The Love of Habib
Chapters 23.8

Grandpa coughed as if he was going to pull out all the contents of the stomach. At first glance Aish knew that Grandpa's condition was not okay. He was very thin and his skin was pale, his cheeks that used to be somewhat filled now looked sunken and pitiful.

"Grandfather... Grandfatherbiscuts... Breathe in calmly... Don't talk anymore." Aish helps Grandpa sit on the couch.

Aish's tears could not stop flowing. He's so scared... Very afraid if Grandpa's condition gets worse. Because Grandpa's current situation gave him an illusion that he would disappear at any moment. It's very scary. Aish hates goodbye. Aish hates him a lot.

"Don't cry... Grandpa just coughs normally." Grandpa finally stopped coughing.

His pale wrinkled face smiled gently. Slowly wrinkled Grandpa's thin hands reached out to Aish's wet cheeks. Trembling she wiped the tears flowing on the pretty face of her beloved grandson.

"I'd rather you be stubborn and angry than cry, son. My heart will hurt if you keep crying." Grandpa's voice was very weak.

Seeing the sadness in those eyes, Aish bear timely nodded her head hearing what Grandpa said. She did not want Grandpa to get sicker so she hurriedly rubbed her wet face with her hijab.

"Look Grandpa, I'm not crying anymore." Aish said after feeling her face dry and not wet anymore.

In front of Grandpa she tried to smile as sweetly as possible to show that she was okay and stop crying. The smile was fake, Grandpa knew. He knows well that his dear grandson has a stubborn attitude is also strong but in fact, Aish's heart is so fragile and soft.

"Thank you." Grandfather rubbed Aish's head gently with an unseen affection in the eyes.

"How are you doing here, son?"

"Alhamdulillah. I'm saying it's good here, cake. I met a lot of good people and wonderful roommates. After moving here I'm not alone anymore because I have a lot of people who care about me so Grandpa doesn't have to worry about me." When recalling the good people who had always surrounded him here, his heart involuntarily softened and his lips naturally drew a line of smiles.

Grandpa was glad to see it. Now she has just noticed that Aish has undergone a major change. He smiled easily, his clothes were completely covered, and from the lips that used to be rude now easily mention the name of God. Come to think of it again sending Aish to this place was a good decision.

Shaking his head amusedly, he recalled the difficult days when he had just been sent to the boarding school.

"Grandfather, I don't want to lie to Grandpa. The first time I came to the boarding house I was very upset and angry. Because I don't like this place. I feel like this place doesn't suit me. This place is too strict, too many rules, too fanatical to religion, and what irritates me the most is to wear these clothes. But for a long time I became at home because it turns out people don't let me fumble on my own. They reached out to help me and led me to find out some unknown things. And what made me love this place the most was that I met my two best friends. Grandpa knew not that these two friends of mine were my former friends at school. We are from the same town and live in the same school. Funny thing is we got kicked out because of one problem. The logic is that after the quarrel we must hate each other or if not hold a grudge. But qodarullah, our hearts are not that small. Alhamdulillahot... Aish was very grateful to God because the three of us were united in a very good friendship. Because they both I don't miss home much. Grandpa doesn't know the names of my two best friends. Maybe Grandpa didn't know him because I never told Grandpa about them before. His names are Gisel and Dira. It just so happened that the two of them were in this house and were helping Umi cook in the kitchen. Later if there is free time, I'll invite Grandpa to meet them both." Talking about the things that happened in the boarding house made Aish slowly forget the sadness that had just been experienced.

Grandpa managed to distract Aish. Listening to Aish telling stories about the episodes that were passed during the boarding school sounded so pleasant in Grandpa's heart. Although this was just a piece of the story, Grandpa felt that he had also witnessed everything that happened to his beloved grandson. The funniest thing is that Aish never told him about the punishment he had in the cabin, if Habib Khalid had not told him last night, then maybe he would not have known anything.

"It's amazing, Grandpa's granddaughter is now an adult and has many friends. Grandpa was happy to hear it. By the way have you ever been punished during your stay at the boarding school?" Grandpa asked.

Aish was immediately asked about the punishment. Feeling guilty he turned his face looking the other way, "I... Never been punished. Why was Aish punished? Aish where dare to make mistakes here because different boarding schools in the city first." Answer lies.

Duh, this is embarrassing. He didn't want to tell me about his silly past in the boarding house. He thinks Grandpa should know the good and not the bad.

"Thank God, Grandpa thinks you're causing a lot of trouble here. Hence Grandpa asked," Then his focus shifted to lamenting the little finger on Aish's left hand. It was a ring... His eyes instantly narrowed as this ring was somewhat familiar. But he hesitated to ever see where. Thinking, Grandfather tried to search in his memory could it be that he had seen this ring somewhere - oh, he immediately remembered it!

"5 years ago this ring did not fit, and after 5 years passed this ring is also still not fit for you. Exactly what used to be great and what is now small." Grandpa chuckled.

Habib Khalid came to bring this ring to Aish. Unfortunately at that time Aish's fingers were still small so that the ring was oversized. Being too big, habib Khalid decided to bring her back and promised to give Aish a few more years when their covenant time came.

Aish surprised. It means Grandpa must know who gave this ring to him.

"Grandfather knows?"

Grandfather nodded slowly, "This ring is a gift from Habib Thalib. Grandpa already knows. What about Aish? Is he a good man and a concern for Aish?" And Grandfather knew that most of the punishment Aish had endured in the boarding school was the punishment of Habib Khalid. How did Grandpa know?