The Soulmate Must Meet

Episode 12 - Sembilu

In the midst of the bitter path of life that I think, I should still be grateful, there is a Roman who has always been a friend in my grief. My life would almost be a mess if he didn't remind me of the future. Who can survive in a big city. However, Roman always gave me encouragement, he always said that life must go on, whatever the circumstances, the future must be achieved under any circumstances. For every human being has a mind and mind, all of which must have a way out, everything must always have a silver lining. Yeah, that's my drug.

Roman's thinking was contrary to his style and attitude in association. If you look at Roman at a glance, not everyone believes that his heart is so good. Maybe because of him I was able to get up, take the National Examination and finally pass.

“Anggun! Come here, your clothes should I scrawl! We pass!” exciting Rifa.

Then Rifa and a few classmates swarmed over me, scribbling clothes, giving short words of farewell but don't forget the friendship, then filled with happy signatures. Happiness spilled at the crossroads, a few meters from the school environment. All no matter, all happy, all want to be free from school and work, or maybe college. However, I am not sure to myself as well as my friends to continue to lecture, because we are only children from the outskirts of Jakarta. Where we are slum, our family is just a jobless odd enough to eat everyday.

Cheers from the students made the streets falter, let alone throw eggs and flour. I also dissolved in this happiness, a schoolgirl wearing a hijab was in the midst of the excitement of women who only wore short skirts, as well as tight uniforms. Ah, I never really questioned that, only, I became uncomfortable when people always cornered me without a more wise view.

Among the boisterous teenagers celebrating graduation, Roman was happy, I saw him laughing with others, along with doodling clothes, and he was also often hit by wheat flour.

“It's time!” whispered Rifa surprised me.

“I don't know.”

“Ahh... belagak naive! Just shoot it..”.

I glanced at Roman. A face that reflects cheerfulness, it is very appropriate if I give happiness also to him. If I say that I'm in love with him.

“I can't tell him.”

“Need me to help!”

Rifa stepped towards Roman.

“Do not!” I pulled his hand.

“Loh why? No need to hide!”

“Not that, let me just say it.”

We looked at each other, then Rifa smiled, she

patting my shoulder, like a middle father

advising his son.

“Gue definitely supports!”

I'm nodding. Slowly I stepped closer to Roman, this heart was racing, I had to master the situation, I also did not want to fail in expressing my feelings. Of course, I have reneged on my stance to persevere not to say love to men, because, I feel that the nature of women is just waiting.

I kept getting closer, the crowd was getting more and more, this intersection was visited by students from other classes, they were in groups, some even brought bottles of alcohol. The state of excitement suddenly became terrible, students from other classes greeted each other and smoked.

And I was pushed until I hit Roman. Then, Roman looked over. I smiled awkwardly looking at him.

“Congratulations yes!”

“You too.”

I dare to keep looking at him.

“Thank you for all the motivation,” I said.

“Already... the important thing is we pass, and can achieve each dream.”

“Yes your dream is still the same?”

“Of course, and I'm waiting for you to be the lead singer.”

I'm down.

“If lo?”

“Not yet, I'm still confused. Maybe will find a job first, just thinking about the next step.”

“Hopefully get the job.”

The sound of firecrackers surprised us, the students laughed happily. Things have been different since all the classes gathered here, getting boisterous and messy. The cheerfulness reflected from our faces. Who is not happy, after nearly twelve years imprisoned in school, it is time to show ourselves, that we are adults who are ready to compete in the outside world.

“Gue..”

Roman's voice came to a halt, his shady eyesight startled by the sound of the students' cries from afar.

“We're under attack!”

“We're under attack!”

“We were attacked...!!!”

Suddenly the atmosphere became tense, from afar also seen hordes of students in uniform approaching, their faces were cruel, carrying blocks of wood, iron, stone and also bottles. There will definitely be brawls, especially the male students from my school who are busy rejoicing, forming a line, they are also no less violent.

The students are out seeking protection, fighting is not a woman's business. However, I never agreed with this kind of behavior, I wanted everything to disperse and not make a fuss. Roman stepped into the line, I grabbed his hand, holding him back from brawling.

“I beg you, don't..”

Roman looked.

“Anggun, never forbid men not to fight.”

“But, this harms you.”

“No one is safe living in this world.”

The look in his eyes lit up, the light of a young man who had a warrior soul. Looking at his fiery eyes, all my fear was blown away, I slowly let go of his grasp. Roman stepped into the ranks, preparing for battle.

“I love you, Roman,” I whispered.

If only the sentence was heard by Roman's ear, of course he would undo his intention to fight. My voice can never come out if it's nearby, I can never reveal it, never can. A few footsteps, suddenly he looked and smiled at me, a very distinctive smile, a smile of a delinquent. It was as if my inner voice was able to pierce through the walls of Roman's heart.

“Anggun!” rifa shouted, waving her hands.

I immediately got out of the way, approached Rifa who had entered the store, hid between the walls, we could not go anywhere anymore, all surrounded. A few minutes later, I don't know who started it. They attack each other, throw stones at each other, hit each other.

The people around also panicked, they saved themselves, running around avoiding the rocks that were milling about in the air. My eyes kept watching Roman, he was like a knight, leading the soldiers to attack. Punch after blow hit the enemy. I never understood why there should be brawls on graduation day, why they are like children, when they have grown up. Really, I never understood everything.

Worry hits the chest. I was like seeing a black shadow in the air, enveloping the battle arena, I saw the scent of death. Save Roman, Lord, do not separate me from him. I'm sure, he loves me too, he wants to live with me, achieve dreams in the future.

“Duh! How should this be?” ask Rifa.

I just shook my head, not knowing what to do. All the more uncontrollable, the stone throwing action was completed, they attacked each other at close range, beams, iron and fists. My eyes lost Roman, I kept looking for him, but he was invisible. I approached the shop window, looking for Roman. But not visible either. I ran to the exit, I didn't want to lose Roman.

“Anggun, no!” rifa's orders.

However, I never rubbed it. I ran out, through the crowd, looking for Roman. I'm so afraid of losing her, the dark sky I see, I don't want to part with someone I love so much.

And my eyes saw Roman fighting with a student with a bigger body. Roman pressed down, punched him, Roman looked mighty, he was like a warrior who had no equal. I want to stop him, the longer, the more violent, this is not a legitimate battle. This savagery, it must stop. Where are the cops?

“Roman, stop!”

He just kept hitting his fist.

“Roman!”

Many times my voice called out his name in a loud voice, I could not see Roman being a murderer. Roman turned to me, and as he let his guard down, his opponent picked up a stone, smashing it into his head. Roman collapsed, and was crushed again as hard as the rock.

“Tidaaak...!!!” my yelling.

I ran to Roman. From a distance, the sound of police sirens began to sound loud, getting closer, panicking the students, and running in an uncertain direction. I hugged Roman, blood pouring from his head, fresh blood unceasingly flowing. Roman's not breathing, I'm hysterical.

“Romaaaaaan....!!!”