1 The Orientation

It was a classic morning scene of a teenage boy in a populated area of one of the biggest cities in Indonesia, Surabaya.

"Ash sholatu khoirum minan naum..." (1)

A fine chanting sounded to tickle his slumber of midnight youth. A religious boy might have to wake up as soon as he heard that. Unfortunately, the lady in red did not want to let his hands go off when both walked along the beach. It was a typical lovely dream he had. Not until he saw a huge wave not far from the coast line, he stumbled and his head hit a rock. He groaned and then opened his eyes slowly witnessing a fair old lady, gray hair and beauty holding a rattan stick, seemed ready to proceed the second attack.

"Oh, no!! mum! I was about to kiss her...", he was upset as taking the blanket to cover his face.

"It's about time, son...", she grabbed the blanket.

"Not the time, yet, mum. I just need a little more time. I was going to tell her. After that, she's gonna be ready..."

"Yeah, ready to be hit. Now, stop dreaming about her and wash up. Or else, you'll miss the jama'ah (2)."

"...and again, a girl in your dream might be a satan. She's disturbing your du'a (3). Remember the story of uncle Hussein!"

"Really, mum? Thought that he married a girl back then."

"It was not a girl, silly. She's a devilish creature... coming every night, in his dream until he had a feeling that she's a real person."

"Oh, no. So... she's not a girl."

"No!"

"Then, Bianca is not just a dream."

"Bianca, Bianca, stop this nonsense and go now!"

"Aye, aye! mother," he kissed his mum and rushed to the bathroom.

The old lady sighed deeply. She did not realize that she would repeat what her mother said to her brother. She's worried. But, then a small grin was drawn.

Notes:

(1) better you pray than sleeping

(2) praying together

(3) prayer