Two days after graduation, I flew to Malaysia as planned.
I have to find an answer, before deciding about the future. I was sickening to be disturbed by uncertain painful memories.
The best thing I can do was courageously mustered up the courage to face realities, then looking forward or moving on.
I wanted to set myself free from the uncertainty. I can't allow myself sinking into the shadow of the past because I knew that humans don't live in the past and can't change what was happened yesterday.
As well as tomorrow, no amount of worrying can change what will be happening in the future.
We only have today, so do your best for creating many good and meaningful memories.
***
It only took less than an hour for the plane taking me to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Ryan had already informed that he will pick me up at the airport. That's right, it didn't take much time waiting for Ryan who's always in time.
***
"السلام عليكم", he said
"واليكم السلام" I replied
"Welcome to KL", he continued.
"Thanks for being on time", I replied.
***
For a moment, I was stunned seeing that watch around his wrist. I wonder whether he always wore it or only the day he picked me up, to please me.
He immediately directed the car to his home. While driving, he asked a lot of questions and occasionally told me about the place we had just passed.
I didn't fully listen to his words because my feelings suddenly became complicated. The more I tried to find answers and explanations, the more confused and disoriented I became.
"Abang takes your suitcase to the room first, you can go straight away to the dining room", he said as soon as we got home.
As his directions, I followed them and arrived in the dining room. Aunty Lusi welcomed me by kissing my checks three times. It may be a Malay tradition in greeting each other.
"Ara, come in, have a sit for lunch", Aunty Lusi said while pulling a chair for me.
"Bunda and Ayah, they send you a greeting", I said.
Ryan joined us in the dining room when I was about to fetch up a dish. He pulled the chair right next to me.
"Why Dr. Ryan left the hospital ?", I teased him by having a Malay accent.
"I'm off on purpose for taking Princess Ara home", he replied by a derisive satire.
"Let's eat first, and talk later", Aunty Lusi said.
Her cooking skill is a bit better than Bunda who also have good adeptness on processing many types of foods. It's no surprise that her restaurant, Da Lusi, is one of the most popular restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.
"Have Ara told Bunda that Ara already here ?", she asked me again.
"I did", I replied.
"Auntie already got Bunda's permission for Ara to stay here longer. You can enjoy your vacant days while try to find a good university. What do you think about that?", she added.
I almost swallowed my food hearing such a statement. And again, my mom classic behaviors repeated. It seemed that she will always involve herself in planning my future. I didn't know when she stopped doing all these sickening interruptions.
And, I only responded Aunty's statement with a smile. I didn't have a definite answer for that question, I hadn't thought about that at all.
"Um, that's a good idea", Ryan added to support his mom's statements.
Hearing Ryan's approval, She was excited to persuade me pursuing higher degree in KL. There was no force at all, she only asked me to consider any possible options carefully.
IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT THE WAY MY MOM TREATED ME.
HOWEVER..
I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I AM BECOME WHO I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF MY MOM, MY BUNDA.
Actually, when I was a high school student, I really interested in studying French Literature, but Bunda directed me to be a Lecturer or Doctor. I only have two options, then I chose the first one and end up majoring Chemistry.
In no time, I started loving Chemistry and wished to continue my postgraduate in Europe. To be specific, I chose Swiss, Leipzig, Berlin, or London as destinations for pursuing higher study.
***