I was sitting in the library, while I’m listening to
the teacher. I had English lesson at that time. The teacher asked me to make a
biography of parents: whether about mother or father. Then, I think it’s better
to make a biography about father.
I really confused at that time, I don’t know what to
write. I was trying to find examples of biography text on the Internet, but I
thought it would be boring if I write like that. Then, I asked the teacher how
to make a good biography text—but the result is still same. Then, I decided to
call my father and tell about my problem.
“Do you want to hear my story? I just don’t know how
to solve the problem, but maybe it may help.” Said my dad after I finished
telling the problem.
“I want I want! What do you want to tell me about, dad?”
I said enthusiastically. I always curious with my dad’s story, it always making
me imagine how hard my dad’s life is, but it’s really fun though.
“It’s about my life story. You haven’t known my life
story, have you? Maybe if you write this for your article or biography, it can
be interesting enough.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“So, I was born in Cilacap[1],
26 of June 1968. I’m the 3rd child and I have one older sister, one
older brother, and also one younger brother. You’ve known that, right? When I
was still 6 months, I moved to Kebumen[2].
I moved to my grandfather, but you call him “buyut”. I moved to my hometown
from 3 until 6, then moved back to Kebumen and got my primary school. I studied
for only 1 year, then I moved to Kalipucang[3].
I paused studying for 1 year to help my uncle take care of goats.”
“Wow, that was so interesting.”
“Yes, it was. Unfortunately at that time, my uncle was
so strict. Whenever I do a mistake, he will go with his wood to my
body. It hurts, a lot. But it makes me do everything very carefully.”
“wuuu, it makes me scared now. Let’s continue!”
“After 1 year taking care of goats, I went back to
Kebumen, in one of a public school there. I start from the first grader.
It continues until 3 years, then I moved to a MI[4],
it’s the name for Islamic school at that time. The name of the school is MI
Giwangretno… hey, why are you yawning?”
“Dad, I want to sleep. It’s 9.30. I have to collect my
handphone now. I really want to hear the story until the end, can we continue it tomorrow?”
“I think I’ll be busy. I’m not sure.”
“Pleaseeeee, I really want to finish my the story, I
just confused.”
“Hahaha, I’m just kidding. Anything for you dear….
Don’t worry I’ll call you tomorrow okay? Take care, bye.”
“Okay dad, bye.”
Because it’s late already, so I decided to collect my
phone to the supervisor and sleep.
-----0o0-----
I wake up at 4.30 and pray subooh in the masjid. After
that, I’m preparing for going to school and waiting for my roommate to finish
cleaning. While I’m waiting, I’m trying to find pictures of my dad, it’s not
really old picts but I love it though.
After school, I call my dad and ask him to continue
the story
“Wow, you’re really serious when you said you want to
know sequel."
“Of course dad, I’m very curious and I have to finish
the article also.”
“Okay, do you still remember the last part I told you
yesterday? What is it about?”
“The part when you moved to MI, dad.”
“Ooh okay. I’m in a MI until graduated from primary.
After that, I moved school to MTs[5]
Sruweng, it’s still in Kebumen.”
“Wait dad, you ever said to me that your dad past away
when you were in 2nd grader, is it true?”
“Oh, I almost forget that part. Yes, it’s true that my
dad past away when I was in 2nd grader. I was in Kebumen at that
time, so I went to Cilacap to attend his funeral.”
“That was so sad. Okay, continue the story then.”
“When I was in middle school, I have 2 part-time jobs
which are making bricks and being a newspaper man named “Warta NU”. After
graduated from in middle school, I paused for 1 year because I don’t have
enough money to pay, I also moved back to Cilacap.”
“You still have to pay for school? I think it’s for
free.”
“No actually. Because I’m always in the 1st
rank, I only have to pay what I have in my pocket. It’s actually forbidden, but since I want
to learn, the school still gives me permission. “
“Ooh I see.”
“So, let’s continue the story! When I paused, I learnt
all about electricity, and decided to make a little business for fixing
electronic things like TV, Radio, or even car. After one year, I’m back to
Kebumen and went to SMU[6]
Binakarya. At that time, SMU is still in one level with senior high school, the
difference is you have been majored. I took electricity major, which is I have
to struggle with physic, mostly.
I graduated in 1991 and moved to Cilacap. I only
graduated until senior high school. After graduated, I work in Pertamina[7]
as a contractor. I worked in pertamina for 3 years, then I moved to Pondok Ungu[8],
I still work as a contractor in a steel construction taking part in
sandblasting and painting. Still in steel Construction Company, the leader
asked me to move to Pasar Rebo and did the job there. After quitting from steel Construction
Company, I moved to Gunung Putri and worked in a cement company named Holcim, you
know the location right?”
“It’s near the house, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right dear. I worked there for 3 years[9].”
“Dad, you’re 29 already. When do you get married?”
“Wait Put, I’m about to explain that.”
“hehehe, sorry dad.”
“I met your mother when I worked in Holcim, she’s my
neighbour. Known her for 2 years, I decided to married her. In 17th
October 1997, I’m officially married. Sadly, I have to leave her and also the
guest because I have to go to Lampung right after the solemnization of the marriage finished.”
“Astaghfirullah how come?”
“I just an officer at that time, not the leader. I
just follow what the leader instructs me. I also need money for the
after-married-life. What can I do at that time? “
“yeah, you’re right dad.”
“2 years after married, you were born[10].
We still live in a rent house[11].
Then we decided to make a house step by step since your brother was born[12],
that was in 2003. At 205, I tried to make a construction company named GPP.”
“Do you still remember the date you officially open
GPP?”
“Of course, the date is 5th of May 2005,
good date, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s like… a lucky number.”
“yep right. I’m just hoping by choosing the right
opening number, it’ll bring success.”
“Aamiin.”
“What else that you want to know about me?”
“I think if I only mention those thing that you’ve
said, it’ll be boring. Also, I have to write at least one unforgettable moment
in your life.”
“Maybe you can make the biography in different way.
You don’t have to make an article, have you? Just make it interesting by the
way you tell it. You can make a diary, right? It can be one of the way making a
biography.”
“You’re right, dad. Wait, one more. Could you please
tell me one of unforgettable moment? You tell me so many things, so I think
it’s better if you decide one of the best.
“Hmmm… I think I’m going to tell you another story.”
“What is it, dad?”
“When I was in middle school, I sometimes don’t
understand the lesson that taught by the teacher. So, I decided to find a tutor
for teach me the lesson that I don’t understand. Unfortunately, I don’t have
enough money to pay the teacher, so I have to find a free course. Long time
ago, motorcycle and car is still hard to buy, because it was very expensive. I
only have a bicycle from my dad to be used, and the distance between my house
and the free course is so far. I went there by bicycle. The route is
Cilacap-Kebumen-Yogyakarta[13].
It takes too long time and need more effort. I got an idea to bring a rope and
tight the rope into a truck right in front of me. Don’t try this at home okay?
Hehehe.”
“Of course I won’t.”
“ There’s this time when the driver of the truck
already remember me because he cross the was often, maybe he ever saw my face
and remember what I did. I forget his face, so I tight the rope to his truck
without knowing anything. Then, the drivers suddenly fasten the truck and
didn’t cross the way “well”. I didn’t know what to do at that time, but 1 thing
that I know is that I’m going to fall down.”
“Did you fell?” I gasped.
“Of course. Fortunately, the rice field was still
right beside the road. So I decided to fell to the rice field. Maybe if I fell
on the road, I’m going to die.”
“Innalillahi… that was so scary, like—seriously,
that’s I can’t imagine if I was in your situation.”
“yes, it was so scary.”
“I think it’s enough. I got something to do. I’ll call
you later okay?”
“Okay dad, bye.”
To be continued….
[1] Central Java, Indonesia
[2] Central java, Indonesia
[3] Pangandaran, West java, Indonesia
[4] Madrasah Ibtidaiyah
[5] Madrasah Tsanawiyah
[6] Sekolah Menengah Umum
[7] Indonesian’s oil company
[8] Bekasi, West Java
[9] 1994-1997
[10] 3rd March 1999
[11] Apartment (English version). It’s a house which is paid monthly.”
[12] 7 December 2003
[13] A province exactly beside West java. The route is approximately
60km.
