Dul
155. Not a Simple Story

Among them, there was no one to blame. Dul did come without notice. He wanted to surprise her even though she was the one who was surprised. Annisa did not answer the call for sure because she was busy getting ready to meet her papa outside the fence. And the rain did not come at Papa Annisa's request. Dul was still standing at the corner of the fence with his bouquet of roses.

“Pa .. Papa can't do that,” whine Annisa.

“It's raining,” exclaimed Papa Annisa with a firm face.

“Abdullah ..”

“I wait here.” Dul tried to speak as calmly and firmly as possible. “Sorry if I wait for Annisa, Om.” Dul nodded and smiled at Papa Annisa.

That night, before her eyes Annisa was taken away by an old man and a young man who ignored her presence.

Dul never felt unregulated. He understands what it feels like and can clearly describe it to people. The feeling of not being considered that he had forgotten because of the warmth of a family that Bara had given him was able to patch it up. But that night wound up as someone who was not considered to be re-gaping.

A bouquet and a box of chocolates witnessed his efforts that night. Annisa got into her papa car with angry eyes. Angry that her lover was being treated improperly, angry that the lover also chose to give in and let her go to dinner with another young man. Dul knows Annisa is very angry at him.

Dul was intent on waiting for Annisa to return home. He did not want to leave the place successfully convinced the boarding guard to allow him to wait on the terrace.

If he obeyed the ego, he could have kept Annisa from leaving. But he must have felt like a loser who was afraid of losing. That act must also be hated by every parent who has a girl. What if Bara was treated like that by Mima's lover? Dul would definitely be happy to beat up the man who treated his father badly.

Then, back to the question of what makes Dul sure that Annisa is the figure of the woman he needs as a companion to life?

Annisa returned to her boarding house two hours later in a bedraggled outfit.

“Why rain-rain?” Dul half-squered at that moment. He quickly dragged Annisa to stand on the terrace.

“If I go home in Papa's car, I will not be given directly here. Maybe Papa will find an excuse so I can stay at the restaurant longer. You're happy, aren't you? I remain a good boy who complies with parents.” Annisa's teeth were grinding from the cold.

With the hard nature of Annisa, actually Dul knows that the girl must be very smart to argue with the father. Annisa is a smart girl who always has her own opinion. But in their relationship, Annisa chooses to obey Dul's wishes which act slowly in taking her father's heart.

Dul whose clothes were already half wet grabbed Annisa into a hug. For a long time they stood close to each other. I was busy wondering what happened next.

“I came to Yoseph's reception alone. Your friends nanyain,” said Dul opened the conversation. It felt as if Annisa's hand tightened her embrace. “I talk to Putra and Robin please if you want to get married. I won't be angry. I'll wait for you to finish specialist.” Dul chuckled. He heard Annisa's little sobs.

Annisa laughed. “Means Robin has turned the same Duma?” He was obviously happy and sad at the same time. Happy because he knows that Robin really likes the Duma, but also sad why his story and Dul can't be that simple.

“Robin has bought a motorbike and Duma is happy to be pigeonholed. Perhaps after Joseph, the Son and Wahyuni will follow.” Dul inhaled the top of Annisa's head that was laughing while crying.

“Nothing. They must have understood. I have explained it many times. They send greetings. Mom and Dad also said hello. I also apologize for not saying anything. Meaning ...”

Annisa let go of a hug. “Happy birthday, Abdullah. It's 26 years old. Three months I'm 26. Three months is three years. Though you are the birthday, but you brought this for me.” Annisa took a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates from Dul's decapitation.

“Content for still choosing me over the guy,” said Dul accompanied by a small laugh. He hugged Annisa again who was holding a bouquet and a box of chocolate.

“Cowo was a doctor. He's three years above us. Papa's friend's son. From work is okay. But still much more handsome and dashing Mas Dul. I want to be with Abdullah. Whatever says, I want the same Abdullah.” Annisa closed her eyes inhaling the scent of perfume on Dul's shirt. His wet clothes were now half dry.

“A child will always need the blessing and good prayers from his parents to any time. We have to be patient a little more.”

That deep enough conversation turned out to not bring anything good enough. Papa Annisa came back to the boarding house with a face of wrath and rebuked Dul while pointing at him.

“Who taught you such impolite things? But you already know that I don't like my daughter with men in uniform. I've said that many times to Annisa. Do you not understand? You again, Cha! Go so alone from the restaurant there is no saying goodbye to Papa's guests just to meet this child? You know what you guys know about love?” Papa Annisa is standing in the rain.

Dul takes his arms off Annisa. He nodded and apologized many times. His apology was indispensable because he didn't want any commotion that night. He did not want Annisa embarrassed and had to move residence.

“Sorry, Om. Excuse me to go now. Sorry if I always bring uproar in the Om family. We were too young to understand love and life. Quoting my wise Akung words, that love in a relationship can usually only last a short while. But love always lasts longer. And in addition to that I loved Annisa for over ten years. Starting from the blue white uniform and long before the doctor's degree it was attached to his name. Excuse me tonight. I don't want Annisa to be embarrassed in this place because of me. But I promise to come back for a serious talk with Om.” Dul looked at Annisa who was crying with a bouquet of roses in her arms. Dul can't say anything else. He simply slipped a lump of Annisa's hair behind his ear.

Armed with that promise, he left Annisa. Another year the girl will graduate from internal medicine specialist education. Annisa's task is satisfying and obeying the wishes of her parents has been fulfilled. He could ask Papa Annisa's blessing with his head held high.

The year I was waiting for turned out to be really slow. Though he had busied himself with all the training and often took the task out of town until his mother nagged.

At the end of his twenty-seven years, a dilemma returned. Annisa is about to graduate for the second time and asks her to attend.

His mind was very busy when his mother sulked asking to be visited.

“Mas ... I want to go to the landfill. Share the rice. I want to go the same way Mas Dul. Home, Mas! Don't let Mom be sad. Especially if you get sick. Watch out.”

The warning from Mima made Dul immediately glance at his calendar. She must take leave immediately and go home for the woman who gave birth to her.

To be continued

(Advanced this scene is the scene contained in the short story titled ANAK IBU. You can open a profile of juskelapa to read it. Those who have never read will be included in the novel.)