The Golden Voice
TRUST 01

My name is Thaha Assegaf. I am a final semester student at the boarding school student ittib’ in my city, Surakarta City. I am also the only son of the owner of the boarding school. Although my last name is Assegaf, me and my own family are not of the Assegaf. My father gave my last name to Assegaf because he was very amazed by the genealogy of the Arab clan. Also, there is a huge prayer and hope in it.

Today, the first day of the new semester begins. As usual, I started walking into the cottage area and found many students who were less competent. Seen not serious in studying religion and often seen “menggampangkan”.

“Shame”

“Not worth to emulate”

I kept walking past them and gave a lot of blasphemy in my heart, “astaghfirullaah”, my mind to start resuscitating my heart again.

Many students prefer to talk and joke than study and read books, as if they are already good at it so that they do not repeat back what they have learned or at least read the Qur’an to add to the reward.

I admit, I myself am a son of kiai who is very serious with education and religious sciences. I put aside what it's called having fun and hanging out with other people. My daily life is just to keep learning and learning.

But one day my life suddenly started to change.

******

My father, called me to his residence in the cottage.

“Thaha, your desire to be a preacher is still firmly residing in your heart?”, asked Kiai who is none other than KH. Ahmad Husayn. Father as well as the owner of the cottage.

I was a little surprised and replied, “I mean?”

“From now on, your desire to become a preacher will be able to run”

For a moment, I thought. Dad was calm again in his seat with my mother. It's true, from the beginning I wanted to be a preacher. But, for some reason I was suddenly stuck in tahfidz for four years running. I was always frustrated thinking about it. But, I have also been serious about studying hard in my tahfidz major.

“Isn't it too late, dad. Where can I change majors dakwah?”, I replied briefly.

“Really, but you don't need to change majors. If you can take advantage of this past year to learn to preach, of course, your own father does not feel worried. Because, you yourself are an exemplary and very intelligent student in your tahfidz major. Dad is very proud of you”

I could only look at my mother. Mother nodded once with certainty.

“Actually, what do I want to plan?”, I just started investigating.

“Ahaha.”, he also laughed briefly. Finally, father explained in great detail.

Kiai Abdul Ghani, a senior lecturer who teaches tafsir al-Qur’an, is very ill and has to be hospitalized for some time. Kiai Ahmad Husain intended to ask me to replace him while giving me the opportunity to learn to preach.

Although, in my heart I was very happy. But, on the other hand I have no experience at all about preaching, which is to convey the science of religion in public. My confidence is very high and I can always help my fellow students in solving problems at their assignments. In fact, it can provide answers to their ignorance. But, if it has to be in public, can I? This is a great trust and responsibility.

“So, how?”, ask dad.

“Daddy, isn't this really very sudden? I cannot and will not be able to do it. Preaching is a very big responsibility”

“Do not think about it too seriously. Perhaps, the word preach sounds scary but father will replace it with the word teach. Maybe, it could make it easier for you?”

I slightly squinted my lips, “Iya anyway indeed true”, my mind.

“You can start by teaching students santri and santriwati second semester. With the stage of teaching, God will add knowledge and bless all your noble efforts so that if Allah wills you will be able to become a preacher

“Maybe, with the title of teaching I can slightly accept that trust. After all, it was I did for a second semester student who was none other than my own age”, my inner self.

“This is the material and schedule you started teaching in class”

Kiai Ahmad Husain gave me some books and files on the schedule to teach Abdul Ghani. I started to open the schedule. In one week the schedule is full because it must teach in all majors but in one day it is not too draining time, only 2-3 hours.

*****

“Gus Thaha, want Bude to get you something to eat?”, asked Bude Samiah.

“Njih, Bude” mango, I replied.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roso accompanied me and was curious about what I was carrying. Meanwhile, Bude Samiah went back to the kitchen to get me some food.

“See-look. That's Gus Thaha, Pak Kiai's son. Duh handsome really he”

Three santriwati were in the kitchen and peeked out from behind the hijab or kitchen curtain that dangled long as a barrier. The lodge only has one central kitchen with the left side for students to eat santri and the right side for students to eat santriwati. Of course, the space is limited by a glass wall covered with gordyn.

“Owalah Gus-gus, your idol is growing just”, said Pakde laughed amusedly.

“I am not interested in that kind of pakde”, I replied cynically.

“Emang yes. Wong handsome kui must be cocky”, reply Pakde disturb.

“Pakde, don't bother me. I am again serious with my task now”

“Owalah, if Gus Thaha again gets what task?”

“This Pakde, ngajar” duty

“Walah, how can you? Gus Thaha is still a student how can I teach?”

“This is Pakde's trust. So, I should be able to run it”

“Amanah? Trust from whom?”

“From Kiai Ahmad Husain”

“Walah? Tumben Father Kiai asked Gus Thaha to teach? Not Gus Thaha from tahfidz?”

“The story is long Pakde”

“Long length kayak bean long aja”

Bude Samiah came to bring me a tray of food and drink and interjected, “Gus Thaha like the lecturers who taught in that class?”, he asked.

“Masyaallah, great for us this buk”, replied Pakde Roso.

“Who was, Gus Thaha kiai's son. Definitely yes have to dare”, continued Bude.

My fingers were getting irritated and I was already disturbed. I most dislike being among people who love to talk and chat with each other is endless.

Moreover, behind the glass wall began many santriwati kemayu who saw me from there. Seeing the many pairs of eyes starting to notice me, I immediately stood up.

“Greek!”, the sound of the chair I pushed back on purpose. Makes bude and Pakde shocked.

“Basic women who cannot keep their eyes on. I became not tasteful to eat”, my grumbling indifferently and went away leaving the place without saying goodbye.

I walked and kept walking to calm my mind. One thing about my bad nature is that it gets irritable and emotions come up in my heart. I know it's bad, but that's still my weakness.

On my way, I sneaked I heard someone teach me. More precisely, reciting ayat al qur’an like a hafidz. Sounds very sweet. But, uh,

“Voice? Like a girl?"