NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#238
Rianti held Jamila's hand and led her closer to Qurratul Aini. Qurratul Aini who was still cool with his reflection, did not realize that the two had now stood behind him. Rianti sighed softly watching Qurratul Aini who was speechless solemnly' towards the darkness of the buildings in front of him.
"Emh.., Assalamualaikum," said Rianti softly. Qurratul Aini. He was silent and seemed to be unable to believe what he saw. Even when Rianti and Jamila waved in front of his face, he was still stunned.
"It's me Rianti, Dik Aini," Rianti said with a smile. The two sat down and flanked Qurratul Aini.
"Ta_but.., how did you come to be here" said Qurratul Aini, turning his head to Rianti and Jamila.
"I was here an hour ago. You alone are alone here," said Rianti. Qurratul Aini then embraced the two.
"Yes, God. I really can't believe you guys came. Suddenly you are behind me" said Qurratul Aini. Rianti and Jamila smiled.
"Don't tell me we're the guardian of this place" Jamila said. Quratul Aini smiled. For a moment the arrival of Rianti and Jamila made his heart slightly crowded.
"By the way, are you guys here with anyone?" ask Qurratul Aini.
"Sir Master is the same dik Fahmi" replied Rianti.
"Where are the nights like this. Well, frankly I'm so happy for you guys to come. Tumbens,"
"Not anywhere.We were here on purpose. Well, other than Abraham, maybe there's something we need to talk about,"
"Then, come on, I want to greet Master," said Qurratul Aini while holding his hand, both of them taking the two of them up from their seats. Rianti pulled the hand of Qurratul Aini and invited him to sit down.
"We'll just be here first. It's more comfortable here. We're not in a hurry. If allowed, it's possible that we can stay here tonight" Rianti said.
"Really?"
"No-no. Kidding," said Rianti as he rubbed the arm of Qurratul Aini.
"Look easy. After all, we also want to make a pilgrimage to Master Teacher's night" continued Rianti. For a moment the three were silent looking around who looked quiet. Rianti glanced towards Qurratul Aini after being unable to find Jamila's face because it was covered with the head of Qurratul Aini. He could not wait to speak his true intentions to Qurratul Aini. But he needs Jamila's opinion. Rianti let out a long sigh while holding the shoulder of Qurratul Aini.
"Dik Aini, said the mother, lately Dik Aini is often alone here. Cristian Kangen?"
Qurratul Aini raised both eyebrows. His eyes are widened. He sighed long. His gaze was directed towards the tomb. He nodded his head.
"Cristian?" Qurratul Aini smiled and turned towards Rianti. After that he turned back. He returned a long sigh.
"Yes, but not too often. I don't have to be so sad because he's back with the owner. All his sins before he converted to Islam were eliminated after he converted to Islam. After all, we also never know when it will catch up." Back Qurratul Aini let out a long sigh. He stared at Rianti and Jamila for a moment.After that he turned towards the buildings that looked dark without lighting.
"I have the same ideal of Cristian to revive this place.We will do everything possible to cover our shortcomings in the field of religion. We just want, what has been pioneered by the late Father is not in vain. I feel like it's my job with Cristian. God gave me life until now, of course because he wanted to see me revive this place. But honey, Cristian called him and I really felt useless as a child. Especially when I remember how our sinful past was, then we wanted to make up for it this way. I wish you happiness there in nature" continued Qurratul Aini with a trembling voice holding back tears.
Rianti rubbed the back of Qurratul Aini.
"I really feel useless. Even Allah seems reluctant to give me a child as a successor to the ideals of the late father." Qurratul Aini shook her head while smiling wryly. Like he was scolding himself.
"This is indeed the karma that I deserve," said Qurratul Aini unhappily bowing his head. Rianti let out a long sigh and held the shoulder of Qurratul Aini.
"Can't say that, Dik Aini. God tests us to know our faith. Whether we are patient and accept that provision or not. There must be a reward that is worth our attitude to deal with it. Whether it's a reward for our patience or our complaints.All of us decide. Dik Aini himself once said, we will all overtake those who have preceded us to the presence of the Creator. That means Dik Aini is aware, that we die does not mean we will sleep well. There will be consequences for what we do in life. Is that not what God says in His word? Be patient and pray if we are stricken with misfortune. May the patience and prayer that we continue to practice when we get a disaster, will help us in our graves. Allah will not put the test beyond the ability of His servant. And as long as a servant does not want to change himself, then God will never change him, no matter what our prayers are" Rianti said.
Qurratul Aini nodded and wiped her tears with the tip of her hijab. What Rianti said, as well as how the two comforted him, made him a little calm.
"Dik Aini, people say, being mixed is not an easy thing. It takes justice from the husband to share his time and livelihood for his wives. Thank God, I am grateful to have honey like Jamila. We are like childhood friends who cannot be separated from each other. All the problems and sorrows we will bear and face together. People's view of polygamous domestic life is mostly bad, for us is the opposite. We both feel peace in Master Teacher's shade and justice. We are truly honored as a woman. Imagine with women who are just a mistress. In addition to being illegitimate in the eyes of religion and law, her honor as a woman has also been lowered," said Rianti trying to start his conversation to the core of the problem.
Qurratul Aini smiled looking at the two. There was clearly a twinkle of admiration from both of his eyes. He nodded in agreement. Why fuss polygamy if there is pleasure from the wife, also fair treatment from the husband. The Qur'an clearly governs that. If fear cannot be fair, then just one. He pointed his two thumbs towards Jamila and Rianti. Both smiling.
"You guys are really great women. There is no pretence of your happy smile. You are a mirror of Master Teacher's fair conduct" said Qurratul Aini, with a look of admiration for both.
"Here, as you said earlier, we are also very sad to see the relics of the late Master Faeshal who was abandoned like this.We feel what Aini felt as a child. Dik Aini has proven that it is not only boys who must be successors. Women also have the same ability as a child who is devoted to their parents. Isn't one of the ways we worship our parents after they die is by taking care of their relics? Continuing his stumbling ideals? Sad you this is not the sorrow that is forbidden. As long as you are not only fixated, but have to act," Rianti said.
"But I am incapable. I don't have the power for that,"
"We'll help you. Join us as part of our family,"
"meaning?"
Rianti asked Qurratul Aini to stand. He then took Qurratul Aini to step towards the tomb of Cristian and Master Teacher Faeshal.
"There is a time when we must be faithful to our husband, even though he is dead. But there are times when we need a companion to cover our shortcomings. Reviving this pesantren is no small matter. Dik Aini will certainly be difficult, especially we are only women whose steps we are limited." Rianti embraces the body of Qurratul Aini. He turned his head and stared fixedly at Rianti. He began to understand the direction of Rianti's conversation. Rianti sighed and smiled.
"If you just sit here every night staring at the mounds of earth and the remains of this dormitory, you will die without being able to do anything" Rianti continued.
Rianti turned the body of Qurratul Aini and held both of his hands. Rianti stared fixedly at Qurratul Aini's eyes while smiling.
"We want you to join us as Master's wife."
Spontaneous Qurratul Aini releases Rianti's handrails. Her forehead frowned with her eyes pinched looking towards Rianti. He took a few steps back. What Rianti said surprised him. She understood Rianti told her to remarry, but she never thought Rianti would say that. Rianti kept her smile.
Qurratul Aini turned and stepped closer to the tomb of Cristian. Jamila who had been sitting while watching them, immediately got up when she saw the atmosphere change. Rianti had said the intention of their arrival to Qurratul Aini was too fast to surprise Qurratul Aini. He knew, Rianti always hastily said something if too excited, so it was possible that Qurratul Aini made him shocked. Jamila immediately approached them. He immediately approached Qurratul Aini who was now resting in front of Cristian's grave. The back of Qurratul Aini on his swab was soft.
"I'm sorry Rianti, Dik. He didn't mean anything. It's not that he doesn't appreciate the feelings of losing your husband. He might be a little hasty in delivering it. But rest assured, Rianti's intentions are good. He wants to shoulder your responsibilities together" Jamila said. The sobs of Qurratul Aini sounded. Jamila turned her head towards Rianti who was still standing. He felt sorry for making Qurratul Aini cry.
Rianti gave a long sigh. He felt that Jamila's words were right. So excited, he could not wait to say it to Qurratul Aini. He came closer and sat down. He directly hugged the body of Qurratul Aini.
"I'm sorry, Dik Aini. Ii'm sorry. Please do not take heart what I said earlier, if Dik Aini is not pleased. Dik Aini has the right to refuse it. It's just that we really hope that Dik Aini will accept Master Teacher's proposal" Rianti said.
Jamila turned back to Rianti, gesturing not to bring up the proposal to Qurratul Aini again . He wanted to give Qurratul Aini a chance to think.
For a long time the atmosphere became quiet. Both of them were silent waiting for Qurratul Aini who did not turn to look at Cristian's tomb. The duration of Qurratul Aini fell silent, making Rianti feel guilty. Several times Istighfar sounded from his mouth.
Qurratul Aini looked behind him. Both smiling. Jamila wiped the tears on the face of Qurratul Aini.
"I'm sorry, brother, I haven't been able to think about that. I hope you are not disappointed" said Qurratul Aini as he kept his head down. Rianti and Jamila smiled. The two held the body of Qurratul Aini and invited him to stand.
Rianti held the face of Qurratul Aini and rubbed it gently. He looked into the fixed eyes of Qurratul Aini.
"It's okay, Sister. We are not forcing. And I'm sorry to say it so hastily without thinking about Aini's feelings" Rianti said. Qurratul Aini nodded his head. Jamila smiled and embraced the bodies of the two.
"It's been too late. Brother Tuan and Dik Fahmi have also waited for us too long. We'd better go back and see them" Jamila said after looking at the clock on her phone. The three then stepped out of the dormitory.