THE MENTARI FOR ESTUARY SEASON 2

CHAPTER 52, HANUM GRADUATED

“There are no dreams that will not come true. The only guarantee and determinant is just how strong our desire to try to realize it” (Ninja Turtles).

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“Cantiknyaaa..” said Riana while finishing the last stage makeup on the face and hair of the girl.

“Ma-Makasih, mbak..” said the girl slowly. Her heart was racing faster than it should have been, so the girl's hands were wet and shaking violently.

“Casual, Hanum. Everything will be fine. Later mbak and others come.” said Riana while patting warm the girl's shoulder. Yeah, you guys didn't read it wrong, it was Hanum. And in the special edition this time, Riana was again appointed as a make-up and hairdo team for the girl. But this time not for a performance event or kayak competition usually, this time Hanum was dressed up to undergo a graduation procession.

“Hah graduation? How to cepet?” yes it is Supri, the name is also just a story, step by step his life path must be made as concise as possible dong so that the reader does not run because bosen!

“Oh yes too. Yes, let's continue the story there..” Yeee, basic, sorry, readers, fill my head is doing something, so be it at last.

***

Hanum*******-****** his fingers on his lap. He's groggy is amazing. The graduation procession had already lasted for half an hour; now again the welcome from the rector. His friends and girlfriend were far away in the stands. Masnya, his father and his sister were present earlier, but soon the most home, because his brother was also preparing for his marriage. Next to her, now there's only Dian, her best friend since semester one. Dian who was also no less tense than him was currently completely unable to talk. Father, mother, oma, opa and vocal teacher the girl also accidentally came all the way from Solo specifically for the girl.

“The next event is the delivery of toga and sash for the best graduates..” MC speech of this afternoon event surprised Hanum – evoked the girl from her super long daydream. The names of students and students are mentioned. And Hanum was so surprised when his name was called.

“Hanum Maisha Kartika, with a maximum GPA of 4, cumlaude..” With trembling legs he stood up from the – stands carrying his cane, then walked slowly towards the podium to receive the toga. Some people helped him, and Hanum could only nod and smile politely as a token of gratitude. Ms. Mira – her script supervisor, waited for the girl under the podium; patted her shoulder gently before letting the girl climb upstairs. The MCs then read Hanum's full profile following his achievements, and gave him the opportunity to make a short speech at noon today. Although trembling half-dead, but Hanum still tried to carry out this impromptu task well. After all, he knows that he has to make all the speeches. Kan he knew the graduation was just put on toga, then finished everything, no speeches kayak gini.

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.” although not sure at first, but Hanum's voice containing calm was actually able to hypnotize the audience to stay focused on him.

“Previously, I was really surprised because on this very special day for graduates and graduates I had the opportunity to say a word, well, I did, hopefully not too long like the script of the Harry Potter story, yes.” joked Hanum to melt the atmosphere. The audience laughed at the short joke, and Hanum resumed his speech.

“Born as a disabled person – whatever the form, certainly not what is expected by everyone. No exception to me, Hanum Maisha Kartika, a blind person who thankfully still given the opportunity to breathe until the age of now, twenty-four years. My educational journey is also not easy, the lack of support from the environment is also almost a barrier to everything. But I am the type of person who believes that no dream is not realized. And one of the determinants is how strong we grip and try hard to make it happen.” Hanum said again. Applause echoed throughout the vast auditorium.

“But it is not my word personally, it is someone's word, but I do believe and pervade well every phrase of those words. Because what? Because every human being has a dream, and all those dreams can certainly be realized. But about how long it takes for it is only the individual who knows, because the dream will be in their hands.” said Hanum again. But he did not stop, he continued his speech with a series of sentences and a cover, so he could go down and sit back, because frankly, he just stood up like this.

“Finally, I want to congratulate all of us; congratulations on conquering yourself, congratulations on doing what is best for yourself, and congratulations on accepting the best that is within yourself. Be the best version of you, do not follow the standard of living of others, because humans are created diverse and not to be uniform. The size of our shoes is not necessarily the same as others, so do not force if you do not want to be forced. If there is a well in the field, we can take a bath, if there is a long life, we can meet again. And this speech I ended, wassalamu’alaikum warahmatulli wabarakatuh.” the greeting answer as well as the echo of applause broke the auditorium room. Everyone feels motivated and inspired by the simple but relatable things delivered by this visually impaired girl. And before Hanum actually stepped foot down from the podium, the MCs held him back.

“Saudari Hanum, briefly, do not go down first..” said.

“Why?” hanum asked confusedly.

“This is a special request from the rector sir for you to sing together, and accompanied by a ready orchestra team below.” said the MC again. And Hanum could not be more surprised when Vishnu, Muara, Riana, and even ganesh appeared with their respective musical instruments. Before they moved into position, they also spaced out Hanum who was already glazed. Then following Mr. Rector went up, standing next to Hanum. And they sang together.

***

The graduation procession is complete. Now they are taking pictures together. Hanum with his family, now in the middle of the Muara CS troupe.

“Hanum, meet dong, who is that handsome guy next to you?” ask father.

“This is Ganesha, well, my girlfriend..” Hanum answered confidently while inviting Ganesha – to bring him right in front of his father. Initially, Seno – his father had been angry so knew from Alit, his youngest daughter had been dating, with a blind man anyway, but the anger stopped and subsided by itself, when Alit was forced to say the thing he really hated :

“But he's rich, well, I'm sure Hanum can be happy with him,”

“Good day, om..” greet Ganesh with an authoritative voice. And it turns out, the time has made him transform from a handsome and cute young man, to become a mature and authoritative figure like now.

“Congratulations om, Ms. Hanum has become a scholar,” said Ganesh while shaking tightly the hand of the prospective father-in-law.

“Thank you, Nak Ganesha. Well until now, what semester has it been, yes?” tanya Om Seno.

“Sedang completed thesis, om, soon graduation too. My force under Mbak Hanum one year.” replied Ganesha.

“Success son, hopefully everything launched..” said Om Seno sincerely.

“Thank you, om..” replied Ganesha.

“Yuk photos, spout, our plane at five you know, it's almost two hours..” said Alit. All nodded, then put on a pose, and flashes of blits became a substitute for bullying questions.

“Hanum, I went straight home yes, because Ms. Tasya would want to marry. Can you come?” ask the father.

“Hanum see later, if Hanum will come later definitely ngabarin father kok,” he replied. The father assented. After shaking each other and waving hands, finally the Hanum family group left, leaving behind Hanumnya who was immediately taken by Riana.

***

“Gue has met..” Vishnu and Ganesha were silent, after uttering sentences with almost the same content simultaneously.

“Bonyoknya Mbak Dian?” ask Ganesh.

“His family is Mbak Hanum?” Vishnu asked back. Then they laughed ngakak together, making the girls who were in the room again to clean make-up and change clothes so astonished themselves. What the fuck are they both.

“Han, out of this you want to do?” ask Riana.

“Ya work mbak, mumpung still so fresh graduate, later if there is a chance s 2 yes lecture again. But Ms. Mira said she would find that opportunity for me..” Hanum replied.

“Hah... If you can s 1 aja lucky, Han, do not know how later, can s 2 what .” replied Riana.

“Could definitely be mbak, do not need to be pessimistic like that.” said Hanum while wiping Riana's arm.

“BTW your family actually directly behind Jakarta ta, Han?” dian asked while tidying up the cotton he had used to clean his face.

“Yes yes, because Princess Tasya wants to marry. This is only if Mas Alit does not persuade them there is no way they want to come here. Yup, and at least it is important that a Hanum Maisha Kartika for them.” Hanum's bitter answer makes Riana's eyes teary.

“You have us, deck, forever we will be family.” said Riana, and allowed by Dian.

“Iyaa. Ah, don't be sad. Mending order what is cake, laper me..” said Hanum. Since the thesis process until graduation, the diet of this child is not really a result of being too anxious. Now, the chubby's appetite has returned, and it feels like he will be able to spend whatever is in the field right now.

“Iya wes, later we ask the boys, what they want to eat. Now, let's faint congregation first, I sleepy..” said Riana while laying her body under *eh, on the bed.

“Sama, I also sleepy the original..” said Hanum while following to collapse later. Dian was so, after putting her HP on the table, she also followed in the footsteps of her two best friends. And what about the boys? Yes, similarly, they also sleep in the middle room. Well, basic, on the spur of the moment so all kebo!

(BBC).