He's Not A Bad Boy
Chapter 36 - Examination or Punishment

He is the one I love, but You are the more powerful, the one I want, but Your destiny is better. Sometimes longing is so torturous for the body, but what to say, if the burning longing is not in line with His scenario.

Is he really not my destiny?Would I be selfish if I wanted him? I have no power to soften the hearts of those who do not like me, but I know, You are the One who is able to soften the heart.

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That night, after getting word from his father's confidant, Boy really couldn't sleep. He wanted to go home that night, but things were not possible. Several times he went back and forth on the mattress but never found a comfortable position.

Finally, he decided to get up and spread the prayer mat in his room. Long enough he was there, calming down and looking for clues to the anxiety of the heart that really made his mind confused.

Tears began to flow down his cheeks without him noticing, all the turmoil of his heart now he spilled. Not only about the state of the father who fell ill, his desire to marry Khaira who never got the green light did not escape he stirred.

Time passed so quickly, the dawn began to reverberate. His duty as a obedient servant is now fulfilled. Today, he has steadied his heart to go back to talking to the father of the girl he wants to apply for. How the final decision was, he left it all to God.

That morning, Boy planned to go first to the hospital to meet Ali, and will be ready to go back to his hometown. After that, he will meet Zafran to give an answer to Zafran's request at that time.

***

"Assalamu 'alaikum." A greeting was heard from outside the door accompanied by the sound of a typical open ward door.

Zafran, Ainun, and Khaira entered the room. Both of Ali's parents seemed so enthusiastic about welcoming them, especially when they saw Khaira who had just removed her mask.

"God, are you Khaira? It turns out you're the young doctor who checked Ali out yesterday." Salma held onto Khaira's two hands then hugged her as the girl nodded softly in response to her question.

"How's Ali doing?" asked Ainun while looking at the sleeping Ali.

"Alhamdulillah he has improved, only need a few times to undergo physiotherapy so that he can return to his activities as usual," replied Salma.

They started talking on the sofa about Ali. Until Salma began to open talks about Ali's intention to marry Khaira. In fact, he also told if Ali had long put his heart to the girl.

"To be honest we were quite flattered to hear Ali's good intentions. However, we know for ourselves if the one who will live the domestic life later is Khaira, so it is appropriate that we give this opportunity to our daughter to make her choice" said Zafran.

Now all the gazes turned to Khaira who had just been quietly bowed.

"Son, what do you think?" ask Ainun to the princess.

Khaira several times looked at the two people asked and the two parents Ali alternately.

"Sorry before, can I be given time to think and ask God for guidance? After all, marriage is the longest worship of a lifetime, and for that, I need steadfastness in making choices" Khaira said.

"Oh yes, son. Let me wake up Ali yah so you can talk."

The real Khaira did not want it to hold Salma back to wake Ali up, but her movements were fast enough that Khaira could not hold her back.

"Ali, Ali, wake up, son. Look who came to see you," Salma said as she patted her son's cheek gently.

Slowly the man's eyes opened and looked at the mother beside him.

"Who, Ma?"

Salma did not answer, instead giving code to Khaira to come to him.

"This is it." Salma shifted slightly to the side so that Khaira who was already behind him was now clearly visible.

Ali who was looking at the girl whom he had been so privileged with in his heart involuntarily fell silent at the girl beside him, her heart started pounding faster than usual, there was an immeasurable sense of happiness in his heart right now, like a dream that had now become real from being able to see Khaira this close.

Deheman's mother's voice instantly resuscitated Ali from staring inside Khaira. "Astaghfirullah, sorry," he said a little embarrassed.

"That's so sad, remember! You are not halal yet, so keep your eyes on it" Salma reminded.

Salma returned to the sofa not far from Ali's bed and let the two of them talk for a moment, hoping that by talking to each other, Khaira's heart could lean towards her son.

.

.

.

While outside the room, a man looks so shocked after knowing the reality he accidentally heard. The man stood beside the door while closing his eyes, with his chest rising and falling as it regulated his breath which felt a little tight.

He wanted to go in and meet Ali, but again a painful fact came back to him. With slow steps as if he had no energy, the man walked away from the room. His eyes were blank, even his eyes were starting to blur by the tears that were beginning to fill his eyes.

"I don't know if this is a test or a punishment for my sins. But whatever it is, please strengthen me, O God."

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