That fateful morning, just moments before the break of dawn, the sky above the Al-Hikmah Islamic boarding school appeared oppressive and foreboding, resembling a heavy iron curtain that loomed ominously, threatening to cave inwards at any moment. Dark, menacing clouds congregated ominously, their deep rumblings resonating ominously, embodying the surging wrath of nature, while the very first raindrops began to fall slowly, echoing against the stillness as the call to the dawn prayer reverberated through the chilly air, compelling the students to awaken to what promised to be a particularly challenging morning. The female students, feeling an exhilarating mix of anticipation and trepidation, hurried toward the mosque, tightly clutching their thin umbrellas as they braved the elements, acutely aware that soon the heavy rain would engulf everything in its path, sweeping away their hopes like thousands of needles piercing the earth's surface. In striking contrast, fierce lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the darkened horizon, while the wind howled violently, stirring up rainwater in an erratic dance that soaked through their uniforms and headscarves almost instantly. Despite the unfriendly morning weather that seemed bent on disheartening them, it was abundantly clear that the scheduled final exams could not be postponed, for the head of the Islamic boarding school had issued a resolute declaration yesterday: "Rain or storm, the exams must go on. This is a true test of endurance for every student!"
In the midst of this tense and tumultuous situation, Zahra sprinted toward the mosque, desperately shielding her head with the hijab she wore as the heavy torrents of rain poured down, drenching her face in cold, uncontrollable drops. "Nisa! Hurry! My umbrella is leaking! The Fiqh exam starts at 8:00 a.m., but with rain this heavy, how can we possibly get ready?!" she shouted, her voice nearly swallowed by the thunder that rolled above them like a cosmic timpani, emphasizing the gravity of their predicament.
Nisa, chasing after her from behind, clutched her notebook tightly, which was already wilting under the soaking rain. "Zahra, I forgot half of what I memorized last night because I was scared of the thunder! They said the exam will still be held in the main hall, but the electricity is definitely going to be out. We absolutely need to bring flashlights!" Nisa exclaimed breathlessly, her anxiety rising with each step. Meanwhile, Lina, Salsabila, and Salsabi raced up behind them, their faces reflecting a mixture of pale apprehension and fervent enthusiasm. "Is this a semester exam or a storm exam?!" Lina complained, her voice full of humor and exasperation as she continued to propel herself ahead.
Upon their arrival at the mosque, the dawn prayer was hastily performed under the pressing circumstances. Ustadzah Nurul, the deputy head of the curriculum department, stood at the pulpit wielding a spare microphone that had been meticulously charged with batteries for such emergencies. "Assalamu'alaikum, all students. This heavy rain is merely a small test, but please remember, it is a test of perseverance that Allah has granted you all. The exams must still be conducted: Fiqh, Hadith, and Arabic must be completed this morning. Special regulations: dry spare paper may be utilized, but all memorization must remain honest and truthful. Students who arrive late due to the rain will be allotted an additional 10 minutes. InshaAllah, this heavy rain will subside by noon!" Ustadzah Nurul declared confidently, her voice ringing with authority amidst the chaos.
Aira, a perceptive female student who now held the esteemed position of Widyaiswara, took it upon herself to stand at the front of the line and assist in distributing plastic covers for the exam papers. "Zahra, just breathe and relax. Remember the memorization technique we practiced last week: use visualization and dzikir. Picture Surah An-Nas as a shield, shielding us from the storm we are currently facing!" Zahra could only nod in response, yet worry still brimming in her eyes. "Aira, I'm scared that my answer sheet will get soaked, and my ink will inevitably smudge!" she confessed anxiously, trying to suppress the fear creeping into her mind.
The clock read 7:30 a.m. as they all dashed toward the main hall. The rain intensified, steadily seeping through the roof that had begun to leak in multiple places, while puddles of water flowed rapidly across the floor like miniature rivers. The electricity had completely failed, and the hall, which should have been illuminated with vibrant light, lay shrouded in utter darkness, lit only by the soft glow of cell phone lights and a few flickering red emergency lights. The exam supervisors—Ustadzah Fatihah and her dedicated team—were poised, ready with candles and laminated exam papers, their presence a steadying force amid the chaos. "Please sit down quietly! Begin now!" Ustadzah Fatihah commanded firmly, affirming her authority. Outside, the sound of rain was deafening, like the ominous drums of war blaring from the world beyond, while violent lightning strikes illuminated the hall, shaking the windows violently.
Zahra took her place on the damp seat, the Fiqh exam paper laid out before her, with clear, anxious instructions that read: "Explain the pillars of prayer, complete with evidence and wisdom." Her fingers trembled, chattering from the biting cold that permeated the air. "Oh God, please help me memorize this," she whispered softly, glancing around nervously. Next to her, Nisa murmured urgently, "Zahra, question number three is about the hadith qudsi—I've forgotten everything!" Meanwhile, Lina was in distress over her damp answer sheet: "My answer sheet is drenched, half of my writing has disappeared!"
Suddenly, an earth-shattering *CRACK!* reverberated through the air as lightning struck a solitary tree in the courtyard, shattering a large branch that crashed against the hall window, causing the glass to splinter and shatter, allowing a ferocious gust of wind to rush in, dispersing the exam papers chaotically. The atmosphere turned frenzied; students screamed in terror, some were even reduced to tears as panic seized them. Despite this chaos, Ustadzah Fatihah stood firm and collected, her calm composure resonating with authority: "Stay calm! Remember, this is also a test of your faith. Press on, Allah will protect us all!" In the midst of this calamity, Aira quickly rose to action, assisting in covering the jagged window frame with makeshift cardboard boxes. "Friends, let's recite the verse of Kursi together! Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal hayyul qayyuum..." As their hesitant voices melded in recitation of the sacred verses, the tumultuous rain seemed to gradually relent.
Amidst the ongoing commotion, Salsabila leaned in closer and whispered something to Salsabi: "Bil, is your memorization still intact? This Arabic question feels insurmountable!" Salsabi nodded reassuringly, her confidence sparking a glimmer of hope: "Use Aira's visualization technique—envision the roots as the Arabic verses we memorized!" Zahra then redirected her focus back to her exam, fervently writing her answers: "The pillars of prayer: intention (QS Al-Baqarah: 177), takbir (Bukhari hadith)..." Yet, in the blink of an eye, her pen jammed— the ink seemed frozen. Swiftly, she borrowed a pen from Nisa, continuing her writing despite the stiffness in her hand that seemed uncooperative.
In the midst of the chaos, an unforeseen twist occurred: the hall door was flung open forcefully by a ferocious gust of wind, and a flood of water gushed in from the corridor, transforming the wet floor into an unrecognizable floodplain. Ustadzah Nurul immediately sprang into action, giving instructions with fortitude: "Evacuate the answer sheets to the higher stage! The exam will be paused for 30 minutes!" The junior students erupted into a panic as they darted to safeguard the answer sheets to a drier area on the stage, while Zahra hurriedly moved to rescue Lina's answers, which appeared perilously close to being carried away by the floodwaters. "Lina, hurry! We must work together to prop up the table to block the incoming water!" she called out, urgency flaring in her voice.
Aira, ever the leader, seized the moment: "Team 1 manages the stage, and Team 2 will secure the doors! Everyone, recite Surah Al-Falaq together!" The rain began to diminish little by little, yet the tension in the exam room deepened, tightening around their hearts. Syarifah, sitting resolutely at the back, recited classical Arabic fluently, exuding confidence: "This is a true test, much like a storm at sea—our faith will be our guiding captain!"
As the clock struck 9:00 a.m., signaling the end of the exam period, Ustadzah Fatihah gathered the sodden answer sheets, then expressed her gratitude: "Alhamdulillah, everyone is safe and sound. The collection of new answer sheets will take place tomorrow morning after all the papers dry out. You have all demonstrated remarkable perseverance—everyone has passed!" Exultant cheers of relief echoed throughout the hall. Zahra embraced Nisa tightly, her heart swelling with gratitude as she exclaimed, "Nisa, we made it! But remember, tomorrow we have another vital task—the perfection of our memorization must be exude in readiness!"
Meanwhile, outside, the rain continued to fall heavily, while the sound of thunder still reverberated in the distance like a lingering reminder of the tempest. Aira then leaned in conspiratorially, whispering a message that sent a chill down their spines: "This is merely the first part. Tomorrow, the exam will resume—are you truly ready to confront the second storm?" All this suggested that the enigma of the heavy rain was just beginning to unfold, drawing back the curtain on a chapter that promised to be filled with trials yet to come...
***
The morning that marked the much-anticipated second day of exams arrived not with the usual calmness of dawn, but rather with an increasingly violent natural fury that seemed to amplify the tension already brewing among the students. The heavy rain that had poured down throughout the night showed no signs of letting up, its relentless rhythm competing with the roar of the strong winds that mercilessly tore at the curtains in several corners of the main hall's roof, creating a cacophony that echoed through the building. Ankle-deep puddles flooded the typically bustling corridors, transforming them into swift, muddy streams that made every step a challenging ordeal. To compound the chaos, the electricity remained out, plunging the atmosphere into an eerie darkness, while the sound of large trees in the yard crashing down resonated as they fell, blocking the usually serene road leading to the mosque. An emergency announcement, issued through the battery-powered megaphone by the ever-composed yet visibly concerned Ustadzah Fatihah, echoed ominously: "The rest of the exam will still be held at 8:00 a.m. in the second-floor hall! Bring your wet answer sheets from yesterday to dry. This is the second test of patience—those who are absent will receive a score of zero!" As the implications of her words sank in, the students scrambled, their wet shoes sloshing against the waterlogged floor, carrying plastic bags to protect their prized memorization books, desperately praying for the rain to cease soon.
Amidst the flood in the corridor, Zahra and Nisa struggled valiantly though knee-deep water that threatened to sweep them off their feet, each of them clutching yesterday's Fiqh answer sheets, which were still damp and vulnerable to the elements. "Nisa, our papers are like wet leaves! Half the ink has smudged beyond recognition. What if Ustadzah Fatihah accuses us of cheating because the answers are illegible?!" Zahra shouted over the gushing sound of the rain beating down, her voice nearly drowned out by the storm's fierce symphony. Nisa, determined to hold onto her spare pen, looked at Zahra with a mix of concern and encouragement. "Za, calm down! We can rewrite all our memorization on new paper if we need to. Remember, Aira said this exam isn't just about the paper, but about what truly lies in our hearts!"
On the second floor, where chaos had initially reigned, efforts to bring some semblance of order were slowly coming together: tables were hastily moved to form a makeshift emergency dam aimed at containing the rising floodwaters, flashlights illuminated the laminated exam papers spread across the tables, and supervisors were graciously handing out hot ginger tea to warm the cold bodies of anxious students who felt the chill of fear mingling with the dampness of their clothes. Aira had already established her presence as an assistant supervisor, her demeanor calm as she helped distribute the temporarily dried papers while ensuring everyone was ready for the upcoming challenges. "Za, Nisa! Are your answers from yesterday safe? Today's questions include: Hadith and Arabic. Remember to prioritize your qudsi memorization!" Just then, Lina approached, her hair wet and clinging to her hijab, her expression one of distress. "Sis, I lost my memorization of Surah An-Nur because I panicked while traversing the floodwaters. Please remind me of it!"
Ustadzah Fatihah took her place on the makeshift stage, her voice booming through the anxious air, commanding immediate attention from all the students. "Students, this is a test of your faith and knowledge! This heavy rain mimics the trials endured by Prophet Noah—face it with patience, strength, and trust in Allah's mercy. Starting from this moment: you have 2 hours for honest memorization. You may discuss your arguments, but the answers must come from your own minds!" Just then, a rumble of thunder shook the foundations of the hall, causing some students to scream in fear as the walls quivered around them. Salsabila instinctively hugged Salsabi tightly. "Bil, let's read the verse of Kursi together to calm our racing hearts!"
Zahra, heart pounding, opened the Hadith question paper and began scanning its contents: "List 7 qudsi hadiths related to knowledge, including their chains of transmission and meanings." Her cold, trembling hands began to scribble down her thoughts: "'Indeed, deeds depend on intentions'—Bukhari Muslim..." But just when she thought she could focus, a strong gust of wind shook the windows violently, sending a flurry of papers soaring through the air and rainwater splashing across the desks. "Ustadzah! The hall is leaking badly!" shouted Nisa in exasperation, feeling the rising panic among her classmates. Ustadzah Fatihah, keeping her composure amidst the chaos, replied without hesitation: "Cover yourselves with raincoats! Continue writing from the higher stage!"
As the chaos reached its peak, students scrambled to lift tables onto the stage, seeing the floodwaters rising rapidly around them and feeling a surge of adrenaline. Aira took control of the situation, guiding the evacuation with an authoritative voice: "Team 1, collect the papers! Team 2, block the door with cardboard! Read Al-Falaq together while you work!" Their voices rang out with a sense of unity and determination: "Qul a'uzu birabbil falaq..." Miraculously, the rain seemed to begin to hear their collective plea and gradually subsided. Syarifah, with newfound confidence, recited fluently in Arabic: "This is like QS Al-Baqarah 155—a test of hunger, fear, and loss of wealth. We will pass this trial, inshaAllah!"
Amidst the chaos, there was a personal drama unfolding: Lina's paper, secured only by a momentary grasp, floated away and was lost to the floodwaters. "Za! My answers are gone! This means I failed!" Zhengra, showing her unwavering support, quickly handed Lina a pen. "Borrow mine! Let's memorize it together! Remember Aira's technique: visualize the light of knowledge illuminating your path!" They began to whisper their memorization: "'Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave'..." Just then, Salsabi fell into the flood with a splash, her papers completely soaked and ruined. "Bil, help! My memorization is gone!" But Salsabila, ever the supportive friend, replied with resolve: "Calm down, I wrote it twice—so I have an extra copy just for you!"
As the clock finally struck 10:00 a.m., signaling the end of the exam time, Ustadzah Fatihah began to collect the wet papers, which were a mix of the soaked and the barely dry. "Alhamdulillah, we persevered through this storm! Remember, Arabic collection is tomorrow. If the rain continues heavily, the oral exam will be held at the mosque. This is only the second round—are you all ready to face the storm that is brewing for us tomorrow?" A cheer erupted from the students, the sound filling the room despite the chill that left their bodies cold and sore from the ordeal.
In the still-flooded corridor, Aira gathered her team into a tight embrace, smiling brightly despite the circumstances. "You guys are amazing! Tomorrow is the Arabic oral exam—make sure you memorize Surah Yasin verses 1-10 in preparation. However, I heard a troubling rumor: this rain may be categorized as a provincial-level disaster, causing the national exam to be held online instead of in person. Are you all ready for this unexpected new challenge?" Zahra, brow furrowed with anxiety, bit her lip in contemplation. "Aira, this rain just won't let up... is this exam going to last forever?"
Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily, with occasional thunder rumbling threateningly in the distance. The new test of endurance had clearly entered its third excruciating phase, and the students, now rugged warriors of knowledge, braced themselves for whatever trials lay ahead.
***
The third day of exams arrived like an insidious and never-ending nightmare that loomed heavily over the students. As they awoke, the sky unleashed a torrent of heavy raindrops, blanketing the morning in an ominous gray hue and creating a primarily gloomy atmosphere that was further intensified by a tropical storm that had been raging uncontrollably since dawn, as if nature itself had conspired to challenge them. The fierce winds howled mercilessly, tearing through the roof of the second-floor hall with a deafening roar, while the cacophony outside was punctuated by the ominous sound of large trees crashing down, effectively blocking access to the nearby mosque—a key location for the examination. This catastrophic weather event was compounded by rising floodwaters that swiftly escalated to waist height in the boarding school courtyard, rendering all normal activities impossible and bringing an immediate halt to the frantic preparations. In this oppressive and unsettling atmosphere, the provincial power went out completely, plunging the surroundings into darkness and cutting off any communication with the outside world as cell phone signals dissipated into nothingness. Amidst the chaos, an emergency announcement could be heard faintly echoing through a megaphone clutched tightly by the brave Ustadzah Fatihah, who was attempting to rally the students amidst this upheaval: "Oral Arabic exam at the mosque! Memorization of QS Yasin 1-10 along with interpretation. Anyone who is absent will be permanently absent! This is the final test of faith!" Such a stern warning haunted the anxious minds of the students who were engaged in a relentless struggle against the floodwaters, determined to ensure they would not be defeated by the elements. They were equipped with emergency boots that squelched through the rising water, waterproof plastic bags to protect their precious books, and long, heartfelt prayers whispered silently in their hearts, all in a desperate bid for safety on their treacherous journey to the mosque.
In the deluge, Zahra and Nisa pushed through the rising waters, each holding onto the other for support amidst the raging flood. The relentless wind whipped around them, mercilessly splashing water across their faces, making each journey forward a daunting endeavor. "Nisa, I forgot a crucial part of the Yasin verses from 5-10! 'Wah shalaawa lanaj'aloo min doonihaa shiraabaa'... what comes next?!" Zahra shouted above the howling storm, her voice nearly swallowed by the roar of the tempest. Nisa, firmly clutching her now soaked laminated memorization book, managed to respond quickly despite the chaos. "Za, it continues with 'min doonihaa shiraabaa minhanaa'! Remember when Aira taught us that visualization technique? Close your eyes and picture a warm drink from heaven, akin to the hot ginger tea we typically indulge in during these cool moments!" Meanwhile, the determined Lina, who was limping as her headscarf clung heavily to her soaked hair, followed closely behind and watched her friends with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Guys, I overheard that the mosque is already flooded up to the knees! The supervisor alerted us that memorization must be done without any cheating, but what if we find ourselves overwhelmed with nerves?!"
Inside the mosque, the atmosphere resembled a spiritual battlefield fraught with tension and uncertainty: the floor was wet and slippery, making every step treacherous, while a makeshift pulpit constructed from stacked dry carpets stood valiantly at the front, struggling to maintain its presence amidst the chaos. The meager light that shone down from the flickering cell phone flashlights and the dim oil lamps became the sole source of illumination for the drenched and anxious students. Aira, who had shown remarkable determination by arriving earlier, took on the role of an assisting figure, distributing dry towels and piping hot ginger tea to provide the students with a hint of warmth and comfort amid the freezing conditions. "Za, Nisa! How's your memorization holding up? Are you feeling steady? Ustadzah Fatihah has started calling out the numbers, and if you're feeling jittery, remember to take a deep breath, say Bismillah, and visualize the tree of our aspirations!" With their bodies trembling in the frigid air, Salsabila and Salsabi, who had positioned themselves close together for support, embraced one another tightly, seeking solace in each other's presence. "Bil, let's recite together: 'Innaka 'alaa kulli syai'in qadiir'—Allah is All-Powerful, and surely He can help us overcome this storm!"
As the situation escalated, Ustadzah Fatihah stood tall on the podium, her voice ringing out with firm resolve and conviction. "Students, pay careful attention, for this is our ultimate Arabic oral exam! You must memorize QS Yasin 1-10 fluently along with a succinct interpretation. We shall commence from number one! Remember, this storm is a test for us, much like what the Companions of the Cave faced—let us endure and trust that Allah will ease our burdens!" Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed dramatically, resonating through the dome of the mosque, shaking the very atmosphere around them and causing rows of students to sway in fear while some shrieked in panic. The first student, caught unprepared, stepped forward with trepidation, her voice faltering: "Wahdhu... wahdhu... I've forgotten!" However, despite her nervousness resulting in a C grade, Ustadzah Fatihah acknowledged her effort and perseverance, recognizing them as commendable attributes worthy of a passing grade.
When it came time for Zahra, who was number 15 on the list, she approached with determination, feeling the cold floodwater lapping at her feet, and steadied herself on the slippery pulpit. "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Wa sh-sholawaati 'alaa rasuulih..." She began, her voice steady and unwavering, yet suddenly, *crack!* The ceiling above her gave way, and icy water poured down upon her, daring to interrupt her recitation: "...lanaj'aluu... min doonihaa..." Nisa, quick to react from the rows behind, shouted encouragingly, "Shiraabaa minhanaa, Za!" Zahra took a deep breath and continued her recitation with unwavering resolve, finishing with the interpretation: "Yasin is the surah of the heart, reminding us to return to Allah amidst the tumultuous storms that life throws our way!" The room erupted into loud applause, and she proudly received an A- for her efforts.
Then, it was Nisa's turn to face the daunting challenge, but suddenly, a panic ensued as floodwaters surged violently against the mosque door, encroaching rapidly into the sacred space! "Ustadzah! The water is getting into the mosque!" Aira's frantic shout echoed through the chaos. Without a moment's hesitation, Ustadzah Fatihah sprang into action, "Evacuate the pulpit immediately! We will continue our recitation on the high carpeted stage! All students, recite Al-Ikhlas together!" The voices of the determined students rose in unison: "Qul huwallahu ahad..." Even as the floodwaters reached their knees, the students pressed on, lifting the pulpit while reciting their memorization with unwavering conviction. When it was Lina's turn, she boldly proclaimed, "Innalladziina kaafiru... qadhaa 'alaihimul 'adzaab!" While her notes had been swept away by the water, her reliance on her pure memorization from the depths of her heart earned her a special A grade!
As chaos continued to reign, Salsabila slipped into the flood's grasp, only to be swiftly rescued by her ever-watchful companion, Salsabi. "Bil, this is verse 9: 'Wa hum yashduuna fiihaa laa yabghuuna 'anhal khuruuj'—they strive to find a way out of hell!" His honorable deed garnered him a perfect score, cementing his place among the successful. Closing the examination session for the junior students, Syarifah confidently recited her memorization along with the classic Arabic interpretation so flawlessly, remaining unfazed by the rumbling thunder that echoed ominously in the sky outside.
Finally, at exactly 10:30, the exhausting exam came to a close. Ustadzah Fatihah gathered the waterlogged notes with a deep breath of relief. "Alhamdulillah, you all passed! Official scores will be announced tomorrow once everything has dried up completely. Considering the disastrous weather we're experiencing throughout the province, it's possible that the national exam may need to be postponed. Nevertheless, I must commend all of you—truly great and genuine students!" Cheers erupted among the students, and joyous, waterlogged hugs ensued as they celebrated their collective endurance. Aira gathered her team close, exclaiming with pride, "You are all legends in your own right! But... listen closely to the latest news: the flooding throughout the province is worsening, and we must prepare for our Islamic boarding school's evacuation tomorrow. The national exam may have to be conducted online—are you ready to face this new digital storm?"
Zahra bit her lip in newfound enthusiasm, her heart thrilled with excitement. "Aira, from the physical floods to the looming digital ones? We're absolutely ready to take it on!" Though the rain continued its relentless downpour without ceasing, their spirits soared high, having transformed their fears of the flood into a testament of resilience—undaunted, they were ready to face the national challenges that lay ahead.
***
The fateful night of the emergency evacuation descended upon them much like the climactic moment of an unforgettable storm—one that violently shook the entire region where they found themselves stranded. The relentless downpour, which had persisted unceasingly for hours, now intensified, transforming into sheets of rain that lashed against the ground with ferocity, triggering provincial floods that rose alarmingly to chest height in the courtyard of the Islamic boarding school. This dire situation created a poignant and urgent atmosphere that they had no choice but to confront head-on. The order from the provincial Ministry of Religious Affairs resounded with a commanding authority through the emergency radio waves, demanding the immediate attention of every student and staff member who listened with bated breath and apprehension: "All Islamic boarding schools will be evacuated to a safe mountain immediately! The scheduled national exams will still take place tomorrow morning, but will be conducted online through a special platform—requiring video recordings of memorization and essay writing. Anyone who does not take this exam will receive a score of zero!" As the message hung in the air, the students sensed an overwhelming urgency, igniting a fierce determination within their hearts, as they labored tirelessly to lift waterproof plastic bags laden with their laminated memorization books and essential emergency supplies—their only lifeline amidst calamity—toward the evacuation trucks that thundered ominously at the gate, now half-submerged in the rushing floodwaters. The tempestuous wind that accompanied this fateful night ripped apart umbrellas with ease, while relentless lightning struck with unyielding ferocity, hitting the last remaining tree standing defiantly in the yard, as if the elements themselves had conspired to test their very resilience.
In the midst of this chaos, Zahra remained poised at the brink of the encroaching flood, with water threatening to engulf her waist, clutching close the bag containing vital answer sheets that were beginning to succumb to the moisture seeping through. Struggling to make herself heard over the cacophony of rain and roaring floodwaters, she shouted with urgency, "Nisa! Tomorrow's national essay revolves around the theme: 'The Test of Fortitude in a Rainstorm'. How can we hope to compose it if our phones are completely devoid of signal?!" With a glimmer of clever ingenuity, Nisa brandished a small radio bestowed upon her by Aira, saying, "Za, Aira informed me that the Ministry of Religious Affairs platform is equipped with a special satellite—emergency signals will be accessible! We can record a video of the Yasin recitation in the truck, then, from a safer location on the mountain, upload it!" Lina struggled to keep her balance as she approached them, clutching her backup laptop, its surface damp but still their beacon of hope for salvation. In a panicked tone, she exclaimed, "Guys, the floodwaters are rising alarmingly fast! The carpet in the mosque is already floating away!"
Taking charge in the face of impending disaster, Aira rose to the occasion, her voice unwavering and resolute amid the growing turbulence of the situation. "Team 1, board the first truck immediately: Zahra, Nisa, Lina! Gather everything you can, including the essay drafts we've prepared. Team 2, Salsabila and Salsabi, prepare for the visualization of the essay entitled, 'Storms Build Character.' Ustadzah Fatihah has reinforced that this constitutes our final national exam—whoever emerges victorious as the provincial champion will be awarded a full scholarship!" As she spoke, Salsabila was gripped by fear, her heart racing with anxiety as she uttered, "Sis, the truck is trapped in the floodwaters! What if we drown?" Salsabi, maintaining a calm demeanor, took her twin sister's hand in reassurance: "Recite Prophet Noah's prayer: 'Rabbanaa afrigh 'alaihim mataram-minas-samaa'i'—O Allah, pour down Your mercy from the sky, but safeguard us from harm."
The evacuation truck began to sway precariously with the rising tide, splashes of water invading the cabin, which was progressively filling up. Inside, Zahra steadied herself and focused as she attempted to record a video of her recitation, her voice resolute despite her trembling hands: "Bismillah... Yaa siin. Walqur'aanilhabiil munzhiir..." Even with the cold seeping into her bones, she drew upon her inner strength, and her voice emerged unwavering and confident. Nisa joined in, her voice ringing out with passionate enthusiasm: "'Heavy rain tests our faith, as illustrated in QS Al-Anfal 17—it is not by our own doing that we succeed, but through Allah's help. We prevail because of our unwavering faith and piety!'" Suddenly, in a terrifying moment, a bolt of lightning struck the truck, extinguishing the emergency lights in an instant, plunging them into darkness and sending waves of panic through their hearts as voices and screams filled the air. Aira quickly switched on her flashlight, rallying her team with determination: "Stay together and continue to memorize! Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal hayyul qayyuum..." The dim beam of light slowly pierced the enveloping darkness, illuminating the way forward amidst the anxiety that had threatened to overwhelm them.
Upon their arrival at a safer mountain post, the evacuation was finally declared complete around the hour of 10:00 p.m., as a total of 300 students, drenched from head to toe, assembled in a large circle beneath an emergency tent, utilizing a small bonfire to stave off the chill that had seeped into their bones. Ustadzah Fatihah addressed them with an inflection of hope in her voice: "Tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m., the online national exam will commence. The theme is: 'Resilient Students in Natural Disasters'. You will each need to record your recitation for 5 minutes along with a 500-word essay and upload it via the Ministry of Religious Affairs' satellite—the first student to successfully submit will proudly represent Indonesia!"
Within this critical setting, the stakes reached a fever pitch: Lina discovered with dismay that her laptop had succumbed to the water damage, short-circuiting hopelessly. "Za! My essay is gone! I've failed the national exam!" Without hesitation, Zahra urged, "Take my draft, we can rewrite it together! Remember Aira's technique: visualize a sturdy tree of dreams that can weather these storms!" Unfortified by the trials of the day, Salsabi fell ill, suffering from a fever brought on by the flooding, and Salsabila, steadfast in her resolve, insisted, "Bil, let me represent us—an A for both of us!" Syarifah, ever the quick thinker, summarized an insightful Arabic interpretation, "Our situation resembles that of Ashabul Kahfi—they lay in waiting for 309 years before awakening rejuvenated. Our storm will also be but temporary!"
As the clock struck precisely 6:00 the following morning, a sense of hope permeated the air as the satellite signal finally flickered to life. Zahra approached the moment with fierce confidence, recording her introduction for the national panel: "Assalamu'alaikum, respected judges. We are from Al-Hikmah Islamic boarding school, and we are undergoing a three-day rain test that has plunged our hall into flooding, demanded truck evacuations, and forced us to memorize under makeshift tents. Yasin 1-10: Wa sh-sholawaati..." Their video upload was met with success, sending a wave of exhilaration through their spirits. Aira concluded the team with unyielding fervor, stating, "Our video's theme is 'Storms Build Great Students.' InshaAllah, we will emerge as champions!"
Finally, after an agonizing wait, the long-anticipated national announcement echoed through the airwaves that night: "First place goes to Al-Hikmah Islamic Boarding School! They not only earn a full national scholarship but also gain the opportunity to appear on television as representatives!" Exclamations of joy erupted throughout the tent, filling the air with vibrant energy. Zahra embraced Aira fervently, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Aira, we braved the storm together! But... what if the rain keeps pouring? Has this grueling evacuation journey only just commenced?"
Aira, infused with the deepest meaning, smiled back at Zahra. "While this may mark the conclusion of our rain trial, it is merely the beginning of a new chapter in our national da'wah journey awaiting us—tell me, are you ready to shine as the student who will grace the television screen?" Outside the confines of their tent, the rain continued to cascade relentlessly, yet within their hearts—now dry and radiant—the spirit of unity and determination forged a bond among them, resonating with the triumph they had earned through their endurance. And ahead, a new adventure beckoned, filled with promise and the thrill of unexplored challenges yet to come.