He's Not Mine

39. 100 days

It has been more than two months since the terror incident, the situation has returned to peace. I don't think about Sanusi and his family, because the consequences they have are the result of their own actions. One prayer I hope that yesterday's events do not close their path of sustenance. 

Hc .. tok …. The door of my room was knocked from outside. “Log in!” I gave permission. Johan, my men came in with a totebag, “please leave, Ndan. This is an invitation to study from Colonel Teguh.” Johan gave the totebag to me. I accepted it and read an invitation to study the 100 days of the death of Colonel Teguh's first grandson, which will be held on Thursday night tomorrow. The law was in the name of the unit, Commander Raider, not listed my name on the totebag. In the bag was an N95 mask, a handsanitizer, and a yasin book with a photo of a child sitting cross-legged in a cocoa shirt, a sarong, and a peci. Main Airlangga Sukoco Bin Irvan Firdaus Sukoco. The age of three years should be funny, adorable behavior, dear life is not long.

I asked the other Danton friends if they received the same invitation. Turns out all the dantons got similar invitations. 

Thursday afternoon, I have not decided to come directly or represent the presence on Hendrik until Captain Bagas gave the order to order a condolence greeting board. I contacted Hendrik who from noon was not seen in the office, “halo, Ndan!”

“Where?” my many.

“Please, Ndan. Fiona had diarrhea from the morning. Now heading to the hospital, his condition is already very weak!” replied Hendrik.

“Oh, yes. May it heal soon. Medicate or want to hospitalize?” ask again.

“It's treated, Ndan. His mother cried continuously, so I have to accompany him continue.” Hendrik.

“Iya, gapapa. Sorry I have not been able to visit, there is an invitation from Colonel Teguh tonight,” I provoke curiosity Hendrik.

“What invitation? Special or general invitation? There is a fresh breeze like this,” Hendrik started kepo.

“Invitation of 100 days of his grandson's death. I asked Captain Bagas to order a condolence board, order where ya?” I ask, hopefully Hendrik will replace my presence there.

“On behalf of Captain Bagas or on behalf of the Commander? It seems to be very structured? He ... he ..”

“On behalf of Captain Bagas dong, I was only asked to order aja youho!”

“Order two hours Ndan, one from Captain Bagas, one from Commander,” Hendrik proposed.

“Danton others no one sent the greeting board, do not be too flashy. If Fiona is not sick, I want you to represent my arrival tonight!” 

“Iya, sorry. I can't come. My wife easy down see her son why-napa.”

“Yes already, guarded by his son and wife, may everything be healthy!”

“Iya, Ndan. Thank you.”

I ordered a condolence board for Captain Bagas, then sent a picture of him. 

‘I am on duty to Jakarta with Captain Gratitude, please represent my presence there. For the parcel I ordered to Saskia, please coordinate. Then please hand over the parcel and express your condolences to Colonel Teguh.’

Waw, this is a very difficult command. Means later to meet directly with Colonel Teguh and his family, including Resti, the Sukoco family? I rubbed my face with both hands.

***

Ms. Saskia, a senior danton at the raider company came carrying several packages packed in cardboard and some fruit parcels. The event began at 19 pm, but Saskia ma'am forced to come early so that the gift of parcels did not interfere with the course of the recitation.

“Assalamu aleikum,” I greet when I arrive at the door of Colonel Teguh's house.

“Waalaikumsalam,” replied someone I didn't know from the inside.

“Can I meet Colonel Teguh?” I shook hands with that person.

“Oh, yes. I'll call you Father. Sorry about who?” the man asked politely.

“We are messengers from company A,” I replied.

“Imam and bu Saskia,” I replied with a smile.

“Good, wait a minute,” the guy goes inside.

Soon Colonel Teguh and his wife came out to greet us. I saluted Colonel Teguh, but Colonel Teguh immediately hugged me. Um, so happy. Then I shake hands with Commander's mom, and so does Saskia's mom.

“Please sit!” Colonel Teguh allowed us to sit on a wide carpet.

“We represent Captain Bagas and Captain Gratitude to send greetings and expressions of condolences as deeply as possible. He could not attend the recitation tonight because he was serving in Jakarta,” I said to the Commander. Colonel Teguh nodded his head.

“This is also a parcel from Captain Bagas,” bu Saskia gave a parcel to the Commander and received symbolically, while the other package was carried by Siska's crew.

“Thank you for the parcel and his presence, please send greetings back to Captain Bagas and Captain Thankful,” said Colonel Teguh. 

“If anyone needs to be helped in this activity, our members are ready to help,” bu Siska added.

“Already, enough is all. It just so happens that this study is held in two places, so here it is not too busy. God willing it is all ready, the Ustadnya is also already inside, just waiting for guests,” said the Commander.

“Good, then we will wait outside,” I ask permission. As Saskia and I walked towards the front door, Colonel Teguh held my shoulder and whispered, “you're here, accompany me!”

Ms. Saskia was already on the terrace, I went back inside the house with Colonel Teguh, while his wife went back in the back.

In this spacious room was a thick carpet. Straight across from the entrance is a three-meter carpet along the wall, the floor is taller than the other floor. On the higher rug Colonel Teguh took me to sit. “The family has their own studies at home, so I make a study here, not at the Resti house as before,” said Colonel Teguh without asking. 

Some guests began to arrive, I was still asked by Colonel Teguh to remain beside him to receive guests with the commander. Approaching 19 p.m., Resti came out of his room carrying a large picture frame with tears in his eyes. Some of Resti's colleagues approached, they hugged each other. 

Shortly after, the teaching began. All who sit on the highest carpet is Colonel Teguh's extended family, so I feel bad to be here. My friends were sitting under a tent set up in front of Colonel Teguh's house, even Danki was sitting on the bottom carpet. It could be a splashy news, just see what chatter friends tomorrow.

Throughout the study Resti hugged the picture frame and sometimes kissed it full of days. Atmosphere of sadness out here, sholawat chants read ustad can drain tears.

When the show was over, the guests said goodbye. Just like the time the guest came earlier, everyone who came shook hands with Colonel Teguh and his extended family, including me. At the time when friends were shaking hands with me, many whispered congratulations. Ah, just-anything, try to speak loudly so that Colonel Teguh listen, dare not? my question is in my heart.

Almost all the guests have said goodbye, I also say goodbye. “Where are you going?” ask Colonel Teguh, yes want to go home dong, that's when Ndan.

“Sit here first!” Colonel Teguh patted the carpet next to him.

Resti has entered, but really want to meet the eyes or just give a smile to him. But he didn't look at me at all.

After the guests came home and the atmosphere was quieter, Colonel Teguh began to speak, “he said you yesterday bullied my besan ya?”

I smiled, “just Ndan!” 

“Have you taught that man a lesson?” inquiringly.

“That was caught only by his man, not the one giving the order,” I replied.

“There's proof?” ask again.

“Complete, Ndan.”

“Usut gets to the root, let him not bother you anymore!”