This morning a drizzle suddenly appeared preventing me from going to the office. But I don't care about any of that, for a mountain of work awaits the touch of my skillful hand.
I walked slowly towards the office down the path that was wet by the rain last night. In addition, the drizzle this morning was enough to create puddles of water on either side of the road I was passing. My clothes are a bit wet as well as my shoes are a bit dirty because the puddles make the ground muddy. Bored is probably a better word to describe the feeling in my heart right now.
The daily routine began to make my life like being chased by thousands of ants and poisonous snakes. Good thing my head didn't explode and it's strong enough to hold a bunch of tasks that need to be completed in the near future.
Shabby old buildings lined the right side of the road as if greeting me arrogantly. Because his height exceeds my height which is only one hundred and sixty centimeters. I can't stop staring at the road in front of me and greeting the people I know who pass in front of me. The distance is about five minutes from my house to the office, because the location between my office and my house is not too far. Finally I arrived at the office which was already getting crowded with employees working.
Incidentally, today is Wednesday, the office work is not much because there is a weekly meeting to discuss the problems encountered while on duty and evaluate the performance of each section.
Ten thirty came, I got ready for the weekly meeting, almost two hours I waited but the meeting never started. It turned out that there was a coordination meeting between the leaders in the office where I worked.
Finally, I use it to relax for a moment while starting to write this word for word as a scribble of my life history. At least I want to fill every void with positive things. As explained in the verse of the Qur'an that humans are really losers in this world. Except those who believe, do righteous deeds, advise one another with truth and patience. I'm just trying my best not to be a loser in this world.
Suddenly I heard my cell phone ringing.
Tring......!!!
Messages from my cellphone came in, then I opened who the sender was and what was in it
"Assalamualaikum LOVE
Does my miss you still with you?
Waiting for me to come cheerfully
To serve your favorite black coffee
Bring me a plate of steamed brownies
And sweet fried bananas
As sweet and beautiful as our imagination
When imagining that
I really want to make it happen
Sitting next to you while talking
Can laugh and smile together
Like a child of the universe never sad
Assalamualaikum Love
This afternoon my love message on mobile
I see two blue ticks
Apparently you have read it
After a few hours tick one
Assalamualaikum Love
Sorry if this message bothers you
Because my longing is forcing my fingers
Delivering something from my soul
So that you know that this longing is not dead
Still neatly stored in the heart
I'm sorry love
When yesterday's nights
I can't do anything, because
My workload seems to overwhelm me
Taking up my communication time
Reduce my sweet lumps
Greet you convey longing
Joking in the virtual world
Assalamualaikum Love
I hope tonight is not an illusion
So that we can share dreams
Even if it's just hope
Even if you just want
It turned out that from him, he was the one who had disappeared for a long time, and almost two windu had not met him, he was the one who filled my days with love, as if this longing still lingered. Like a wound, it may be dry but there is still a scar that sometimes peels off and eventually opens again due to a hard object or touch.
I don't know what he meant by sending the poem I once gave him to my cell phone.
Leo: Assalamualaikum how are you
Dinda?
Dinda: Waalaikumsalam Alhamdulillah
I'm always healthy.
Leo: What's wrong? How come you're online
usually busy.
Dinda: It's fun to tease you.
Leo: The poetry is really good, Dinda,
I like it so much.
Dinda: Ah, it's normal, isn't it the king of poetry?
you, i'm fine
what.
Leo: 😂😂😂..wkwkwkwkwk.
Dinda: Why are you laughing, there is something funny
yes?
Leo: It's okay, I'm so touched
Dinda: Hmmm..... usually the mode
Leo: I don't know....
Dinda and I just kept texting, and it turned out, it was true that age didn't change my relationship with Dinda. Even though I am now four-headed, the love of our youth still lingers in the hearts of both of us.
I can imagine those times when I was with him. When we meet often, our closeness seems like there is no distance.
I seemed to fly to another world with Dinda.
His face is so clear that my body is starting to look a bit chubby, maybe it's no longer attractive when I meet him. Or maybe he doesn't even remember who the man in front of him is.
It turns out that I still love him, even though I already have a beautiful shalihah wife and have three beautiful daughters and a handsome son.
Such is the temptation of the devil that often hits almost every married couple until finally the word divorce appears and children become victims.
I'm grateful to have a wife who really understands my past, even though she's jealous but can still be taken to joke and relax, when she finds out that I'm secretly opening social media to see my ex's status.
One time I was caught chatting with my ex, suddenly he told me.
"Come on, miss your ex, can't you love it already someone's wife already has me who always misses you."
Suddenly I was surprised because my wife was behind me and hugged me from behind. I feel ashamed, as if I am a man who is not grateful for having a very beautiful and kind wife like him. While I'm still wandering with my past that always comes lately.
My wife and I have never dated, our marriage process was so fast. No more than two months after the ta'aruf process, I immediately preached to him (assisted) a week later and married him. So it's really very short without the dating process, we just started dating after we got married.
The closeness of the two of us has been bridged by a very noble and dignified bond. This bridge is what we call marriage.
Maybe this is what is meant by the answer to dating as long as it is halal. Because the concept of dating that I have understood so far turned out to be wrong. In the past, I thought ta'aruf was the same as dating, as many young people do today.
It turns out that the concept of dating and ta'aruf is not the same. Dating is more, approaching something negative. While ta'aruf aims to get to know someone who will become our partner deeper and safer. With no seclusion or both.
======[][][]======
My meeting at that time has brought admiration to you. A young woman full of positive energy filled with divine light. A meeting without an encounter that finally presents a question mark. Am I really not worthy to know you and dive into you?
A meeting that only presents a piece of your life history paper. Only a piece of what I know from you is not the whole.
The second meeting I saw you completely, clean face washed with ablution water all day long. The glorious verses of Allah are illuminated.
The woman who always appeared in my dreams at the end of 2005. Because at that time the feeling of despair by an unknown love made me withdraw from my past life.
Frequent falls and breakups make my heart not shine with the divine light. Until finally Allah emigrated me and was stranded in silence, only surrender, patience and sincerity were what I had at that time. Whoever my soul mate is is the best choice from Allah who will accompany my joys and sorrows with my descendants.
A steady feeling was planted in me that you were my soul mate, my courage grew without hesitation, then I said sincerely that the second meeting was the beginning of seriousness that would continue to the level of khitbah.
Ta'aruf is not just a meeting of two hearts that hope to be loved and love each other but a meeting to gain the pleasure of Allah. Worship with one of the sunnah of the Prophet, namely marriage, in order to build the pillars of the community by multiplying offspring who have the qualities of piety and worldliness. Which in the future will strengthen ukhuwah Islamiyah and wathoniyyah.
The third meeting was realized, I fulfilled my promise to you to propose to you so that this bond is not just a meeting. But continue to the level of your halalness for me.
Sunday morning September 25, 2005 is the day when you and I were met by pure love in the bond of marriage. At that time it was raining after reciting the marriage agreement, this indicated that the sky was praying for this marriage to come true.
---------[]------[]-------[]------[]-----
In the morning, around nine o'clock, at a private school to be precise, at SMAI Merah Putih. A student in a white and gray uniform suddenly stopped me for a moment. And call my name.
"Bro Leo... you said you want to meet my sis?" Asked one of my students when I passed her on the stairs to the second floor.
She didn't want to call teacher or ustadz, because she said I was young and didn't deserve to be called teacher. And another ridiculous reason was, she said I would be hee brother-in-law. Because I'm going to be set up with her sister.
"Oh... well, where's the person?" I was very surprised, the question suddenly appeared when I was concentrating on walking down the stairs.
And what was even more surprising, was the question in front of other students who happened to be my student. Let's say her name is Ires. That's what hee friends call her.
Ires didn't answer my question, but from her pocket she held out a tattered-looking piece of paper. Maybe because you move a lot after exercising, you're a bit limp and wet with sweat.
"This is a deposit from my sister." Without answering my question Ires immediately ran away, she seemed to understand the look on my face that looked embarrassed.
"Thank you Iris." I said to her even though I knew she had rushed to the cafeteria to buy drinks, and didn't respond to what I just said.
Out of curiosity what was in the shabby piece of paper I got. I didn't go to the second floor but turned back to the bathroom first to see what was inside. Understandably, if you see it in front of friends, it will be crowded. I arrived at the bathroom, and then I rushed in, afraid that someone might suspect something.
I took out the paper and I read this:
Assalamualaikum brother, sorry I haven't had the time and will never get to meet you. Because it is not the muhrim who is worried that there will be slander. Thank you for wanting to get acquainted with Ana, I hope you don't give up, don't you? Oh yeah, I've heard from Ires that you said you want to find a future wife. Isn't that right? Frankly, I haven't thought about getting married because I want to continue my studies first and want to focus on pursuing my dream of becoming a graduate. It's just the third semester, it's a shame if you break up in the middle of the road. Because I know very well that being in a household is super busy. It's not that I've experienced it, but I often see my brothers and sisters who are already married and it's really dizzy to see it. So if you want to find a future wife, you should look for someone else. I'm sorry! if your words are not pleasing to your heart. Yes, thank you for reading this letter. I have included my mobile number 081310164000. I have written this letter on purpose, so that you will know that this letter has reached you. Later, just send an SMS to you, you don't have to call, if you send an SMS, it means you already know the answer to your heart's content. Thank you again for getting to know me.
Greetings
Ana
Jleb... my heart really hurts after reading the letter from Ananda which was entrusted to his sister Ires. This is the first time I've been rejected by a girl, usually the girls in line want to be my special girl.
I wrote down Ires' sister's cellphone number, why did I call her brother? Because in the letter there is no name listed, he only uses the word "ana" in the letter which means me or me in Indonesian, depending on habits, actually I don't know what the letter writer wants, me or me? Yes to me it's the same. It's just that I don't know his real name as if it's a mystery. Both Ires and her brother both hid her name.
Days turned to days and months changed, after I received that shabby piece of paper, for about a month there was no news after I replied to his letter via short message from my cellphone. Maybe he's busy studying or really just making sure by writing down his cellphone number. This means that if I have replied it means I have received and read it.
"Ah, let it go! I don't force people who really don't want to be with me, I just give up, after breaking up with Dinda, I really have to move not to date" My determination in my heart was made up.
Indeed, when it comes to dating and breaking up, this is not the first time for me, because in my childhood, I also fell in love with a 1st grade junior high school student, even though at that time I was only in the 6th grade of MI or the equivalent of elementary school. It was the first love that I will never forget, knowing that I just found out what love is, even though people say it's monkey love.
In the course of my life, in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. There are three female figures that I still remember the story of their love journey.
That is Rahayu, my first love in childhood which then continued until I was a teenager, but ran aground in the middle of the road because she had left me forever. He died after suffering from brain cancer.
The second is Dinda, love that only stopped for a few months, after that we broke up, because Dinda was betrothed to a rich widower, in order to pay off her parents' debt, Dinda was willing to be arranged and left me.
The third is my current wife. I remember all these stories very well and it was as if they had just happened.
=======================
Childhood is a beautiful time, apart from having not been charged with various thoughts, there is also a story that cannot be forgotten, namely the monkey love story. Yes... Falling in love a million feels, said the song I had heard on the radio at that time.
I was born on a Wednesday night in August, when the electric lamps did not illuminate the houses in my village, only the petromak lamp was the only meaningful lighting so that everything could be seen.
According to the article I read, Wednesday's birthday is very special.
Even this is explained in a hadith narrated by Muslim No. 2789, that Allah SWT created light on Wednesday. As we know light is the source of life that illuminates, makes this world exist and exist. With light humans can see and living things can grow. What a glorious Wednesday when Allah created light.
"In a narration from Anas bin Malik, Rasulullah SAW once said, on Wednesday, Allah destroyed King Pharaoh and his people by drowning." That's what my Ustadz said while giving a lecture at the pesantren.
He added, "On Wednesday, Allah destroyed the Thamud, the 'Aad, namely the Prophet Saleh AS who denied his apostleship and prophethood. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to take medicine on Wednesday if they want to recover from illness. In addition, there are many events in the historical trajectory that make Wednesday a special day. There are various events on Wednesday, among them, Allah destroyed King Namrud by inserting insects into his ears, King Pharaoh who claimed to be God, drowned in the Nile River , Allah drowned Qarun with his wealth and family in the bowels of the earth. Also on Wednesday, Allah destroyed Auj bin Unuq with the Hud Hud bird, Allah destroyed the Prophet Saleh As, Namrud was destroyed by Allah with mosquitoes, Allah destroyed the Prophet Hud As with strong winds, and Allah crushed Shadad bin Aad with the voice of Jibril As."
So that's how special it is to be born on a Wednesday. However, it is not something to be proud of for anyone born on Wednesday. Because basically, all days according to Islam are good.
Not far from my house, the side and back of the house are overgrown with forests and thickets of bushes. Sometimes wild and venomous animals such as snakes dwell there. At that time, in 1981, there was no electricity here, but whether in a big city, maybe many people used it.
But much different from people who have a high economic and social level. They have already enjoyed luxurious facilities when others found it difficult to meet basic human needs, namely clothing, food and shelter.
High stratification in society greatly determines prestige and achievement in everyday life. How is it possible with a low economic level being able to buy luxury goods because looking for the need to just eat seems to have to put all the energy and extraordinary mind. Day and night earning a living will not be able to match people who have high stratification. Basic education alone is enough for someone who has a low stratification with a very simple and deprived life.
I was not even twelve years old when I met a woman. The curiosity and feeling of falling in love with a woman is often the fruit of my imagination. Even though I realized that I was not yet in love at that time, the desire to have love and to be loved was increasing day by day.
I imagined in my mind that I too have the right to fall in love. It didn't matter who, from which family and what I had at that time. To me falling in love means being happy all day long.
That's the love of monkeys, the love of two young human children. Don't know what love and affection are. What he understands is only love and happiness is nothing but that.
When that love was determined, he chose a beautiful woman named Ratna Rahayu. I don't even know how to start and what words to say when expressing my heart.
It made me more confused because I didn't know how to say it. At that time there was no google and cell phones to find beautiful words so that my feelings were responded positively by him. Maybe today's children are even smarter than me at making a sympathetic woman accept her love.
But the courage of my heart does not recede to back down, because if it is not said quickly then it will be quickly taken by people, that's my mind. It turns out that this courage is Abah's legacy as my father. His blood has flowed in my body so thick. It was proven when I shamelessly expressed my love for Ratna Rahayu, my idol.
Finally the historic day came, when he was alone sweeping the courtyard of the mosque where we deepened our religious knowledge every day. I approached him and pretended to offer him help.
With steady and mature steps I approached him who was busy playing with his own feelings. Sweeping and collecting the leaves of the duku tree that were scattered in the mosque yard at that time.
When I offered to help him collect the garbage he didn't refuse in fact he was very grateful because I helped him, and reduced his workload.
That's when the right time to say it so that was ingrained in my mind. My heart doesn't feel like it's beating faster than usual. Even though I was ready to say what was in my heart, what I felt during his presence at his uncle's house.
Before I could say it all, suddenly his smile was as sweet as honey, maybe even sweeter. From his lips that were red like red chilies came words that I would never have expected before.
The words that changed everything were so beautiful they were even more beautiful than my heart thought. He seems to have the same feelings as me. As if he already knew how I felt all this time.
He gestured by placing his index finger on my lips not to say anything because he knew what I was going to say and he just nodded his head that he liked me too.
It was so beautiful at that time that we both smiled shyly while chuckling and looking at each other's faces.
That was the beginning of a beauty that I felt with him. There is nothing happier than meeting him. Although we never talk to each other but we know each other's feelings.
Just smiling for both of us is already a part of talking. Mutual transfer of messages of love through eyes and sweet smiles that make our closeness grow even more as if we don't want to be apart.
Approximately six months of our love relationship, there is almost no difference which usually makes both people who are in love jealous and angry.
It seems as if this love will never be separated, the relationship between the two of us is always present full of beauty, there is no significant thing that forces us to be far apart.
Until finally that Monday morning in May 1993, I was very surprised when he carried his backpack as if he wanted to go far and never come back.
From a distance, as usual, Rahayu only gave a signal that she would return to her hometown and would never come back because her father was sick and her mother needed her attention and help to care for her father who was suffering from a stroke.
It was clear that her tears were welling up in her eyelids and I couldn't bear to see the sadness but I couldn't do anything because beside her was her uncle who is also my Koran teacher and her aunt who guided her into the car.
My heart continues to cry at the thought of waving his hands so sadly apart from me who always loves him and he loves me too.
Now I immortalize the story as my first love with a beautiful girl. The gentle and delicate gaze still lingers even though almost tens of years have passed.
I don't know where he is now, does he still remember the good times he had when he was little or on the contrary, he forgot and didn't think of me as someone who had stopped in his heart?
Days turned into weeks, then months and years. Those memories are only scraps of history and bits and pieces of stories in my life's journey. When I think back, the vibration still lingers in my chest, how beautiful it was and then it ended in sorrow where how sad this love story was because without permission to leave me alone, leaving scars and sorrow.
Ratna Rahayu is just a beauty that I always remember and miss, like a diary that I read and write down every stroke of her pen. While this reality is only words can not be repeated and will never be able to make it come true.
Because the last time God allowed me to meet her, and now she is no longer the same, has grown into a more beautiful and elegant adult woman. But his love will never be given to me and anyone because he has been called by the Khaliq to go forever to the afterlife.
======================
I was 18 years old when I was in high school which is now better known as high school, a very young age and still little experience to know about real life. Life has its ups and downs, when life is ups and downs as if life has no death because happiness is felt every moment. Sadness seems to have left this life. And vice versa when life has receded as if death is the best choice and hope.
In 2000, I heard the news that Ratna Rahayu had come to the village where I lived with my beloved family.
Rahayu, I used to call her that, and she lives with her uncle and aunt. At that time I heard the news of Rahayu's arrival, my heart was very happy. How unhappy, because for almost seven years Rahayu left me without reason and without news. Although in fact I often send letters that I leave to Rahayu's cousins when they come home every Eid. But when he got home there was still no answer from Rahayu. At that time I thought maybe Rahayu already has a lover in her village. Meanwhile, I'm just a story about Rahayu's past when she was little and didn't understand what love was.
Without thinking, I went straight to my uncle and aunt's house to see if the news was true or a lie because my friends really liked to joke and make fun of me. Arriving at Uncle Rahayu's yard, I didn't dare knock on the house because actually Rahayu's uncle and aunt didn't know about our relationship.
And I also have no reason to visit the Koran teacher's house, besides being ashamed I am also afraid. I finally canceled my visit there. And indeed I saw that the house looked deserted even when I went there there was no one I met.
I left the house with feelings and unanswered questions. But very unexpectedly when I was about to leave I heard the voice of a girl I knew very well calling her. Yes, that voice belongs to the girl I've been waiting for for seven years without any news of an answer to my letter. Rahayu usually calls my name Hero, that's her favorite nickname for me.
"Hero..Hero...let's stop by!" Rahayu called me in a low voice, worried that her uncle and aunt would come out.
The voice called me again and I turned my body and sure enough she was my Rahayu. Who has now grown into a very beautiful and elegant girl clad in a hijab that hangs over her chest.
I was shocked that I couldn't say anything, because I was amazed by her beautiful and gentle face and the peace when I saw her. Very gracefully I didn't have time to say anything, suddenly Uncle and Aunt Rahayu came out of the house and in a cynical tone they both said
"Come on in! What are you doing outside? He snapped in a loud voice as if he didn't know me and looked down on me, and forbade me to meet Rahayu.
"O Allah, I just want to meet Rahayu, I just want to be happy suddenly a storm came crashing all my hopes to meet and release my longing for Rahayu even though I just wanted to say that I miss her." I said in my heart while grumbling and hiding the disappointment.
Finally I went home with a deep feeling of sadness, as well as Rahayuku She also looks sad to see me being treated like a person who has no self-respect. I saw Rahayu enter the house with tears in her eyes and without disobeying her uncle and aunt's orders she went straight in.
Social stratification and primordialism are still held in high esteem where I live. People who have wealth, position, and higher education are always considered honorable and treated well. My economic status has limited this relationship. I am just an ordinary person, the son of a father who works as a farmer without arable land with a salary that is far from sufficient. While my mother is a laundry worker in the homes of rich people who have low income.
Actually we both had the same fate, Rahayu was also born into an ordinary family in the village. His father was a farmer and his mother a housewife. What distinguishes Rahayu from me is that she has very rich uncles and aunts, so she lives with people who have inherited a lot from her grandfather.
Often social stratification and social status become a barrier for someone to love each other, maybe I'm one of them, and out there there are still many men or women whose fate is not different from what I experienced. It turns out that this is what causes our relationship to not run smoothly. And so far my letter has never reached Rahayu's hands. So Rahayu thought I had forgotten Rahayu and had a girlfriend.
After I sent a piece of paper that I left for her cousin Rahayu who is really my best friend Ratna Rahayu finally knew that I still loved her and waited for her until now. Although this relationship is hindered by different social status. For me this is not an obstacle but a challenge so that I can continue to strive and achieve a high social status. So that my parents can be respected and not belittled anymore..
I decided to migrate to a big city, namely Jakarta, people said there I could get a decent job and a big salary.
In early August 2000, I was invited by a friend to migrate there with minimal skills with a high school diploma. When I got there, it wasn't the job I was expecting, I was working in one of the places I would more appropriately call a garbage dump. I was told to pick up and sort out household waste that was thrown into the trash.
I actually work as a scavenger. The high school diploma that I brought was useless because companies and offices only needed those who had a bachelor's degree.
I can't do much about this situation. I can only accept for the sake of my parents and my high ideals, which is to continue my studies and hold a bachelor's degree behind my name.
Ratna Rahayu heard the news that I was going to Jakarta and she also left a letter to my friend Arman, her close relative, Rahayu, who brought me to this big city. And always support the relationship between me and Rahayu.
=====================
"Time is money." That's more or less the sound of Arman's motto, almost every day he never stops looking for money. Until he forgets his obligation as a Muslim, namely the fard prayer. Even though at home his father and mother always advised not to forget prayer.
"Basically, Arman only has money in his mind." I said in my heart.
When you see Arman's behavior, he really loves money. I almost caught the disease. That is love of money and forgetting Rahayu my idol. And I almost forgot my purpose in coming to this capital city, which was not only to earn money and money but to achieve my goal of getting the love and blessing of the camer alias my future father-in-law.
From the news I received, my camer was not much different from his uncle and aunt, Rahayu. All they have in their heads is money and money. That's why I need more energy to deal with their behavior.
"I have to be rich and have the same social status to be recognized by the Rahayu family."
My determination in my heart after knowing how difficult it was to get Rahayu, then made it lawful for me. As if not wanting to miss a precious moment, I began to plan for a better future, I had to rack my brain so I could get rich quick in a short time.
Yup... being a rich person who is always respected by people and doesn't want to be insulted and belittled. If all this time I've been looking for and collecting plastic waste that can be sold to collectors, now I dare to be the boss of my friends who collect plastic waste.
I was trusted by my friends to be their coordinator because the garbage collectors who used to serve us are now unreliable, due to illness, yup, he had a stroke recently. To accommodate their aspirations, I finally proclaimed myself to be the replacement for Pak Kasman, the garbage collector.
It's just that I'm confused from where the capital I get to run this business, while living every day is lacking because in any big city everything is paid for.
"Oh yeah.. I almost forgot that I have savings in the bank which is deposited once every week, hopefully it's enough, enough for capital and buying a motor vehicle." I thought dreaming, but it's a fact.
Finally I have an idea to make a garbage bank. So my friends will deposit the garbage for me and I will collect it and I will give them a savings book like banks that normally operate. Later, when it is collected, I will sell it to a large collector who is ready to accommodate it. I only took 5% of the proceeds from the sale of the trash, of which 95% I handed over to the garbage collector. So that's roughly my idea going forward.
My idea was also received positively by Arman, who always supported my dream of becoming a rich person.
"If this idea is implemented, that's great." Greet Arman who is very enthusiastic.
Understandably now Arman is no longer working in his office because he has now been laid off or there is a reduction in employees at his company, so whatever work he is ready to do, the important thing is that money is always on his mind.
"Alhamdulillah, if you agree, it means I just have to talk to my other friends." I answered Arman.
After conveying the idea to Arman, the next plan is to gather friends with the same fate and express my intentions.
It's time for me and my friends in the same fate to gather, and Arman always accompanies me and supports me while confirming to my friends that this idea is a brilliant idea, and the profits from selling plastic waste can be enjoyed together.
Like office employees there is a pay term, the difference is that not every month the salary can be four times a week depending on the amount of plastic waste collected.
Everyone agreed as if this idea had paved the way for my success to become a rich person.
"Hopefully there are no significant obstacles." I prayed in front of my friends and they agreed.
But there is one person who doesn't want to join because he wants to start his own business because the sales profit is 100% for him.
"That's good for you, not good for us, Her." That's how he said.
"And that's if you want it, if you don't, then I'm fine."
I said firmly to my friends in response to Dino's words, which it was clear that he never liked this crazy idea of mine.
"Yes, it's already here, let's get together tonight, for those who want to join tomorrow we can start, and gather at Pak Kasman's place." I closed the gathering that night.
We separated and went back to our respective residences.
"It's a relief to have conveyed the idea even though there is a slight obstacle, namely Dino who doesn't agree with my idea but it's okay, the important thing is that almost all of my friends agree and only one disagrees." I said to Arman.
The clock showed ten o'clock at night, we rushed to the contest to rest our bodies that were getting tired because of the burdens of life and mental burdens. I am very worried that if within a year I am not successful then I must be prepared to lose Rahayu who I always love.
Happiness to me is like an angel in a magnificent palace led by a cruel king named Pharaoh. This love story is like in a fairy tale between Romeo and Juliet or Kaos and Laila.
"Ah why do I think like that?" I asked myself.
Rahayu's shadow has hypnotized my night so that I can't sleep, even though when I gathered earlier it seemed that I was already sleepy. Rahayu is like an angel who hovers in the sky, then plays in my empty mind, which is only filled with her name. While the night continued to roll on, in a matter of hours time flew by so fast that I finally realized that it was almost 12 o'clock at night.
After playing with the shadow of Rahayu who always came, I rushed to the bathroom to perform ablution and perform the Sunnah prayers. I have often done this habit since I was at the Islamic boarding school which is located near my house.
I was placed in a boarding school not because I could afford it but because of the kindness of the pesantren owner who made it free for me to study there, six years is not a short time to study religion at the pesantren. Until finally I was able to master a little knowledge that I practice in my daily life.
After finishing my ablution I left the bathroom to the contest, it was clear that Arman's loud snoring was deafening. Luckily I'm used to Arman's snoring, so it doesn't bother me just a bit.
I've finished praying the Sunnah prayers and praying, then it's time to sleep.
Daaar...!!
Daar....!!
Suddenly I heard gunshots outside. I was about to sleep when I woke up and saw the source of the sound. Turns out I didn't expect the sound to come from a rented house not far from where I live, on the right side of the road.
"What's wrong? Why are so many police going to Dino's apartment?" I just kept wondering and curious.
Long waiting for no bright spot from the incident across the street I finally returned to my rented house.
"Ah...Rather than being curious and being targeted by the police, I'd better sleep. Because I work all day as if my body is asking for a share to be laid on a soft mattress." I said to myself all the way to the rented house.
I couldn't stand this drowsiness and I didn't even realize I was asleep in a dream.
A calm and cold morning came, I woke up when Arman woke me who was still sleeping under the blanket.
"Leo.. wake up already dawn.. let's pray to the mosque!" Invite Arman while shaking my body.
"You go first, I'll follow." My orders are still closing my eyes because I'm still sleepy.
Arman went first to the mosque, while I was still trying to get up against my sleepiness.
Indeed, the time of Fajr is a very hard time for some people to wake up. That's why I consider Fajr time to be jihadun nafsi, jihad against lust. If you can conquer sleep, it means you will be a winner and God willing, the reward will be great.
Even though I was heavy, I still rushed to the mosque. And when he arrived in front of the Iqomat mosque, signaling the start of the prayer was echoed.
After a few minutes we performed the Fajr prayer together, I told what happened last night at Dino's rented house.
It was strange that Arman had no reaction, and instead was indifferent as if he had no sympathy for Dino. Finally he spoke even though he seemed unwilling to comment on last night's events.
"Thankfully, if Dino is caught by the police, he deserves his reward." Arman commented curtly.
"So why Dino?" I asked for an explanation.
"Dino is dangerous, not a real friend, yesterday I accidentally passed his rent, it turned out that he was planning an evil plan to frame you into jail." Arman added so furiously.
"He wants to put illegal items or drugs in our rented house, later when it's put in the rent he will report to the police and say that you have the items."
"Huh...is that true? Man...that's really heartless." I was surprised to hear Arman's statement.
"Thank God I knew and I immediately reported the plan to the police, and finally Dino and his friends were raided by the police last night." Arman continued to explain.
"Thank you, man, you saved me...you will never be forgotten and you are the best friend." I said while hugging Arman.
"Yeah..it's..you're welcome..don't need to hug either kaee...it's embarrassing to see people." Arman hastily let go of my arm.
"My advice is that you just go back to your village, you don't have to continue this business, and yesterday your mother called me saying she has now opened a rice shop." Arman suggested to me while telling me that Abah and mother already have income and now they are in need of power from me.
Without thinking I said yes and early in the morning I returned to Bogor. Because I miss them both very hard. Especially to my lover Ratna Rahayu.
After saying goodbye, I went home, while Arman was the one who continued the business he had started since treading this big city. Thank God, now the relay of my business is already there who handles me at home in the village while waiting for the monthly transfer from Arman.
"Thank God I still have a lot of savings left, for the capital that will be run by Arman, buying a two-wheeled vehicle, and going to college." I said while thanking God for all His blessings to me.
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Liyas Syarifuddin
