The Dream of the President

Promises

Shasa did not understand what was happening as long as he fell asleep. When he woke up, he was presented with an unusual sight.

'Kok he can be familiar with Bi Imah that is? And just knew.' Shasa did not understand how could a person as cold as Leo, who if called good morning had never spoken, now chatted with the housekeeper at his home.

"You're talking about me?" Shasa broke the situation of two people who were busy gossiping.

"Come here! You haven't eaten since, have you? I've even eaten dessert." Leo pointed at the plate of fruit that was in front of him.

'Shit! This is my home. Why is it as if he is the owner!' Shasa muttered softly as he went down the stairs towards the kitchen.

"Non, this is eat first." Bi Imah said while putting food on the table for Shasa.

"Yes Bi. Oh yeah, I'm going to the hospital again. Let Abil go home first, pity him to rest." Shasa started eating his food.

Leo just laughed a little at Shasa's face imagining Shasa's childhood as Bi Imah told him.

*****

Shasa returns to the hospital with Leo. Mom and Shabila are still sitting in front of the ICU waiting for Dad.

"Mom, what father?" Shasa who just came immediately asked the condition of his father.

"There has been no progress. But we were able to go inside. You go in there, meet me."

"Bil, you go home first, take a break. Mother also yes. Let me stay with you." Say Shasa before entering the room.

"Let me accompany Shasa here, Mom." Leo supported Shasa.

Finally, Mom and Shabila went home and took turns to take care of Shasa and Leo. Meanwhile, Shasa enters the ICU room. Leo did not want to miss, he also followed Shasa in to see his father.

"Dad..." Shasa's voice sounded soft. "Dad, this is Shasa. Sorry, I can just meet you now." Shasa sat on the side chair and stroked his father's arm. Leo was still speechless to see Shasa beside his father. "Dad, get up. Let's play chess again. Shasa's been working hard here to see Dad. Don't you want to see Shasa?"

Leo touched his heart. For some reason at times like this, he remembered his father.

Shasa's presence brings magic to the room. The father, who was lying limp, began to open his eyelids. His fingers are moving weakly. Despite that, Shasa noticed it quickly.

"Dad." Shasa hoped that Dad would hear his voice. "Dad, it's Shasa."

Dad opened his eyes and looked at Shasa. There was a single stroke of sadness on his face. "Sha... " The father called and tried to stroke his son's face. Shasa hurriedly welcomed his father's hand. He poked his father's hand to Shasa's cheek.

"Dad, kangen, Sha." He spoke so weakly. Shasa who heard it could only nod his head while holding back the cry. "Shasa. You are the pride of my father. Ever since you were little, I promised to see you graduate college, work as a career woman, and get married. You've made it all happen. There's one more. I want to see you get married."

"Dad, don't think about Shasa just yet. You need to be healthy first. If you're healthy, you can see me married."

Dad shook his head slowly. "Don't keep me waiting, Sha. I don't know how much longer to wait."

"Dad, how do you talk that way? Dad must be healed. Dad will be healthy."

Dad just smiled hearing Shasa's voice that was so encouraging to him.

Suddenly, a female nurse walked into the ICU room. The nurse examined the condition of the father who had awakened. After checking several devices attached to the father's body and asking him a few small questions, the nurse came out again from the ICU room.

"So when?" Dad asked again. "When did you see you get married? I'd like to carry a grandchild too."

Shasa smiled bitterly. "Just get well first."

Then the nurse, who had entered my father's room, opened the door and turned her head slightly.

"Sorry, can anyone see a doctor now?" The nurse asked politely.

"Oh yes sister. I'm there." Shasa answered quickly. "Dad, Shasa stayed a while." Shasa got up from his chair following the nurse earlier.

Shasa remembered something and turned around again. "Ah yes, sir, sorry I'll see a doctor first. Can I just leave my dad for a second?" Shasa asked Leo who had not made any sound or movement since.

"Yes, you go. I'll keep him here." Leo replied. Then Shasa came out of the ICU room.

"Son..." Leo who was still staring at Shasa who came out of the door, turned his gaze to the source of the sound. I called Leo. Leo tried to get closer.

"Son, sit down." Leo followed his father's words and began to sit beside him. Leo still did not dare to say a word.

"You, Shasa's friend?" Ask dad slowly.

Leo put a smile on his face. "Yes, um."

"You guys close?" Dad's a little smiling.

Leo was shocked to hear this question. "Do we look close, om?". He smiled and closed his eyes a little.

"You know? That Shasa just seems strong and tough. Though, his heart was fragile, like a child." Leo smiled at his father's confession.

"Om never knew if he could keep it and strengthen it. Om fear.... Afraid to see Shasa who was still alone like that." Dad swallowed his saliva. "Om never knows, she's happy or not. Because Shasa was always smiling. Om can't tell the difference. Om just wants to see Shasa happy with his little family later. Do you think you can still see it?"

"Om, of course. Just like Shasa said earlier. Om must be cured. Om can definitely see Shasa happy."

"Whose name?"

"My name is Leo, um."

"Son Leo, as a fellow man, can't see how you look at Shasa." Leo bowed in shame at hearing these words. "You're not like Shasa who's good at covering up her feelings."

Leo realized there was a lot of change in him. How he can easily interact with others and how he can care about others. It was the first time he had become a more expressive human being. It's all happened since I knew Shasa.

"Please promise, you'll take care of her, make sure she's happy." Dad's face looked hopeful. "I don't know who to say this to. But om believe, whoever the man that Shasa brought before om, he must be a good person and also trusted Shasa."

Leo looked at my father's face with a sting. "Om, if you believe me, give me a chance to take care of him. Om can count on me. I'll make sure Shasa's life is happy from now on." Leo spoke so well.

I smiled with relief. "Om always told Shasa. The price of a man is his promise. Keep your word, son." Leo shook the hand of the father who was still so limp lying on his stomach.

*****

seriate...