Not Nackal, Nurul!
Departure To Jember
The chairman of the pesantren cottage foundation Icha occupied rejected the devious idea of Mr. Sudarsono. “I can't do it, Dear Mr Sudarsono!” ustadz Arif said, stressing his last words. “This is related to moral education! Father's daughter here we are not educated to do such a thing!” continued.
Nurul and Icha were surprised by what Nurul's father said. They round their eyes and look at each other in wonder.
“Loh? I am not criticizing the education system in place of Ustadz. What we are discussing here is only for the Qur’an memorization event. I am willing to bear all the accommodations of the entourage from this foundation that will go to the event. And because there is my daughter there, then the accommodation I will choose the VIP! I guarantee it,” said Mr. Sudarsono.
It seems like Mr. Sudarsono caught the offence of the chairman of the foundation so he was luring in accommodation with that special class. “And if Nurul in the sense that brings the name Icha becomes a champion there, I will transfer the prize for the foundation three times greater than my previous regular donation,” continued Mr. Sudarsono.
“Pak Sudarsono's. I pray that Allah bestows His taufiq to the Father so that the Father understands the meaning of material existence for this life,” said the chairman of the foundation while glancing at Nurul and Icha. He did not want to extend and clarify this debate in front of the two of them.
“Emh…? So, how's Ustadz. We agreed?” ask Mr. Sudarsono. It seemed that he did not understand what the chairman of the foundation had just said. A subtle sentence that insinuates Mr. Sudarsono's materialistic attitude. “I disagree, Mr. Sudarsono. Sorry,” replied the chairman of the foundation.
“Good, Ustadz. I have been free since I spent my time free. I should have just spoken to Ustadz Shafiq. We've had this conversation, Ustadz. There are still many important things that I have to work on,”, said Mr. Sudarsono ending the conversation on the phone.
“Wa alaikumussalam,” said the chairman of the foundation after the phone connection was cut off. Even Mr. Sudarsono did not end the conversation by greeting. “Astafirullahal adziim..” said. The chairman of the foundation shook his head as he pressed down and looked at his phone screen.
“What's up, Ustadz? Did my papa make trouble?” ask Icha with a guilty look. “Iya. What do you disagree with?” susul Nurul's. “Enjek, no matter what. Papa Icha is indeed a very protective person with Icha,”, the chairman of the foundation told Icha. “That you disagree is the way of communication only. As you guys tell me. Actually papa Icha intention is good, just the way that makes Icha feel papa is not the same concern Icha,” continued the chairman of the foundation to the two of them.
Nurul catches something suspicious being hidden by his father. After all Nurul is the biological child of the chairman of the foundation who met him every day. Nurul memorized the attitude of his father. Even when her father was holding back the wind, Nurul knew.
Not with Icha. He accepted what the chairman of the foundation said. For him, all his plans must always go smoothly. In accordance with the habits that used to be often carried away until now, where money can smooth all the processes. Now, even though it does not involve any money from him, he is still carried away with the amenities he used to have. But except for the male friends. Maybe Icha's lifetime will never be close to the man who will be in a relationship with her. With the exception of grandparents, lowly merchants, errands, drivers, and all kinds of men who would not have the potential to be romantically involved with him.
*
Three months passed. Icha's preparations for his rote are far from the target. Nurul was worried if Icha did not pass the selection, but Icha always deceived herself. He's too brave. The most important thing for him is to move forward first. There is still a chance on the last wave of the next five months. It intends to register again if it does not pass in this second wave.
In the middle there is a list of participants' names along with their photos. Nurul and Icha's names were there with the photo exchanged.
Mr. Sudarsono has stepped over the chairman of the foundation. All this is thanks to Mr. Sudarsono's closeness with the foundation's owners. Previously, Ustadz Arif had been spoken to by the owner of the foundation. The owner of the foundation reprimanded Ustadz Arif's rejection of Mr. Sudarsono. The owner of the foundation asked Ustadz Arif to deliberate any decision on him. That means the owners of the foundation no longer take into account the leadership of Ustadz Arif in the pesantren. Indirectly, the position of Ustadz Arif as chairman of the foundation is threatened.
“Astafirullahal adziim.. All this because of money affairs,” lamented the chairman of the foundation.
Ustadz Arif also folded the letter and put it in a glued envelope, along with the other participants' completeness. Anyone other than the committee in Jember will not see the contents in the sealed envelope, including Nurul and Icha who are participants themselves.
*
Time pass. Nurul, Icha and the male participants along with the accompanying teacher will leave for Jember. They are picked up by Icha's father's luxury minibus car. They are also facilitated to eat at stops in the form of restaurants, as well as facilities to stay at star hotels when they arrive around the event location.
“Halo, assalamualaikum, Pa,” said Icha received a phone call when they arrived at the hotel. “Where to travel Icha? Our driver didn't do it, did he? How was Icha eating?” ask Mr. Sudarsono. “Ih, Papa. If anyone says hello tuh reply,” protest Icha. “Wa alaikum greetings,” replied his papa. “That's it, dong. Icha and the group were on a smooth trip, Pa. Eat well too,” replied Icha happy. However, enjoying such luxurious facilities is a condition that he always misses.
“Driver safe-safe. What's the matter, Pa? He's Papa's new hire, huh?” say Icha. “That's Mr. Yeyet's son. It should have been Mr. Yeyet who took Icha, but because Mr. Yeyet was not healthy so his son replaced him. Papa is worried, because he has never used the services of his son except for between goods,” explained Mr. Sudarsono.
“Lagian Papa use Pak Yeyet services all. He is old, Pa. Especially far from Jakarta to Jatim just to nganterin Icha,” said Icha. “During this Papa trusts Icha with him. Papa doesn't want Icha why-why. Who are you sleeping with? Who's Icha's roommate over there?” ask Mr. Sudarsono. “Nurul, Paa.. “ replied Icha while rolling her eyes. He guessed that the papa was worried that Icha would meet just any man there.
“If Papa does not believe in Icha, Papa make sure Icha himself is the same as anyone, where to go,” said Icha in a mocking tone. “Papa sorry yes, Darling. Papa can't come yet. Papa is handling the project in Singapore, suddenly and Papa's presence can not be replaced, ” the papa.
Hearing the words engraved the look of a face that sumringah on Icha. He felt free from the pressure of his papa. He does not need to worry about doing anything and going anywhere, although still within the limits of supervision of the entourage of pesantren.