The Story of Sigma Men

36. No make sense

~ A person can be happy and excited about what he is doing because of a compliment, but with criticism he is able to change it for the better.

“Someone you want to talk about again?” ask Zahid flat.

“Yes, no. O yes, why the hell do you often keep quiet in class.?”

“I just want to be my whole and true self. After all, come to think of it, of all living things, only humans talk the most. I am ashamed of God, angels, man, nature, and even with myself,” Zahid replied straightforwardly.

Susan mangosteen slowly. He enjoys the fresh air of the night. The wind pierced through his clothes.

He's a little creepy. He looked at Zahid's face which was faintly visible in the middle of the dim night.

"Zahid, I never talked to you in college. Lastly, when you pissed me off. When you sit in my chair.”

Zahid smiled awkwardly.

“Yang that time. I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. But, I salute you. Turns out you're smart.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha.” Zahid mimics Squidward's laugh.

“What's funny?”

“You've mocked me, huh? Smart?! Ha ha ha ha.”

Susan watched Zahid's face suddenly brightened. She's amazed.

“Zahid, why if you talk like it is not clear? He likes to criticize. When the physics class, the lecturer Bu Luna, asked me something that I thought was strange. Why that?”

“Ya... because I feel something odd. No make sense.”

“Only that? You also often ask for time in class. All I remember is that you asked me once why I studied calculus. Honestly, that's a strange question. What do you think of calculus?”

“I think that's a boring lesson. We're just talking about numbers. I acknowledge the many benefits we can take after learning that. But I thought about it after studying it whether I could practice it. After studying calculus, do I have to be a useful person? Can not necessarily”

“So?”

“Yes I think that if we learn something we should see the pragmatic side. We must understand the practical side that we can take after understanding a science. Now I ask you. What can you do after studying calculus?”

“That question is not worthy of me. Try asking the professor again. Indeed with the answer from the lecturer the other day you are not satisfied?” said Susan.

“Not so. For sure I think, if we want to learn something must first think about it in the future. Just learning, but not using that knowledge to live and live, is useless. If so, we just spend time. The point should be opportunists too,” said Zahid clearly.

“Entahlah. Convoluted. O yes. Why don't you go to State College, Zahid?”

Zahid started to snuggle. His face became sour. He was annoyed for mercy with the woman right next to him that was asking so many questions.

I want him to come home. That night was annoying for him. Can't stand him being bullied question after question.

He thinks I'm an artist, what? thought.

Meanwhile, Susan had a flat face, not much expression.

But when compared to Sharif, of course he is more comfortable with Zahid.

Zahid doesn't say much, let alone fight. Unlike Sharif, the battery in his mouth is always full, so many funny stories, poems, and tombal seduction are on his mind.

Susan doesn't like guys who use words too much.

“I did not pass,” replied Zahid slowly.

“Kok can?!”

“Yes because I'm stupid.”

“Cannot be. Surely you are not joining SNMPTN, right?”

“I took the test. But not graduating. That you?”

“Same as you. I took the test, but didn't pass. My mom and dad scolded me all out when they knew I didn't pass.”

Without a doubt Zahid did not hesitate to look at the face of Susan who was right on his left. He could already guess enough with just two observations.

That night he pulled a conclusion without much need for a hypothesis. Perception: Susan is a woman who is difficult to make happy.

“You disappointed or not?” ask Susan.

“Kecewa.”

“Oh. Zahid, I want to say something to you.”

“Why not with your lover?”

“Emm. Looks like he can't give any advice.”

“Lantas, why should I?”

“Zahid, I've been watching your attitude all along. I think you're pretty wise. That way. Honestly, during my time at our college, I was ashamed of my high school alumni. They were mocking me where I was at school in a private college. They also seemed to demean me because of the difference in private and state status. I really am less.”

And still Susan showed a sagging face.

“Susan, did they blatantly mock and humiliate you?”

“No. But I like to hear their words that seem to differentiate private and state status. They say that as smart as a student on a private campus, still mending fools who go to school on a public campus. They also said that alumni from public campuses are more quickly accepted to work in large companies than students from private campuses. They also like to say that the quality of public campuses is always better when compared to private campuses.”

Zahid was flabbergasted to listen to the flat, non-pitched voice so that he had difficulty finding the meaning implied in it.

Eyes glazed. He thought that Susan also had problems in life, even quite heavy.

She only knew that Susan was the brightest student in the class, the prettiest in the Faculty of Engineering and its surroundings, quiet, and ignorant. That'sallthatis.

But, for tonight, there are many facts revealed.

Zahid grew curious about the character of Susan who was always idolized by Engineering students and had been dating Sharif for weeks.

Zahid realized that Susan was harboring feelings deep at the bottom of her heart, which contained serious problems.

His ears were the easy target of every word he said. The proof, now, was that he was the only human chosen by Susan to listen to her outpouring of heart.

Whoa! Zahid is really proud.

“Susan, that's just your feeling. Not necessarily they really ridicule and demean you because of differences in private and state status.”

At that time Zahid became a wise person. The cake evaporates into the air.

“No, Zahid. I saw people who no longer wanted to be friends with me. I noticed their attitude that was not what it used to be. I'm sure, this is due to the problem of differences in campus status.”

“You can't be such a pessimistic person. You don't have a bad prejudice. There's no way they're like that against you.”

“Now, honestly, the other day it was at my friend's birthday party, our fellow alumni friends got together. We discussed the campus issue. As if making a group by themselves, those who graduate and enter the state campus make their own group. They seem to want to talk to each other. I had to chat with my college friends.”

Zahid responds to Susan's talk with a mangosteen.

“Since that incident I don't want to see any more of my friends. I am lazy to connect with them. Because of the differences between private and public campuses, friendships become separated. Basic!”

“Susan, do you feel better than them?”

“Not that I'm arrogant, but really I feel better than them. I often get awards from school. I also include people who excel,” complained Susan.

“What to worry about?”

“Ya. For sure I am still upset because they like to discriminate the status of campus.”

“It's just your ego. Sudala. If you feel better and better than them, prove it! Do not ignore the issue of public or private status. Don't be ashamed that you went to private college. And, still you should be friends with them, do not be too careful with their attitude like that! I'm sure you're too sensitive to respond.”

“You don't understand women's feelings!” reply Susan.

“I remember what Dave Mahoney said: What matters is not where you were, or where you are now, but where you want to go.”

Susan quickly responded to Zahid's words. He kept his expression flat.

JENG JEREJENG JEREJENG JEREJENG!!!

The sound of the busker crashing into their conversation.

“Come we go home!” take Zahid quickly.

***