Chapter 9. Praying on the Father’s Tomb (I)

That day, April 10, 2005. Bandar Lampung was not sunny, but cloudy at some corners of the sky.

After performing the Fajr prayer and watering the flowers in his yard, Adil rushed to the bathroom when it was half-past 7 in the morning.

"Adil. Where do You want to go? seems very enthusiastic today, " his father said.

" I want to make a pilgrimage to Dinda's late father," Adil said.

" Dinda's father was the headmaster at the Model Elementary School, right?"

"Yeah, dad. How did you know?"

"Obviously. Mr Darno, the counselling teacher at your school, often tells me about Dinda's father when he was still alive," his father said.

"Hmm. You allowed me to go for a pilgrimage, right?"

"Sure, Adil. Is it only you and Dinde?" his father said.

"No, Dad. Dinda's mother, Mr Cipto, and Novan also come. Later at 9 am, Mr Cipto picked me up to go together to Dinda's house. It was only at 10 in the morning that we left for pilgrimage," Adil replied.

"Mr Cipto, the school security guard is also coming?"

"Yes, Dad," Adil said.

"Hmm. The deceased was well known in Mr Cipto's heart, yes, the most senior security guard. That is the benefit of being a fair and straight school leader, his services will always be remembered," his father said.

Adil was at a loss for words to respond to his father's words, which were implied to be advice for him.

"In that case, hurry up and take a shower or You'll be late," his father warned again.

Adil just nodded his head, and then headed to the bathroom.

At 8.50 am, the sound of a motorcycle horn sounded at the front gate of Adil's house. Adil's father was washing the car in the garage and then opened the gate.

"Well, Mr Cipto. Please come in first, sir. Adil is still getting ready," Adil's father said.

Mr Cipto parked his motorbike in front of the house, he entered and shook hands with Adil's father on the terrace.

"Mr Cipto, How are you doing? please come in first."

"Alhamdulillah, I'm good, sir. How about you ?"

"Very well, sir. Oh, I'll get you a drink, a moment please, "

"I don't mean to bother,"

"No, sir. I will call Adil as well. A minute, please,"

"Adil, Mr Cipto has been waiting for you. Hurry up," his father said from behind his bedroom door.

Five minutes later, Adil met Cipto and his father who were chatting on the terrace of the house.

Adil cheerfully said, "Mr Cipto, I'm ready. Am I looking good?"

Adil left with Cipto for Dinda's house, at exactly 9.10 am. This is the second time Mr Cipto took

Adil to Dinda's house after Dinda's birthday a few days ago.

The difference is, this time to accompany Dinda on a pilgrimage to her father's grave. When the two of them arrived at their destination, they saw Novan who arrived first at the gate.

"Hey, Novan. You've been here, huh?" Adil said.

"Sure thing. I've been here since 10 minutes ago," Novan said.

"Then why are you still here? didn't you come in?"

"I'm waiting for you with Mr Cipto. I'm embarrassed to go in alone."

"Haha. What's with you, Dinda is a friend of our gang,"

"Hmm. It's all right, then, let's go in, " Cipto said.

They walked together towards the front door of Dinda's house. Arriving at the door, Cipto pressed the bell button.

Not long after that, the sound of footsteps came from inside the house, the door was opened.

"Eh, Mr. Cipto, Adil, Novan. Let's go in first, have a seat. Dinda is still getting ready," Mrs Ida said, Dinda's mother opened the door.

"Okay, ma'am," Cipto said.

Mr Cipto, Adil, and Novan were chatting with Mrs Ida about the current state of the "Elementary School Model," while reminiscing about the life of Dinda's father, who had served as Deputy Principal at the school.

"Certainly. At the time Pak Udin is in office, the school has made significant progress in academics and sports. I am happy that Pak Udin can continue the dream of my late husband," Ida said.

"Yes ma'am. From my point of view it is also good. Now, no one loses a helmet on a motorcycle anymore," Cipto said.

Dinda came out of her room, wearing white clothes, complete with a white headscarf that covered her head and body.

Dinda approached the living room.

"Wow. You are so beautiful, Dinda," Novan praised.

"Really a future Muslim fashion model," Adil said.

"Hmm. Wat wat gawoh* ," Dinda smiled broadly.

"Let's go. Mr Cipto, Adil, and Novan were able to join the car. Dinda, you sit in front, beside me," Ida said.

Ten minutes before the clock showed 10 am, the Timor brand sedan driven by Mrs Ida started to drive towards the Sukaraja Public Cemetery, approximately 3 kilometres from Dinda's house in Garuntang.

The condition of the highway is quite empty, office workers are on a weekend vacation.

"Mom, we haven't bought flowers yet," Dinda said.

"I almost forget. Just a moment, honey, I'm looking for an empty parking lot first, "

"Today the tomb is crowded," Dinda said.

"It's a holiday, kid,"

The car stopped in an empty parking area. Cipto, Adil, and Novan got out of the car first, followed by Ida and Dinda.

Several stalls of traders selling flowers for pilgrimage were lined up in front of the entrance to the tomb until they headed to an old woman with a small stall in between the traders.

"Mam, can I get some flowers, please," Ida said.

"Sure thing. Have a look and choose which one you want," the grandmother said.

"Can I get This and that one, Mom," Mrs Ida said while choosing flowers.

The grandmother took the flowers that had been selected and put them in a clear plastic bag. After the bag was tied with a rubber band, she handed it over to Mrs Ida.

"How much is it, ma'am?" Ida asked.

"it will be 2000 rupiah, Mrs," the grandmother replied, slowly.

"Here it is, ma'am," Mrs Ida said, handing over a five thousand rupiah.

When she was about to hand over three thousand rupiah bills as change, Ida refused.

"No need, ma'am. You can keep the change," Ida said.

"Subhan Allah. It's kind of you. May your fortune always be granted by Allah, "

"Amen. Thank you, mam,"

They proceeded to the tombstone bearing the words Suharno Hadinoto which was in the back row.

A resting place for someone who has worked as a State Servant in the field of education during his life.

One by one the leaves and twigs fell from the tree, covering the tomb.

Dinda removed the twigs and leaves to the side of the tomb. Dinda's memory returned to her conversation with her father in the past, when she was still in 4th grade. Exactly 3 months before his father breathed his last.

"Dinda, have you known, the true meaning of success?"

"Had a lot of money. Can travel the world, " Dinda said.

"What else?"

"Get 1st rank in school. Got a gift from the teacher, "

"Hmm. You're right. But, there is something more important than that. You can share your knowledge and money with people who need it," Suharno said.

"Hmm. If I do that, can I be happy, dad?"

"for sure. As long as you intend to gain the pleasure of Allah, " Suharno said.

"What if I can't do that yet, Dad?"

"You certainly can. There comes a time when you will."

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" Dinda, are you all right?" her mother asked.

"Hmm..it's okay, Mom," Dinda woke up from her daydream.

"You were daydreaming just now, I am wondering if you were okay,"

"I'm sorry, mom. I remember what dad has said," Dinda said, innocently.

Adil, Novan, Cipto, who had been mostly silent since arriving at the funeral, were touched by the atmosphere.

Although the tears had slipped from their eyes, they immediately wiped the tears and smiled again.

Notes :

Wat-wat gawoh* (Lampung) = you've got to be kidding