Dul
117. Flash the Future

“Jadi ... my plan...”.

“So, my plan was...”.

Robin and Son spoke almost simultaneously. The two exchanged looks and laughed.

“So, who first talked about the plan? You what am I, Put? It's just the two of us who are not clear. Kalo Dul has been neatly arranged.” Robin punched Dul's arm slowly.

“OK, if that's me first, yes.” The son gulped down a little water before continuing. “Me and Yoseph want to make a business sambal. Brand name ‘Sambal Naughty’. Until now we are both still compiling five menus. Sambal squid, anchovies, tuna, skipjack, and chicken milk. The one that I concocted myself under my mother's supervision. The recipe is a cross between my taste and Joseph's. Can make your side dish, Dul. What do you think?” The son looked at Dul and Robin in turn.

“I became his laper. It's bottled, isn't it, Put? Must be removed, yes. I want to bring a lot for stock side dishes.” Dul nudged the Son's arm.

The son seemed happy to hear Dul's words. Directly nodded steadily and patted Dul's arm. “Definitely. I'll bring you the samples before you leave. Thanks, Dul. I feel like I'm trying to be useful.”

“Pastly useful, dong. Good luck, Put. Hope your and Yoseph's efforts can be great.” Dul reviewed his best smile to support the Son.

The son nodded with a serious look. “Amins. Hopefully, yes, Dul. I'm worried that I'll have a hard life. Want to continue college also can not afford money, especially the brain. Doain also so that the capital of me and Joseph can return quickly. Yoseph unloading the piggy bank. I also unload the piggy bank and sell used goods,” explained Putra.

“You don't fear destitution, Put. We are experiencing it now. Want to come here too, I have to paint my mama's hair until all black. He no longer wants to pull out the gray hair. Can be bald he said because the gray hair is full of one head. I'm gonna make a successful effort, Put. Well, now it's my turn to tell.” Robin put down his spoon and fork, then gulped down some water.

“Well, now you, Bin. Come on, what's your plan.” Dul's done eating. He folded his arms and looked at Robin seriously. One of the friends he knew the longest in several phases of life that he lived.

“Kalo story gini …. My dad has a little savings for me. So, he asked me what I wanted to do. I thought about one night what was the easiest and most needed business near where we lived. The answer is .. elpiji gas agent. Can help you blow up anyone's house, Dul. If the Kelenis are short of ammunition, I could be a supplier. What do you think, Dul?” Robin chuckles.

“Good. I can propose later,” joked Dul.

“Still, Dul. I feel my efforts are useful,” repeat Robin imitate Son.

The three then laughed out loud. Then they continued by ordering dessert at the cafe. Serious conversations are sometimes punctuated by jokes. Also occasional small comments about the girl that caught their attention. Until finally the farewell came back and time could not be asked to wait.

Dul is back in front of the departure gate. That time Mima and Ibrahim accompanied him. Including Bara who has been out of the hospital with the appearance of his hair that must be eroded out to equalize the growth of hair used for surgery. Heru came with them in place of Bara driving. Meanwhile Bara will work from home waiting for his healing period.

“Mas this time it went a long time, yes?” ask Mima in her stuffing.

“Every semester break Mas go home, really. It's only been about six months, coming home, going away again. But still be able to meet Mima,” said Dul, bowing to embrace Mima who just entered her first year in Junior High School.

“Be careful, Mas,” Mima said as she took off her arms.

Dul then half crouched hugging Ibrahim. “Mas' most handsome sister .. doain Mas, yes. As long as Mas left, Ibra changed Mas to take care of Dad and Ibu—”

“Jaga Mbok Jum too,” cut Ibra.

Dul realized that the breakup cycle would repeat some time in the future. He had been brought to the gate with prayers, hopes and tears from his parents. That time even though he had managed to become one of the cadets, his parents still took off with an equally sad face.

“Dul ... From now on it feels impossible to have Dul completely as a child figure. Your time is definitely divided for obligations at the alma mater. Dad always pray that Dul gets the best value and can get to the desired point.” Bara rubbed Dul's back before they finally embraced.

“Healthy, Dad. Take care of health for us,” whispered Dul in arms. Bara answered him with a small pat on Dul's back.

Dul then shook Heru's hand steadily. After the hand department, Heru looked at Dul with two steps back. He looked at Dul from top to bottom. Now they are the same height. Heru then clucked. “If you go home for a semester vacation must wear a uniform, right? Pakdhe must have lost his manly.”

He smiled, but his tears were already floating. Dul hugged his mother tightly. Without talking and without messages. Just a long, tight hug. Dul then waved to his family while still holding Dijah just before entering.

The three adults finally looked at each other and slowly walked towards the car park.

“A year in Magelang, yes, Ra? Continue three years at AAU Yogyakarta?” ask Heru.

“Iya, Mas. A year in Magelang underwent an integrative education program in the Chandradimuka Regiment with the Navy and Army. General military study,” clear Bara.

“Target Dul what? Fighter pilot, right?” ask Heru again. Sejah who had not been so understanding with the stages of education that must be taken by Dul, that afternoon listened.

“Iya, Mas. Completed four years at AAU, Dul continued another seventeen months at the TNI AU Flight School (SekBang). He hopes his ability can penetrate fighter flight. For fighter aircraft. The target it needs the highest value.” Bara held Mima's hand through a long hallway on the second floor of the airport.

“So, instead of learning to fly in this AAU, Mas?” tanya Sejah's.

“Not. In this AAU there are three majors. Aeronautics, electronics and industrial engineering. Four years of college later, Dul will be an officer with the rank of Letda and an applied bachelor degree in defense.” Bara smiled looking at Dijah.

“And if Mas Dul graduated from SekBang later, will add his first name. Letda Airmen Abdullah. Cool, no? Mas Dul is different from the pilot of the plane that was boarded by Mas Dul earlier. That's the name of a commercial plane pilot,” explained Heru, adding information because since Ibrahim looked up at him.

“So, Mas Dul can't be a commercial plane pilot?” ask Mima.

“Ya, can. But Mas Dul has mandatory service ties as a TNI Air Force pilot for ten years. After that .. Mas Dul is free to make a choice. Want to leave the force and become a commercial pilot, or continue his career in the TNI AU. So .. Mas Dul is special. Because he's an officer. Who became a commercial aircraft pilot, not necessarily an officer. Great, right?” He looked at Mima. The little girl nodded.

“Mas Dul special,” Mima murmur.

“May Mas Dulnya, yes ..” said Sejah shortly before getting into the car.

“Hopefully Dul can hold his officer rank on the shoulder, and his flight brevet is embedded in the chest.” Bara's speech very slowly resembles prayer.

To Be Continued