Dul
157. From the short story 'MOTHER' (2)

His mother sighed. “Still, yes, Dul. Mother's life is just for you. You are patient to stay with Mbah. Later if the money you collect is enough and you can be independent, we will stay together. I will find a contract for both of us,” said his mother.

“Mother don't want to find a new father? Kasian Mom alone continues no one to remember. I was a kid. Can't bales mukul Mr.”

Mother laughed. “Not to think about you first. What matters is that you are happy and enough. Mom is happy,” her mother said.

“But I'm happy to have a father. But it's not the father who likes to hit Mom. I'm looking for a new father," said Dul, stubborn.

“Who wants to be with Mom? Her working mother became a scavenger. Yeah, already. There goes into the house. Mom wants to go home. Tonight I want to work again.”

“Do not work malem-malem, Mom. Later I am sick,” said Dul, looking down at the mini market grocery bag containing snacks.

“Mom just anter-anter order to the guest table. Not long home. Anyway you are a diligent school so tired Mother paid.”

That afternoon Dul waved to his mother in front of the alley. He walked down the alley to Mbah's house where he had lived all this time.

Before pushing the rickety wooden turnstile, Dul turned his head back to the mouth of the alley. His mother was still standing there waiting until he actually walked into the house. Seeing his mother's tired smile, Dul never stopped praying that his mother could also be happy. He also wants the presence of a father who can be a protector of his mother. Not a father who usually berates and hurts his mother every time drunk.

The glint of the past is fading away. Dul felt his shoulders patted softly. “Mas Dul what do you think? Really cool, really. That's mom's done. I was waiting in the car for dinner. Tomorrow Mas Dul has left for service again,” said Mima, his younger sister.

“Ayo, home. Mom is done. The rice that was divided was gone,” his mother said, pointing to a large plastic bag that was empty.

“Too little, yes, the rice? Next time add more. There are still many children who have not been dapet,” said Dul, looking at a group of children of hawkers who were looking at the contents of his friend's package.

“Nothing. Later if Mas Dul comes home next, we make a lot of rice packets. That's what Dad was waiting for. He said I'd like to take us to dinner at a special place. Rarely Mas Dul can go home in the middle of solid service time.” His mother took them. Mima in his right hand, and embracing his arm on the left.

In the distance, Ibra's youngest sister from another father, was waving from the middle seat.

“Ayo—ayo, up. Dad has a special new place to eat.” His father was sitting behind the wheel. Waving as they walked closer.

His father was only fifty years old. Some of her hair was already bleached, but her gallantness was still the same as twenty-two years ago when they first met. The prowess of a man riding on a large motorcycle that was approaching his mother, he could not forget. His father was a real man who he admired. Edited his widowed mother and loved himself like a real child.

“Mas Dul kaya already higher than Dad. What Dad is now shrinking, huh?” His father laughed, not looking at his face since they met yesterday afternoon.

“Yes, it is certainly higher Mas Dul. That officer, you know. My girl friends at the same greeting Mas Dul. Many want to know,” said Mima, nudging her shoulders when they were sitting side by side in the middle seat.

The joke kept flowing throughout the journey. Their father took them to eat at a famous seafood restaurant that Dul knew the price was not cheap. Again his father did not want if he spent money to treat them.

The reason is always the same. “Dad's son has not been married, all are still dependents of Father. Most of the money Dad a lot, kok.”

His father still works as an editor at the news agency. The man was very active in his old age. Sometimes even still riding his big motorbike parked in the garage of the house. His mother often nagged and said that his father was just looking for an excuse when buying him a big motorbike.

Because actually, their middle-aged father wanted to drive it. Since he served in Magetan, the motorbike seemed to return to its original owner. His father returned to his old hobby. Take care and occasionally ride a big motorcycle like a young boy. While his mother, only occasionally wanted to join the piggy bank. The reason, has often been a pain in the back.

“Be careful, yes, Mas. Mother's Prayer always accompanies Mas Dul.” Her mother hugged her at the door.

Always same. From the first time he went to education, until he became the first officer of the air force, his mother still cried every time she took it off.

“Just Ibu doain Dul healthy-healthy always. Mom and Dad are healthy too. Don't often sulk with Dad because Daddy comes home from work like a long time. Do not like jealousy even though Dad is still handsome,” said Dul, hugging his mother while glancing at the father who pointed his thumb at him.

“Like seductive Mom,” said Ibra, punching his arm slowly. Dul laughed, Ibra the youngest child was always the mother's child.

His mother let go of a hug while wiping away tears. Mima and Ibra were holding her. His sister's pair of siblings are angered by the grief they are trying to cover up because of prestige. Taxis are waiting outside the gate. His father lifted a bag outside the door. The man hasn't said anything to her.

As they were alone in front of the gate, Dul grabbed his father's hand. “I'm leaving, Dad. Take care of mom, yeah. Do not go home often. I have to take care of my health. Dad got in the wind of vomiting yesterday, Mom worried so much and sent a long message to me.”

“Ready, Kapt!” sahut. Dul laughed and looked down. Kissing the back of a man's hand he always prayed for long life.

“I leave,” said Dul, releasing his handshake.

His father patted his shoulder. “Welcome to duty Lettu Airmen Abdullah Satyadarma. I am so proud to have a son like you. You fulfilled Dad's dream, son. Take care.”

Dul nodded and waved. He walked to the taxi and got in. And as always. He always wiped away tears when he was completely alone. He did not want to meet with eyes equally full of tears with his father and mother. Every time he went to work, he felt half his life was left at home with his family. “I love you all,” whispered Dul.

******

Dul was still smiling considering Bara's stubbornness to him. Capcaptain. Although it had been explained many times that he had not been ranked as a Captain, but the middle-aged handsome man always insisted on calling him Captain. A new taxi arrives at the complex portal when Dul's phone shakes short.

‘Don't tell me you didn't come to my graduation for the second time. I won't see you again because I don't want to have a cowardly husband.’

The message from Annisa made Dul take a deep breath. Was her mother's tears a sign that her family knew that she was unable to get the parents' blessing of the girl she wanted?

Dul felt his chest rumble. The flight was three hours away but he felt the need to meet someone. He then scrolled his phone looking for a name that was the highest cause of advice in his family.

“Halo? Akungs? Mmmm... about Akung is interested if I invite and we sit in the cafe for a chat? I need advice.”

“Very interested. Akung get ready now. Mmmm .. can I ask for a dessert piece for payment?”

“Mmmm .. unfortunately not allowed. If it is replaced by another healthier menu is still interested?”

“Akung get ready now.”

To be continued