APPOINTMENT

"Zaki, I'm not lying. You can see for yourself what happened without me explaining in more detail to you. And there's nothing to hide because my relationship this time has been approved by our family,"

"I never blamed your parents who never liked our relationship. I think everything that happened between us was already arranged by God so that I can get to this day,"

"Please just pray for me, Zaki! I hope my relationship with Bro Barra goes well, and we can also become better friends than before. Didn't I tell you it's better to make friends than a relationship that is not approved at all, right? More comfortable making friends and you'll find out later!" Gita encourages Zaki to accept reality willingly.

"Hope you are happy with your choice!" said Zaki for the last time and immediately left the Gita without further ado.

'Believe me, Gita. I still have hope before you marry him. Don't be surprised one day I come back. When I'm worthy to be your companion. But for now, I'll let him smile with you!' Zaki said quietly.

Gita watched Zaki's departure with complicated thoughts.

'Don't blame anyone, Zaki. Indeed, this is the destiny that is created in our lives,' Gita thought.

"Are you done? Has the guest left?" asked Barra who was suddenly behind the Gita.

"Yes, Bro. I have already explained that we are engaged," said Gita, holding Barra's hand and smiling.

"Thank you, Gita. I was not wrong in choosing you to be my life partner. I love you," said Barra lovingly.

***

Barra walked quickly to the office of the company where he worked in the city because he got a call from there.

Knock Knock

"Excuse me, good afternoon!" Greeted Barra to a middle-aged woman known as Linda.

"Yes, please come in!" said the woman who got a nod from Barra.

"Have you received news or not from your manager about the promotion you got?" the conversation started with Mrs. Linda as HRD staff at Barra's company works.

"After we had a meeting to discuss your performance more than half a year ago, which was considered very good for our company in Malaysia. Therefore, from your current Departmental Division, we offer Mr. Barra to be promoted to the position of Maintenance Division Manager. And will be at work in Malaysia, where you've been working for the past few months!" Mrs. Linda told Barra.

"I'm sorry, Mrs." From how long Mrs. Linda explained, only one of Barra's surprising words came out.

"Are you surprised?" smiling Mrs. Linda studied the shocked look on Barra's face.

"Hmm, yes. I still don't understand. Could you please explain again!" Barra asked.

"Look, Mr. Barra. In secret, the Maintenance division team where Mr. Barra is currently working is conducting an assessment of the feasibility and performance of employees in advancing the company's operations,"

"The goal is that outstanding employees with a good work ethic can be placed as Manager of the Maintenance Division, which is currently empty for our company in Malaysia,"

"Of course our assessment is not arbitrary and very thorough and takes a long time. And we keep this a secret so that we can see firsthand the actual performance of employees without allowing employees to commit nepotism,"

"Our assessment is very professional according to standards. So this is a golden opportunity that is rarely owned by other employees in our company!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Barra! Congratulations on your promotion. The decision letter for promotion and employee transfer procedures will be sent as soon as possible through your current division. And to confirm the time of departure please consult your Division Head, right! Congratulations again, Mr. Barra!" holding out her hand, Mrs. Linda congratulates Barra on the promotion.

"Yes, Mrs. Linda, thank you!" Barra also reached out to welcome Mrs. Linda although there is still little information that can be absorbed by his brain at that time.

What Barra thinks now is that on the one hand, he is happy, he is happy because his job title has increased. On the other hand, Barra is confused because he has to move away from the city where he currently lives, which also leaves his fiancé Gita.

Is this really good news or bad news? What should Barra say to the Gita he has just proposed to? Just got home and met, now they have to separate again.

It occurred to Barra that he wanted to refuse the rare offer, but his common sense thought he would accept the offer. With a good career, he hopes to make Gita happy in the future.

Without a second thought, Barra rode his motorbike to the office where Mr. Hasan worked. After parking his motorbike, Barra headed for the post which is the reception desk.

"Good afternoon, sir! Can I help you?" asked the man at the reception.

"Yes, good afternoon! I ask for your help. I want to meet with Mr. Hasan from the PR department, can you please be called for a moment, sir? I need for a moment!" replied Barra.

"Yes, fine. Please wait a moment! Please wait in the space provided, while I will contact the PR department first!" said the officer and was seen picking up the phone and calling someone.

***

Mr. Hasan, who had seen Barra sitting on the guest bench, called while waving at his future son-in-law, "Barra!"

Barra turned his gaze towards the source of the voice, "Yes, Dad!" Barra answered as he stood up and approached Mr. Hasan.

They decided to sit in the office canteen because the air was cooler and more comfortable under the big shady trees.

Barra seemed to be watching the eagle flying around the tree branches towards its nest.

Seeing Barra's slightly strange behavior, Mr. Hasan asked Barra's purpose of coming to look for him.

"Barra, why did you suddenly come here looking for me?" Mr. Hasan started the conversation before taking a sip of their coffee.

"I'm confused, Dad," he answered simply with a heavy sigh.

Mr. Hasan turned his head and seemed to raise an eyebrow in surprise, "Why are you confused?"

"I just came from the HRD office and got information that I got a promotion to the position of Maintenance Manager, Dad!" Barra replied and made Mr. Hasan's face happy to hear that.

"Thank goodness, Barra. This is great news! I'm proud of you!" said Mr. Hasan congratulating his future son-in-law while patting Barra's shoulder.

"But, Dad-" Barra paused for a moment, "I was transferred to a company in Malaysia again," Barra's answer immediately dampened Mr. Hasan's smile that had been blooming.

Mr. Hasan seemed to think for a moment as he took another sip of his already warm coffee. Mr. Hasan also looked far into the gaps in the branches of the big tree that shaded them.

Now Mr. Hasan understands why Barra looks restless at the moment. Mr. Hasan is very aware of Barra's concern, who does not want to leave the Gita. But it is also Barra's responsibility to make Gita's future bright.

"I already understand the story you want to tell. As parents, of course, we want Gita to be happy with you, Barra. Even though the way is to see you guys far apart for the sake of the future. I don't mind at all," answered Mr. Hasan.

Barra was shocked to hear the words of his future father-in-law. But that seems to be the best way.

"That's what I thought the whole way too, Dad. For the sake of our bright future, I'll go there. But what about Gita, Dad?" he asked again.

"Gita must be sad, Barra. But we both know Gita is a smart woman. Gita can be strong and patient," said Mr. Hasan, comforting Barra a little.

'Yes, Dad. Gita can be tough and patient, but maybe I can't. I can't be away from Gita,' Barra muttered to himself.

"Let me tell Gita later. We'll get together at home to discuss this! Now don't worry. You work there, don't you? You don't want to just play, do you? And that's for Gita too, right? So, think about this calmly. May Allah smooth everything out!" Mr. Hasan advised Barra.

"Yes, thank you, Dad! I've calmed down a bit. Later when I'm not here, please take care of the Gita for me, OK, Dad!" Barra asked.

"Whose child is Gita, huh? Of course, I'll take care of her! You bastard. Never mind, I still have a lot of work to do at the office. Go home and meet Gita at home!" Mr. Hasan said.

"Okay, Dad. I'm going home. Sorry to bother you with work. Assalamu'alaikum, Dad!" Barra said goodbye.

Mr. Hasan saw Barra's figure walking away.

"Maybe Allah wants to maintain your attitude, so you are separated until the time comes. I hope you can be patient and tough!" Mr. Hasan muttered as he watched Barra leave.

Until nightfall, Mr. Hasan's family gathered in the family room of his house. Barra, who had been looking gloomy all this time, caught the attention of all family members except Mr. Hasan.