The Three Chosen
24. The Teacher's Perseverance

Cloudy clouds appear to shade the Paradise Hospital as if waiting for the right time for the rain to pour on the earth. Similarly, the atmosphere in one of the inpatient rooms currently being inhabited by Kyai Syakir.

After a long time choosing to close his eyes, but finally Kyai Syakir also opened his eyes when three

the special boy in the Darius family came. The smile on his pale face grew welcoming the presence of Hanako, Iyaz and Izar. Both of his hands were stretched out perfectly as if he was in a fit state, whereas before Kyai Syakir could not move his hands at all.

Nyai Atijah and Syahrul seemed happy to see the condition of Kyai Syakir who improved suddenly. Although in his little heart there is envy of the attitude of the abi in Hanako, Iyaz and Izar which is much different than the attitude of the abi in his children, but Syahrul understood and could not cover his happiness at that time.

Iyaz and Izar who were already familiar with Kyai Syakir also poured into his arms. While Hanako seems to stand shyly behind the twins as if waiting for Kyai Syakir to see and greet him.

“ Eyang why, pain yes..?” ask Iyaz.

“ Ga, Eyang healthy really...,” said Kyai Syakir with a smile.

“ Healthy ga here dong Yang. His name is Hospital, it must be a place for the sick. If Eyang here means that Eyang is sick.” protest Izar to make everyone laugh.

“ Yes, yes. You will not win if the debate with Izar. Anyang just no longer feel good kok..,” sahut.

Kyai Syakir while shuffling Izar's hair with anxiety.

“ Ok, hope it heals quickly yes Yang..,” said Izar with a funny mimic.

“ Aamiin, thanks Yes Izar. Uh, Hanako's in the middle of it. Here Nak....,” said Kyai Syakir while looking at Hanako who was smiling.

“ How are you doing Eyang..?” hanako asked as she kissed the back of Kyai Syakir's hand politely.

“ Thank God, good news Son. Is Hanako all right..?” ask Kyai Syakir.

“ I'm not good anymore because I heard that Eyang was admitted to the Hospital..,” Hanako said with a sad mimic.

“ Eyang gapapa kok, Hanako do not be sad yes..,” said Kyai Syakir while stroking Hanako's head gently

makes Hanako smile.

Kyai Syakir then engaged in serious talks with Hanako, Iyaz and Izar. The three little children were seen

nods his head as Kyai Syakir gives his wud. If you look at their attitude, they look different than usual. It made both eyes of Faiq teary because he knew Kyai Syakir was delivering his last ‘message’ to Hanako, Iyaz and Izar.

Half an hour later Kyai Syakir appeared to finish his speech by leaning his body against the bed rest. Hanako, Iyaz and Izar retreat to give Fatur a chance and Faiq talks to Kyai Syakir.

“ Fatur, Faiq. You know what's gonna happen to me..?” kyai Syakir lirih.

“ Yes Kyai....,” say Fatur and Faiq together.

“ Don't be sad, this is destiny. We all will experience it later. I talked to the kids about what

and how they deal with something later. I know they don't understand and it's your job to make them understand.” Kyai Syakir said.

“ God willing We will explain them later Kyai...,” said Fatur.

Then Kyai Syakir reached out his hand as if asking Fatur and Faiq to hold his hand. The perceptive Fatur and Faiq instantly grabbed their teacher's hand and grasped it tightly.

“ I'm sorry if I can no longer accompany you to face the devil..,” Kyai Syakir said with teary eyes.

“ Gapapa Kyai. Sorry I am also because since childhood always ask Kyai nemenin I do not know the time and do not want to know how the condition of Kyai...,” said Faiq while kissing deeply on the back of Kyai Syakir's hand.

“ Gapapa Nak. I'm happy You always remember to bother me first.” said Kyai Syakir with a smile on.

his face while fondly stroking Faiq's head.

Kyai Syakir's words made Fatur and Faiq laugh a little.

“ Thank you for guiding me to understand this gift of God Kyai. I can't imagine if I don't meet Kyai. Maybe someone else will take advantage of me first.” Fatur said as he kissed Kyai Syakir's head.

For a moment only silence occurred between the three of them who sat together. Only the roar of their breath sounded as if they were permeating the last seconds of their togetherness. Then Kyai Syakir again said something that made Fatur and Faiq sad.

“ You can work together to escort the Children and help them later. Do not forget to involve God in

every joint of your life. Do good as much as possible because We never know our good deeds which God likes. Do not be proud of the good deeds that We do because of the grace and compassion of God alone can bring Us into the paradise of God later.”, said Kyai Syakir while closing his eyes.

“ Ready Kyai...,” say Fatur and Faiq together.

Then Fatur and Faiq shifted, they gave Kyai Syakir's son and wife a chance to get closer.

“ Dear Ummi. Maafin Abi who is rarely there beside Ummi because it is busy out there. Thanks for wanting to

nemenin Abi in joy and sorrow. Sorry can not make Ummi happy..” said Kyai Syakir while hugging his wife.

“ Don't talk about dong Abi Darling. Ummi is happy to be Abi's Wife and Mother of Our Children. God willing

Ummi sincerely...,” said Nyai Atijah while shedding tears.

“ Syahrul, please take care of Ummi yes. Do not allow Ummi alone and cry continuously..,” pinta Kyai Syakir.

“ God willing Ummi will not be lonely and cry continuously Bi. Abi calm aja yes..,” said Syahrul with a voice vibrating while kissing the face of the Abi.

“ Aamiin, thanks Nak..,” Kyai Syakir said with a smile.

“ Both Abi. Thanks also for being an amazing Abi for Me.” said Syahrul to make Kyai Syakir smile.

Suddenly Kyai Syakir's body stiffened, his two eyes staring upwards with a smile at the corner of his lips.

“ I say goodbye, forgive me.., Laa... ilaha... Muhammedans... Rosulullah..,” said Kyai Syakir lirih

closed his eyes.

Atijah's cry broke when he saw Kyai Syakir's head drooping to the side and his embrace unraveled indicating that his spirit had left his body. Farah who stood at the end of the bed was swiftly approaching to ensure the condition of Kyai Syakir. A moment later Farah shook her head in a sign that Kyai Syakir was dead.

“ Inna Lillahi wainna ilaihi rojiuun..,” istirja sound echoes filled Kyai Syakir inpatient room.

All the adults in the room looked sad and shed tears. While the three little boys in the Darius family were seen staring at the departure of Kyai Syakir with a confused look. Apparently they were still witnessing the presence of Kyai Syakir's spirit in the room and did not understand why everyone was crying.

Meanwhile, outside the Firdausi Hospital, rain fell heavily spilling water that had been held up there. Nature seemed to mourn and weep for the passing of Kyai Syakir, the qualified and wise spiritual teacher.

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The Kyai Syakir funeral is a solemn walk. Attended by dozens of santri, officials, relatives and relatives including Darius's extended family. They were busy taking care of Kyai Syakir's body and taking care of his funeral.  Kyai Syakir's wife and child also seemed calm because the body of Kyai Syakir has been taken care of very well.

After the funeral and prayer recitation, Syahrul went forward to give a greeting.

“ Assalamualaikum, I represent Ummi and the extended family We would like to express our gratitude

as much as possible for all the attention and assistance that Father Mother has given. Sorry if we can't name them one by one. May Allah reward all the good deeds of the Father with multiple rewards. Aamiin...,” said Syahrul with a vibrating voice.

Syahrul stopped to wipe away the tears and let out a long sigh before continuing.

“ For Me, Abi is a great person. But I realize that Abi is not a perfect person, because nothing is perfect in this world. Therefore I represent him to apologize profusely for the mistakes that Abi did either intentionally or not. If there is a link in the form of accounts payable that we do not know, please meet me. God willing I will finish it later. Thus and

thank ye. Wassalamualaikum warrohmatullahi wabarokatuh..,” Syahrul said with a smile.

“ Wa alaikumsalam warrohmatulli wabarokatuh..,” say concurrent audience.

Then slowly the audience left the funeral. Nyai Atijah, Syahrul and Darius' extended family. Hanako, Iyaz and Izar who have understood that Kyai Syakir died appear to be sad. The three of them looked at the same spot. When Faiq turned to the direction the three saw, he smiled.

Seriate