Heartbreakers
Prologues
Today is graduation day. The announcement of graduation this morning was really welcomed by the entire school, especially the class of 17. That's vivid. Six days of being preoccupied with shading answer sheets to answer the National Exam questions that are arguably dizzying, finally paid off with one word printed large and thick in the announcement letter: PASS.
Over one hundred percent of graduating class 17, OSIS Nararota held a fairly lively graduation event. In the afternoon, after listening to brief messages from the principal, 354 students made a prostration in the ceremonial field. Then next they did the tradition of graduating from Nararota High School: doodling blue alma mater clothes and flying a balloon of hope.
Whole happy. A scrawled blue alma mater shirt clearly symbolizes happiness and pride. Arguably clothes always accompany each of their non-academic trips, which usually mimic the stadium area and other matches. Some people laugh and hug, some don't even believe they can graduate. Some are busy signing autographs to other friends' blue alma mater. The rest were busy taking pictures showing off the graduation moment.
An hour into the laughter and the smell of markers, the OSIS committee began to prepare the next event. Blue balloons numbering in the hundreds began to be issued. One by one they were distributed to all members of the force. The most sacred closing event will soon begin as dusk begins to appear.
In droves, the entire batch of 17 began to walk out of the school. Together they filled the pavement and stepped towards Taman Tugu Muda which became one of the symbols of Semarang City. The school's location just 400 meters from the city park gives them the opportunity to show off the moment. The streets were even paralyzed for 10 minutes because 354 students crossed into the park which became the center of Semarang City, opposite Lawang Sewu which still stands majestically.
Arriving at Taman Tugu Muda, small groups began to form. Almost everyone gathers with the closest people during school. The head of OSIS said one or two words so that all members of the force appreciated every time they had been through. One or two people even sob when they realize that real life is about to begin and is far more cruel than ever.
As the sun began to set, the OSIS chairman took out a piece of paper that had been neatly rolled up. His hands deftly tied the balloon rope on a roll of paper that contained hope. Then followed by 353 other students, not least the three friends: Kheira, Jessie and Keana.
Just like most other friendly relationships, it all starts from chance. For all three, it was the luckiest coincidence that happened during High School. It just so happens that they are first year classmates. It just so happened that they were a bunch of physicists on the first assignment. It just so happened that they could get along and understand each other. It was really a coincidence that they hoped could continue to happen for things to feel light.
However, the three of them knew, that day might just be the last time they met. Or maybe the last time they meant each other.
“I do not want to split with you,” said Kheira rasak. He was the first to shed tears between the three.
“Listen. I know each of us has a different way of life.” Jessie let go of her embrace, started comforting two friends and herself, “but no matter what happens tomorrow, you're still my best friend, one of my places to go home. And I hope you feel that way too.”
Kheira nodded as she wiped her tears, preparing to respond, “You will still be my best friend. We still have to be strong even though we no longer accompany each other.”
“Whatever happens, one day we have to meet, laugh and share stories. Okay?” follow Keana with a smile on her face.
“Oke.”
Their friendship will not be broken, even if separated by distance and time. They promised the same thing. Swear not to forget what they have been through.
After smiling and nodding at each other, together they release the balloon in their grasp. Praying that their hope would reach God, they embraced again. Appreciating every happy second that remained was the only thing that could be done.
On May 26, 2013, when the sun was completely sunk, 354 hopes of successfully flying aboard a blue balloon.
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