True Love (should) Never Ends
“Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.
Inviting akhina Niam to attend syuro on Monday 18 at 5:30 at the gazebo to discuss the bazaar we will hold to welcome the Syiar month that will arrive soon.
Run this mission with a smile, spirit Lillahita’ala. Syukron “
Nb. Please confirm, and if you are unable to attend, ask permission to number 081234567890 (Jono)
My phone rang, the first message on that day arrived on the time when people were still having fun to run, laugh, and rejoice in their dreamland: 4:00 AM !. For me, maybe such a message which arrived on that kind of time was an usual thing. But maybe for most “general” people it must be a nuisance thing, because it would certainly disrupt the enjoyment of their sleep. Another thing that might be a “sucks” was … June 18 was the same date when the message was sent! It has already happened hundreds of times. It was not until hundreds actually. I’ve often warned not to send the meeting invitation too tight with the meeting itself. However, the answer seemed to had become a trademark which always I received from them: “Afwan akh, I have not had a spare time yesterday, I had this agenda, it’s here and there, blah blah blah .. afwan, tsumma afwan“, and my answers was always the same: “Yes it’s okay, but next time do not like that anymore, huh?”. Well, that world which was often referred as “the campus’ preaching world”, where its members were the university students who were on a mission as the callers of Prophet Muhammad’s doctrines. People who had high idealism about religious life on campus.
With my eyes still a bit watery and had not showered yet, I went to campus to attend the meeting or the term was “Syuro ‘”. There were several people present, three guys (other terms “ikhwan”) and seven girls who was called “akhwat”. And one of the seven akhwat was Nina Wulandari, or usually called Ukhti Nina. She was secretary of the department of this organization, very active in various activities on campus, especially on the preaching field. It could be said he was a very active student who sometimes come home to her boarding house before sunset, and early in the morning she has been on the campus, such as this Syuro. Although busy in some organizations, he never forgot her academic. Last I heard the news that he just got the second winner of scientific writing competition held by an Islamic University in Yogyakarta. There were still many of her achievements. Another of God’s grace in her was his physique. In my eyes, or even perhaps in the eyes of all boy students, she always looked beautiful and graceful. It was not because of any make-up, I was pretty sure. But, like other akhwat, none of the man who dared to tease her when she walked alone, or in other occasions. Why? He was able to offset the beauty that existed with her good clothing, very closed,and it did not reveal her body at all. He was very strong in principles. In Syuro there was always a little argument between she and other members, except me. I had never have a “debate” with her so far, and hopefully never because I knew I would lose. That was Ukhti Nina, with all gentleness, mysteriousness, and also strong willingness. Honestly, I liked her, but when that sense appeared, it suddenly disappeared its. You thought who you are? I was not smart, not handsome, and rarely joined campus activities. Indeed, as a “perfect” woman she must have a “pefect” man as well in the future.
Syuro began with the reading of some verses of the Qur’an. On that day we were discussing about the bazaar which would be held to welcome the Syiar month. The early plan, the bazaar would be held for 3 days in front of the English Department building.
However, Ukhti Nina had another opinion.
“Afwan, why do not we move the bazaar into Indonesian Department building? We’ve often sell it in front of the English, why should there again? “. Syuro leader asked is there any other opinions., And I did not know why, on that day I moved my hand and argued.
“The consideration is our benefits we will get Ukh. During this time we always sell out our goods in front of the English building so it should not be moved again. “
Ukhti Nina argued back, “Yeah, I know Akh, but this Syiar month, if we move there we can do Syiar for our organization, so not only from my English friends who know, but also all our friends from Ungu faculty could know the existence of our organization. “
“You are right, Ukh, but how do we know if our goods can be sold well as in English? We ourselves have also already known that the English department has said they would always support our activities.” I tried to argue back
Back in a soft voice and firm Ukhti Nina said, “Insya Allah, if everything what we do is only because Allah, He will provide convenience to us. We just say Bismillah and try as best as we can, and let God decide what kind of results we achieve later. If we can sell out our goods, let say Alhamdulillah, but if we lose, Insya Allah there are lessons we can get Akh “.
As already I guessed, I would lose this argument. However, there was no sense of remorse or anger. Instead I felt very happy because I could listen to the Ukhti Nina’s voice, reassuring and gain enlightment from her. It was true, that if we do everything with sincerity then the result was not ever going to make us disappointed. My admiration for her was getting bigger, though it was impossible to say in front of her.
It was nearly 7. The syuro was dismissed because most of the members had a lecture on that time.
“Do you have any lecture Ukh? On what floor?” I asked Ukhti Nina.
I and she was on the same department (English), despite different study programs.
“On the third floor Akh, Grammar lecture. Afwan, I must go first because it’s already 7. Excuse me Akh,assalamualaikum.”
“Waalaikumsalam Ukh”. I replied, and saw her walking away from me, with a pale blue scarf waving slightly by the morning cool breeze. She was always looked beautiful with any color of hijab she wore .
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“Tomorrow we will gather at 11 in front of campus gate. For those ikhwan who have motorcycles please bring yours. Later the akhwat will charter public transportation. For public transportation fee will be discussed later. Do not forget to buy some fruit. ” Joni Ardiyawan, the chairman of the English Islamic organization gave instructions on Syuro that morning, about Ukhti Nina’s accident. I also could not wait to meet and see her. Ukhti Nina got a pretty severe accident yesterday afternoon. The cause was still confusing. Some said she was hit by a motorcycle, there were also said that he fell herself from her motorcycle when she would gone to the campus. I did not know, it’s not important, the most important thing was she was in fine condition. I did not know,why I was very anxious to meet him, seeing her condition, and I prayed she was given a protection by Him.
Finally we arrived at the hospital where she was treated. We immediately went to the room she was, and thank God, when we arrived she looked okay, though looked still lying in weak condition. I could not say anything when I saw her, but I just could not resist to fall my tears. I could only see her from the corner of the room, while other friends was talking with him, asked about the cause of the accident she experienced. I could only silent, until suddenly she called my name.
“Akh Niam,”
“Y..Yeah, Ukh?”, I was shocked and immediately approached him. I never stood so close with her before. “Afwan, tomorrow I will be on the same class with you in Writing class, and tomorrow there will be also a midterm test. Would you please convey my license to Mr. Ardi? It is also attached with a medical letter from the doctor. “
With a little nervous I answered, “yes Ukh, Insya Allah.. I will convey it, we always pray for your health and you will be recovered soon.”
“Amin.Syukron, Akh. I am very glad to have friends who care like you and the others. ” She answered quietly. Her last sentence made my heart slightly trembled.
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Today would be a very historic day in my life. Yes, I would be graduated! From my year there would be only few people who would be declared officially graduated on that day, including Ukhti Nina Wulandari, who then would have the same degree with me, S.Pd. Before graduation I have already had a good and professional job, as a teacher at an Islamic Junior High School in the center of this city. So, I was not going to bother anymore to find the fields of livelihood as commonly happened in students who were recently graduated.
On that day Ukhti Nina looked very graceful, even I never saw her looked as good as that day, with a pink headscarf she wore. After the ceremony, we had shake hands each others, but not with Ukhti Nina. She did not shake her hands with men, but just simply inverted both hands, as well as with myself. I understood it t and I also did the same thing in front of her.
“Jazakallah, Ukh. Hopefully even though we have our own ways and will live a new life, hopefully it will not be a barrier for us to always establish hospitality. “
“Amen, syukron, Akh. I also pray that our ties will never end. ” Ukhti Nina replied with a slight smile and a downcast look.
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A week after graduation, after discussing with my parents, I took a big decision: I’m getting married! Yes, I wanted to immediately established a household because I believed I have been able to do it. I’ve had a steady job, and I was mentally ready. The problem was just one: How was I going to convey this to the woman I dreamed to be my wife? With say Bismillah I phoned her, bakda Maghrib pray.
“Assalamualaikum” she answered quietly, but made me thrilled.
“Wa .. wa’alaikumsalam, Ukh. Afwan, do I interrupt you? I want to say something to you
“What ,Akh? Please, I’m not busy.”
“Ukh, we’ve graduated from our beloved campus, and I am sure we both have grown. I also believe we are ready if we are required to establish a household. On this occasion, I want you to be my life partner in a family that always expects many blesses from Him . Would you accept me as your companion, Ukh? ” I spoke haltingly and my heart was pounding.
After some silence, she replied, “Really, I..I am very confuse what to say Akh. On the one hand I actually love you too. However, with a great regret I can not accept your purpose.” Ukhti Nina’s words came haltingly and sad.
“Why Ukh? Does a person like me do not qualify as an ideal man for you??”
“It’s not like that Akh. I refuse because … ” her words stopped for a moment, and made me feel increasingly erratic, along with the drizzle began to fall from the sky.
“… Because Akh Joni had said the same thing with you a few days ago. I really do not want to make you dissapointed, but I had received the proposal from Akh Jono,former chairman of our organization. Afwan, Akh, I hope my decision will not make you hurt, and I pray that you will immediately get a better companion than me. “.
Drizzle that fell from the sky had turned into water droplets that grew profusely. Maybe the sky was also feeling the same thing with me, until it had dropped its tears to wet the earth.
THE END
Glossary :
Ikhwan : an Arabic word for brother, usually referring also to a male moeslem.
Akhwat : an Arabic word for sister, usually referring also to a female moeslem.
Ukhti (Ukh) : sister (an addition if we want to call someone’s name)
Akhi (Akh): brother (an addition if we want to call someone’s name)
Afwan : Sorry
Syukron : Thank you
Syiar : performing or showing the existance of something,especially for an Islamic organization
Jazakallah : May Allah reply you better and much more
Bakda : After
Hijab : special clothes for women which cover all parts of the body, except face and hands