The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
Abdominal

Pondok pesantren Al-Islam is a religious education institution founded by Hilya's grandfather decades ago and has graduated thousands of alumni until 2015. His surroundings have not changed since the last time Umar visited with his family.

Thirty years was the right age for Umar to marry, he was old enough to live the household ark. But since leaving his home to stand in the courtyard of the Al-Islam boarding school, Umar is still shrouded in doubt. He questioned whether the purpose of marriage and whether he was really ready for it. Educate a woman who will live with him every day. They will continue to live together until death separates.

Khalid had advised Umar that doubt was common and was the temptation of marriage. Khalid assured the younger brother once again that the purpose of marriage was to attain the pleasure and love of God. Marriage is something that is loved by Allah, so Umar must accept whatever the trials that befall the household for the sake of Allah.

"You like other girls?" Khalid had wanted to ask Umar that question since then but he was waiting for a chance with his brother.

"What's my liking like?" Umar clearly answered the question with a yes in his heart, but Umar would not say it.

"When you feel the warmth when you see it, here." Khalid touched Umar's chest, "Mas always felt it when he saw Khawla's mother."

"Mas marrying someone I like?"

"No, I liked her after I married her."

Umar smiled, and what more did he doubt. Umar will love Hilya after they marry, just as Khalid loved Khawla after he married her.

"Who do you like?" Khalid did not give up on getting the answer from Umar. The difference in their age was only two years, so Khalid understood what Umar was feeling now.

"The girl who knew Ayesha." Umar almost did not sound blown by the wind that shook the branches of mango trees in the cottage yard.

Umar still remembers exactly how much Atalie was happy when he mentioned that he had known Aisha, Khadijah, Saudah and Hafshah yesterday. Umar felt like telling their stories every day because Atalie would love it.

Khalid frowned not understanding Umar's reply. Khalid wanted to ask again but Zaid called them to enter the Abizar residence.

They sat cross-legged in the living room with the Abizar family. Cakes and fruits were prepared in their midst. Apparently Abizar prepared everything well to welcome Umar.

Soon Hilya came with a tray of tea that was still puffing smoke, and she placed the glasses in front of Zaid, Maryam, Khalid and finally Umar.

"Thank you." Umar said to Hilya.

Hilya's movement pulled the tray to a halt for a while hearing Umar's thanks, he nodded slowly without daring to raise his face despite wanting to. Hilya wanted to see what Umar was like now after a few months of not meeting, whether it was still the same or getting handsome.

Zaid and Abizar chatted asking the situation of their respective boarding schools. Small talk between friends who rarely meet.

"When is Hilya graduating?" Ask Zaid.

The question made Hilya more downcast reluctant to answer, she was suddenly mute, her tongue was clumsy unable to say anything. Hilya understood the direction of this conversation, not—ia understood their purpose here. Abizar has been talking about it since last night. Hilya could not sleep all night because Umar was coming.

"Inshaa Allah is the fastest in August if the process is no obstacle." Answer Abizar.

"That means that three months from now, they can get to know each other first in that time period, occasionally exchanging messages does not matter."

"Don't Bah, I've known Ning Hilya since I was a kid." Umar said, he just did not want to exchange messages or anything with Hilya.

Hilya's cheeks heated up, her smile expanding wide behind her veil. Somehow that simple sentence made Hilya could not help but smile. So all this time Umar had felt to know Hilya even though they rarely interacted. Just know each other's personalities.

Hilya knew Umar as a kind man, sholeh and obedient to the orders of teachers and parents. A few years ago Umar was sent to Shanghai to guide the converts there on the orders of the nanny of the boarding school Nurul Jadid. Umar is a figure that Hilya has admired for a long time. Hilya did not really think that their parents agreed to match her and Umar.

******

Under the trembesi tree whose leaves were thick Atalie sat holding her chin by hand. In front of her is a laptop that has been a few minutes of idle, Atalie does not really see the screen of her laptop that displays comic images.

Atalie's mind was far away staring at something she couldn't describe. Understanding yourself is something Atalie is hard to do.

"Atlene!"

Atalie glanced at someone who patted her shoulder from behind, without even turning her head knowing that it was Ayana. Atalie accidentally goes to the campus park to be alone but she has no chance to do that because Ayana or Khanza always comes to her. Atalie tried to smile, she did not dislike Ayana, only now Atalie needed time alone.

"Don't daydream, ntar kesambet you know."

"Kok I didn't see Mas Umar today?" Atalie turned her eyes to her laptop as if she did not need an answer to the question when all day she hoped to meet with Umar. But this narrow campus could not bring Atalie to Umar.

"There's no timetable here anymore."

"Where else is he?"

"Before Gus Umar had taught first in Ibrahimy, so change it up."

Atalie mangosteen, sometimes he was amazed at Ayana because he could know all the information even on the things that are not important. As Ayana knew how many times Umar smiled while teaching in class. It was very unimportant but Ayana often told these trivial things to Atalie. Now Atalie is starting to like the trivial about Umar, only he does not want to admit it.

"But today he said Gus Umar and his family came to Kyai Abizar's house in Lumajang."

"Who is Kyai Abizar?" Atalie looks at Ayana for a while and then refocuses on her laptop.

"Nurse of Al-Islam boarding school."

Atalie's finger moved agilely over the laptop's keyboard, trying to get the job done whenever there was free time like now.

"The eldest daughter of Kyai Abizar was Ning Hilya, their family was indeed close long ago."

Atalie let Ayana tell the story without interrupting, she knew the story this time would be long plus the topic is interesting.

"It looks like they'll be betrothed." Ayana deliberately lowered her voice, she placed an index finger on her lips as Atalie stopped typing and looked at her.

Atalie's face turned cold, her hands clenched at Ayana's words. Matchmade? it's 2015, is there still such an arranged marriage. Doesn't everyone have the right to choose their own soul mate. Didn't Umar do that? Even if Umar had the opportunity to choose his own mate, Atalie would not necessarily be the lucky man of Umar's choice. But at least Atalie wanted to prepare herself for the heartache first. It's too soon, Atalie hasn't even done anything to fight for her feelings that were wrong from the start.

"Not to be surprised, such matchmaking is common between the kyai family." Ayana flicked her hand resuscitating Atalie.

Atalie was not surprised because his extended family must also be married to those who are of Chinese descent, of course Umar also so.

"You're rich and you're still working hard?" Ayana switched the conversation, she was surprised to see Atalie never relax even though there was no class. When other friends were busy chatting while filling their stomachs, Atalie was in a quiet place while working. "Where do you want to put your money?"

"It's a habit that Papa and Mama always apply to their children."

"That's why your family's rich? because you're always working hard?"

"It's impossible that we're suddenly rich if the males continue."

"Yes, anyway."

"I'm going home first." Atalie shut down her laptop, "do you still have class?"

"There's still one class." Ayana raised her arm looking at the circular watch on her left hand.

Atalie put her laptop in a bag, and asked the driver to pick her up. Atalie finally grabbed her already cold coffee.

"Tumben didn't bring a car?"

"Madly shy." Atalie's lie, he does not want Ayana to feel guilty for inviting him to study yesterday. Atalie could only blame herself for the punishment she received.

"Yes the boss's son!"

Atalie laughed, "what the hell, I'm back." He waved at Ayana as he walked away.

"Go home, Ci?" Ask the driver as Atalie sits in the back seat.

"Yes." Yeah." Atalie did not want to go anywhere other than the mosque, rather she wanted to meet Umar. But given Ayana's words, Umar means he is not here.

Atalie leaned her head against the window, why she had so easily fallen in love with Umar. They rarely even chatted, Umar also never gave away any valuables. The thought of Umar marrying another woman made Atalie's chest ache.

Why fall in love with this sick?

To whom will Atalie drop her love without pain?

"Help me, Lord." Atalie's whisper. Unknowingly the melted tears formed a tributary on Atalie's smooth cheeks.

******

The blaze was burning in the yard next to the house when Atalie got out of the car. Atalie frowned, since when did they burn such trash. Usually the garbage is only placed in front of the house and there are officers who will take it.

Atalie walked over, when she realized it was not trash but her clothes Atalie's footsteps got faster and even ran.

"This is my shirt why is Pa burned?" Atalie held her papa's hand about to throw the new robe she bought, even Atalie had not worn it at all. "My books too, Papa why the hell?"

"You're lost to Atalie!" Jaya brushes aside Atalie's hand and throws the last robe into the blaze that has burned Atalie's books and clothes. "Just because Papa freed you all this time, doesn't mean you can just go like this."

"How am I?"

"You have to explain everything to Papa, you often go to the mosque with your friends, right?"

Atalie was silent, she could not refute her papa's words.

"And the books you read also make you misguided, this is not your path Atalie."

Atalie's body is limp, she hates to hide all this but when Jaya and Renata find out everything turns out to be really painful. Atalie did not want to disappoint them.

"It's Atalie's street." Atalie.

"You spent Papa's money on these things, Papa's not willing."

"Sorry Pa."

"Now that you leave the house, reflect on what your mistake was and then come back after getting an answer."

Atalie flinched, did she just get kicked out of this house?

"Papa's driving me out?"

"Go, you need some alone time and don't bring anything."

"Papa doesn't need to get rid of Atalie, he's sorry." Renata prevents Jaya, although she is also disappointed but still Atalie is their daughter.

"Mom knows this isn't a small mistake." Jaya remains on his stand.

Atalie put down her bag, she took only one card where she kept her own savings.

"It's my own savings from the translator's salary, I'm leaving."

Jaya is stunned, she thinks Atalie will plead with her and promises not to do strange things again. Renata continues to urge Jaya not to let Atalie go.

"She should be taught a lesson, Mama's been pampering her all this time."

"Mama never spoiled her, she was educated hard since childhood." Renata does not accept if Jaya says she is too pampering Atalie.

"He'll be back tomorrow." Tukas Jaya believes, since childhood they have facilitated Atalie and Daniel with luxury. Atalie won't last more than a day out there.