Chapter 4

Nabila was watching a drama that had become the talk of the town, though she wasn't particularly interested in such shows. She just watched whatever was on TV. As she was absorbed in the drama, Izzati, just finished her Isyak prayers, came down from upstairs and headed toward Nabila.

"You're watching this show too?", Izzati asked as she took a seat beside Nabila.

"I'm just watching whatever's on.", Nabila replied while munching on some snacks.

"Oh, I thought you were really into these kinds of dramas.", Izzati said.

As they continued watching, something suddenly struck Izzati, and she shouted, "Ahh, I forgot!"

Startled, Nabila asked, "What's wrong with you? You scared me!", as she clutched her chest.

Izzati grinned sheepishly, "Hehe, sorry, sorry. I just remembered something. Before I went to pray, I wanted to ask you something, or rather discuss something. But I forgot after praying, and when I remembered it just now, I got too excited. Sorry!"

Nabila gave her a side-eye and asked, "Hmm, what is it? What do you want to discuss?"

"It's about the diploma.", Izzati said, watching for Nabila's reaction.

Nabila froze upon hearing the word diploma. After a few moments, she asked, "Hmm, what about the diploma?"

Izzati, feeling a bit frustrated, said, "You…"

"What?", Nabila responded with an innocent, unsure expression.

Izzati stared at her, clearly annoyed, and said, "Come on! I'm talking about your diploma. Don't you want to continue your studies and get a diploma? Even if you take foundation courses, a certificate, or go for Form 6, it's fine. But your parents prefer you to get a diploma, right?"

Nabila was taken aback by the barrage of questions and chuckled, "Hey, relax! Why are you asking so many questions all at once? One at a time!"

"Ugh, I'm just frustrated with you! How can you not want to continue your studies? When I mentioned the diploma, you had the nerve to ask what's up with it!", Izzati said, looking visibly upset.

"Haha, well, yeah, I was asking—what's up with the diploma?", Nabila laughed.

Izzati gave her a sharp look and asked, "So?"

Nabila, trying to evade the conversation, replied, "So?"

Izzati glared at Nabila. Understanding the meaning behind her friend's look, Nabila sighed and said, "Fine. I'll answer. I do feel like continuing my studies, but for some reason, I just haven't moved forward with it."

Izzati sighed and asked, "Do you want to go for the diploma? Or something else?"

"Diploma.", Nabila answered.

Izzati immediately got up, grabbed her laptop from the dining table, and sat back down in the living room. After a few minutes, Nabila asked, "What are you doing on your laptop?"

"I'm signing you up for a diploma.", Izzati replied.

Shocked, Nabila asked, "Huh? You're signing me up? Do you even know my details?"

"Yup.", Izzati said confidently.

Surprised, Nabila asked, "You know?"

"Yeah," Izzati said, handing the laptop to Nabila, "Here, fill in this part."

"But, didn't you say you know my details?" Nabila asked, taking the laptop from Izzati gently.

"I know what I know. The rest, you have to fill in yourself.", Izzati replied with a cheeky grin.

While Nabila filled in her information, Izzati resumed watching the drama, munching on snacks. Once Nabila finished, she placed the laptop back on the coffee table, and Izzati quickly checked what Nabila had entered. After a brief review, she closed the laptop and continued watching the drama with Nabila.

The next morning…

Nabila was busy preparing breakfast, and Izzati came down the stairs just as breakfast was nearly ready. When Izzati entered the kitchen, she said, "Wow! It smells amazing!"

Nabila smiled and replied, "Of course it smells good, the food itself is delicious."

Izzati came closer, watching Nabila cook with a soft look in her eyes. "You know, you've really mastered all the household skills.", she said with a smile.

Nabila gave her a puzzled look and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're great at keeping the house tidy, cooking, managing your salary, and even taking care of me… honestly, you're pretty much ready to be someone's wife.", Izzati said with a wide grin.

Startled, Nabila said, "Hey! Just because I can do all that doesn't mean I'm ready to be someone's wife. Besides, it's way too early for that—I haven't even finished my studies yet. Remember, we just applied for that diploma yesterday."

Izzati made a thinking gesture, but Nabila interrupted her, "No need to overthink it. Here, take this to the table.", handing Izzati a large bowl of fried rice.

Izzati took the bowl and shot Nabila a playful look, saying, "Fine. I was just saying.", as she carried the bowl to the table.

Nabila chuckled softly and moved to the cutlery section, grabbing plates, spoons, and forks. When she reached the dining table, Izzati was pouring water into their glasses from the water jug.

"Here's your water.", Izzati said.

"Thank you.", Nabila replied as she placed the plates and cutlery on the table.

As they started eating the fried rice, Nabila said, "I'm going to my hometown this afternoon to visit my mom."

Izzati replied, "Hmm, I'll go with you. I want to visit my parents too… it's been a while. Plus, I'll get bored sitting here alone while you're gone."

Nabila teased, "Okay, or are you just scared to be alone?"

Izzati shot a sharp look at Nabila and said, "Of course not. I'm fine being alone, but I'm used to having you around."

Nabila laughed at Izzati's reaction and said, "Alright, alright… just eat. No more talking."

That afternoon...

Izzati stood outside their rented house, waiting for the taxi. When it finally arrived, Nabila locked the door and put on her shoes. After closing the gate, she joined Izzati in the taxi.

As they traveled to their hometown, Nabila gazed out the window and fell asleep after a few minutes. Upon arriving in the village, Izzati gently woke Nabila and asked, "Do you want to stop by my house first or head straight to yours?"

Nabila, still yawning, replied, "Let's go straight to my house. I don't want to trouble you by making you walk back after dropping me off."

"Alright.", Izzati said.

Izzati gave the taxi driver directions to Nabila's house first, then to her own. When they arrived, both Izzati and the driver helped Nabila unload her belongings from the trunk. After thanking Izzati and the driver, Nabila gave a respectful bow and a sweet smile. Izzati placed her hand on Nabila's shoulder, silently offering support as if knowing what Nabila might face once she entered the house.

The taxi driver nodded and smiled back at Nabila before getting into the car. Izzati also got into the taxi after the driver. Nabila watched the taxi drive away before walking towards her front door. Standing before the door, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before knocking and calling out, "Assalamualaikum (Peace be unto you)."

Zalikha, Nabila's mother, opened the door and was surprised to see Nabila standing there. "What are you doing here?" Zalikha asked harshly.

"I'll explain everything in a moment. Can I come in?", Nabila replied gently.

"Hmm, come in.", Zalikha answered.

Nabila entered and headed for the living room. She sat down and put her bags aside, followed by Zalikha, who also sat down. Nabila stood up and knelt before her mother, offering her hand for a handshake. Zalikha accepted it but in a somewhat rough manner. Without saying anything, Nabila sat back down.

After getting comfortable, Nabila said, "Actually, I came here for a reason."

Zalikha asked, "What reason? Don't tell me you want to get married.", in a stern tone.

Nabila smiled and replied, "No, Mom, not that. I came to ask for your blessing to continue my studies and pursue a diploma."

Zalikha responded, "I thought it was something else. If you're going to continue studying, whose money will you use? I don't have money to pay for your studies. Whatever money I have is for your younger sibling.", she said angrily.

Nabila calmly replied, "You don't need to worry about the tuition fees, Mom. I'll pay for it myself with my salary. I just came to ask for your blessing."

Zalikha said, "If that's the case, then go ahead and study. I don't care what you do with your life. Whether you work or study, do whatever you want. Just make sure you give me some money every month. Don't forget that you're my eldest child. You need to be responsible and provide me with money for food, your sibling, and this house."

Nabila, still calm, replied, "Yes, Mom. Don't worry about that. I'll continue giving you money every month."

"Good. So, you're staying here, right? How long will you be here?", Zalikha asked.

"Yes, I'm staying. But not for long—only about three days.", Nabila answered.

"Okay. While you're here, make me some coffee. I'm tired from working in the kitchen.", Zalikha ordered.

"Alright, Mom.", Nabila said, standing up to take her bags to her room.

After dropping her bags off in her room, Nabila headed to the kitchen to make coffee.

At the same time…

Izzati arrived at her parents' home. As the taxi pulled away, her mother, Nur Iman, came outside, having heard a car in front of the house. She was surprised to see Izzati and quickly went over to hug her.

"Oh my, why didn't you tell me you were coming home?", Iman asked.

"I just felt like it, hehe.", Izzati replied with a grin.

Iman smiled and playfully poked Izzati's side, "Hmm, you and your surprises… come on, let's go inside."

They walked into the house, arms linked. Once inside, Iman said, "Go put your bags in your room, then come down to the kitchen."

"Okay, Mom.", Izzati replied, beaming with happiness.

Izzati went to her room, feeling light-hearted, and when she arrived, she was comforted by how neat and dust-free it was, just as she had left it months ago before moving out to live and work with Nabila in another village.

Thinking of Nabila, Izzati wondered, "I hope Nabila is doing okay right now. Hmm…" She sighed, "I'll just ask her tonight."

After putting her things away, Izzati headed to the kitchen. Upon entering, she saw her mother washing dishes at the sink. Izzati approached her and hugged her from behind, making sure her mother wasn't holding anything dangerous.

Startled, Iman said, "Oh, you! What's going on?"

"Nothing, just wanted to hug you. I missed you, Mom," Izzati replied.

Iman, feeling suspicious, asked, "Are you sure it's just because you missed me? Or is there something you want?"

Izzati laughed, "No, really! I just want to be close to you."

Iman pouted, "Yeah, right. Come on, let's chat at the table."

Izzati released her hug and went to the dining table, followed by Iman. When they sat down, Izzati poured water into her mother's cup, then into her own. Iman, taking her seat across from Izzati, thanked her for the water.

As Izzati sipped her drink, Iman asked, "So, what's the news you're hiding?", while serving fried rice onto Izzati's plate.

Startled by the question, Izzati asked, "News?"

Iman replied, "You're my daughter. Of course, I know you've got something to tell me, even if you haven't said anything. You wouldn't be this affectionate unless it was something important. So?"

Izzati grinned and said, "Hehe… I'll tell you after we eat."

Iman, puzzled, asked, "Since when does my daughter avoid talking while eating?"

Izzati responded with a laugh, "Since I started living with Nabila… hehe."

"Nabila taught you that, huh? Well, that's good. That's a better habit.", Iman said, clearly satisfied.

Izzati smiled and began eating, followed by Iman.

After finishing their meal, Izzati said, "Actually, I wanted to ask for your blessing, Mom. I'm planning to continue my studies and get a diploma."

Iman smiled, overjoyed by her daughter's decision to further her education.

"Alhamdulillah (thank God). That's wonderful! Did Nabila encourage you to do this?" Iman asked.

"No, it's something I wanted on my own.", Izzati replied.

Iman said, "Alhamdulillah (thank God)… I'm so grateful that you want to continue studying, regardless of whether it's a certificate, diploma, or foundation. What makes me even happier is that this is your own decision, not something Nabila or anyone else pushed you to do. When you pursue something because it's your own desire, insha'Allah (if God wills), you won't give up halfway. If you were doing it just because someone else suggested it, there's a chance you'd lose interest."

Izzati smiled, "Amin, insha'Allah (if God wills). Please pray that both Nabila and I can finish our studies."

Iman asked, "Is Nabila continuing her studies too? Did you encourage her? Or was it her own decision?"

Izzati replied, "Yes, she's continuing as well. I didn't push her, but I did ask if she wanted to study. She said she wanted to but didn't feel motivated to sign up for the diploma herself, so I went ahead and registered her.", grinning cheekily.

Iman, shaking her head, said, "You're something else. Shouldn't you have let her register herself? Do you even know all her details?"

Izzati replied, "Of course! I know her full name, phone number, birthday…"

Iman said, "Of course you'd know those things. But what about the other details?"

Izzati responded, "Oh, she filled those out herself."

Iman gave her a look and said, "Hmm… you're something else. Does Nabila's mom know she's continuing her studies?"

"Yes, she knows. I came back with Nabila today. I dropped her off first, then came here. By now, she's probably already told her mom.", Izzati explained.

"Alright. I hope Zalikha's okay with Nabila going back to school.", Iman said.

"I hope so too.", Izzati sighed, lost in thought.

Iman agreed and said, "Now, go clean up. You deserve some rest.", pointing at the plates and cups on the table.

Iman stood up and carried her dishes to the sink to wash. Izzati followed, clearing the table and bringing the rest of the dishes to the sink.

Later that night…

Izzati lay on her bed, relaxing, and picked up her phone. She opened WhatsApp and messaged Nabila.

"Assalamualaikum (Peace be unto you), Nabila. How did things go with your mom? Is everything okay?"

After finishing her prayers, Nabila sat on the edge of her bed and picked up her phone. She replied to Izzati's message with a happy heart,

"Waalaikumussalam (and upon you be peace). My mom gave me her blessing to continue my studies."

Izzati felt relieved by the news but still worried about Nabila's situation. She replied,

"Alhamdulillah (thank God). That's great. But I wanted to ask, how did your mom react when you got there?"

Nabila responded,

"She was her usual self. I didn't tell her I was coming home, so it was pretty much as expected. :)"

Izzati sighed when she read Nabila's response and replied,

"I see. Just stay patient. By the way… do you want to take a walk around the village tomorrow?"

Nabila replied,

"I'm okay with that. We can also head to town since I want to buy some fish or chicken for lunch and dinner."

Izzati responded,

"I know you'll be fine because you're naturally patient, but I still worry about you. And yeah, we can go to town too. I could use a stroll there. What time do you want to leave?"

Nabila replied,

"Don't worry so much. Let's leave around 7:30 in the morning, okay?"

Izzati responded,

"Okay. I'll come over to your house then."

Nabila replied,

"Okay."

After making plans for the next day, both Nabila and Izzati got ready for bed with peaceful hearts, looking forward to a beautiful day ahead.