He's Not A Bad Boy
Chapter 22 - A Gift from Abah

I believe that he who was destined for me, no matter how far apart we are, will eventually meet. Conversely, no matter how close we are, if we are not meant to be together, we will eventually move away as well.

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A year and a half later.

Today is Khaira's graduation day at High School. Khaira, accompanied by her parents, stood before everyone to receive the award for her achievements as the best graduate.

An immense gratitude was unceasingly escaping from the lips of the hijab girl. Fighting in the land of people without relatives is not easy, test after test comes and turns, until finally everything he managed to pass well.

After attending the graduation ceremony, Khaira and her sister and both parents immediately returned to their hometown with great joy.

After traveling for approximately 8 hours, Khaira and her family finally arrived in their hometown right at night. Apparently, there he was again welcomed with a ceremony arranged by Oma Sofi as a surprise for the return of his favorite grandson.

"Geez!" khaira shouted directly into the arms of the elderly woman standing in front of the house. A very big longing he could finally channel after two years never met because of his decision to work.

"Bas with the naughty grandchildren, you may not have come back here for the past two years, do you not miss your old om?" Oma Sofi took off her arms and pinched Khaira's nose until she grimaced.

"God, Oma. Khaira will not do that again, Khaira promised," said Khaira then hugged Oma Sofi again with affection.

"After that, you enter first, outside again cold, many families are waiting for you inside," Zafran told his mother and daughter, making the two women of different generations finally enter together. Khaira held tightly to Oma Sofi's hand while leaning her head on her grandmother's shoulder so spoiled.

Khaira was moved when she found that her extended family was waiting in the living room. There are Akmal, Aisyah and the twins Ammar and Ameer, then there is Billy, Aira and their daughter, Mahra, then there is Abah Rahman and Ummi Lina.

Everyone seemed to rejoice in welcoming the arrival of girls who since childhood had troubled them all.

"At last this troublesome girl came too," Akmal said starting to annoy his nephew.

"Ish, what the hell Om, don't start, Khaira is tired again," Khaira said as she hung her lips and sat down with Oma Sofi on the big sofa with the others.

"Ish, you spoiled bottom," Akmal's sneer made Oma Sofi look at him sharply. "Everyone spoiled do not sneer at each other," said Oma Sofi reminded.

"I? Pampered?" Akmal pointed at himself with a face that displayed a lebay expression.

"Well, spoiled by your wife, isn't it Ayesha?" Aisyah smiled behind her veil and nodded confirming Oma Sofi's words, so everyone in the room immediately laughed.

They began to share stories with each other, sometimes they laughed together, and some were surprised and enthusiastic when Khaira told her about her experience in being kidnapped. Until dinner time, they all began to eat together with wisdom.

After dinner, they re-assembled in the family room while telling stories. This time the topic of their conversation is Khaira's next plan of graduating high school age.

"So, what's your next plan, Khaira?" ask Abah Rahman.

"Khaira wants to go to college, Grandpa Abah. But Khaira is still confused because Khaira graduated at two different universities through different paths" Khaira replied.

"Alhamdulillah, Abah's great grandson. Where have you graduated, son?"

"At University A in Singapore, and University A in the city."

"If you feel confused, try praying istikharah, son. Let God show you what's best for you."

"Yes, Grandpa Abah."

"Remember, Son. At home or abroad, famous or not a place of college, is not the best determinant for you, because everyone is different his or her provision, good for others is not necessarily good for you, for everyone else, the opposite is true."

Khaira nodded her head justifying his Grandfather's words.

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Not directly lying down, Khaira walked towards the balcony of the room and looked at the stars scattered so beautifully. His body was so tired, but he also wanted to let go of his longing for his home and environment so beautiful.

"How are you doing? Where are you now? We haven't seen each other in a long time, without any news. I hope you're okay wherever you are" Khaira said with a smile looking up at the sky.

"I never expected to see you, but if God gave me the chance to see you again, I'd be very happy."

***

A few days later, in a boarding school, precisely at the house of Kiai Rahman or more often called Abah Rahman, it looks like a young man is busy dropping off some new book boxes from the pesantren's car.

"All that, son?" ask Abah Rahman.

"Alhamdulillah already, Abah," replied the man, wiping away the sweat that was running down his temple.

"Yes, go inside first, son. We take a break, you must be tired all day accompanying me to buy the necessary books pesantren."

"Well, Abah."

The two men of different ages now enter the house of Abah Rahman. Inside Ummi Lina had prepared a drink and some snacks.

"How did you feel for a year of school here, son?" ask Abah Rahman.

"Alhamdulillah, it feels calm, Abah, although difficult at the beginning, is now accustomed and comfortable with life in this pesantren," replied the man.

"Thank God, may God bless your life, son." Abah Rahman patted the man on the back.

"Oh yes, because you really showed your seriousness to learn and continue to improve, you have a gift for you," he continued, taking an envelope from the desk drawer in front of him and giving it to the man.

"What is this, Abah?"

"Open it up, son."

The man began to carefully open the envelope and began to read the contents of the envelope. A few seconds later, the man's eyes looked dewy.

"Is this for me, Abah?" the man asked in disbelief and got a nod from Abah Rahman.

"Alhamdulillah." The man immediately made a prostration of gratitude. He really didn't think the opportunity would come to him.

"Thank you, Abah," he continued, straight into the hands of the man who had been guiding him so patiently and now gave him a great gift.

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After the departure of the young man, Ummi Lina also sat next to her husband. "Boy, the boy is really kind and sincere. I couldn't believe it when I heard the story that he was a motorcycle boy" said Ummi Lina.

"Since the beginning of meeting, I know that in good men, I am grateful that he chose this place as his last choice when he began to be discouraged" continued Abah Rahman.

"Is sending him to Cairo the right choice? He said he used to stay in class first" asked Umm Lina.

"He's actually a smart kid, his memory is strong, it's just that his environment used to make him that way."

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