Hot Couple: Inspiration From God (I Love You, Ustadz!)
Romantic

But, Mas Ilham just smelled a smile. While trying not to grin, he moved his hand while nodding to Mas Farid who turned right in front of the entrance of a restaurant in front of us, hand gestures to say "monggo in" to the restaurant, the restaurant is more like a saung, because the serving of food with rice and simple vegetables. The restaurant is still one part of the hotel where we stayed. We went in and sat down at the table where Mas Farid, Laila and Laili were in their seats. Mas Ilham immediately waved to call the waitress.

Like the hotel, the restaurant is also good. The interior is decorated in pale pink and shiny brown as wood, with a little white here and there. There is a classic style there.

"Eat rice, yes, so that we are all full and can sleep well. We haven't eaten rice all day."

I grimaced, showing the sling of my arm to Mas Ilham who was sitting beside me. "My hands are sick. Where can I scoop with my left hand."

"Choose what you want to eat" he said, pointing out a long list in front of him. "I'll be sure to answer."

Noah....

In spirit, I looked at the menu list. "I want fish, Mom. So that it is not difficult to feed me. Scrambled tofu can be too."

Mas Ilham nodded. He ordered a double portion and ginger wedang plus warm water for both of us after the waitress came back to our table and brought a pen and writing pad. Mas Farid rattled his order, following Laila and Laili's orders, and I could see that the waitress was affected by his sweet voice, just as I was when he heard her teaching or when he was chanting the azan.

"Okay, please wait" said the waiter after repeating all the menus we ordered.

Mas Ilham nodded at him, then called out his thanks as the waiter walked away.

"I'm actually going to feed Ma'am. But it looks like Mbak needs more Mas Ilham who feeds, right?" Laila.

Mas Farid who was sitting next to him shook his head. "Little kids just shut up, yeah." he scolded.

"Yeeee... Laila's grown up, you know...! Seventeen soon."

"As long as you're in school and need a guardian, that means you're a kid."

"So much as Farid." Tongue stuck. "It's worth it to be single, chatty anyway...!"

Everyone giggled.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Have it," said Laili quickly.

"What the hell, Brother?" The brother glared.

"Well, that, Joko the IPS boy, that's Mbak's girlfriend, right?"

"Well, get caught, yeah. The date can't be. Watch out, lo, at the new school later still dating. Report to Pakde Siddiq."

Duh, I can only be silent. It felt skinned when I remembered my relationship with the Imam that had passed. Although never bound by the word courtship, but we know very well that we were once bound by feelings.

"Continue?" laila protest, "Bak Bila and Mas Ilham, how come?"

The waitress suddenly appeared, carrying a tray of three glasses of ginger and five glasses of warm water, followed by another waiter who brought a basket of rice and vegetables, then put everything on the table.

"Your mother has been preached by Mas Ilham" continued Mas Farid when the waitress again passed. "They're getting married next month, not dating like you." Then he tilted his body to the side and whispered somewhat to Laila, "Mas Ilham was afraid that your other brother's hand would break if he didn't accompany him here. He must take care of his future wife with extra. Understand, ndak?"

I was stunned, and then remembered yesterday when I had an accident, how that handsome face was shaded by the domineering worry and fear.

"Yes, deh. After school tomorrow, Laila's gonna cut Joko off."

Laughter Mas Farid, Laili, and I broke when I saw Laila crossing and sulking.

"By the way," I said as I turned to Mas Ilham, "thank you for being so caring and taking care of me."

He nodded while smiling knots. "It's my duty, Zahra. I don't want to lose you."

The waiter came out of the kitchen with a tray full of orders, then circulated the plate when he got to our table. Scrambled to know my order looks good, and the smell is tantalizing. But, actually I felt bad for Mas Farid who was entrusted by Abi and Umi to watch over us, but he gave me a reassuring nod.

And it turns out, the cuisine was indeed delicious when I received a bribe from the hands of Mas Ilham. I like him so much to spoil me. I got sniggered. How nice it is to eat a plate together and from the same spoon as the one I love. It was sweet, even though we both had to eat so slowly, that we only finished half the rice on our plates when the others had already devoured the contents of their plates.

Then, a few minutes later, after we had also emptied our plates, Mas Ilham was just about to call the waiter to ask for our bill when two of Mas Ilham's friends walked over to us. Amir and Imron.

Mas Ilham semringah's. He said the three of them used to be quite familiar friends when they were sitting in college.

"Hey, Mr. Ustadz! Assalamu'alaikum" Mas Amir said as he patted Mas Ilham on the back. "Old not meet."

We all answered his greetings.

"How are you, buddy?" ask Mas Ilham.

Like women, they embrace each other and pat each other on the back.

"Alhamdulillah, fine," both answered compactly.

"It's nice to meet here" Mas Imron said.

"Yeah, let's sit down first." Mas Ilham turned his gaze towards me, then towards Mas Farid. "It's okay, huh?"

Me and Mas Farid nodded. Then Mas Ilham introduced his two friends to us, and vice versa. He introduced me specifically. "Salsabila Azzahra, my future wife," he said.

While sitting down, his two friends cheered excitedly. "Finally, congratulations to both of you. We pray that all your affairs will be carried out until Day H."

"Aamiin...."

I also secured it while nodding to them.

"Yep. God willing, our wedding is next month. Invitation followed. Try to come, yeah."

They nodded, and promised to take the time to come to our wedding.

"By the way, how are your livestock and flower farms doing?" ask Mas Imron.

Eh? I frowned, wondering about that unknown thing.

"Alhamdulillah. Runs good. Fans of ornamental flowers and flower bouquets also tend to increase."

Whoa, could it not be that yesterday's bouquet of roses from his own estate?

And I can't wait to ask that question as soon as we were about to return to the hotel room, just after the two friends of Mas Ilham said goodbye to move to another table. They were hungry and could not wait to order the dinner.

"Side business, dear." he replied quietly, keeping his voice from those around us. "Abi lends capital. He said the man must have his own efforts to support his family. They support their children and wives so that they will live well. You know for yourself, the salary as an educator is not much. So I must have a side business to be able to support my children and wife later. And inshaallah, I can live you," he said.

I smiled too. I nodded my head because I understood. But...

"Kok you never told me about the effort, Mas?"

"You haven't asked yourself, have you?"

"Yes too, anyway. But I'm curious, don't-don't get a bouquet of roses yesterday...?"

"Yes," he said. He stopped his footsteps, then looked at me deeply. "That's a red rose I picked and I cupped myself, specifically for my future wife. For by Allah, Zahra, you are special."