Short Stories of Islamic Love
Destinies

It rained that morning. The water seemed reluctant to stop in this big city of mine. I was glued to the roadside stall where I was sheltering, staring riled at my wet uniform. For a moment my hand lifted fixed the location of my veil. My fingers moved to slip back the strands of hair that had come out freely. If this were the case, I would not be able to continue on my way to school.

My body started shaking with cold. Unknowingly I bit my lower lip, it was no longer strong enough to withstand this cold. I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping that when my eyes opened the rain had subsided.

I opened my eyes quickly. I felt something wrapped around my body. My gaze turned to look at him, apparently a black suit was attached to my body. I was looking for the guy who did it. My eyes were perfectly round, I saw a handsome man standing behind me. He smiled at me thinly.

“This has a sister?” my many.

“Just wear it, you must be cold” reply then smile sweetly. Even sweeter than the sweetest sugar. This might be a little bit more. But that is what it is.

“Thanks”

The man simply nodded in response. While I just smile while busy normalizing my heartbeat. Is it wrong to say I admire him? the first time I met was already this good, especially if I became my priest later. I really can't imagine it.

“Your uniform is wet huh? how to go to school?” suddenly tanyanya.

“Yes, I'm confused too. I think I want to go home again. Brother himself wants to work huh?”

“Yes, but it looks like I want to go back home. My workplace is far from here. If you want to be with me aja”

“Still brother, but briefly again mother want to pick up Zahra kok”

He looked confused. “Your name is Zahra?”

“Iya”

“I Cristian just call Cris”

That was the beginning of my meeting with him. A story I can't just forget.

—

“Remember when we met?” tanyakanya.

“I always remember it” answered me steady.

My lips put on a sincere smile. I looked at the man now in front of me. Yeah, that's Cristian, the guy I met a few years ago. I don't know, after our first meeting, the feeling grew on its own. I've fallen in love with her. Until we finally decided to love.

My relationship has been going on for four years. But for some reason, he never took me to his family. Honestly, I'm disappointed. What is the sign that he is not serious to me? deep down I always waited when Cristian proposed to me. When he put the ring on my ring finger.

“Zahra” I turned to look at the man in front of me. We're in the capital park.

“When there will be many differences between us, will you stay with me?” the question, it confused me.

“Ya, I'll survive”

“When fate doesn't even bless our relationship, will you survive?”

“Yes I will stay with”

“Thanks”

I saw Cris looking satisfied to hear my answer. I who do not understand can only be silent without saying anything.

“Can I hug you”.

“We are not married, I should have looked at you like it was a sin. Especially being hugged, I don't want to multiply my sins Cris”

“Ya already, forget my request”

It's getting dark. We both rushed home. Cris opened the car door for me. Before long the car we were riding drove quickly, breaking through the streets of Jakarta.

“Assalamualaikum” I said after reaching home.

I saw a middle-aged woman appear behind the door. The style he wears adds a graceful impression on him. My gaze turned to the black cloth that was attached to cover her hair. A piece of cloth that became the covering of his aura. He is my protector, my wing that is always ready to reach me. She's mommy.

“New home? this is malem lho” he said to me then glanced at Cris beside me.

“Iya bu kemaleman. Sorry Zahra did not take ngabarin”, I said while kissing the back of his hand.

“I'm sorry because I Zahra so kemaleman gini” now Cris voiced then kissed the back of my mother's hand.

“It's okay, but later don't repeat. You guys are not legitimate, it is not good if the road is old and always both” said the friendly mother.

I have not yet set foot to enter the house, adzan magrib has reverberated. I quickly stepped in.

“Cris you pray here aja”

“I think I'm going home to Ra. Papa has been waiting at home, he said there is important” he said. I don't know why I think he's lying to me.

“Oh yes already, I entered ya”

Week pass. Time goes by quickly. But all that time Cris hasn't introduced me to his family. My heart has rebelled, telling me to question all this. This relationship, would there not be a more serious status? it's very confusing.

I grabbed my phone. My hand typed a short message for Cris. On Sundays, I should be able to use it well. I rarely have time like this. The busyness in the world of work makes me have to put aside my pleasure.

To: Cris

Cris we met in a normal place

To: Cris

Ok

After that I took the small bag that used to accompany me. I forgot to wear my favorite hijab. This is Cris' gift to me. I will always wear it even though later this hijab is not beautiful though. Because what makes it special is the giving of men in my life.

“Cris, our relationship is almost going to run five years. I honestly don't want to keep dating as unclear as I am now. I'm a grown-up Cris. Mom always asks when I get married” I told Cris.

“I know”

“If you know why you are not quick to propose to me?even taking me to your family alone was never”

Cris kept quiet, he didn't answer my question. His eyes looked at me. Clear liquid dripped on his eye pellet. Cris cried, for the first time I saw him cry.

“Our beliefs are different Ra. My family doesn't approve of this relationship”

Like a thousand knives. It's very painful. All this time I could always accept our differences. But if it's a matter of faith, I don't know if I can or maybe I can't. There are too many differences between us.

“Ra do you still survive? Ra you have said that you will survive, even though fate does not bless us”

My tongue is too thick to answer. I'm too disappointed. I'm disappointed in reality. I am disappointed in the fate. I'm disappointed why we had to be created with all kinds of differences.

“Ra you'll survive right? you and I will keep fighting. Even if need be I will move faith”

I shook my head quickly. It indicates that I disagree with his words.

“You want to leave your God? that so? no, Cris, when you do that are you sure you'll be loyal to me? when your own God you betrayed?” my words are full of emphasis.

My hand stretched out to touch his cheek. My fingers wiped her tears. I know that right now I am sinning, I am touching a man who is not my muhrim. I'm sorry God, but I promise I'll take it off.

“Zahra I love you” he said softly.

“I too, but we have to give up Cris. There are too many differences between us. Maybe God just gives us a chance to love each other not to unite”

I turned my body. Run as fast as possible. Leaving Cris and the memories we've been through. Love is the union of differences between two people. But when the difference is so great, sometimes we give up. Letting fate win, then releasing someone who forever will only be a memory.