NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#104
Sulastri was still pacing on the porch of the house. Every now and then he comes in to see Rahima preparing some jars of food on the table, and then comes out again. Indeed, just Adzan isya' finished reverberating, but he was impatient. He wants Nyai Mustiani to come soon and he will soon know what he will talk about tonight. He had been curious ever since reading the little note Nyai Mustiani had left for him. And as the minute by minute hour hand had passed, the thump in his chest grew tighter.
"Lastri, it's all ready" Rahima said, startling him from behind. The mood holds his chest.
"You accompanied me here first" Sulastri said.
The sound of cars came from outside the gate. Sulastri took a long breath. The guest she was waiting for finally came. He invites Rahima closer to the guard post.
A woman is seen coming out of the car. Shortly after, a man was seen coming out the next door. Sulastri smiled and came closer when Nyai Mustiani's face was hit by the light of the porch lamp. Sulastri soon found himself. Nyai Mustiani then hugged him.
"Include me, this is my sister, named after Nurasmin," Nyai Mustiani said, introducing Mr. Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin nodded his head while smiling.
"Come, please come in," said Sulastri to let his guest in.
Nyai Mustiani and Pak Nurasmin seemed amazed to see the situation in the spacious house. Likewise with furniture and indoor decoration, which makes the more luxurious atmosphere in the room.
"Come, Miss Nyai, Sir." Sulastri invited the two to sit down when they reached the living room sofa.
"It's a big house, Ms. Sulastri. How many people live here" Nyai Mustiani said as she sat on the soft sofa.
"Just like friends, Miss Nyai. Now there are six people. The others I have moved to the orphanage and the restaurant that was inaugurated this morning," Sulastri explained with a smile.
Nyai Mustiani nodded her head in astonishment.
"I don't know at all that this Sulastri ma'am is his wife Mr. Yulian Wibowo. Although I never met him, but the news about his generosity and wealth has long been heard," said Nyai Mustiani. Sulastri smiled shyly.
"I'm his second wife, Miss Nyai. His first wife is dead" Sulastri said. Nyai Mustiani and Mr. Nurasmin nodded.
Their conversation paused for a moment. Rahima came with a tray of three drinks. Sulastri opened the lid of the jars where the food was dry in front of both guests and let them taste it.
Nyai Mustiani and Mr. Mustarah simultaneously raised his coffee glass and sipped it.
"Look, Miss Sulastri, maybe I just went straight to the point of my arrival with my sister tonight. Maybe Sulastri's mother is tired and wants to rest soon" Nyai Mustiani said.
"It's okay, Miss Nyai, I'm used to working late into the night. It's also an honor for me to visit Ms Nyai" Sulastri said. Nyai Mustiani turned towards Pak Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin nodded.
"I apologize in advance, Ms. Sulastri. We are both here to represent our son, Mr. Guru Izzul Islam to convey what has been stuck in the heart of our son,"
Sulastri scrunched his forehead. The thump on his chest reappeared. It turns out to be true. This all has to do with Master Izzul Islam.
Sulastri was silent. Not even trying to ask, he was curious. He was waiting for the next words to be spoken by Nyai Mustiani.
Nyai Mustiani. He looked towards Sulastri . Sulastri smiled. Nyai Mustiani looks rather doubtful.
"Once again apologize if I just came to see Ms. Sulastri. I came here to convey my son's wish to propose to Ms. Sulastri."
Sulastri was shocked when he heard Nyai Mustiani's last words. His heart is pounding. His breath was blowing in the rhythm of his rapid heartbeat. His eyes did not blink from looking at Nyai Mustiani's face. Nyai Mustiani looks tense while trying to learn Sulastri's reaction from the look on her face.
Sulastri tried to control himself. The smile that poked from his lips was enough to melt the momentarily tense atmosphere.
"A. I don't know what to say, Miss Nyai. It's something I never expected before. Master Izzul Islam wants to propose to a widow like me. Didn't I hear wrong, Nyai ma'am,"
Sulastri frowned.
"If I may know, dream whether Master Teacher, Miss Nyai. And is that really me?"
Nyai Mustiani.
"She just said, the woman in her dream was wearing a blue veil with a batik motif, the same color that Mother wore when visiting the boarding school. Maybe it was a coincidence, but my son believed that was the answer to his dream" Nyai Mustiani said.
Sulastri nodded his head. He sighed while lowering his head. For a moment he was silent. He was still looking for the right words to answer.
Sulastri raised his face and looked at Nyai Mustiani's face.
"Previous to apologize, Miss Nyai, sir." Sulastri sighed softly. He hesitated to continue his words. He was afraid that his answer would disappoint Nyai Mustiani. "Tell me, Miss Sulastri. We accept whatever decision Sulastri ma'am makes" Nyai Mustiani said. He could catch the worry from Sulastri's attitude.
Sulastri nodded back.
"I promised myself. I will remain my husband's wife, even if he dies. I promised I would never marry again. But if it was me in Master Teacher's dream, God would have wanted me to remarry. God wants me to forget my promise. I can't possibly deny it. I do not doubt Master Teacher's dream, for I believe he is closer to God and has a clean heart. I just wanted to make sure if it was really me or someone else. I'm afraid Master Teacher is wrong," Sulastri said. Nyai Mustiani looked at Sulastri's face. Sulastri's words reminded her of her decision three years ago when her husband, Master Teacher Liwaul Hamdi, passed away. She will not marry again until she picks him up.
Nyai Mustiani smiled.
"May I sit by my mother?" nyai Mustiani. Sulastri smiled and shifted his body. Nyai Mustiani got up and sat on the long sofa where Sulastri was sitting. He sat very close to Sulastri. When Sulastri was about to shift his body because of his hesitation, Nyai Mustiani held him back.
"I'm sitting here to be close to you." Nyai Mustiani held Sulastri's hand.
"I've made the same decision as you. To this day, I have kept my promise not to marry again."
Sulastri turned his head and looked at Nyai Mustiani's face.
"Really, I am honored that Master Teacher likes me, and feels unworthy. Let alone be true, just imagine it, I still feel inappropriate," Sulastri said.
Nyai Mustiani patted Sulastri's hand.
"Don't be so low. We are all created equal. All that distinguishes us is how devoted we are to God. I appreciate Mom's decision as a woman. And as a mother, I'm just saying what will make my child happy,"
"Once again, apologize. I am still curious about Master Teacher's dream. I am afraid of sin if it is proven that the person in the dream is true is me. I'm afraid to deny that clue."
Nyai Mustiani. He could not explain in detail the dream of Mr. Guru Izzul Islam because he only explained it in general.
"Do we just call the Izzul," said Nyai Mustiani asking for an opinion to Mr. Nurasmin.
"May too," said Mr. Nurasmin.
"But wait, Brother." Mr. Nurasmin fumbled his clothes.
" Athaghfirullah, I forgot, there was a deposit from Nak Izzul for Ms. Sulastri. Astaghfirullah, almost forgetfulness," said Mr. Nurasmin in shock as he pulled out a white envelope from behind his shirt. Many times he nodded while sighing.
"You how the hell, brother. I can forget that" said Nyai Mustiani. Sulastri just smiled.
"So, a while ago I was like watching a soap opera, sister," said Mr. Nurasmin. Again both are smiling. Mr. Nurasmin handed the envelope to Sulastri.