SANTRI'S CHOICE
CHAPTERS. 4. MYSTERIOUS FIGURE

The first day of fasting I can pass, the lessons in school I can still understand. When I did practice remembrance, I was asked not to leave the maajid in my dorm, by my brother. And read the remembrance until dawn.

Kang Iwan has told my roommates not to bother me first, because I am being given a special assignment by my brother. So they won't look for me when I haven't returned to the dorm room, and even though they currently don't know in detail the tasks I'm running , but they understand enough not to talk to me often when in class or in the dorm later.

The mosque lights are partially turned off, so I'm alone now. With prayer beads in my right hand, and a small Quran in my pocket, I sat quietly and solemnly. Even though tonight I do miser, but it has become my habit to always carry the Quran and prayer beads anywhere, except to the bathroom.

I sat cross-legged in the middle of the room in the mosque, I deliberately did not take a position near the pole or wall. Worrying I lean involuntarily when tired or sleepy, and it will put me to sleep. I've brought a bottle of the drink I took from the jug, according to your orders. I can only drink water from jugs that have also been specially prepared for me.

In the dim, silent room of the mosque, I began by concentrating my heart and mind, then bringing ta'awudz, basmalah, and then sending prayers to the prophets and walk according to your direction.

After that I started to think. To dispel the silence, I amplified the volume of my voice a little, only as big as when I was whispering. Slowly, softly and passionately I kept reading it over and over again.

The first night I lived without heavy obstacles other than fatigue and sleepiness. Followed sahur, and fasting during his day. I still read it all the time, even when I am in class. The second night came, just like last night. I was alone in the mosque, kept thinking until the time of sahur.

And now the third night, when I was solemn in remembrance, came - my sight suddenly blurry. I rubbed my eyes a few times, but it still hasn't changed. Then I went out to take the ablution back. I thought maybe by repeating my wudhu my eyes would clear again. Aahh fresh after ablution, my inner.

I went back into the mosque, at that time I saw a man in white koko dress long hands in a pair with plain white gloves, peci in the same color was pure white , and a green turban wrapped around his shoulders. The figure was sitting alone where I was sitting. I couldn't see his face because he was sitting on my back.

Rather than guessing - guess I'd better approach it, I thought.

"Assalamualaikum kyai "greet me while sitting next to him in a slightly backward position so as not to blow it.

"Waalaikumsalam warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh "his answer .

Then she changed her seat facing me. I was surprised, because I didn't recognize him at all. Not the ustad or kyai who used to interact with me in this pesantren. I smiled too, while talking about the figure. His face was clean with a long beard that had all whitened, his eyes were shady but implied firmness, his innate calm and wise, if he saw maybe his age of about sixties. He looks very healthy and strong at that age.

"I'm sorry before his kyai, I've never seen kyai in this pesantren .. I am Danu, kyai " said I introduced myself as I reached for her hand and I kissed respectfully. Whether what perfume is used by this kyai, the room of this mosque becomes fragrant, seharum the aroma of the kyai tube.

" I'm not really kyai in this boarding school, but I know your teacher ..I have approved "his words while smiling and rubbing my head. I also smiled while looking down, not understanding the meaning of the kyai.

Suddenly there was a wind like a fan that was burning, not too strong . When I raised my head to ask ', the figure was no longer in front of me . Unknowingly I dyed looking for her, I swept the corner of the mosque room with my eyes, but empty. But the fragrance is still smelled by me. I decided to go around the mosque while continuing to recite the sentence of remembrance without stopping. The time I did not see the kyai go, my mind while scratching my head that does not itch.

Finally I decided to return to the mosque, taking my original position. I close my eyes, I recite my thoughtful words with a voice like a whisper.

At dawn, I went out of the mosque to eat. Then get ready for the morning prayers. After finishing the morning prayer and reading the morning remembrance, I opened the textbook, while still reading the practice in my heart.

I just want to repeat my lesson for a while, for schoolwork I have finished in the afternoon after school. About five o'clock past thirty minutes I tried to close my eyes, to just get rid of tiredness and drowsiness. Six o'clock and fifteen minutes I woke up, went to the bathroom to get clean and ready for school.

After praying for the congregation, kang Iwan came to me.

" Ansalamualaikum And "

"Guilandam, eehh kang Iwan.. Can Danu help you, kang ?" ask me

"That's Dan, you're called abah .. Sent to his house now" said kang Iwan with a voice that was softened

"Ooh well, I'm there now, kang .. Thank you, I said kang, Assalamualaikum " said I

"Yes Dan, Waalaikumsalam "java kang Iwan.

I'll finish my zikir . It just so happens that today there is no schoolwork. I immediately rushed to my house.

Arriving at home abah , "Assalamualaikum "greet me

" Waalaikumsalam warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh "answer the voice from within, which I believe is the voice of ummu Kusuma.

" Oohh Danu, let's go .. Abah was waiting on the back porch. Still fasting huh Dan ?" ask umm

" Good um, I went straight inside yeah .. God is still fasting, "I answered, cupping both hands in front of my chest. Then step in, after ummu nods with a smile.

I approached my brother who was standing staring at the trees that were growing behind his house from a distance. His old body but still dashing, his hair and beard have all whitened, his eyes look firm, his words polite and soft even though against younger ones like me.

" Assalamualaikum bah "my broom

"Waalaikumsalam warrahmatullahi wabarakatuh, you have come Danu .. Let's sit here " replied my brother, asking me to sit next to him. I approached her, then greeted her. Then sit next to Abah.

"Where is the fast, still strong right ?" ask abah

"God willing still, Bah" I answered

"It used to be as umuran you have often tirakat .. If you are young, God willing is strong even though you lack sleep and lack of fullness" said abah while chuckling . I just nodded while grinning.

"Is there anything you want to say to me, Danu ?" ask abah

Instantly I immediately raised my face while thinking , saying what yes .. not the one I called, I thought. I see you just smiling waiting for me to talk.

Then it occurred to me about the figure who came last night, I immediately told you.

"Look bah , last night there was a figure like Kyai who arrived - arrived after I took ablution. And I'm confused bah, what's approved .. who's blessed .. I don't know, bah" I said

Abah nodded - nodding with a smile, I saw his face was very happy. Then give me a message about what I should prepare to continue in the next place..

" Well, tonight the fourth tirakat in the mosque .. Tomorrow afternoon we train, then you will step somewhere else for three days and three nights. And for three days you will go home before sahur. And back to the place after the ashar prayer. You got it, and you ?" ask abah

"Yes understand, said "my answer, although I was confused because I did not get an answer to my question about a mysterious figure last night.

" Now you may return to the dormitory and continue the following activities "command abah

"Well bah "I immediately grabbed my brother's hand and kissed him, then said hello. After I answered my greetings, I immediately left my house and returned to the dormitory to prepare for archery practice. Because this afternoon it was my schedule to train with kang Abdul , our archery coach.

After the congregational ashar prayer, it was my turn to continue practicing the science of canuragan together with the kang Iwan near the waterfall until the magrib. Kang Iwan advised that when I train with my brother, I must focus more because the science that will be lowered including high-level science . Actually kang Iwan has been taught, somehow can not absorb. Said abah only a chosen person who can absorb the knowledge, and kang Iwan hope I can absorb and master it. I just silently listened while praying that I could master the science according to your direction.

Now the fourth night, I'm back. Alone in the mosque while continuing to recite. I closed my eyes while processing my breathing, I read it over and over again.

By a third of the night, I smelled a fragrant scent. But this time her scent was different, a figure that last night fragrant flowers, this time more to the scent of sandalwood. I still close my eyes, despite being curious about the scent.

I held my prayer beads tightly while I tightened my volume slightly while reciting. The aroma grew stronger, accompanied by a gust of wind. All the windows and doors of the mosque are closed, there cannot be a wind this strong, my inner self. I try to stay calm, even though deg deg an and a little goosebumps.

I focused my mind with a daze. After about fifteen minutes, I felt like there was someone behind me.

Hope that comes the same good figure as the one last night , though there are doubts .. because yesterday I did not feel creepy and deg deg an.

Without stopping to think, I opened my eyes slowly, with my heart racing, I glanced behind me ...

Haaii the kecee readers, this is my first novel 🤠.. Sorry if a lot of typo and groove is still messy 😬🙏

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