The Journey of Love Habibah..
Ta'aruf

Two days later, Nelly visited Habibah's house. At first he only had a light conversation with Habibah while helping Habibah who was busy making customer order cakes. Then she timidly asked Habibah about Ricky. Habibahpun finally realized the real purpose of Nelly came to see him was actually to find information about Ricky.

" Don't be ashamed of Nel, it's your right to know who you're going to be with. I knew him when I was in High School. She was my only closest friend and almost my only friend at school. He's a good man, he's humorous, he's loyal and loving. If in a friend he can be like that, it is almost certain he will also be like that in his partner can even be more. Nelly. The good looks of a person's face there is a time when his good looks will fade due to age. But the good looks of his heart will still not fade, can even be more handsome in the future. I just want to introduce him, about you later will like it or not, want or not the same Ricky is your full right. No one will be able to disturb that. So you think slowly. If you are ready to meet, you can only tell the Shafi'i mas so that later Ricky will also be told when it is time for you to meet. Later me and brother Muti' will be with you. So don't worry." said Habibah at length while holding both hands Nelly.

" Was my sister like that?" asked Nelly innocently.

" I'm sorry I wasn't that way. I leave it all to my family. I never dared to say what my heart was to my family for fear of hurting or disappointing them. But in the end, it is you who is hurt. For this reason, I do not want you to experience something similar to me. That's why I want you to slowly think about it, don't rush." said Habibah softly.

"Emm.. sister, what is she....mm handsome..?" asked Nelly hesitated.

" When it's about that, you don't have to worry. He's handsome." Habibah answered while pinching the two cheeks of Nelly. At once Nelly's face was also blushed with embarrassment. Habibah just smiled looking at Nelly who lowered her face because she held back the embarrassment.

Three days later, Ricky came to Habibah's house. Because it turns out Ricky has been told by the Shafi'i to come to his house to meet with Nelly. Habibahpun immediately told Muti'ah to accompany him to the house of Shafi'i. Finally they went to the house of Shafi'i who did not forget to be escorted by Ridho's husband Muti'ah. And his children certainly do not miss, they become adorable escorts. Arriving at the house of Shafi'i, they were greeted by Syafi'i and also Ainun his wife. Their welcome was really warm, only Nelly was invisible there. Without realizing Ricky was very curious about the figure of Nelly until his eyes unconsciously look for his existence. Because he only saw his picture given by Syafi'i. Habibah who realizes Ricky's behavior can only beat to remind Ricky. Ricky who realized the meaning of Habibahpun finally bowed embarrassed.

"So soon, I'll call her Nelly.." Shafi'i immediately called Nelly as soon as he realized the codes given by his guest. Not long after, finally the person who was waiting came too. With a downcast face of shame, Nelly walked up to Ainun's sister-in-law and sat down beside her.

" Well Rick, this is our sister Nelly. and Nelly's my best friend Ricky. His parents cannot be here because they are in another city and will have difficulty if they have to come. So while we were with him. And for Ricky, Nelly no longer has parents so his family is Shafi'i brother. Please mas.." said Habibah opened the meeting and allowed the Shafi'i to talk.

" Ricky's brother is my only sister. He is now 20 years old .She's just an innocent girl who doesn't really know the outside world. My sister's daily life is only at home and even if she goes out of the house maybe only to Habibah's house. People say my sister is kuper, because the scope of the association is only around here. But I tried to educate her to be a good woman, I educated her so that later if she married could be a good wife for her husband as well as an exemplary mother for her children. We did not equip him with property, we only provided him with a little knowledge. If brother Ricky doesn't mind my brother's situation, then please brother Ricky see my brother's face.."

Ricky never felt the shame he was in right now, for some reason he suddenly felt nervous and embarrassed to see Nelly. Maybe because of his different way of meeting than usual he met the girls he had met. Currently he meets with Nelly with a different Susana, even they meet with accompanied by their respective relatives. Both nervous and embarrassed, Ricky and Nelly looked at each other's faces. Ricky and Nelly are both stunned.

It turns out she is beautiful too, although not as beautiful and as cute as Habibah. Damnit.. Why at times like this should be compared to Habibah siech.. Ricky immediately lowered his face. She was really embarrassed, she was ashamed of herself. Because it turns out that at such a time he still can not get rid of the name Habibah from his heart, until unconsciously comparing Nelly with Habibah.

Waahs.. Masya Allah is right said brother Habibah, he is handsome and sweet.

" So how? Brother Ricky? Is brother Ricky willing to accept my brother's situation or not..?" Shafi'i suddenly disperse the daydream of Ricky who began to drift.

" Ehm.. I don't mind it at all, and I'm willing to continue this ta'aruf into the next phase" Ricky said earnestly. In his heart he also tried to convince himself that this might be the best for him. Because he will not be able to be with Habibah. He hopes that with Nelly, he can forget his feelings that have been on Habibah.

It's okay that even if we're just going to be friends and relatives here, that's more than enough for me..

" What about you, Nelly?" shafi'i asked his beloved sister.

" Nelly follow the word mas aja, if you approve then Nelly willing." said Nelly slowly. He was embarrassed to say all of that. But he was relieved after saying it.

"Alhamdulillah.." ridho, Muti'ah, Habibah and Shafi'i are heard almost simultaneously saying that sentence.

" May the future be waged all his affairs, aamiin.." said Ridho amid the atmosphere that began to melt, because the atmosphere was very serious. Now everyone was relieved by the answer of the two who were willing to continue to the next stage.

After talking for a long time, finally Habibah, Muti'ah, Ridho and Ricky finally resigned .

Along his way back to work, Ricky continues to reflect on his decision to continue his ta'aruf with Nelly to the next stage. Is my decision right? Can I love him as much as I love Habibah? How can that name continue to exist in my heart and life, while it belongs to someone else? God.Make my heart truly love Nelly with all my heart if it is true that she will be my soul mate. But do not match me with Nelly, if later I can not love him with all my heart. Because I don't want to hurt her heart..

***

why am I deg-degan ya🤭🤭