Not Nackal, Nurul!
Is There No Marriage (revised)

Hearing Tommy talk to her with a little romantic element, Nurul was so happy.  However, he wanted to play a little bit of Tommy's feelings.  Nurul does sometimes like to prank Tommy.  “It's not that easy, Tom.  Sometimes the feeling of love may not actually be the feeling of love.  How do I know that your words are just an embodiment of your desire to have?  Have Maria, the teaser who is adept at making love?” nurul.

“Nurul..” Tommy words prevented.  “Additional..” Nurul cuts Tommy speech.  “Dad doesn't know about our differences of belief,” he continued.  “Come on, you know that I am willing to become a convert,” Tommy replied.

Actually this was a very good opportunity for Nurul to take.  Marriage is in front of her eyes.  However, Nurul thought, Tommy needs to do a much more tangible proof.  Proof of his love feelings.

“You should let me and dad go home to Madura, Tom.  There's too much negligence I've done here.  Let me fix myself up there.  A convert is not only limited to saying shahadah through his mouth.  Without deepening, someone only changes status in his ID card,” said Nurul.

Nurul left Tommy.  Tommy was silent.  Did he not understand what Nurul had just said?  Tommy just got rejected by Nurul?  Or is…

“Nurul is the son of an ustadz chairman of the pesantren foundation.  She is not Maria, she has returned to being Nurul which is actually Nurul from the beginning.  What makes you sure you deserve to marry Nurul, Tommy?” tommy's mind churned.

Nurul and his father returned.  “So, we continue our conversation, Young Man?” said Nurul's father.  With a hesitant look, Tommy nodded and the conversation between him and Nurul's father was conducted.

*

Moments later, Nurul, Rudi and Aunt Lupita who were already waiting immediately got up from their seats when Nurul and Tommy's father came.  Nurul was so sure of Tommy.  This marriage will definitely happen, Tommy has shown such a strong determination to him.  But, did Nurul just make the mistake of hanging up his answer to Tommy?

Seeing Tommy's not so bright face, but not also showing disappointment, Rudi greeted Tommy with a form of sympathy.  “Is everything okay, Tom?” whispered Rudi.  Rudi nodded without saying anything.

“Bapak... how..” Nurul's speech prevented.  “We're back in Madura today too, son.  Our business here is done,” said Nurul's father.  A frown on Aunt Lupita's forehead heard Nurul's father's words appear.  His hesitancy was so apparent.  “Emh... that fast, Ustadz?  Didn't Ustadz and Nurul just arrive in Jakarta?  Shouldn't Ustadz and Nurul spend the night here first?” said Aunt Lupita.

Nurul looked at Tommy's face, hoping to get answers to the questions that were lodged in his mind.  “Thank you, Madam.  Thank you for the hospitality, but our business here is done.  Oh yes, about the wedding..” Nurul's father's last words got the attention of everyone in the room.

“The wedding of Madam's niece, Icha.. and Nak Beni, I will talk back to Mr. Sudarsono when he is level-headed.  For now we will go back to Madura,” said Nurul's father.  It turned out that what Nurul's father was talking about was the marriage of someone else, not the marriage of Nurul and Tommy.  Perhaps the two of them, Nurul and Tommy's father, had agreed on a decision.

Nurul's father took Nurul away.  Through her shoulders, Nurul looked at Tommy as she walked out of the room.

*

While preparing to do self-study, Nurul also busied himself with his herb garden.  He also began reopening alternative medicine for the villagers.  What he has experienced in Jakarta makes him feel more different, as if to become a new person.  He is no longer haunted by his guilt when it comes to starting traditional medicine.

However, in the midst of his busy life, deep in his heart he missed Tommy.  He could not open his heart to anyone because it was filled with Tommy's shadow.

“If you may know, how did you talk with Tommy earlier?” nurul asked who was sitting next to his father on the plane.  “Bapak asked his seriousness.  You said marriage is not only love for the couple, but also love for the divine robbi.  The integrity of the family is determined by faith, because there will be many challenges when you are married,” replied Nurul's father.

“Then?” ask Nurul.  “Yes, if Nak Tommy is serious about marrying you, I hope Nak Tommy is also serious about his belief in God.  You take it easy Nurul, if the Tommy boy is indeed your soul mate, God's wrestling will make you united.  But, if he is not your match, there will be other men who are much better that God prepared for you,” said Nurul's father.

“Tommy... Did Tommy not say any promises or any decisions about the wedding plans?” nurul Urk.  Nurul's father shook his head.  “He just said he would prepare and he hoped he was worthy to be your companion,” replied Nurul's father.

Nurul was silent.  Tommy prepared himself.  Nurul just hopes Tommy can be a good convert.  If his efforts fail and are interrupted in the middle of the road, Nurul must be able to accept it, even though deep in his heart Nurul does not want it to happen.

“Mbak, until daydreaming?  From that was called-ndak nyahut-nyahut,” said one of the santriwati who was helping him clean the weeds in the herb garden with Nurul.  They were squatting in this crowded afternoon.  The atmosphere is very beautiful, the afternoon wind blows cool, and the voices of santriwati enliven the yard environment.

“Eh, hehe... What's up, Deck Luh?” nurul said snapped from his daydream.  "It's all done harvesting.  Want to go to the bedeng next to him or what?  Ma'am Daritadi cleared the weeds, but it's already clean.  Tuh, it's deforested so," said his junior.

"Oh yeah?" Nurul stared at the ground around him.  Nurul was so late in daydreaming that he didn't notice his surroundings anymore.  "Yes, this afternoon we will do it first.  Please tell the others as well.  Here, let me take her.  You help get there, do not forget the tools will be inven when it is finished, yes" Nurul told his junior.  "Well, ma'am," replied his junior.

"Astaghfirullohal adziim. It would be the same shame Dek Galuh," his mind as he stepped away.

*

While in Jakarta.

"You look so nervous, Rudi?" said Tommy.  "Yes?  Looks like it?" ask Rudi.  "Hahaha, your face is like a frightened child" said Tommy.

Rudi and Tommy are sitting in a health clinic.  They were waiting for a call from the doctor behind the door in front of them.  "Tom, are you sure you'll do it?  I can't imagine it." said Rudi speaking in a horrified look.