"It's not that I'm not interested, Mom. To be honest, I'm very interested and appreciative of such a university's existence. That's why I was a little quiet to think. Because this nation really doesn't deserve to be stupid because there are so many poor people."
"Huum… you know that. And Mom will definitely support you to be smart and, at the same time, get a bachelor's degree. Then why don't you go to college there?" the mother inquired.
Indra became silent again as his mother continued to chase him with the question. Because he still feels heavy, if he has to give news, that will make his mother difficult because of thinking.
Seeing the child just silent, Widuri immediately rebuked,
"Why... why are you so silent? Forgot what I said since you were little? Communication is the main thing to avoid misunderstanding. So, express whatever is in your heart and mind. Of course, it must be accompanied by the honesty with yourself. Because you can lie to me, you certainly can't lie to your own heart. Is not it?"
"Yes, Mom," replied the child while still looking down.
"Well, so… tell your heart to mother. Have you ever been angry when you said anything, honestly?"
"Never, Mom," Indra replied back, still looking confused.
"Alright… if you already know that, just state it as it is. And, we will discuss it thoroughly while at the same time finding a solution." Remaining gentle but firm, the mother ordered her eldest son.
---
Hearing the firmness of the mother's words, for a moment, Indra became silent. It seemed the young man was considering what to say. But considering that the conversation had led to the core of the problem, he decided to open himself up by telling the truth.
Without a sound, Indra reached into his shirt pocket. Then, he took out the college summons he had received and handed it to his mother without saying anything. Seeing that, Widuri frowned in surprise. But because he didn't want to make his son hesitate again, he accepted the envelope for him to open and read its contents.
For a moment, he studied the writing on the paper. Then like he couldn't believe it, he reread it and thought about it more deeply. As soon as he finished understanding the contents of the letter, without thinking, he said the words with a happy glow on his face,
"Wow ... congratulations, Ndra. You are accepted into one of your favorite Colleges. My son is clever and never disappoints. Bachelor of Engineering, that's your bright future." Thus said the mother as she continued to stand and hug her son lovingly.
Of course, Indra was stunned when he heard that. Because he didn't understand the attitude of his mother, who lightly looked at severe problems in his life at this time.
Of course, so, wouldn't college cost a lot of money?
Or maybe… his mother has a lot of money in her savings, so there isn't the slightest hint of trepidation in her tone of voice.
Not wanting to be more confused and dizzy about all the answers to his mother's mystery, Indra immediately asked without responding to his mother's congratulations and hugs.
"Indeed, mother already has the capital to send me to college?" calmly, the boy asked.
"Oh, of course, I have. And don't you worry. Because mother already has a lot of capital and it will never run out, Son ..." Gently, Widuri answered.
However, Indra isn't stupid and does not know anything about the condition of his parents, so he just wants to swallow his mother's words. Therefore, he again asked the woman,
"What is mother's capital?" without wanting to belittle the meaning, Indra asked.
Seeing the doubt and disappointment that hung through the eyes of the young man, the mother immediately smiled broadly. Widuri loves her son so much, and even this time, she will not want to disappoint the hopes of her child, who has already made her dreams come true.
"Indra ... do you know, what is your mother's capital all this time since your father passed away?" he asked.
And the mother's words, soft and melodious, instantly managed to calm the child's anxiety. Because of that, Indra immediately chimed in.
"Of course, I don't know because you never said it before. Tell me, Mother… so I can understand and emulate that." With a light heart, Indra could speak again as he was.
"I must have said it before, just maybe not directly."
"Oh really? How about you repeat it so that I can understand…." Tired of asking, Indra kept looking for answers.
"Listen, My Dear… the capital you have in living this life is your own children. You and your daughter are a big capital given by God to sustain our lives forever," without realizing it, the mother had just shed tears of emotion when she said those words.
"Oh, Mother… is that so?" he couldn't hold back his emotion, Indra asked with a jolt of his heart.
"That's how it is. Therefore, don't be afraid of not having the capital to attend college. Because yourself, with your good intentions, is a big thing that can be used as the capital until the end of your life later..."
"You mean I can rely on myself to go through college years later?"
"That's the truth… believe me, if you'll be able to finish college later with everything you have in your body. And what you need is just the initial capital to start all that. If you're talking about money, I have some savings for you to take with you later."
"Then, what about Putri and you if I go to college outside the city?"
"Don't worry about it, Son… just pick up your dreams. Because of your mother and sister, it will definitely be fine here. "
"But …"
"Hey… aren't you just going to study in a city less than a hundred kilometers from here? Not America or Europe. Hi hi hi ... like the word, even walking mother can still if only cover that distance ..."
"Oh, Mother..."
"Just go. Pick up your dreams and aspirations. My prayer will always be with you ..." firmly but in such soft words, the mother gave her blessing.
It's that simple when Indra talks about anything with his mother. Because without being complicated and involving uncertain worries, his mother encouraged Indra to go abroad with an optimistic mind. Like a word, he only needs initial capital to get started. After that, everything will go well, as long as there are good intentions and sincerity.
The few messages that the mother gave to Indra were only a few short encouraging words,
"Go, and fight without ever giving up. Even if you fail, this house will always welcome you to come home anytime with a wide open door."
***