I'm Just a Figurant
[POV Alex] Ch 99 - Goodbye Khansaku

As expected, I became the best graduate in my province. My name became quite famous at the time. Many journalists came to review the news. It caused some big universities to come to ask me to be their student.

My desire to become a nano-technology expert is still great, but it goes against the wishes of the family. My parents wanted me to become a doctor, because in the big family we had no one who worked.

My family comes from a family of businessmen. My grandparents started a small business in our city. Starting from selling clothes door to door, continued by opening a clothing store until finally managed to open the largest shopping center in my city. The effort became great and was continued by posterity.

So successful with the mall, my father began to spread his wings in other fields. He started to open hotels, restaurants, hospitals, drinking water companies, family entertainment venues and others. Every business has its own management and my father became its controlling center.

Now the business began to digurita and penetrated into various fields. Coming from being a regional businessman, my father finally managed to develop the business to various provinces.

In his old age, he wanted his children to continue the business. Aaron became the biggest candidate as a successor to the business. The family forced him to take over the position so as to make him study in the field they wanted.

This time the big family again forced their will on me. They want me to be the doctor who can take over the family hospital, but I don't necessarily accept it. Enough Aaron's driven by the family, not me too.

I stayed on the initial decision, becoming a nano-technology expert. At first the family refused, assuming that the profession was useless, but I remained in my stance. Finally inevitably the family accepted my wish on condition that I have to study at the same place as Aaron and Diana, the University of Indonesia.

I know Diana chose that university solely to pursue Aaron, but it doesn't matter to me. As long as I can pursue my wishes, going to college anywhere will make no difference to me.

***

As soon as graduation arrived, the conversation about Diana and Aaron's marriage was again buzzed. Diana was so enthusiastic, unfortunately Aaron thought otherwise. He used various reasons to refuse the marriage, until finally the big family again postponed the sacred event.

I could see the radiance of sadness and disappointment on Diana's face. I patted her on the shoulder to encourage her.

"There's still plenty of time to take her heart. You are still young. Don't be sad anymore."

"Until when will he reject me Al? Is this my karma for betraying you?"

"Slow Down On. One day he will open his heart to you."

"Why don't the men in your family love me? Am I so bad in your eyes?" Clear droplets began to pool in his eye pellets. I pat Diana on the shoulder.

"He will love you. Don't give up on him. Don't cry anymore. Tomorrow we're leaving. Once in Jakarta, you can be more free to approach it."

"If I knew she would be this cold, I wouldn't fall so easily in her arms. How stupid of me,"

"Yes, you are stupid. Beautiful but stupid."

"Evil ihh! Instead of comforting me, it dropped me!" Diana hit me on the shoulder.

"The reality is like that. Now you just have to take the risk you choose. If you like him that much, go after him. If not, let go." Diana did not refute my words. It seems he justifies my words.

***

"Are you sure you're going to leave feeling this way? You don't want to see him?" ask Dino. The boy came the night before my departure.

"No." I was silent, breathing deeply. Tomorrow will be my last day in town. I don't know when I'll be here again. I don't know when I'll see that face again. Thinking like that always makes my heart hurt.

"Are you sure you're going to college here?" I asked Dino.

"Well, actually I want to come with you Nguk. I want to get out of this small town too. My whole life here was pretty boring, too, but anyway, Mama forbade me to go to college out of town,"

"So she's for me yeah," unconsciously the word just came out of my mouth.

"Huh?"

"Forget my words." I turned my face in shame. It seems like I'm starting to not be able to control my mind and heart.

That night we talked here. After saying goodbye, Dino resigned.

I went back to the room. My mind's floating. Tomorrow is my last day in town. It might be my last day to see him. Thinking I wouldn't be able to see her face as often as I wanted to make my heart churn. Without realizing it, my body was moving on its own. I ran downstairs and headed to the garage.

"Where are the nights like this Al?" My mother stopped my steps.

"Get out a minute Ma. Get some wind." I kissed Mama's hand and rushed to get the motor. I drove the bike at high speed. My desire to meet Khansa was intense.

At least I should see him. Even if he won't see me, I have to see his face. It's my last night. I don't want to waste this opportunity.

After driving for twenty minutes, I arrived in front of Khansa's house. The house looked tightly closed and dark, only the lights on the porch were still on. It seems like all the inhabitants are asleep.

I hesitated, whether I wanted to knock on that door or not. For nearly fifteen minutes I stood like a fool in front of the house, wondering what to do. In the end my heart won.

Geck... Geck... Geck...

I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. I tried it again. After three attempts, a new sound was heard from within. A few moments later the door opened from inside.

"I'm a friend of Khansa Pak,"

"Yes?"

"May I meet Khansa?"

"It's almost midnight. Tomorrow if you want to see me," I'll close the door, but I'll hold it with my hand.

"Please let me meet him Sir. Tomorrow I have to go to Jakarta,"

"It's midnight. Khansa is asleep." Dad wanted to close the door again, but I held him back. I could see the anger on his face.

"Okay sir, I'll be home. Please send me my message. My name is Alex, maybe you forgot about me. Two years ago I used to play here, sir. Tomorrow my plane will leave at 11.40 WIB. I'll wait for him. Please convey the message.." It's not finished saying, the door is closed from the inside.

I looked at the door in despair. I want to feel like I'm banging on the door again. But I knew it would cause a commotion. I stood in front of Khansa's house for almost an hour. Hope the miracle comes, and see the girl out. But hope is only hope. Khansa is not coming out. At exactly twelve o'clock, I decided to return home. I hope Khansa's father conveys my message to her.

***

It's ten in the morning. All the families gathered in the living room, getting ready to take me and Diana away that day.

Since there are some things to be done, both my extended family and Diana decided to go catch up with Us next time.

I looked at the watch over and over again, looked out a few times, hoping someone would come looking for me. The closer to the departure time, the more agitated I became.

"Why are you Al? From then on it looked agitated," Diana came to me.

"It's okay."

"You're worried because you're away from your mom? Mother's son, you,"

"Whisper!"

Finally it was time for me to leave. All items are put in the trunk. We said a short farewell. Even in the last second I still wish Khansa had come. But hope is only hope, the one I wait for never comes.

Along the way to the airport I stared around. Look at the streets I've been on with him. Simple, yet so deeply attached to the heart.

I remember our first meeting. The first conversation, learning together, the first splash and other flashes of memory began to scatter. Unknowingly the droplets started flowing down the cheeks.

I immediately took my glasses and mask. Covering my face from the gazes of curious people.

Sometimes I wonder, if I had realized my feelings earlier and expressed them to Khansa, would the girl have accepted them? A warning I fear to know the answer.

"Hey from earlier daydreamed. It's nyampe. Come down." Diana patted my knee, diverting me from the daydream. Diana said, We have arrived at the airport. I looked up, hoping to see that figure there, but again the disappointment came.

I intended to wait for her at the departure gate, but Diana forced me to check in so I inevitably followed her.

The postponement of departure, which made most people upset, made me happy. My little heart still wishes he had come. Until the announcement was heard.

"Yuk off. Don't pout. Mother child," I looked at Diana with annoyance, but I stood up and followed her steps.

Ended already. It's really over. Khansa really doesn't want to see me. As long as I wait, it seems like he will never come either. Maybe it's time I said goodbye...

Alex...

I jerked. I heard Khansa's voice calling my name. I turned to look at the origin of the voice...

"Come on! What anyway? Very long." Diana pulled my hand and forced me to follow in her footsteps.

"I heard someone call my name." I said hesitantly.

"That's just your feeling Al. Who wants to follow you here. Come on, hurry, hunt the plane away." It is true Diana said. Who's gonna come after me here? It was just my stupid wish.

I followed Diana's steps and walked inside the plane. When the plane took off, I saw my town from above. The city where I was born. A city full of memories.

Goodbye to my city... Goodbye my first love... Goodbye to Khansaku... I hope I'll forget you soon.

***

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