Renjana Dusk Kala

Chapters 17. The Longest Ride (2)

The Longest Ride's

(Long journey)

***

Jakarta

Tama

Armed with only two travel bags containing personal items - because it does not have a lot of goods, which must be taken from Surabaya to Jakarta - he found the figure of Cakra among a group of pickers, he found, the domestic terminal 3.

"Mass?" The chakras are approaching.

"Honest holiday?" tanyanya. When Cakra grabs the hand to experience it. He thought he would be picked up by Mr. Cipto.

"Holiday, Mas," Cakra nodded.

Then with a quick movement, Cakra began to help him raise the travel bag into the trunk.

From the airport, they immediately glided to the official house that was intended for him. Where some officers, immediately welcomed his arrival. Including helping Cakra lower the travel bag from inside the trunk.

"Good morning" said one of them. "Welcome to Jakarta."

"My name is Devano. Served as the commander's personal secretary."

He nodded, "Call Sir."

He patted the young officer on the shoulder. Then he went to meet Papa, Mama, Anja, Aran, and two people who he had just seen for the first time. All of them were waiting in the front room.

"Hello ... Pakde Tama ...." Anja toyed with Aran's hand to wave at him. The round-cheeked baby even chuckled looking at him.

But he only smiled briefly. Walk through Anja and Aran. After previously had pinched Anja's cheek, as well as rubbing the head of the hairy baby.

"Baby," he muttered in passing. He walked over to Mama who was smiling to greet him.

"I'm not a baby anymore (i'm not a baby anymore), Pakde!" anja protest disagreed. "I'll be one year old soon .. yeay ...."

Followed by the laughter of the handsome-faced baby.

But he just grinned. Because I kissed Mom's hand. Then embrace the body of his heavenly way with wisdom.

"Well, are you well-designed?" mama whispered in her ear. As if worrying could be heard by the others.

He nodded, "Okay, Ma ...."

Then Mama rubbed her back many times with teary eyes.

"Patience, yes" whispered Mama right in her ear. Although almost inaudible.

He nodded back. Then rub your back slowly. As a statement if his feelings have been okay.

While he was still hugging Mama, someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder.

"Fluent?" muttered Papa with a heavy voice.

He nodded, "Current, Pa."

Papa tried to smile, though he failed. Then back to pat her shoulder.

"Tama ..The two of them will accompany you in this house" said Mama, pointing to two strangers. Who was smiling and nodding towards him.

"Rather than you find your own person ..." continued Mama. "It takes time too."

"When you have to take care of something."

"Thus ... I'm looking for someone who knows well."

Soon he will be 40 years old. The catchphrase is life begins at forty. The real life alias is just about to begin.

But Mama, even still pay attention to the smallest details of her personal needs. The real definition of mother love along the way. Or is a child a child for a parent? Whatever his age.

Once a son, always a son (a boy, still a boy).

"The name is Agus the same Yuni," explained Mama later. "Teh Yuni is Bi Enok's distant brother. Same from Cihideung."

He nodded towards the couple.

"Titip my son yes ...." Mama gave up the introductory session with a smile.

Makes him almost laugh. Because Mama even left it to someone else. As if at this age, he did not take care of himself.

After talking for a while with everyone at home. Including the officers waiting outside. He also began to improve.

"Maas ...." Anja looked at him with a shriveled face. "Is the house cold like this? I'm not inhabited."

But he didn't answer. Because he was busy moving a pile of clothes, from the travel bag to the closet.

"The satisfaction is not very good," Anja muttered. But it could still be heard by his ears.

"It should be here given this painting ...." Anja pointed both hands as if she was measuring the wall. "Let's not impressed cold and dark (cold and dark)."

"Create ...." Anja went to the other side of her bedroom. "Here .. can be given something refreshing."

He just shook his head. I don't care about Anja at all.

"Which pictures?" anja asked while looking at him suspiciously. "Let me have the same chakra put up."

He shook his head, "No photos."

"How do you not have a photo?" Anja frowning. "Not having a photo at all?"

But he continued to organize the closet. Not intending to pay attention to Anja's grunts.

"A painting, huh, Mom? Wanna?" haggard Anja with a sumringah face. "Later I asked Icad to paint Mas. Must be cool. Select a photo ...."

"Who?" both hands were busy tidying up the contents of the closet, suddenly stopped by itself.

"Icad ..." Now Anja has been standing next to him. Also helps to tidy up the pile of clothes that are still messy. "Nephew Brother. His son Pocut."

Unknowingly he swallowed the saliva.

"Icad's picture is very good, Mas," continued Anja again. Totally disregarding his superiority.

"Which photos do Icad draw? The one in the uniform? Or wear a suit?"

 -------

This morning, he attended the sertijab ceremony (submit of office) at a meeting hall located in Senayan number. A number of top officials officially changed.

During a friendly event, he really becomes the center of attention. Because most of the participants of the sertijab, most of whom were classmates when in Akpol first, his literacy was all-out.

"Well, Tama! Which madam ...mrs?"

"Si Tama is still accompanied by Papa and Mama .. like your school child, Tam."

"Where is your kinclong ... not invited?"

"Buaru's young man!" the rest of the story makes it clear. "Come .. we find a mate for this one commander. Who's got stock?"

"Fit and proper tests must pass us on - we are, Tam. Ahhaha!"

"Need to be made panselnas (national selection committee) is not it? We are ready to volunteer. Ahhaha!"

He can only laugh. Absolutely not struggling when being the moons of his colleagues.

As soon as the suave event was over, he immediately rolled into his new office at Slipi number.

"I ask for the blessing of all colleagues" he said during a welcome ceremony at the metro resort police station.

"Hopefully in carrying out this new trust and responsibility, I am given health, safety, and also success."

The welcoming ceremony was simple. Continuing to surround the entire room and the part that is in the metro resort police. And get acquainted with the officers there.

"I want to have a chat first with Kabag (head of section) and Kasi (sexy head)," he replied when Devano asked. Is he ready to go to a friendly event.

Yesterday Devano informed, all activities will be carried out today. One of them is a friendly event. With the ranks of officials in the metro resort police.

"The others told him to go straight there" he continued. Before starting a small talk with Kabag and Kasi in his room.

"Later to follow ...."

***

Pocktail

He had never worked in an office before.

He has never worked far from home. In a foreign place. With a huge task. It really feels heavy for people his age.

Who are used to staying at home. Never knew the outside world. Just struggling between the well, the mattress, the kitchen.

"First day .. we adjust first yes, Mom," said Luky, HRD staff assigned by Mr. Raka to accompany him.

"It's used to computers and laptops, right?"

Since graduating from vocational school and getting married, he has practically never touched an object called a computer or laptop. He only occasionally moved his laptop, from the living room to the room. If his sister-in-law forgets to clean up after schoolwork.

Or help Agam get a laptop from the service, whose kiosk happens to be not far from the keude.

So, if now Luky asks him to type a letter on the computer. Surely it will take a very long time.

"Mom doesn't normally do this on a computer?" guess Luky when he saw him nervous while operating a computer.

Finally Luky gave another task, which is not related to computers. Like checking the mail in and out. Filed it manually. Check the evidence of office expenses and match it with the ledger. Compile proof of expenditure in one file. And many more.

"Mumpung I can," replied Mr. Raka, as he insisted to go home on the bus.

"Mumpung me again stay here," continued Mr. Raka with a tone of voice that sounded too calm.

"Si Luky does a lot of work?" ask Mr. Raka again.

He sighed before replying, "Maybe reconsidered, sir."

"I ... seems unsuitable for office work."

"I used to cook and ...."

"Hey! Mr. Raka shook his head. "New first day. How pessimistic is that? Optimistic dong. The spirit!"

"But the truth is, sir," he must admit that he does not have the ability. Even if only for the task of an administrative staff.

Rantika who graduated diploma 3, clearly has more ability compared to her. He was very sure if Rantika was finally elected. Not himself.

But Mr. Raka actually smiled as he turned to her, "I want to know .. tomorrow you will also talk this way?"

The second day, it was too slow. Not used to it at all. But he can already operate his own computer. Though the fear of wrong is still haunting.

"Mom, the work is passionate yes," Luky whispered while teaching him typing in MS Word.

"If you stop in the middle of the road, I'll get it."

"Why what?" tanyanya did not understand.

But Luky just looked at him grimacing.

"You should be angry with Mr. Raka?" guess what if I doubt.

And Luky was back grimacing. This time it's getting wider.

The third day, he incorrectly filed a letter of agreement with one of the suppliers. As a result, when there is a default and the supplier charges beyond the agreed time. All residents of the administrative and financial room, busy looking for a tucked agreement letter.

"I'm sorry ..." he said with regret. Feeling bad because it has troubled many people.

But Mr. Raka, as usual, just smiled. "Wrong is natural. The machine can go wrong."

"The name is also probation. Don't give up easily."

The fourth day, everyone in the administration and finance room, gave him a sour look. Except Luky of course. Luky is the only person who is friendly, stays friendly, and is always friendly to him.

"It is impossible that I dare to be with Miss Cut .." Luky said solemnly.

But he just wanted to laugh seeing Luky's serious facial expression. The quarter-century-old boy, had a kind of witty face. So, if Luky put on a serious look, it looks funny.

"Later I can be in ...." Luky practices how to slit his own throat. "Just like a boss."

He shook his head, "Don't. I really can't work. Just be rebuked if I make a mistake. Don't hesitate."

"Don't let me trouble a lot of people because of my lack of knowledge."

"Canda, Ma'am .. kanda, ma'am ..." and Luky quickly held up two fingers to form the v sign, victory.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Don't take heart" Luky said again. "And don't report me to Mr. Raka."

"I don't want a pay cut," continued Luky with a face of bleak. "Three months I'm getting married, ma'am."

"Many capital is needed."

He frowned, "You got your pay cut because of me?"

"No, Mom ...." Luky chuckles. "No. .. joked, Mom."

"But if the marriage is serious, eheheheheyeh ...."

He shook his head again.

The fifth day, everyone in the administration and finance room, threw away their faces and did not greet them. Including Rantika. Except Luky of course.

"Mom knows not...why did they put on an asem face?" asked Luky while teaching him how to make simple financial statements in Excel.

He smiled and nodded at one time.

"It's so cute" Luky whispered, looking right and left. Like someone who is afraid of being discovered.

"Where to go again the same boss," continued Luky.

"Luke!" it was as if he was reprimanding Icad who spoke unfiltered.

"I'm not the same as Mr. Raka. I'm just an officer on probation. I'm the same as the others."

But Luky just grinned.

Five working days. And he can't do much. We have to help Luky. Not yet good at operating a computer or laptop. And another row of incompetence.

So when Miss Iren called her into the room. He then issued a contract for the next three months. He can only stumble.

"Sorry, ma'am," he gulped many times. "Is it not wrong?"

"It should be Rantika who escapes. Not me."

Ms. Iren smiled, "Rantika just signed the contract before Mba."

He looked up more and more, "So ..we are both welcome, Mom?"

Ms. Iren nodded, "This .. Sign here huh."

"Although we're still family. But for business affairs ... remain business," sloroh Bu Iren.

He smiled in shame. Grabbing the paper of the employment contract before him with trembling hands.

"What's Cakra?" ask Ms. Iren. When he was picking up a pen to sign a contract.

"Alhamdulillah .. Last time we met .. well, Mom," he smiled. Start preparing to sign autographs.

"Titip greeting to Cakra ya."

He looked up.

"I'm amazed by him" muttered Bu Iren. "Young people who never give up."

She smiled, "Allah, Mom. I'll tell you when I meet."

Then again concentrate on the contract letter sheet, which is stored on the table.

But before his hand moved to affix the signature, his eyes had caught a line of writing that was quite striking. Namely,

Accepted work as .. personal secretary to the President Director.

He looked at Ms. Iren with trembling hands, "Sorry, Mom. I ... can't ...."

 -------

Mr. Raka looked at him in disbelief, "Why don't you want to sign the contract?"

He gulped nervously, "I'm sorry, sir .. if I'm presumptuous."

"But ... You said, I'll replace the administrative staff that se ...."

"Yes," Raka interrupted his words. "It was so at first."

"But it turns out .. I'm also in need of a private secretary. So ... why not?"

"You're obviously the one I can trust."

"Are his pay less?"

He shook his head, "It's not so, sir."

"I don't have the ability to be a private secretary."

"Capability can be honed, Pocut," said Mr. Raka. "Remember my words?"

"The skill can be learned."

He went back to gulping, "Sorry, but I can't work on temp ...."

Mr. Raka took a deep breath, "OK .. I understand."

"You are worried that slander will arise because of my position .. and your status as ...." Mr. Raka did not continue the sentence.

"We make our own rules .. how?" tawar Pak Raka later.

He nodded in not understanding.

"We will not be in one room," continued Mr. Raka with a tone that was calmer.

"Later your desk stays in the financial administration room."

"I'm asking people to connect a special phone to my room at your desk."

"And if I call you into my room .. the door will be wide open."

"Where?" ask Mr. Raka expectantly.

***

Remarks :

The Longest Ride is a translation of Nicholas Sparks' original American novel. Adapted to the film of the same name. Directed by Scott Eastwood.