The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
The Gema Shahadah Aisyah

"What Papa said, not a day has Atalie returned." Jaya smiled and saw Atalie coming, as expected Atalie would not be able to survive outside for more than a day. Since childhood he and Renata have given luxurious facilities to Atalie. Jaya believes Atalie will apologize again while crying for learning something that should not be excessive. Jaya's decision to burn Atalie's books and clothes was not wrong.

Atalie walked down through the neat yard lawn, it seemed like the new gardener had cut it this morning. Atalie clenched her hand giving strength to herself. Atalie will face her parents so hard. Atalie hopes there is a little gap for her to soften the heart of her father and mother.

"Atalie, where did you sleep last night?" Renata immediately approached Atalie, all night he could not sleep because he was worried about Atalie.

"I slept at Gracia's house." Atalie replied, she could not see Renata's sad face. Atalie has hurt her mama but she comes not to fix it but rather will add disappointment in Renata's heart.

"Let's go in, you're having breakfast, right?"

Atalie replied with a faint nod.

"Sit down." Jaya glanced at Atalie from behind the newspaper in her hand, she sat with her legs folded in the living room. "It's not too late to apologize and admit your mistake."

"I'm sorry Pa, Ma."

"So you've admitted your mistake and promise not to do anything strange again, don't be surprised that Papa will also control what books you read."

"Papa can't control it." Atalie's voice was getting lower, she lowered her head not daring to look at her papa and mama.

"What do you mean?" Renata asked not understanding.

"I've made a decision." Atalie said finally after taking a deep breath.

"Papa knows." Jaya smiled slantingly, Atalie must have regretted her actions. Atalie spends her parents' money on strange things she shouldn't have done. Atalie also went to a place she shouldn't have gone.

"I want to embrace Islam." Atalie said in a low tone not because of the song, he was very sure of the decision he had taken. Atalie couldn't even sleep all night imagining this day would happen. Atalie just can not see the disappointment of her parents, since childhood she has been printed into a child who always boasts parents. Atalie did not want to disappoint them but the decision to embrace Islam was also held firm.

Atalie felt that God had chosen her to embrace Islam, she could not name one definite reason. Atalie was comfortable and calm while in the mosque while listening to the Quran.

Atalie was lonely when her friends started praying while she was alone in the tent. Atalie was envious when her friends mentioned the Qur'an when they were at the top of Ijen, a verse that is directly related to nature.

Atalie fell in love with Aisyah's story she read in Umar's book. Atalie fell in love many times after reading the stories of Khadijah, Hafshah and Saudah. They're all amazing women. Atalie felt comfortable dressing up, not because she didn't want her scars, but she did.

Jaya lowered her newspaper looking at Atalie furiously, her face flushed in disbelief at what Atalie had said a few seconds ago.

"You're sane?" Jaya stood up, ready to flick the newspaper in her hand onto Atalie's face.

"Take care of your words Atalie." Renata was no less surprised.

"I've been chosen to accept Pa's guidance."

"Omong empty!" Jaya folded the newspaper and threw it in front of Atalie's face.

Atalie slumped off the sofa kneeling before Jaya, she clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

"I'm sorry to Papa and Mama but this has been my decision and will never change." Atalie closed her eyes not daring to look at her papa and mama. Her lips trembled withstanding the cry. Atalie's hand held Jaya's leg.

Renata suffocated, for a moment the world felt stopped while his breath was choked full. How could his son whom he had raised with discipline and hard could take such a big decision without their consent. Renata's unpleasant feelings when Atalie spent a lot of time with Ayana and Khanza turned out to be evident, a mother always has strong feelings.

Renata felt like a failure as a mother, "are you tired of Sunday routines and afternoon or morning worship?" Finally Renata could say one sentence after all his might to put together his shattered feelings into pieces.

Atalie shook her head, "i feel like my heart is already linked to God."

"So you're ready to lose all these luxuries, don't expect them to stay the same after you make that decision."

"I'm ready." Atalie nodded confidently, she had already thought of this since leaving the house yesterday. Imagine Atalie as if she would not be able to do without the facilities given by her father and mother but this morning Atalie can say that she is ready to lose everything. Losing whatever Atalie has now.

"Let's see if you can really do it." Jaya lifted her leg quickly to make Atalie slammed into the back.

"Mama." Atalie turned to Renata.

"Mama can't even see you now." Renata leaves Atalie alone in the living room.

Atalie hugged her knees and cried sobbing, she never saw her parents as furious as they are now. A disappointed look was seen on Renata's face.

It's your choice, Atalie.

But seeing Atalie sitting on the floor pitifully, Daniel finally went down the stairs to approach the brother.

"Sister." Call Daniel in a clenched voice.

Slowly Atalie raised her tear-filled wet face.

"Son Atalie sure?" Daniel asked even though Atalie's face had answered everything. Atalie seemed very confident in her decision to clap Islam. Things they never thought of before.

Atalie nodded.

"If so, I will support whatever your decision is." Daniel rubbed Atalie's shoulder, he couldn't see Atalie like this. Daniel is Atalie's only brother, so he must support whatever decision his brother makes. Daniel was sure his older brother did not choose, Atalie must have thought about it carefully before.

"Thank you, Niel." Atalie hugged Daniel, in the coldness that enveloped Atalie's heart was still there the sister who gave him a little warmth. Atalie hope after this everything goes easily.

******

The recitation of the shahadah echoed in the mosque of Adz-Zaidan that afternoon. With Zayd's guidance, Atalie uttered two sentences of martyrdom witnessed by Maryam and Umar. Not only spoken with the mouth but Atalie really believed the sentence.

After that Atalie really felt hugged, not her body—but a hug that grabbed her soul. Unknowingly tears flowed back down Atalia's smooth cheeks. He welcomes Maryam's warm embrace, accompanying Atalie's once lonely soul. Maryam did not expect that Atalie would be martyred in a very fast time. If God wills, no one can refuse.

Umar was also moved to see Atalie who now wears a headscarf and long black robe. Umar was amazed because Atalie could find Islam when he grew up not with the teachings of Islam. Umar was born a Muslim. Atalie will fall in love with Islam because she has found it herself.

"You can stay here first." Said Maryam after releasing the link.

Atalie seemed hesitant, she didn't really know the people here. Atalie can stay at Gracia's house for a while. After that Atalie will return home to get her parents' forgiveness.

"You need a lot of guidance, I'll guide you with the others here, shahadah alone is not enough."

Atalie was silent, Maryam was right, she knew nothing about Islam despite having studied her theories in books. But Atalie had never practiced it.

"You can't be alone." Maryam could not let Atalie alone, those who have been born Muslims just need a teacher let alone Atalie who is new to Islam. Atalie needs a lot of guidance.

"True, you are our responsibility." Sahut Zayd.

Atalie thanked Maryam and Zaid for welcoming her here when they did not know her well. But Maryam treated Atalie like a child. Maybe because Maryam has become a mother to dozens of students.

"If you may know how old you are, Atalie, there may be a santri who is your age here." Ask Maryam.

"Twenty-three, Ummi."

Umar was surprised to learn Atalie's age was far from his estimate. Atalie does look to be in her early 20s but since she almost graduated S2 Umar thought the girl's age was not far from her.

"Ummi, I want to be Ayesha." Atalie hesitates to say she wants to change her name. Atalie has been in love since she first heard about the extraordinary woman named Aisyah. Although Atalie could never be like Aisyah but she wished that she was born as a new person with that name, a much better person.

Mary smiled softly behind her veil, "then from now on you will be called Ayesha."

Umar smiled, that's a good name. Umar could not wait to call Atalie by the name of Aisyah.

"Thank you also Mas Umar—I mean Ustadz—eh Gus." Atalie closed her mouth, she was clumsy because she was always confused to call Umar with which name. Atalie wanted to call Umar by one name that never changed, husband for example, uh.

Umar held back a laugh, "sama-sama Ayesha." The answer.

Atalie was flabbergasted to hear Umar call her Aisyah for the first time. That name sounds amazing.

"Thank you for introducing me to Aisyah, I will continue to learn even better."

"I pray that you are always Istiqomah." Umar said sincerely.

Atalie nodded even though she did not understand the meaning of Istiqomah, she would find out for herself later. Many new terms Atalie heard lately.

Please welcome Aisyah