Tiba Khitbah
Questioning the Heart

Alex's question again disturbs Zahra's heart. Yes, because Zahra is from Minangkabau and his family uses the Minang custom which regulates the handling of Zahra and Ustadz Fahri, the, then the party who cancels the engagement must pay double the engagement dowry that has been given.

'Ummi said that if ustadz Fahri gave me a diamond ring worth a house to tie me up, and if I cancel my relationship with that man then I have to pay for two houses, ' Zahra's inner self.

Zahra thought long, how could he return that much dowry, while the money he had could only last a month.

"Ara, give up on your parents and talk carefully, explain that you don't want to marry that man" Alex said.

"How will I speak well to both of my parents while Ummi has said that this relationship can be reconsidered if I have a prospective husband of my choice who I invite to the house."

"Zahra, if that's the case then take your chosen man home and introduce him to your parents" Alex said, giving Zahra a wonderful suggestion that she considered her younger brother.

"Mas, are you insulting me?"

"Dignores? What do you mean, Ara?"

"Didn't you really know that there is no man close to me but you, then who will I introduce to Ummi and Abi when I myself do not have anyone as my candidate."

Zahra turned her face away from Alex, she felt really with the man. Alex says impossible things that Zahra herself does not know the answer to. If Zahra were to know who the man who became his match, then he would probably stick his head while dragging his hand to immediately meet the parents and propose to Zahra as soon as possible. However, whatever the power of Zahra, she is only a woman and a creature of God who lives according to His destiny and decree.

"I can't possibly take you to my house when you're always avoiding my parents" Zahra said quietly but could still be heard by Alex.

If he could choose, Zahra also did not want to be in this position, nor did he want to be a spinster as the people insulted him, but what is the power of Zahra as an ordinary human being, he said, because he can't act as he wants.

It seemed that Zahra's efforts were more than enough, wooing God in the third of the night while crying and moaning until tears washed down his alphabet. Zahra also tried not to limit his association, he became acquainted and never refused if any man was introduced to him, but what is his power because the case of sustenance, death and soul mate became the secret of God. No one knows when it comes and no one can guarantee if the soul mate first comes to him. If death had taken him first, Zahra could have done nothing because her life was not her own.

"Zahra, Ara, why daydream, Dek?" said Alex who woke Zahra from her daydream.

"Just calm down, Mom, I'll try hard to find money to return the dowry that has been given. I will also make more money to live independently without the shadow of my parents" Zahra said in a weak tone of voice without confidence with a bowed face.

"Ara, if that's your decision then try to take responsibility for what you do!"

Alex turned his back, walking towards the sofa beside Zahra's bed. He sat down with a long sigh with a blank look, staring at the glass mirror with a lethargic face filled with a million thoughts.

"Mas, what are you really thinking? Can you see me suffering like this? Are you happy to see me married to another man?"

"Mas, why are you quiet? Are you happy to see me married to a man I don't love?"

With a high tone of voice and bulging eyes, Zahra stared and challenged Alex. However, the man did not dare to look into Zahra's eyes, he turned his gaze away as if he did not want to answer the girl's question.

"Zahra, as an older brother of course Mas will feel very happy and happy if the younger brother who is very dear Mas married to a man who is very good in his religious knowledge."

"Okay, Mas, if that's what makes Mas happy then I will marry that man, now Mas please leave here because I want to rest!"

Zahra raised her right hand, then pointed towards the door, asking Alex to leave her room because she did not want to see him here.

For some reason, Zahra did not like if Alex told her to marry someone else, let alone say that he was happy with what Zahra was experiencing without the slightest empathy for him.

"Ara, you're really immature, you're kind of like a Kindergarten kid!" alex said as he turned his back on Zahra.

With a slow step, Zahra saw Alex step away leaving her with a face that looked flat and expressionless to the point of making Zahra even more annoyed at him.

How could a man not understand the feelings of a woman, he left Zahra's room without looking at her even a little, but Zahra did not really want to be abandoned by Alex.

Zahra doesn't like to be alone and she doesn't want to be alone, she needs someone else to be with her, she needs someone who looks after her and listens to her complaints, but as a woman of course Zahra takes care of her prestige, what women say has many meanings. Yes, if Zahra kicked Alex out then that means she wants him to stay here with her to accompany her and take care of her.

"Alex, where are you going? hurry back!" said Zahra with a high and loud tone of voice.

As if not listening, Alex kept walking away from Zahra, even speeding up his footsteps as if the person Zahra was calling him was not himself.

"ALEX, ASSHOLE, don't leave me!"

Zahri's emotions peaked, he was angry and it felt like the woman was going after Alex at this time, not to hold him back but to pin his head on having ignored Zahra.

"Based on men who have no pity, very evil!"

With a vibrating tone of voice, a chest that felt narrow like a mountain that would spit out its larvae, finally tears fell and flowed down Zahra's cheeks, he finally roared as ever. Yes, those tears were not only because of Alex's abandonment but were already mixed with a million of anger and sadness that had peaked and had long been endured in his chest.