The Story of the Sky
Caught Wet

Abah Ubaid and Umm Hafshah, watching the two young men who were heading towards them. He saw that one of the young men dressed in santri was Zulkifli, a confidant of Abah. But they did not recognize the young man who was with Zul.

'' As...'' Said Zul and Alan when both were in front of Abah Ubaid's residence, and saw Abah and Ummi who were sitting there.

'' wa'alaikumsalaam warahmatullah.., Zul, here! Sit sit.'' Abah called the two of them, sitting on the teak chair there, after they shook hands.

'' Zul, what do you want to drink? coffee, tea, or what, and this..?'' Abah patted his seat, then looked at Alan.

Abah Ubaid was already very familiar with Zul. Besides Zul is a senior santri, Zul is also a confidant of Abah Ubaid. Therefore, Abah Ubaid no longer considers Zul as someone else. Especially since his son Gus Alif died two years ago, he already considers Zul like his own family. However, Zul still maintained his courtesy towards Abah Ubaid.

Zul never misused the trust of Abah Ubaid, to seek his own benefit. He was even more careful in doing anything, so as not to damage the trust of his teacher. That is what makes Abah Ubaid more and more put his trust in Zul.

'' No need to bother Abah.., I am here because there is little need with Abah. Oh yes Bah..! Here, introduce our new santri named Alan from Jakarta.'' Zul then introduces Alan, after they sit there.

'' Oh. So this is the new santri? Pantesan, Abah has never seen. Son, what was his name?'' ask Abah.

'' Alan Abah.'' Alan answered it immediately.

'' Oh. Oh, yes yes!, Alan boy wants to go here?'' ask Abah Ubaid.

'' I'm Abah.., I want to study religion here.'' he replied.

'' Yeah yeah, good good. By the way, Alan's son ever go where?'' ask Abah to investigate.

Asked like that, Alan just kept silent then turned to look towards Zul. Seeing Alan just silent and turning to look at him, Zul seemed to understand what Alan meant. Zul then said:

'' Emm.., look Bah. This Alan Kang, just started learning hijrah. So, just starting this in our pesantren.'' said Zul representing Alan.

'' Oh, that's good.! Son Alan need not be ashamed to emigrate. It's never too late to clean up. Hidayah does not always come from the beginning, he can come in the middle, it can also be at the end.''

'' It doesn't matter when it comes. But clearly, as long as the life is still in the body, God will always accept the presence of his servant. And don't forget, that guidance isn't always present to everyone. So, for those of us who are still given the opportunity to get guidance whether it is from the beginning, middle, or end! so, should be grateful and always take care of him.''

While Alan and Zul were listening to Abah Ubaid's message, Ummi and his daughter brought two cups of tea and some snacks from the house.

'' Who.., Ummi, this is even a bother.'' said Zul, seeing the arrival of Ummi and also Naila his daughter.

'' Walah Zul's..Zul. You are, like Ummi, do not memorize you!. Usually, you are always the one. Moreover, if Abah had run out of travel, which you asked for souvenirs first.'' Ummi said to Zul.

When Gus Alif was still around, Roshan and Zul were close friends with Alif. So that the three of them, already like siblings in the eyes of Ummi Hafshah. Therefore, both Abah and Ummi, no longer hesitate to joke with them. But of course, it is still within reasonable limits.

'' Oh Ummi.., Ummi knows how Zul. Zul became embarrassed.'' said Zul while pretending to cover his face.

'' Elleh, ashamed of shame!, but you want to too..?'' said Ummi while putting two cups of tea, and several dishes of cake on the round table.

Alan who saw that also joined in with a smile.

'' Well.!, this is how Alan is. Ummi if you have met Zul, Roshan and Alif our son, really like to joke. Sometimes, Abah gets to cuekin. If only Ummi was young, surely Abah would be jealous Abah said while pretending to sulk.

'' Abah.., we are old!, it is no longer the time for such things!. Anyway, the one who should be jealous is this Naila.., isn't Nail?'' Ummi while glancing at Naila his daughter.

'' Iih.., what the hell is Ummi? wear and carry Naila everything.'' said Naila timidly, who then immediately rushed into the house.

Seeing that, Abah and Ummi looked at each other. They had realized that her daughter actually had feelings for Zul.

In the past, Gus Alif also said in his candlestick to Naila, to choose between Zul and Roshan. Naila is more interested in Zul. Likewise with Zul, he also has a taste for Naila. It's just that, Zul has not dared to convey the intention of his heart to Abah and Ummi, because he is still not ready to be born and inner.

'' Restrict! what did Ummi say? Zul..''

After saying that, Ummi and Abah looked at Zul. Zul who understood the meaning of Abah and Ummi's attitude, then said :

'' The time is still not right Ummi.!, the problem that is in this pesantren, still more must be in perioritaskan first.'' said Zul.

'' Yes, because of Zul!. I forgot there were guests. I'm sorry!, son. What was his name?''

Ummi Hafshah asked Alan, because when Zul introduced Alan earlier, Ummi had gone to the kitchen to make drinks.

'' My name is Alan Ummi.'' Alan replied briefly.

'' Oh. Oh, son Alan. That!, please drink the tea. Mumpung is still warm, while tasting also the snack.'' said Ummi.

Alan nodded, then took the warm cup of tea that had just been served. When the warm tea was close to his nose, Alan smelled the fresh and fragrant aroma of the tea leaves coming out of the cup, then tasted it.

'' Wow.., the tea is really fragrant and fresh Ummi. It also feels really special. Rarely can you make a tea like this! Why not just develop for business?''

Alan recalled when he was still overseas. At that time, he met a person who was an expert in making tea. He also tasted his tea. And the taste, very different from tea drinks in general.

'' Ah, son Alan could have. It's just a regular tea, isn't it Bah?'' ummi said while glancing at Abah.

Abah Ubaid is also mangosteen, but the attitude of both even makes Alan feel Abah and Umi are hiding something. Ummi had also thought, if Alan's speech was just a small talk, as Zul often did. But when they heard Alan's next story they were stunned.

'' No Ummi, this is really a special tea. Although I am not a true tea connoisseur, but I can distinguish the aroma and taste of ordinary tea with special.'' said Alan with a serious facial expression.

'' It seems, this Umi-made tea, using ancient concoction techniques in the Dutch era. Then, please teach me also dong Ummi! Who knows, it could be useful for me in the future, said Alan next.

Abah and Umi looked at each other. They really did not expect, it turned out that this Alan, knew the secret about their special tea concoction.

Hearing what Alan said, Zul also nodded. He who often enjoyed this Ummi-made tea, never knew that what he drank was ordinary or special tea. All he knows, this Ummi-made tea tastes delicious.

At first, Ummi wanted to go into the house. But, after seeing that this new santri turned out to be different from other Abah santri, he finally sat next to Abah. Abah who felt the secret of his family was discovered by Alan, finally he began to tell stories.

'' Look son Alan.., what Alan wants to say is true. The tea that we serve, is indeed a special tea inherited from Abah's parents, which was passed down by generations from ancient times.''

'' In the past, Abah's parents also cultivated this special type of tea seed, and sold it to the owners of tea plantations in this area. Although it has not been sold in the form of ready consumption, but the result, Alhamdulillah.., can be to build this pesantren. But unfortunately, since the disaster happened, everything has now been lost. Our tea garden, which is behind the hill, is now confiscated by the landlords who are here.''

Abah Ubaid took a deep breath, his chest felt tight considering the bitter events experienced by his family.

'' Now, all that is left is a few plots of rice fields, the result of which is only enough for daily needs. Alan can see!. Some dormitory buildings, as well as other buildings, are now abandoned because there is no funds to continue.''

'' In fact, in the past Father yai when handing over this pesantren to Abah, he said, that in the hands of Abahlah this pesantren will later achieve progress. But in fact, even in the hands of Abahlah, now it has begun to look signs of destruction. Abah became embarrassed and felt guilty with Father yai.'' Abah said full of sadness.

Alan who was curious about the story told by Abah, fixed his sitting position, then asked.

'' Abah.., why Abah's tea garden can be confiscated by Pak lurah?'' asked Alan curiously.

'' Here's what Alan is. Two years ago, Alif son of Abah was looking through our tea garden, finding a group of people who committed a massive theft, in a tea plantation owned by a businessman who he said from Jakarta. At that time, Alif immediately reported the incident to the foreman of the plantation. However, the foreman threatened Alif not to interfere with their company affairs. Because it turns out, the thieves have indeed collaborated with the foreman. And according to what Alif said to Abah, it turns out that the thieves are the men of the lurah sir's henchmen.''

'' Given how the nature of Mr. Lurah, Abah had forbidden him to interfere with the problem. Because Abah is worried, it will have less good consequences for Alif. But finally, Alif still reported it to the authorities, and also planned to report it to the owner of the tea plantation.''

'' Because there is not enough evidence, and coupled with the cunning nature of Mr. Lurah, Alif finally reported back. Pak lurah's lawsuit was granted by the court. And we have to pay a fine of 500 million, in less than a month. That is what ultimately led to our garden being confiscated. Doesn't stop there. After our garden was confiscated, on that grieving day.., we also found Alif lying on a rice fielder with very sad conditions and dead.''

Abah tearfully, still recounting the bitter incident to Alan, like a victim who was asking for justice to a judge. Ummi and Zul also cried. The pain and agony of the events of two years ago, came back to their minds.

Alan heard Abah's words, his heart also felt pain. His eyes also glazed. For a while, Abah was silent. Then, after taking a few deep breaths, he began to continue to tell stories.

'' Since then, Ummi has often been sickly. And to treat Ummi, we were also forced to sell some land around the pesantren. And what makes us even more helpless is, Pak Lurah pretends to leave his son the Deddy to study in this boarding school. Of course with a certain meaning that is not good. And that was evident after a year here, he tried to be indecent with our sisters. Although his actions did not reach further, but the parents of the victim, demanding accountability from our side as the caregiver of this boarding school.''

'' Asking Deddy to take responsibility is impossible. Because, there are already many out there who are victims of his depravity. Finally, in order to maintain the good name of Abah and this boarding school, son Roshan as the head of the dormitory son, willing to sacrifice to marry the santriwati. As long as the boy is still in this boarding school, we are still haunted by a deep sense of worry. In case he would repeat his actions to other santriwati.''

The more he heard about the lurah pak lurah and his son, Alan like burning emotions. Unknowingly, he clenched both of his palms. In his heart he was determined to teach the two men a lesson and his accomplices.

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