FIZAH (Female Kolong Garbage)
PART 57 "The Assembly of Two Families"
*Fakharuddin Akhyar Al - Ameen
All of a sudden, tonight there's an uninvited guest. When I was just going out to fill the pengaosan (study) maknan bawa' al-barzanji, Mbak Ufi appeared across the door.
"Gus, wait for Ummik below, Gus."
"Is there still a patient?"
"Nembe mantun, Gus." (Newly finished, Gus)
"Where are you from, Ma'am?"
"Duko (don't know), Gus. But, it sounds from Trenggalek. Guests sent lenggah (to sit) in ndalem, Gus."
"OKs. You stay, Ma'am."
Two cars are coming. I think who they are. Some of those who got out of the car were still very unfamiliar. The only one I know is Kiai Ammar who came out the back door with Nyai Rohmah. They are caregivers of a large salaf boarding school in Trenggalek, Pondok Pesantren As-Salam.
I walked closer to them. The Kiai Ammar. The other passengers were inside.
"This is Fakhar Deck?" Bu nyai made sure.
"Enggeh, Miss Nyai. Why, what is this need? I know nothing if there will be a great guest. There's no preparation to welcome."
"The plan is far away," continued Kiai.
"Monggo pinarak!" (Please sit!)
I'm through the back door. Ummik is still in the kitchen with Mbak Ufi. But, ummik just breezed forward.
"What's this?" I whispered to Ufi Ma'am.
"That's it, Gus, he said he wanted to be betrothed tonight."
"Can't you?"
"I don't understand either, Gus. But, ummik dhawuh like that."
"What do you want to betroth with me in front? Have you seen the guy?"
"It doesn't seem like it yet, Gus. Often, Gus."
"Emmm..."
"They're Ulya's parents, Gus."
"Goddessa. So, all this time Ma'am Ulya's daughter Kiai Ammar?"
"God like that, Gus."
"Attent. You even know a lot. From?"
"Nluren. Ummik himself spoke to me, Gus."
Back to the kitchen.
"Ummik, what do Ummik mean to match Fakhar with Mbak Ulya this sudden?"
"Ki plans wis suwe, Fakhar." Ummik did not look too serious to respond to me who was still surprised.
Translation: (It's an old plan, Fakhar." Ummik did not look too serious to respond to me who was still surprised)
"Ummik, please explain this first."
"Awakmu nyawakpo Mbak Ulya mondok nang kene?"
Translation: (Do you know why Mbak Ulya went here?)
I didn't answer.
"Supoyo luweh cedak karo family adewe, Le. You wis dijodohne wiwit your crew sektas mlebu aliyah."
(To be closer to our family, Le. You've been betrothed since you just entered aliyah)
"So, Ummik's been pretending?"
"I'm only going to marry a woman of my own choice, Mik."
"Wakmu ndak dear Ummik?"
"Loh, ngggeh, mboten ngoten."
Translation: (Well, yes, not so)
"Free lehmu naji khatam hikam lek your crew ra biso legowo. Your brother agreed, Le."
Translation: (Free you naji khatam hikam if you can not chest roomy. Abahmu wis agrees)
Ummik signaled Ufi to bring two plates of bread.
"Ilingo´s. Ojo mburu sing durung stuff for sure. Mending nompo opo eneke sing wis ketoro."
Translate: (Remember! Do not pursue anything uncertain. Better to accept what is already visible)
"Then, what about Tsaniya who Ummik believes is still alive?" I just flattened it. I do not want to argue with ummik even though ummik has been fighting for something uncertain.
Ulya, Ulya, Ulya. Yes, I repeated that name in my mind. Since when did he receive this match?
Ufi's mother returned, saying, "Gus, sent there."
Inevitably I still have to appreciate their arrival. Far-away came from Trenggalek to fulfill good intentions.
I sat next to Abah. At first glance I glanced, there is no Ma'am Ulya here. He must be in pontri. And, she must have known her parents' arrival tonight. Why didn't he tell me the truth before?
"Alhamdulillah we saget makempal wonten assembly niki chalkih meaning ngggeh jikuro silaturahmi kuragi anawis kula lan Kiai Mas'udi. Mugi angsal barakah so sagarsanipun Allah ta'ala." Abah.
Translation: (Alhamdulillah we can gather in this assembly in order that is family friendship between my family and Kiai Mas'ud. May you get barakah from Allah ta'ala)
If this is just a meeting of two families, hopefully the matchmaking has not been inaugurated. I can still punish him. If I refuse this matchmaking, then it means that I have to find a candidate as soon as possible. Yes I should be able to convince Ummik especially.
There are no special events. Tonight was just an ordinary meeting. For half an hour we talked to each other, no one had touched the match. I'm relieved. Ulya was not allowed to attend. However, after paying attention to Abah and Kiai Ammar who look very familiar, the bond of these two families will later give a big role in advancing pesantren.
I remember the dream since long ago is to have thousands of students. It's just that you never targeted it. Abah continues to focus on educating existing students and serving the community who come to seek treatment. And, abah never mentioned the condition of women that I can make prospective wives, especially prospective wives who will be able to strengthen two pesantren. Actually it's legitimate for anyone among the pesantren who want to find a soul mate from the same class, but not me.
The longer the conversation they began to go out of line the main topic of the purpose of tonight's arrival. Abah and Kiai Ammar were busy talking about the masail capsule. I slowly walked away from there without any knowledge. I'm going to meet Ulya's mother in Pontri.
He was sitting in front of his room. I told santri who passed by to call him here. He looked at me as soon as he heard the message. Then, still carrying the Koran in his hand, he walked with a mediocre look on his face.
"Sir, I asked seriously, you answered honestly."
"Enggeh, Gus."
"You know your Abah and Ummik are coming, right?"
He's nodding.
"You know about our matchmaking?"
He moves the same.
"Why are you not being honest with me. It's clear, right, the tour to Tulungagung yesterday part of the Ummik plan that you already know as well?"
"Puntene. Well, I don't know yet, Gus. Bener." He answered her somewhat.
"You yourself do agree this matchmaking continues?"
He also nodded again.
"Last question. And, this is the most important thing. Do you like me?"
He stopped answering. Looking at his face, I made sure he did not agree. I don't have to make sure I'm too deep because I don't really need to know how she feels about me. Whether she likes me or not, I hope that matchmaking can be canceled.
"You matured (said) to your Abah if you can't continue this match."
He smiled faintly, then nodded.
But I was wondering. Why is he smiling?