Hot Couple: Inspiration From God (I Love You, Ustadz!)
The Sweet Youth

"Alhamdulillah, the angel beside me is cheerful again."

I'm dumbfounded. Well, I thought, he was like a man who had been painstakingly combating women. But when is an ustadz like that?

"You're so hot, yeah. How many women have you dug up? Hmm?"

He glanced at me, one of his hands scratching the temple which I was sure was actually not itchy at all. "It's not the dreadlocks...."

"Keep...?"

"Sweet words are what they are. Think of it like a compliment."

"Alright, alright. So how many people do you praise like this? Hm? Honestly, lo, yes!"

"Emm. honestly the second person. But you don't ask, yeah, who's first."

"Ok, I see..," I said. Then I realized the language I was using. "Eh, sorry, sorry. I mean. I get it."

He's nodding. "It's ok, Zahra. You want to speak Indonesian, Javanese, or English, whatever you want. Arabic can also be. No problems. Just relax."

Well, this is a smart guy! My heart cheered happily. "OK, anything, yeah. Thanks, lo, you're not a person who likes to ban foreign languages."

"Well, because I'm just like you. I am not a narrow-minded person. In my view, there is no science that is haram as long as it does not teach to deny and to deceive God. That simple."

And I like the way you look. I was amazed at him. "By the way, sori, I've forgotten my Arabic lessons" I said. "I only studied in the pesantren while in the Ibtidaiyah Madrasah and Tsanawiyah Madrasah. While at Aliyah level, I only got one semester. After that, I'm gonna have to move to High School."

"And Abi allowed it?"

I looked out the window, slapping the past. "actually no. Abi refused. But I threatened, I wouldn't want to go to school if Abi didn't move me. From the beginning of semester one actually, but because it was too late, Abi persuaded me, wait until the semester even he said. And. I know, if he wishes I'd forgotten and wouldn't ask to change schools again after that semester. But as if he didn't know me, I could be harder than he imagined. I. I still remember when Abi beat me with a rattan, hoping I would give up on the rules. But finally he regretted himself for being so hard on me. I got sick, but I still wanted to move to a public school. Well, he finally relented, he transferred me to public school, and then he let me go to public school." I turned to Ustadz Ilham. "Now you know, right, how defiant I am and how stubborn I am? I can even maintain my ego to death."

"Then, what's the problem if I know?" He just smiled, and stayed relaxed.

Wonder. Maybe he already knows, I thought. "You want to marry a woman as hard as me?"

"You're hard because there's a reason, Zahra. And I'm sure, against me, you'll continue to be a gentle girl."

Eh? Very confident....

"Say aamiin?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, aamiin."

"Aamiinu. May God grant."

The deg!

Just a simple word, but I felt the meaning too deep. He tried so hard to touch my heart.

"By the way, your eyes were glazed."

"Oh, that, it's just. I just feel alien to Abi's sweet demeanor."

"Never before?" tanya Ustadz Ilham was a bit suspicious. "Or... You're actually the one who kept your distance from Abi?"

I'm throats. Ustadz Ilham's question was rather blunt as well. "I think you actually know. Umi must have told you about the relationship between me and Abi all this time, right?"

"Then, why don't you refuse this match?"

"I told you my reason yesterday. You remember, right? I accepted this match for the sake of our heaven. To glorify them, the mother who gave birth to us. Same answer, Zahra. But now I want to do it for you too. For the sake of a Zahra."

I was again full. "For me, Mas? Why is it for me?"

Ustadz Ilham returned with a smile, then he stepped on the brakes, and pulled the car over the shoulder of the road. "You want to know why?" tanyakanya. He looked at me deeply, and seriously. "The reason is that you - by Allah, you are the answer in my istiqharah."

Whats?

I. I can't breathe like. He keeps me glued. And after it was quiet, Ustadz Ilham again acted as if he had just said nothing - something that was actually like a drumbeat that made my heart beat. I was speechless, silent a thousand languages made.

What yes, I answer in his istiqharah? I was afraid to find answers for myself.

"Don't think too hard, Zahra. Relax."

I-can't respond.

"Oh yeah, by the way, you've prepared everything we're going to discuss, right? Have you written it?"

I'm still dumbass.

"Zahras... Inspiration calls...!"

Ustadz Ilham snapped a finger in front of me until my attention refocused.

"Have you written?"

"What?"

"What we should discuss. Have you written it?"

I grinned, I forgot to bring it. "No need to write, Mom. Stay talking about my habits that you can roughly accept or not, continue. How tolerant you are to my hobbies and daily habits. That's all it is."

"And actually you want me to accept everything, right?"

Sure oes. And your answer will be a consideration for me. I just answered with a smile.

"I'll give you an honest answer in my view. Without having to deliberately pretend to accept it when it is contrary to my perspective. I promise it won't be like that. Okay well? We have to be open and respectful at the beginning, don't we, Zahra?"

I'm nodding. "of course. I was expecting an honest answer. I don't want you to pretend either. Especially if you just have to. No, huh?"

"OK, deal. But later, yes, we'll talk about it. Once we get there. In a minute."

Justright. Just a few meters ahead, the sign of a small tavern was visible and Ustadz Ilham turned into the parking lot. It was just a small shop selling some kind of food. I didn't want to bother choosing, so I just ordered meatballs and ice dawet. So is Ustadz Ilham. And this time, it seems like she's the one who deliberately matched my order.

"Oh, yes," he said, starting a conversation after the waiter walked away from our table, "sorry, yes, I brought you here. I don't mean anything. Seriously, I'm just worried that later you won't be able to express your heart if we chat at home. Especially if Abi and Umi hear. It's okay, right?"

Instead of answering, I acted ignorantly. "Cieee. who now talks about me-you...."

He's thawing. Very amusing.

Thanks, you are very understanding.