The Story of the Sky
Letter Piece

After performing the congregational prayers in the mosque, senior santri men immediately gathered in the pesantren Hall. The number of senior santri currently around 40 people, because most have returned to their hometowns. In addition to those who are currently in a period of devotion for one year here, among them are also permanent teachers in this pesantren. And there are also some ustadz who live outside the pesantren.

A little while later, Abah is followed by Zul, coming and entering the room. All the santri immediately lined up to greet and shake hands with Abah. After Abah sat on the chair beside the podium in the room, all the students sat down. Because in the hall room, there are no chairs provided.

'' Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarokatuh.'' Abah opened the word at the meeting.

'' Wa'alaikumsalaam warahmatullahi wabarokaatuh.'' replied all who were present in that place.

'' My students. Perhaps you are wondering, why are you calling to gather in this place right now?''

'' There is something important, which Abah wants to tell you all. This is related to our pesantren problem, whether the previous, present, or future problems. Abah also apologized, because in recent years, many things have happened that make you uncomfortable, both in terms of learning and teaching. Abah not not unresponsive to this problem, but honestly, Abah really can not do much in the face of it all.''

'' But God willing.., from this moment on, Abah will not remain silent. Abah will try as much as possible, to fight the injustice that occurs in this pesantren. For that, because Abah also could not possibly do it alone, then Abah asked for help all of you to fight together.''

'' Are you all ready to fight for this pesantren?'' asked Abah with a voice.

'' God willing, we are ready Abah.'' replied the santri excitedly.

'' Do you all dare to sacrifice for our pesantren?'' ask Abah again.

'' God willing, ready Abah.'' answered them again.

'' Are any of you hesitant or afraid? if any! please step down and join junior santri only.'' Abah tried to convince.

Everyone in the room was silent. For a long time they had been waiting for this opportunity, but Zul and Abah had always forbidden them to act. Therefore, of course, none of them want to retreat.

'' No Abah, we don't want to back down. This is our chance to prove that we love this pesantren, and do not like tyranny. Allah Akbar!''... Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar said one of the santri who was immediately welcomed by all those present at the place.

'' Alhamdulillah, well then, Abah will convey. According to information, later tonight Deddy and the paid men of Lurah, will come to make money in our boarding school. Tonight, we'll do the defense. Abah will give you the drinking water that Abah has recited dhikr, so that you are immune to weapons. But you need to remember!, this is only temporary. So don't assume you'll be immune next. And also you need to know, this is only immune from weapons, not immune to blows. For that, as much as possible you have to avoid the blows that come towards your limbs.''

'' For tonight, Abah only allows you to fight. So let no one have the intention to kill. Remember that!. Only in self-defense, and not in order to hurt. And as your weapon, just use wood or blunt bamboo. Understand everything?!'' said Abah.

'' Understand Abah!'' the students answered.

After what needed to be conveyed to the santri had been delivered all, Abah then called Zul, then told Zul to prepare the water he had brought. Zul immediately did as Abah told him. After all was ready, Abah then allowed one by one the people present there, to take the water and drink it. After everyone had drunk the prayer water, Abah randomly called 3 people who would do immune testimony from weapons.

Abah then called another santri to hold a very sharp machete, which was commonly used to slaughter sacrificial animals. Abah then ordered the santri to attack the three santri. Because the attack was too sudden, the three students did not have time to dodge. They reflexively simply repelled the attack with their hands and feet. It made everyone present in that place feel a sense of tension.

However, they also knew that the machete used to slaughter the sacrificial animal was very sharp. However, they were finally stunned, when they saw the three santri who were suddenly attacked, none of them were injured. In fact, clearly they were hit by sabetage from the machete. After feeling enough, Abah then told them to stop and return to their respective places.

After watching the scene earlier, everyone present there felt more calm. Because now, they would not have to fear anymore, if later the people they were going to fight were to carry weapons. Shortly after, they returned to their dormitories, to clean themselves and also have lunch with the other students.

...----------------...

Meanwhile, in the princess dorm...

Naila, Tiara, neng Geulis (cousin of Tiara), and some other princess santri, were busy preparing food for the afternoon meal of all the santri in the pesantren. Today they got a turn to cook. Because the number of santri here is quite a lot, then for the purposes of the general kitchen, every santri princess gets rations once a week for cooking.

'' Sister Tiara.., don't daydream. Gosong cuisine later!'' naila said as she looked at Tiara who was out of focus.

'' Yes, yes, I know Teh.., who is it? lately, Teteh kok seems to often bengong like that!'' sahut Neng geulis.

As Naila and Neng geulis said, Tiara was somewhat surprised. He was thinking about his girlfriend Fadil. He also thought about who helped him last week. He still imagined the face of Fadil, when the incident in the tea garden. Actually, who was the one who had helped him?, why did he remember, only Fadil's face back then?. But why Naila said, if the one who helped him was named Alan, a new santri from Jakarta. That was what Tiara had in mind for these few days. Then, Tiara suddenly recalled Fadil's words back when he was in a coma.

'' Tiara.., if you feel hard living this life, and if you miss me so much, then go to the boarding school, study well there! God willing your miss will be treated.''

I don't know what Fadil meant by saying that. Tiara really felt confused by all this. However, there is one thing that makes Tiara feel something different, namely: when she saw or touched the white turban given by Alan, as a substitute for her veil at that time. Tiara felt, every time she saw or touched the turban, as if Fadil was near it.

'' Ma'am.., don't keep thinking! God willing, everything will have a silver lining, Naila said.

'' That's right.., God willing, if it's a match, it certainly won't go anywhere. I think Naila is this! ehm ehm.'' Neng geulis teased Naila.

'' Iih.., what the hell are you?'' naila said a little shyly.

In Naila's mind, Tiara was still thinking about the incident, so she tried to comfort Tiara. But unlike Neng Geulis' mind, he even thought that Tiara was in love with someone, so he even teased Tiara. Neng Geulis also did not know, about the incident that had been experienced by Naila and Tiara. Because, both Naila and Tiara, they kept the incident secret to everyone, including Neng geulis. Therefore, what they knew at that time was that Naila and Tiara fell from the motorbike causing some of their groceries to be damaged or lost.

'' I do not daydream.., I only remember the family at home.'' replied Tiara, covering up what she was feeling.

'' That's normal, I used to be that early as well. Kangen house, kangen friends, but later also ordinary.'' said another santri.

'' Oh yes, Miss Naila, Neng geulis. What's going on tonight? kok ngajinya until the holidays, we also can not get out of the dorm.'' continued the santri.

'' Don't know mbak!, but clearly, this is definitely for something very important. Otherwise, how could Abah be the same Ummi asked us to like that.'' Naila replied.

'' Right mbak. But most importantly, we're just spoiled. I am sure, this is for the good of all of us.'' said Neng geulis.

Without notice, time is approaching magrib. All santri immediately came to the mosque to perform Maghrib prayers. For male santri, they pray in the mosque As for female santri, they pray in the mosque in the dormitory location. After the Maghrib prayer, all the santri returned to their respective dormitories. Tiara, Naila and Neng geulis, as well as his roommates, they perform from the Qur'an. Since there was no activity tonight, Tiara then took out a book and pen. On the empty paper, Tiara wrote a letter.

'' Assalamualaikum... ''

Sorry for earlier. With no intention whatsoever, I deliberately wrote this letter. I am the one you helped a few days ago. Sorry, too, if I haven't had time to thank you for your help directly. That doesn't mean that I don't want to say it, but it's these situations and conditions that don't allow for that.

If only at that time there was no one to help me from the tyranny of that person, it would have ruined my life. Half my soul is gone. If it wasn't for your help then, I don't know anymore, how would I have survived. For that, by not reducing its value, through the scratch of this pen, I want to say thousands of thanks to you. Again, thank you so much for your help.

And if allowed, I beg your permission and apologize, because the turban cloth you have not been able to return. I don't know why. But the cloth felt so meaningful to me. It was as if the scarf had brought me closer to the one who had brought half my soul. Excuse me... I may not be able to repay your kindness. I can only pray, may your kindness be reciprocated by Allah SWT with goodness in the world and also in the hereafter. Amiid...

'' Wassalamu'alaikum...''

^^^tiara. ^^^

...****************...