NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#137
The sun was already drowning in the horizon of Maghrib. His golden radiance still lingered beautifully among the clumping clouds. The wood that blows softly, accompanying the sound of adhan maghrib who began to roar softly from all directions. The sound of sparrows that began to perch on the branches of the mahogany tree by the road, was heard crowded with the beginning of the night. The dark spread, like a blanket of nature towards a long rest until the sun shines again the next day.
Sulastri turned towards the mirror where Rianti was sitting. He has not spoken to Nyai Mustiani on the phone. Rianti came home around 2 p.m. After the prayer, Rianti went to sleep and he could not bear to disturb him. Nyai Mustiani is definitely waiting for information regarding her wishes tomorrow to visit her home.
"Son, I have something to talk to you about for a second. Come here" Sulastri told Rianti after folding his face on the prayer mat. Rianti who was combing her hair in front of the mirror turned her head. He immediately got up and stepped closer to Sulastri.
"Sit down" said Sulastri, telling Rianti to sit on the side of the bed. Looking at Sulastri's gloomy face, Rianti could already guess. Something Sulastri was about to talk about didn't seem like a fun topic. Rianti's thoughts led to the video.
"Rianti, Nyai Mustiani called mom. He said tomorrow he and Master Teacher will come here. But mom hasn't agreed. I need to ask your permission and your opinion,"
"Why ask for my opinion, ma'am.
"They will come with the intention of proposing to you. Had it not been like this, I would have decided,"
Rianti smiled.
"Let them come, Mom. There is no reason to refuse it. I also would love to look at Master Teacher's face." Sulastri looked at Rianti and sighed softly. Rianti was still joking when he had a hard time thinking about it.
"Don't joke, Rianti. Mom's serious, again,"
Rianti smiled back.
"I mean Rianti, Rianti wants to look at the face of a pious person, Mom. I want to belong to the class of those whom the Prophet referred to; Whoever looks upon the face of the 'alim with a pleasant look, then Allah will create an angel from that view who will ask forgiveness of the person on the Day of Resurrection; how, still consider Rianti joking?" Rianti. Sulastri's chin was poked. Sulastri smiled as he shook his head.
Rianti gave a long sigh. Sulastri's body was embraced.
"It's okay, Mom. Just call Nyai's mom. Tell them we're ready to accept their arrival,"
"But the mother could not refuse their proposal after previously assuring Master. I'm confused if I'll be asked the reason for the rejection,"
Rianti smiled. He rested his head on Sulastri's shoulders. One of his hands, which was wrapped around Sulastri's waist, rubbed him gently on Sulastri's back. Sulastri gently rubbed Rianti's hair.
"Why should you refuse, ma'am. We'll accept that proposal."
Sulastri lifted Rianti's head off his shoulders. He looked at Rianti with a frown. Again Rianti replied with a smile.
"Don't joke anymore, Rianti. What if they find out about the video. We're gonna embarrass them,"
Rianti raised both his shoulders. Her aunt's facial expressions and movements were like disdain.
"Inevidently, up to now Jamal has not spread the video." Rianti held onto Sulastri's shoulder. He got up and walked into the closet. As before, he again took out the blue batik motif hijab from the closet. He then put it up. Sulastri just looked at him with a haru look. Rianti again sat down near Sulastri.
"Do you believe Master Teacher's dream?"
Sulastri.
"Mother also believes that I am the woman in Master Teacher's dream?"
Sulastri nodded back.
"So, Rianti decided to accept Master Teacher's proposal. What I'm afraid of about the video, I take it as an obstacle to perfecting my happiness. I don't have to think about something that hasn't happened. If indeed later it all happens, then we will think of a way out," said Rianti. Sulastri rubbed his face and let out a short sigh. It was as easy as that Rianti answered the anxiety of his heart. Rianti is really ready for inner birth. What Rianti said was truly admirable, but it was not enough to dispel his anxiety and fear.
Rianti. Sulastri's hand was pulled slowly and invited him to stand.
"Come, Mom. Meal time. I'm already hungry. We also have to tell bi Munawarah and Bi Aisyah the arrival of Nyai and Master Teacher tomorrow."
Sulastri gave a long sigh and smiled. Rianti's calm attitude made him give up. He complied as Rianti pulled his hand out of the room.
* * * * *
The waves sound unceasingly crashing on the beach. The crescent of the 7th qomariyah looks beautiful among several stars flashing in the western horizon. Occasionally screeches of seagulls rumble between the sound of waves.
At the end of the pier, Cristian and Qurratul Aini were seen standing parallel to each other's hands holding tightly together. Looking far out to the sea. Pay attention to one by one the flashing light from the fishing boat in the middle of the sea. The moonlight that bounces off the sea surface adds to the coldness of the eye that is looking.
There was no pick-up today after they had been waiting at the port since noon. Until the time of Isya', they have not decided where to go. They are like people who are lost in their own homes.
"Here, may I ask you a question?" said Cristian.
"About what?"
"About Adzan. Why does your God have to be called over a loudspeaker? Is not God Hearing?"
"The Adhan is not a call to God. But for his worshipers. We Muslims are required to pray five times a day overnight. The Adhan reminded us that among our busy lives, there was a time when we had to leave that busyness to remember the Creator. In our religion, prayer is the pillar of religion. Doing it is the same as strengthening the religion. But on the contrary, leaving it is tantamount to destroying religion itself,"
"But why have I never seen you pray?
"Don't you remember Rumi's wise words you once told me? Every religion has love, but love has no religion. I don't know, Cristian. Maybe because I was never really perfect. That's why I always fall in the valley of the moxiat."
Adzan isya's voice rang. Cristian let go of his hand. He then sat down. His gaze is directed toward the crescent moon . He took a deep breath and slowly blew it away. Eyes closed. He tried to drown himself in the soft voice of the Adhan, rolling up other voices around him. Qurratul Aini looked at him in wonder. But he stood in his place. He knew that, although Cristian was not a poet, he understood very well that when Cristian enjoyed something he considered beautiful and extraordinary, he would be like a hermit who was silent in his long meditation. When the voice of Adhan was over, Cristian opened his eyes. He smiled and nodded. He rose up and approached Qurratul Aini.
"Take me home to see Dad. The voice of the Adhan has led me to something that has been a mystery in my heart. Even though I don't understand what it means. But I'm sure the closing sentence of Adzan is the answer." Cristian holds the hand of Qurratul Aini. Qurratul Aini looked at him fixedly.
"I want to embrace Islam. Take me to dad."
Qurratul Aini. His mouth was staring at Cristian. He shook his head. He was not very clear on hearing Cristian's words. It was the most beautiful words he had ever heard. Words that surpass the beauty of poetry thousands of poets. He wants to hear it again.
"Say it again, Cristian. Could I have heard wrong?" the Qurratul Aini. Cristian smiles. Both shoulders of Qurratul Aini were held by him.
"You didn't hear wrong, Aini. I really want to convert to Islam" Cristian replied.
The body of Qurratul Aini instantly felt weak and was slowly about to decay to the ground. Cristian immediately held him back and held him firmly. Qurratul Aini shook his head while continuing to look at Cristian's face. Her faint smile expanded between her scattered tears. Cristian's body was immediately in his arms. Cristian's tears that had been held back, finally came out as well. He returned the embrace of Qurratul Aini tightly.
"That is what I hear, Cristian," said Qurratul Aini. His embrace was still tight on Cristian's body. Cristian nodded his head. The hair of Qurratul Aini was kissed several times.
"Dad will surely bless our relationship." Qurratul Aini let go of his embrace. Cristian's face was held. He smiles.
"We're going home. I will also contact Mr. Guru Izzul Islam. I'll tell you the truth. I'm sure Master Izzul Islam will understand him. We don't have to run away anymore, Cristian." Qurratul Aini hugged Cristian's body. Both of them were dissolved in tears.