There's no point to any of this. It's all just a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes.So I take pleasure in the details & put it on a story.
I'm a boring 21 years old girl living in a small but beautiful city -- Yogyakarta. Currently starting her career in a big corporate as a Creative Marketing Associate; trying to get through life one day at a time.
Father's Day
Last night, I was thinking about what I would wear to classes tomorrow. I always do this so that I can minimize the time I spend to get ready for classes in the mornings. I was imagining myself wearing black shirt and jeans, or a simple black dress because I think the weather would be gloomy so I might as well wear something monochromic to embrace the surroundings.
At exactly 8 p.m, I received a message from my boyfriend saying that his uncle (the younger brother of his father) just passed away after an accident. Even though I only met his uncle once, but I still feel a little stings hearing the sad news. So I asked him if he is going to go to the funeral. He said yes, and he asked me to accompany him.
The next morning, I got up and get ready for classes. I put on my black dress, just like what I prepared last night. I suddenly wonder why last night I thought of wearing all black, or even thinking about how tomorrow is going to be gloomy. But then again, maybe it's just a coincidence.
The second class ended at 10.30 a.m. Me and Bian supposed to go to Klaten at 11 or 12 p.m in the noon, but we ended up leaving at 12.30 p.m. because we had lunch first. It took us exactly 1 hour to get to the funeral home. It's in the Pedan district, a little over the Central Klaten, if I'm not mistaken. From a distance, we could hear the sounds of prayers from the loud-speakers. The ceremony had started when we got there, the Kiyai (holy-man) was already starting his speech of prayers for the late-uncle.
I always love coming to the hometown of Bian's father. The people are so warm, they always smile and greet even though you don't really know who they are. The sincerity of the warm hands shaking mine, that's what I love the most. But all the sweetness couldn't cover the air of sadness from the death of someone. You see, mother earth surely knows how to carry a weather in certain conditions; because it was not too sunny and too gloomy; it's just okay. Though the wind is a little bit cold, maybe that's from the grieving the family feel.
I sat down, and I listened closely to what the Kiyai said. Although he was speaking in all Javanese language, for some reasons, I could perfectly comprehend what he was saying. The words were so beautiful that I couldn't spare a second not to listen. I remember he said; "kita adalah kekasih - kekasih Allah SWT, dan untuk menjadi kekasih yang baik, kita harus beriman. Allah Maha Penyayang, manusia yang beriman sedikit pun akan diberinya tempat di surga. Tidakkah saudara malu hanya menjadi kekasih-Nya yang beriman sedikit ketika Ia bias memberikan kita nikmat yang sungguh besar? Maka jadilah kekasih yang mempunyai iman yang besar dan banyak," beautiful isn't it? In the middle of a tragic moment, there was a man who could make the situation into a very peaceful moment where we can spare a thought and actually be grateful and happy about the lesson that the late-ones have given us.
That's what I now learn from funerals; after hating is for a long time, I finally come to terms of how the late-ones can still have the power to make us feel so much alive & grateful. All I can do now is send prayers for Bian's uncle whenever I can so I can always be grateful of my existence now.
After the funeral, I texted my sister, just a random chat and she said to me that today is father's day. I feel a little bit bummed, so I planned on buying some flowers for my dad when I get back to Jogja later. I left at exactly 4 p.m., along with Bian's 3 sisters. We arrived and rested at home for and hour or so, and then me and Bian went off to by flowers & grab some dinner.
I arrived home at 8 p.m., my sister is already there. I got inside the house and my dad was sitting in front of the TV. We walked toward him and presented him the flowers. We both gave him a hug and told him that we love him & how we are so thankful for everything he has done for us. A lesson is learned in that very moment.
Yesterday, someone lost a father.
And here I am, being so lucky and all, still having the chance to embrace my father. I'm so grateful of life. Happy father's day, Dad.
Until then,
May you rest in a beautiful & peaceful place, Om Nugroho :)
