Don't Fall in Love Again

"I've fallen many times, and when I rise among the stars, a ray of hope illuminates. Even though the sky is dark, doesn't my dream have a chance to come true?"

Before he got married, his dream was to teach at an elementary school where Haziya came from to study. However, her plans don't go as planned when her ex-husband forbids her to work. Moving to the in-laws' village, making the distance back and forth took almost an hour. Shabir is worried that he cannot divide the time. Pursuing her husband's pleasure, Haziya complied.

Now, after the two of them separated. There was no income from Shabir since his return to his mother's house, so Haziya had to rack her brains to find a job. Even though both parents said they were still able to pay for their needs, Haziya didn't want to burden them at the age of almost twenty-five. He wanted to help ease their lives.

"Oh, it's almost late!" Haziya immediately got up from the chair, enjoying reading a story about herself written by Diana, an indie writer and her childhood friend, she lost track of time. Supposedly, Haziya had arrived at Miska's house, the two had made an appointment to meet at Miska's house to help Haziya find a job.

Miska's parents have only opened a Pidie branch of tutoring for a few months. If it fits Haziya wants to apply there.

"Mom, pray for Ziya, I hope all matters will be eased." Haziya said goodbye without forgetting to say hello and kissed her mother's palm.

"Amen, waalaikumsalam, be careful on the road, son." Haziya rode a motorcycle without forgetting to bring a mask. Although it was not an emergency in Java, the Aceh government remained vigilant and ordered the public to obey health protocols, and there were even sanctions as fines for violations.

"Assalamualaikum," said Haziya knocking on the door, not long after Aunt whom she had known as Miska's house assistant invited her in.

"Just go upstairs, Dek, Miska is still in the room, it seems, hasn't come downstairs. You will eat with her later, yes, it's very difficult to force her to eat. She says she's on a diet, even though she's already slim. Is it true that girls like to torture themselves, " Bi Uti joked.

"Okay, Bi, I'm going upstairs," concluded Haziya and then climbed the stairs. Even though Miska is richer than her, the woman who is now a teacher at the district MAN has never been arrogant, let alone choosing a commensurate friend to be a friend. While they were in college, both Azizah and Miska, who were classified as children, always treated all their friends the same. Likewise for Haziya, the son of a farmer who makes the fields as a place to earn a living.

"Assalamualaikum, Miska, I'm in!" Haziya pushed open the door after greeting. He was used to walking inside, because it was Miska who told him to treat it like home. Moreover, this house is only occupied by parents and workers, while Miska is the only child. So, Haziya doesn't have to worry about running into a non-mahram at any time.

Haziya continued to walk to the side of the bed while calling Miska's name without a reply, she thought the girl who just got engaged was still sleeping under the blanket. Sunday is a day where Miska can lay down all day, plus the hobby of watching drama. Haziya had already memorized her friend's waking hours.

"Come on, Miska, it's ten o'clock." Haziya wiggled on the edge of the blanket. There was no answer, usually Miska would ask her to wait for a few minutes and Haziya would immediately pull the blanket and bolster pillow that became a loyal friend to take Miska to dreamland.

"Why do you wear so much perfume, Mis," commented Haziya, stroking her nose when she smelled the masculine scent. The scent that emanated was different from usual. Miska doesn't like changing perfumes after her fiancé gave her last year's birthday gift with Cherry scented perfume.

"Mis... you, my God!" Haziya was taken aback, her steps backed away when suddenly the figure behind the blanket pushed the thick white cloth to a sitting position.

"You are so sinful," the man squeaked still hugging the bolster pillow. "Oh dear, don't look at me like that, my face is indeed handsome because I am your future soul mate."

Haziya woke up, quickly looked down and turned around when she realized the unknown man was only wearing a sleeveless t-shirt.

"Sorry, I thought Miska," said Haziya, still not daring to look at the man, wanting to get out, but what can I do, it feels like stiff legs can't be moved.

"Eid is over, why are you apologizing," replied the man on the bed with a chuckle.

"Miska, where are you?" he asked staring at the wall plastered with Mickey mouse wallpaper. Haziya wanted to make sure Miska's whereabouts would not happen again like before. It felt like he had entered the room.

"Is my handsome face any less attractive than that flat wall?"

"I'm sorry," said Haziya forcing her feet to walk out of the room, her question was ignored by the man earlier.

"Eh, Ziya has arrived?" Miska gasped when she saw Haziya's figure in the doorway.

"Yeah, I just--"

"Your friend must be responsible," interrupted the tall man as he got out of bed.

"What the hell, Bang," Miska grumbled when her cousin walked up to them.

"He must be responsible for disturbing my beautiful dream, but it's okay, his presence is more beautiful than my dream."

"Go eat your gombalan, it won't work!" Miska pushed Zaweel out of the room, then immediately locked the door.

"Sorry, I forgot to tell you that he arrived last night. Eh, I wanted to sleep in my room because in the guest room he said he wasn't feeling well, no one had slept there for a long time. I had to sleep. Have you been here for a long time?"

Haziya shook her head, trying to get rid of the man's shadow.

"He's really a jerk, you know he's been a city kid for a long time," said Miska as she put on her clothes. "His name is Zaweel Luqman, just call him Luqman, so you don't forget the mainland, he wants to be called Zaweel so he looks slang," Miska sneered, grumbling at the behavior of her cousin who was six years older than her.

"He's twenty-nine, he's acting like a kid. Later when he's babbling, just let it be, if you're being treated it will get worse."

"Yeah, yeah, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come on, come down and fill your stomach, your clothes are already loose," said Haziya, remembering Bi Uti's message earlier.

"But Ziya, last night I weighed up one kilo," Miska complained while looking in the mirror. "Look at my cheeks getting dumplings again."

"Scorched dumplings, yes, your cheeks are thin like this. Come on, ah." Haziya immediately pulled Miska's hand so she wouldn't look in the mirror for too long and was insecure about her own body.

"There is kedondong that is delicious to eat, hello to the future woman," said Zaweel at the dining table when the two entered the dining room. The man widened a smile when Miska glared at him.

"Why are you busy, bun girl. Just blush your friend," joked Zaweel getting a small glance on his arm.

"Don't insult me ​​crocodile man, I didn't feed you recently--"

"Just gojekin, it's really hard," said Zaweel, then grabbed the corn cake and immediately ate it.

"Come on sit down, mother of my children don't just stand there," Zaweel teased with his hand pointing at the chair next to him, pretending to be welcoming a guest.

"Already let these aliens go, sit Ziya."

Ziya tried to be normal, lest she was blown away let alone fell into the same hole.