Dul
133. Surprise from Sermatutar
“If asked kepengin or not, the answer is clearly kepengin. Who does not want to come to the pac graduation event.women who want to be a life companion, he means. But the time cannot yet be. I don't want Annisa so think that I don't have any effort.”
“But I want Abdullah to come. Let Papa and Abdullah. I don't want anyone else changing Mama.”
“He said there was no feeling how to go again to his wife Papa.”
“But I don't want to..”.
“Seek your sister. You're the one who talked to Papa directly. Don't your sister.”
“But I want Abdullah dateng ...”
“You still have a doctor's swearing-in, right? I promise I'll come that one. Don't sulk. Mom told me that our uniforms were all done. Continue ... Mima sent a photo of the fittings yesterday. Annisa very beautiful.”
“Still.”
“You now call ‘Abdullah’ again. Usually already follow my family, call it ‘Mas Dul’.”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry also if your graduation, I can not come. But, I really hope you can come along during my graduation. If the inauguration is easy .. right, Prasetya Perwira ceremony in Jakarta. Graduation later .. I want to meet you in Jogja. Anyway, you have to come to Jogja. I have a surprise.”
For Annisa, Dul's speech was no longer a request, but an order. After he confirmed Dul's words, the phone call ended in stiffness.
Annisa is looking down to swipe each photo in her mobile gallery. The memory of his conversation with Dul on the phone a few days ago appeared as he was staring at a selfie of the two of them on the living room sofa of his lover's residence. He snaps his cell phone camera secretly. When Dul was swapping television channels with a sullen face because their atmosphere was ‘panas’. Annisa sneered and tapped on her phone screen right on Dul's cheek.
On Dul's return last holiday, they negotiated about who came to his graduation. Annisa must accept that the graduation ceremony is first rather than Dul graduation.
Inevitably he accepted it even though there was a sense of annoyance that did not know who to aim at. What makes him even more upset is, because Dul also can not be blamed.
At the last lunch before Dul returned to the dormitory, he was frenzied. More silent and less friendly respond to Dul's words. For almost two years in a relationship, only that time he felt he had something to fuss about with his girlfriend who was too calm.
And as a result, Dul who felt that he had no problems whatsoever, looked uneasy and confused. Actually he was a little amused to see Dul glancing and serving him too much at the dining table. The father of his lover's mother must understand that his son is other than usual. Dul too often offers him side dishes. Filling his glass of freshly drunk water in half, also tried to hold his hand under the table. Funny, romantic, at the same time annoying.
Their farewells were not as warm as usual either. Dul as if he did not want to start the topic of graduation. At night while driving her back home, Dul just kissed her cheek. Because it was also that made him leave Dul immediately in front of the fence. Dul should have another attempt to persuade him. Not just giving space by staying quiet.
Then, the persuasion phones from Dul also come in like a phone just now. Annisa again shifted the phone screen, then boasted a smile looking at another prank photo she did on Dul.
Dul is down and engrossed in his cell phone. Annisa pranks on pretending to look at the contents of the chat and snaps her phone camera as she pecks Dul's cheek. And as usual, Dul who could never multitask, was unaware of it.
“Alright .. fiks kangen really. I kiss first.” Annisa taps the screen of her phone showing a photo of Dul in the last uniform she met at the time. Sermatutar Abdullah Son of Satyadarma. He put down his phone and went up to the closet. “Jogja ..,” whispered Annisa.
***
Dul took his breath in deep. Just a moment ago he received word that his family was getting ready for the building. Before all the cadets who were to be graduated that day entered the hall, Dul had also fulfilled the request of Annisa who was still half sulking for taking pictures wearing toga in his absence.
That morning Annisa sent a very short message to her. Really very short.
‘Photo.’
“Leo .. can you ask for help?” Dul thrusts his phone at Leonardo Yepa.
“Ah .. surely Abdullah would like to send to girlfriend, yes?” Leonardo immediately understood and snapped a few times.
“Still,” Dul said when seeing the results. He chose one of four photos that looked the same to send to Annisa. For the closing ceremony of education and undergraduate graduation, that day they all wore the Apparel Service Ceremony (PDU) in blue and white. After a minute of thinking, Dul sent a photo with one word as his accompaniment.
‘This.’
Before closing his phone, he grimaced. It's been a really cold relationship lately. She misses Annisa a lot. Last time they met, their situation was not pleasant. Two minutes into his pants pocket, the phone returned to shivering short.
‘Ganteng.’
The short reply not only made his footsteps lighter. But it also made his heart expand because of happiness.
The front entrance of the building reads, Closing Ceremony of Education and Graduation Degree of Cadets Level IV AAU Sabang Merauke Building AAU Yogyakarta.
The event is about to start and Dul is already standing next to the special chair he has managed to get. “Truly long journey,” said Dul while patting the back of his chair. He sat down and straightened his body, looking all over the room.
Phase by stage of the graduation series was passed by all participants of the ceremony very solemnly. Even so four hours is a short time for a longing heart.
“The graduates must always improve their literacy skills and instill the principle of lifelong learning throughout the service. Every step of the career journey ahead, is a relentless learning process. Excellence in the air will always be achieved on the basis of mastery of science and technology. Therefore, the attitude, morals, and character of graduates become the most valuable asset that can never be replaced by any advanced technology.”
“I reiterate to the officials, lecturers, caregivers, trainers, staff, and the entire AAU extended family, to prepare the blueprint for the future assets of TNI AU,”, KASAU said. “I hope AAU academic community, always hone skills, enrich knowledge, and add insight by making positive changes to realize continuous improvement.”
“When the rank of Officer is pinned on your shoulders, then at that time also attached honor, pride, example, and trust that must always be maintained and maintained throughout time,” Kasau message.
Then arrive at the event that is awaited by all graduates. Summons one by one graduates to the future. Dul focused his attention. Patiently waiting for his name that would definitely be called last. In his heart he wished his family would listen. A surprise that he offered to the parents he loved was just as great.
“And submission of Adhi Makayasa award charter by Ceremony Inspector.”
One sentence made Dul stand up and step straight ahead. “Report, Adhi Makayasa award recipient, ready.” He was standing straight before the Ceremonial Inspector.
“Decision reading. Decision of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Decision number 104.XV/20XX. About the determination of the best cadets of the graduates of the Air Force Academy, with the Grace of God Almighty, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, weighing, remembering, paying attention and so on, deciding, assigning, one, one, Sermatutar Abdullah Putra Satyadarma S.Tr (Han), academy number 174XX of the Defense Electronics Program, as the best cadet of the IV level cadets and awarded him the Adhi Makayasa badge award for his achievements . Two, this decision is valid from the date it is set. ….”
For a very patient Dad and an always strong Mom ....
“Medallion and award charter Adhi Makayasa by Ceremony Inspector.”
Dul waited for a man standing from behind the table to step towards him to stand up. Accompanied by a woman carrying trays, Dul slightly lowered his head to receive his medal, then his charter. Nodding affirms as two stanzas a short message from the Ceremonial Inspector.
Soon .... soon the ceremony is over and they'll all meet me outside.
To Be Continued
PS. Sorry