GIFT FROM GOD

HONESTY

With hurried steps, Rosminah came out to meet Malik. Although it has not been seen who he is, Ros is sure that this is Malik. When she got to the door, Rosminah saw the young man sitting on a chair on the porch of her house nervously.

"The mall?" greets Ros kindly.

Malik turned his body and looked nervously at Rosminah.

"Good afternoon, Aunt. Sorry I didn't accompany Isha earlier because I didn't know she wasn't feeling well," said Malik awkwardly.

Rosminah smiled.

"Can you talk to me briefly, Mal?" asked Ros.

Gosh!

The boy looked at Rosminah awkwardly. Malik's heart was beating faster now. Malik felt as if he would be judged by Rosminah's request this time. Had Isha told all these misunderstandings?

"Yes, Auntie. Here?" asked Malik awkwardly.

"How about we talk in the living room, Mal? If you don't mind," said Rosminah, still friendly because she didn't necessarily blame Malik for Isha's attitude. Because Rosminah knows Isha's character and temperament. And so far, only Malik has been Isha's friend for a long time.

"No, Auntie. I don't mind," Malik said, nodding with an awkward smile.

Rosminah then went inside, followed by Malik.

"Sit down, Mal," ordered Rosminah.

"Thank you, Auntie." Malik then sat down and was ready to listen to whatever Rosminah would say even though his heart was beating faster and faster.

"Earlier, when Isha came home quickly, I was surprised because she was escorted by the school driver, Mal. When I asked, she said she was sick. But she said, if you come, I must say she does not want to see you. Exactly what happened, Mal?" asked Rosminah patiently.

Malik's heart fluttered even more. Malik is confused about how to start this story. But he couldn't make up stories. So Malik decided to be honest.

"I'm confused about where to start regarding this misunderstanding, Aunty," said Malik hesitantly.

"Start from the simplest of beginnings, Mal. I don't want any disputes between you and Isha. So far, you're the only friend who can stand her character," Rosminah answered with a concerned face.

Rosminah realized how Isha was. Because of that, she didn't necessarily blame Malik before she found out what the problem was.

"Today, there was an incident in the canteen that made Isha angry with me, Aunt," said Malik, starting his story.

"Incident? What is this incident, Mal? Can you explain clearly, Mal?" asked Rosminah worriedly.

Malik was silent momentarily, then told the story from beginning to end without hiding anything. Malik does not want to hide this misunderstanding. After all, he had to untangle everything. If Isha was angry with him, at least he would have explained everything. That's what Malik wants to do.

"Is this Auntie blaming me? I apologize if that's how it is. Because I can't protect Isha from things that shouldn't happen," said Malik, looking down.

"I know you are innocent, Mal. So no need to apologize. I should apologize for Isha's immature attitude. Please understand if Isha likes that. She is used to being pampered and prioritized. So far, you're the only one who's been friends with him without any problems," said Rosminah with a concerned face.

"But now it's a problem, Aunt," said Malik no less wistfully.

"Yes. She might need a little explanation about this," Rosminah answered.

Malik looked up.

"Can … can I see her, Auntie? I don't want any misunderstanding about this. She may hate me, but I don't want her to misunderstand me," Malik insisted.

Rosminah hesitated, not knowing whether to agree or reject Malik's wish. Moreover, Isha did not want to meet Malik. However, it is clear that Malik's contribution so far has not been small. Finally, Rosminah agreed.

"OK. But please keep her mood, OK, Mal? However, she is in shock because she is the subject of discussion," said Rosminah.

"OK, Auntie. I'll try," said Malik nodding.

"Just go into her room. She probably doesn't want to come out," Rosminah said.

Malik was surprised.

"Into her room, Tant?" asked Malik, unsure.

"Yes." Rosmina nodded.

"But ... but I don't feel comfortable going into the girls' room, Auntie," said Malik with an awkward smile.

"It doesn't matter. After all, you are not alone in this house, are you?" said Ros, who then stood up and asked Malik to follow him.

Rosminah then took Malik backward to Isha's room.

"Come in. It doesn't matter. After all, you are not a couple. I don't close the door so there would be no suspicion," Rosminah said patiently.

"Thank you, Auntie." Malik nodded, then strolled into Isha's room, although to be honest, he was awkward.

Not wanting to disturb their clarification, Rosminah continued helping prepare lunch. Of course, because she was sure Malik and Isha were like brothers and sisters, Rosminah had no evil thoughts about Malik. Moreover, Malik has been too good with Isha, so Rosminah trusts Malik.

Rosminah also doesn't want any misunderstandings in their friendship because it's not easy to find a man with kindness like Malik.

After Rosminah went back, Malik knocked on Isha's open door. Isha, lying down, suddenly woke up and looked at Malik with angry eyes.

"May I come in, Sha?" asked Malik politely.

"Why are you here? Didn't I say I don't want to be friends with you anymore?" Isha said with sharp eyes.

Malik stepped inside and sat on the study chair in Isha's room, not caring about Isha's nagging. Even though Malik knows Isha doesn't like him entering her room, Malik is determined to clear up this mess.

"I just want to apologize if what I said earlier hurt you. I also accept if you blame me for what happened in the cafeteria. I'm sorry if that relieved you. But you better not close our friendship so far," Malik said slowly and wisely.

"Still friends with you? Are you deliberately embarrassing me? You are happy, right, if I become the Object of ridicule?" asked Isha in a harsh tone, unable to hide her anger.

"Sha, I didn't mean it like that. You are my little sister. How could I let you be humiliated like that again? It was just an accident," repeated Malik.

"An accident that you didn't prevent, right? Why? You're happy. The whole cafeteria humiliated me?" Isha is still arrogant.

Malik chuckled again.

"Sha…" Malik wanted to explain.

"Or their conclusion is correct that you like me, so you do this on purpose?" asked Isha, increasingly fierce.

Malik was surprised to hear Isha's words. Not quite enough. Wet head. Annoyed, Malik is finally honest because he has indeed weighed and found a name for the feelings in his heart for Isha in the past few weeks.

After several weeks of searching for answers, Malik finally found the answer. That Andi's conclusion is correct. He liked the bitchy girl who was now in front of him. Malik can no longer lie.

"Yes. I do like you! I can no longer think of you as a little friend and sister to me. Because I like you, love you as a man to a woman. Not as a brother to his sister. No! But I'm not that shortsighted to resort to lowly means and take advantage of your thoughts." Malik is determined to be honest this time. Malik no longer wants to hide his feelings. It doesn't matter how Isha responds afterward.

"You're mean! You betrayed our friendship! I hate you!" Isha scolded angrily because she felt that Malik had overstepped their friendship commitment, tarnishing her feelings of love.

"OK. That's all I have to say. It's up to you how to judge me. I also do not force you to like me. If you don't want to befriend me, that's fine too. My order is to take good care of yourself. Especially if Rendra approaches you. I know who and how Rendra is. He does want to chase you. I hope you're careful," concluded Malik before finally standing up and leaving Isha's room with long strides.

"Malik?" Rosminah called when she saw Malik rushing out of Isha's room.

Malik turned to look at Rosminah and then smiled wryly.

"How is it, Mal?" asked Rosminah.

***