Trapped in the Love of the Past
Trapped in the Love of the Past
A few minutes later I entered the plane. The luggage has been stored by flight attendants in the cabin on this plane. All the passengers were sitting sweetly in their seats. Some saw me and the man walking down the hallway between the chairs lined up to find our seats. I immediately occupied the seat corresponding to my boarding pass. 12 C the most siding seats. I saw the man sitting in my front seat, exactly at 10 F.
The man looked back. Smiling at me while giving her thumbs. As if he wanted to make sure I was safe on this plane.
"Thank you."
I nodded to him.
The man replied to my nod by cupping his palms together.
Aih, what a polite man.
For a moment I forgot all the wounds that had come to this heart.
Two hours the iron bird was in the air. The announcement was made by the flight crew, that we will soon land in Surabaya. I shuffled to justify the position of the table that is still open in the city. Reattach the seat belt on the body.
At 10:45 the plane landed perfectly on Juanda. Passengers were busy unloading luggage from the cabin. Some choose to stay seated while turning on their phones. One by one down the plane . Walk to the baggage claim room. I looked to the right and to the left. Looking for the whereabouts of the man. Nil. I don't see him anymore. Maybe he was already in the arrival room.
But let. We just happened to meet here.
Conveyor rotating luggage. On it were suitcases and some cardboard boxes belonging to passengers. Various colors and shapes. One by one the suitcases have moved to their owners.
Shortly after my suitcase emerged from the conveyor, I immediately picked up the trolley and placed the black object on top of it.
Then step out looking for a taxi to leave this airport.
****
I have been home for 4 weeks. Filling my free time to help you take care of the grocery store business. Spreading job application by email. Sometimes I send a message to Nisa. Inquire about friends in Batam and interesting issues in the company. Do not forget to talk to ask the news of Azzam, her husband.
He said Azzam had now received a promotion in the company where he worked. No wonder, the man who was a former copy photographer was smart and always dedicated in every job he pursued.
I also heard from him, if next month Nisa decided to do a partial uterus removal surgery.
Just staying at home led me to be inundated with questions from neighbors.
When married?
When is work again?
Very reasonable question considering my age has now stepped on the head of three.
'Please doain aja ma'am'
That's the mainstay I always say to answer those questions.
Luckily, I have parents who understand the condition of their children. Understand that a soul mate is arranged by God. So they also do not bother to talk to neighbors.
But I know, behind his indifference to the neighbor's talk, secretly mother and father always cry in their nights. Bermunajat ask a soul mate for his son to the Almighty.
Forgive your son sir, Mom.
Forgive Kalila who has not been able to give you a daughter-in-law.
**
Today I plan to go to the college where I went to college. I intend to legalize diplomas and transcripts of grades for CPNS registration purposes. By riding a motorcycle I headed to the campus which is at the end of Surabaya.
Four years I haven't been on the streets of a hero city. This city has improved a lot. Lots of new shopping malls I've never seen before.
Thirty minutes later, I entered the campus. I parked my vehicle in a special guest parking lot. Then step into the business room where the diploma legalization.
"Sorry Mom, I want to legalize the diploma."
I said to a woman in a blue hijab.
"Oh yes please. But in 2 days it will be yes."
Speaks kindly.
I nodded while handing him the brown envelope
"Thank you, Mom,"
My word.
After receiving proof of legalization I set foot into the cafeteria. To fill the stomach and just reminisce on this campus.
I ordered a plate of lontong cap go meh and a glass of iced tea. My favorite food when I was in college. The canteen looks pretty quiet. Only a few people look past. Maybe it's still college hours. I sat at the outside table. This place has many memories in my life, including memories with Azzam.
No doubt, the shadow of Azzam flashed in the mind. Makes me daydream for a while.
"It's not like I met you at the airport."
A male voice rattled me from the daydream. I'm looking.
He was the guy who helped me at the time. The man is now standing in front.
"Eh yes, my."
I said a little nervous.
"Can you sit here?"
The man pointed at the chair across from my desk.
I'm afraid there's no other choice.
The man then sat in the chair.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to say thank you."
The man smiled.
"Not what,"
His word.
"Oh, what's going on here?"
Ask the guy.
"Legalize Mas's diploma,"
"You want to apply for a PNS?"
I'm nodding.
A moment later we engaged in a fairly casual chat. His chic carrier made it not awkward to talk to him.
True allegations. His name was Kamal Ibrahim. The owner of the name called by the crew at the time. Kamal Ibrahim is a young lecturer at this campus. At that time he went to Batam to become a guest lecturer. The man said goodbye after asking for my phone number. The man said he'd let me know if my diploma's legalized. So I don't have to bother contacting the college.
***
Ting..
[Kalila Assalamualaikum. It's Kamal. Legalize diploma already yes]
I smile. Apparently the man kept his promise.
[Waalaikum. Thanks for the info. I'll take it tomorrow]
[Ok]
Short reply.
The next day I went back to college. By wearing jeans skirt stellan, peach colored shirt with matching hijab. Put some lipstick on your lips. I don't know why I want to look beautiful in front of that guy.
"Please ..!"
Shouted the man as he watched me enter the campus gate. His hand held a brown envelope. The envelope contains the legalization of the diploma.
I hurried to park the motorbike then walked towards him who was standing in front of the campus lobby.
The man's smile expanded. I reply with a smile that is no less sweet.
"It."
He handed me the envelope.
"Thank you, Mama,"
My answer.
The man nodded. Today he looks so beautiful in my eyes.
"To our canteen?"
Take it a little awkward.
I nodded shyly. There was a strange vibration approaching the heart.
I saw the man smiling. So sweet.
Not long after we sat down at the cafeteria table. Today the canteen is crowded. Some students were whispering to see us. There was also a whistling teasing his young lecturer who was still single. I told my men to stop me immediately. Making my face red and misbehaving in front of these teenage boys. While the young lecturer just smiled in response to them. Occasionally joking back for students who tease him.
A moment later we were dissolved in a warm conversation. Talk about each other's time as students. Share stories about career trips and their families. It was a very exciting conversation with a joke that made us laugh together.
***
3 Months since my second meeting with Mas Kamal at the campus cafeteria. We intensely communicate via messages on mobile phones. Just asking for news or sharing stories on that day. I now work at a food company in Rungkut, Surabaya. I haven't had the right to become a PNS.
[Kalila Assalamualaikum. Can you give me an address?]
This morning I read a message from Mas Kamal.
[What do you think of Mas?]
[You meet your parents]
The deg!
I was so surprised to read the message.
What does he want to see my parents.
[Why did you meet my father?]
[Applying]
O Allah.
That short message made me tremble. Today a man intends to make me his wife. Does not feel clear droplets dripping from the eyelids.
Yep..I happy.
Very happy.
Is this man the answer to my prayers in a third of the night. When I cry before God. To meet me with a candidate for the best priest according to HIM.
[Calilla. Where is the address]
Kamal sent a message back.
I quickly replied to that message. Write down the address and send it to the man.
****
"Assalamualaik."
Say Mas Kamal at the door.
"Getishalight."
My answer.
It looks like Mas Kamal has been at the door of my house which has been open for several hours. I was waiting for that guy.
For a moment the man looked at me. Kamal looks so handsome today.
His smile was beautiful, very charming. I hurried down. I don't know why all of a sudden I was so embarrassed to look at him. When I met him, I used to look him in the face. Now, even looking at his clothes felt very stubborn.
"I'm ashamed of it."
The maroon-shaped man chuckled.
I smile.
"Oh, which father?"
Ask.
"Oh yes wait, my. I'll call you first."
My speech.
Mas Kamal stepped foot onto the black sofa in the living room.
I was just about to step into the living room. A voice said hello from the door.
"Assalamualaik."
That voice I know so well.
Spontaneously I turned to the living room. A man was standing at the door.
"Azz.zam!"
Seriate.
