USTADZ
65. Hope

The days of Shahla passed as usual after the departure of Ustadz Amar. He went to college with Anggika, went back to college with Anggika, sometimes also stopped by for a moment at the cafe to just drink coffee and eat cake. One thing that is different from all that is of course the absence of Ustadz Amar, who is usually always with him everywhere.

"Well.." Syahla breathed a long breath, making Anggika who was watching television next to her furrow her eyebrows.

"Why the hell, La?"

"Mas Amar hasn't chatted me since eight hours ago" she complained as she looked at her phone. "Tuh, right? My chat is not read Nggi,"

"Busy times," Anggika's response was relaxed. "Partially yes, the Jakarta-American time difference is 12 hours by itself, if now here at 3 pm, there is still 4 am,"

Shahla pursed her lips. "Yes but, usually Mas Amar has chatted me when I wake up."

"Here you are, be patient, only eight hours doang right? Just relax first, uh guy I call, I pick up first yes," Anggika said with a beaming face, then just left Syahla.

After Anggika left, Syahla increasingly made languish. Because, since Anggika dated a senior brother on campus, Syahla became increasingly lonely. Especially if he was looking at Anggika who called her boyfriend while laughing like now, he became envious and sad.

While engrossed in excitement, his phone suddenly roared loudly. Syahla hurriedly grabbed the flat object and was wide-eyed to see who was calling. It was Ustadz Amar.

"Darling!" Shahla greeted her husband cheerfully. "Just woke up, huh?"

"Yes dear," Ustadz Amar rubbed his eyes that were still half closed. Her hair looks messy. "Yesterday was tired of the research,"

"Oh that," Shahla felt pity. "My dear has eaten?"

Ustadz Amar smiled happily at his call that turned into 'my dear'. "Not yet my dear, just woke up.."

"Oh yes, yes.." Syahla patted her own forehead.

Indeed, since they separated two months ago, Syahla has increasingly actively shown her love for her husband. She used to feel ashamed that Ustadz Amar called her 'honey', but after her husband's departure, Syahla now often calls Ustadz Amar 'my dear' or 'my love'. Sometimes Syahla also mentioned it in front of Anggika, making her best friend shudder amused whenever she heard it.

"Well, you're going home from college?" tanya Ustadz Amar who now seemed to get out of bed and drink water.

"Today, today the house is full, twelve o'clock is done." Syahla leaned her phone on a flower vase on the dining table so that both hands could be free to peel apples. "Do you want apples?"

"You, bribe here" Ustadz Amar opened his mouth asking to be fed. Syahla responded by pointing a piece of apple at the phone screen, as if to feed it to her husband.

"Geek!" tejek Anggika who saw the event. Looks like he just finished calling.

"What the hell?" Shahla was both annoyed and ashamed. "There's a mutual affection for your own girlfriend!"

"Yes, I'd like to see a girlfriend, wlee.." Anggika stuck out her tongue while walking hurriedly towards her room. Not until five minutes, the girl had already come out again with a different appearance.

"Eh, uh, where are you going?" ask Syahla wonder.

"Meet my girlfriend! Do you dare to live alone? Hye!" said Anggika while waving his hands. Syahla replied with a wry smile.

"When can we see you again?" shahla's face turned lethargic again.

"Sabar ya dear, Mas will try to finish Mas's study quickly, so Mas can quickly return to Indonesia. The patient one?"

"You pray, keep tadarus waiting for dawn, end of dawn maybe jog daft, continue breakfast and leave for campus. My darling has eaten, right?"

"Udah," Shahla nodded her head, then her forehead frowned realizing something. "Don't you know Mas, jog everything?"

"Well, why?" Ustadz Amar pulled his hair back. "You'll be healthy, baby,"

"No need to spread the charm there," Shahla pouted. "Very well if you catch another girl,"

"Astaghfirullahalazim" Ustadz Amar massaged his own chest. "No way dear, where is there a woman in this world more beautiful than you?"

"It's a dreadlocks," Shahla turned her face away, to cover her red cheeks. "If that's not going to go on dong, tell me every time,"

"Yes.." Ustadz Amar smiled softly. "Oh yeah, actually, two days ahead of his professor Mas wants to take a camper. Up the hill. So maybe for two days tomorrow Mas can not chat or phone you first. No papa, right?"

"Well, but tomorrow it's ul—" Syahla stopped her own words and shook her head, then she smiled. "Yes, that's okay,"

"really? You're not angry, are you, baby?"

"No, no anger" Syahla showed her sweetest smile, making Ustadz Amar smile with relief.

"I love you baby,"

"Love you too" she replied with a bitter smile, then the phone closed.

After the phone ended, Syahla could feel the nuances of her house become silent instantly because there was no sound at all. Listening, the girl then dropped her head on the table.

"Tomorrow is my birthday,"

...----------------...

"Happy birthday Syahla!" Anggika screamed frenziedly while carrying a birthday cake. Currently Syahla and Anggika are sitting together in the cafe, and Anggika is preparing the surprise to surprise Syahla.

"Oh My God," Shahla smiled widely. "Thank you so much for my birthday,"

"Yes.. How could I possibly forget my own bestie birthday? Okay, now, blow out the candles. Uh, before that, make a wish first," Anggika said enthusiastically. Shahla just obeyed what her best friend ordered. He closed his eyes for a moment before blowing out the candle, praying.

...O Allah, may Mas Amar be present on my birthday at this time. ...

Shahla knew it was a silly request, but what harm did it do to pray? After making that wish, he blew out his candle slowly.

After the flame on the twenty-figure candle was extinguished, Syahla could suddenly hear the sound of the footsteps of someone behind her. Anggika's bright smile that seemed to see someone made Syahla curious, as well as pounding. Could it be that his request was immediately granted?

Looking back, Syahla could see a man in neat clothes walking towards them with a large bouquet of flowers.

Shahla's eyes widened for a moment as the figure got closer to them. The figure then gave the bouquet of flowers that he brought to Syahla with a big smile.

"Happy birthday, Syahla.."