GIFT FROM GOD

LIFE IS MYSTERY

At that time, Isha's first day was at Perwira Negara High School. A private school that has excellent and strict rules in educating its students. Most of the students who enter this high school are students who have academic abilities above average.

Isha had been preparing for this day since last night. The first day of going to her favorite school, even though it's private, this is a prestigious school. The gray-white shirt she had prepared since last night after being gently ironed was the one she was wearing this morning. New shoes with a classy brand made Isha smile even more expansive.

"Are you ready so early, Sha?" asked Rosminah with a big smile while preparing breakfast this morning.

"The first day must be well prepared, right, Mom?" asked Isha happily as she sat in the dining area.

"Have Daddy had breakfast, Ma'am?" Isha asked while taking rice and a few pieces of side dishes.

"Your father left after dawn," Rosminah answered softly.

"Where to? This early?" asked the girl while sipping the hot tea that Rosminah had made for her.

"There is a delivery of goods to Surabaya. So your father has to make his selection for the warehouse. Hurry and eat. It looks like Malik has come," said Rosminah.

"Did you hear the motorbike?" asked Isha.

"Yes. Ahead, there is a motorcycle stop. Mother will be at the front, so finish your meal quickly," said Rosminah.

Isha just nodded and continued eating.

Rosminah walked forward to meet Malik. Malik has been Isha's friend since they were in elementary school. The two of them are like brothers. Malik can always do good and protect when he is with Isha, so Rosminah and Ridwan immensely trust Malik.

Moreover, Malik is not an evil boy. Malik is even famous too well. He has a good religion, likes teaching the Al-Qur'an to the minor children around him, and helps his father, who owns a study center in the afternoon. Even so, Malik is not a boy who is too passionate, so he has to limit his association and friendship with women. No. Malik is not that rigid in his life.

He remains casual friends with his schoolmates. If you have to study in groups with them, Malik continues to do well in his studies. He is not too self-limiting even though he is also a Muslim who continues to carry out his obligations.

"Hey, Mal? Have you come to pick up this early? Have breakfast there. Isha is having breakfast." Rosminah greeted Malik in a friendly manner when she arrived at the front porch, and she saw Malik talking with Tono, the gardener at Ridwan's house.

"Thank you, Auntie. I had breakfast. Earlier, my mother also cooked, "said Malik politely.

"Is it true that you have breakfast?" asked Rosminah to make sure.

Malik nodded with a polite smile.

"Okay. Isha will finish eating in a while," Rosminah said further.

Malik nodded.

"Oh, yes, Mal. I have a few requests from you," said Rosminah, who walked up to Malik. The woman had to look up to meet the tall Malik.

Malik frowned.

"Request? What request, Aunt?" asked Malik.

"It's her first day at high school. Even though many of her friends are from her previous school, you know Isha isn't that close to them? I ask you to take good care of her if someone is naughty with her later," Rosminah ordered in a low voice so that Tono and the others would not be heard if someone happened to pass by.

Hearing the request, Malik smiled.

"Auntie, don't worry. I will take good care of Isha. After all, there will be more and more new friends, right, Auntie? Maybe Isha can make new friends with whom she can open up more," Malik said wisely to ease Rosminah's worries.

It makes sense that Rosminah is worried because, after all, Isha is the only daughter in the Ghazali family. Of course, they want the best for their daughter.

"Yeah, you're right, Mal. But there's nothing wrong with Aunt asking you to look after Isha, right, Mal? That too, if you don't mind, Mal. If you have any objections, yes, Auntie doesn't force it," said Rosminah with a smile.

"Yes, Auntie. Can. I don't mind," Malik answered quickly.

"Okay. Auntie, calm down then. The problem is you understand, right, Mal? Isha is not sociable and is a bit expressive. Maybe because so far, she has never shared her attention with other people," said Rosminah with an awkward smile.

Malik nodded in understanding.

"I understand, Aunt. But so far, Isha is good and has never made it difficult for anyone, including me," said Malik.

Rosmina nodded.

"So far, you're the only person who's been friends with Isha for a long time. Even since you were in elementary school," said Rosminah, remembering Malik and Isha's childhood.

Malik smiled and nodded in understanding. Rosmina is right. The beautiful and carefree Isha struggles to interact with her school friends, especially the girls. Maybe most of them think Isha is a bit curt and often hurts her friends when she talks because Isha is a rich kid.

But this is not the case. Isha is used to the environment in her house, which always takes precedence, so when hanging out with her friends, she also wants to be prioritized. And of the many friends, both male and female, only Malik remained by Isha's side. Sometimes, Isha has a hot mouth. But Malik knows that Isha is a good girl.

"You guys talking about me?" asked Isha, who was already standing at the door.

Malik and Rosminah turned to look at Isha. Both smile, looking at Isha.

"Have you finished eating, Is?" asked Rosminah with an affectionate smile.

Isha nods and walks cheerfully towards the two.

"Mother's cooking this morning is perfect. I'm full," Isha replied, stroking her entire stomach and smiling broadly, making Malik smile too.

"The packed lunch has been brought?" asked Rosminah.

"Already. In the bag," Isha replied.

Rosmina nodded.

"Leaving now?" asked Malik shortly after they finished their small talk.

Isha looked up to stare at the towering Malik before nodding in agreement. Malik then walked towards his motorbike, took a helmet, and gave it to Isha. Isha accepts and wears it.

"Excuse us first, Aunt," said Malik, nodding while wearing a helmet.

"Be careful on the road, okay, Mal? Don't speed," Rosminah ordered, to which Malik nodded.

"I'm leaving, Ma'am," said Isha and greeted Rosminah as usual.

"Be careful, Is," Rosminah ordered once again.

Isha nodded before getting on Malik's motorbike pillion, and Malik drove his motorcycle to school about fifteen kilometers from their house.

"What did you say to my mom?" asked Isha after they were on the way to school.

"What are you talking about?" asked Malik.

Isha chuckled because Malik didn't seem to know what she meant.

"That was before I left. It seems that you are having a serious conversation with my mom?" Isha asked, continuing to chase Malik's answer.

Malik smiled and understood. That's how Isha is; if she wants to know something, she will keep chasing it until she gets the answer.

"Nothing serious. Just a message to look after you if someone is being naughty at school," Malik answered patiently.

Isha scowled, and Malik laughed, looking at Isha's face from his rearview mirror.

"Mom is always like that, right? Always thought I was still an elementary school kid," grumbled Isha.

"That's enough. Do not complain. Every mother is always like that. She was worried about her daughter. Later, when you grow up and have children, it will be like that," said Malik soothingly.

"Have children? Who do you want to have children with? You can't even go out with Mother," grumbled Isha again.

"With me later. I bet your mother doesn't mind." Malik answered casually and even unintentionally.

"What?! With you?" screamed Isha while hitting Malik's back in annoyance.

"Just kidding, Sha. Don't take it to heart," Malik pleaded with a chuckle.

They don't realize maybe their words will come true one day. Isn't life a mystery?

***