Anesta And Mahesa
Exams

Throughout the trip we did not talk much. Mahesa was more concentrated on driving the vehicle, whereas I was busy playing around with my own thoughts.

"Sa, will you be able to stop by for a while to the usual food stalls?. I'm laper, I want to eat soto"

"So not breakfast yet?"

"Not yet"

He just nodded his head. Actually I am not too hungry, I just intend to break the silence that is present between the two of us.

Mahesa left her bike in our favorite dining hall, as usual I ordered soto and warm sweet tea.

I like to eat Soto. The sauce is hot and a little suwiran chicken, stay blended with lime, soy sauce and sambal. I'm gonna get my favorite taste a little sour, spicy that's definitely refreshing. I can eat two bowls of small portions of soto.

Mahesa is used to eating a lot of food. Usually he just whistled a little or smiled widely. But this morning was different, there was no little whistle or big smile.

"Why are you so quiet? Something to think about up to Dalem?"

"No, it seems ordinary. I look different, don't I?"

"Yes, more quiet"

"I haven't talked much in the past"

"Udah, don't dodge. Just admit. Think what the hell?"

"Thinking of you, thinking of us"

"Because I eat a lot, huh? Can't make it later if marrying me has to support me because I eat a lot. Huh yeah?"

I started to play the drama, in a tone that I made rather high, pretending to be angry. I just want him to laugh. That'sthat's all.

"Hahaha, yes! .. I'm afraid you're the mothers of my hands aren't enough to hold you"

"Hahaha!, don't think about it. If we get married, I promise not to eat much so as not to be a bully. If you want to hold me tight until I'm short of breath, both hands can still do it".

"Promise yes, will not be mothers of the kingpin"

"Yes, calm down Sa"

"Have you finished eating?"

"I'm full already"

"Two bowls of soto, if not full yet the name is outrageous... Haha!. Yuk, let's go again!. It's still a long way off"

Arriving there, we parked the motorbike and walked towards the prayer rooms.

Later enjoy the beauty of the flowers there after praying. Usually I would sit for a long time in a dome like a birdcage, or on benches placed near the flowers. The atmosphere is calming.

Not too many people came this morning, probably because it was still morning. So we can choose the prayer room available. Me and Mahesa chose the prayer room a little far apart. Maybe not to hear each other what we say.

I was in the prayer room for a long time, because after praying I was still sitting for a long time. Removing my tears, so as not to look Mahesa and reassuring my heart. I took a deep breath before I came out of my prayer room.

I saw Mahesa, already standing on top, turning her back to me. He's waiting for me.

I wanted to hug her back then, but it was impossible to do it in a place like this.

"Have you waited a long time?"

"No, there's not five minutes yet"

"You want to go home or you still want to sit down?"

"Still here any minute. May?". He just nodded his head.

We walked slowly, without speaking. Then Mahesa and I sat far away from me near the flowers. I like to hear the simple birds chirping.

"After coming from here, will I take you somewhere?"

"Where?"

"The distance is quite far, but the place is good. I'm sure you like it. We'll have lunch there later"

"Oh yeah, we're going now. Later bad luck"

The place we headed the way uphill continues, through the rice fields and flower gardens. Also passing through the houses. I've never been through that area. And I was curious about it.

As soon as I reached the destination, I was amazed to see the sight before my eyes. There is a swimming pool with water coming from the mountain springs. There are valleys and along the eye looking all look green and refreshing to the eye.

I smiled at Mahesa. "I like this place".

"I know, you'd love it. Yuk, are we sitting there?"

His finger pointed towards the saung-saung provided on the edge of the pool.

"You want to swim Sa?"

"No, I don't have pants to swim in. The water is cold as ice water"

"Yes, his name is also the water of the mountain"

"Are you going to swim Bee?"

"No, the reason is the same as you"

"We sit here!" . We picked one of the saungs, and put our bags down.

"Fried banana pie equals tofu huh? Want a Bee?"

"You dong, the atmosphere is perfect for eating here"

"Annu.... The anime...! Ckckck", I just laughed when Mahesa shook her head.

"Sa, what did you pray for?"

"Seriously want to know?".

I nodded my head.

"You and us. I hope you can take your exams well and pass with good grades. I hope you don't leave me. And I hope your mom will accept me and our relationship. After that I prayed for myself"

"If you, what do you pray for"

"More or less the same as you"

"Hopefully our hope can be realized yes Bee"

We talked a lot of things there, interspersed with our jokes that are sometimes crisp, not funny. But it often made us both laugh. We laughed at the funny things we both had. Maybe when it happened we couldn't laugh at it.

There was a time when Mahesa's bike broke down and I had to push him.

"When I was dandy and saucy at that time" I said, pretending to scowl my face.

"Hahaha, sorry princess. The train's on strike".

Me and Mahesa often laughed at ourselves and the ridiculousness we had done.

*****

One month later

With a white shirt and black subordinates, me, Dea and a few other friends were already preparing to sit in front of a room to face the test.

It feels like the heart is pumping quickly, making its beating felt. My hands are cold like hands soaked in ice water. To dilute the tense atmosphere, there are friends who try to be funny. Usually we greet with a long huuuu or with a small laugh.

I felt I had prepared myself well and was confident that I could answer the questions that the examiner would ask.

When our names began to be called, there were good luck sayings and prayers from friends as we shook hands. I feel the novelty. After a long time together, this time I feel close to them.

There were 4 lecturers who tested me this morning. When I introduced myself and mentioned the title of my 'long' script smoothly. I feel like I can pass this exam.

I feel steady when answering questions from the examiner lecturer. I mastered the material well. The most important thing is that I can control myself well.

When I answered the last question, the examiner greeted me and declared that I passed the thesis. I feel an incredible relief.

I stepped steadily out of the examination room. I knew someone was waiting for news from me.

"Mahesa, I'm graduating!"