Lutfi Gilang's

23. Certainty

i

We arrived at Singapore Changi Airport at 5pm less than a quarter of an afternoon.

During the journey I just kept weighing the Lutfi chapter with my eyes closed. As Tio, from the voice I heard he repeatedly asked this to the flight attendant.

Yeah, his name's a guy, definitely a girl's deketin business. Generally, fortunately I include men ga general so deketin girls.

Just this time it feels good to be different from others.

Most people with blood type AB do not like to be distinguished from the general public, let alone called: "Weird" For them, everything they do is normal, but certainly not for the general person. And vice versa.

An example is locking yourself in a room. For the general person, it is done only when there is a problem, gab, mager, sick, or others. But for people with blood type AB, confining yourself in the room is a common activity every day. Yeah, routine.

Similar to room occupants. Rebahan aja until the mattress is flat.

Okay, go on to the story.

I invited Tio to perform the Ashar prayer and then pray Maghrib— Maghrib time there at 17:15— at the place that has been provided after asking the officer. Fortunately, though tacky and clumsy Tio is quite good at English. Even if it's just: "Yes, no. Yes, no."

How can we find Muslim places of worship?

What a good question!

Not to boast. Because of my habit of watching movies made abroad, I quite understand English and Japanese— as a guy naturally like anime. So I can understand what the Officer said, while we answered with the help of google translate. He's....

"Where now?" ask Tio after the prayer.

I'm bowed. Thinking that I want to quickly look for Lutfi again. But I asked: "We're looking for lodging, same as eating."

"Around here?"

I'm nagging. "The cheapest,"

"Ha ha ha," Tio laughed.

I was grimacing.

"Eh jerk," said Tio. "we have not nuker money. In Singapore, use rupiah too, right?"

"At the airport it seems to exist" I replied.

"Where does money exchange mean?" He's making.

I agreed with the signal.

"Okay, let's go find that first, shall we?" her door.

I nodded in agreement.

🌹🌹🌹

ii

Money exchange, already. Find food, already. Find a place to stay, already. Everything that is needed is done. Tonight, after eating, Tio invited me to a discussion: determine the places for Lutfi nyari.

I didn't think he'd think that. I think he was just thinking about playing and buying souvenirs in Singapore. In fact, he's another— different from my perception. I'm sorry Tio, you're an amazing friend!

"Where are you going?" He's nanya.

"What is the most famous place in Singapore?" I'm back with nanya.

"Pst! Much, Nu. There's...." His head languished thinking for a moment, then returned to look at me with an annoying grin. "don't know. He he he,"

I expected it. "Search the internet,"

"okay." He carries out his duties according to my orders. "Funny too, huh?"

I was silent, not responding to his talk.

"Two men with no experience boarded a plane, went to Singapore without knowing anything about the place, continue. Ha ha ha,"

I smile hearing it. Come to think of it that's funny, anyway.

"Nu, try to write it down sometime" Tio said as she looked at me with a hopeful look.

"Write moreover?" I'm a little upset. "Just Friday yesterday you asked to make a novel about you as your boyfriend, now what else?"

"Ha ha ha, if that's a problem sometime. Don't be in a hurry!" He exclaimed with pleasure. "Now, I ask you to write down your journey."

"meaning?"

"You made up stories about your efforts for Lutfi. Who knows if he buys, keep reading, keep pushing you, deh."

My heart was moved to hear Tio's words. Indeed, all this time I have always written what I have done every day, but I do not have a strong desire to write a story like that.

Tio's opinion just now was a very precise and reasonable thing, in my opinion. However, there was something else I had to put off, before I sent my story to the publisher. "The story is over,"

"I mean.. If you've found Lutfi, then?"

I agree with a nod.

"Well, if it's rich, anyway, just as you'll come again until you meet." - grumbled.

"Books aren't good if there's no conclusion at the end, right?" I'm nanya.

Tio sighed. "Yes, anyway. But there's also a book that's purposely made to hang."

"So it's a series, is it?"

Tio nodding.

"I'll think." I said. "So, I haven't seen you yet, which place?"

"Yes, I forgot." Tio laughing. He looked back at his HP. Flip it. "Now" and handed it to me.

I received his cellphone, read and chose.

"The boss gives permission for how many days?" ask Tio.

"Ga read yesterday?" I'm back with nanya.

"He he he, hinga."

I grunt. "Three days,"

"That means two days in Singapore?"

"Tomorrow, not today."

"Can't that be it?"

I breathed an upset breath. "Eat him, next time if given anything, understood first."

"He he he, sorry" he said, scratching his head.

"Today, you're allowed to do me a favor. Three days tomorrow make me look for the material."

"Well, isn't Lutfi's nyari?" responsiveness.

"Yes, that's the material." I replied.

"Oooh... so fill in the book—"

"Yes," I'm ambushing.

"Ha ha ha, you finally know that too."

I'm nagging. Though in the heart: "Yesterday you don't know because I haven't thought to write what."

"Eh, but it's about your struggle, meaning?"

"Maybe,"

"Ha ha ha, write Nu. Don't listen to the Director. Ha ha ha,"

I looked at him with an annoyed look.

"Ho ho's. Sorry, sorry. You need concentration, right?"

I did not respond and returned to choosing. A few moments later I returned Tio's phone.

"Where?" He's nanya.

"Tap us to the airport" I replied.

"Huh?! Why?"

"There are tourist attractions, I also want to check the CCTV" I said.

"Oooh. Every place check should also check CCTV a week ago, right?" tanyanya.

I'm nagging.

"Yes, now you sleep first. I still have a need."

"You want a phone?" I'm guessing.

Tio's face turned choked with eyeballs swirling, making me chuckle.

"Ga papa's. Again with the angels."

"He he he,"

Tio helped me lie down on the bed, while he arranged the floor mattress for his bed. Indeed he chose a very cheap inn, there was only one bed and a short-legged dining table here.

His treatment again made me feel bad. But he said before: "Ga papa to be frugal, so you can buy a lot of souvenirs. I get paid for my plane ticket to go home."

Hmmm, even though I intend to pay him only a ticket to leave. But, yeah, that's it. Tio has also helped me a lot. Think of this as my return to him. Although still less willing, anyway. He's....

"Hopefully, this time it can pay off." I prayed and tried to sleep. "I miss you, Lutfiku."

🌹🌹🌹

iii

This day, Tio and I went around Singapore Changi Airport. Starting from the entrance, ticketing counter, passenger lounge, Enchanted Garden, Butterfly Garden, Jewel Changi Airport, HSBC Rain Vortex, Kinetic Rain, Discover Singapore, So Chocolate, Entertainment Deck, Harrods, etc, Longcamp, Giordano, and several other shopping places, up to the exit and parking lot. We also do not forget to always check the CCTV in every different place. But still it did not produce results.

Oya, before, who repeatedly asked the owner or the manager of the place was Tio. Aye! He is English now.

Yesterday, after calling her boyfriend, Tio repeatedly had an English dialogue with Google, until late at night. I didn't expect, his persistence yielded incredible results. Although several times, he still had to open his phone again to answer questions that were beyond his ability.

From the core of the discussion, you just make an option that has the highest possibility to use. So, you guys just need to memorize the dialogue. Then during practice, you must force—direct your interlocutor to speak according to the dialogue you have learned.

Well, if they do not answer as you expect, you just use Google translate. Simple, right?

No need to bother paying for expensive courses - expensive— English courses first if you want a vacation abroad.

The next day, as my condition had improved, we split the tasks. Tio went to Merlion Park, S.E.A Aquarium, Sentosa Island, Everton Park, Marina Bay Sands, and Orchard Road and Bugis Street—all bought souvenirs there, he said.

I was visiting the National Museum of Singapore, the National Gallery Singapore, the Esplanade, and the police station. I went there for a CCTV rerun a week ago on the streets near Singapore Changi Airport. Good time I will see Lutfi, because it is a path that must be passed before visiting various places in Singapore. But it turned out to be the result: nil.

"Where?" tio asked after we re-assembled in the narrow inn, because the pay was cheap.

I'm shaking. I saw him buying all sorts of things. Starting from clothes, food, to souvenirs. But from the expression and the clothes he wore was enough to prove that Tio was looking for Lutfi first rather than buying souvenirs. Might....

"I'm the same. No one has seen Lutfi before. Maybe he's not even going to Singapore, huh?" ask Tio as long as guess.

I'm nagging. "I thought so too,"

"When did you think?"

"Pass on the plane,"

"Well, if you've thought Lutfi isn't going to Singapore, why don't you say it directly? We can still cancel the flight. So it's not a waste of money like this." Tio explained. "Yes, that's your money, anyway."

"The plane flew first. Did you want to ask to come down? Kan is not an ojeg or angkot that can go down in any place. What can you fly?"

Tio suddenly laughed. "Ha ha ha, funny, funny...."

"Funny? I'm no longer joking." I said annoyed.

"Meaning, this is really for the holidays to come" he said with a wide grin.

I took a deep breath. "That's how,"

"Eh, Nu, I just wanted to. Why don't you write with Clara? Do you have a problem with him?" Tio nanya to the discussion which however I have to prepare to face it again, after arriving in Jakarta tomorrow.

Indeed, the maximum we have to arrive in Jakarta on Friday before eleven o'clock in the afternoon, otherwise we have to pay a fine with a 15% deducted salary%. I was really surprised by the Director, why did he set the time just like the time for the previous contract? What was really behind that time?

"The only problem is: 'she's a woman'" I replied.

"Huh?! What kind of ridiculous excuse is that?!"

I let out a breath. "You know what I am, right?"

"Hmmm...." muttered Tio. "you really haven't changed, have you?"

I shrugged my shoulders, then positioned myself to lie on the bed. "You are the same. I know my name is Gilang, still calling me a pen name."

"Ha ha ha, it's easier."

"Hmmm.." I muttered. "uh, Yo," I called him a moment later.

"Why?"

"So, at Maghrib prayer, I didn't meet my in-laws on purpose."

"Well?!" He exclaimed. Forcing me to wake up. "That's what I mean by Lutfi's parents?"

I'm nagging. "I've met his father,"

"Te-continue, how do you go?" tanya Tio urged.

So gini....

🌹🌹🌹

iv

After Isya's prayer, I don't know which mosque I forgot, people, right on out. Well, the last one out was, Lutfi's father. I am very confident of his physique and voice. And indeed, he who nyamperin me first.

"Gile," he said.

"Dad," I'm shocked. Hurry up and embrace him.

"Nothing was crying, why, you?"

I shook my head while washing my face from tears.

"What are you doing in Singapore?" He nanya.

I'm bowed. Try as much as possible to hold back the crying. "Lu-Lutphi.... Lutfi says, Well...."

"Well, how can you say? You're his fiancee's abis. How, anyway, you?"

"Well?!" I'm appalled. "Where? How's what? The Lutfi are your children too, koh! Why am I back?! I'm so dizzy....why don't you know, where is Lutfi?" My heart grumbled, eager to ask so.

But in fact I only dare to say: "There are people who see Lutfi to the airport,"

"Hmmm.... continues?" He nanya.

"I checked the airport CCTV" I replied.

"Yes, continues?"

"I saw Lutfi buy a ticket to Singapore,"

"Continue?"

"I came here,"

"Oooh, so that's it," he said and took me to sit down. "When anyone buys a baso, does he have to eat it?"

I'm shaking.

"Well, same, Lutfi bought a ticket to Singapore is she the one who makes it?"

I'm shaking. "That's for Dad, huh?"

He nodded and then embraced me. "Are you still looking for Lutfi?"

"Still," I replied.

"Why did she get her?"

"Because he said,"

"Ha ha ha," He laughed as he patted my shoulder.

"Why? What's so funny? Is my answer strange? Did I get it wrong?" My heart wonders for itself.

"I'm grateful my son chose you,"

I smile hearing it. Feel very flattered.

"But,"

"Okay, if it's started "but" it's not good." whispered my mind.

"you still can't find Lutfi either, it turns out."

I returned with a feeling of guilt.

"What do you think made my son go away?" He nanya.

I looked at him with doubt.

"Don't tell me if you think my son has a new guy!"

I answered him quickly with a head.

He took a deep breath and said: "I educated my son, Lutfi, to become an educated and principled child. And you've already felt it yourself, haven't you?"

I nodded in agreement. Indeed, during the relationship with Lutfi, he has led me to the straight and right path. Like loyalty, for example.

"So, is it possible, my educated and principled son, who was even engaged to you, left because there was a third person?"

Heard it as if I was electrocuted by static electricity. "That's right, why would I doubt Lutfi?! He is the most loyal man I have ever known. And he even taught people to have loyalty like him." My heart's meeting.

"You guys still have doubts, you won't find out where Lutfi is."

The deg! That, that's the key! It turns out that's the answer I've been looking for all along. "Confidence". I, as a blood type AB man, have always been difficult to decide and just take the middle ground.

Perhaps, according to what Lutfi's father said, in addition to testing my loyalty, Lutfi was also assessing how I made up my mind. And I'm sure, once I can do both, I will be able to be considered a more mature man, and Lutfi will come back to me. Sure. Sure. Sure, right? Hmmm.

It is very difficult to build confidence.

"Yes already, Dad said goodbye first. You take good care of yourself" he said as he greeted me and left.

While I answered his greetings and shook his hand then drove to the front porch of the mosque.

🌹🌹🌹

v

"If so, surely, yes?" ask Tio after I finish telling you.

I'm nagging. "It's all a test,"

"And to Singapore is not just a walk, because it could be met with in-laws, right?"

I agreed with the signal.

"Eh, but why don't you come to his house?" Tio.

"Tomorrow has to go back to work, right?" I'm back with nanya.

"Yes too. Oya, you want, the deadline advanced?!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, I have to force Clara to cancel the nulis contract with me."

"I'll help you, Nu! " strictly Tio.

"Thank you, Yo."

"Yoi. Calculate to pay for ticket compensation. He he he,"

"He," I laughed.