A Match for 'Izzah
Chapter 1 (Silence 'Izzah)

It's been four days, Izzah looks moody. There was not a single smile visible from his face. Nor did the cheerful sentence that came out of his sweet lips, which he used to do. His black eyes are more often seen as damp with slightly blackened eye circles. There is no activity that he did, other than daydreaming on the balcony of the second floor of the cottage—Pondok Pesantren where he studied for the last six years.

In fact, the routine activities of the Qur’an deresan which became his duty every day, were forced to pause for a moment. Not because intentionally, but his brain felt incapable because of the chaos in the heart that Izzah felt at this time. Fortunately, teaching activities at the cottage are on holiday after finishing the midterm at 11 Robbiul Awwal yesterday. So, Izzah's duty as an ustadzah who teaches in the princess' cottage was also a holiday.

Usually, Izzah would return home in his village, if the cottage holiday period began. But not for now. He felt, if he came home for anything. Meet the old man? Already often. Because his mother and father often visit the cottage every Sunday alumni study routine sweet. Miss home? It's not very. Because for Izzah, the cottage where he studied this is like his own home. It's already hard inside. Moreover, many friends are often entertaining.

“Mbak Izzah, so I want to match up with kang Farid, yo? Good guy. Sampean don't worry. That diligent son, God willing, until happy with him.”

The sentence four days ago presented Abah Yai to him, still ringing clearly in Izzah's ears. Because of the sentence of the message, which made Izzah's heart suddenly chaotic for several days. All routine activities that have become its task, become left behind as well. It felt as if his heart was broken into pieces. It was as if his life was no longer meaningful.

That morning, precisely on the 11th Robbiul Awwal, the day before the holidays began, Izzah suddenly got a call from Ndalem Utara—Ndalem Ibu Nyai Khodijah. At that time, all students, both sons and daughters, had just finished teaching tafsir Qur’an and Ta’lim Muta’alim which was taught directly by Abah Yai Luthfi. Since the call was already used to Izzah getting, he was not too surprised to hear it. Only, he wondered, what was called in the morning?

Usually, if there is a call from Ndalem, there must be special news to be delivered. Whether it's by Bu Nyai Khodijah, or directly from Abah Yai Luthfi—Kyai Pondok Pesantren.

Of course Izzah who may have been awaited in Ndalem, immediately approached by walking and lowered his head, when he reached the door of Ndalem. There, there was Umm Khodijah, who invited Izzah to sit next to him. While in the room that is blocked by a wooden cover, there is a special chair that is used to sit Abah Yai when going to convey a message to her students.

As it is known, Ndalem is a special honorable designation for the family home of the nanny of the boarding school. The hallmark of this Ndalem cottage is that there are no seats for guests or students. All who will face Kyai or Bu Nyai, will sit on the floor with a thick mat that has been provided.

Before, there was no premonition or special feeling that Izzah had thought of at that time. Just waiting for a banquet from Abah Yai, which he hoped for his barracks. Five minutes waiting, Abah Yai was muddy and sat in his special chair. While Izzah, still in the same position after sitting down, only lowered his head as a form of reverence in front of the teacher.

When Abah Yai began to speak, Izzah listened carefully. As there is no specific sentence for Izzah to practice, besides obeying and obeying to Allah swt, also respecting the parents, and mendo’ so that the knowledge obtained into the benefits of the world and the hereafter.

Until the arrival of a sentence that slightly shook the heart of Izzah at that time.

“Mbak Izzah, until that age is enough to be married. Sampean has also finished memorizing Qur’annya. Stay guarded istiqomah. Yes?!”

Hearing Abah Yai's sentence that has concerned the age of maturity of his students, Izzah began to realize that the flow of discussion that Abah Yai conveyed was nothing but about the household and all supplies that must be prepared to run it. That indicates, if he was already approved to run the household with a man that Abah Yai chose.

Kang Adnan, a 25-year-old santri who is famous for being the most handsome and white, plus his golden voice, which is always anticipated by the princess especially when the barzanji event will begin. In addition, kang Adnan is also famous for being friendly and polite, also a cheap smile. So as to make the “Embak-bak” from santri princess as if in love at the time of meeting her eyes.

While Izzah, known for the natural beauty of his face, as well as the softness of his speech, plus he is a hafidzoh as well as ustadzah, which is certainly a dream of many santri sons. Not a few santri sons who had asked permission to Abah Yai, to propose Izzah. However, at that time Izzah still did not get the blessing of Abah Yai. Moreover, Izzah's heart is now only anchored to the Adnan kang, of course, the expectations of the previous son's cottage Kakang to be lost.

The two are not dating specifically. Never met alone in another place, or the road like a courtship person in general. It's just that, Kang Adnan who has put his love and seriousness on Izzah, proving it by directly going to the two parents of Izzah in his village— in Jogjakarta. The attitude of seriousness is also what makes the heart of Izzah gradually melt to accept Adnan kang if paired with him later.

Gradually, Izzah's heart was overgrown with love and affection that seemed unable to be replaced with anyone's man. For Izzah, kang Adnan is like his soulmate who has not yet fused with his body.

One year undergoing a relationship that is still limited not halal, Izzah tried to be patient until the time will be approved Abah later. Because of Izzah's plan, after the event Haflah Endussanah in the cottage which is approximately five months away, more or less, he will ask for permission to stay (settle in the village after studying in pesantren) as well as asking for the blessing to stay at home, of course with kang Adnan.

Baby though. Apparently, the man that Abah Yai mentioned to accompany Izzah's life, is not the Adnan kang, but the Farid—santri kang who has long been assigned to be the caretaker at the men's cottage. In addition to being a caretaker, the 28-year-old son santri is also better known as a proud and arrogant person. So many students who don't like it.

Of course, the heart of the girl named Lailatul ‘Izzah was instantly shattered into pieces. It was as if the future he had imagined was being shattered all of a sudden. At the same time, eye circles fell from both ends of the net Izzah. She cried. Resisting an unexpected disappointment.

However, Izzah could not resist or even refute Abah Yai's choice. For Izzah, Abah Yai was already a second parent other than a biological parent. Whatever he says, it must be very valuable and meaningful. Although it could not be denied, the sadness that Izzah felt could not be patted easily. Feels very heartbreaking.

“Mbak Izzah.”

The soft voice of a woman who was no stranger to Izzah suddenly spread her daydream. He looked towards the source of the voice behind him. He seemed to be stepping up the last step of the ladder.

“Mbak Syifa, what's up?” ask Izzah to know.

Syifa—santriwati, who is of age, Izzah slowly approached the balcony where Izzah was. The look on his face was a little tense, as he would have told Izzah. The girl who had been here for three years did not come home either. He decided to spend the holidays in the cottage after knowing that Izzah was also so.

“Mbak Izzah, anyone wants to meet sampean,” Syifa said softly. (*)