Ode To Latitude
Two Cups of Coffee

Regata climbed the spiral staircase behind his house. The stairs lead to the second floor of his house. There are two rooms above, his mother's office and another room used to put Regata practice tools during his studies, a kind of study room as well as a warehouse that has long been unused.

Regata's room has thick glass windows that are wide following the design of a semicircular room, so that Regata freely see the scenery outside his room if he was feeling bored or his eyes began to get tired of staring at his old computer screen that is still maintained.

Danu was already there with two cups of coffee still steaming. Regata approached, sitting on a chair beside his father that led straight to the window while enjoying the night view in the surrounding area. Jakarta seems not to fall asleep, the lights and streets are still crowded at 10 p.m.

“How are you doing?” danu asked his eyes looking at the beautiful lights in the distance.

Regata knows this is a question that doesn't need to be answered because I know very well he's not okay. This question was probably the most suitable as their chat opener that night.

“Not well aj” replied Regata in a weak voice.

Danu took a deep breath, before starting on to the next conversation. Regata heard his father's breath.

“It's been eight years, the father's son is getting older and the father's grandson is also getting bigger. I'm sorry I wasn't there at your hard time. Dad feels like he failed to be a father, emotions beat the logic of dad at that time” said Danu admitted his mistake.

“Everything's gone well, we're both fine. Mia is a submissive and mature child, she can understand” Regata said trying to recapitulate events in the past.

Both of them sipped the coffee, letting the bitter and sweet taste of the coffee settle on the tongue. The warm feeling of touching the throat, giving a thick caffeine sensation enough to repel the awkwardness between them.

“Daddy register Mia homeschooling and private badminton. If Mia is serious, maybe next year she can join the selection of elite club” even though it is too late, Danu still tell his daughter. Regata, however, remains fully responsible for his grandson's future.

“Why don't you allow Mia to develop her talent, out there are many children who have the opportunity to develop her talent and realize her ideals?” tanya Danu wants to know Regata's opinion.

“Yesterday Mia's palms and feet calluses. His skin was peeling, his arm and leg muscles were sore, his whole body was cramping. She fell asleep with her forehead wrinkled, surely all her body hurt” said Regata sure.

“There is a price to pay for a wish. I'm sure, Mia knows that she has to go through the process” Danu said calmly.

Danu deliberately did not talk at length about the process, Regata did not know the first day Mia was required to run with a distance of 3 Km. His grandson was exhausted to vomit many times because of the long trajectory that must be taken.

“But dad, there are still many other ideals whose risk is not as big as being an athlete well. I know for myself, so athletes are like gambling. You have to be ready to lose and win. All athletes must also follow the same discipline. Some are able to survive and compete, some have to give up. Not to mention injuries, post-injury recovery, and the risk of injury that must be borne for life” said Regata, turning his face to look at Danu asking for the understanding of the man he calls father.

Danu laughs. Reason behind Regata's concerns.

“Therefore you as a parent should let Mia choose. Let Mia take responsibility for her choices. Parental tasks facilitate and guide Mia to stay focused on her choice”

“You remember, I didn't agree to you being a doctor. I'm trying to sue you to be a businessman, or work in construction. The third choice that father offered at that time was Nuclear Power Service school, Danu said in memory of the third offer that seemed crazy. Arimbi repeatedly reminded Danu that the possibility of exposure to radiation is very large. Regata can get skin diseases and even the risk of dying young. Yes, how else in that era the prospect of nuclear Power graduates is very bright bond service is not as famous now and not many competitors.

“But you insist on being a Doctor. The reason is very noble, want to treat sick people” said Danu was stunned to hear the reason for Regata's cliche first.

Danu also admitted, what happened to Mia now is karma due to her attitude in the past. His harsh attitude towards Regata gave birth to another harsh attitude by Regata to his grandson. Danu tries to get Regata out of the vicious cycle, feelings of fear and assumptions that are not necessarily the case.

“Worrying about the child's future as a parent is humane, the inhumane it hinders the child's choice. Have you talked to Mia?” tanya Danu returned Regata's gaze. There was doubt in his daughter's eyes.

Regata can't answer that question, without even asking her she knows Mia's sticking to her choice. Her love of badminton has made Mia dare to lie and secretly train without her permission.

“Mia has met Lintang” Danu said

Regata tense. His heart felt pinched as Danu called out the name Lintang. Sooner or later his parents will discuss this matter, he can not dodge anymore.

“You told Mia?” ask Danu to know.

Regata is beset by confusion, perfectionism requires him to solve one problem first with the new Mia Lintang problem.

“Daddy understands you have trouble explaining it maybe you can discuss it with Lintang” Danu said.

Regata scrunched his forehead. Lintang gets the green light from his father while Regata never thinks Lintang is part of his future.

“Lintang and you have the same rights as a parent. Do you want Mia to hear about the latitude of others?” ask Danu

 Regata can't dodge anymore. For the umpteenth time he heard the question, this time it sounded like innuendo. Maybe it takes innuendo spoken directly by his father or mother people who might intervene if Regata too long to buy time.

“Ata will be clear slowly to Mia” said Regata ended the chat that night.

Regata stopped by Mia's room for a bit. His little daughter slept sideways. The sweat flowing from her head and forehead implied how tired she was that day.newly seeing Mia training one day alone had made mixed feelings.

Regata wiped the sweat on Mia's face and Hair, looking at her daughter's face. She opened the PBSI sports magazine that Mia had given her. The middle page of the magazine was emblazoned with a Lintang profile.

How to tell you

Whisper Regata slowly. His fingers touched the image of the latitude.

Regata keeps the magazine back, then leaves Mia's room. The little girl opened her eyes, guessing her mother's words.

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