FIZAH (Female Kolong Garbage)
PART 152 "Making Promises"
*Tsaniya Tabriz
There was no talk after Mr. Nizam's arrival. Abah and ummik behave normally. So is Bang Fakhar. It is possible that abah and ummik are negotiating without having to involve me. This is the fate of girls who do not have the freedom to choose. Although I hold a legitimate title, but it does not make me also able to convey the desire of the heart. The spring of ummik and steadiness abah undo all my intentions. I can't bear to stall it.
Tonight I sit in front of a pendopo-shaped musala. I laid my head on Bang Bakhar's shoulder.
"Don't you?"
"What, Deck?"
"If I let Abah and Ummik keep trying to match me with Mr. Nizam, does that mean I've been devoted to them?"
"Sir, you'll understand for yourself. The reason behind this match."
"I mean, Bang?"
"Now it's not time for you to understand. Just patience. I just found out too. But, clearly Abah and Ummik also did not think."
"Loh, he said to be betrothed why don't you think that's how to, Bang?"
"You'll understand for yourself later."
"But you know everything, don't you, Bang?"
"It has. But Abah's mandate. The point is patience."
"So, what kind of child should this be?"
"How is this?" Bang Fakhar. I automatically raised my head.
"Can't decide for yourself."
"could. It could be really. I already told you. Later we will try how to be able to go to college together."
"Although later if Abah decides unilaterally I will be married soon?"
"Trust Abah, yes. Abah knows what you want."
"Well, how is Yazeed? If he is offended Abah refused the proposal because of Mr. Nizam how?"
"That's Abah and Ummik's business. Even if they are considered as both people who are equally entitled, but after weighing and looking at the past history, it turns out Kang Nizam is more entitled."
"I don't understand."
"Because you think of Yazeed?"
I nodded. "He said he liked me, Bang. Bang, take me to meet him, yeah. I'm gonna have a chat."
"What about Kang Bimo?"
"Can I?"
"Can. Kang Bimo is trustworthy. I have a meeting with a client. I want to stock books in the store too. It's okay, right?"
"Yes, papa."
"Dec, romance is also the same with you."
"It's even more romantic if it's the same Ning Ulya."
"Call him ordinary. Kak Ulya or Mbak Ulya it lo."
"Yes. Brother Ulya. If I get married first, can I go to college?"
"Alah must know what you want, including how the real character Nizam. We also know what is best for us. Abah has weighed and remembered for the next. What you're going through is just as rich Brother."
Bang Fakhar tried to give me confidence and told me to be optimistic. He spoke in a serious and relaxed tone.
"But, Sister Ulya is beautiful and cool, Bang. So Bang Fakhar has nothing to lose if he's married to her."
"So do you, Dek."
"Don't you?"
"Hmm?"
"Ngalem's pen."
"It's the same with Brother." Bang Fakhar hugged me. I stroked my crooked headscarf I loosened.
"Sugar dong. Don't be shy, right?"
I'm shaking.
When the santri crowded to prepare the Friday Night Quran recitation event Pon every three months since morning, I covered out. Forcing Kang Bimo to deliver me. There will usually be some preparation. If I go out tomorrow, obviously I can't because I will definitely be asked to listen. Preparation begins after the asar. Starting from the installation of banners and simple styrofoam decorations decorated with flowers. Installation of carpets in the front yard musala and cleaning all parts musala until it looks neat and fragrant. I used that space immediately.
At first Kang Bimo refused for fear of getting angry ummik. But, I insisted because Bang Fakhar had told Yazeed to wait for me at Sarangan Lake. There is a lot of atmosphere. Yazeed chose his place. And he must have been waiting for me. I'm hustling. It would be easier if I had my own device. However, it seems like my exams will actually come more from there. I refused to be bought by Bang Fakhar.
"No, yeah, Kang."
"Ready, Ning."
After that we were just like a pair of statues that had no talk. Kang Bimo seems awkward. Meanwhile, I don't know what to talk about. To break the silence, Kang Bimo also turned on the Java chat. I don't know that and it sounds so foreign. For a man of his age, it is rare for him to like such a song.
"Like, Kang?"
"So like it because Abah often listens to this song in the car."
"Is that Kang Bimo?"
"That's Ning Tsaniya."
"You sound so sacred, yes, Kang."
"It's a creation of Kiai Soleh, Ning."
"Who is Kiai Soleh."
"Ning Tsaniya's grandfather."
"Cooking? So Kiai Soleh is the composer of gitukah?"
"Yes, Ning. It sounds a little mystical and in meaning. There's this arabic syi'ir too."
I nodded with half remembering something.
"What's the picture on display in Ummik's room?"
"Lacking to know, Ning. Never went in there. In the living room there is nothing. Try Ning Tsaniya ask Ummik that. Family lineage. Who's the same marriage, Ning?"
"No idea, Kang. Kang Bimo now has a candidate yet?"
He's laughing a little.
"Aren't you laughing?"
"Yes Ning Tsaniya's ending is funny."
"Must have it. Kan, Kang Bimo is Abah's close friend. Aye right?"
"Not yet."
"But, ever liked someone, right?"
"For sure, Ning. But, now he's been betrothed to someone else."
I took a long breath. I'm leaning my shoulder. Kang Bimo glanced at me from the glass.
"What do you think, Kang?"
"Must be sincere, Ning."
"So, if Kang Bimo is betrothed to someone that Kang Bimo does not like, Kang Bimo still leaves?"
"God willing."
"Especially if the one who asked was Abah. Kang Bimo can't resist."
He just returned me a thin smile.
"Ning, Abah that's not a random person."
"I know, Kang."
"Sorry, Ning."
"It's not papa, Kang, if you want to give me any advice. I am really upset again. Enlightenment worker. Who knows from Kang Bimo's words, I'm more determined to live my future."
"If I may have guessed, I'd like to be betrothed to that lecturer, yes, Ning?"
I silenced.
"He's good, Ning. We had a chat. At first I was surprised, why it could be similar to Gus Yazeed. I guess the twin. It's not like that."