, the host immediately started the show on the morning of this afternoon. After a long stale talk, the host also introduced who will be the jury of this competition.

After being called, the four judges came out from the right side of the stage. Three male jurors and a female jury. The two men among the four jurors were probably the same age as Dullah and seemed to be descended from Habaib, the other was rather old and from his appearance he seemed to be a pious Kyai, while the female jury may be about forty years old, it may be an ustadzah.

Not long after the event began after the host introduced one by one the name of the participants as well as the origin of the pesantrennya.

The first participant seemed calm with what he said. Ajimukti only pays attention. Likewise when the second participant is third and so on.

The cheers of the audience present were quite boisterous when one of the participants finished delivering the contents of his sermon.

One by one the participants appeared before the judges. Now it is Ajimukti's turn. The host called Ajimukti to advance to the center of the stage.

"Participant number 24. In the name of Ajimukti. Please go to the middle of the stage!" Said the host loudly.

Ajimukti calmly walked towards where the host was standing. Experiencing the host and standing next to the host.

"good. Can you introduce yourself again?" Ask the host, more precisely the order.

Ajimukti breathed.

"Assalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi... Ismahuulii an u'arrifa nafsii lakum jamii'an... Ismii Ajimukti Aufatur Muthoriq wa yunaaduunanii bi Ajimukti... Ana mim-madrasatun Hidayah jaawii assyarqiyyah..." Ajimukti introduced with Arabic as did the participants before before. Calm and without doubt.

The host also returned to speak to Ajimukti as well as the judges. At the same time Ajimukti's gaze was on the audience bench, a girl who had also been watching him and this time the girl slightly raised her clenched right hand. A gesture for Ajimukti excited. Shut up Ajimukti throws a smile at the girl.

The host continued his speech. Permit Ajimukti to deliver his sermon and after that the host pulled over. Now in the middle of the stage there is only Ajimukti standing alone and became the center of attention of tens of pairs of eyes.

Ajimukti begins his sermon. Everything in the room was silent. The room was now silent, only the voice of Ajimukti continued to deliver his sermon this afternoon. Until the end of his sermon, Ajimukti seemed calm without the slightest hesitation, as if all of this was familiar to him.

The host returned to the middle of the stage approaching Ajimukti. Instantly, the room that had been silent was now broken by the sound of the shouting of the crowd. Also when the judges gave their positive comments, the room was full of applause from the audience.

Time continued to run, shortly after the break and Dzuhur prayer the event continued until the last participant. Now all competition participants have fully displayed their abilities. And after a while after the jury had discussed, now came the time to announce who will be the champion of the inter-esantren competition this year.

The entire participant immediately looked tense. It was clearly visible from the facial expressions of those sitting on the left side of the stage. But not with Ajimukti. From the beginning even while waiting for the announcement of the results of the competition, Ajimukti looked calm, not the slightest bit of anxiety from the look on his face.

"Allah's glorified audience SWT. This is the moment we are waiting for. Here I have brought the results of the decision of all the judges..." The host has already begun announcing the results of the jury's decision in this competition.

"The third vote on the decision, consideration and judgment of the judges was achieved by the participants with numbers..." The host with his distinctive dialect, able to make the heart of the participants pounding, as well as the audience who watched.

"And now is the time, I will tell you who is entitled to hold the first title in this year's competition... And for the decision, consideration is also the judgment of the honorable judges, with a score of 385... Received by participant number 24... In the name of Ajimukti... Congratulations to Ajimukti.... To Ajimukti are welcome to advance to the middle of the stage." Instantly the room was again boisterous by the cheers of Sorai and the applause of the audience.

Once again, Ajimukti calmly walked to the center of the stage. There the four judges also the host was waiting for Ajimukti. Also a committee that has brought a tray containing trophies that for some participants is what they hope to expect in this competition.

Time has passed. The tension and the sound of cheers and boisterous applause were no longer heard.

Ajimukti walked towards Faruq and Habiba who had been waiting for him since. Their smiles immediately gushed from Faruq and Habiba's lips as Ajimukti approached them with a cup in his hand.

"Congratulations Kang Aji. It's amazing." Praise Faruq while embracing Ajimukti.

"Congratulations, Kang." Imbuh Habiba who is seen sounding his gaze behind his bowed face.

"Thank you, Gus. Thank you, Ning. This is all thanks to your prayers and support. And this I dedicate to Pondok Hidayah." Say Ajimukti slightly bowed.

"Alright, Kang. Now let's rest first. Let's go get some food. We celebrate this victory by the way." Faruq said looking so excited.

"We'll tell you about his brother now or later, Mom?" Ask Habibah later.

"That's what I'll take care of. Pakdhe knew Kang Aji won it would have been a great pleasure later." Faruq slightly flicked his hand.

Habiba just raises his shoulders.

"Come on Kang Aji. Let's just get some food first." Take Faruq once more.

Ajimukti just nodded lightly.

"We're running out of this straight home or walk first, Mas?" Habiba asked between their meals.

Faruq frowned. Looks like he knows what Habiba expects himself to answer.

Justright. The expression on Habiba's face immediately seemed happy despite trying to hide it. But alas, Faruq quite memorized the expression on the face of his nephew's sister.

After eating they choose to walk around the competition. Quite crowded, shoulder to shoulder many merchants peddling their merchandise, from food, souvenirs, accessories, clothes and books and worship equipment. A scene that is almost the same as when on a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Auliya'.

"Kang Aji wants to buy by Lek Dullah maybe?" Faruq asked as he looked around.

"I don't know this, Gus. Confused about me too." Answer Ajimukti who also saw the same scenery as Faruq.

"Mas, let's see it yuk!" Sahut Habiba pointed to one of the sellers of accessories.

Faruq only moved his lips, then with Ajimukti tailed behind Habiba who had already walked first.

"Let's go ahead please. It's good, Ma'am. Original kaoka wood." Said the seller promoting his merchandise when they were in front of the seller's yard.

"Mas, pickin' nice dong!" Habiba's Whine on Faruq.

Faruq just shook his head, "Kok Mas told him to choose, Ba. You yourself choose which likes."

Habiba seems to put on his pouting face. Faruq only replied with a wry smile.

"You choose first. I want to buy souvenirs for Gus Ali with Pakdhe." Said Faruq then, "Kang Aji nitip Habiba for a moment huh." Faruq turned to Ajimukti. Ajimukti just nodded a little.

"Well, Mom?" Typal Habiba was a little nervous, but Faruq did not budge and stepped into one of the stalls selling souvenirs.

Habiba was beginning to get confused. Since then he has only chosen to choose without immediately buying.

"Kang Aji, sorry. It's a good idea, isn't it, Kang?" Ask Habiba to Ajimukti for advice.

Ajimukti reached for the bracelet made of kaoka wood. "It's good, Ning. The color matched Ning Biba's skin."

Ajimukti said it was either a suggestion or a compliment. But for a moment Habiba's heart rippled.

"This is one yes, Cak!" Habiba then said to the seller while thrusting his choice of bracelet.

"One only? Not two of you, Mother. Let a pair of that be the same Masnya. Let's get along." Sahut the seller with Special dialect of Surabaya nan.

Habiba glared, a little hesitant to hear the seller's words. His face turned red and for a moment it made him misbehave.

"It's been two, sister. Same as this." Habiba said while thrusting another bracelet but it felt like his heart was still beating fast.

"Thank you, Ma'am." Said the seller after Habiba paid for it.

Habiba and Ajimukti stepped away from the accessories.

"This, Kang. Make a sampeyan one!" Habiba said suddenly thrusting the other bracelet towards Ajimukti.

"Come, Ning. I'm making sa, - yeah." Sahut Ajimukti who was immediately clumsy on Habiba's attitude.

Habiba only slightly curled his lips revealing the dimples of his cheeks, as well as his reddened face which he could no longer hide.

"Te... Thank you, Ning." Ajimukti grabbed the bracelet and trembled a little, it felt like his wrist was so heavy.

"I'm wearing it, Kang." Babiba said softly with a slightly bowed face.

Ajimukti just nodded slowly while adjusting his breathing.

Habiba walks toward a closed shop. Ajimukti only follows behind Habiba. Silently silent she clasped tightly onto the kaoka bracelet in the grip of her right hand and slightly curved her lips.

"Sit down first Kang Aji while waiting for Mas Faruq to finish looking for souvenirs." Take Habiba who sat down first.

"Yes, Ning." Sahut Ajimukti was short and then sat not far from Habiba.

Ajimukti's gaze wandered around looking for Faruq's figure among the crowd. Faruq had long enough to leave the two of them in a state of awkwardness and irregularity.

A brief look of Ajimukti was directed towards Habiba who seemed to have difficulty wearing the bracelet he had just bought.

"Would I help you wear it, Ning?" Ajimukti.

Instantly Habiba gasped and turned to Ajimukti who turned silent watching him. Now for a moment their views clashed. Make the atmosphere around as if to stop for a few seconds.

Seriate...