Speak from the Heart

Even though she knows her position as Gus Azzam's wife, Azzahra remembers her duties. The girl prepared clothes for her husband because today was the first day Azzam would return to work after taking wedding leave.

"I have to do the same thing that Azzam did. It's been almost two weeks, and I forgot about my studies in Yogyakarta. Maybe now is when I should return to carrying out my duties as a student." Realizing that she would be alone, Azzahra suddenly remembered her lecture. The girl muttered to herself while looking at the clothes she had prepared.

"Why are you staring at my clothes like that, Zahra... Do you imagine my innocent body in front of you...?" Without realizing it, Azzam's voice was heard behind him.

Immediately, the girl turned and looked at her husband, holding back her emotions. The young man was only wearing a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Don't get too big, Gus... I'll wait for you at the dinner table. This is not the time this morning for us to have an unclear argument like this.." Not wanting to make a fuss, Azzahra walked away, leaving the man alone while giving a response.

"It's good if you know yourself..." Gus Azzam commented, Seeing the woman he had married come out of the room.

The young man then put on clothes and prepared to join his family at dinner.

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 On the dining table.

Seeing her mother-in-law and mother-in-law sitting at the dining table, Azzahra deftly prepared eating utensils for them. While smiling, the two parents looked at their daughter-in-law.

"Where is Azzam, Zahra? Your husband should also sit at the dining table with us..." Seeing his son's absence, Kiyai Latif asked his son-in-law in a flat tone.

"Zahra's husband is getting ready to go to work, Abi. It'll probably be here soon. "Earlier, Zahra deliberately went to the dining room to prepare breakfast at the same time..." with a smile. Azzahra tried to explain. In front of her husband's family, Azzahra always covered up the incident. The girl seemed to show that her marriage to the son of this Islamic boarding school was going as many people expected.

"I see... Let's wait for Azzam and Abi to eat together. "Abi must have a good opinion of our son... because Azzam can't waste our daughter-in-law." Not waiting for her husband to react, Nyai Hamidah answered the conversation. From her tone, it could be seen that the middle-aged woman was trying to protect her son.

Kyai Latif was silent, then took the glass handle and drank several sips of hot tea. Azzahra was also quiet because she was confused about what to say to her two in-laws. Luckily, Azzahra heard footsteps from behind, and when the girl looked back, Gus Azzam gallantly walked towards the dining table.

"Assalamu alaikum umi... abi... It turns out Azzam's wife has accompanied you two." As if nothing had happened, Azzam greeted his parents. The young man then pulled a chair next to his wife. Responsively, Azzahra prepared a plate and filled it with rice and side dishes.

"Wa alaikum salam. Starting tomorrow, don't get used to it, Azzam. You and Zahra are married, so everything must be done together. "Not like this morning; your wife was busy at the dining table, and you were in the room alone." After returning greetings from his son, Kiyai Latif gave advice to his son.

"Okay, Abi..." Azzam responded without saying much. The young man immediately held the tablespoon Azzahra had placed on his plate. After praying momentarily, Gus Azzam put a spoon into his mouth.

A few moments later, Azzahra and her two in-laws followed the young man to enjoy the dishes served. While they were eating, no one spoke. This has been a habit for a long time, and conversations can be held before or after eating. After the four people finished their breakfast...

"Oh yes, Zahra... what are your plans for the future? Are you interested in helping Umi and giving lessons to the students?" Unexpectedly, Umi Hamidah asked Azzahra.

The girl wiped her lips using a tissue, then...

"Please forgive Umi... It seems that it is not the time for Zahra to teach the female students. Mmmmpph... if allowed, maybe Zahra will return to Yogyakarta to continue her studies." Having been preparing herself since morning, Azzahra finally conveyed her plan.

Hearing her daughter-in-law's words, Umi Hamidah's brow furrowed.

"You are in Jogja... which means you will leave your husband alone in this city..." Umi Hamidah asked a warning question. Instantly, Azzahra felt nervous...

"Don't scare my daughter-in-law Umi... Let Azzahra achieve her dream because I have promised to do so in front of Kiyai Ameer and Nyai Camelia. I said to give Azzahra permission to finish her studies." Before Azzahra answered, her father-in-law Abi's voice supported the girl's intentions.

Gus Azzam remained silent, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he felt a sense of relief, a temporary respite from the woman who had become his wife.

"I'm sorry, um... Abi. It's not that Umi is scaring Zahra; it's just that this decision depends on Azzam. "What's your decision, Azzam...? Can your wife return to Yogyakarta to continue her studies?" Not wanting to refute her husband's words, Umi Hamidah asked her son a question.

Azzam pretended to take a glass and then took several sips of mineral water. Then..

"Umi and Abi, there's no need for concern. Earlier, Azzam and Ning Zahra had a heartfelt discussion about this matter in the room. Azzam will not stand in her way, Umi..., because Ning Zahra's studies will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of our beloved Islamic boarding school..." Unexpectedly, Azzam voiced his decision with conviction, instilling hope for the future.

Azzahra smiled inwardly, this time the girl was grateful when the young man didn't stop her. But Azzahra didn't show her joy, she kept her head down.

"Never mind... there's no need to fuss any more. Our son Azzam has also agreed, which means there is no problem, right? And when will you start preparing for departure to Yogyakarta Zahra. Let Azzam take you to that city later..." Kiyai Latif firmly closed the conversation.

"As soon as possible Abi, maybe Zahra will leave this afternoon. And Zahra can go by train to Yogyakarta, because Zahra is used to it." Not wanting to bother her husband, Azzahra gave a response without asking her husband's opinion.

"Ning Zahra... we talked earlier in the room. I will take you to Yogyakarta, this afternoon I will come home to pick you up." Suddenly Gus Azzam's voice responded to Azzahra's words.

A glimmer of smile appeared on the lips of Umi Hamidah and Abi Latif. The couple who own the Islamic boarding school feel confident that their son's marriage will be fine. In both of their minds, their son and daughter-in-law could adapt to each other's circumstances.

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