The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
Big Decisions

A dense cloud hung over the sky as if supporting Atalie's mood this afternoon. Atalie's chest was very sick after getting the rage of the father. Not to mention hearing Umar will be betrothed to a girl. All of that happened in one day, Atalie felt her world was very dark.

Atalie had no idea how far the steps took her away from home. He realized after the sky darkened and his legs ached from walking for too long. Although the doctor said Atalie's leg was healed but when walking sometimes Atalie felt her legs hurt.

Cold, increasingly piercing the skin, Atalie hugged herself rubbing her arms that were not covered with clothes. She should have been wearing long-sleeved clothes because the mosquitoes started to perch and bite on the surface of her skin.

Atalie decided to sit in a quiet garden chair, what she could decide after leaving the house. Atalie had to decide something because that was the reason Jaya asked her to leave.

Atalie's tears had dried up, her mistake was fatal but she did not expect Jaya would throw her out of the house.

Atalie grew up in a warm and harmonious family although her papa was a hard man. But as long as Atalie obeys Jaya's will, then he is safe and will not hear the raging of the papa. It was the first time Atalie had heard of her great papa anger.

I heard the adhan in one of the mosques not far from where Atalie was sitting. Atalie initially felt empty but the voice of the Adhan seemed to hug her and fill the part of her that felt empty.

A line of thin smiles rose on Atalie's lips, she did not know the meaning of the sentence echoed in the adhan but it had made her feel calm. The calm that Atalie had been looking for.

How could a voice possibly hug Atalie's cold body? it's magical.

Atalie noticed the worshippers washing their faces in front of the mosque, she knew it was the duty of the Muslims before performing the prayer and they did it 5 times a day. Without Atalie knowing all this time he had been much to find out about Islam.

Atalie leaned her head and closed her eyes. Atalie's desire churned inside her chest as if she couldn't help it. Desire to embrace Islam. He must immediately make a decision whatever the risk.

"Atalie?"

Atalie was surprised to hear such a familiar voice in her ears. The voice of someone Atalie expected her to come. Atalie chuckles, she may be hallucinating because there is no one here.

"What are you doing here?"

Atalie turned to her right and left to hear the voice again, perhaps she had gone mad from being driven out of the house.

"I'm here."

"Mas Umar?" Atalie found Umar standing behind her, he blinked his eyes several times to make sure he did not see wrong. "Mas's Napain here?"

"I asked you that just now." Umar saw a trace of tears on Atalie's face that was so obvious. What had befallen Atalie until the smiling, generous girl had a grim face.

"Oh, me?" Atalie herself had no idea what her purpose was here.

"It's already night."

"I heard you were out of town."

"Home home." Umar was anxious because Atalie did not answer his question, the sky was dark but Atalie was still here alone.

"I don't know either." Atalie finally answered Umar's question.

"You mean, you're out aimlessly?"

Atalie nodded, after this she might go to the Gracia boarding house or find a hotel near here to stay one night. Tomorrow Atalie will return home and give an answer. Atalie will think about it again until tomorrow because it's an answer that definitely makes papa and his mama disappointed.

"You have to go home."

"I can't go home tonight."

"Why?"

Atalie did not immediately answer whether she would tell Umar about the incident. But they weren't close enough for Atalie to tell her such a personal story. Atalie is also not easy to share stories with others.

"Mas, help me." Atalie looked at Umar expectantly, only Umar could help him at this moment. Did God not bring Umar in vain.

"What help?"

"Do you believe everything in this world happens because of God's will?"

"Of course."

"Mas Umar, help me, all this time you have helped me a lot without being asked."

"What help?" Umar stared at Atalie's hopeful face for two seconds. Although briefly but Umar can see sincerity in Atalie's eyes.

"Company."

Umar was stunned to hear Atalie's words, for a moment he felt his world stop. This is a good thing to not feel the eyes of Umar glazed over, he was afraid he heard wrong to ask Atalie to repeat his words. Atalie said the same thing a second time, saying it without hesitation as if there was a new power within her. Atalie is ready to face anything in front of her after this, she is sure God will always help her.

"I have to tell Papa and Mama first, not to ask permission but I feel like I have to say the same to them first."

"They'll be against you."

"I know, but nothing can change my decision including Papa and Mama."

Umar smiled, he was glad Atalie finally made that decision. Since meeting Atalie at the mosque at the time, Umar felt the girl would embrace Islam one day. It is impossible for someone not to be lulled in the beauty of the Qur'an that Umar or Hamzah often recited in the study. The proof Atalie came many times, he was addicted to going to the mosque.

"I'll be waiting for you."

Atalie looked up at the hands to feel the water droplets coming down from the sky, rumbling also occasionally heard the sign of rain falling more and more.

"I'll go first." Atalie had to hurry before it rained.

"Where?"

"To Gracia's boarding place." Atalie immediately left there, not forgetting to thank Umar.

Umar stared at Atalie's departure, feeling sorry that Atalie had to experience this on her way to fetch her guidance. But Umar also felt amazed, Atalie was one of the people God chose to get the guidance.

Umar was about to take Atalie to the boarding school but the girl had already left.

******

Gracia was astonished to see Atalie at the door of her boarding place with a chaotic appearance but strangely Atalie's face looked bright—as bright as the sun was this morning. Gracia was about to ask why Atalie wanted to stay at her boarding house tonight. However seeing Atalie's state, Gracia delayed her intention to ask.

"Bring first, how ugly is your face."

"Newly aware?" Atalie snorted, stepping past Gracia towards the bathroom, "your shirt pins are ya."

"Take it whatever!" Gracia went to the kitchen to make food, she happened to have not had dinner yet. After the meal, Gracia will interrogate Atalie.

Atalie lets her body be bathed in soothing warm water, she must prepare for her papa and mama tomorrow. Atalie had imagined in her head the angry look of her parents after she expressed her desire to embrace Islam. Atalie never had this strong desire, even when she said she wanted to open a boutique and her papa was against, she could give in. But this time Atalie will remain in her position even though her parents are so opposed to the decision.

After changing clothes Atalie smelled the aroma of instant noodles from outside the room. He found Gracia sitting at the dinner table with two bowls of noodles still puffing smoke. Noodles are perfect to eat when it rains.

"Instant noodles smell like medicine?" Atalie sat in front of Gracia.

Gracia ignored Atalie's words, stirring her noodles and devouring her a full bribe. Plus pieces of cayenne pepper, noodles will be more complete appetizing.

"Eat, I know you don't eat noodles but tonight you have to eat."

"Why?"

"I know your mind is messed up again, so spicy noodles can help a little."

Atalie put her shoulders together, she didn't know if it was true but she still ate the noodles. Rarely does Atalie eat noodles.

"I want to shahadah."

Gracia stopped chewing, she scrunched her forehead not understanding the sentence Atalie said.

"What's that?"

"I'm ready to be a Muslim."

The spoon in Gracia's hand fell down making quite a loud noise on the floor, she was stunned for a while. He should not be too surprised because Atalie has shown signs of converting. But Gracia did not expect it would be this fast because Atalie still routinely went to church sometimes they also worship in the same church. What had made Atalie decide that big thing so quickly.

"Related?"

"More than sure." Atalie still calmly ate the noodles even though her throat felt choked as if a large stone was stuck there.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"Suddenly, I've been thinking about this since Ijen came home from that time." Atalie has been thinking a lot about Islam since returning from Ijen. He got many things from there, such as when his friends went to pray while he was alone in the tent. The mosquito bite made Atalie think, it was nice if she always wore long clothes like her female friends. Atalie felt comfortable while wearing the covered clothes.

The books that Atalie read also gave no less lessons, although now the book has become ashes but Atalie can remember the contents in the head.

"Crazy for you, maybe it's because you fell in love with Umar."

"No, no." Atalie strongly refuted the sentence, now that he did not care Umar would marry another important girl he had made the right decision in his life. Umar is one of the reasons but regardless, Atalie will still be martyred.