[~~~] Arabic dialogue
"~~~" Indonesian dialogue (Default)
HALIM'S POV
"…Nice to meet you all."
Khadijah, a girl from the Middle East.
She's only been here for a few seconds, but it already feels like she's the center of gravity in the classroom. Everyone's attention is locked on her.
What surprises me most is how smooth her Indonesian is. The way Khadijah speaks makes it sound like she was born and raised here.
I can't help but wonder… Who taught Khadijah Indonesian? Her dad? Her mom? Or maybe she's lived in Indonesia before? I have no idea.
But one thing's for sure… with just a sweet smile, Khadijah has every single person in this classroom totally spellbound.
I don't even know how to describe that smile. It's too sweet for words.
Every time Khadijah smiles, it feels like time slows down. For some of the boys here, I bet it feels like the whole world stops.
If you're asking whether I wanna win Khadijah's heart… yeah, I do. But I also know it's not gonna be easy. Or maybe it's even impossible.
I'm just a regular person, way too ordinary for someone like Khadijah. Plus, I'm the type who likes to stay on my own, and Mr. Satrio always tells me not to date anyway. So, I choose to stay quiet and watch everything from a distance.
And if one day I find out Khadijah's heart already belongs to someone else, I'll accept it without asking questions. I'll just treat it like it's normal. Because really, who wouldn't fall for a girl as graceful as Khadijah?
I'm sure of it… when break time comes, this class is going to be the loudest spot in the whole school. Everyone's gonna wanna meet the new girl.
"Alright, Khadijah. Please sit in the chair over there."
"Thank you."
Khadijah walks slowly toward the seat right next to me. Her steps are light and calm. Her long skirt sways gently as she moves. And when she sits down beside me, my breathing suddenly changes.
No, no. It's not what you think. I'm not falling in love. I'm just… not sure how I'm supposed to act.
I can feel my heart beating faster. Way faster… and almost out of rhythm.
From the corner of my eye, I can see everyone looking at me with these strange stares… a mix of admiration, surprise, jealousy, and some of them probably wish they could swap seats.
Karim raises his eyebrows at me like, 'Seriously? Khadijah's sitting there?'.
Arif gives a tiny smile and shakes his head. Rizky covers his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Ali shoots me a sharp look, like a captain suspicious of a crew member who just landed the best spot.
And Dzaky… just gives me his usual blank stare. But this time, that blank stare feels like it's saying a lot.
I fix my eyes on the book on my desk, trying to ignore all the looks stabbing into me. I really hope my heartbeat goes back to normal soon.
[Missing…?]
I hear Khadijah whisper in Arabic, so soft and almost no one else can hear it. Her voice is like a faint, and nervous breeze.
Next to me, Khadijah is busy rummaging through her bag and moving books and a pencil case around like she's searching for something important.
I glance at Khadijah from the corner of my eye. Her movements look a little restless, her forehead is slightly furrowed, and her eyebrows pulled together.
Then suddenly a memory hits me. A purple pen with a little cat head on top. I picked it up off the floor after that tiny accident we had in the hallway a few minutes ago.
This is my chance to ask Khadijah.
I pull the pen from my uniform pocket, then turn to her and speak in a low but clear voice… in Arabic.
[Excuse me, is this pen yours?]
Khadijah slowly turns to look at me, then at the purple pen in my hand.
Instead of just taking it, she asks me a question in Arabic first.
[My pen? But, how…?]
[Remember when we bumped into each other in the hallway? You dropped this on the floor.]
[Really? Oh—]
Khadijah's expression suddenly changes. She looks worried, like she just realized she made a mistake. Now, I'm confused…
[What's wrong?]
[I'm sorry… for bumping into you. I didn't mean to, really. Are you okay?]
[Oh, that? I'm fine. Honestly, it was my fault too for not looking ahead.]
I'm not lying, it really was partly my fault for not watching where I was going. If I hadn't been staring at my watch, this wouldn't have happened.
But Khadijah still looks worried. Her eyes lock onto mine, like she's making sure I'm not just saying that.
[…You're sure?]
[Relax. No need to worry. Just take your pen back.]
I hand the pen back to her. Khadijah slowly takes it from me, her fingers brushing mine. Khadijah even gives me a sweet smile as she gets it back.
For a moment, time feels like it slows down again. There's a small silence between us… but it's not awkward, it's peaceful.
[Thank you. By the way… may I know your name?]
[Just call me Halim.]
[Halim. I'm Khadijah.]
[You already introduced yourself earlier, remember? No need to do it again.]
[Haha, you're right.]
Khadijah laughs. It's a soft, light laugh, and I don't know why…
My chest feels warm.
From the start, Khadijah and I haven't spoken a word of Indonesian. Everything just flows naturally in Arabic. Maybe she's more comfortable in it. Or maybe… I just want to show her I can speak her language too.
But the moment doesn't last.
"Halim."
"—Yeah?"
I hear Mrs. Salamah's firm voice calling my name from the front of the class.
I turn toward Mrs. Salamah right away. And that's when I realize something.
This is awkward… everyone's staring at me.
I just now notice that my conversation with Khadijah has been pretty long, and yeah… we've been speaking Arabic while class is going on. Of course, Mrs. Salamah wouldn't just let that slide.
"Halim, meet me in the teachers' office during break."
"…Am I in trouble?"
"If you already know the answer, why ask?"
"Pfft…"
"Oh man…"
Mrs. Salamah doesn't look angry, and her words are calm, but it's still enough to make me regret what I just did.
Rizky and the others lower their heads and clearly trying hard not to laugh.
[Khadijah, don't forget to come to the teachers' office during break too.]
[Alright, Mrs. Salamah.]
I'm not surprised. That's just how Mrs. Salamah is. New student or old student, everyone gets treated the same.
Break the rules, and you face the consequences.
45 MINUTES LATER…
*The school bell rings…*
45 minutes later, the school bell finally rings loud and clear, signaling that break time has started.
And just like I expected, the classroom suddenly turns into a sea of people. Students from this class and other classes start crowding around Khadijah's desk. Some of them are here just to see her, while others are only here because they're curious.
Now I can't even sit at my own desk. My seat, which happens to be right next to Khadijah's, has become the center of attention… like a magnet.
So, I decide to back off and stand near Ali's desk.
"…Earlier, what were you and Khadijah talking about?"
"Just normal stuff."
"Normal stuff? I saw you two talking for quite a while. Khadijah even smiled at you. You sure it was just normal stuff?"
"I have no idea why she smiled. I didn't say anything funny at all."
"I saw you give Khadijah a purple pen. That got me wondering… why'd you do that?"
"That—"
"Oh, that reminds me. I overheard you talking with Latifah before. You said that Khadijah bumped into you a few minutes ago."
"What? Really?"
"Halim told that to Latifah before Mrs. Salamah came into the class."
"...…"
I just remembered that Arif sits right in front of me. That's how he caught what I said to Latifah earlier.
That shuts me up. I don't answer any of their comments.
"Hey, Halim."
"What?"
Rizky looks super curious, so he leans in close and whispers in my ear.
So quietly that no one else can hear except the two of us.
"…Are you into Khadijah?"
Did I hear that right? Is there something wrong with my ears? What kind of question is that?!
Rizky just asked something ridiculously embarrassing and totally pointless.
"…What did you say?"
"If it's true, just say it."
"What are you even talking about?"
"Come on, Khadijah looked happy when you gave her that purple pen."
"That pen belongs to her. She dropped it when we bumped into each other."
"What?"
"Earlier, Khadijah and I met at..."
I don't finish the sentence, because suddenly my brain sets off an alarm. Like it's warning me not to tell Rizky everything.
Everyone knows Rizky loves to joke around way too much. If he finds out how I first met Khadijah, I'll never hear the end of it. Rizky will tease me all day.
So I decide to keep quiet and slowly back away. Besides, I need to meet Mrs. Salamah in the teachers' lounge. She's probably waiting for me right now.
"…Where? Where?!"
"Sorry, I gotta go."
"Hey! Tell me!"
"I'll tell you later!"
"—Halim!"
I sprint down the hallway, leaving everyone behind in the classroom. I run away from all the noise and head straight to the teachers' lounge.
I can't keep Mrs. Salamah waiting too long.
TEACHERS' LOUNGE
Finally, I arrived in front of the teachers' lounge door.
Start knocking.
*Knocking door…*
"Assalamualaikum…"
"Waalaikumsalam. Who is it?"
"It's me, Halim."
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
I twist the doorknob and step inside. The lounge is pretty quiet, only Mrs. Salamah sitting on a sofa with an unknown bearded guy, wearing a neat shirt. And right next to that bearded guy…
Khadijah?
Seeing this Middle Eastern girl here instantly freezes me.
Since when is Khadijah here? Wasn't she just in class, surrounded by a crowd? Did Khadijah just teleport to the teachers' lounge?
"…Since when has Khadijah been here?"
"That's not important. Sit down."
"Uh? But didn't you just say—"
"Sit."
I shut up immediately and sit on the sofa.
My eyes go straight to Khadijah, who's staring at the floor, like she doesn't even want to be here.
Meanwhile, the bearded guy looks at me with a smile. His skin tone is almost as light as Khadijah's. And their faces… They look alike. Really alike.
Could this be Khadijah's father?
"Is this the student you mentioned earlier, Mrs. Salamah?"
"Yes. He's the one you're looking for."
"…What?"
"Halim, this is brother Abbas. Khadijah's older brother."
"You're Halim, right?"
"…Yeah, I'm Halim."
"Nice to meet you."
Brother Abbas says that while reaching out to shake my hand and smiling at me.
Without hesitation, I shake his hand and say…
"Yeah. Nice to meet you too."
Unbelievable. I never expected this bearded guy to be Khadijah's brother. At first, I thought he was her dad.
Brother Abbas looks like he's in his thirties… or maybe the beard just makes him look older than he really is.
"Halim."
"Yes?"
"Brother Abbas came here because he really wanted to meet you."
"Really?"
"Yes. I really wanted to meet you, Halim."
I stay silent for a few seconds. This feels… strange. I don't know anyone from Khadijah's family. Today is literally the first time she and I have met.
"…Is there something you need from me?"
Brother Abbas doesn't answer right away. The bearded guy glances at Khadijah for a moment. She's still staring at the floor, like she refuses to look at us.
Then brother Abbas looks back at me and asks.
"I just wanna know, have you and Khadijah gotten to know each other?"
The question makes me hesitate. It sounds simple, but I feel like there's some kind of test behind it.
"…This is the first day we've met. So I don't really know Khadijah."
"Are you sure? But earlier I saw you two talking during class. You even gave Khadijah a purple pen."
"That purple pen belongs to her. She dropped it in the hallway earlier."
"Oh, so you two met before the bell rang?"
"Yeah. Khadijah accidentally bumped into me in the hallway before. So—"
"I see…"
Brother Abbas words cut me off. He even nods like he already understands everything that happened this morning without needing the full story.
Then brother Abbas turns to his little sister, who's still looking away, and they start speaking in Arabic.
[Khadijah, did you apologize to Halim?]
[I did.]
[Don't lie. Halim is going to be your private tutor, you understand?]
Wait a second. Did I just hear that right? Did brother Abbas just say I'm going to be Khadijah's private tutor?
"Halim."
"Yeah?"
"Right now, brother Abbas and Khadijah are looking for a private language tutor for their younger brother, Abdullah."
"A private language tutor? Abdullah?"
"Yes. Abdullah will start school soon, but he needs to learn Indonesian first so he won't struggle."
"Actually, it's not just Abdullah. Khadijah also needs a private language tutor."
Hearing that, Khadijah quickly looks at her brother, her face a little red.
Then Khadijah speaks in Arabic, sounding a bit annoyed.
[Can't you teach me anymore, brother? If that's true, just say it. I can learn on my own.]
[I have to help our mother work, Khadijah. I won't have enough time to help you with Indonesian.]
[But—]
[Your Indonesian still isn't good enough. There's so much you haven't learned. And you need to talk with someone besides mom and me to really practice. That's why you also need a private tutor.]
Brother Abbas speaks calmly in Arabic and still… smiling warmly.
Khadijah stays quiet and looks at the floor again.
Mrs. Salamah and I just watch them go back and forth in Arabic.
"Halim."
"What is it, Mrs. Salamah?"
"Have you ever taught your friends a foreign language before?"
"Yeah. I've helped Karim and Latifah learn English and Arabic before. But—"
"Really? You've helped them learn English and Arabic?"
"Yeah."
"That's perfect."
Huh? Perfect? That word makes me pause, confused.
But before I can ask, Mrs. Salamah keeps going. Her next words make my heart skip.
"Since you already have teaching experience… you should be the private tutor for Khadijah and Abdullah."
"—Huh?!"
"Our mom would be so happy."
I never saw this coming, not even close.
I came here because Mrs. Salamah called me, and suddenly they want me to be a language tutor for two people from the Middle East. Totally unexpected.
I swallow hard… I'm trying to find a way out of this tension. I need to be sure. Maybe this is just some weird joke.
"Mrs. Salamah, is this a joke?"
"Do you think it is?"
"…Do I really have to do this?!"
"Please don't talk so loud, Halim. You don't want the students outside to hear, do you?"
I fall silent.
Brother Abbas smiles. Khadijah just keeps her head down… and saying nothing, like Khadijah already knew this was coming. Like this isn't a surprise to her at all.
I still can't believe what Mrs. Salamah just said. Me, a private tutor? Why not someone else like Latifah?
But even with all that, there's something else I can't stop thinking about… something that feels off. Other than Mrs. Salamah and me, only Khadijah and brother Abbas are here. Their parents aren't.
Where are their mom and dad? Shouldn't a meeting like this include the parents? Especially when it's about Khadijah's future?
And why me? Wouldn't it make more sense if Khadijah's own parents handled this?
"Mrs. Salamah."
"What is it, Halim?"
"This makes me wonder. Why are only brother Abbas and Khadijah here? Where are their parents? Shouldn't a meeting like this include them?"
"...…"
The room instantly goes silent.
My question stops Mrs. Salamah cold. Brother Abbas says nothing. Khadijah keeps her head down.
But this time… I notice Khadijah's shoulders trembling. Then a tear slides down her cheek. Her quiet and hidden sob cuts deep.
Brother Abbas gently pats his little sister's head, and he's trying to comfort his little sister.
"…What's going on?"
I can't help but ask, but brother Abbas focuses on calming Khadijah instead of answering me.
Mrs. Salamah speaks up. Her voice is soft… but firm.
"Right now, Mrs. Zainab is working in the city. Brother Abbas should be there helping her, but he made time to meet you first, Halim."
"…And their father?"
Mrs. Salamah stays silent for a moment.
I meet her eyes and feel the weight behind them.
"They don't have a father."
"…What?"
"Khadijah's family lives without a father."
Without a father? Khadijah doesn't have a dad?
Wait… does that mean this bearded guy and the Middle Eastern girl are...
[Father…]
Khadijah still keeps her head down, and she's whispering in Arabic. Just one word… but it's enough to show how heavy her heart is.
"Khadijah cries every time someone talks about this. So... let's not bring it up."
Brother Abbas says that while gently stroking his little sister's head… even hugging her.
"Halim, Khadijah and her family just moved here. And since you're the only student at this school who knows Arabic very well, you're the best person to help them learn Indonesian."
"But aren't you the Arabic teacher, Mrs. Salamah? Why don't you teach Khadijah and Abdullah Indonesian yourself?"
"If I didn't have other responsibilities, I'd gladly teach them myself. But honestly... Halim, your language skills are even better than mine."
"You really think so, Mrs. Salamah? I'm still in junior high. You think I can handle this?"
"I know you can, Halim. You have talent. I can see great potential in you."
Mrs. Salamah words hang in the air, leaving me speechless.
Mrs. Salamah, known for being strict, sometimes even feared by students… just showed me a different side. A side that trusts. A side that believes in me even when I'm not sure about myself.
For the first time, I feel like my next step might shape not only my own future… but someone else's too.
I try to process everything Mrs. Salamah said. My head is full of doubts, questions, and feelings I can't pin down. But my thoughts are interrupted when brother Abbas speaks again.
"Halim."
"Yeah?"
"We'd be so grateful if you could help us. We'd really appreciate it if you could teach Khadijah and Abdullah Indonesian."
Brother Abbas sounds calm, but there's something in his eyes he can't hide… a deep hope. His voice isn't demanding, it's more like a heartfelt plea.
I lower my head for a moment. The doubt is still there. Mrs. Salamah's words about trust and potential keep echoing, but another voice inside me keeps whispering… I'm not ready.
"Brother Abbas, can't you find someone else? I'm sure there are people out there who speak Arabic way better than me."
"We've searched everywhere. But so far, we haven't found anyone who can help Khadijah and Abdullah learn Indonesian."
"And they need that help now, Halim. Not later."
"...…"
"Please help them, Halim. I'm sure your parents once told you to always help others, didn't they?"
Mrs. Salamah words hit hard.
My chest feels heavy. Those words stir something deep inside me. Anything about my parents is the last thing I want to hear right now.
Not now. Not in front of them.
"…Mrs. Salamah, please don't bring that up—"
"Halim."
Mrs. Salamah cuts me off gently, but firmly. Her voice is a reminder… reminding me that I'm not alone, reminding me to watch my words.
I slowly lift my head and look at Khadijah and brother Abbas.
Abdullah isn't here, but somehow I can picture his innocent little face. A kid who knows nothing about this world, yet already has to grow up without a father.
The room stays quiet. So quiet that even breathing feels heavy.
*The school bell rings…*
And then, the sound slices through the silence.
The second period will start soon. I stay seated, lower my head a little, and let the bell's echo pass.
My thoughts are stuck. And I don't want to think about my parents.
Not today and not now. That topic is like a thorn in an old wound, touch it and it tears open again.
"Halim might need time to think this over. Let's give him some space."
I nod slightly. Brother Abbas nods too, agreeing. There's no pressure in Mrs. Salamah's words, and I'm grateful for that. But what unsettles me most is Khadijah. The Middle Eastern girl still keeps her head down.
"Halim, you can go now. I'll talk to Khadijah and brother Abbas a bit more. And don't forget to tell your teacher that Khadijah's still here."
I don't say a word. I just nod again, step out of the teachers' lounge, and quietly close the door behind me.
Now it's just me, the sound of my footsteps, and the hallway filling up with students heading back to class.
IN THE CLASSROOM
I just got to class. The social studies teacher isn't here yet, and the clock on the wall says there are still a few minutes before the lesson starts.
Most of my classmates are chatting or flipping through their notes. I decide to sit quietly and open my own book, choosing to review the material instead of talking. At least it might distract me from everything that just happened in the teachers' lounge. But that hope doesn't last long.
Only a few seconds pass before Rizky rushes over to me. Then Dzaky, Ali, Arif, and Karim follow right behind him. They swarm around my desk like a pack of bees that just caught the scent of honey.
"Alright. Now tell us."
"...…"
"Come on…"
"Do you guys really need to know?"
"Of course."
"…You know what? This really isn't that important."
"Just say it, Halim. We don't care if it's important or not."
"That's right."
"Yeah."
"Oh man…"
"Is it that hard for you to explain?"
"I just don't know where to start. If other students hear about this, I'm worried it'll happen all over again."
We all fall silent for a moment. And in that silence, my mind drifts back to one dark story that once happened in this school.
Back then, there was an ordinary guy who started dating one of the most popular girls here.
They looked happy, always supporting each other, and not even trying to hide their relationship. But that was the beginning of everything.
Jealousy. Rumors. And bullying.
People started treating that ordinary guy badly. And the popular girl, the one everyone used to adore, was suddenly seen as a traitor by the school's social circles.
In the end, both of them had to transfer to another school.
I thought that was the end of it. But it wasn't.
After they moved, their relationship slowly fell apart. I don't know if it was because of all the pressure or wounds that never healed. All I know is that one of them… ended up in a grave.
I don't ever want that to happen again. Not to anyone else, and definitely not to me. That's why I've made up my mind, I don't want to date anyone, not even Latifah.
For me, dating isn't some kind of solution. Relationships can be messy and painful. I'm honestly sick of people assuming Latifah is my girlfriend. Just because she's often by my side doesn't mean we're dating.
I'd rather keep things with Latifah normal and not over the top. And I really wish people would stop jumping to conclusions. Seriously, I just want them to stop saying she's my girlfriend. It's embarrassing and not funny, you get it?
"Relax, Halim. We're not telling anyone about this."
"Yeah. And if anyone messes with you, they won't sleep well at night."
"We won't just sit back if you're in trouble, Halim."
"Exactly!"
"You guys really don't have to—"
"What? Hmm?"
"…Nothing."
"Then, start talking."
"You don't have to tell us every detail. Just share what you can."
"No one else will know about this, only us."
Looks like the only choice I have now is to tell them everything.
I look at the people who've always had my back up until now. Maybe it's fine if I share it with them.
It's better if I keep my voice low. I lean in closer, making sure no one else is around to eavesdrop. Then, in a quiet voice, I start telling them everything.
I tell them about the girl who bumped into me in the hallway. About the purple pen. About Mrs. Salamah calling me to the teachers' lounge. And about their request for me to teach Indonesian.
Karim and the others listen carefully. Not a single one of them tries to interrupt until I'm done. Silence hangs between us after I finish.
Until…
"MRS. SALAMAH ASKED YOU TO DO THAT!?!"
"Ssshhh…!!!"
"Shut up!"
Rizky shouts without warning. Because of him, every eye in the classroom turns to us. The room goes silent, full of curious stares.
A few students even tilt their heads, wondering what just happened.
The air starts to feel awkward…
"What? I already know that I have a handsome face, so don't look at me like that."
Some of the students keep staring for a few seconds.
Then, one by one, they all look away and go back to what they were doing, like nothing happened. The tension around us slowly fades.
"…So, when are you gonna start doing it, Halim?"
"I haven't decided yet. I need some time to think about it."
"How long are you gonna think?"
"…Until I figure out the answer."
This is all too sudden for me, which is why I need some time to process it.
I'm not the kind of person who can just make a decision on the spot. I feel like I've been thrown into a situation I don't fully understand yet.
All I can do now is hope that the choice I make later will be the right one. Because this time, it's not just about me.
It's also about the girl who bumped into me in the hallway… and her little brother, who I still haven't met.
TO BE CONTINUED…