The Bujang Lapuk
Applicable

“Did Dek Za deign to accept my application?” The question was addressed to Za by Fadhil after the girl's father handed the decision to his daughter.

Zahidah was silent in his seat. Even after a few seconds he gave no answer. Za was once reunited with Ammar Fadhil, a 40-year-old male recommendation from his father's friend. And the man immediately proposed to her.

“How, Za?” This time, Mother Za asked. More precisely urged Za to answer immediately. It sounds clear from his tone.

He was indeed the most earnest person to demand Za to get married immediately. After the crowd of stoves around the house and her study friends who were so concerned with Za. To the point of worrying if Za was going to be a spinster. At the age of 25, Za is not married. Never mind getting married, being close to a man only she never was. And the arrival of the third man who proposed to her this time is a clear proof of the success of them pumping Bu Rahma, Za's mother.

“Nak Fadhil is waiting for your answer, Za. Kok even given peanuts.” Mr. Manaf, Za's father spoke up.

Za glanced at the man sitting opposite her. The appearance looks fairly clean for people who work in the workshop every day. It's just that the thin feathers on his face make Za uncomfortable. Za's eyes fell on the man. Clean and seems like a routine nail cut.

I don't know what was in Za's mind to such detail noticed the man whose character was calm and did not say much. It was hard to find any reproach in the man sitting in front of him. Everything that stuck to the man's face would easily captivate the women. Especially with his body that is tall and may be muscular. Za shook his head as he stood in his heart, dispelling the thought that was imagining the chest of the field hidden behind Fadhil's shirt.

The woman also paled a little. Before he finally opened his mouth.

“Sorry Mas Fadhil. Can I ask you some questions about Mas Fadhil? Aside from the ones in the biodata I've read.” Za finally opened her voice.

Fadhil smiled at Za's question. She was stunned by Za's soft voice.

“Please, Dek.”

Za nodded stiffly. “Sorry if my question will sound a little weird or even very nyeleneh,” said Za. Despite having read Fadhil's biodata, Za felt she should know more about the man who was proposing to her because all she read was biodata in general.

Za cleared his throat again before starting his question. Facing with Fadhil is undeniable if it makes him a little nervous. Moreover, the look of the eyes that look so sharp nosedived right at his heart.

“Sorry, Mom. Can I know how much Mas Fadhil pays each month?”

“Za! Are there no more polite questions?!” Za's question immediately got a sentimental from her mother.

Za sighed softly. While Fadhill actually smelled a smile hearing Za's question.

“Sorry Son Fadhil. Za is too presumptuous,” said Bu Rahma because she felt bad for her guests.

“It's okay, Mom. I understand the concerns of Dek Za.” said Fadhil while staring at Za who was still down.

“Begini, Deck. Because I am not an employee like Mr or Dek Za, so my income is not always certain every month. But thank God, always enough," explained Fadhil answering Za's question.

Za was stunned by the answer that instead made her blush. Za should have understood, that however much sustenance will feel enough if grateful. Maybe Fadhil has gone that far.

“I received Mas Fadhil's answer. But can I know what number ranges?” ask Za again. The logic still demands answers.

“Za!” This time it was Za's father who reminded his daughter.

Za was bowed to hear his father's slow but firm voice.

“Good. Since my question might be considered impolite, then I skip it. And the second question is why Mas Fadhil hasn't been married until now?" ask Za. It is impossible for a man as handsome as Fadhil to find a companion. A handsome? Yes, Za admits that Fadhil is handsome.

Fadhil smiled again at Za's question which came back to his surprise.

"Because my soul mate is still a secret that I have not found. Hopefully my search ends on Dek Zahidah Nur Afifah" he replied with a smile.

“Good, Mas Fadhil. I'm quite. Please if Mas Fadhil wants to ask about myself if Mas wants to know," Za said.

Fadhil shook his head. "All the information I got about Dek Za was enough to solidify my intention of coming to apply for Dek Za."

“Then I ask for time to consider Mas Fadhil's proposal," said Za firmly.

"Good! How long do I have to wait? A day, two days or a week?” that mature brown-skinned man.

Za gawking. A decision concerning the future of his lifetime which he might decide within a week. Especially a day or two. Za asked for a month to consider Fadhil's proposal. But the man refused. For reasons too long.

"Don't long Za, pity Nak Fadhil." Ms. Rahma chimed in.

In the end, Za gave up. He asked for a week to answer Fadhil's proposal. He had already lost a supporter to the man who had the full support of the two middle-aged people sitting flanking him.

Za was only able to breathe a sigh of relief when Fadhil bailed home. The air in the living room that previously felt stuffy suddenly like getting an oxygen attack. He let his father and mother drive Fadhil forward. While he returned to the back to continue his lunch that was delayed due to the arrival of Fadhil.

"You're all right, Za? If you want to ask that, think first. Just make it ashamed. Later Fadhil will think that you are a matre woman. Dull eyes!" Bu Rahma's nagging incline her daughter who was just about to feed rice.

"What's the matter, Mom? Isn't it wrong that Za wants to know her salary?"

"It's not wrong that you're his wife. His job is clear anyway. You can estimate how much he earns. I never taught you matre. So that person must be qonaah. Nrimo," said Ms. Rahma excited.

"Mom, Za was just thinking a little realistically. Za just asked. He also did not come clean. And Za doesn't bother with that anymore."

"But Fadhil can ilfill because of your question," said Bu Rahma growled.

"Yes good. Think of it as natural selection," Za replied indifferently.

Ms. Rahma shook her head while she was preaching.

"You're not trying to buy time to reject her, are you, Za?!" mama Rahma asked with a probing look.

"Fadhil is less what? He's grown up, has a job, has a place to live, hanif, sholeh. What else are you looking for?" continued Bu Rahma as if a salesman who was promoting a product.

"Aging, Mom. Same mother only age difference is only 6 years. She's more worthy of being Za than her husband."

Madam Rahma sighed softly. He could have guessed that Za actually wanted to reject Fadhil's proposal but he might have been reluctant to reject it outright.

"Fadhil is already four heads. But you have also seen his face is still like his thirties," said Bu Rahma responding to Za's remarks. And Za did not deny it. Fadhil is too cute for a 40-year-old man to say.

Za's attention turned to the phone at the clinking table. His hand reached out to reach the flat object. Za's forehead frowned at the unknown number sending the message. His thumb tapped on the screen so that a line of messages appeared from the person who introduced himself named Fadhil. Za's lips were interested in reading a row of messages from the man who had just proposed to her.

"Who made you smile?" ask Ms. Rahma.

"From Mas Fadhil!" sahut Za emphasized Mas said. Because Za's mother doesn't like Za calling Fadhil no frills Mas.

"What did he say?"

"Secret!" Za deliberately teased her mother who certainly could not stem her curiosity.