You & Dusk
Graduations

The sound of applause was heard loudly ending the speech of the University Rector who is currently in front of approximately a thousand graduates who were present in this building. No exception I feel the joy of success that I have achieved while still studying at this campus.

I, Ilham and Ica are sitting in the same chair while Adi is quite far apart between us. Of the total 70 people in my class, who graduated today about 31 people. I can say half of our number is one generation. While the rest are still struggling with thesis and some are still busy with campus affairs such as Wahid for example.

While Gina, she had completely disappeared. Even on this happy day he did not come. How or how is he feeling right now? I think this is too much, how could he not come on his own graduation day?

"Arm.. Why dream?" said Ica saw me.

"hm.. No Ca'. No papa."

"why bro, how sad is that your face." said Ilham

In the crowd I looked at the two of them. I lowered my head for a moment and took a breath. "I just want us to get back together with the others."

"Arman." said Ica holding my hand.

I looked to the left, five seats from where I was sitting, I saw Adi closing his eyes. Looks like he's asleep, the guy who just wants to sleep on graduation. Such a person really exists, that person is Adi.

I said that to Ica and Ilham unknowingly. Inspiration turned his head and looked towards Adi as well as Ica. It seemed Ica dissolved with memories until she let out a tear and began to borrow Inspiration's shoulder to ease her sad emotions.

They are both very close.. Their relationship was going well but alas, they both sacrificed our friendship.

"gue also does not want this to happen, but I can not do anything" said Ilham.

It seems like it's hard to go back to what it used to be, so I thought about Alfy. If my friendship just can't be whole anymore, what about how Alfy feels about me. Should I give up? Really giving up this time?

After passing through various series of events, now is the time for our graduates to one by one go up on stage to receive a diploma directly from the University Rector. One by one the names mentioned by the Head of the Department starting from the Faculty of Medicine until then the Faculty got its turn.

My friends' names are mentioned, as is Gina's name but she's invisible at all. Ica who was in front of me was currently muttering to herself. It seems like she also misses Gina, how not. During college the two of them were very close but their closeness had to end this time. It ended like we had officially left campus today.

Finally my name was mentioned, I also stepped on stage and greeted the Rector while he moved the toga rope that I was wearing at this time. I received my diploma for 4 years. It is just a paper but this paper is quite time consuming and draining my energy to get it.

I walked, I turned to the left looking towards the front of the stage. The camera light kept on making my view disturbed. I see people who have rejoiced because now they have become scholars, as if to be the end of their journey. But for me it is the beginning, maybe the next road that will be passed quite steep and hard.

After a while, the Rector's entourage, the Dean and the rest of the staff began to leave the graduation stage. Seen the friends of graduates also began to leave the building, some hugged each other here and there and took pictures together.

"Guys.. Congregated. First class photos yuk." said Karmel one of my class friends who also graduated.

We gathered together, lined up and took pictures. Next take pictures with small groups. Rejoice and pray for success in the future. We all laughed, we were all sad to be separated. We are truly excited about all of our achievements.

When we were done with it, we all walked out of the building. Outside the building we were greeted by other friends and family of course. A group of people who are happy to celebrate their success in pursuing their studies.

I saw my mother and Raihan who seemed to be crying because they were proud of my achievements. I approached them and hugged my little family.

"Father must be proud of you Arman." said my mother softly.

"i love Mama." I reply.

Amidst our joy, Ivan appeared together with his parents.

"Assalamualaikum." he said hello.

I looked up and shook his hand. After that Ivan hugged me. "congratulations brother." he said.

Ivan also hugged my mother and I hugged Ivan's parents.

"Arman, don't forget for a minute in the afternoon" said Ivan's mother.

"ante Iyaa. Arman must have come."

"how about we take a studio photo?" father Ivan said.

"i'll take a picture here, Om. You see, the photographer here is cheaper." I reply.

With a little coercion I finally received another favor from Ivan's father. But before that it seems like I have to meet up once again with my other friends.

I left my mother with Ivan's parents. In the crowd I met Adi. We both hugged and congratulated each other on graduation today.

"bro, would you rather meet the two of them?"

"them both? Who?" reply Adi.

"stop acting like you don't know bro."

Adi just kept quiet and now because of that question he went in a hurry without talking to me. After that I met with another group of friends of my class. There I met Wahid, Ilham and Ica. Not even from all my other friends, no one knows where Gina is now.

In addition to my class mates, I also shared my happiness with the juniors who also came over and congratulated me on the bachelor's degree I currently have. Not only who gave me gifts in the form of flowers, chocolate and other things.

After being with them.. I approached my group of friends at UKM Karate. Looks like some of them have also graduated today. We took pictures and were happy.. What a beautiful moment.

After being content to rejoice and take a selfie with all of them, I finally returned to the place where my mother was. On the way I met him, I saw him with his friends who were also celebrating this happy day.

I walked away, and suddenly he called my name. I saw him approaching me.

"good luck with your graduation today. Ssmoga is a blessing." said his sweet lips.

I'm smiling a little. "Yes, you're welcome."

The atmosphere is quite awkward now. "hm.. Then I'll go first. Assalamualaikum. "he said.

"Alfy.. It seems like he has not remembered who I am. "my murmur.

In the midst of my anxiety. "Sister Arman" said a girl beside me.

"Evely.."

"hi Brother. Congratulations well. This is for Arman" he said, giving a small teddy bear complete with his tiny toga.

"Gee.. Thank you." Thank you."

"this is the guy.. From earlier in searchin." said Ivan who suddenly came.

"Satan.."

"oh so this is the reason why you are long?" said Ivan with a light laugh.

"not this.. It's Evelyn. Friend doang." I said.

"uh.. Wait daftar. I think I've seen you two walk together in the mall, right?"

"yes yes.. That was a long time ago."

Evelyn smiled.. And I see her smile is still the same. Ornamented by two flatulence.. Very lovely.

"I've been waiting for ya." Ivan left me and Evelyn.

It seems Ivan gave me a little space to talk to Evelyn alone.

"Oh yeah, what are you doing here? Any friends or out that graduation too?" ask awkward.

It's awkward because after Evelyn turned me down, I never saw her again. Even communication via a smartphone has never been. We've been completely out of communication ever since.

"No.. Come here to say congratulations to Arman." he replied.

"Ehh.." I was quite surprised by what he said.

"Today I met Sister Riyal at my Faculty. Keep saying today Arman's graduation.. So all of you come here." obviously a little embarrassed.

"Oh.. Ja.. Ja.. Hehe.." I'm still trying to adjust the mood.

We were both talking. 15 minutes seemed to be enough to make the awkwardness between us subside.. I can already talk casually with Evelyn. Nothing has changed with him, he's still the way he used to be.

I said goodbye after I got the WA message from Ivan. I seem to have lost track of time because I had a conversation with Evelyn. I finally took my leave and immediately headed to where Ivan was.

Evelyn looked quite happy talking to me again. When he left, he rushed back to medical school because there were still things he had to do.

In the midst of a crowd of people who are rejoicing.. Evelyn hit someone so densely. He fell, as did the woman he hit.

Evelyn got up and approached the woman..

"Lohs.. Brother Alfy." Said surprised.

Alfy who saw Evelyn was confused.. In his mind at this time a woman who arrived called out his name by the name of 'Alfy'.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Alfy asked who did not seem to remember Evelyn either.

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