A Match for 'Izzah
Chapter 4

Today, in the near afternoon, Izzah and his father are already on their way to Jogjakarta—. The distance from the cottage is quite far, about 200 kilometers. It takes up to three hours on the journey.

Usually, his father comes with his mother, either for a sweet Sunday routine, or just to pick up Izzah at the cottage. But not today. Said her father, “Mother again fret at home Bu Dhe Rita, Nduk.” So said Mr. Yusuf—ayah from Izzah, when his daughter asked his mother's disengagement.

Ten minutes passed, Izzah just fell silent in the old silver Avanza car. His gaze was blank, staring towards the window on the left side. Several times he sighed, slightly disturbing his father's hearing.

“What's up, to, Nduk? Kok, tumben his face a little soaked?” While focusing on driving, his father asked in astonishment.

Izzah's heart was not completely normal as before. His feelings are still labile, sometimes calm, sometimes also restless and anxious. The meeting was not like kang Adnan when he was going to get into the car, still imagined in the brain Izzah. He saw the inconsistency of Adnan's kang implied behind the stroke of his smile. Izzah felt heavy staring at him.

“No papa, really, sir. Cuman tired of dying, spying until,” Izzah said without looking at the astonished face of the father.

“Yesterday, kang Adnan come to home, Nduk.”

His father suddenly broke Izzah, making his face immediately turn toward the father beside him, but he did not answer. He was just waiting for the sentence that still sounded hanging. However, his father's lips still paused his speech long enough.

Being impatient, Izzah finally asked, “Terus?”

“He proposed to you seriously,” bright sir Yusuf flat.

‘Deg’

Izzah's chest rumbled back suddenly. His crack immediately beat very fast. His body was very restless, not calm. Then, Izzah lowered his gaze, occasionally exhaling slowly. To make tightness in his chest cavity back smoothly.

“Serious, Sir?” ask Izzah to make sure.

His father smiled, confirming his words. “You are seneng, to, Nduk?” tanyanya while looking at her daughter for a moment, then returned to focus on staring at the streets.

Because what Mr. Yusuf knows, Izzah was so expecting a match with kang Adnan. In addition to being kind and friendly, he is also understanding. After all, since the intention of kang Adnan expressed his seriousness a few months ago, his daughter seemed very happy.

But for Izzah? What should he feel now, happy or sad? In fact, these are the times that Izzah waited after patiently waiting for a year. The mature intention he had imagined before, that kang Adnan would actually propose to him, then there would be a festive event after that, now the shadow suddenly disappeared.

Izzah is still flinching. He could not answer, because he was confused, what to answer. His trap who thought that if kang Adnan had told him about his matchmaking with other santri kang, turned out to be wrong. Kang Adnan's visit to his home was not that, but a serious proposal.

“Father accept kang Adnan application?” Izzah asked with a slightly nervous feeling, as the thump in his heart was still quite pronounced.

“Ya no, Nduk. You dare not decide that. I just said to Kang Adnan, I'll wait for you to come home. That's why I asked him to come home first. We talk calmly at home.”

Izzah was a little relieved to hear it. At least, he did not give an unclear hope of his decision. He did not dare to tell the truth to his father. The current condition is still not supportive to discuss serious matters.

***

“Nduk, why are you, to? Since returning home, there is no spirit.”

“Kalo still want to stay at the cottage, mbok, yo, by the way father, so do not have to be picked up,” said the mother again in a soft tone.

Hearing her mother's words, Izzah felt a little guilty. It's true what mom said. Just this time, Izzah came home in a bad heart. Of course it became influential on his attitude, turning cold and less cheerful. Not as usual. Even when just arrived, Izzah will immediately visit his old friends in the village, or take his Nisa—adiknya an afternoon walk.

But today, it is very inversely proportional. It was only natural that her mother asked.

“Izzah wants to say, Mom,” says Izzah staggered. He did not dare look at his mother. There was guilt in his little heart.

“By the way, to, Nduk!”

“Perhaps, Izzah can't accept Adnan's application, Bu.”

Izzah fell silent after that, waiting for his mother's response which was also still unmoved. However, the tone of the mother's voice was not also heard even though she had spoken long enough. Izzah's gaze that had been staring blankly at some flower plants in front of him, slowly turned to look at his mother.

Apparently, there was already his father standing next to his mother sitting. The gazes of the two were now different from the gazes Izzah used to see. Seemed to imply a deep sense of disappointment, especially his mother. He became silent.

“What's the matter, Nduk?” asked Joseph, who approached his daughter, and sat down next to her.

Izzah had not yet explained the reason, he felt the passing of his mother from his seat. Izzah reflex turned his head, then saw his mother who preferred to enter the house, rather than listening to the honesty of the answer. However, Izzah cursed him. It's natural that you're disappointed. Because all this time, he was so warmly welcomed every arrival of kang Adnan to this house.

“Izzah has been betrothed to Abah Yai, Sir,” Izzah explained.

Although initially Izzah saw the radiance of disappointment in the look on the face of the father, but now no longer. After slowly explaining the reason, his father began to understand and understand. In fact, the father gave some advice that Izzah accept the sincere matchmaking. Because the word and message of a teacher, really very useful for his students.

Finally, Izzah was able to breathe a sigh of relief after that. At least, the burden on his shoulders was slightly reduced. Because to be honest, explaining this to Izzah is very hard. Both parents have been very approving and full hope if kang Adnan who became his son-in-law. What's more, every visit Adnan kang always brings a lot of hands. He often helped his father repair anything that was broken. Not to mention often driving mom to and fro. As if, kang Adnan had already become the daughter-in-law of this house.

Kang Adnan only visited every holiday, because he only had time at home at that time. And, during the holidays he always comes up to four times a week. Which parents are not happy if the prospective daughter-in-law already looks that good?

***

“Where, to, Sir? Genengan agree that Izzah is not the same as Adnan?”

“Lah, how else, Mom. Izzah has been betrothed to Abah Yai, really. Father, also can not say anything.”

Time is almost midnight. But Izzah still did not sleep. He is more often insomnia since he heard Farid kang in his ear. And, as always, when Izzah feels difficult to sleep, he will continue the Qur’an sequence that was delayed.

As he was about to go to the bathroom for ablution, his steps suddenly came to a halt right in front of his parents' second room. The boisterous sound of chatter inside the room provoked Izzah to eavesdrop for a moment.

From the initial sentence he heard, it was enough to make him slightly slashed. Apparently, the burden has not decreased. Mother still does not agree if she rejects kang Adnan's proposal. It also sounds clear if the mother does not like Izzah to be betrothed to other men.

In the end, Izzah's turmoil and anxiety that thought it would be quiet at home, is now increasing, making him even more confused. (*)