The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
Counting Hours

Since this afternoon Aisyah wondered why Umar would rather visit Hilya than come to the opening of her boutique. Since long ago, Aisha had told Umar that it was a very important day for him.

During this time Aisyah calms herself by saying that she and Hilya have qualities in different things. Hilya excelled in terms of closing the aurat, memorizing its Qur'an, lineage, he said, ah everything is perfect. But Aisha always told herself that she excelled at anything else. I don't know what it is but Aisyah believes Umar chose her because of it. With all the doubts surrounding her, Aisyah remained optimistic that she was worthy of Umar. But today that thought changes, won't it always be number two. Aisyah did not want any number titles in her.

Within hours their wedding day will arrive. But Ayesha was still shrouded in doubt towards Umar.

Aisyah spontaneously stepped on the brakes seeing Umar standing next to her motorbike in front of the closed gate.

"Aisha," Umar walked over to Aisha's car.

"Mas Umar why is he here?" Aisyah lowered the window glass.

"So I saw that your boutique was closed so I came here but the security said you haven't come home yet."

Of course, Aisyah deliberately went home later that night to wait for Umar. But Aisha did not want to tell Umar.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to your boutique opening show Aisyah."

Why don't you come, if visiting Hilya can't be delayed. Can't stop by for a minute? Umar spent the whole day in the hospital.

Aisha could only protest in her heart, she would not argue with Umar any more she would lose.

"Can't you stop by for a minute before you go to the hospital?"

"I leave early."

"And just got home now?"

Aisyah went down and asked the security guard to put her car in.

"Sorry Aisha." Umar can only say sorry because he was wrong. He had left early in the morning so he could come before Aisyah's boutique closed but everything was unexpected. Hilya was suddenly critical and unconscious. Umar waited until Hilya siuman to return home. Umar also calmed Aminah who was not stopping crying because Hilya's condition continued to decline.

"Mas, I know that I'll always be number 2."

Umar was stunned, he never labeled the number on Aisyah. Never does.

"Don't ever say that, you're the only one for me, only today I really have to visit Ning Hilya."

"Well, it's up to you, I don't have the right to forbid you from visiting Hilya right?" Aisyah's face was flushed red holding back her cries with all her might. The wound in his heart from Zaid's words was like being given salt, sore.

"I beg you not to be angry."

"I'm not angry." Aisyah shook her head, she was only sad and disappointed at once because Umar reneged on his promise and preferred to visit Hilya.

"You should know that you'll always be the only one, there's no number one or two and so on."

"Then why do you have to be today when you can look at him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow can't let alone the day after tomorrow, it's our wedding day." Umar thought about the words of Maryam and Hilya's condition was very severe, he had to leave at that time.

"Mas, now I'm asking, are you sure you want to marry me?" Aisyah raised her chin, though her voice trembled withstanding the cry but she tried to say firmly to Umar.

"More than certain, I've chosen you why are you still in doubt?"

"Where I don't doubt, everyone acts as if I don't deserve you, they say only Hilya deserves to be married to you."

"Listen to me Aisha, I don't care about anyone, which I'm sure of you, there's no one better than you to be my wife."

Aisyah fell silent, the solid wall inside her collapsed as well with a single sentence that Umar said. Didn't Umar ever say that but it hasn't succeeded in making Aisha quite sure.

Umar took out a rose from the bag, the shape is not beautiful anymore even some of his petals are loose. Umar bought it in Lumajang on the way home.

"Congratulations for the opening of your boutique, I'm sure the business will flourish, this flower you don't need to accept because it's already ugly."

"I accept." Aisha took the flowers. "Why did your jacket bleed, did you fall?"

"Look Aisyah, this is Ning Hilya's blood, I'm fine."

"Hilya's condition is that severe?"

"Bloody fever but it was worse than I expected, Ning Hilya kept her eyes closed as I went home."

"Bloody fever is more dangerous if the handling is late."

"Doctor said his blood plasma was leaking."

Aisyah was stunned, now she could imagine how severe Hilya's condition was. Suddenly Aisyah felt regret for being annoyed at Umar. It's not about number one or two but about which is more urgent.

"Hopefully Hilya will recover and be as healthy as ever." The word Aisyah finally, however, he should not harbor hatred for Hilya even if only a little.

"If that's why I wash your jacket."

"No need for Ayesha, I can wash myself."

"Ummi and Abah must be surprised to see the blood, do not bother staying in the washing machine."

"All right." Umar took off his jacket, the bloodstains had dried and it might be difficult to clean. "Good night Ayesha, see you the day after tomorrow."

Aisyah nodded, a line of smiles rising on her face that rubbed off on Umar. He only needed to pass a day before officially becoming the wife of Umar but why did that one day feel so long and torturous.

Umar left the elite housing complex after ensuring Aisyah entered the house. Somehow he could not stop smiling all the way up to the boarding school. He was relieved that Aisyah had forgiven him.

******

Aisyah lifted Umar's light blue jacket to see the bloodstains she had to clean. After replacing her robe with pajamas, Aisyah is now in the laundry room. The problem was that Aisyah had never entered the room before. Aisyah only realized that she had not explored the entire house, for example this washing room.

Aisyah was sure the stain would be difficult to remove, she could not wash it with a washing machine.

At first Aisyah soaks the entire surface of the jacket and rinses it with detergent.

"Can't you brush?" Aisyah hesitated as she was about to pick up a brush. What if the material breaks after brushing. Not willing to take that risk, Aisyah prefers to use liquid bleach. Sure enough, the bloodstains were gone.

Aisyah smiled complacently, washing is not that difficult. Just rinse it with water until it is clean.

"Geez, my God, my God!" Aisyah's eyes were round looking at the light blue jacket turning white. "Foolish are you, Ayesha, this is not Ayesha, Atalie is stupid!" He nags to himself. Not only blood stains, the color of the jacket also faded.

"Lho Ci Aisyah, what is malem-malem here?" An ART emerged from behind the wall of the laundry room.

"Just been pure."

"Why don't you tell me Ci?"

Aisyah smiled blandly, she should not knowingly wash herself. Instead of helping, Aisyah messed it up even though she had good intentions.

"It's okay, it's over to hang." Aisyah took one hanger and hung Umar's jacket which had changed color.

*******

Maryam accompanied Umar to dinner in the kitchen, all the inhabitants of the cottage were asleep but Maryam deliberately waited for Umar to come home to ask Hilya the situation.

Fried rice and eggs plus soy sauce into the dinner menu Umar. While eating his food, Umar told Hilya about the condition when he was in the hospital. Mary looked very worried to hear it. Umar was equally worried but he continued to pray for Hilya's recovery.

Umar said Maryam should not worry too much about Hilya and told her to rest.

"Ummi, can Umar ask for help?"

Maryam turned to look at Umar, "of course, what help?"

"Please talk to Ayesha, it seems she still doubts Umar."

"How could he still doubt, you're getting married soon."

"Please convince Ayesha."

"Alright, Ummi will talk to him." Maryam rubbed Umar's shoulder to calm him down. "Ummi rest first."

"Yes Ummi." Umar continued eating while checking his phone. He ignored all messages all day. Umar opened the incoming message from Aisyah.

Umar frowned looking at the photo that Aisyah sent. It's like his jacket, but why does it look different.

Sorry, my jacket color is off. I intentionally. Sorry sorry sorry sorry.

Umar smiled reading the message, look even Aisyah's message is adorable.

Nothing Aisyah, cheap jackets do fade easily. Thanks for washing it.

No, my fault, this is my fault. I used bleach.

Now Umar could not hold back his laughter. It seems like Umar's duties are very much after getting married later. Teach Aisyah to make tea, wash clothes, cook and many other things. That would be so exciting.

Umar was angry. I was wrong.

I'm not angry, Aisyah.