The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
About Divine Destiny

The santri lined up neatly along the gate to Zaid's courtyard with white clothes and sarong typical of children santri. They welcomed the arrival of Umar and Aisha in the scorching heat.

When Aisyah's car began to move slowly entering the cottage area, the tambourine and shalawat were laid out compactly.

Aisyah was flabbergasted at the unusual sight, she was surprised to be greeted so lively by all of them. He and Umar were like state officials who came to an area.

"Why are we welcomed like this?" Aisyah looked to the right and left where the santri stood looking down in reverence.

"Welcome to our house, Ayesha." Umar smiled broadly down from the car first.

Aisyah could not believe it even when Umar opened the car door, she was still dumbstruck.

"Do you remember anyone who could come into contact with you?" On the way here Umar explained about anyone who became a mahram for them so that Aisyah did not carelessly shake hands with the opposite sex.

"Change, Ummi, Mbak Khawla, Mas Umar and santri women."

"Right, besides that just put two hands in front of the chest."

Aisyah understands.

"I'll explain it again later."

"I understand you already." Aisyah assured Umar that she knew about the mahram. He has studied before, but sometimes he forgets because he is not used to it.

"Assalamualaikum, Umm Abah." Umar kissed his parents' hands as well as Aisha's.

"Waalaikumussalam, welcome Ayesha." Mary hugged Aisha with affection.

Aisyah was somewhat surprised by this special treatment, greeted by the ranks of the students plus a very lively hadrah. Because of his status, he changed to Umar's wife. Some time ago he was just an ordinary man who did not even know what a boarding school was.

The santri dispersed after Zaid and his family entered the residence.

"Ayesha's to your room." Pinta Maryam to Umar, it will also be Ayesha's room from today.

"Good Ummi." Umar took Aisyah to his room. The house is not spacious, there are 4 rooms that are far from luxurious. When compared to the dormitory, the house is simple. The rooms were occupied by Zaid and Maryam, Umar and Ali, leaving one empty room that Aisyah had occupied for a month. Khalid and Khawla and their son were in a separate building behind the house.

Aisyah put down a sling bag and paper bag as soon as she reached Umar's room. The room is not much different from the room when living here first. Beds attached to the side of the wall, wooden cabinets and study tables as well as bookshelves that are not fit to accommodate other items. Next to the study table is a door that connects the bathroom. No AC, just a little fan in the corner of the room. If Renata entered the room he would probably say, how can one breathe in this narrow room. But even though it is not as spacious as Aisyah's room, the room is very comfortable.

"You're surprised to see your room, Aisyah?" Umar dragged Aisyah's suitcase to put it near the closet, he didn't have much clothing so the closet still fit Aisyah's clothes.

"No, this room is not much different from the room I used to live in."

"The whole area is the same as your bathroom."

"I also felt that the bathroom was too spacious."

Umar smiled, instead of saying the room was too narrow Aisyah instead said the bathroom was too spacious.

"But Mas, I've been in the girls' dorm with Hana, their room is better than this."

"Abah and Ummi did prioritize santri, we used to live a simple life since childhood."

"I love this room."

"Why?"

Aisyah widened her smile stepping closer hugging Umar.

"Because this is Mas Umar's room which is also my room." Aisyah's eyes were teary, she just could not believe that she could be in one room and even hugged Umar.

Umar smiled, kissed Aisha's lips for a moment.

They prepare to establish the dhuhur prayer in musholla with others. One of the routines that Aisyah longed for when she was in the cottage. This is now his residence. The beautiful cottage environment has made Aisyah feel at home since she first came here.

"It's so sweet." Umar murmured when he and Aisyah came out of the mosque after the dhuhur prayer.

Aisyah looked over not understanding, what is sweet? they are not eating anything sweet.

"Your smile, why are you smiling so sweetly."

"I'm happy, I can go out the mosque to go hand in hand with you, I used to only be able to see Mas Umar's broad back from afar but now I'm here."

"You can also hug this broad back."

"I want to but I can't."

"Why?"

"A lot of people."

"If so, then this is it." Umar quietly grabbed Aisyah's hand and held it and both smiled at each other with loving eyes. The world seems to belong together, their world is full of flowers like spring even though Indonesia does not have the season but nothing is impossible for two people who are in love.

Aisyah's steps stopped when she found another car parked in the yard, it was a familiar car.

"That's a car"

"That's Kyai Zaid's family car." Umar accelerated the pace followed by Aisha.

Aisyah was stunned to see someone sitting on the living room sofa.

Aisyah was surprised to see Hilya was so different from the last time she met. Hilya's body looked thin and frail, her eyes were sunken while her skin was pale white.

"Ning Hilya," Umar said first, "why come here?" He will visit Hilya with Aisyah later. Moreover, Hilya's condition does not look improved, he does not need to come.

Hilya smiled faintly behind her veil and reached out to Aisyah.

"Congratulations to your marriage and Gus Umar."

Hilya's hand was so cold when Aisyah grasped it.

"Thank you but Ning Hilya doesn't need to come let alone hear that Ning Hilya is still hospitalized." Aisyah took Hilya to sit down.

"True Ning, I was planning to invite Aisyah to visit Ning Hilya."

"I have to come to congratulate you." Hilya looked at Aisyah and Umar alternately, looking deeply. "Fear not being able to." Hilya put the paper bag on the table. "It's for you, I hear you're good at sewing."

"Ning really doesn't need to give a gift." Aisyah is getting worse.

"It's a batik cloth, Aisyah can make a pair of clothes, batik it will look beautiful if Aisyah sews it."

"This batik already looks beautiful even before it is sewn, thanks to Ning Hilya for coming to even bring gifts for us."

"I'm sure your marriage will be filled with blessing." A drop of clear crystal drenched Hilya's cheeks, no one knew, only she had the pain alone. How else, is not the destiny of God never bad, even if never. So Hilya can only give the man she loves to be with other women. Umar looks very happy now. If he is with her, maybe Umar will be tormented.

Aisyah did not say anything, she could only hug Hilya. Giving advice to strengthen Hilya also felt inappropriate. At least that sentence didn't deserve to come out of Aisyah's mouth.

"Thou shalt not feel guilty, thou art destined to be the wife of Gus Umar." Hilya Mummings.

"I've never met a girl as good as Ning Hilya, now I understand why Abah and Ummi wanted Ning Hilya to be their daughter-in-law."

Hilya broke down the embrace and cupped Aisyah's cheeks. Both are crying tears. Umar who saw the sight could not last longer, he went from there. Umar could not see Hilya tortured and Aisha who felt guilty.

"Abah and Ummi will treat you well, may you Istiqomah grasp the religion of Allah, you will be an extraordinary wife and mother."

"May Ning Hilya recover soon, we'll see you later."

"It may take a long time to see you again."

Aisyah shook her head, "i understand Ning Hilya must be busy but Mas Umar and I will come to Lumajang."

"Well, bring a special gift here."

Aisyah smiled grasping Hilya's skinny hand. Ning Hilya was white once, even defeating the Chinese-blooded Aisyah.

"certain."

Maryam invites Hilya and two people who accompany her to eat together. It just so happens that it's lunch time. Abdi Dalem has prepared food on the table.

"The plan is Ning Hilya want to continue S2 or have not thought?" Zaid asked.

Hilya lifted her face put down her spoon, she had trouble cutting the rendang meat on her plate.

"I won't continue S2 Abah Yai."

"Then?"

"There's no plan."

Aisyah put the rendang meat suwiran onto Hilya's plate.

"Oh, thank you Ayesha." Hilya did not know if it turned out that Aisyah was paying attention to her.

Aisyah answered him with a smile, Hilya's energy must not have returned. The former infusion needle is still clearly visible in Hilya's hand. Aisha tried to help as much as she could.

******

"I'm going home to Ummi, Abah." Hilya kissed Maryam's hand and hugged her for a moment. "Gus Khalid, Ning Khawla, Gus Ali, I say goodbye." Said again.

"Be careful on Ning's road." Say them.

"Gus Umar, I say goodbye." Hilya looked at Umar once more, a deep gaze that implied sadness but she had to be happy because Umar looked so.

"Be careful on the road, until home please let us know."

Hilya nodded, "i'm saying goodbye, Aisyah."

"Thank you Ning for coming, later I will visit and bring a share from here."

Hilya hugged Aisyah once more, longer.

Aisyah clasped Hilya's hand reluctantly to take it off, for some reason. This is the second time they have met. They never talked before either. But today Aisyah felt very familiar with Hilya, not out of guilt or pity. Aisyah actually admired the figure of Hilya who was so tough to come and congratulate. If Aisyah was in the position of Hilya maybe she would not be that strong.

Hilya took off Aisyah's grasp first, she reached into something in her bag.

"This is for you, you can wear it occasionally." It was Hilya's rope veil that had never been worn. "That's the kind of veil I like, it might feel foreign to you but hopefully later you like it too."

"I also have something for Ning Hilya." Aisyah put together a beaded bracelet that she made herself. In addition to sewing, Aisyah also likes to make things from beads.

"It's so pretty, it's my first bracelet."

"Previously Ning Hilya never used it?"

Hilya shakes her head, she doesn't like wearing jewelry. When first wearing jewelry, it does not last long because Hilya has to return it to the one who gave it. Maybe the bracelet will not be long Hilya wear even though he likes it.

"Look, Ning's hands are getting prettier."

Hilya chuckled softly, Aisyah is so cute.

Hilya entered the car to say hello after saying goodbye to everyone. He could see the big smile of Umar, the man he still loved. Hilya will hold her love even though it is not easy and painful.

They entered after Hilya's car left the yard.

Aisyah took out the batik cloth given by Hilya and kept it in the closet while arranging her clothes. Now Umar's closet is dominated by Aisyah's clothes.

"That's a gift from Mas Umar's friends?" Aisyah pointed at the pile of gifts in the corner of the room. He only brought a few gifts from the house of his close friends. Of course Felix is not included even though Aisyah knows the gift of Felix is an expensive item.

"Yes, we'll open tomorrow, you'll still be tired."

"I opened this one first." Aisyah took out the gifts from the paper bag, it was from Gracia, Ayana and Khanza.

Gracia gave a pair of towels with the stitching of Aisyah and Umar's names while Ayana chose a set of cooking utensils that Aisyah could either wear or not because she could not cook. Khanza presented Umar and Aisyah with a thick bed cover.

Believe me no matter how thick the blanket you will not be able to sleep well, ups sorry Gus.

"Bas on the Khanza." Aisyah grumbling.

Their activities were delayed when the Ashar adhan reverberated. The two immediately headed to musholla for congregational prayer.

Afterwards Umar prepared to go to the Al-Fatah mosque to fill out a routine study. He had to return to his routine.

"Do you want me to teach you how to make tea?" Umar took Aisha to the kitchen.

Some of the santri who were in the kitchen slowly withdrew to see Umar and Aisyah.

"Usually in this afternoon Abah sat in the living room, reading books, books or the Qur'an while drinking tea." Umar took the cup and the chafing.

"So this is tea for Abah?" Aisyah was suddenly nervous when it was just a cup of tea that everyone could make. What if it's not good and Zaid doesn't like it more, it's Aisyah's mind that makes her nervous.

"Heat water." Pinta Umar's.

Aisyah took the pot, filled it with water and lit the stove. Pour the tea into the pot and wait for it to boil.

"It doesn't like sweet."

"One spoon is enough?"

"Enough."

"Use this filter." Umar put a sieve on the glass.

"Why not use tea bags?"

"Always drink this tea."

Aisha of mangosteen, Umar taught her a valuable lesson today.

After boiling water Aisyah poured it into a cup that had been given a filter. The aroma of tea poured out from there, Aisyah inhaled it deeply.

"I'll take him to Abah."

"Okay, be careful."

Using a tray mat, Aisyah stepped towards the middle room. Not only tea, a plate of steamed bananas will also accompany Zaid to read while waiting for magrib time.

"Hello, assalamualaikum, what's wrong?"

Aisyah's steps came to a halt when she saw Zaid talking to someone on the phone.

"Innalilahi wa innailaihi rojiun, O Allah, is this really the news?"

"What's the Bah?" Khalid emerged from the front door, just returning from the musholla.

Zaid took off his glasses and rubbed his wet eyes, fell silent for a moment and took a deep breath before speaking. He could not, the phone in his hand was released.

"What's the Bah?" Ask Khalid once more, this time in a probing tone.

"New news is that Hilya died on the way home."

Pyarrr!

The tray in Aisyah's hand came off, the glass filled with hot tea broke into pieces. He was frozen in place. Although the hot water hit Aisyah's feet, she did not move in the least. How could Hilya, who spoke to him two hours ago, have died. Will they not meet again. No-no. Not likely.

All the residents of the house heard the sound of broken glass. Umar ran up to Aisyah, surprised to see that a glass of tea was scattered on the floor. But that was not the most surprising but rather the sentence that Aisyah would say.

"Saying Ning Hilya died." Aisyah's voice trembled, she raised her hot feet. Aisyah looked down, her legs blistered but it was not the worst. The worst thing is when someone you care about has to leave you forever.