My best friend, Maduku
Companions

During the trip, Alsya who sat beside Ning Halimah only often kept quiet and faithfully listened to Ning Halimah's chattering. Alsya would answer Ning Halimah's question if asked and the rest would be silent while listening.

"Al, you brought money ?." Ask Ning Halimah.

Alsya smiled slightly stiffly, then shook her head. He had not had time to bring money because when Ning Halimah called him, he had just finished performing dhuhur prayer in a female-only mosque.

"No, Ning. I haven't had time to take it."

"Hem, okay. Later, if you want to buy something, just tell me."

"Yes, Ning."

Aly who was driving the car heard everything they were talking about. His eyes occasionally glanced at the small glass above which pointed towards Alsya's face.

Aly knew very well how close they were during these few years. They also often travel even out of the boarding gate..

And because of that activity also Alsya who always obeyed the words of her daughter, became often truant on activities in the cottage. As is the case today, Alsya has certainly missed again the scheduled activities after the dhuhur prayer.

From the beginning mandated by Abah Kyai, while telling her to deliver Ning Halimah out of the boarding school, Aly had already expected her that Ning Halimah would definitely not go alone and needed a friend. And his friend was definitely Alsya, because his wife was indeed Ning Halimah's best friend.

The car arrived at the mall parking lot. Ning Halimah immediately went down followed by Alsya who also got off the car. Aly also directly deflected the direction of his car when the two women had already exited.

"Kang Aly, before Maghrib, come here again." Ning Halimah.

"Yes, Ning."

"Thank you, kang. Assalamualaikum." Said Ning Halimah then stepped into the mall with her hand holding Alsya's hand.

"Waalaikum salam."

The two women entered several stores that provided various types of women-only products. Choose something that suits your wishes, then end up at a special makeup store.

"Al, you haven't bought anything yet?. "

"Yes, Ning."

"What do you want to buy now?."

"No ahh, Ning. Thank you, please Ning Halimah just buy it. "

"Ahh, Alsya, you're not exciting. Come on, papa Al, you'll be counted with me."

"Thank you, Ning. I don't want to buy make up." Replied Alsya who still continued to resist subtly.

"Well, what do you want to buy?, clothes, hoods, what sandals to wear in the dormitory?." Fresh Ning Halimah enthusiastically and Alsya replied with a headband.

"Alsya, come on, I kept shopping?. You don't want anything like that?!."  Ning Halimah asked again in a sulking tone.

Alsya smiling. Ning Halimah had always been kind to him. Every time it came out together, it was not uncommon for Ning Halimah to also give something that she thought was a little excessive. But he also could not make Ning hurt because he was disappointed because of his rejection.

"Alright, Ning, I bought a face wash." Disconnect Alsya finally and take the face wash with a brand that is often used and put it in the trolley they carry.

"Oh, okay, what's the same ?. Hmm at least you have to buy three kinds." Said Ning Halimah as if a threat.

"Yes, but, Ning, I don't..." Alsya's words came to a halt and floated in the air.

"You're rich with everyone, Al. Then let me choose for you. No protests, you just have to protest. "Ning Halimah's speech was really threatening.

Alsya finally nodded.

"Al, what kind of products do you usually use ?." Ning Halimah asked who was already very busy paying attention to some kind of make up.

"Just like wash my face, Ning."

Ning Halimah looked at the face wash Alsya had already put in the grocery trolley. "Oh, yes." Said Ning Halimah then stepped towards the same branded product as Alsya face wash.

Ning Halimah took lipstick, powder, moisturizer, night cream, day cream as well as makeup cleanser, and all of it was a product with a brand that Alsya often wears.

"Sorry, Ning, that's a lot ?." Said Alsya was shocked by what Ning Halimah had taken for her.

Ning Halimah. "Remember, Al, you're not allowed to protest." Ning Halimah.

Alsya exhaled slowly then looked at Ning Halimah's face. "But, Ning, I don't usually wear it all. Especially in the cottage the rules forbid to wear it, Ning." Alsya. He was afraid later if he used all the gifts Ning Halimah had would even get sanctions on the cottage.

"Just calm. No one will dare to ban you, I told the lodge security guard, that you should be distinguished because you are my best friend." Ning Halimah said very relaxed.

"But, Ning..."

"Alsya, if you say it again, I'll add mascara, eyeliner, foundation, liptint and.."

"Yes, Ning, yes. I'll say again, that's enough, Ning." Alsya finally said.

That ning really likes to threaten.

Ning Halimah chuckled small. "Well, submissive, right?." Her speech.

"Because Ning Halimah insisted, of course I did, Ning." Alsya is weak.

Ning Halimah turned her piety into laughter. Alsya always obeyed whatever she said. Well. Of course what Ning Halimah said was still in the fairness stage.

"Somehow, from that moment on."

"Yes, Ning." Alsya said it was not powerful to argue.

They headed for the cashier to pay for all the groceries that ninety-nine percent belonged to Ning Halimah.

Finished packed all, they immediately look for a special place to pray for ashar prayers.

"Where are we going, Al?." Ning Halimah asked as the two sat on the musholla terrace after the ashar prayer.

"I followed you, Ning. But, just now in the car, she said Ning Halimah was going to the cafe?."

"Hmm yes ?. But I have no desire to go there, Al. "

"So, where are we going, Ning?."

"Aren't you hungry, Al?." Ask Ning Halimah again.

"I'm not hungry, Ning. But, if Ning Halimah is hungry, let me go. "

"Oh, then I'm not hungry either, Ning. "Really ?."

"Yes, Ning."

"That means we go straight home ?."

"As for Ning Halimah only, I follow, Ning."

"Then we go straight home." Ning Halimah's.

They stepped out of the six-story building to the parking lot and it turned out that Ning Halimah's parents' car was already there.

"Kang Aly." Call Ning Halimah.

Kang Aly who was sitting in the steering wheel and left the car door open, immediately immediately turned off his cellphone when they arrived.

"Hhh, Ning."

"Assalamualaikum, kang." This time it was Alsya who spoke.

"Greetings waalaikum..." Aly replied with a thin smile for her beloved lover.

Alsya returned the smile quickly then got in the car and sat down beside Ning Halimah.

The afternoon sky does not emit bright sunlight because dark clouds are parading in the sky which is also drizzling.

Aly occasionally glanced towards the glass and looked at the circumstances behind. A charming smile rose from the corners of his lips when he saw Alsya was very focused on staring at the rustling rainwater behind the car glass.

"Al." Calling Aly made Alsya a little aghast. Alsya immediately turned her head towards Ning Halimah. Instantly he exhaled slowly, relieved that Ning Halimah had fallen asleep.

You dare to call my name. Decak Alsya in his heart.

"Yes, my mom." Alsha finally answered.

"What are you shopping for ?."

"I don't shop anything, ma'am. But Ning Halimah bought me makeup." Answer Alsya as it is.

Aly smiled and it was clearly visible in Alsya's eyes through the rearview mirror that was near Aly's face.

"You didn't bring money?."

"No chance, mas. Coincidentally Ning Halimah nyamperin fitting me again in the mosque."

Aly mangosteen assented.

The car was back silent. Alsya refocused on the trees lined up on the side of the road.

"Alsha." Call Aly again and Alsya looks forward again. "Are you going to put on her make up?." Ask Aly later.

"Just to appreciate Ning Halimah's gift, mas."

"Alright, but don't overdo it." Aly's remark made Alsya wonder in her heart. "because you often go in and out of the area of santri son when going to Abah Kyai's house." Further.

Alsya nodded with her sweet smile which made Aly as if hypnotized by her.

"Yes, mas. " Answer Alsya.

"Yes, Al. Umma's coming next week."

"Certainly?!." Pekik Alsya was happy to hear it too.

After the wedding, Alsya and Aly return to the boarding school and have not seen their parents for two months. Even the relationship between the two was hindered by the gate of the cottage.

But, for Aly still mending according to Alsya. Because, because it is santri khodam, Aly is allowed to bring a cellphone while he is not because it is an ordinary santri although the daughter of the nanny's best friend.

The car stopped in the courtyard of the Kyai family home. Aly immediately went down and took out their luggage that was in the trunk.

"Sir." Call Alsya in a soft voice while shaking Ning Halimah's arm.

Ning Halimah squirmed then started to open her eyes. "We're here, Al ?." He asked after seeing things outside the car.

"Yes, Ning. We're home."

"Astaghfirullah's. I slept too well, Al?." Said Ning Halimah while tidying up her appearance.

Alsya smiled and nodded. "Yes, Ning." The answer.

They immediately got out of the car and ran towards the porch of the house because the drizzle was a little bit faster.

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