A Match for 'Izzah
Chapter 8

“Mana, Ms Syif? Kang Adnan, ta?” Shofa looked to the left right, making sure the santri kang called Syifa.

“What?! No, lah,” said Syifa firmly. “Kang Adnan is now busy brooding, Ma'am Shofa. Reflecting on fate, because it will be together until,” he continued again with a soft tone.

“What, anyway, Miss Syifa? Iri said, Boss! Because can not be paired with handsome men sepondok putra.” Shofa only glanced sharply, indicating he did not accept Syifa's speech. He then passed away leaving Syifa who seemed annoyed at him.

“Mbak Izzah, the kang Farid, Mbak.” Syifa who had realized the presence of Farid kang, continued to stare without blinking. The santri kang was seen just coming out of the kitchen of the princess cottage. Like I took something there.

Izzah who was also curious, also looked at Farid kang who had stepped far from the princess cottage area. His gaze did not also change until the figure of Farid kang disappeared from his view after being swallowed by the building of a house owned by residents who were in the way.

“Great cool iku, Ma'am Izzah.” Syifa spoke without looking at her interlocutor, because she continued to look at the figure of Farid kang who was no longer visible.

“What's cool, Ms Syif?” asked Izzah in a flat tone. Although actually he also felt hypnotized by the presence of Farid kang just now. However, he prefers to keep his feelings in his heart.

“Kang Farid's, loh. Cooler than kang Adnan instead, Ma'am. Her steps, her posture, her look.” Syifa described the figure of Farid kang she had just seen with an expression of admiration. His heart felt unexpected, kang Farid who had been considered horrified by the princess cottage, turned out to have such a charming charisma. In fact, he only looked at her from a distance on the balcony.

On the sidelines of Izzah and Syifa's small talk that is still going on, there is the voice of Dzuhur's adhan who immediately stopped the conversation of the two. They looked at each other, like they were in confusion.

Yes, the sound of the chanting was what suddenly surprised Syifa and Izzah. More precisely, the voice of the Adhan they heard was the voice of Adnan kang. That suddenly stopped Izzah's blood flow. However, it tightened the beat in his heart.

Ah, that man still can't be lost from the shadow of Izzah. It was as if he was fishing for his presence. In fact, it is not usual for Adnan to chant adhan in Dzuhur time. His schedule is usually shajuh and maghrib.

“Sabar, Mbak Zah.” Syifa rubbed Izzah's back, calming him during the Adhan.

Izzah just looked down, holding back the feeling that he could not express. Just understand. The golden voice of Adnan kang that previously delighted Izzah, now even more felt a burden for him. It took some time to know when Izzah would forget the Adnan kang, while his position was still in the boarding house. Of course, he could not avoid the presence of kang Adnan even though through a voice that he had never been absent he heard.

***

“Nduk, sama mama pamphit, yes.”

Izzah nodded as he greeted his parents. Actually there are things Izzah wants to ask about what was discussed in Ndalem, but Izzah said. For now, he better just give up with what he will go through later.

“Oh, yes, Nduk. Prepare yourself in a week, yeah. Father and Abah Yai have talked about your ijab qobul with kang Farid.”

‘Deg’

Instantly, Izzah's heartbeat beats very fast. Just now he was thinking of avoiding the shadow of his matchmaking plan, but his father had already told him. “Se-a week away, Sir?” ask Izzah who can't control his nervousness.

Izzah could only flinch at his parents who seemed excited by his wedding plans. Perhaps, they had already seen the figure of Farid kang. I don't know what he's like, so he can hypnotize his father and mother that fast.

“Isn't it too fast, to, sir, Mom? Another week it—,”

“That Yai has planned, Nduk. I just have to run.”

Izzah was silent. Father's right. He could no longer protest the decision that Abah Yai had made. Inevitably, he must undergo what has become his duty, namely a santri who must manut his teacher.

Five minutes of small talk Izzah and his parents passed, suddenly came a man with a long white hem look and a black sheath of his lower motif, as well as a black peci attached to his head. Izzah who did not understand the figure of the man, just stared in surprise, because he approached his parents casually.

“Eh, by Farid.”

Immediately Izzah was shocked, hearing the tone of the father's exclamation calling the man's name. Apparently, he is a figure of a man who will be his life companion later. Kang Farid Abdillah, the real santri kang is still unfamiliar in the eyes of Izzah. That was why he did not recognize her when she suddenly approached just now.

With a heartbeat that was getting faster, Izzah lowered his head instantly. He was worried if he would later meet with Farid kang. His eyes were not ready to look at the man who was known to be arrogant.

“Kang Farid handsome too, yes, Nduk.”

Whispering his mother suddenly rounded Izzah's eyeballs. She was getting nervous to act in front of her future husband. Between shame and fear. “Mother,” protest watered.

“Ya already, Nduk, the same father mom, yes.”

The pampering sentence from the father for the second time, broke the Izzah reverie. “I-iya, Sir, Bu.” His nervous tone was so clear Izzah spoke, making him feel even more embarrassed in front of Farid's kang. “Be careful,” he said again continuing. “This, too. Real school, yes, Nduk.” Izzah then rubbed the rough hair of his sister who was wrapped in a green tosca hijab.

“Iya, Sir, Ma. Be careful on the road.”

Again, Farid's kang tone of voice thrills Izzah's heart for the whole time. That tone sounded so soft and friendly. It is far from what people say about the bad qualities Farid has. But still, the judgment of the closest people is also important to listen to. He still believes more in people.

“Mari, Mbak Izzah, I first.” Kang Farid then said goodbye to Izzah. This time, the tone sounded flat. He spoke without looking at the woman who would be his wife.

Izzah's lips were still unmoved, as if locked to answer a sentence from Farid's kang. He really became stiff. However, Izzah still nodded without staring at the figure of Farid kang who had gone far enough.

After feeling Farid's kang was no longer visible in his sight, Izzah immediately threw a rough breath. Feel relieved, because it can re-regulate breath that is like tightness. Hurrying, he ran back towards the princess cottage which was 30 meters from the road where he stood.

“Keren, anyway. But, it's cold as ice. True said people, he was haughty,” muttered Izzah who then turned around and then stepped towards the princess's cottage. (*)