Ode To Latitude

Ode To Latitude
PB Axiata


The publisher chairman of the Indonesian Student Student Foundation (Yasindo) opened a drawing and coloring competition at the national level with a speech as well as reading the rules of the competition. The participants from 37 provinces in Indonesia sat in a semi-outdoor room that had been provided by the committee.


After the race rules are read, participants must check the completeness that has been provided by the committee at their respective tables. Spectators and builders are given a limiter that is a bit far from the participants of the race so as not to interfere with the concentration of participants.


“The first session of this race is a guessing picture competition and compiling puzzle image” said the host. Participants were asked to guess the pieces of the image and arrange the pieces of the image into the form of an intact image. Of the 15 images contested, Mia managed to guess and compose 3 images perfectly.


The second session is coloring the picture. Each participant was given five pictures and asked to color them according to the category to be assessed. That category has been distributed to the participants two weeks before the race was held.


The third session is break. Participants may take a short break, eat, and consult a companion teacher. Then continued with the last race, namely drawing and coloring. After drawing each participant presented why they chose that image.


It was Mia's turn to present the picture. Mr. Hayon gave the loudest applause as a sign of support to Mia. Mia advanced confidently. This picture is titled my dreams. The applause and cheers of the audience filled the place.


“Yan Mia can try to explain the meaning of the picture”


“This is me standing on the podium of champion one, with a gold medal around the neck as a token of appreciation for the Badminton World Champion. Why did my badminton championships choose the World Championship? The Karen World Championships are held only once in three years. The World Champion will also be privileged to attend the final of the badminton federation world tour, although his ranking has not yet reached the requirements for the tour” final, Mia concluded with a smile and a thank you.


All the spectators applauded, among the participants only Mia raised the theme of ideals. Most often it is about my teacher, my hero, school, vacation, hometown, and culture.


Oma Arimbi who is now beside Mr. Hayon. Clapped boisterously while giving Mia two thumbs up. Mia seemed satisfied with her explanation.


That afternoon, Arimbi invited Mr. Hayon, Mia and her assistant to lunch while praising the courage of Mia to express her ideals. Mia also complained to Arimbi that Regata did not agree to her being an athlete.


Arimbi understands very well the world of athletes has a great responsibility. They compete to bring the name of the country, especially Indonesia is famous as a home for badminton athletes, badminton is also a sport that saves the face of Indonesia in the international arena of course the expectations of the community for its athletes will be higher.


“This Oma bring badminton kamu” equipment said Arimbi handed over a bag containing rackets, jersey, shoes and other equipment. This afternoon we train at the legendary training ground, Mr. Hayon please help yes, about Regata let me take care of” said Arimbi.


Mr. Hayon certainly could not resist. That afternoon at 17.00 WIB, they headed to the training ground belonging to one of the Indonesian badminton legends and trained there. Arimbi had booked the place from afar for the sake of his grandson.


“Tomorrow there will be a selection at PB Axiata, I have registered Mia stay with the selection only tomorrow morning starting at 08.00 I picked up at hotel” whispered Arimbi to Mr. Hayon.


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Mia looked at the astonishment of the selection room. Before the selection began, participants were allowed to warm up. The names and play schedules of the participants have been shared, Mia and Pak Hayon of course do not know their opponents who come from Kalimantan. Mia was third in the match schedule that morning. After warming up Mia watched the two people who competed before.


“It's okay” said Arimbi stroking Mia's shoulder.


“Lose wins are common in matches. Defeat can be an experience for you to improve yourself, said Arimbi trying to ease the cries of his grandson. Mr. Hayon did the same, they both tried to give understanding to Mia so that the little girl did not despair.


“Mia” a voice Mia is very familiar with


sounds greeting. With a teary face Mia turned her head, looking for the owner of the voice.


“Pak Revelation!” Mia exclaimed in excitement.


“Lho deck Arimbi” tergur Pak Wahyu while smiling.


“Mas, who are you here with?” tanya Arimbi was shocked and happy. Arimbi saw a woman next to Revelation who was about the same age as him, immediately taking a look at the hand of Revelation. A sour expression was clearly drawn on his face.


“Ma, this is Arimbi, Papa's colleague at Militar” Academy, Wahyu said, introducing Arimbi to his wife.


“Don't pout” tease Pak Wahyu.


Arimbi giggled amusedly to see the wife of Revelation pinching her waist while misbehaving. Revelation is escorting two participants from their training place who have just participated in the selection.


Apocalypse and Arimbi engage in a warm conversation, ranging from their early youth to the conversation about Mia. Mr. Wahyu's wife waited while conversing with Mr. Hayon in the regional language. Mia who was getting bored, chose to surround PB Axiata, read the history of the club while looking at the list of outstanding athletes who broke the club.


The boisterous voice distracted Mia's attention. Seems a crowd of people passing in front of him. The thin-bodied Mia was pushed as she jostled among the horde of people, What is this? Think Mia. Mia was busy on her tiptoes and looked down on the sidelines of the sea of humans until a hand pulled her hand and carried her. The figure is quite high so Mia can freely see a young man is giving his autograph to his fans.


“That's Latitude, he just won one All England” match said a heavy voice behind Mia. As soon as Mia regained her senses, she was in a stranger's arms.


“Mia” call Arimbi from a distance. Arimbi glared in disbelief, seeing the cold figure before him holding Mia. That cold gaze, the same gaze as eight years ago when Danu Atmaja was angry at the mere recognition of her daughter.


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