NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#245

Rianti and Jamila cheered. After two weeks Layla left for Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Guru Izzul Islam told the two news that Layla came out as the general champion of the Tilawatil Qur'an musabaqah competition representing the Al-aziziyah boarding school.

Later in the Maghrib, Layla is expected to arrive at Lombok international airport. Reportedly, the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Nusa Tenggara province will immediately pick up Layla himself at the airport. Some representatives from the Al-aziziyah boarding school also invited Layla to come. Mr. Guru Izzul Islam himself did not invite Rianti and Jamila to pick up Layla because Maghrib will coincide with the five-year anniversary of Sulastri's death. Earlier this morning, Mr. Guru Izzul Islam had made contact with Mr. Guru Alamsyah Hasbi. He has expressed his willingness to attend the five-year anniversary of Sulastri's death.

* * * * *

The luxury sedan car that picked up Layla finally arrived at the residence of Mr. Nurasmin around 9 p.m. Before returning home, the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Nusa Tenggara province invited Layla and her entourage to have dinner at a luxury restaurant. Layla, who was not expecting such an extraordinary welcome, was ceaselessly smiling. In stark contrast to the time when he was about to leave for Brunei Darussalam, only representatives from the boarding school Al-aiziyah and her family. Outside the airport, even some reporters directly stormed it. All hailed his name as a fragrance for the name of the province of West Nusa Tenggara.

But the Head of the Ministry did not take Layla to his house, he only sent his wife and two staff who accompanied. In fact, Kemenag's wife came into the house and talked for a long time with Mr. Nurasmin and Sofia's mother. When Layla asked for permission to rest when the clock had shown at 11 pm, Kemenag's wife still had not moved from her seat. Layla suspects there may be something else she wants to talk about with Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia.

Layla let out a long sigh while removing her hijab and putting it on the bed. He then sat in front of his mirror. Layla directed her gaze towards the cup she placed in front of the mirror. The cup was then taken. He smiled staring at the Arabic script on the body of the cup. He lifted his head. His lips were unceasingly grateful for what he had achieved at this moment. Achievements he never aspired to before. After a time of stumbling and despair in the first year he began to memorize the Qur'an, God finally made it easy for him to complete his memorization up to thirty juz.

Layla looks like she's starting to yawn. The cup in his hand was put back on the table. He then moved his body to the left and to the right. After several hours of travel, he felt his entire body feel tired. It was a bit unpleasant to leave his guests in the living room as well. But because he was too sleepy, he finally laid his body on his bed.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, in the living room, it was seen that Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia were still talking to Ms. Salima, the wife of Chief Kemenag, who had not yet moved away. He was still looking for the right time to say the purpose of why he arrived late at night had not been bidding home.

"Sir, Mum. I represent my husband earlier apologise." Ms. Salima, silent for a moment staring at Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia. He hesitated to say his point. But looking at the clock that had shown at twelve o'clock at night, as well as Nurasmin and Sofia who looked sleepy, he felt the need to say it immediately. He looked towards the two men beside him.

"You two wait for Mom in the car. Mom soon followed," said Salima telling the two of them to come out. Both of them lowered their heads and got up. Both then came out.

Ms. Salima smiled back at Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia.

"Look, Sir, Mom. Actually it's too soon, but you told me to deliver it tonight. He was afraid he would not have time to deliver" Salima said after the two staff left.

Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia smiled.

"If it is important, please, ma'am," said Mr. Nurasmin.

"Since the start of the race, we and our family have never missed Layla activities during the musabaqah in brunei. Incidentally, there we had relatives who were given access to the venue. So, he always sends us his videos." Ms. Salima stopped the conversation. He picked up the tissue in his bag and wiped the sweat off his face. After that, he went back to checking something inside his bag. He smiled when he found a 4x3 photo size from his bag. The photo was then presented to Mr. Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin and Ms. Sofia looked at each other when they saw the photo in front of him. Both seem confused.

Ms. Salima gave a long sigh.

"Honest of all, Mom. We really like mom's son. Every parent certainly wants his children to marry a man or woman who shalehah. So did we." Miss Salima stopped her words. He took back the photo in front of Mr. Nurasmin. After looking at it for a moment, he looked back at Nurasmin and Sofia.

"This is our son, sir, Mom. His name is Fadil Muhammad. He is now again completing his studies at the Al-azhar University of Egypt. God willing, one more year, he has graduated," said Ms. Salima continued her conversation. Bu Sofia smiled and glanced at Mr. Nurasmin. The two began to understand what Salima's talk meant.

"Mom and dad understand what I mean. Frankly, we would love to match Layla's son to our son" Salima said. Mr. Nurasmin mendehem. He smiled at Salima.

"Frankly, we really didn't expect that mom would talk about the matter. We did not expect big people like mothers and fathers to be interested in marrying their children to our children" said Mr. Nurasmin. He looked towards Sofia. Sofia smiled and nodded her head.

"It's normal, sir. We are distinguished only by the department. The rest, we are all the same" said Ms. Salima.

"We previously apologized for not being able to answer what the mother said . We have to first deliver it to Layla" said Mr. Nurasmin. Ms. Salima opened her bag again. The photo in his bag was taken out again and placed again in front of Mr. Nurasmin.

"I'm asking for help, sir. As an introduction, maybe a photo of my son can be given to Nak Layla. All my mobile numbers. Whatever Layla's answer is, please contact me. Again I'm sorry, sir, ma'am," said Ms. Salima. Both smiling. Pak Nurasmin then took a photo and a card containing the mobile number of Salima's mother. Ms. Salima looked at her watch. He sighs.

"I don't think it's one o'clock, sir, ma'am. I want to go home first. Again, I'm sorry to interrupt my father's and Mother's rest,"

"It's okay, Mom. We also thank you for coming to pick up our son. Say hello to you too, Mom," said Mr. Nurasmin. The two got up when Salima got up from her seat.

"How, ma'am," said Mr. Nurasmin after taking back Sofia's mom sitting in the living room. Bu Sofia sighed.

"As Father said. We leave it all to Layla. But if you want to be made by an official, we can force Layla. It's delicious, sir," Sofia's goddamn mom.

"Mom could have," said Mr. Nurasmin. He then took out the photo that Salima gave him from his pocket. He watched her for a moment. Then give it to Sofia's mom.

Bu Sofia raised both eyebrows.

"The handsome, Al-azhar's education again. Frankly, mom likes it. I think it fits Layla" Sofia said with a smile. Pak Nurasmin sighed and leaned his fist on the chair. His gaze was straight towards the living room lamp. His eyes reflected happiness. For a moment he forgot the talk about the desire of Salima ma'am to match Layla with her son. What Layla achieved made her feel like the happiest parent in the world. His only son has fulfilled his wish. The son who will continue to flow the rewards of the fingers to his grave.

The sound of the door coming from behind. Both looking. She saw Layla coming out of her room. The two of them smiled as Layla approached towards them.

"Mom and dad aren't asleep yet?" layla asked after kissing her second hand and sitting next to Sofia's mom. His gaze immediately turned towards the photo on the table.

"Your father hasn't taken me to bed. Your father is still happy" said Sofia, embracing Layla's body. Layla's frown was softly smacked. Layla smiles. His eyes fell back on the photo on the table.

"That's a picture of who, ma'am," asked Layla. His hand grabbed the photo on the table. Bu Sofia just realized Mr. Nurasmin had not put the photo into his pocket. Bu Sofia turned to look at Mr. Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin nodded his head. Layla saw it. It's good he said it directly tonight to Layla Prihal's photo.

"That's a photo of Kemenag's son, son," replied Mr. Nurasmin. Layla scrunched her forehead. He was astonished, but he soon remembered that Salima had been sitting for some time after dropping her off from the airport. Could it be that Salima gave it to him? But for what? Inner Layla.

"But why is this picture here, sir?" ask Layla trying to find an answer. Mr. Nurasmin let out a long sigh.

"Mrs Salima, Mr. Kemenag's wife has just returned home. He turned out to have a special intention so he took you home" said Mr. Nurasmin. She told Sofia to shift her seat and make room for Layla to sit in the middle of them. Layla is still waiting for the next words to be conveyed by Mr. Nurasmin.

"Son, they want to match you with their son. His name is Fadil Muhammad. Now he is finishing his education at Al-azhar University of Egypt." Mr. Nurasmin again gave a long sigh. Layla's head was rubbed gently. Layla smilingly looked at Mr. Nurasmin. Layla gave a long sigh. He put the photo back on the table.

"Whatever Father and Mother say, Layla will obey." Layla was silent for a moment. He lowered his head. Seeing Layla speechless with a suddenly changed facial expression, Sofia's mother rubbed Layla's head while looking at Layla's face.

"What's up, kid? Mom and Dad will never force you. You're all grown up. You can decide for yourself what you think is good. If you're happy, we're happy too" Sofia said. Layla smiled and looked at Sofia's face. After that, he alternately stared at Pak Nurasmin.

"Actually Layla had been thinking about this matter for a long time. I want my Mom and Dad to be happy. Regarding who my soul mate is, I want to leave it to you and Mom" Layla said. He went back to silence. He sighed long.

"But the thing is, Nyai's mother also called me and talked about the same thing that Salima said, "Layla continued. Bu Sofia turned to look at Mr. Nurasmin.

"Bu Nyai who do you mean, son?" ask Sofia.

"Mother Nyai where Layla is lodging, ma'am," Layla replied. Sofia's mother let out a long sigh. He turned back to Nurasmin. Mr. Nurasmin held Layla's hand.

"Keep, what's your answer, son?" ask Mr. Nurasmin. Layla shook her head.

"I haven't given it any certainty, Mom. Layla said she'd talk about it first with mom." Layla gave a long sigh. He looked at Nurasmin.

"At first, Layla had made Layla's choice to Nyai's son, but with the arrival of Salima ma'am with the same intention, Layla became confused" Layla continued. Mr. Nurasmin sighed. He put his hand on Layla's shoulder. He then stroked it gently.

"The last way is to ask God for guidance. Prayers istiharah. Allah will give you guidance" said Mr. Nurasmin. Layla nodded her head.

"Come, rest first. It's late at night. Mother and Father are also sleepy" continued Mr. Nurasmin. The two then got up and flanked Layla's body towards her room. After kissing her second hand, Layla went into her room.