My Ustadz My Husband
Part 17 - Flashback

Khadijah looked at Bilal's sleeping face, but when the sun was high, but her husband was still struggling spoiled on the bolts that he hugged, he deliberately did not open the curtain of his room, but his husband was still spoiled, so that the sun does not disturb Bilal's sleep.

Khadijah sat beside Bilal and gently stroked Bilal's hair. It had been a few days since Bilal's confession about his feelings for Asthma. On the first day after that, they looked awkward and just silent, sleeping on their backs, but on the next day, Bilal again behaved normally, still so attentive and showed his affection for Khadijah, in fact, he still always calls Khadijah with the call of Darling.

Khadijah's touch apparently disturbed Bilal's sleep, he opened his eyes slowly and found Khadijah who was staring at him at this time, Bilal smiled gently at his wife.

"Did I build you, Mas?" Bilal wriggled lazily, last night he could not sleep as usual, plus his guilt on Khadijah, making him even more unsettled, but after performing dawn prayers, he said, drowsiness suddenly attacked him.

"Engga, Honey. What time is it?"

"Hour 8:20" Bilal put away his roll and blanket and sat down.

"Have you had breakfast and taken your medicine?" Khadijah. "Have you prayed Dhuha?" Khadijah shook his head "Yes already, we pray together yes" once again Khadijah just nodded.

Unlike Bilal, he can't be ordinary after what happened. Khadijah even asked, how can Bilal still be gentle and romantic with him as if nothing?

While Khadija knew for sure, Bilal's heart was not as calm as he seemed.

After the completion of Dhuha prayers, Khadijah prepared clothes and breakfast for Bilal before going to his office, in addition to helping his family take care of pesantren, Bilal had a traveling company that he managed with Hubab, Khadijah's cousin.

"Mas, today I want to go with Mila"

"Where?" bilal asked as he put a spoonful of fried rice in his mouth.

"To the mall, to shop."

"Em yes already, as long as not to cape'an and do not get late for lunch. The credit card is in the wallet if you want money to take extra money"

"My money's still there, Mom"

"Enough?" Khadijah chuckled with Bilal's question.

"How much, would you like to order something?"

Bilal shook his head and immediately finished his breakfast, after which he prepared to go to the office

"Yes, I'm going first. Assalamualaikum" Bilal kisses Khadijah's forehead before leaving, a routine he never forgets during their marriage. Of course, little things like that are also a reason for great love.

"The waalaikumsalam "

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"You crazy?" pekik Mila who just heard the crazy speech of Khadija. Sontak Khadijah smothered Mila's mouth and glanced at her surroundings.

"You want everyone in this cafe to hear you?" whisky Khadijah.

"Your idea of proposing Asma to her parents was insane, Khadijah. What else through your in-laws, you yourself said the girl was still in school. His parents must have refused"

"Yes I just want to make a bet, not directly ask Bilal to marry him, Mil. Next year, he graduated. If you don't get married then you can get married when you're ready"

"What if the girl's family refuses raw raw?"

"If Abi Khalil spoke to Uncle Rahman, I'm sure Uncle Rahman would not, if he refused, I would try to convince him to accept Mas Bilal"

"You are crazy, Khadija" Khadijah laughed at the words of his friend.

But this time, he was sure he was doing the right thing, if he had previously allowed Bilal to remarry just so Bilal could get offspring, but now he wanted Bilal to remarry, marrying a woman he loves. Whatever happens, he's ready for everything. As long as Bilal is happy, he will be much happier. For these few days, he had already thought about it well either. After all, his death countdown had already begun. At least, before he died, he wanted to repay the kindness of Bilal who had very sincerely looked after him and made him happy.

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Unbeknownst to Bilal, Khadijah met his father-in-law and told him everything without anyone left behind. Of course, his in-laws could only shake their heads and could not even comment, and when Khadijah expressed his desire to propose Asma to his parents for Bilal. His in-laws are of course increasingly inexhaustible with the couple's husband and wife. Although at first Kiai Khalil refused, but after Khadijah's continuous persuasion, he finally wanted to talk to Asma's parents.

Of course it makes Khadijah happy.

and coincidentally, Kiai Khalil and Kiai Abdurrahman will meet in Gresik in two days. Khadijah wanted to go see Asma's father, but his in-laws said he could only come if Bilal allowed him to.

Khadijah also asked Bilal for permission to leave, which of course Bilal immediately rejected Khadijah's request because he could not accompany him, if he had no important business, but he did not have any business, he would also accompany his wife. But Khadijah continued to seduce Bilal into allowing him to leave on the grounds that he had not been out of town for a long time. After all, she was going to be with her mother-in-law, so there was nothing for Bilal to worry about.

"What the hell do you want to do in Gresik? you don't have any friends there"

"Yes cook must have a friend first can visit somewhere" replied Khadijah who did not want to tell the truth to Bilal. Bilal looked very heavy to allow Khadijah to leave but because he was pressed, he finally did ask his wife.

" Em Mas, what if Mas could marry Asma and live together as a husband and wife?" Bilal looked at Khadijah with a frown, for although he loved Asthma very much, he never took a second to marry her, he realized he had a wife and also his age was far adrift with Asthma.

"What are you talking about, Khadijah? It never occurred to me like that "

"But why? Everyone who loves someone wants to have it"

"Yes if his condition and situation are supportive, he is still a child.Our age is far adrift, besides, I am also a married man, so it's not at all possible "

"Out there are many women who are willing to become second wives, many are married even though they are very far apart in age with their partners" Bilal looked in wonder at Khadijah who started talks like this again.

"Why did you bring that up? I think talks like this are no longer needed. Come on, honey, if you're still thinking about heredity, no matter what we don't have a biological child, we can adopt a child from an orphanage "

Khadijah looked at Bilal for a moment. Then he made a sound.

"Jawab just my question earlier, what if Mas Bilal and Asma were a mate? Kira...Is Bilal going to be happy?" Bilal sighed and looked at the face of his wife who always cooled his soul.

"What's wrong with you? you intend to match me up with her like you're trying to match me up with your friend's friend?" Khadijah fell silent and bit his lips, should he just say if it was true?.

"Listen, Khadijah. Don't do that crazy thing. I'm sure Uncle Rahman won't agree, besides, I've heard Uncle Rahman tell me that it's very rare for people in his village to be polygamous or for girls there to be second wives" hearing Bilal's words, Khadijah was grateful in his heart for not telling the truth, otherwise he would have been forbidden to leave.

"It's fate who knows, Mom"

"Don't make me wish, Khadija"

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Khadijah and his mother-in-law followed Abi Khalil to Gresik. Arriving there, they immediately headed to the hotel before leaving to complete their studies. And almost every hour Bilal always called Khadijah and asked if he was okay, how he was, whether the medicine had been taken and so on.

After the show was over, they returned to the hotel. Only the next day, Abi Khalil will meet with Asma's father to fulfill his daughter-in-law's wishes.

They met at a restaurant, after entering the VIP room, Khadijah had seen Asma's father there but was alone.

They said greetings to each other and after a little chat, Abi Khalil finally began to open the actual topic. From starting to ask the age of Asthma, where Asthma will go after graduating from school, and asking if there are already men who apply for Asthma.

"All your questions are directed as if you want to ask my daughter" Asma's father exclaimed later. Abi Khalil and Khadijah looked at each other. "But aren't all your sons married?"

"Actually yes. It's just that my youngest son, Bilal, actually he paid attention to Asma" Asma's father looked very surprised to hear that, what else he did not know Asma and Bilal knew each other.

"That's very unlikely. They don't know each other "

"To be more precise, Asma did not know Bilal, but Bilal knew Asma"

"I'm sorry, but I really don't understand what you're talking about. And Khadija, aren't you Bilal's wife, son?"

"Yes, Uncle"

"But why did you meet me instead of Bilal. And what makes Bilal want polygamy, and that's with my daughter who's in school?"

Khadijah also told everything to Rahman's uncle, from his first meeting with Asma, to Bilal who could never sleep because he kept thinking about Asma, Bilal spent his night just praying and worshiping. Not to forget, Khadija told him about her very sad state, but he assured Rahman's uncle, his decision to match Asma and Bilal not because of his circumstances, but because of his circumstances, but because he knew how much Bilal loved Asma. She just wanted to see her husband happy before death.

Hearing all that, Kiai Rahman between believing and not believing, but seeing the seriousness in Khadijah's eyes, he became frustrated and touched, not expecting a man who fell in love with his little daughter, he was so sad and touched, and a wife like Khadijah who is very kind and willing to get rid of all her feelings for her husband. But still, he could not accept the proposal.

"I'm sorry Uncle Khadijah. But it's very unlikely. What will people say about my daughter? Although polygamy is allowed, but rarely in our village there are polygamous"

"Uncle, I'm sure Uncle knows Mas Bilal well, he would be the perfect husband for Asma"

"I know that, son. Any woman would be very lucky to be Bilal's wife and daughter-in-law of my best friend and teacher, but it seems impossible, what else Asma is very different from her brother, he always ran away just because we were talking about maybe someone suitable for a match with him. The last time he was desperate to go to central Java so we did not find him. After that, we stopped talking about her matchmaking"

Khadijah looked very sad and disappointed with Asma's father's answer. .

"I will not force you to accept my son, Friend" Kh Khalil chimed in. Then he looked at Khadijah who looked sad "But please think again, Rahman. On the one hand, there is my Son who loves your daughter very much, on the other hand, there is the last wish of my daughter-in-law, my daughter-in-law, she made a huge sacrifice for the love of her husband" Uncle Rahman looked at Khadijah who was also looking at her with a pleading gaze.

"How can you have such a big heart, son? Aren't you angry when you know your husband loves another woman? Do you want to give that love to your husband? Either what your heart is made of" he said amazed by the sincerity and sincerity of Khadijah.

"I was disappointed and sad, but to be angry... Bilal always showered me with love, Uncle, so he gave me no reason to be angry"

"I.... I'm still not sure, Asma will definitely reject this raw matchmaking. She's stubborn, hard to manage, and kind"

"Uncle...." Khadijah rose from his seat, and unexpectedly, he immediately fell at the feet of Kh Abdurrahman. Makes everyone very surprised by it.

"Khadija...What are you doing, stand up son. Don't do this!" But Khadija did not move one bit.

"Think about it again, Uncle. Khadijah. During our marriage, Mas Bilal never felt in love with me, the love he showed so far was nothing more than his responsibility. But he treated me like a queen, can you imagine how he would treat Asthma? Asthma that makes her feel in love? The asthma that took away her sleep and her peace of heart? Will Uncle be able to find a more perfect partner for Asma than Mas Bilal?"

"But Khadijah...."

"Uncle, if what uncle's afraid of is what people say, people will always talk about us no matter what our circumstances. If the uncle is afraid because Asma became the second wife, Mas Bilal will be very fair, he will not prioritize or number one of us, he will be very fair. I'm sure it is"

"But son, Bilal doesn't really know Asthma. Asthma is true to children, he is spoiled, stubborn, difficult to manage and he is not so smart, he never went to class twice. If you knew all that, would Bilal still be able to love her and accept her?" Khadijah smiled at this, and he returned to his seat after being persuaded by his in-laws.

"Uncle, love knows no identity, no education, no intelligence, no nature. Because love is a feeling that comes from the heart and cannot be digested by logic. As for the nature of vices in a person, it can be changed, with the guidance of the right person. And I'm sure, Mas Bilal can change Asthma for the better. Because Mas Bilal loves him so much, surely Mas Bilal wants Asma to be a better person"

"Alright, Son. I'll try to talk to my wife. I can't make this decision right now"

"It's okay, Uncle. I'll wait for Uncle's answer"

"Thank you, Rahman. Because they want to listen to us. Now we have to go because tomorrow we have to go back to Jakarta, Khadijah has to check up "

"Alright" Khadija and her father-in-law also say goodbye and come out first. But when he was about to get into the car, Khadijah arrived back into "Abi, wait a moment yes" he exclaimed and quickly returned to meet Kh Abdurrahman who was still inside.

"What's up, son?" asked Kh Abdurrahman who was surprised to see Khadijah back. Suddenly Khadijah put his palms together and looked back at Kh Abdurrahman with a pleading gaze. "Please stop begging, my son. You make me feel so bad if you're like this "

"I'm sorry, Uncle. What is my power. I always wanted to make Mas Bilal happy but I was helpless, before my death came I just wanted to see my husband happy, and the happiness of my husband is your daughter"

"I'm sorry, son. I can't comfort you by saying your husband will get his happiness"

"I know, Uncle. But if that scares Uncle because Asma will be a second wife, Uncle don't worry, Mas Bilal will be fair, besides, the rest of my life will not be long, after my departure, after my departure, Asthma will be the only woman in Mas Bilal's life"

Kh Abdurrahman's heart was filled with the words of Khadijah. Not only sincerely sharing a husband, he was even very sincere in accepting the death that was getting closer.

"You're a tough, noble-hearted woman, son. May Allah place you in His heaven, with other strong women whom Allah has blessed"

"Amen"

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After checking up, Khadijah told Bilal the real reason for going to Gresik, and of course it made Bilal very disappointed in Khadijah. What else after knowing he and his Abi proposed Asma without his knowledge.

"How many times do I have to say it, Khadija. Even though I love her so much, I never had the slightest thought of having her, I was self-conscious. And what Uncle Rahman and his family will think of me later"

"I've explained everything to Uncle Rahman, Mas."

"Explain what? That you're sick? Can't give me a son?"

"No, I explained your feelings to her"

"Khadija....." Bilal no longer knew what to say.

"Mas, I just want you to be happy"

"I'm happy"

"But your happiness is complete without Asthma. He will perfect your life and your happiness"

Bilal just bowed lethargic, he was afraid of what Asthma and her family would think of him. How will their response be?

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Kiai Abdurrahman continued to think about Khadijah's request, he always prayed for Allah's guidance. He had already performed the prayer of istikharah, he had also talked all of it to his wife. But the wife said the decision was in her husband's hands, believing her husband would decide what was best for their youngest daughter. Not satisfied with his wife's answer, Kiai Abdurrahman decided to ask the opinions of the three Asma brothers.

"If Khadijah is right, then we can accept Bilal, Bi" exclaimed Adil confidently.

"That can, brother. Asthma will be the second wife. How will it feel?"

"Bilal will definitely be fair, Ayesha"

"It's not fair or not what Aisyah thinks Kak, but the feeling of Asthma. Will he be happy there?"

"A woman will be happy with someone who loves her, trusts me. Although I only knew Bilal and was not close to him, I could feel he was a gentleman, devout of religion"

"But Asthma definitely resists raw raw raw. Just look at the last incident of that time" Aqilah continued.

"That's what Abi was thinking too" their father replied. He could not forget the gaze of Khadijah who begged him, could not forget the word Khadijah that made anyone who heard him was filled.

"Abi should pray Istikharah again to convince Abi's heart. But remember, Asthma should not know about any of this"

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Mecca.

Kiai Khalil invites Asma's father to attend her youngest daughter's wedding in mecca. At once he wanted to know the answer to his son-in-law's request. There, there were also Bilal and Khadijah who looked weaker and thinner from the last time Asma's father met him.

A few days after the wedding and when the atmosphere began to calm down, Kiai Rahman invited Khadijah, Bilal and the two parents Bilal to talk. Bilal who knew what Astma's father was going to talk about became very agitated and nervous. But he was ready with whatever the answer Father Asma.

"Son, I just wanted to ask, Khadija must have told you about Asthma, right?" Bilal looked at Khadijah, he remembered when Khadijah told Bilal what the character of Asma was like. Then Bilal looked at Asma's father.

"Yes, Uncle. Khadijah has already corroborated all of it"

"With all my daughter's flaws, can you accept her?"

Bilal fell silent and once again looked at Khadijah. But Khadijah looked at him and gave him a cue to speak as he was.

"Every human has flaws, Uncle. Some are visible and some are not, and perhaps even my lack of sight is not greater than Zahra's lack of sight"

"Zahra?" ask Asthma's father in wonder.

"Isn't his name Asma Azzahra?"

"Yes right, but his nickname is Asma"

"To me he's Zahra, Uncle. Which means flowers, very beautiful, colorful, and exudes the beauty of anyone who sees it. She'll be the epitome of beauty in my house"

Asma's father smiled at Bilal's poetic answer. His heart was touched, not least Khadijah, he just knew Bilal could be poetic as well.

"So what your wife said is true, you love my daughter so much?"

Bilal stared at Asma's father, then he turned to look at Khadijah with his guilty look. But Khadijah returned Bilal's gaze as if supporting him, not forgetting he always put a smile on his husband, telling him that he was fine.

"I... I didn't do it on purpose, Uncle. It just happened" Bilal's plain speech made Asma's father and his parents laugh.

"Son, nobody slipped on purpose, right? Know that you have fallen on the ground" Bilal who realized the meaning of Asthma's father so smiled embarrassedly.

"Actually, I've made a decision and I'm sure of it. I've spoken to my family"

"Then, how did Uncle Zahra respond?"

"We didn't tell her"

"But how can a decision be made if he doesn't know?"

"I'm even making bigger decisions than you can imagine. And also without telling my daughter. I want to marry Asma to you here"

All were shocked and in disbelief to hear the words of Kiai Abdurrahman. They looked at him with wide eyes.

"Ep... Mean, Uncle?"

"Bilal, if I tell my daughter about this matchmaking, she will refuse raw, doing everything in her power to have this matchmaking void"

"Then, let it go. I can accept his refusal, Uncle. I can't force her. And if I marry her while she doesn't know, it's the same as setting her up. I can't do that" Bilal exclaimed with emotion.

"But, Uncle. Why does it have to be this way?" ask Khadijah.

"I'm doing this for two reasons. For the first reason, Bilal loves Asma, and I'm sure he will not only take care of Asthma, but he can also guide Asthma's life, and change her person for the better. The second reason, I just want to fulfill the request of a strong woman with a noble heart" Asma's father said as he looked at Khadijah. Khadijah could not stem the tears when he heard that, while Bilal and his parents were so stunned by the words of Asma's father.

"As for what Asthma's reaction will be, she will definitely be very angry, it has been confirmed. But actually he has a soft heart and easily touched, as time goes by, when he can understand and feel Bilal's feelings for him, he will definitely accept Bilal"

"But Uncle, why now? Isn't he still in school?"

"Right Bilal, in three months he'll be doing his graduation exam, and then you can come and get close to him, after the exam is over, then we tell him the truth. When he's ready to accept you, you can take him home and he can continue his education at your boarding school"

Bilal still seemed unsure of it, he felt this was not true, how could he do all that?

What if Asthma really can't take it later? or even hate her?

"I don't think this can be, Uncle. Why don't we wait until Asma is ready and she knows about this matchmaking" Asma's father looked at Khadijah and then looked at Bilal. She wanted to hasten this marriage, because she wanted to give her what khadijah wanted.that is, to see her husband happy before his death that could come at any time.

"Asma will never be ready, Bilal. I know my daughter. In addition, fulfill your wife's last request, son"

Bilal fell silent and looked at Khadijah who was currently also staring at his glare. Khadijah pleaded with Bilal to take it. Bilal closed his eyes. Asthma was clearly present in her shadow, smiling, laughing, so beautiful.

"Well, I'll marry Zahra."

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Tbc....