THE SMILE OF THE MOON
Emi finally picked up the sheet of paper stuck in the twig of the bidara tree..

After feeling that the atmosphere had started to be safe, Alfian slowly got up and turned his head towards the window. He sighed short. He saw that the girl was already far from his sight. He leaned weakly. Again, this time the attempt failed. The girl will never know who she is and what she wants.

He was disappointed, very disappointed with two desires that were like fighting in his soul. Desire to show up and stay hidden. As he tried to expose his face from behind the window, the shadow about the frightened facial expression of the girl more strongly pulled his body to remain hidden. He pulled his hair rough. He hates himself. He hated his current situation.

Alfian's body was shed on the floor. Slowly he laid down his weak body. He felt he did not have the energy to go home, or just walk his feet. He would remain there while waiting for the girl to come home before the zuhr later.

* * *

"My children, I think quite first our lesson today. And I think this is our last meeting. Mother is old, mother's breath is starting to melt. You guys think you can replace the mother teaching here. You are good qori'ah candidates. Just be trained what I taught you." Said a middle-aged woman to all the santri in front of her.

All were silent as they waited for the middle-aged woman to continue her conversation.

"I have spoken to the head of the cottage regarding my resignation. Regarding my replacement, I have already recommended Emi and Nurhalimah. Remember, you can't refuse. You two are the hope of mother to preserve the art of reading the Qur'an in this pesantren. Practice your knowledge and be of benefit to others. I think quite so, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wa barakatuh."

The santri answered. Emi and Nurhalimah who are named can only look at each other, do not believe if they are both appointed ustazah.

"Cie, Cie Bu Ustazah Emi and Ustazah Nurhalimah," led other santri-santri to both. They both can only smile.

A man in white approached the two.

"Well Mr. Ustadz," the two replied in unison. Emi and all the students then say goodbye and go home.

The air feels hot. The sun is still in power up there without the slightest cloud visible around it. The clouds look to be moving from the west. Maybe soon the cloud will soon reach the sky of the village. Emi began to hurry, she had to arrive home as soon as possible before the rain actually fell.

Emi stopped her steps as soon as she got near the old building. The atmosphere above the building looked as quiet as ever. There were no suspicious sounds from up there. Really lonely. Perhaps the figure he saw yesterday was just the shadow of a torn sack that covered half of the upstairs window. Emi sighed, she saw a piece of paper with neat writing between the branches of the bidara tree beside her standing. Just plain paper, but his striking and good form of writing in his opinion, made him interested in taking it.

Emi took it carefully, afraid that the sheet of paper was torn by the spines of the branches of the bidara tree. He folded it and put it in the fold of the book he was carrying. Then he continued his journey.

Achan's voice rang out awakening Alfian from his long slumber. He was so shocked that he realized the surrounding atmosphere was already dark. Alfian got up and looked at the window. "What a prayer is this" he murmured. After paying close attention to the surrounding, he made sure that the azan he heard was the azan maghrib. Hurriedly he took the support of his legs and rushed down the stairs.

Arriving at home, Alfian had seen his mother sitting at a long table in front of the house. Since then his mother has been pacing around looking for him. Seeing Alfian standing before him, he immediately got up and hugged Alfian's body.

"Where have you been, son, I've been looking everywhere. I'm so scared to lose you, son."

Alfian took off his mother's embrace. The tears that flowed down his mother's cheeks.

"I'm sorry Alfian Bu, Alfian was asleep at a friend's house. Alfian promised not to make Mom wait anymore. Come on, Alfian help me inside." Alfian grabbed his mother's hand and invited her inside.