Chapter 7
"There are more?"
"That's enough, do you agree?"
"Okay, I agree!" I answered quickly.
Yes, I cheered inside. We shook hands as a sign that an agreement had been reached. I'm grateful that Shasa was willing to work with me. This is called Symbiosis Mutualism, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties.
"Come on, come with me to the house. Mama and Papa will be happy to know this!" get me excited.
"No, Mas, I... can't stay at other people's houses."
It turns out that Shasa still doesn't want me to stay at my house.
"Oh yeah, since you don't want to stay at my house, how about looking for a place to rent for a while. We're not going to get married in a month. So you just rent for a month. It's a shame Shakira has to live in a refugee camp."
"Okay, I'll look for it around here later. It's just a boarding house because our furniture isn't there at all."
I looked at Shasa and Shakira, that's right. All their possessions were burnt. And I'm sure the clothes they have are all they have left to wear.
"Sha, let's come with me!" Suddenly I thought of an idea.
"Where are you?"
"Let's buy your clothes, you must have not changed since yesterday?"
Shasa and Shakira looked at each other then smiled at me.
"Yes, Mas, it also feels really hot. The skin feels sticky."
""Yes, then let's go now!" I said.
Shasa and Shakira looked enthusiastic, I smiled at them. It turns out that almost half of the women in the world like their hobby, shopping!
Arriving at the Mall, I took them to a shop that sold Muslim equipment, ranging from clothes, hijabs to complete women's personal equipment here.
"Come in, you choose and take whatever you need. I'll be waiting here!" I said.
Shasa and his sister looked doubtful, I called one of the shop employees near me.
"Yes sir, can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Please help my two younger siblings to choose the complete equipment inside and out okay!"
"Okay sir!" he replied.
Then invite Shasa and Shakira to choose whatever they need.
Less than half an hour after they had finished choosing, I saw that they each only chose two pairs of complete clothes.
"That's all, where's enough. Take it again!" I ordered.
"But sir...."
"No buts. Pick at least four pairs for you. More is fine too!" I cut.
Shasa returned to choose the clothes she wanted. After everything is done, and has been counted by the cashier then I pay for all the groceries.
After that I asked them to buy make-up equipment, because I know for sure they don't have any at the moment. On the way earlier, Shakira told me that when they arrived at the shop last night, the store was half burnt.
Drrrtt... Drrttt....
My phone vibrates, it's a call from Papa.
[Hello Pa, assalamualaikum,] my greetings.
[Waalaikumsalam, where are you Syam. Papa arrived at the office but you haven't even come yet,] my papa scolded.
[Yes Pa, sorry. Hisyam is taking Papa's future son-in-law shopping,] I replied with a smile.
I can imagine Papa's face right now.
[Should-be son-in-law, you're not kidding right?]
Well, right! Papa definitely doesn't believe what I'm saying. The phone was turned off, soon Papa called back with a video call. Oh my god, I thought.
[Where is Papa's son-in-law if you're not lying!]
While laughing I called Shasa who was choosing lipstick in a cosmetics store.
"What's wrong, sir?" asked Shasa while walking closer.
"Dad wants to talk," I replied.
Shasa received my cell phone, with a smile he greeted my papa.
[Assalamualaikum, introduce me Shasa, Uncle.]
[Shasa, are you really Hisham's girlfriend?]
[Not Om,] said Shasa, glancing at me.
I glared but Shasa instead laughed mockingly. Papa was no less confused on the other end, but he didn't say anything.
"Really, Uncle. I'm not Mas Hisham's girlfriend, but... I'm his future wife.]
Papa laughed at the other end, I just shook my head.
[Turns out you can joke too huh, okay then. Come home tonight, Uncle and Aunt want to get to know each other. Let's have dinner together!]
[Yes, Uncle. If God allows.]
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, my dad ended the call.
"This is Mas," Shasa said, handing me the phone.
"So, will you come to my house this afternoon?"
Shasa nodded, then pulled Shakira's hand who was engrossed in Shasa's cell phone.
"On condition Shakira comes along!"
I nodded, then invited them to go back to their former shop. Actually I wanted to accompany them to look for a boarding house, but in an hour I have a meeting with the client and Papa.
Shasa said that the two of them alone would look for him. I immediately went to the office after they got out of my car.
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In the afternoon I was sitting pretty behind the wheel of the car, waiting for Shasa and Shakira who were getting ready in the mosque toilet near the location of the evacuation tents.
Tonight they are forced to sleep back in the tent, because they haven't found a boarding house that suits them. After waiting for some time, they finally finished too.
"What's that?" I asked in surprise.
Shasa and Shakira each brought a package that they brought this afternoon from the Mall.
"These are the clothes and stuff that Mas bought this afternoon. No one wants to be entrusted to look after them in Mas's tent. So I'll just take them, it won't be good if they get lost later," Shasa replied as he put the package he was carrying into the car.
"That's right, it's a shame if you leave it, it will disappear. It's ready, let's go now!"
"Yes Mas," Shakira and Shasa answered together.
I smiled and drove the car to my house. Throughout the quiet journey, there was no conversation between us. Everyone was busy with their thoughts, I imagined how my parents would react to seeing Shasa and her sister.
I glance at Shasa who sits beside me, she also seems to be restless. maybe he was worried about the reaction of my Mama and papa.
"Why are you Sha?" I asked breaking the silence.
To be continued