Dul
173. As Should

Guests slowly begin to shrink along with the sagging of the sun towards the west. The rows of seats one by one are left by people who flock to the guarantee to shake the bride's hand and then leave the party. Remaining people in groups still exchanging stories that are not yet finished.

Since then Dul has indeed been waiting for the arrival of special guests delivered by Bara before. His heart was pounding a little not because he disliked the guest, but rather to worry about the mother's rejection. Thank goodness yesterday Bara had calmed his feelings by saying, “All must be well."

And now that's where they all are. Almost simultaneously they stared at the frail figure who looked much older than his actual age. It was Fredy; the biological father who was freed from the death penalty of the government because of a pardon sought at the end of the trial period. The physical as well as mental stress he received while in prison made him a frail old figure who wallowed with the most painful memories of the past. That is; hurt two loved ones in his life. Loving Khadijah in the wrong way. Also abandoned the figure of Abdullah who had nothing wrong.

Dul looked closely at his mother. Listening to the change in the look of the face really. Is it anger, disappointment, sadness, or maybe there are no signs of it at all? He's a little worried. Then Dul grasped Annisa tightly. That woman must have understood how she felt. Because his palms never sweat even though he has to guide the fighter aircraft fighting in the air.

“Nothing …. I must have understood. Mas Dul does not need to be as scared as this.” Annisa raised her hand link and Dul. She patted the back of her husband's hand very gently.

“Papa you're nothing, right? Do not let your parents later..”.

“Just yesterday Akung gave us a message. Remember, right? Akung said, do not think about things that are not yet the time we think about. What has not happened should be lived first.” Annisa again tightened her hand.

Dul regained control of the situation back then. The building where the reception took place was slowly deserted from guests. The wedding organizer is gathering in the back corner sort of doing a closing briefing. The photographer was cleaning up the equipment and the downstream-diving caterer was cleaning up the dishes on two large tables. Annisa's parents were seen getting off the leash and welcoming other families in the VIP row.

“We are talking to Mom now,” take Dul, walking closer to Dijah who is back sitting to a small sofa. “Bu .. I'm sorry. Someone wants to see me from yesterday. I'm not good at talking to Mom, but .. I've talked to Dad.”

“Nothing. Already .. there. Later guests will wait later,” sahut Colored with a stiff face. He nodded steadily at Dul even though he was not really able to control himself. In his mind, that man named Fredy was long gone. Until that moment he also did not even want to ask where the tomb of the man who became the biological father of his eldest son. No. gabe. There is no desire for it. The wound had recovered, but the scar was still blackened.

“Mother is okay if Annisa and I meet the same ... Father?” While looking at Dijah, Dul also looked at Bara, also his mother's friends who were still standing not far from their place.

Actually, that explanation is no longer necessary. Bara must have told Dijah before. But Dul still felt he had to convey the request with his own mouth.

Seized shaking. “Nothing,” says.

“I accompany Dul yes, Jah,” said Bara, rubbed the shoulders of Sejah, then massaged it slowly. “You don't pout. It's Dul's happy day. They are adults and deserve to know the truth.” Bara pinched his wife's cheek.

The colon nodded reluctantly. How could I be reluctant? All the husbands and families are there. Everyone's attention was on him and Dul at the same time. Seized back to sit with the hand on the lap. Hope that the father-son reunion in front of him does not last long.

“I just knew ...,” whispered Tini from next to Colored. Mak Robin, Boy and Asti seemed to agree not to comment on anything. Everyone was observing carefully as if afraid that a scene had escaped their observation.

“I also just found out, Tin.” The colonized now threw a spotlight of anxiety at the pair of descending brides.

“You didn't go there?” Tini ventured to ask questions that might not be liked by Dijah.

“I'm sorry, Tin. But to go there my legs are still heavy. I'm just here. Dul is an adult. Dul knows better what to do.” Sejah kept watching where Dul's feet were stepping.

That afternoon Dul again wore a dark blue Air Force ceremonial service uniform complete with all his attributes. He took Annisa down from the pelaminan accompanied by Bara. Together approached Fredy and two men who should have known Dul as Pakdhe and Pakliknya from the Father's side.

Not as expected, Dul was stunned when Fredy's hand reached him from a wheelchair. Dul advances quickly catching Fredy's hand.

Fredy looked up to be satisfied looking at Dul. Until when Dul realized that and half crouched in front of the wheelchair. “Report, I am First Lieutenant Aviator Abdullah Putra Satyadarma ready to receive orders.” Dul said softly as he put Fredy's hand on the man's lap.

Fredy's eyes were filled with tears. “Abdullah Son of Satyadarma?” reworked.

Dul's throat choked and he swallowed slowly. “Iya, Sir. First Lieutenant Aviator Abdullah Putra Satyadarma. This is my wife, her name is Annisa. Profession doctor.” Dul doesn't want Fredy to go long on his long name.

Still crying, Fredy patted Dul on the shoulder. “Abdullah .. thank you, yes. Really thank you. Thank you for growing up to be such a great kid.” Fredy's trembling and wrinkled hands rubbed the golden emblem on Dul's shoulders. Then slowly down to touch the wing and the full name reads ABDULLAH PS. on the right chest of his biological son. Fredy then looked up at Mr. Wirya, then Bara then Heru. “Thank you,” ogled accompanied by a nod.

Dul nodded then half got up to hug his biological father. It could have been the last hug he could have done for his biological father. He hugged Fredy's thin body which shook with tears. “Thank you too Mr. has come to bless my marriage. My happiness today is perfect.” After patting Fredy on the back, Dul stood up again.

“Children ... absolutely handsome and dashing.” Fredy ignored the people around them to be complacent looking at Dul. “Your mother must be proud, Dul. Thank you for being a great boy for your mother.”

“His great son Mother has three people, Sir.” Dul dyed for a while then waved to somewhere. A moment later Mima and Ibra had already walked over to him. “This is Fatimah, Mother's daughter just wayang. The most beloved granddaughter in the house. This handsome one is my little brother. His name is Ibrahim.” Despite having to make Annisa take a step back, but Dul still embraces Mima and Ibra on his left right. He wanted his parents to know that their mother was happy.

“Everything is handsome and beautiful,” said a man who turned out to be Fredy's sister.

“Uniquely we all have a difference of six years of age,” added Dul. He had caught the look in Fredy's eyes that went towards the guarantee. The man must have expected his mother to come down and get mixed up in the awkward conversation that afternoon. Dul didn't expect that at all. He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Fredy refocus on their chat.

“Bapak can't take long, Dul. Can you take me out?” That's enough, Fredy thought. What else is expected of him? His son together with Dijah has grown into an adult man with a quality life that he never imagined. He is happy to be surrounded by people who love him.

“Let me drop out,” said Dul, taking over the wheelchair from his Pakdhe hand. From back there he knew that his mother's gaze could not be separated from them.

In full uniform, Dul pushes Fredy's wheelchair out of the building. Tracing along the hallway layered with red carpets and sprinkling of rose petals that this morning was recommended to welcome the bride.

“You're not surprised you came, right? Your father turned out to be good. He's the one who contacted you to be here.” Fredy spoke as his wheelchair almost reached the door.

Dul arrives on the terrace of the building and he immediately turns the wheelchair facing him. “I'm not surprised. Mm ... I told you a few days ago. But ... Dad once said that you can appeal. Pakdhe Heru also explained to me at that time. About that, actually, I don't want to know anymore. Do not want to follow again at that time,” said Dul in a slow voice. “And my father was good, sir. Exceptionally well. That's why I love you so much. Again ... Thanks for being here today. Don't forget to always take care of your health.” Dul smiled, making sure that his biological father understood enough about their situation at that time.

"Your mother doesn't want to see you again" Fredy said.

Dul smiled gently. A smile that was almost the same as the one that Dijah had. A sweet smile, but rarely seen. "What if we agreed that Mom is now happy with her life?"

Fredy thought about it, then nodded. "Your mother does look very happy" Fredy said.

Dul then straightened his body and saluted his biological father. And with his trembling hands, Fredy also imitated the salute that Dul addressed to him.

******