6 years ago

It has been almost 6 years ago since the time I leaved Indonesia and departed to Europe. I still remember those time, clearly.

I was using my blue shirt with a pair of blue jeans and a white veil in the day of my departure. My whole family was there, in the airport, my Dad, my Mom, my little sister Ketie, and my little brother Didi. There were also some members of my big family, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, and my little nephew Rangga

I saw them closely, each of them. And I could see it, their feelings. Their eyes shows me all of their hopes, fears, happiness, and prayers. I wasn't sad at that time. I was truly excited, but deep in my heart, it felt like it was hardly crying. I gave my family a deep hug and stares, to made them sure that everything will be alright. I gave my sister and brother a siblings hugs and touch their little heads. I said, "Make sure everything's alright, okay? Don't forget to take care of Mom and Dad", I winked. I gave my Mom a very deep hug, kissed her on her cheeks for several times. I said, "I'll be missing you, Mom", and my Mom give me her beautiful smile. I wasn't crying at all. But deep in my heart I know my heart was truly broken.

My Dad accompanid me to leave from Palembang to the capital city. When arrived we met my travel mate Chiro and his parents. It was around 2 pm at that time while our departure will be at 6 pm. The route was Jakarta - Singapore - Frankfurt, Germany - then finally, -the land of my second life will be- Brussel, Belgium. It was 16 hours in total. A 2/3 world journey to the land of 4 seasons, the land of my dream. I still remembered my last Ashar prayer in the airport mosque. I still remembered those moments when I lifted my head and talked to Him, asked Him to take care of my family, to make sure that they'll always be alright.

It was 5 pm and our chaperons asked us to check in, yet to have the final farewell with our family. I stared at my Daddy, the one and only man I ever believe in my whole life. For a moment I felt that I was totally wrong, that I've made a truly false decision, that I shouldn't leave, I shouldn't go.

I stared him deeply and I saw it. I finally saw it. I saw from his eyes those clear and pearly water. He was standing there, my 46 years old Daddy, trying really hard to holding his tears. He was there standing toughly. While I know his heart wasn't that strong. For a moment I feel like I couldn't breathe at all. I was so hurt inside, facing the truth that from my whole life until that time, I never see him crying.

The chaperons smiled gently and said that time is over. I gave my Dad a very deep hug and tried really hard not to cry. I closed my eyes and told myself that I love him, I truly love him. My Dad released me gently, he stared at me with his warm eyes. "Don't forget to pray", he whispered. "I promise you, Dad" I saw him closely for the last time, my heart was really hurt. I walked away from him, saw him from the last time, and waved my hand. My heart was broken for the second time.

We finally entered the plane. It was Lufthansa, a German airlines and the plane was the ordinary one. It takes couple hours to arrived at Singapore. My heart was full of new hopes. From Singapore we changed the plane into the bigger one and that was a luxury and huge one. I was doing few things during the long trip. Listening to some classical songs, watching movies, reading some books, doing the regular praying. The stewards and stewardess were truly professional but it was truly cold inside so that I thought I'll be dying due to hypothermia.

Everything's was alright until midnight. It was already in the half of the trip when the pilot said that we're already above the India. Everyone was sleeping while I couldn't sleep at all. I suddenly remembered about my family. It was my Mom who came first to my mind. She was smiling at the airport and waving her hands. My tears came down slowly. I remembered my Dad whispered, " Don't forget to pray". My tears gradually became harder. Hard enough so that I couldn't even breathe gently anymore. I kept crying untill I realize, the blanket was all wet.

It was dawn and the day was just about to start when we arrived in Frankfurt. It was a tiring 14 hours journey. My body's aching but my heart was so excited. Mom, Dad, here I am, about to landing and take my first step in Europe, the land of my childhood dream. I hold my backpack tightly and ready take my first step out of the plane.

Mom, Dad, here I am, I'm already in Europe.

I still could remember those moments. The air, the cold, the freeze. I still could smell it. The sun I stared inside the Frankfurt airport. I still could saw it clearly when I closed my eyes.

We moved to a smaller plane to Brussel, Belgium and met some other exchange students from Australia. It takes only 2 hours from Frankfurt to Brussel. And after 2 exciting hours in the plane, here I am, in the capital city of European Union, Brussel, Belgium.

I closed my eyes for a moments. I was thinking about my hometown. My house, my room. I was thinking about my family. Mom, Dad, Ketie, and Didi. I was thinking about all of my bestfriends, and other things I've left in Indonesia, in the other part of the world.

I inhaled the air deeply, and exhaled it deeply too. I opened my eyes widely while smiling really bright. Never as bright as that time before. I pray to God and fulfill my heart with a lot of pray and hopes.

Belgium, we finally met.
I take my first step and saw the whole new world. The new chapter of my life.




Mom, Dad, this is for you.