MY BOYFRIEND LECTURER
SN 59'S
“All that's your painting?” arkhan asked as Elijah sat by his side, still hugging the painting of Zalfa.
“Ya.”
“You make with your own hands?” arkhan's eyeballs slowly observed one by one the paintings on the wall.
“Yes, I made,” short Elijah.
Arkhan only realized that his sister was really a hobby of painting. Where's he been all this time? Ah, he was too busy taking care of his relentless routine.
“Why? Ugly, huh?” elijah asked while looking at the painting.
Arkhan did not answer. Still staring at the paintings. There are pictures of fish jumping on the water, cows eating grass, two Junior High School teens joining hands, and natural scenery. The flow is nice and features paintings that are almost lifelike. If polished a little more with the science of painting, the paintings must be like real. Elijah was exactly like their papa, whose hobby was pouring imagination through painting. Talent was declining on Elijah. For Elijah's age, the painting was already good. Even Elijah was able to make a monkey look like it was living on its own adequate waters.
“You want your painting to be cooler? You want to take part in a painting competition. Bener, right?” Arkhan looked at his sister's face.
“How?” Elijah looked at the nano.
“Learn the same people who can be a teacher.”
“Do you have a teacher recommendation for me?”
“Zalfa.”
Elijah remained silent. His mouth immediately shut. Arkhan did not know whether Elijah was upset by his offer, or was considering. His face looked different than usual. And Arkhan couldn't guess.
“You agree?” ask Arkhan.
“I think about it first.”
Arkhan's words made Elijah loosen his circular arms in the painting that had been still resting on his chest.
“Yes, think first. Don't let Zalfa change his mind. She's a stubborn woman. It will be difficult to change his mind. I'm sure you'll be very proud to be champion.” Arkhan then walked out of the room.
***
At a large mosque, Zalfa was busy taking care of events. Talk to someone, then someone else comes and asks for his opinion, then leaves. Zalfa called, then turned it off. Then call again. Seemed to talk long enough.
The two-storey mosque is filled with worshippers who are ready to wait for the presence of the famous great preacher, Muhammad Dahlan Al Ghazali. The seated pilgrims form a neat row both on the first floor and the second floor. And when the appointed moment had arrived, Ustad Dahlan entered the main door of the mosque towards the pulpit, the view of the whole congregation focused towards him wearing white robes and white turban as well. He looked like an Arab with a beard that was along his neck.
Hundreds of people have filled the mosque to attend the tausiah event to coincide with the date of the first Muharam.
Zalfa stared at the phone screen as it flickered. Deliberately disilent because they do not want to be disturbed. Message from Arkhan. Zalfa opened it immediately.
Arkhan
I have reached the mosque.
Where am I going now?
Zalfa exited the mosque, standing at the end of the terrace waiting for Arkhan, and he made a pact with the man a few minutes before leaving the house. Arkhan came down from the car he had just parked. The man approached Zalfa.
“You will be guided to recite two sentences of the creed in the mosque by Ustad Dahlan. Login!” zalfa said then he immediately turned back and entered the mosque followed by Arkhan. Zalfa stops when she realizes Arkhan is following her.
TB