POV Aisha
Five days later, a notice appeared on the school's bulletin board: the results of the district-level math competition. Aisha's eyes scanned the list. Her heart leapt—Top 5 in the province.
She let out a breathless laugh, a mix of disbelief, pride, and a faint twinge of disappointment. Much of the knowledge she had applied had come straight from the system, a reward for completing her tasks, and a small part of her wondered if it counted as her own achievement.
The system, sensing her hesitation, chimed sharply in her mind:
[Host. You have worked hard. No need to overthink this.]
Bela and Nisa immediately pressed around her, their excitement spilling over.
"You did it!" Bela exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"I… I really did," Aisha whispered, still staring at the names on the board. Relief and pride swelled together. She had stayed diligent, kept her integrity intact, and the result had followed.
Later that same week, the headmaster announced the new class placements for the upcoming academic year. Aisha stepped into her new classroom, now labeled Grade 12, her bag slung over one shoulder. Familiar faces greeted her with smiles—some quietly chatting, others offering nods or whispered congratulations for her recent accomplishment.
---
Several days later, sunlight slipped through the windows of the newly built classroom, filling the space with a warm, golden glow. The scent of fresh wood and lingering dust still hung in the air. The girls gathered at the front, each holding a broom, a dustpan, and her own quiet resolve.
The Kyai stood before them.
"Today, you will clean this room. There are many large wooden beams that need to be stacked."
The students exchanged glances—some surprised, some amused.
Aisha stared at the pile of massive logs in the corner and frowned.
"Astaghfirullah… it looks like we're lifting trees, not stacking wood."
The Kyai's wife was there as well. She shook her head.
"Girls lifting heavy wood? That's too much. It must be far too heavy for them."
"Let them try," the Kyai replied with a faint smile. "It will teach them the value of hard work—so they don't end up marrying lazy men."
Aisha's eyes widened, and she nearly protested aloud.
"Astaghfirullah, Kyai! I absolutely do not want a lazy husband!"
Nisa covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh.
"Ruqayyah… don't exaggerate. It's just advice."
After the Kyai and his wife left the room, Aisha picked up her broom.
"Advice or not, I'm serious! If my future husband is lazy, I'll be stressed for the rest of my life."
She sank into a corner, twirling the edge of her hijab and letting out a sigh.
"Hm… maybe it's better if I just sit outside and watch instead of lifting all this wood."
Bela looked at her with a mischievous grin.
"If your husband turns out lazy, don't complain later, alright?"
Aisha shot her a look.
"Don't misunderstand. My husband will be the most diligent man in the entire pesantren. But for now… I just want to watch all of you struggle."
The room buzzed with laughter and teasing, yet the atmosphere remained warm. The girls helped one another, joked freely, and occasionally leaned against the walls to catch their breath. The work was heavy, but their spirits stayed light.
Bela's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Why don't we make it a competition? Whoever moves the biggest log first wins."
Aisha's face lit up.
"A competition? Brilliant! Be careful—I won't lose!"
Without hesitation, she stepped forward and tried to lift one of the largest beams on her own. The others gasped—half impressed, half worried.
"Slow down!" Bela shouted, laughing despite herself.
"I can do it! See? I'm strong!" Aisha insisted.
Before she could finish, the log wobbled under its weight. Nisa rushed forward and grabbed one end.
"Astaghfirullah! Don't be reckless! You'll hurt your arm!"
Once the wood was neatly stacked and the floor swept clean, the girls sat in a loose circle, damp with sweat but smiling with satisfaction.
Aisha wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
"I get it now… the Kyai wants us to be strong not only mentally, but physically too."
Nisa nodded.
"Exactly. If the heart is weak, we complain easily. If the body is weak, we can't help much."
Bela laughed.
"And if both are weak, the husband will be the first one to suffer."
Everyone burst into laughter. Aisha scowled playfully.
"I'm serious! But… maybe you're right."
That night, the dormitory was quiet. Only the sound of crickets and the occasional whisper broke the stillness.
Aisha, still inhabiting Ruqayyah's body, lay on her thin mattress and groaned softly.
"Ow… my back… my legs… everything hurts," she muttered.
Bela sat beside her, wearing a teasing smile.
"See? I told you. Trying to be strong all the time always backfires."
Aisha looked at her pleadingly.
"Alright, alright… I give up. Can you massage me a little? I promise I won't show off again."
Bela laughed and gently began massaging her legs.
"Next time, listen to advice. Lifting wood isn't a strength contest."
Aisha let out a slow breath.
"But you were the one who challenged me," she said.
"Hehe," Bela chuckled.
Aisha nodded, eyes closed.
"Yeah… but tomorrow, I'll still help clean. Just… no lifting wood this time."
Bela laughed softly.
"Agreed. You can sweep instead. Let the younger girls handle the heavy work—they're tougher than us."
Aisha smiled, almost laughing.
Bela sighed, still smiling.
"Great… now I've become a masseuse."
Aisha whispered lightly,
"Maybe that's life in a pesantren. Friends are listeners to your complaints… and sometimes, your personal masseuse too."
They laughed together.
"Hey, you and Nisa keep leaving me alone," Bela teased, pretending to pout.
Aisha blinked.
"Oh? I'm sorry… I didn't realize you felt lonely."
"No! I mean—" Bela replied quickly, trying to sound indifferent, her cheeks flushing.
Then, suddenly, she asked,
"Do you want me to try scraping your back?"
"Scraping?" Aisha frowned.
"With a coin, like this," Bela demonstrated in the air.
"That hurts! It'll leave marks on my skin," Aisha protested, making Bela laugh harder.
"Relax. It makes your body feel lighter," Bela said.
Aisha smiled, still unsure but not refusing.
"It's strange… but if you say it's good, then go ahead."