Behind the Eyes of INDIGO
Graduation story

Alia handed over her exam results to her Mama and apologized because she had to settle for such a score and could not be the best as when she graduated in MTs first.

"Gga papa kok dear, this is also good, which is important you must keep the spirit well!" said Ms. Mia.

"Thank you, Mah..." Alia answered with a forced smile.

"That's an envelope, what?" mia asked as she pointed at an envelope that Alia had not yet opened.

"Oh this, I don't know Mah, either, but it's rich in test results for university admission"

"Yes, you're opening up fast"

"yes Mah"

Alia immediately opened the envelope and immediately read the contents. He was shocked and happy because he managed to qualify for the Islamic university of the country and get a scholarship, but on the other hand he also felt a bit disappointed because actually he really wanted to get into a famous university in another city with a major that he had been dreaming of.

Previously Alia did take a test to get into her favorite university through the scholarship path, she only took the test at one university with the majors that she had so longed for, namely midwifery, but one day the headmaster suggested to take the test of more than one university, so that if it does not pass in one university then there is still another hope, and it turns out he even passed the second choice, so that if he did not qualify, in an IAIN that is located in the next city and is only about 1 hour away from his home.

"Wah Alia, you got a scholarship to IAIN! congratulations, baby!" said Ms. Mia who was very happy to see the contents of the envelope.

"Emmm actually I want to enter the midwifery faculty mah" explained Alia.

"Darling, do you want to waste the opportunity that's in sight?"

"Nl...." Alia was confused as to what to answer.

"So you can take this one, right? after all, did you ever say that you like English too?"

"Yes, I'm grateful for this"

"Well, let's go home"

Without saying much, Alia went straight to the parking lot to pick up her bike and went home with her Mama because the event was over.

Although many of her classmates still live at school to gather with other friends, Alia prefers to go home soon.

**********

Two days later Alia gets a notification from her homeroom teacher on her mobile phone to go to school and take care of some of the required files.

Around 9 am Alia arrived at school and it turns out that many of her friends had gathered in front of the teacher's room. All students who come today are those who get scholarships to study at various state universities.

"Eh Alia you just came well, it was already in search of the same principal" said Putri.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes! let you come in"

Alia rushed to enter the teacher's room and met the principal.

After 15 minutes he finally came out and joined the group of friends.

"*Which university are you in?"

"I got away with my favorite public university!"

"Well, where are you?"

"I went to an Indonesian university!"

"Well, you're great!"

"With*!"

There were some Alia classmates who were noisily chatting about the continuation of their school. Alia just kept quiet and focused on reading the files given by the principal.

"Alia!" The princess came back to Alia.

"Oh yeah, why?"

"You escaped the scholarship in IAIN next door?"

"Yes..."

"Congratulations! uh you know what?"

"What?" alia was curious.

"Your Arafi, he passed Al-Azhar university!"

"What in Egypt? great dong!"

"Yes! but baby, his mind isn't that great!"

"Why?"

Alia fell silent, she felt a bit strange with the Princess' words and felt very affectionate if the opportunity to study in Egypt was missed.

He even remembered that later they would study at the same university.

"Maybe he has his own reasons" Alia said.

"Yes, if there the scholarship is only 50%, but his family is also capable"

"Yes maybe he does not want to bother his parents so prefer to take a scholarship that is 100%"

"Yes also si, how can you really understand the same thought he si?"

"Ah not too! just a nebak!"

Drrrrtt....

All of a sudden Alia's phone vibrated because there was an incoming call. It turns out that the call came from Afi, his old friend and he invited Alia to gather at his old school to celebrate their graduation and hold a reunion after 3 years of graduation.

Alia answered yes quickly, because she felt very happy to finally have a moment to gather with her MTs friends after a long time.

"My daughter's gone first Dad!"

"Eh, let's go!"

Alia ran away from the Princess and rushed to the boarding school to visit Nida. He went into Nida's room and there was no one. Five minutes later, Nida came and hugged Alia.

As usual, the two of them spent time chatting, Alia said all about the continuation of her school, while Nida preferred to continue living in the Pesantren and intended to memorize the Qur'an.

"Wah. khafidzah nih candidate"

"God, pray for me"

"Yes, I pray that you will be able to finish soon"

Shortly after that, Alia said goodbye to go home. Around 2 pm Alia arrived home, she prepared all the requirements written on the file for her scholarship.

**********

The night had come, the appointed time to gather with old friends had also arrived.

At around 7:30 pm Alia was ready and immediately left after saying goodbye to her parents.

"Afi!" Alia looked at her old friend from a distance and shouted while approaching.

"Eh Alia you've come!"

They both hugged and let go of longing after not seeing each other for long enough.

After a long chat, the two of them headed to the school hall and there were already a few of their class mates sitting down while chatting due to long time no see.

"Eh Fi! that's Aldi, right?" ask Alia.

"Yes, let's go!"

"Wait first! that's what?"

"What! have you been so embarrassed for a long time?"

Alia just fell silent and did not answer Afi's words, she just focused on seeing something that was behind Aldi.

Afi pulls Alia's hand and brings her closer to Aldi, but she remains silent.

"Hi Aldi!" said Afi greeting.

"Eh Afi, Alia, how are you?" ask Aldi.

"Well dong, how are you?"

"I'm good too, Alia why are you quiet?"

"Oh that, um I'm good hehe" Alia was acting weird because she didn't listen to Aldi and Afi's words.

Alia was still looking towards Aldi's back, and something she saw became increasingly clear due to their close distance.

The more Alia looked, it was obvious that something was trying to hide.

And sure enough what Alia was thinking, it was the figure of a little boy following Aldi behind her, looking frightened from being away from his place.

"Aldi, where did you end up?" Alia tried asking.

"Oh I had a chance to stop by the river near the house" replied Aldi.