Childhood Match
Family Invitation

As usual, that morning the students in the lecture room were waiting for Mas Dosen Ganteng. No one wants to be late to follow the eyes of the college. Especially ciwi-ciwi. They are most eager to enter the class.

There was the sound of steps getting closer and closer. They also rushed to settle into a sitting position. Head down, while tidying his hair, thicken his lipstick, putty, while looking in the mirror using their mobile phone.

Gendhis just smiled and shook his head, as if no wonder his friends almost every day spread charm in front of Gala.

From behind the door came a handsome man of their dreams. Dashing and dignified as well as his friendly smile, Gala greeted all the students in the lecture hall.

"Assalamu'alaikum. good morning everyone." said Gala.

"Wa'alaikumsalam.good morning Mr. Gala.." replied all the students.

Gala then delivered a course in Literary History. No one did not listen to what the handsome lecturer said, except... Gendhis. Apparently from a distance Gala saw the gaze of Gendhis eyes as if empty. His body was in the room, but his mind bounced away somewhere.

At the end of the explanation, Gala asked Gendhis to repeat what he had just said.

"Gendhis... Answer my question. Periodization of old Malay literature is a literary work produced from what year to how many years? Give examples!" gala's orders simultaneously surprised Gendhis who was lacking concentration when following the lecture.

"Oh, yes, sir." replied Gendhis nervously.

Gala sat in the lecturer's chair as if expressionlessly looking at Gendhis reaction. He thought that Gendhis mind was not in that place.

Ita who sat close to Gendhis was also affirming the purpose of his lecturer's speech.

"Gendhis... Mr. Ganteng asked, what was it? You keep daydreaming." replied Ita a little whisper.

Gendhis again focused his attention on the man who was teaching in front of the classroom.

"I'm sorry, sir. Can you repeat the question again?" gendhis asked Gala, admitting his mistake.

Hearing the courtesy of Gendhis request, Gala agreed to repeat his question.

"Well.I repeat.... Periodization of old Malay literature is a literary work produced from what year to how many years? Give examples!" Gala asked back.

Gendo thought for a moment. Shortly after, he answered,

"Good, Sir... Periodization of old Malay literature, is a literary work, produced between 1870-1942, which developed in the Sumatran community, such as Langkat, Tapanuli, Minangkabau, and other Sumatran. Chinese and Indo-European peoples. The first literary work published around 1870 is still in the form of verses, sagas, and translations of western novels. Examples of the novel Tjerita Njai Dasima by G. Francis, Boenga Rampai by A.F. van Dewall. Translation novels such as Robinson Crousoe and Grauf de Monte Cristo." replied Gendhis calmly and clearly, leaving the friends in the room stunned.

"Waaauuu... Awesome!!! Even Gendhis replied to what Mr. Ganteng had not explained." said some students were amazed.

Gala smiled confidently, Gendhis is an extraordinary girl, no matter how difficult the problems she faces, she will not forget her duties and responsibilities.

Satisfied with the answer of Gendhis who did not miss a single bit, Gala then closed his lecture eyes that morning, because indeed 2 SKS passed already.

*****

That afternoon, at the house of Gendhis. Ms. Parti, her mother Lintang came to meet Gendhis who was busy helping her mother cook in the kitchen.

"Assalamu'alaikum.." I heard Bu Parti's voice say hello.

"Waalaikumsalam.." with a compact Bu Sari also Gendhis answered his greetings.

"Eh... Ms. Party. let's go in. I make you a drink" said Ms. Sari.

"Oh. ndak not Bu Sari, I just for a moment really." prevent Bu Parti.

"Don't bother Miss Sari, thank you very much. I'm just for a minute" said Ms. Parti.

"Look, Ms. Sari.I came here, just wanted to convey a message from Pakne Lintang." Continue to Bu Parti.

Hearing the name Lintang called, as if something was piercing from within the recesses of Gendhis's heart. It feels so painful.

"What message is Miss Party?" ask Bu Sari curiously.

"Look... Pakne Lintang asked Mr. Ratno, Ms. Sari also Gendhis to come to our house later after the prayer isya'. There's something important we want to talk about" Ms. Parti said.

Hearing the invitation, at once the heart of Gendhis increasingly depressed, what exactly do Lintang parents want to convey. Gendhis felt impolite if he directly asked this matter to the Miss Party at that time. Therefore, he just followed the plot, so that he could know the reason Lintang's parents invited them to the house.

"Where, Miss Sari? Can right? Later please tell Mr. Ratno also yaa.." continued Bu Parti.

"Oh. yeah... Ma'am. God can be. I will tell you later with Pakne Gendhis." replied Ms. Sari with swiftness and enthusiasm.

"Alright then.I say goodbye first" said Ms. Parti.

"Yes, Mom... Is this really not drinking tea first?" tawar Bu Sari's.

"Sir Ma'am, next time I'm in a hurry because I haven't finished cooking. Excuse um... Assalamu'alaikum." said Bu Parti as she left the kitchen room.

"Waalaikumsalam.." replied Gendhis and Bu Sari.

Until this moment, Gendhis did not know how to convey the true thing to the two families who had since the days of their ancestors were very good relations. In his heart raging between love, pain, disappointment, hurt, also do not want to destroy family relationships that have been decades well established.

"Yes... God.give me the strength to determine the best path of my life and my family.." - Gendhis.

*****

The night awaited by the Lintang family has arrived. All the close relatives gathered. Just waiting for Gendhis and his parents.

After waiting for a while, Gendhis and his parents arrived. It did not take them long to arrive, because indeed the distance of the two houses was only separated by the yard and the village road.

Mr. Argo kindly invited his would-be iron to sit in the living room, while Gendhis went straight to the kitchen to help Bu Parti prepare all the dishes. After all was ready, they then sat in the living room, only the latitude was not yet visible.

"Nduk. call your brother down. The event is about to begin." Bu Parti orders her daughter, who is none other than her only sister Lintang.

"Well, ma'am." replied the girl as she walked towards the room of Lintang on the second floor.

Indeed, since his graduation from Akmil four months ago, Lintang rarely went out of the house if there was no need. Moreover, the last two months Lintang has exhausted carrying out debriefing tasks related to training and combat intel. Lintang just waiting for the inauguration to be held exactly one month ahead, by the President of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace. After being sworn in, Lintang was also another cadet colleague officially became an Army TNI officer. Related to that, the TNI AD has prepared how their assignment in the future. The plan, Lintang will be placed in eastern Indonesia with several other cadets, because there are many new units that still lack personnel.

It was at that consideration that Mr. Argo invited Gendhis as well as his parents. None other than to discuss the marriage of Lintang with Gendhis will be accelerated, that is, before Lintang began to serve, so that Gendhis can accompany him in the new Lintang place of duty. That was the biggest wish of the Mitro Dimejo family, Lintang's great-grandfather.

*****

See you in the next episode...

Sorry, dear readers who are always loyal waiting for eps. in Childhood. From yesterday to three days the next up is a bit late, because the thor again carry out the religious journey 🥰🥰

Hail zhattt... 💪💪💪🥰🥰