Waiting for the Light to Return
Chapter 2 - The Happy Goddess
April 2007
“Sar! Where's my eyebrow pencil? Last feeling here deh.”
“Mbok Yum! I forgot to bring a towel! Please get me my towel! The green!”
“Duh, please deh, Ni. That's dong's eye wear. Pencil his eyebrows in front. Please bring a towel for Andhara. Mbok Yum is busy in the kitchen.”
“Duh, this is a boy. Andhara! You are a habit of SMP but very spoiled. Check the towel first, want to take a shower do not bring a towel. Here's take!”
Duh, that's very tiring. How do you do the job like this?
Where the papers should be collected tomorrow again.
“Sari, Tania, Andhara, anyone see Goddess where?”
Die me. Mom's been looking for me again. Where to hide so I can't be found out? In the closet under the stairs? Or in the closet?
Finally, after some hesitation, I decided to hide in the corner of the backyard.
While I was sinking through the riots, one reply from my brothers was heard.
Raden Sari Anggita Yasthi, my oldest brother replied, “I don't know, Mom! I was looking for my new dress!”
Raden Ayuning Tania Asri, my second brother replied, “Don't see, Mom! I was busy touching up!”
Raden Baskara Tito Andhara, my youngest brother replied, “Lha, I took a shower, Mom. Kak Dewi who definitely not in the bathtub.”
Hearing Andhara's reply, I suddenly giggled. There's just this kid. Creative is also his words, suitable to be a comedian someday.
Following the answers from my three brothers, Mom's anxious voice was heard.
“Okay, this kid is going where the hell. A wi? Goddess?”
I hurriedly stuffed my cliques with my hands.
Don't let Mom find me and force me to dress up.
In times like these, Mr. Hotman's class action research assignments are more important than welcoming Dad's business associates.
“Raden Sri Dewi Adhisti! Wherever you are, I wait in the living room in five seconds!”
...
Well, the full name came out already.
Breathe, I close the book and walk over to Mom.
And for the sake of looking at me, Mother's eyebrows that had been carefully painted for two hours rose up and fused in anger.
“Goddess! What the fuck aren't you ready? Your guests are coming! Fast...”
In an instant, the entire activity and low boisterous house stopped.
The entire occupant felt like he was holding his breath because the sound of a car engine, more than one, entering the courtyard.
Panicking, Mom immediately gave me a word.
“Quick up and dress appropriately! Don't argue!”
***
“Already arrived yes guest?”
I shrugged my shoulders lazily.
“Maybe. I don’t have time for this. I better finish the job.”
Tania sneered.
“Please on, Wi. Today's age is still a child of geeky so. You're less sociable, Wi.”
I raised an eyebrow looking at Tania.
“What do you mean by hanging out with that, Ni? Gonta changing girlfriends, hopping from club to club like you? Thanks, but no thanks.”
Sari immediately coughed before Tania could spurt out anger.
“Ni, no need to be angry. Her make up faded again. Wi, I agree with Tania. Our family is ‘kan like this-so-leading, Wi. So act like one, dong. Here you've been in college unclear in the teacher, and and rarely, what do you want to be later?”
I pretended to think hard before answering.
“You're a normal person anyway, sister. Which can be useful for many people.”
Andhara laughs.
“Kak Dewi this how the hell. Kak Sari and Kak Tania ‘kan useful as well. Opening jobs for employees at branded goods stores.”
I laughed while changing clothes.
Sari and Tania snorted in annoyance and now started playing their cell phones.
Don't be surprised, huh? We four brothers are indeed divided into two poles opposite.
The one pole, believes that we are born with privilege and must enjoy it as much as possible. It is inhabited by Sari and Tania.
The second pole, believes that we are born with privilege and must be responsible for using it to help others. Being inhabited by myself.
(Andhara? He is neutral. He will side with anyone who helps him with PR or buy him the latest game. Coincidentally yesterday I just helped his Mathematics PR, then today he sided with me.)
Which is right? Where do I know.
To be sure, I do not find peace by spending my life shopping at the mall or fancy dining every weekend.
So what makes me peaceful?
Spend time reading books to children in orphanages, teaching them to count and make masterpieces.
That's what makes me satisfied.
Tania who was still hot suddenly bounced.
“Ya please just live as you want, Wi. Most also be a spinster.”
Taking a deep breath while tidying my hair, I tried hard to swallow the spicy answer I had prepared.
As bad as she is, she is still your big sister. Even though she is an annoying one.
Mother's laughter rang out from downstairs, which was immediately followed by a code so we could get off.
“Yes, our kids are on top. Let's introduce you, shall we? Sari, Nia, Dewi, Andhara, get down here, son!”
***
If you were born into a Javanese family like me, you would understand.
Understand the pain of guest visits like this.
Because I want to be polished anyway, I know.
‘Introduction’ and ‘silaturahmi’ this is a mask for achievement exhibition as well as matchmaking event.
Mother would introduce us one by one to all the guests who came (it was weird that all these guests had boys who were our age. How can I not suspect that this is a setting?)
“Include, this is Sari, our eldest daughter. He is currently studying business at Pranditya.”
As already trained, after Mother said this, Sari and Tania stood up and bowed politely. Directing their sweetest smiles to the sons of their business partners and then setting a dating schedule together. (only I know that dating is not a date, just an attempt to persuade these poor men to buy them branded goods)
And I've also memorized the change in tone of Mother's introduction.
If Sari and Tania get an introduction to the quality of the main show, then I'm just a side show. Because Mother will definitely be less twinkle in her eyes and spirit when she says.
“And this Goddess, the third. A year under Tania and in a teacher's lecture at Paramesta.”
I'm used to it too. If the guest boys were excited to look at Sari and Nia, they would just smile at me.
Well, it doesn't matter anyway.
I'd rather be a spinster than go through an obscure relationship like my brothers.
Then according to the repertoire, I bowed politely and looked at the guests. Ready to receive the usual waiver.
...
Lho... Today something is different.
There was a young man sitting right in front of me.
Short-handed slim fit batik shirts, black trousers, mature brown leather, dark brown eyes, and loose hair.
Pretty tall and sturdy posture.
As soon as I finished bending over, he immediately stood up and reached out to me.
His smile was brilliant as he said.
“My name is Rawindra. Rawindra Santosa Wibowo's. Greetings, Dewi.”
That was the first time I met him.
***
Honestly, my feelings changed at the time.
Usually I'm not at all interested in this stale base, so I like to find excuses to step aside and not come back.
But today I felt so comfortable being downstairs during the visit.
All that was because after the formal introduction was over and the banquet started, Rawindra immediately approached me excitedly. (God, I was satisfied to see Sari and Nia gawking in wonder and disappointment so)
“So, teacher, yes? You really aspire to be a teacher, Wi?”
I was standing on the back porch of the house eating fruits at the time.
Although surprised, I answered.
“Well, more or less so, Rawindra.”
He laughed.
“Call me Windra only, Wi.”
I smile.
“Okay, Windra.”
He continued to ask.
“If you can know, why choose to be a teacher, Wi? Your family has no teacher background, ‘kan?”
I remember and shake.
“My father is a businessman, my mother is a businesswoman. Grandpa and Grandma did too. No sih.”
“So, why?”
I reflexively put up a defensive mentality.
“Why do you ask that? Strange if I choose to be a teacher?”
Aware of having crossed the line, he hurriedly explained.
“Eh, no, Wi. I don't mean to question your choice or what. I just want to know.”
Looking into his eyes and searching for lies, I could not find them. I finally answered honestly.
“The reason is simple anyway, Dra. I just want to help people who need help. And second, I like kids. So the most suitable profession for me is guru.”
Rawindra looked at me with glowing eyes that I had never received before.
He said again.
“Wow, cool, Wi. Rarely do I see a woman in a wealthy family who has a soul sharing like you. Not just sharing money and done, but also want to jump in to help others.”
I'm stunned.
This is the first time anyone has ever said that to me.
Rawindra gulped her juice and told her story.
“I'm the same, Wi. I studied medicine for the same reason. I'm tired of seeing so many people born with privilege use it for their own benefit. While out there ‘kan many who need what we have. Right no?”
Enthusiastic, I replied.
“Iya! Agree! That is why God has given us many blessings. To be a blessing to others!”
Rawindra smiled widely.
“Wow, same as my life principle, Wi!”
And on, and on, and on.
We talked non-stop, without pause.
Our familiarity only stopped for a moment because the Rawindra family had to leave.
But the relationship between me and him continues.
We exchanged phone numbers and continued the discussion via SMS.
From SMS, continue to phone.
From the phone, proceed to the appointment.
From the promise of meeting, it goes on to falling in love.
From day to day, month to month, until finally at the end of the sixth year he proposed to me.
Without a second thought, I accepted her proposal and we got married.
With complete confidence that we are a complement and helper to each other.
Me, Rd. Sri Dewi Adhisti, S.Pd. officially married dr. Rawindra Santosa Wibowo on November 2, 2013.
And I'm happy.
We're happy.
