Short Stories Romance

FASE

“Hahaha ..”

There was laughter when I asked permission to become a TNI to Ms. Aisyah. She is the woman in charge of this home.

What's wrong with my request?

“Lu Naveen's only dream! Easy to say, sign in TNI?” chirps Arman, a parlor friend.

I just took a deep breath and threw it down slowly to hold back the anger.

I know, getting into the TNI is hard. But what is wrong with trying and trying?

I just quietly listened to the taunts from friends who thought my dream would never come true.

“Nav, not Mom forbid. It's true, what Arman said. Entering the TNI is not easy, there will be many costs that must be incurred for the cost of education. Where can I cost?” ask Ms. Aisyah.

“Do not listen to Naveen's message, Mom! He imagines too much!” said Arman who laughed at me again.

“Already, Bang Arman! You don't have to mess up the atmosphere. Let Mom and Bang Naveen finish it. Does it have something to do with Brother?” hanna.

“Naveen the dreamer, Han!” said Arman loudly.

“What's wrong? Doesn't that dream start with a dream? Nothing is impossible if we try! There must be a phase if you want to succeed!” hanna.

Finally, Bu Aisyah dissolved Arman and other friends who were considered to aggravate the atmosphere. They all leave. Including Hanna. Now only I and Aisyah's mother live in a small room.

“Nav, so how? Honestly, I can't afford to have to finance entry into TNI,” said Ibu Aisyah.

“Naveen didn't ask for it all. Just one that Naveen pinta, Mom!” I replied with eyes staring at the hijab-wearing middle-aged woman.

“What is it?” answer with narrowed eyes.

“Prayer. Just the prayer Naveen asked from Mother.”

Silent.

“Alright, Mom gave you permission. One condition from Mom, do not leave five prayers time yes, son?” the message while rubbing this shoulder.

I nodded, “Insya Allah. Pray for Naveen, Mom. Because Bu Aisyah is a replacement for Naveen.”'s birth mother

***

I want to be a soldier like the late papa. She was a single parent who raised me. My mother died giving birth to me. When I was growing up, my father died when I was assigned to the battlefield. But that doesn't scare me. Even I'm excited to want to be like papa. Become a tough TNI. He is very disciplined in everything.

Many trophies and award charters I received from Paskibra (The flag raisers). I did actively follow the extra-curricular line-up. Until one day, I was reunited with Mr. Gavin who had the rank of Lieutenant Djendral. Incidentally, he was a TNI who trained us when going to run the race to the national level.

“Nav!” call Mr. Gavin.

I'm approaching, “Siap, Let!” my answer.

Mr. Gavin smiled, “Call Sir only. It's already out of practice,” the door with a smile.

“Iya, sorry, Let. Eh-Pak!” my answer was interrupted because I was not used to it.

Mr. Gavin has a handsome face. He is tall and has a sharp nose. Maybe for some women, Mr. Gavin is a dream man.

“I'm interested in getting you into TNI, Nav,” said Mr. Gavin.

Whats? Did I hear wrong?

“I saw the way line-line and also your discipline when following this lesson,” said Mr. Gavin.

I have to be happy or vice versa. I remember Ms. Aisyah who from the beginning did not accept that I entered the TNI. Is this the answer to a prayer I often pray?

“You are ready to enter TNI or not?” ask Mr. Gavin again.

“Naveen got money from where, sir? You also know that Naveen grew up in an orphanage. So, where can Naveen possibly pay for his education there?”

“You don't have to think about cost. That's all I'm responsible for. Your job is only to train in earnest and have high discipline!” pinta Pak Gavin's.

May I?

I want this heart to cry out, calling for the joy I just had. But I am still conscious. There's Mr. Gavin in front of me right now.

“Good, Sir. Naveen ready!” answer me with passion.

***

I don't believe what I'm going through right now. I've been in the TNI AD. However, do not imagine being able to have fun when you work as a TNI. I was assigned to a conflict area that often fought.

Many say that this self has no fear. I don't know, what to fear? I have given everything to God. I'm just trying to serve the country.

It was time to go back to Mes. The building is narrow and consists of several rooms. In the room, it contained four people. Lose your body after work. I closed my eyes for a moment. Finally, I woke up because my phone was ringing.

I grabbed a phone from the nightstand. Swipe the phone screen and read a message from someone.

“Bang, do you seriously want to marry me?” Send a message from Hanna.

Holy hooch! Turns out Hanna didn't call me this once. Many missed calls from his mobile number.

“If you really want to marry me. Please, meet Abi. He wants to hear reassurance from Brother!” Fill out the second message.

“I do love you, Han. But, for now I can not go home because it is still in the service period of the country,” I reply to Hanna.

The message was sent, and it was even read. However, Hanna did not reply to him. Maybe he's angry.

***

I sat between Papa and Mama's graves. Pray for them and talk like they are with me right now.

“Pa, now Naveen has become an Army like papa used to be. Naveen wants to be like papa, says mom, papa is the toughest guy.”

Rise from the navel of papa and mama after pouring longing between their navels. Then to the house where I was entrusted by papa. I grew up in Aisyah's orphanage.

The heart was very happy when it opened the gate. I've been welcomed by a large family in an orphanage. In fact, a few small toddlers were twitching on my legs and waist. Wish to be carried, maybe.

I held a little toddler. Maybe he was about four years old and stepped up, towards the wide-open door.

“Yes Allah, Nav. You're finally back, son. I'm proud of you,” said Aisyah's mother who then hugged me with a happy haru cry.

I returned a warm hug from the twilight lady who took care of me long ago.

“You have proven it to Mom, without asking for a dime. You can enter the TNI AD. I'm proud Nav! Alhamdulillah .. O Allah..” he said full of gratitude when hugging this body tightly.

“Nav!” said a man from behind.

Aisyah's mother let go of her embrace and I turned back, “Arman?” I answered with round eyes.

“I'm sorry, Nav! I used to doubt your persistence to enter TNI,” said Arman with a face full of regret.

I hugged her and Arman cried as I returned my arms.

“Thank’s, Bro! Although I used to be evil, but you still want to forgive me!” lirih Arman's.

My meeting at the parlor felt very solemn. I'm really grateful, growing up in this neighborhood.

How come Hanna's not here? Where's she headed?

***

Today I asked Mom to come with me to buy me a wedding ring. Intentionally not informing Hanna. However, I have been asking Abinya for permission since then. Thank God, he approved my intention to question Hanna.

Evening has arrived.

I came alone to Hanna's house. There I met his parents. Just act normal, like nothing.

“Abi, Umi. Naveen said he wanted to have dinner with Hanna,” I said goodbye to Hanna's parents.

“Do not night-night, yes?” abi's Message.

I nodded while kissing Abi's hand, “Assalamualaikum!”

“Waalaikum greetings,” replied Abi and Umi.

Darting under the dark sky on a motorbike towards the restaurant I had ordered. The table that has been neatly arranged and beautiful with flowers and candles that light up adds to the romantic impression.

I'm pulling seats, “Please!”

Hanna sat down, “Thank you,” she replied with a smile.

Without thinking. I told you what I meant tonight.

“Han, you used to ask me about my seriousness. Now I go home even if I have to go back to the battlefield. But tonight I would like to propose to you. Do you want to be my wife?” I asked Hanna.

The look of the shock face of the brown hijab girl mocca, with a rounded eye gaze is almost perfect.

“A-I don't know yet. Why don't you ask Abi for permission?” ask Hanna.

“Already. It's all just waiting for your answer, Han.”

Silent.

Finally Hanna nodded.

“Means?” my many frowns.

“I'm willing.”

**

The wedding was simple. Understandably, I haven't taken care of my military license. Because there is usually a military ceremony when a TNI gets married.

The marriage went on solemnly. Abi is the guardian of Hanna's marriage. Her biological daughter. Until finally the word ‘SAH’ has been heard from witnesses and people who attended our small party.

Evening has arrived. I first saw Hanna open her hijab. For the first time, I bowed my head in front of his face.

“Abang why?” ask Hanna.

“During life. I never duck because I thought, bowing is weak. I bow my head before you, not because you are weak, but because you believe you are the rib of my life!”

The first time, Hanna hugged me tightly, “My tough husband. I never judged you weak. From a long time ago, I've seen your persistence. You're the toughest guy for me, Bang!” lirih Hanna when she's in the arms.

Believe this. As tough as a man, will melt also in the people he loves. That, me!

_____

Ane finish first, Gan! klo there's another short story. Ane will be up here. Tengkyu🙏😅