Love of the Journalist
33. Without The Girl
...33. Without The Girl's...
Kirei
Arriving in Jakarta he went straight to the hotel in the Pejaten area which had been pre-reserved by the embassy. The hotel is also not far from the Embassy of Cambodia.
All ICFJ training costs are fully funded. This means that all travel, accommodation and program costs are fully covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia.
He thanked me many times. From Indonesia only two people represent. While other participants from various ASEAN countries and East Leste.
“It's arrived, Mbak.” Said the taxi driver.
He handed over the money and got out of the car. His feet stepped into the hotel lobby while grazing his travel bag.
After showing the hotel boking code. He was escorted by one of the porters to his room. Room 405.
Just getting to the bathroom, his phone rang.
Mas Danang....
He smiled before shifting the green phone icon.
“Assalamualaikum,” reply.
“Waalaikumsalam .. have arrived?”
“Barusan, Mas. This is new nyampe at hotel.”
“Kalo laper order to hotel restaurant only. No need to leave the room,” order Danang.
“Iya, Mas. I'm gonna clean up first. But I think I want to go straight to sleep. Sleepy.”
“Don’t forget to eat.”
"Yes ... And Danang too."
“OK. Good nights! Sweet dreams.”
***
Mother
Which mother's heart is not suspicious if where her child is not okay. But all seemed covered. Even though he tried to get rid of all the bad prejudices.
In addition, when he saw the photos of his small family actually taped to the wall of the guest room. Not to mention when he was about to pray, accidentally looking for prayer mats in the wardrobe. Instead, find his son's clothes piled up there.
It cringes.
Is the child's marriage okay?
The woman breathed in slowly.
“Hopefully fine,” his prayers in a mutter.
He smiled with relief when he saw the child and his son-in-law hugging when at the airport as a farewell. Maybe, is he wrong?
“Mother so to Surabaya the day after tomorrow?” ken asked as they were on their way home to Solo.
“Insya Allah ...”
“Sekalian take care of the purchase and purchase of the house. Also met his mom and dad Danang,”
“Mother sure?”
“Just pray,” but his mind glared a few years ago.
“What need Ken accompany, Nda?”
He looked at Ken who was driving.
“No need. You work on part. Mother can still manage by herself.”
**
- Jakarta
Kirei
After breakfast and hotel checkout, he headed to the Cambodian embassy. The time still shows at 09.00 WIB when he arrived at the embassy office lobby.
“Kirei!” call someone to him.
He turned his head and frowned.
“Bang Laira?” he said while pointing at the man.
“Here too?” when the man was
approached him.
“From Indonesia we both.”
“Total there are fifteen people all,” said Laira.
“Oya?!”
He does not know who is a friend from Indonesia who is also lucky to get this golden opportunity.
“We report first to the embassy staff,” take Laira.
He just nodded and followed Laira.
As per an appointment with one of the embassy staff. They were given a special recommendation letter from the Ambassador of Cambodia. Accommodation while there in the form of US dollars. Because the country of Cambodia still enforces dual-currency or dual currency. The US dollar and riel. The Cambodian riel is the official currency of the country. But, still, every transaction in the country is more dominant using the US dollar. In addition to the lower layers and traditional communities still use money riel.
Everything is complete and ready. They say goodbye to the embassy staff who welcomed him. Now both are heading to Soekarno-Hatta international airport to continue flights to the country famous for Angkor Wat, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world.
***
Danang
It had only been one day that the girl was far away from him it felt like something was empty. Blank. Slender.
What else is Sunday. It was the shadow of the girl that appeared. The HUT Bhayangkari. When they run in the morning at the gor. Sitting in the stands telling stories. Breakfast in pujasera. Then when he kissed the girl's lips. It all feels like going around in circles.
Fixed. You’re the reason (you are the reason).
Even though they send each other news. Share photos that explain their circumstances. Even video calls. But it feels like something is different.
Arriving in Phnom Penh. The girl sent a picture of her boarding a tuk tuk from Phnom Penh international airport to the hotel.
“It turns out that tuk tuk is not much different from bajaj.” So much under the photo.
Or when you arrive at a hotel not far from the Mekong River . The girl sent a picture of herself standing on the river bank.
“Senja on Mekong river.”
The girl always kept him warm when he felt lonely.
His phone rang again when he just put it on the nightstand.
Aksa : Yes, sorry ... The queen is meeting again. If not, he wants to go to Mas Danang's office.
His face suddenly changed. Jaw tightens.
He thought his relationship with the woman in his past was over. But in fact he came back when he had forgotten about it and found his little girl.
He breathed slowly.
So will he also agree to a second meeting? Even though the girl was not next to him.
But the Queen is a woman in a million ways. The first meeting alone forced him into his office. Lucky Rendra spry if he does not want to accept any female guests other than his wife. Except for work-related.
“Pak Danang is not in place, Mom. Please leave a message.”
For almost an hour the woman waited for him at the office. The next day the Queen came back. At that time he really could not dodge anymore. Because it was caught when the morning apple was just finished.
Forced to meet. By taking Aksa. In order to avoid the things he did not expect.
“Crazy, Yes, Mas. That rich woman could be your ex?” aksa said shortly after the first meeting by phone.
Aksa alone shuddered when he saw the behavior of the woman.
“I was divorced with my husband,”ucap Ratu at the first meeting.
“I came here because there are businesses all want to meet you. Said your friend, now you are in Semarang.”
It feels like he wants to now also curse his friend who revealed his existence to the woman.
Damned!
The woman who once filled his heart. But he doesn't know if he really loved her? Wasn't that woman the one who left him first. For choosing to marry a coal businessman. The one who has more of everything.
He was disappointed. But he also easily forgot. It seems that woman has changed a lot. She is the Queen of Koto. The woman who once filled her heart as she served in a small area of the island of Sumatra.
Now after her status as a widow, the woman wants to come back to her life. Never ever's. He never expected and never expected his return.
A message from Aksa came back in.
Aksa : Better to meet. Explain to him if Mas Danang is married. Beres!
Indeed, at the first meeting with the woman he had not talked much. The woman dominated the conversation. He and Aksa were just listeners.
When he wanted to explain his status was now married. It turns out that Kirei and his friend broke into a fast food restaurant where he, Aksa and Ratu were there.
Kirei's response that seemed to dislike and anger made him stray like he was caught off guard. He hurried to leave Aksa and the Queen at that very moment. For Kirei.
He scratched his temple.
Danang : Just set it up. Hope this is the last meeting. I don't want to deal with him anymore.
The message he sent to Aksa.
And tonight they met in a cafe with old buildings in the style of Dutch architecture. In the old town.
He came with Aksa. While the woman was waiting for him.
Along the way Aksa grumbled. Because the Queen always contacts him and annoys him.
“Why the hell, my phone number given to him, Mas?” aksa protest.
“Rendra Number, cake. Or other members of Mas Danang, you can.”
“Women are not ashamed!”
“Good not to be a sister-in-law. Hiii .. amit-amit deh!”
“Where my work is neglected because of him.”
He only smiled wryly in response to his sister's grumbling.
Because Rendra is playing the FORKI Kejurda match in Jogja. Aksa had to replace him.
“Sorii late.” He said to the woman. He and Aksa immediately scrapped the empty seat across from the Queen. Sit at the table with him.
“Gak pa-pa's. Just fifteen minutes,” reply Queen.
“You don't think you can be far away huh, same your one?” point the Queen at Aksa with her chin. It seems the woman is uncomfortable Aksa being among them.
He looked at his sister. Aksa pressed her shoulders. He introduced Aksa as his friend.
“You pesen what?” tawar Queen.
“Coffee aja.”
“I don't have much time, by the way there are important things I have to say to you,”.
“I also want to talk to you.” Sahut Ratu while sipping avocado juice that lives half that.
“You first, deh.” The woman's ambar.
I am thankful that he was given the opportunity to explain first. At least it won't be cut off or delayed again.
“I'm married.” He is firm and confident.
But the reaction was not surprised to be revealed by the Queen. “Then?” while putting his shoulders relaxed. It seemed that the information he provided had no effect in the slightest.
“I hope this is our last meeting.”
Queen laughing discordantly, “Come on babe .. we can be friends, right?”
“Sorry, it doesn't seem like it can. I’ve got a wife (i have a wife). I won't hurt him ...” It was again full of emphasis.
“Ck, don't be hypocritical!” The woman clucked, “you forgot as long as we were in love. You are very—“
“Stop, Ra!” The hardship. This time his emotions were high. He even spontaneously stood up.
“This is our last meeting. No more!”
He and Aksa quickly left the cafe. While the woman was still in her place. With strong clenched hands.
“Looks like that woman won't be deterred, Mas!” Salak Aksa while driving.
He breathed his breath into the air.
The woman used to be nice and considerate of him. But it turns out that the treasure made him change. And now that he has obtained the treasure. He uses all means to get what he wants. Maddened. Really-gener's Crazy!
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