Hello Arvin!
Goodbye

Melbourne

“Pak Canda has been waiting at the cafe from this morning.” Yanuar said as he walked next to Arvin who had just finished his class.

“Yes who told her to wait from morning. I told you I have morning class.” Gerrutu Arvin, pull the end of the jacket zipper up.

It is now September, spring in Melbourne begins to break. But the air was still cold for Arvin. According to the application on his mobile phone at the moment the air temperature is about 65°F. Yep. It's better than summer. Arvin doesn't like summer and the hot air here.

They continued walking to Howard St, towards the Ample Cafe & Bar where Candra was waiting. It is not far from the University of Melbourne. They only need to walk for a while until they reach a building with striking colors ushered in gray buildings.

Arvin entered the cafe, looking for his father figure among some visitors who were eating food. Candra sat by the window, looked at him and smiled then waved her hand. Arvin sat in front of him and they ordered food. Since morning Candra just drank coffee waiting for Arvin to finish college.

“Ngapain here?” Ask Arvin without saying anything.

“Dad has business in Melbourne, all of you. Until you went to master's college, I've never looked up. You still live in an old apartment?”

“Not visited also no problem.” Arvin ketus. “Hmm.. still Clayton around Monash.” Lazy continue.

“Loh why not move? Far away from campus now. You need a car? Or will I find a new apartment around here?”

“I've got a new apartment. Moving next week. Don't be so smart about caring. Stale.”

“Here is your order.” Said a friendly waitress cutting their conversation. He served food in front of them. “The ample burger, reuben, and roasted pumpkin bowl.” Further.

“Umm.. Sorry. Is there nuts in it?” Tanya Arvin pointed to a bowl of salad with various vegetables and a thick sauce.

(Does it contain nuts?)

“Yeah. Maple glazed almond and walnut.”

“Can we order another one? My father has nuts allergic.”

(Can we order something else? My dad has a peanut allergy.)

“Oh sorry. We didn’t aware of that. We can change this salad with another menu with nuts free if you want.”

(We're sorry. We don't know about that. We can replace this salad with another menu without nuts if you want.”

“Yeah. That would be better. Thank you.”

Candra smilingly looked at Arvin who was talking to the waitress about his allergy. I was pleased with the little attention of her son. Though not a minute ago Arvin said do not pretentious to care. But he himself still cares about his father.

Although their relationship is not good and Arvin always answers her tightly, deep in his heart he still notices the little things about his father.

“Having passed you home right, Vin?” ask Candra after they finish eating. Arvin just sighed deeply, without answering.

“Dad already nyiapin position for you in the company. You took a double degree with major business and IT for that, right?”

“Who said? I now take the master in IT because I don't want to nerusin company dad. I want to be a programmer, just a regular job in tech industry.”

“But dad wants me to be the leader of the company, right? Not the part I want? I will not return to Indo abis pass.”

They're speechless. Not talking to each other for a while. Arvin looked out the window at some people who happened to pass in front of the cafe.

“You returned to Indonesia after graduating, Vin. Don't wander off the distance. If you do not want to work in the company. It’s okay. Just so you go home. We'll talk about this later. Even though you want to be equally responsible for that position.” Candra.

“Don't stay too far. Your mother misses you, Vin. If father does not exist. Who will take care of it?” Sickly next.

Arvin did not answer. Still busy watching people passing by the cafe window.

...****************...

Just this morning Arvin felt warm from the grasp of his father's hand, now the warmth disappeared. Buried behind the red soil that gradually covered his figure. Though there was still much he wanted to say, there were still many questions in his mind, and there were still many things he wanted to do with his father.

Arvin knows it's too late now. He should have known about his parents' feelings. Finding out about the truths they hid in his heart.

They tried repeatedly to win Arvin's heart. Unfortunately, hatred and prejudice always prevail over him, because they leave him, because they never contact him.

Prayers are said by religious leaders and people who take you to the final resting place of Candra. Crying could not hold Lena, now she can no longer see the figure of her husband.

He hated her for years for her betrayal and lies. But he loved her so much, and all of their happy memories and togetherness could not be replaced by anything.

All this time she thought she hated him, but every day she devoted her attention to him. Fulfilling her obligations as a wife, maintaining her household due to separation will only leave more wounds for their children. Lena thinks so. But his heart turns out to be still for Candra forever.

Though his trust is broken and his feelings hurt. Every day she wanted to prove to him that she was the best wife she ever had. Killing her slowly with her love, Candra will always feel guilty about ever turning her back on him.

Lena also kept up for Arvin. So that at all times he has a reason to stay in touch with the child. If he releases Candra, it means he will also release Arvin. A child who has been cared for and breastfed from a baby. His kid. His.

Although until now, Lena is still very afraid of the hatred that Arvin always directed at her. For all her lies and neglect in order to fulfill the promise to Kartika's mother.

“You to the car first yes, Ra. I followed you again.” Arvin told Nara as everyone started leaving the cemetery.

Arvin needs time with his dad. Nope. Now he's alone. Like this morning when I was in the hospital. Did his father hear his apology? Has her father survived the past year to hear her apology? Was in the end all of Arvin's apologies and regrets delivered to him?

“Why did you get to the end of the silence? Why didn't you tell me everything in the past so I don't get it wrong? Why can't you be honest that you went all the way to Melbourne just because you missed me? Why only send cakes and birthday gifts but never ngabarin? Why tell Mr. Haris to make a list of me as the head of OSIS? Why send the children of acquaintances with their father and enter me into their band? Why send Nara to my life? I still have a lot of questions for Dad. I guess we still have plenty of time to start again. Why did you leave me again?”

The rain slowly began to fall. Wetting the new burial ground, including Arvin's shirt. But he's not flinching. Stay still standing next to his father's meal. Letting the rain disguise the tears, which he had not been able to show since.

“Arvin, let's go home. You are wet, you will get sick.” Nara said that she was covering Arvin who was almost soaking wet.

Nara knew Arvin was sad and wanted to be there longer. But the rain was raining pretty hard. She did not want her husband to be sick. Sadness and pain are a bad combination for him.

Arvin turned his body to face Nara, taking the umbrella that Nara was holding. He hugged his wife's body. Sobbing. Although his voice was disguised by the rain as well, just like his tears.

Nara just let the men continue to hug her while crying. In the rain and the cemetery. Arvin has to let go of his father who he can't be happy with. Say goodbye forever.