On a bright, fresh morning, the Islamic boarding school was once again filled with renewed enthusiasm. That day, the atmosphere became even more lively with the arrival of several new students who would be joining the boarding school community. Among them were two figures who immediately caught everyone's attention—two girls who looked so alike, as if they were echoes of an old, unfinished story.
Aira, who was now more mature in her leadership, stood welcoming the new sisters with a warm smile. She felt a different vibration when she saw the twin girls—their faces were similar, but their personalities seemed opposite. One seemed calm and quiet, while the other was cheerful and sociable.
Nisa, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed something unique about the twins. "They have a strong aura, but there is a mysterious impression that has not been revealed," said Nisa to Lina, who was also watching them from a distance.
Tariqah, who had just recovered from her inner struggle over her grandmother's secret, watched intently. "What brought them here? And why do I feel like I see shadows of the past in them?" she thought.
Meanwhile, Zahra quickly tried to break the ice, trying to make the two new sisters feel comfortable. "Come on, don't be shy! Here, we are all family, a place to learn and share," she said, throwing in her signature lighthearted joke.
The new students were then introduced one by one, starting from their family backgrounds to their hopes for studying at the Islamic boarding school. One of the twins introduced herself in a soft voice, "I'm Salsabila," she said, while her sister whispered her name, "And I'm also Salsabila, but you can call me Salsabi."
Salsabila and Salsabi began their orientation and adjustment period, even though their presence aroused deep curiosity among the boarding school administrators. There was a mystery surrounding them, as if they carried a hidden message that would soon be revealed.
Ustadzah Hamidah, who saw the two of them, smiled and said, "Every soul that comes has a reason and a purpose. Let us welcome them with open hearts and prayers so that they may become a blessing to this boarding school."
***
As the days passed, Salsabila and Salsabi began to adjust to the rhythm of the Islamic boarding school, but their closeness immediately caught the attention of Aira and Nisa, who felt that there was more than just twinship between them.
One quiet afternoon, Aira invited the two of them to talk privately in the administration room. Carefully, she asked, "What made you choose this boarding school? Is there something you want to find or resolve?"
Salsabila, who was more quiet, looked at Aira with soft eyes and said, "We came not only to study, but also to find the truth about the mysterious origins of our family."
Salsabi added in a firm and confident voice, "There is an old story about our grandmother, which may be related to the secret of the cottage you are facing."
Nisa, who was listening carefully, immediately connected their words with the story of Tariqah's grandmother, which had recently been revealed. "Was your grandmother someone who was also part of this cottage?" she asked.
The two girls nodded. Salsabila continued, "Our grandmothers were twins, just like us. They both experienced events that caused a rift and a tightly guarded secret. We want to set everything straight and bring peace back."
Tariqah, who heard the conversation from the doorway, felt her heartbeat quicken. "If true, this story could change many things, not only for our family, but for the boarding school and our future together," she thought.
Lina, who was also present, replied, "This is a big challenge, but also an opportunity for all of us to grow and strengthen our bonds of sisterhood."
Thus, with unwavering resolve, they agreed to embark on a journey together—unraveling the mystery of the twins' hidden past, while continuing their studies and worship at the Islamic boarding school.
***
The following days at the Islamic boarding school turned into a period of deep inner struggle for Salsabila and Salsabi. They began to slowly reveal the long-hidden stories of their families, stories that brought both pain and new hope.
However, not everything went smoothly. Differences in their views sometimes caused tension, especially between Salsabila, whose heart was full of doubt, and Salsabi, who was brave and optimistic about immediately revealing the hidden secret.
Aira and Nisa worked extra hard to mediate, helping them balance their feelings and thoughts so they would not get caught up in a conflict that could destroy their rare twin bond. "Remember, this is not a race to see who is fast or slow, but a journey that must be taken together with patience and mutual respect," Aira advised.
Meanwhile, Tariqah grew closer to the twins. She felt a strong spiritual bond connecting the three of them, as if her grandmother's past and the two Salsabilas were indeed destined to be reunited. "We must be strong, for our grandmother and for the future of the boarding school," Tariqah said confidently while discussing with Lina and Ustadzah Hamidah.
The beginning of the conflict emerged when an old document from the library's secret room was discovered, revealing a hidden rivalry between their grandmother's generation regarding the application of knowledge and innovation in teaching. Both felt they had to confront the shadows of history that were not easy to overcome.
Syarifah continued to search for books and other clues, while Lina taught the importance of open dialogue and reconciliation in every learning process. The boarding school became a witness to the emotional and spiritual journey they undertook together.
The challenges did not only come from within, but also from outside the boarding school, which began to take notice of the major changes taking place. They knew that the struggle to open and heal these old wounds would determine the direction of their future journey.
***
Zahra entered the task room with a lively gait, her smile always managing to brighten the room, which felt heavy with the secrets of the twin family. She looked different that day: her niqab robe was much nicer than usual, though it still radiated the cheerful glow that usually lit up her face. Her high energy remained, but this time it was wrapped in sharp focus.
"Good morning, wisdom detectives," she said in her signature style, making the students chuckle lightly. "We're not just looking for answers; we're also keeping the atmosphere warm and full of laughter, even though our topic is heavy."
Nisa raised her eyebrows and smiled briefly. "You're still charming, Zahra. But this time we need your intelligence to map out the discussion so it doesn't stray into gossip."
Zahra responded in a serious but cheerful tone, "Don't worry, I'm here to make sure we stay focused on the facts, not speculation. We'll use humor to ease the tension if needed."
As they discussed the old documents found in the library's secret room, Zahra asked a clever but lighthearted question: "If we connect Tariqah's grandmother's story with past rivalries, what complex traces might lead to a long-term solution without damaging our current relationship?"
Lina added, "Our key is to maintain deep empathy—digging without hurting, listening without judging. Zahra, you can guide this part with the group's intelligent attention and appropriate humor when needed."
Aira encouraged them, "You all bring your own unique parts. Zahra, your role as the connector of emotions and common sense is vital here. When we weigh emotions and facts, we need your positivity to keep our spirits on track."
Tariqah looked at Zahra with admiration. "You always manage to turn worries into soothing laughter. Thank you for being a light for all of us."
While Syarifah prepared a set of guidelines that were safer to discuss in front of the boarding school community, Zahra added, "If we need to test the positivity of the atmosphere, let me bring up a funny story that is relevant to the context of hadith practice ethics. But be careful, we must not underestimate the content of the document."
Finally, they agreed to present a plan for dividing tasks that utilized Zahra's strengths: she would liven up the discussion with light humor as a support, while the main focus remained on fact analysis and reconciliation. Zahra raised her hand, spreading enthusiasm, "We can do this without sacrificing our integrity. We will show that togetherness and wisdom can go hand in hand with laughter."
The night passed with renewed enthusiasm. Zahra stood as a symbol of optimism that calmed everyone's hearts at the Islamic boarding school.
***
As evening fell, the entire team gathered in the boarding school's administrative office to discuss the next steps in uncovering the long-hidden secrets of the twin family. Zahra, with her distinctive charm, stood in the center, lightening the tense atmosphere with her gentle humor and captivating smile.
"You know, sometimes in my own family, when the conversation gets heavy, I'm the one who mediates," she said, looking at each of her friends. "If we're too serious all the time, it can be stressful. So, let's lighten the mood with some humor."
Salsabila and Salsabi smiled, feeling the warmth Zahra brought. They began to feel more confident about facing this long journey. "You're right, Zahra," said Salsabi, "This is the spirit we need."
In the division of tasks, Zahra was given the important role of mediator between the students and also the connector of hearts when internal conflicts began to arise. When the debate began to heat up about how to respond to old documents containing accusations and past rivalries, Zahra cleverly presented a funny yet reflective story that made everyone fall silent and reflect.
"You know how my grandmother used to say," Zahra began jokingly, "if you want to win an argument, don't forget humor. Because whoever laughs first wins the hearts." The atmosphere melted, and the discussion shifted to a more constructive direction.
The days passed with slow but steady progress. Salsabila and Salsabi began to open up more honestly about their past, while Tariqah, Aira, Nisa, and Lina helped piece the story together carefully. Zahra continued to be the "spirit igniter" whenever uncertainty arose, ensuring that positive energy continued to flow.
Meanwhile, Syarifah found additional documents in the library that reinforced their conclusion: that the emotional and spiritual bond between the twin families was the key to solving the mystery that had long shackled the madrasah.
Ustadzah Hamidah also provided guidance, emphasizing that every secret that was revealed should be used as a lesson and a healing, not hatred. "Togetherness and sincerity are the best ways to move forward."
That night, under a starry sky, Zahra sat with her friends for a moment, taking a deep breath. Her smile and presence were an oasis in the midst of this winding journey. She knew that with wisdom and a glimmer of laughter, they could face any challenge.