Should We Get Married?
The Afternoon Caught
"It's really just for a second? Later even later." I still negotiate on the invitation of my three best friends; Mita, Lina and Bianca. Going home from school, I want to go straight home. I want to quickly report to my father and two brothers; mas Yuda and Mbak Tika if I managed to get a scholarship in the medical faculty UI. Something that was a dream for our family. Even to realize it all, my two brothers were willing not to go to college, they went to work helping Dad, raising money for my needs later. Because despite getting a scholarship, the name of studying at the medical school still requires a large fee.
"Yes, just a minute, Yu. We ate for a while, kept the photos for mementos. Huh already. When else do we try to make a memorable photo. You have to go to Jakarta, we will not meet for a long time. There should be memories for longing medicine later, Yu." persuaded Mita, as a spokesperson for my other two best friends.
"Hmmm," I glanced at the three of them who looked expectantly. That's what Mita said. After this I will be preoccupied with the affairs of the letters, then leave for Jakarta. It is very small possibility we have time together again, just to chat as we have always done since the last six years we made this friendship. "alright. But just a minute. Eat, keep taking pictures, then go home!" I made a deal.
"Yeyyyu!" my three friends immediately cheered happily.
The four of us passed by to a simple meatball stall not far from our school. While enjoying a bowl of meatballs and a glass of iced tea with ice cubes quite a lot we told a long story. About how this friendship is established, about how the four of us struggle to maintain our values to the ideals of the four of us. I want to be a doctor, Mita and Lina want to be teachers while Bianca becomes a state official.
The plan is Mita and Lina will remain in college in Jogja, while Bianca will follow the educational path. He's gonna try the STAN entrance exam. If it does not pass, he will try college bond service elsewhere.
***
At 18:16, it was true what I was worried about. Late again. When you get together, you usually forget about time. The plan was just to eat and take pictures, continue to shop first at the Beringharjo market, buy some sheets of T-shirts for photo properties, until not aware of Azan Maghrib reverberating.
"I have to get home!" I said to my three best friends who were still busy taking pictures at some spot near our school.
"No prayers first, Yu. It's azan!" answer Mita. "I'll get anther on the motor."
"Home alone, afraid of the night," I said, rushing to tidy up the bag, then passed by waving at the three of them.
This footstep is getting faster. I decided to choose a path closer to home even though the road was quiet. Race against the sky of a student city that is increasingly turning dark.
Brucks. I fell because I tripped over a small rock. It felt like my knee was hurting so much, as I forced myself to stand the pain grew.
"Here" a hand stretched out to me, though it was dimly lit, I could clearly see the face of the man who was trying to help me.
"No need" I intended to get up, but the hand blocked my hand so hard. He did not let me away, instead dragged me by force to his car, of course after smothering my mouth.
Oh Allah ... What is this? As much as I tried to escape, but the grip of that person made me powerless. A hit on the nape made me instantly unconscious.
***
"So doctor, Mom. I want to be a doctor!" I said, expectantly.
"Doctor? That's why you're learning so persistently, that you don't have time to play with your friends?"
I'm nodding. The son of a teacher who doubles as a construction worker if not smart, will not be able to get a medical scholarship. That's why I work hard, I study hard, day and night because the dream of becoming a doctor is not only my dream, but also the dream of father, mas Yuda and mbak Tika.
"If you can't be a doctor how, Yu?" ask Rini again.
"It should be, Mom. Ayu has no other aspirations than to be a doctor." I said. Ever since my mother died from an illness she couldn't figure out, I've been determined to study really, really, I will find a cure for people who are sick because it is not closed the possibility that the disease will reappear in the offspring of the father and mother. Before that happens, I have to be a doctor!
The white coat was tightly wrapped. I smiled happily. Suddenly, there were people who took the suit away from me. They forcefully pulled it, as I tried to take it, they got in the way, even they burned the white coat in front of me to dust.
"Don't .. don't .. don't!" I screamed hysterically watching the dust was now blown away until there was nothing left. "Aaaaaaaaaaaa ..." Only the sound of crying was able to come out of this mouth following the pain that began to be felt all over my body. I've been crushed, like a flower, like a flower. All those dreams have been destroyed along with the destruction of my honor.
***
The smell of medicine was so strong, when I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was my father's face, followed by Yuda and Yuni's wife, and then there was Tika, my older sister. Their faces were saddening, as soon as we looked at each other, there were no words we could speak other than tears telling how this pain would begin.
I've lost everything. There's nothing left. The man had already snatched away from me, the man who made me so emotional. My blood immediately burst out remembering his face. I felt like I wanted to pounce on him, finish him off as best I could, but I couldn't help but just cry.
I don't know who gave the signal, father and mas Yuda came out of the room where I was treated, living mbak Yuni and mbak Tika. They both hugged me. A hug that although I can't get rid of this suffering but I still need. Again only tears were shed without any words to say.
It feels like my world is over. There is no hope for life, everything feels bleak. I've become a filthy man, I'm no longer a saint.
Aghhh, if I had just gone home from school I would not have eaten and taken pictures, or I would not have gotten late with friends, maybe this would not be the case. I will not lose my honor, nor my dream of becoming a doctor.
"Stupid you Ayu ... Stupid!" I can only curse myself. Why can't you take good care of yourself from the beginning. Or should I pray first, accept Mita's invitation to be escorted on a motorcycle. But I made the wrong choice.
