When Hamzah Met Alifa
Naw

That afternoon in one of the mansions in an elite housing complex, there seemed to be something different than usual. In the afternoon, which was usually quiet as uninhabited, now the sound of the chanting of Quran verses from a woman.

The woman was so serious in reading the Quran despite appearing fatigued. While a man who looks the same age as him sits in front of the woman.

The man's gaze was bowed to the attention of every verse read by the woman. 

From the beginning of the meeting Hamzah did try as much as possible not to look at Alifa. He tried to keep his head down, even though in his heart there was a temptation to glance at the beautiful face of an Alifa.

"Sorry, Alifa," said Hamzah pausing his reading of Alifa. Then he pointed to a word that the woman had just read. "This is mad thabi'i meeting with hamzah. So the law of reading mad must muttasil, must be extended five harakat."

Alifa clucked as well as sighed faintly. Then he stared cynically at Hamzah.

"Yes I know too. Don't be smart," said Alifa, who continued reading.

While Hamzah took a deep breath, trying to patiently face the attitude of a jutek from an Alifa.

Until I feel like teaching time is over. Hamzah was relieved to finally be free with a woman.

Similarly, Alifa is equally relieved because the teaching session has ended. 

Just as the two of them were packing, Haida walked over with a smile as she looked at Alifa and Hamzah in turn.

"Have you finished teaching him?" ask Haida for pleasantries. "Then we eat yuk."

"OK, Oma. It just so happens that Alifa is hungry too" said Alifa, holding her stomach. 

He grabs Haida's hand and leads her to the dining room. However, Haida held alifa's hand with a straight-looking eye on Hamzah.

"Mas Hamzah also went yuk?" invite Haida to make Alifa jerk in shock until glaring at the eyes.

"What?" exclaiming Alifa pointed at Hamzah with a cynical look in her eyes. "Would you invite him to eat with us?"

"Yes dong. Would you, Mas Hamzah?"

Hamzah smiled then shook his head slowly. He knew that his presence was not favored by Alifa so he intended not to join the meal together.

"I should just go home, Oma Haida. Will soon enter Maghrib prayer time."

"If it's easy. Mas Hamzah just pray here. Let us all pray together and Mas Hamzah who became the priest."

"What?" yelled Alifa once again did not accept the offer of the grandmother. "But, Oma…"

"Shhtt, Alifa, shut up!" snapped Haida glanced sharply at Alifa. Then look at Hamzah warmly. "Hows it? Want huh? Pamali is desperate for sustenance."

Hamzah seemed confused to have to accept Haida's offer or should just leave. He scratched his head which was not actually itching.

Only Hamzah had opened his mouth to speak, Haida had already pulled Hamzah's hand and brought him into the house.

Right then I heard the voice of Adzan Maghrib. Hamzah who did not want to delay the Maghrib prayer because of his very short time, finally accepted Haida's invitation.

They prayed with Hamzah as a priest. At first, Alifa did not want to come along but Haida forced her.

After that, they had dinner together. Joseph took his seat beside Hamzah. The young man scooped up the rice that was still pumping warm steam into the plate until it was mountainous.

So that the remaining seats are only chairs directly opposite Hamzah. Alifa sighed when she dropped her butt on the chair because automatically Hamzah and Alifa's views would meet during the meal together. 

Alifa stared cynically at the young man who had first entered her house but was able to steal the attention of the oma. Alifa confronted Hamzah intensely and probingly with a wondering mind.

While Hamzah had been trying to chat with Joseph so that his views could be diverted from Alifa.

The two of them exchanged stories with Haida. The woman, who has two grandchildren, also occasionally asked about the Hamzah family.

In contrast to Alifa who chose to stay without intending to ask Hamzah anything.

"Oma is very happy because our family has not been like this for a long time. Praying together, eating together while chatting," said Haida expressed her feelings on the sidelines of the meal. Then Haida looked at Hamzah and smiled. "Mas Hamzah must also miss this kind of atmosphere right?"

Hamzah returned Haida's smile and nodded in agreement. "Yes, right, Oma Haida. Especially when I am alone. Far from the old man. Oh yes, if you may know, the parents of Joseph and Alifa are still there?"

Suddenly everyone in the room was silent. So did the movement of their hands. Makes Hamzah stunned and surprised. 

Did his words offend Haida's family? thought Hamzah.

Then suddenly Alifa slammed the spoon into the plate very hard. The woman immediately stood up with a gaze full of anger drifting towards Hamzah.

"Can you, do not need to share the privacy of others? It's not polite to know," Alifa snapped at Hamzah.

"Alifa," cried Haida intending to reprimand her first grandchild.

But Alifa who actually did not like Hamzah chose to leave the room without having to spend her food. He just ignored the screams of Haida calling his name.

Instead, Alifa accelerated her footsteps up the stairs and finally entered the room by slamming the door very hard.

Hamzah was further astonished by Alifa's attitude. He stroked his chest while shaking his head.

One important lesson Hamzah learned from Alifa: beautiful faces do not necessarily reflect beautiful morals.

"Excuse Alifa yes, Mas Hamzah," Haida said with a soft look. 

Haida's blank gaze looked at the dishes arranged on the table. It seemed that the woman was repeating past recordings stored in the mind.

"Alifa's parents had long since divorced. From then on, Alifa became sensitive when asked about her parents."

Hamzah nodded his head slowly. "I'm sorry, Oma Haida. If my words offended Alifa."

Haida pulled the tip of her lips into a smile. "Absolutely not, Mas Hamzah. It's only natural that Mas Hamzah wondered about Mas Hamzah's own future-in-law."

Immediately Hamzah rounded his eyes perfectly upon hearing Haida's words. He turned his head quickly towards Haida who was still maintaining her smile.

Hamzah's forehead shriveled in confusion. But not for long, Hamzah laughed loosely while shaking his head.

"Oma Haida this could have been her prank."

Joseph, who was still sitting with Haida and Hamzah, spoke up. "Oma's not kidding, Mom. Mas Hamzah would not if the same marriage Sister Alifa?"

"What?"