73. The Different Opinion

Abah Nurman and Mursida did not want to miss out on their daughter. They specifically called Zahra one evening, after Abah Nurman had returned from the mosque. Zahra sat in front of Abah and her mother. At this point she could already guess what Abah was saying, especially Mursida. "Umi and Abah just want to say that your time is up, Zahra. You've had enough of living alone, it's time to get serious about thinking about a new life." "Umi, what does that mean? Umi is telling Zahra to leave?" "That's not it. Umi wants Zahra to seriously think about marriage with Ehsan." Zahra's face turned grim. Ehsan again. She had tried to avoid discussing Ehsan in front of Mursida all this time because she didn't want to argue with her mother. "Sooner or later, whether you like it or not, you have to enter married life, Zahra. It is your nature as a woman. You have to bear children, to carry on the family line." "That's it? Is that all Umi thinks about?" "Zahra, don't be selfish! All this time Abah and Umi have tried to understand you. Very, very understanding, even when girls your age are already sending their children to elementary school, junior high school, Abah and Umi are silent, aren't they? But this time please listen to us." Zahra took a deep breath. Trying to gather her patience. This wasn't the first time this had been discussed so she shouldn't be surprised. "If Abah and Umi are thinking of grandchildren, Zahra can't give them yet. But if Abah and Umi think about Zahra's happiness, Alhamdullillah Zahra is very happy right now. Zahra still thinks that's the most important thing. Zahra lives this life sincerely without burden." "Have you forgotten that humans are created in pairs, Zahra? Don't reject the line of destiny, Ehsan has repeatedly said he is ready to marry you!" "Zahra is sorry, because now Zahra has decided not to marry Bang Ehsan." Abah Nurman was silent, while Mursida immediately grabbed her chest, which suddenly felt tight. "Why did you refuse Ehsan?" asked Mursida, lowering her voice. "Let's just say we weren't meant to be, Umi. And don't tell me that Zahra never tried. Umi, have you seen what she's been doing? Don't you see that every day Zahra is always struggling to organize this and that, where is Bang Ehsan when Zahra needs male power?" Zahra asked, making Mursida pause. "Zahra is not underestimating Bang Ehsan, nor is she making a big deal out of his obscure job, although that could be a problem too. Zahra just wants a man who genuinely loves her, without being asked, without being told, just like Abah always holds Umi's hand." Zahra paused her sentence. She prayed in her heart. Hopefully, her intention was not to patronize her parents. She just wanted her parents to understand her way of thinking.   "Abah always prepares Umi's sandals for every ablution. Abah also took the clothesline, Umi's clothes, folded them, even though he knew it was Umi's job. Abah never asked what Umi was cooking. Abah always ate all of Umi's cooking. Abah washed his own dishes, clothes, pants, all Abah did himself, because what? Because Abah loved Umi sincerely. Abah did not want to trouble Umi. Even though he knew Umi would be rewarded if he did everything for her, he was not selfish. This is the sincere love that Zahra is talking about, Umi. Zahra will get married when she meets a man like Abah." Abah Nurman and Mursida could answer no more, nor did they want to argue with Zahra. It was as simple as their daughter thought. It wasn't simple, because that man was already present in Zahra's life. "Umi wants Zahra to be lucky like Umi, right?" This time Mursida could only nod while organizing her feelings. A father is a daughter's first love. So far, her husband's attitude towards Zahra had not been excessive. Abah Nurman only reprimanded her when she made a mistake. But it turns out that this makes Zahra observe and secretly look for a husband who looks like her Abah. This was something new to Mursida. "So Zahra is patient, because she believes that one day Allah will give her the husband she wants. Even if Allah knows better what Zahra needs." "Not all men are like Abah. Don't let that be your standard, Zahra." This time Abah Nurman interrupted. "Abah has also made mistakes with Umi. Abah is not a perfect man that you can use as a mecca in choosing a mate." "Nope. For Zahra, Abah is the best, most patient husband, most understanding father in the world." Until now Zahra has been single, her father has never commented or reprimanded her like Mursida, nor has Abah Nurman interfered in his daughter's personal affairs regarding the world of romance. That's what makes Zahra so comfortable that she's now thirty-five years old. "So you still don't want to marry Ehsan?" repeated Mursida. She no longer knew how to convince Zahra. In reality, what Zahra said was true. Ehsan wasn't really trying to get close to her or help her, which he could have done if he wanted to. Zahra still had to find someone else, and Dayyan was her choice. As a coworker, because in this catering business she needed a trustworthy and reliable delivery person. "Sorry Umi, this time Zahra disappointed Umi and Abah again," Zahra said softly. Abah Nurman took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. This was what he was afraid of. Not because Zahra refused to marry Ehsan, but because Zahra's heart had been captivated by another man. "The man who always takes Zahra to the market doesn't seem to be just a coworker. Zahra has never been so calm as to express her feelings to her parents. All this must have something to do with him." Abah Nurman thought. "Zahra, who is the man who takes you every morning?" he asked. "Oh, he's a motorcycle taxi driver who Zahra trusts to deliver orders to customers, Abah. He's kind, polite, diligent and trustworthy. Zahra is forced to take ojek offline so that if she needs it quickly, he will come immediately." "This is what your abah asked me yesterday. An offline ojek is like a base ojek driver, right?" "That's right, Umi. At first, Bang Ehsan was the one Zahra trusted. But it turned out to be disappointing. Even the customer got angry because the order didn't come. Zahra can't rely on men like Bang Ehsan. Once again, Zahra apologizes if she has disappointed abah and umi. It's not that Zahra refuses to be married, but Zahra doesn't fit the person. Zahra hopes abah and umi can understand." "But Zahra, the main purpose of having a husband is not to help you deliver orders, is it?" Mursida was still curious. She didn't want her daughter's thinking to turn out to be wrong, if that happened she would be the one to correct her. "Not Umi, but from that alone Zahra can already judge a person's responsibility. To work and even to her family." Abah Nurman and Mursida looked at each other. Now they had a new homework assignment: explaining to Ehsan's family that Ehsan and Zahra's wedding plans would never materialize.