"Iffah dear?"
Iffah's mother called her daughter, while knocking on Iffah's door.
"Yes mother."
"Iffah why are you still in the room? Let's get out of the room, there's a guest, you know."
"Who's mother?" Iffah asked again.
"Don't you think Iffah forgot, huh? We have guests from Malaya University graduates, namely Rayhan."
Iffah's mother tried to persuade her daughter to want to meet guests. In her heart she must have thought that her daughter was embarrassed because Iffah had always kept herself away from men.
Iffah is silent. The door to his room was still closed. Finally, Iffah's mother tried to enter Iffah's room to see what her daughter was doing.
"Mom come in."
cluck… cluck….
Iffah's mother saw that her son was wearing a full headscarf and holding the Koran in both hands.
"Mother, the guest has already met with papa and mother. So Iffah is better off in her room and reading the Quran. After all, Iffah is also ashamed, mother. Iffah does not know the name Rayhan. After all, he's a man. You know that Iffah tries to keep her eyes off men?"
"But it seems Rayhan wants to meet Iffah," said Iffah's mother.
"Hmm, how are you mom? Iffah doesn't know why she doesn't want to meet. Iffah is really embarrassed to meet foreign men."
"Iffah doesn't need to worry. It was time for my mother to talk to him. It looks like Rayhan is a good man," Iffah's mother tried to persuade Iffah again, "Come on, I'm sorry Rayhan is far away and wants to meet Iffah. Later, Iffah stays quiet, it's okay, unless she's asked to answer it's okay."
"Really mom? Iffah is afraid."
"It's true. Later, Iffah will be by my mother's side."
So finally Iffah nodded, willing to do what her mother said. Iffah is actually a child who is respectful and obedient to her parents. Iffah almost always did what her parents ordered. Because Iffah is aware that one of the doors to heaven is to be a good child to parents.
Iffah's mother held Iffah's hand, then they headed for the living room.
In the living room, Iffah's father and Rayhan were laughing at each other.
"Hey, his voice reached the room, it seemed like he was talking about something fun. What are you talking about?" Iffah's mother asked them.
"This is ma'am, we are discussing the video that went viral yesterday about stand up comedy." Rayhan responded to what Iffah's mother asked.
Iffah's mother or Aisyah's mother, looked at Iffah. Iffah looks down and looks like she doesn't look at Rayhan. After that they sat on the sofa joined to join.
"Mr. Burhan?" Rayhan called Iffah's papa.
"Yes, why? Do you want to chat with Iffah?" he asked Rayhan.
"Hehe wants it like that, but Iffah looks embarrassed like that."
"Yes, Iffah is like that person. It's a bit embarrassing to meet a man, especially when you don't know him that well, right?" said Mr. Burhan.
"Ohh if that's the case, don't worry, Iffah. God willing, I'm a good person. I see Iffah is also a good woman," said Rayhan.
"Yes, Rayhan is indeed a good man. God willing, as Rayhan said, Iffah is a good woman, God willing. So…."
"So?" Rayhan cut in and repeated the question from Mr. Burhan.
"That's why a good man is for a good woman and vice versa, a good woman is for a good man."
Without a burden Pak Rohman said so to Rayhan. Automatically with his self-confidence Rayhan is also getting bolder.
"It seems that before long, what Mr. Rohman said is true." Rayhan said while fixing his sitting position.
Iffah's mother watched carefully, Iffah still seemed silent from earlier.
Rayhan continued what he was saying,
"God willing, Iffah is a good woman. Therefore, I personally have good intentions for Iffah, moreover Iffah is also not only good in character, she is also beautiful and has a big contribution so that she can manage the restaurant very well. I have also received stories from Pak Burhan about Iffah. So with this, Rayhan wants to be serious about Iffah."
Hearing this, Iffah immediately turned to Rayhan.
"What do you mean you want to be serious?" Iffah asked more firmly.
"More precisely, I want to be closer to Iffah, it can be said that I want to propose to Iffah."
Rayhan just said that, but Iffah's answer was unexpected.
"Mas Rayhan doesn't know Iffah completely. There are many things that Mas Rayhan doesn't know about Iffah. Likewise with Iffah who is still lay with Mas Rayhan. It's also the first time we've met like this and iffah really doesn't know that after returning home, she'll be discussing things like this. It's not that Iffah means anything, it's just that Iffah doesn't feel like this yet."
"So I was rejected?" Rayhan asked in disbelief.
Iffah's mother and father faced each other and looked at their son well. They didn't seem to understand why Iffah immediately spoke like that, why didn't they want to do istikhara first maybe? While considering Rayhan's request.
Because everyone's attention was on Iffah, Iffah tried to explain.
"I'm sorry, Mas Rayhan, I'm also sorry for mom and dad, this is really Iffah's decision that has been thought through carefully. Iffah doesn't feel ready yet."
"If Iffah is not ready, I will wait," Rayhan tried to persuade Iffah again.
"Sorry, I can't," said Iffah.
Rayhan's expression was different now. He seemed to be holding back his emotions so as not to explode.
"Does Iffah have a candidate? Ahh, maybe Iffah has a boyfriend, so she refuses my good intentions!"
"Not!" Iffah answered firmly, "Iffah is not dating and does not have a candidate. Iffah's decision has been carefully considered. So please cooperate. God willing, for mom and dad Iffah will explain someday. For now, maybe this is all Iffah can say to Rayhan."
Hearing Iffah's answer, Rayhan seemed to grip his hand a little and he tried to restrain himself.
Then Rayhan tried to take a big breath, then exhale it little by little.
"It's okay if it's Iffah's decision," said Rayhan.
"Not. Maybe Iffah is joking, right?" asked Iffah's father.
"Not. Iffah is serious, sir," replied Iffah briefly and clearly.
"Maybe you're tired because there was a fairly solid activity, that's why Iffah is like this?"
"No, why not. This, God willing, has been honest from the deepest decision of Iffah's heart."
Hearing this Iffah's father looked confused. He must also be reluctant with Rayhan who has come a long way to come here.
"Iffah, don't think about it too much. There's no need to immediately decide on an answer today, it's okay like Iffah just gave the news next week, that's okay too, God willing, I'll wait for Iffah's answer, okay?"
In the end Rayhan wanted to say to wait for Iffah. Iffah remained silent, her head lowered.