Only I Love
Chapter 36

Baim showed the object he found to the grandmother who was called Andung. I saw this thing and smiled. "It looks like this brooch that Mom used to give her, Qi. As it turns out, to this day Humaira still keeps it." The mother handed the beautiful brooch in the shape of a flower, with many beautiful beads into the hands of the child.

In his hand, Syauqi held, and observed the brooch with his sense of civilization. "I-this is Humaira's? I really miss him."

I put my hand on the blind man's shoulder. "We will indeed not be able to change what has happened, Qi. But, if there is a chance, we will talk from heart to heart with Humaira and her family. If their hands are still open to accept our presence, it means we can still be on good terms with them, even though we can no longer be family."

"But Well, I .. want to be with him to be together again," said Syauqi.

"If only you could think about it a long time ago, maybe your family would be happy until now. However, it is a human who is indeed a Khilaf warehouse. The ends can only regret the time that has passed and wasted."

Meanwhile, Ala walked in hasty steps towards her vehicle. She felt a mixture of relief and sadness after meeting her ex-husband and his family. The meeting gave rise to various complicated feelings within him.

Relieved when both of her ex-husband's parents were seen in good health. And fragile, when his heart was stunned to see the state of the ex-husband who was much different when they last embraced each other.

"Oh my God, what a pity for him. Forgive him, forgive him, and forgive us all. Thou art ever Most Merciful. I have forgiven him, O Allah. I've forgiven him ever since he chose to get up."

"I've taken everything. Although he had once hurt this heart, and it was so difficult to cure him. But I have given and and given everything. I'm sure there's no more hate for everything that's gone by. However, why did I get so fucked up when I saw them let alone him?"

"So, that guy I'm talking to is him?" Ala looked at her hands in turn. After that, he cupped it to his face. "What else is this, God?"

Ala sighed deeply as she pondered her feelings. He realized one thing, even though he had forgiven and forgotten the past, there was still a wound that had not been fully healed in his heart.

"I'm not hurt, I'm fine" Ala murmured inwardly. "Would it be because of an unfulfilled hope, or because of the guilt that still haunts. But I have to be able to face it and move on with my life. Life is not about love. There are still family expectations and take care of boarding school entrusted by the late Abi—"

Drrrtt

Drrrttt

Ala was startled by the vibrations on her phone. "Oh, a promise with Ustadz Candra? She must be confused for not finding me there." Ala opened her phone.

However, it turns out that it was not from the person who was mistaken. There was a video call from the person he had just met in the past day.

"There's Rafatar?"

He recalls Rafatar's request to ta'aruf with him. "I don't have an answer yet" he murmured.

Ala pulls the green button. That handsome face had been seen with a confused look.

📲"Assalamualaikum," said Rafatar across.

"Greetings Walaikum, Uda," replied Ala.

📲 "Alah, what's wrong with you? Are you crying again? What's going on?" ask Rafatar with great attention.

Ala shook her head. "Ah, no." Ala wiped her tears.

"I'm fine. Uda what are you doing? Still in the office?" Ala distracted attention.

📲 "No, I'm home from work. I was thinking about you and our meeting yesterday. I wonder if you've decided about ta'aruf?" ask Rafatar gently.

Ala stared at the phone screen with a doubtful look. He felt a complicated emotional vibration within him. Just now that she was shocked by the meeting with her ex-husband, there were even questions she wanted to avoid.

"Uda, I still can not give a definite answer," said Ala honestly. "Yesterday's meeting reminded me of the past and brought up a lot of complicated feelings. I'm still trying to understand and heal the wounds that are in my heart."

Rafatar nodded with understanding. 📲"I understand, Ala. Everyone has their own process in dealing with the past and healing wounds. I'm ready to wait and support you in that process. If one day you feel ready to continue ta'aruf with me, I make sure that I am here ready with your answer."

"Thank you, Uda. I appreciate your patience and understanding. I'll think of the right answer. Surely, Uda knows how I am, right? I am just a widow. Many do not accept my situation like this."

📲 "No need low self because of that, Ala. Before God, all men are equal. The difference is only based on the level of faith and piety. But for me you are perfect ... Yes, yes, assalamualaikum." Rafatar hastily closed his call.

Leaving a big question mark on his dumbstruck face blurted his eyes a few times. "What did he have to say?"

*

*

*

The next morning at Pondok Pesantren, Ala called a special Ustadz Candra who helped her investigate the report given by Ustadz Luthfi.

After further examination, it was found that the reports of broken schoolchildren were not true. Facilities and infrastructure at the level of SMP and MA Pondok Pesantren are still in very good condition, without any significant damage.

Ustadz Candra presented the discovery to the relevant parties and requested clarification from Ustadz Luthti regarding the reports and details of the proposed funds. Ustadz Candra also ensures that information is conveyed to the public regarding the condition of good facilities and infrastructure.

In order to maintain the integrity and trust of the community, further action will be taken to ensure accountability for false reports that have been submitted. Ustadz Candra will also educate all parties about the importance of honesty and transparency in reporting existing problems, as well as maintaining trust in the management of funds provided by the community.

Ala looked sharply at Ustadz Luthfi, her face filled with a look of disappointment. "Ustadz Luthfi, I can't believe what you're doing. How can you make false reports about school facilities and infrastructure?"

Ustadz Luthfi, in a high and defensive voice, replied, "Ala, I don't understand where this accusation comes from! I'm just trying to raise funds to fix the broken benches."

Ala was not satisfied with that answer. "But after we did the investigation, it turned out that it was all just shodong data. The facilities and facilities in our school are still in good condition. Why do you need to make a false report?"

Ustadz Luthfi looked at Ala with a face full of rejection. "I don't admit that my report is fake! There is something wrong with your investigation. I'm trying to improve the facilities that exist for the convenience of the students."

Ala, growing more emotional, said in a breathless voice, "It's not just about the broken school benches, but also about the integrity and trust we have in you as an ustadz. Don't you realize how detrimental your actions are?"

Ustadz Luthfi nodded stubbornly. "I did this for the good of the school and the students. I cannot sit still when there is a shortage. You don't understand the real situation!"

Ala, in a voice trembling with emotion, tried to ease the conflict. "Ustadz Luthfi, let's find a good solution to this situation. We must prioritize honesty and transparency in our actions. What if we had a meeting with the school and the parents to discuss the issue openly?"

Ustadz Luthfi was still reluctant to accept Ala's advice. "There is no need for such a meeting. I've explained my point. You must trust my good intentions."

Ala, steadfast in her stance, looked at Ustadz Luthfi with strong determination. "Faith must be established through fact and honesty, not by mere words. If you truly have good intentions, prove it by admitting your mistakes and committing to doing your best going forward."

Ustadz Luthfi, though still stubborn, felt the moral insistence of Ala's words. After a moment of thought, he finally nodded doubtfully. "Okay, I'll consider your advice. But I still feel innocent."

Slowly but surely, the two begin to ease tensions and are willing to find a solution together. They agreed to engage the relevant parties and hold meetings with the aim of discussing the matter openly and seeking a fair way out.

In a tense and busy situation facing conflict with Ustadz Luthfi, Ala almost forgot another important affair, namely the preparation of her sister, Alya,'s marriage with Rizky.

After realizing that her time was limited, Ala devised a plan to resolve the conflict with Ustadz Luthfi quickly in order to focus on her sister's wedding preparations. She apologized to Alya for being too involved in the matter and promised to give her full support for their marriage.

Ala strives to strike a balance between resolving conflicts and engaging in marriage preparation. She allocates time wisely to communicate with Alya and Rizky, discuss wedding plans, assist in event arrangements, and provide emotional support to her sister who is preparing for the special day.

Despite pressure from various sides, Ala managed to set the schedule and prioritize the interests of her family. With the help and cooperation of the other families, Alya and Rizky's wedding preparations went smoothly.

On the wedding day, although there was still a bit of tension left from the previous conflict, Ala tried hard to calm down and give full support to Alya and Rizky. He realized that this moment was about his sister's happiness and not about the conflict that had occurred.

In between events, he several times found Rafatar who continued to watch him in silence, like he would mumble him alive.