TWENTY
SIDE STORY ~ ALIF

The sky tonight is so gray, the stars are covered in clouds. The glowing moon is also not visible from down here. The dark sky accompanied the serious conversation of a family.

In the living room there is a father sitting on the sofa of his great single, while the mother sits next to a teenage boy whose physical heritage. The eighteen-year-old man looked seriously at his father's bead which was blocked by the glasses.

"You're serious about Lif rejecting Papa's offer?" ask the father with an aura of wisdom

"Serious Pa. What is the difference between studying abroad? Here too many universities are no less qualified." The argument of the child whose full name is Alif Muhammad was welcomed by his parents.

He should be proud to have parents who do not impose their will. While many children there who feel depressed because they have to obey the will of their parents. Alif's parents are very open with the opinions of their children. When he was offered to study in the kangaroo country, he refused and gave the right reasons.

"Papa means no other because you want to recognize the same parent company owned by Papa there. But if you refuse, that's okay. After all who want to learn your own, if you feel forced to be able to college you really not."

"Thank you Pa" said Alif sincerely because his father accepted his decision.

"Keep you want to major in what?" Mama Alif who had been silent spoke up.

"Management Ma. Let's align with Alif in the future to lead his company Papa."

Alif did propose himself as the successor of his family business. He was aware because he was the only hope of this family. He was the first child, and so was the man. There was no way that heavy duty would be passed down to his sister who was female. Where is still small too. He did not need to be forced, his self-awareness as his maturity attitude had already led him to choose this decision.

"good. That's Papa's son!" the father was proud of his son.

*****

As already agreed, then today an Alif Muhammad is ready with the appearance of black material pants with a white shirt to follow the ospek in his place of college. Not to forget also with a brown back bag and black shoes. 

The typical beautiful face of an Arab who declined from his mother made Alif the center of attention when he arrived. His fixed body and charismatic character make no one think twice about liking him.

But he ignored those adoring gazes and chose to go straight to the field.

"Mas Alif!" Feeling called, he stopped his steps and turned around.

A very beautiful woman with a black skirt and a white shirt attached to her body. Oh, don't forget also with the wide headscarf she always wears.

"Salmas? You went to college here?" alif asked after the woman he called Salma approached.

"Yes. Mas Alif attended college here as well. I thought to Australia." The woman with the kalem is Salma. Neighbors and friends of Alif since childhood. Their house is side by side and only bordering the fence wall. So it's appropriate that he's very close to Alif.

"Now Sal. I'm going to college here." With an eye gesture Alif invited Salma to walk together towards the field where the event began.

"What did you major in Sal?" alif continued after the silence began to greet them.

"Indonesian Education Mas. Want to pursue my ideals to be the main teacher," said Salma excitedly. Smile in Alif's face.

"Amiinu. May your goals be achieved."

"I'm guessing Mas Alif majored in economics. Right no?" Alif nodded at Salma's guess.

"Majors of Management more precisely. Let's have provisions for the future."

"Goodoo. That means from now on we must be earnest for the future. Our goals must be achieved!" The tone is just spirit. But Salma's intonation remained meek, not raising her voice.

"Yes. Yeah, we're splitting up here huh!" Salma agreed with what Alif said, and went to the area filled with children in the faculty with him.

The event also began. Some people seem to be organizing a line. Judging from their clothes, wearing alma mater suits and necklaces containing committee ID cards, making Alif sure that they are the committee for this ospek event.

Event after event was executed smoothly without any obstacles. Apparently the sky was kind enough to cover the sun with beautiful white clouds. There is no such thing as heat.

Until the event is over, all new students are allowed to go home. Of course not everyone goes home. Some are still around to see the campus, some are hanging out in some corners of the campus, some are pampering their stomachs in the canteen.

But an Alif chose to go home. His body is very tired. Events around the campus he can do sometime with his friend. What matters now is that he has to go home and rest himself.

He got on his bike and got out of the campus parking lot. But when going across the street his gaze fell on something, precisely in front of the stalls lined up across the campus. He saw a little cat in confusion on the street. He did not see anyone who would help the cat. So with his own initiative, he got off his bike to approach the little cat.

"God!" Alif immediately jerked backwards, surprised because suddenly there was a motor that drove fast and hit the cat.

Lucky the cat was not oppressed, but bounced because it had avoided even a little late. As Alif was about to approach, he saw a woman running towards the cat. Making Alif stop his steps and choose to observe from a distance.

He saw a woman with long hair unraveled, from a distance only Alif knew that the woman was very beautiful. She wears a striking pink backpacks. Contrast with the clothes he wears. Themed black and white, the same as Alif and other new students. 

Seeing her worried look carrying the little cat, even to the point of crying. Making Alif stunned for a moment. Apparently there are still people with great empathy in this day and age.

"Mas." Alif's body immediately jumped in shock when someone patted his shoulder from behind.

"Eh, sorry! I don't mean to ngagetin you anyway," Salma looked with a guilty look.

"It's okay Sal. What's the matter?"

"I saw you bengong yourself on the side of the road, so yes I am samperin. What the hell is it?" Out of curiosity, Salma followed Alif's perspective.

So did Alif, he also looked towards the cat that was hit earlier. But he did not see the poor cat anymore, nor did the woman.

"Why Mas?" ask Salma again.

"There's nothing. At least I was wrong."

"Ooh..."

"You want to go home, Sal?" The Salma motorbike parked behind Salma.

"Yes Mas. Why?"

"Yes, that's it, then." Alif returned to his bike and went home with Salma from behind.

I don't know what he was thinking, suddenly a shadow of the mysterious woman's face filled his brain. That beautiful face seemed to be on his mind. And unfortunately, from the way home to the house he was still imagined.

"Astagfireullah! What the hell do you think is Lif?" He immediately rested himself. Then choose immediately to his room to lay down for a while before the Ashar prayer at the mosque.

*****

Not felt, three years have passed. Alif has now grown into a person who is always reliable. In any discussion, it was always him who was the chairman. Smart, friendly, and handsome. Who does not know Alif? A faculty of economics must be familiar with this BEM chairman.

Until in time, now he got a turn for KKN duty. A task in which he will put into practice all the theories he can during his three years of study. The announcement of the group members also of their placement will be notified today. No need to bother walking to the mading and jostling to see the information. Simply open the phone and open the previously sent documents.

After his eyes examined from top to bottom, he saw that there was the name Salma below. Indeed, KKN's duties are cross-faculty for per group, so surely later he will meet various people with different skills.

An hour after the announcement was made, a group chat was created. There were twenty-one participants, twenty students and one faculty builder. They all chose to meet and discuss today as well, precisely later in the afternoon.

"Salma!" he cried when he saw Salma from a distance, was heading to the place they agreed on in the group.

"Eh?" Salma stopped and looked for the source of the sound. "Oh, Mas Alif apparently. Going to the discussion?"

"Yes. You too, right?"

"Hmmm. Yes, that's it with me."

Alif and Salma then go hand in hand. They both look good. One is beautiful, the other is handsome. Both of them are good personalities, also religious. Very harmonious. Instead of friends, others think they are a couple. But in fact, the shakes did not happen between the two of them.  It is only the rope of friendship.

They have arrived and met their future teammates. Salma immediately joined the other girls, while Alif began to get acquainted with the boy. Almost half an hour of waiting, there was already a lot coming.

"One, two, three, four..." Abdul, Salma's classmate started counting the members who came.

"Eighteen. Less than two," he said after finishing counting.

"Try absent first, let's know who hasn't come yet." Alif gave his opinion. And approved by all. So he reopened the names of his members and called out his names one by one.

"Rose less equal-,"

"Excuse me!" Alif's words were cut off with the arrival of two people. One man with a flat face, and another woman with a sweet smile.

Wait for.

It seems that Alif knows who that woman is. He tried to remember again. He sure as hell saw that woman.

Deg.

Alif's heart immediately pounded after knowing who the woman was. She is the woman she observed three years ago helping the stricken cat. He did not expect, finally after three years he could meet face to face with a woman who he still remembered his face even though time had long passed.

"You must be Rangga with Nala, right?" terka Salma who is possessed by Rangga, as well as Nala.

"Sorry too late! There was a bad business." Nala gave her alibi.

"Ekhm!" This coughing sound from Alif was none other than to call for the attention of all the members present. "Yes, since all the members are complete so we can start the discussion."

"First we have to make the caretaker first. Starting from the chairman, to the head per section. So, who wants to apply as chairman?" After Alif shut up, there was no more telling. They all just looked at each other to judge each other.

"Where if you were a Lif, you would have been the chairman of BEM. Must be more experienced in leading, right?" Advice from Rere, Alif's schoolmate was accepted by all.

"Yes tuh. Agree." Various sentences of approval were immediately heard.

"Then, now just make a plan of activity. So make the faculty can immediately gather and make together." After Alif said so, one by one began to look for friends in their respective faculties.

About an hour later they were all done with their plans. Just submit it to the construction lecturer for re-examination. Alif also closed the meeting, and they all said goodbye to each other and went home.

Starting from the beginning of the meeting until now it has dissolved itself, Alif from earlier could not focus. He secretly stole a glance towards Nala and then hesighfar inwardly. This strange gurgle from Alif did not go unnoticed by Salma.

"Ekhm, someone is in love at first sight." This greeting from Salma was greeted by a faint smile from Alif.

"What a look?" alif asked while scratching his non-itchy head.

"Yes, if that makes me look. Don't know the other."

"Good then." The two of them then walked together to go home.

"So how's Mas?"

"What's the matter?" Alif scrunched his forehead.

"Yes the same Nala. What do you want to be serialized? There's nothing sluggish yet."

"Now I've met Sal twice. Be lived first," said Alif.

At the parking lot, the two of them split up. Because Salma today did not bring his motorbike, but was ushered in by his papa. Because the invitation has come, so Salma immediately said to Alif to go straight home.

"Be careful on the road!"

"Yes, it's."

After Salma died, Alif went straight to his bike. But his sight caught something. Nala is in trouble with his bike. He immediately approached Nala.

"Why motor?" ask Alif after arriving next to Nala's motorbike.

"Eh, Alf. This, my bike can't be starter. It's strike."

"Here, let me try." Alif with all his power trying to turn on the engine of Nala's motor. But a few minutes had passed, no results were given.

"Udahlah Lif's. Crashing of the motor. Understand the old motor." Nala tries to take over the bike, preparing to lead him to the nearest workshop.

But Alif deftly took over again Nala's bike. Of course he wouldn't let Nala push his bike alone.

"Let me push."

"Not to Lif! No need. I can do it myself."

"Udah. It's nothing." Nala gives up and lets Alif help her.

"This is my motor key. You put it on and wait for me in the workshop. Okay?" Without waiting for Nala's approval, Alif handed over the keys to Nala. Luckily today he was carrying a matic motorbike instead of the ninja motor he used to wear.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the shop. There was also Nala who was sitting waiting while holding a bottle of cold mineral water.

"It's a drink first!" Nala handed the mineral water to Alif.

"Thank you!"

"I should have said that. Thank you for helping me" Nala said sincerely.

"Yes." Yeah."

*****

Starting from the interaction, Alif increasingly fell in love with the figure of Nala. Quietly in prostration yes he mentioned that name to be juxtaposed with him. In silence he watched Nala. His smile, his laughter, his kindness. All of this makes Alif fall in love with Nala.

Until the peak when they were together undergoing a KKN. With the various events that occur between them make Alif more confident to tether his heart to Nala and express his feelings.

Only about time. Two more years after he finishes his duties in Australia, he will return and question Nala. It was hard, but it was a deal he made with his father. Prove himself by leading the central company, then after that he can lead the branch company first.

Until the day to part came. Nala accompanied by Salma was also present to escort Alif's departure. It even makes Alif more heavy heart to leave the homeland. But there's no time to go back. Soon the plane will take off. 

"Fii amanillah Mas," said Salma praying that Alif survived to the destination.

"Amiinu. Thanks Sal." Alif's gaze was then fixed on the woman standing beside Salma. Who else if not Nala who had just been silent.

"You don't want to say what Na is?" alif asked because Nala did not say.

"Hopefully congratulations to the goal, hopefully-" Nala no longer continued her sentence. His throat felt choked. A second later, her tears shed.

"Loh, you don't cry dong Na! I want it delivered with a smile." Alif became confused himself because Nala suddenly cried.

"Me-i, hiks! Not crying! Hicks!" His mouth said so, but not with tears coming out.

Alif couldn't do much, so Salma calmed Nala down. Until the announcement of the plane about to take off is heard. Nala immediately wiped her tears violently.

"May be healthy always, facilitated all his affairs, and do not flirt the same bule there! Hitherto. You get in there!" With a single breath Nala said so. Making Salma and Alif hold their laughter.

"Yes. Yes, I am, then I am leaving! Assalamu'alaikum!" With a heavy heart Alif stepped leaving two women who occupied a separate space in his heart.

"If you have not forgotten the news!" nala shouted as Alif started to get far. And responded with a thumbs up by Alif sign agree.

*****

Not noticeably, Alif has been living in the land of kangaroos for a year. Less than half the journey again for him to return to Indonesia and meet his heart adoration. And within a year he desperately endured the longing for Nala. That longing can only be channeled through video calls. As of now, she was smiling herself in the face of Nala's chattering when reminding herself to always take care of her health.

"I don't want to know, anyway. Don't stay up tomorrow! If at home it's a break. It works quite well in the office. If you push yourself too hard later it can even hurt," said someone across there who is none other than Nala.

"Yes, I won't repeat it again."

"Yes should. Who's trying to get sick later?"

"It's the doctor, isn't it?" Nala's face on the other side turned sour.

"Isa. I am here too bothered. Repot worry about you, bother thinking about you. If so, then even my own duty will not really."

"It's beautiful, I understand."

Blushes.

Even from the screen Alif already knew that Nala's cheeks were blushing. Makes him even more anxious. Huh! Can't wait another year.

They both dissolve in conversation with various topics available. Until a knock from the door distracts them both. Understandably, when Nala called Alif was at work. As if understanding, Nala immediately ended the call and invited Alif to continue his work.

"Lake in!" alif's Word.

As soon as the door of Alif's office opened and a woman in slightly tight clothes opened on the top. The woman was quite beautiful, but the excessive makeup was somewhat making her beauty slightly decreased in Alif's eyes. He is Ashley, the secretary who has accompanied Alif for the past four months.

"Siang sir, here I submit a year-end report from the marketing division," he said, which is definitely in English.

"OKAY. Just put it on the table!" answer Alif coldly.

"okay... Emm, sir. What if I take a break,"

"I eat alone." Not too PD or how, but Alif already understood very well that his new secretary must have invited him to lunch together. 

"Oh yes one more. Don't dress too openly. I don't like it. This is my last warning before you take your foot out of this company." Don't blame Alif if it's too sniffy like this. He is tired of Ashley's behavior that often teases him. He wants a professional working relationship, not involving personal affairs in it.

"Yes sir, sorry! Tomorrow I will dress more modestly. Again I'm sorry." It was a pale look on Ashley's face to hear the no-nonsense warning from Alif. Soon he resigned before his presence in this company was threatened.

Lucky Alif holds his promise to always be loyal to Nala. So a thousand kinds of people like Ashley won't have any effect on him. He did not want to betray the trust Nala had given him.

Until the anticipated time has come. A week after his return from Australia, his wedding day was soon to be celebrated. He doesn't mind either. After all this has been prepared in advance, the sooner the better, right?

So here Alif is now. Sitting on a chair face to face with Nala's father who became the ruler. The tightly grasped hand seemed to reassure her that she would not let go of Nala after this sacred promise was uttered.

"I accept the marriage and marriage of Nala Ayu Kinanti with a dowry a set of prayer tools and 150 grams of gold paid in cash!" In one breath Alif can say Qabul smoothly.

After that he saw Nala with a wedding dress attached to her very beautiful body was walking towards her. The timidly radiant pretty face was shown by Nala when the two of them had faced each other. Alif's left hand is now above Nala's head, while his right hand looks up to recite a prayer.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ

Means: O Allah, I ask for his kindness and the good character he brings. And I took refuge from his ugliness and the ugliness of the character he brought.

The cup!

He slowly pecked Nala's forehead with full softness. Now, they have officially become a married couple. Their wait has been semourna. How they go after this. Hope for hope in order to wade through the sea in the household ark continued to be spoken in their hearts.