Religius

While waiting, I decided to go shopping and buy some groceries. Moreover, the contents of the fridge in my room are very sparse, with only a few apples, eggs, and a few liters of milk. It's not that I'm stingy; it's just that I rarely cook for myself. Moreover, I usually have breakfast to dinner at the nursing home, together with the grandmas and grandpas. There's no time to cook, and it's not really necessary either.

"Do you want to leave something with me?"

Devara, who is now sitting in front of the television, replied, "Fresh vegetables and fruits, as usual."

"Is there more?"

The girl hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

Devara has been refusing to eat anything other than fresh fruits and vegetables for the past few days unless I force her. Even the fried rice I made this morning wouldn't have been eaten by the girl if I hadn't scolded her for fainting last night. That's right! You heard it right.

Devara fainted from hunger. Her body is really very thin, even though she has always been thin. As a friend, of course, I am worried. However, as a doctor, I am more fearful.

Devara clearly needs professional help. I'm sure there's something wrong with her mental state.

"I will try to persuade Devara." That's what Hasyim, her fiancé, said when I called last night.

While wearing a pink t-shirt with an Astro Boy print and knee-length shorts, I took my motorcycle from the dormitory parking lot. The motorcycle that I actually almost never ride. Devara is the one who usually uses it for dating. Understandably, I rarely go out. Even if I want to go out, I usually take public transportation. It's more enjoyable, even though it certainly takes a lot of time. However, even though it is progressing slowly, this city is starting to develop its public transportation.

Sweating on a motorcycle, in my opinion, is far more torturous than sitting in an air-conditioned public transport.

The nearest minimarket from the dormitory is only two kilometers away. I bought a small sack of rice, a gallon of water, and of course, a variety of vegetables, fruits, and meats. I plan to invite Ilham to grill meat tonight. Party? Ilham doesn't really like it, but he will eat anything I cook. Besides, Devara likes pasta, and I will force that beautiful girl to eat it.

While pushing the shopping cart, I carefully observed every side of the shelves in the minimarket. I should have made a shopping list. I'm sure, when I get home later, I'll definitely regret it because I'll realize that I've bought unnecessary items. Or worse, I forget the item that was supposed to be bought.

"Doctor Maya?"

I turned when someone in the aisle called my name. As I looked up over the shelf, I could see a woman in a large hijab smiling at me; next to her was a young girl in a pashmina hijab who was also waving her hand.

"Umi?"

Hastily, I pushed my cart full of belongings towards the end of the aisle, just like they did. We shook hands, as we didn't expect to meet.

"How are you?" asked Umi Sara.

"Alhamdulillah, i'm good. How about you?"

The middle-aged woman with fair skin laughed instead, indicating that she was fine. "Umi and Ima are going to bake a cake. Tomorrow there will be a religious gathering at home. Are you coming? Umi told Deva yesterday to invite you."

"Heh? Devara hasn't said anything to me yet, UMi."

"Huh? Really? Actually, Umi already told you last week."

"Maybe Kak Deva forgot or hasn't had the chance to say it. Besides, the event is still tomorrow," said Fatima. "Please come, Ms. Maya. The one with Ustaz Hamdan's sermon. Kak Deva said that Mbak Maya likes to watch Ustaz Hamdan's sermons on YouTube. When else will you get to meet your idol, right."

¿Eh?

Since when do I like watching sermons? Especially Ustaz Hamdan ... who is that? Damn that Devara! That girl always acts strangely. How could she say that I like watching sermons in front of her future in-laws? Besides, what's the point? So that it looks like you have religious friends?

Devara, who is known for her rebellious behavior, will soon become the daughter-in-law of a famous preacher. So, is this her effort to build an image that she has been in an Islamic environment all along? But why me? Even though there are many religious people in the dormitory, like Dina, Citra, or Pia. They are all religious. The downside is they are not her friends.

The risk of becoming friends.

Technically, I am not just Devara's friend but also her future husband. Hasyim is the ex-boyfriend of my college roommate. That's why we have known each other for the past ten years. Even the reason why Devara and I became friends is because of that. Hasyim became the link to our friendship, besides work.

*__*

"You know that Ilham is coming," I said while arranging the groceries into the fridge in the room, while Devara lay on my bed. "Is he really going to come all the way here just to watch a religious lecture?"

"Why? Isn't it great?" Devara replied while chuckling. "So that you all get a spiritual shower. So that you become more Islamic like your name. Ma-ya-Is-lam-Na-dhi-ra."

I turned around and threw a bag of peanuts at her. "Damn you!"

Devara laughed even harder, then took the peanut candy. "Because, I'm confused. You know that I'm always awkward every time I talk to Hasyim's family."

"But, why my name?"

"Who else could it be? Is it really my own name? Aren't you going to be confused later when they ask, 'which sermon do you like?' I could die standing, Maya."

"Then? Now, what will happen to me if they ask like that?"

"You are good at dodging. After all, you never run out of topics when you're with Hasyim's family. So far, it's always been a good connection, right?"

"That damn kid!"

"Your talk is just like an old person, Miss Maya."

"Well, I am indeed older. At least, I'm older than you.

"Ageism."

"Eish!"

She is really involved like Zahra now.

Speaking of Zahra, she called me last night and asked about Ilham's arrival plans. She seemed disappointed because in the end, I didn't come home again. My younger sister even insisted on coming along, but I forbade her. I mean, she already has a lot of assignments at school, right? After all, the school where she works hasn't had a break yet. The children will only have their break next week. Meanwhile, if it's postponed, Ilham will be the one who can't make it due to his job.

Does this mean I prefer my boyfriend over my family? Of course, it can't be said like that. Both are very different. Family is family. Boyfriend is just a boyfriend. Ilham can only be compared to my parents and siblings when he officially becomes my family, which will be when we get married later.

I don't know when that moment will come.