NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#115
Half an hour after the arrival of Nyai Mustiani and Master Teacher Izzul Islam in the house of Master Faeshal. The awaited Qurratul Aini has not yet come. The clock on the wall has shown at 9 p.m. The atmosphere felt somewhat stiff, especially her and Master Teacher Fashal. But Master Izzul Islam tried to be calm.
Master Teacher Faeshal looked towards Master Teacher Izzul Islam who was sitting quietly in front of him. His beard was almost entirely whitened and shriveled up to his chest in his rubbing incessantly. There was an irregular blackened circle that was clearly visible on his forehead just below his white skull circle. Characteristics of that stream. This is the first time for Master Izzul Islam to face directly with Master Faeshal, a sect master, who has always been a critic of every religious activity in his pesantren. Even far away when his father was alive. Previously, he had only seen Master Teacher Faeshal via youtube. The man, who is estimated to be around 70 years old, looked authoritative with all-white clothes he wore. His head hardly ever moved. Only his eyeballs moved to and fro, staring with an all-seeing look.
"I'm sorry, Miss Nyai, Master Teacher. My son is on assignment at the school. But he'll be home soon. He is on his way" said Master Faeshal as he alternately looked at Nyai Mustiani and Master Teacher Izzul Islam. His smile was almost invisible because of the thickness of his beard.
Nyai Mustiani and Master Guru Izzul Islam smiled.
"It's okay, Master Teacher. Let us wait for him" replied Nyai Mustiani. Master Izzul Islam drinks coffee in front of him.
"Mom, when the meal is over, take it out for our guests" said Master Faeshal as he looked back.
"Don't bother, Master Teacher," said Nyai Mustiani. Nyai Indrawati, the wife of Master Faeshal smiled. In his hands were two dishes containing food that he had just finished making in the kitchen. He placed it on the table then sat down next to Nyai Mustiani.
"Come, Miss Nyai, Master Teacher, taste the food first," said Nyai Indrawati to invite her two guests. Nyai Mustiani and Master Teacher Izzul Islam smiled nodding their heads. Nyai Mustiani picked up one of the cakes and tried to taste it.
"Emh, it's made of yam huh, ma'am?" nyai Mustiani. He seems to enjoy it. Nyai Indrawati smiled.
"Yes, Miss Nyai. That's a blue yam. Brought one of the santri guardians yesterday,"
"Enak. Nyai's homemade cake is delicious," Nyai Mustiani said. He turned towards Master Izzul Islam.
"Let's try, son," continued Nyai Mustiani while patting the thigh of Master Izzul Islam. Master Izzul Islam smiled and tried the food in front of him.
The sound of the car was heard from outside. They turned to the door. Nyai Indrawati immediately got up and hurriedly stepped out of the house. He saw Qurratul Aini coming out of the car and smiling at him. Qurratul Aini opened the rear car door and picked up some ledgers and laptops. Because he saw Qurratul Aini as if overwhelmed carrying his luggage, Nyai Indrawati immediately stepped down to approach him.
"Come, I'll help you carry it. Your guests have been waiting for you for a long time. You immediately shower and decorate to taste. You go through the back door, let me bring your book inside" said Nyai Indrawati. Qurratul Aini smiled. His mother's offer was in line with his expectations. Father and his guests would have thought he was so busy seeing the many books his mother had brought.
"Well, what son, ma'am," asked Master Faeshal when he saw Nyai Indrawati being seen alone from the door. Nyai Indrawati placed the book she carried on the bookshelf behind Master Faeshal. He sat down again near Nyai Mustiani.
"She I told you to take a shower first, let me jump," replied Nyai Indrawati.
"It's a lot of books, ma'am. Surely the Qurratul Ainya want to be tired," said Nyai Mustiani.
"Smuck a little, Miss Nyai. Soon he will be at graduation" said Master Faeshal.
"At the Medical Faculty of Mataram University,"
Nyai Mustiani glanced at Master Teacher Izzul Islam. He looks happy. Master Izzul Islam smiled and put his head down, just respecting the mother and the host.
Qurratul Aini stopped his steps behind the door leading to the living room. He checked the clothes he was wearing. He occasionally turns his face in front of his phone. The tip of her white headscarf is neatened. He nodded trying to stabilize his heartbeat. From the door slit, he tried to find the figure of Master Izzul Islam in the living room. Nothing was seen but his father's back.
Qurratul Aini sighed again and closed his eyes for a moment. After that, he slowly opened the door.
All eyes were on him as he emerged from behind the door. Nyai Indrawati immediately stepped over to her son and invited him closer.
"Come, say hello to Nyai's mother" Nyai Indrawati said. Qurratul Aini smiled. Nyai Mustiani's hand grabbed him and kissed him. He bowed his face saluting Master Teacher Izzul Islam. For a moment both eyes looked at each other. Well-favoured. Real pretty. Master Izzul Islam cannot deny that. He admired it in his heart.
"God's Beautiful Thing that has shown the beauty of His creation through the girl," said Master Izzul Islam.
As with Master Izzul Islam, Qurratul Aini also felt the same way. He felt Master Izzul Islam had its own attraction that he had never met other men. He previously thought Master Izzul Islam was an old man, who was far from being worthy of his 26-year-old appearance.
"Let's sit by the mother" Nyai Mustiani said as she held the hand of Qurratul Aini. Qurratul Aini smiled and sat down beside Nyai Mustiani.
"Well, the Nak Qurratul Aininya has come, maybe we can ask him to clarify the purpose of our arrival tonight, as well as his willingness," said Nyai Mustiani. Master Teacher Faeshal sighed.
"No need to ask, Miss Nyai. Girls are in the responsibility of their parents. He must be willing to accept a decision that his parents think is good" replied Master Faeshal. Master Izzul Islam sighed softly. He glanced towards Qurratul Aini. At the same time, Qurratul Aini also did the same thing so that the eyes of the two were pounded against each other. Qurratul Aini lowered his face. His eyes are now on his toes.
"But, we'll wait for her son to graduate first, Nyai ma'am." Master Teacher Faeshal turned his head towards Qurratul Aini who was still bowing his face.
"How many months has it been, Qurro?" Ask Master Faeshal.
"One more month, Dad. Insha Allah," replied Qurratul Aini still bowing his face.
Nyai Mustiani looks relieved. He rubbed the back of Qurratul Aini.
"Mother also married him because he was betrothed. In fact, the mother never saw the future husband of the mother, her late father Izzul. But parents' choices never miss. The point is to accept with ihlas and be patient. Love by itself will be present as time passes" Nyai Mustiani said. Qurratul Aini smilingly nodded her head.
"Many young people now refuse to be betrothed by parents under the pretext of Love. Love that endlessly plunges them into maksiat" said Master Faeshal. Qurratul Aini lowered his head even more. His father's words instantly penetrated into his chest. His father's words were indeed pinned right for him. Cold sweat suddenly flowed down his body. He suddenly felt unworthy to be compared with the Master Teacher Izzul Islam. The smooth face of the sinless Master Izzul Islam was too expensive for him. But his current position that could not resist, made him inevitably have to accept whatever the decision of his father. Being frank about his boundless relationship with Cristian will certainly invite his father great anger. Maybe tonight his father will kill him.