The Candidate<\/p>\n
Heny Setyowati<\/p>\n
His new political party made Ahmapo a celebrity, with regular TV
\nappearances and his profile in newspapers and magazines.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo was originally a nickname used to tease him. I had
\nfirst called him by that name, and then all our friends followed
\nsuit. An acronym for Ahli masalah politik (political expert), it
\nwas given in place of Sogol, his real name.<\/p>\n
As students of economics in the New Order's heyday, we used to
\naddress him as Ahmapo because he loved to talk about politics,
\nwaxing on for hours about the problems besetting the country.<\/p>\n
At the peak of Soeharto's New Order, he would earnestly
\npredict a post-Soeharto political constellation marked by the
\nemergence of hundreds of political parties claiming to be
\nreformists. In fact, their founders would be ex-officials or
\nfigures who had once collaborated with the New Order regime.<\/p>\n
\"Later, as the era of political reform arrives, I'll set up
\nreal reformist political party,\" Ahmapo declared during one of
\nour debates.<\/p>\n
After graduation, I never saw him again. I got married to a
\nmedical doctor almost straightaway. My husband earned a fair
\nincome and asked me to stay at home for the family.<\/p>\n
But as I was doing my household chores, I would reminisce
\nabout my intimate moments with Ahmapo during our college years.
\nHe was so romantic. We would walk home from campus but take a
\nroundabout route so we did not reach our lodgings too soon. And
\nwhen dusk came, he would ask me to study with him.<\/p>\n
\"When I become president and you are still single, we can get
\nmarried,\" said Ahmapo as we sat on the terrace of my
\nboardinghouse.<\/p>\n
\"Are you sure you won's get married until you are elected
\npresident?\" I had asked, only once of many times.<\/p>\n
Even as a member of the political elite, Ahmapo remained a
\nbachelor, as revealed in his biodata carried in the newspapers.
\nHe was, they said, an eligible bachelor. As for me, so afraid of
\nbeing a spinster, I had a family with two lovely kids.<\/p>\n
But I still longed to see him. Many times I would imagine his
\nsudden arrival in my house because he, too, missed me.<\/p>\n
And then the dream became a reality. Ahmapo did come one day
\nto my home. He arrived in the latest, most expensive luxurious
\nsaloon, in well-tailored suit and carrying a briefcase.<\/p>\n
\"Welcome, Mr. President!\" I called out with a broad smile.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo blushed with embarrassment.<\/p>\n
\"Oh, don't call me that. I'm only a presidential candidate,\"
\nhe said quickly, shaking my hand firmly.<\/p>\n
\"I thought you forgot me, now that you're a VIP. I've often
\nseen you on TV and in newspapers,\" I said as we sat down in the
\nliving room.<\/p>\n
\"How can I forget the one I love. But, unfortunately, I've
\nbeen duped, right?\" he said, still bashfully.<\/p>\n
\"What do you mean?\"<\/p>\n
\"Aren't you now a housewife?\"<\/p>\n
I nodded, telling him that I was scared of ending up without a
\nhusband and I had accepted the proposal of the first good man who
\noffered. I also said sorry for not inviting him to my wedding.<\/p>\n
\"After graduation, I guessed you would go abroad for further
\nstudy and soon forget me,\" I said.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo looked unhappy.<\/p>\n
\"I did study abroad and failed to let you know. Please
\nunderstand, I had to brush up on my English by following private
\ncourses till late evening,\" he said in a tone of regret.<\/p>\n
\"But now you've got a girlfriend, haven't you?\" I asked,
\nhoping for a positive answer.<\/p>\n
\"I wouldn't be here if I had one\".<\/p>\n
I was deeply moved. This dashing, handsome man, now a
\npresidential candidate, lived alone, waiting for me.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo spoke in a husky, embarrassed voice.<\/p>\n
\"I've come here to find out if you're really married.\"<\/p>\n
\"That's what I'm now. I stay at home, looking after the
\nfamily, as my qualifications won't help me now,\" I responded, my
\neyes glazing over with tears.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo sighed deeply, glancing around the sitting room, to
\nthe terrace and the flowers growing outside.<\/p>\n
\"You should thank God. With your beautiful two-story house,
\nI'm sure you're completely prosperous and happy. Trust me, you're
\nthe most successful of us all.\"<\/p>\n
I blushed.<\/p>\n
\"But you must be a lot wealthier. I imagine that you live in a
\ngrand house.\"<\/p>\n
Ahmapo was beaming with pleasure.<\/p>\n
\"If you say I'm wealthy, well, it's the truth, yes. Now I've
\ngot three houses, in Jakarta, Bandung and Denpasar. At the moment
\nI usually stay in Jakarta. I leave the other two vacant. I still
\nhave three other cars, but they are Japanese makes. I have to
\nlook appropriate as a presidential nominee.\"<\/p>\n
The brief account of his riches set off a slight pang of
\nregret in me, and, besides, he was more attractive than my
\nhusband. Once my boyfriend, he was now a presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
How lucky would be the woman who became his wife if he
\neventually became president. If only it could be me.<\/p>\n
After a long chat in the room, I invited Ahmapo to have lunch.
\nMy husband had called to inform me he would not be back home for
\nlunch because he was busy at the hospital.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo asked for my cell phone number after lunch and left
\nhis. Before he went away, he handed his briefcase to me.<\/p>\n
\"What's inside?\" I was confused.<\/p>\n
Ahmapo smiled and opened it on the table.<\/p>\n
\"Look, they're just gold pieces, weighing 10 kilograms in
\ntotal. You can sell or keep them. Sell them all to buy a new car,
\nfor instance. It's up to you,\" he said while closing the case.<\/p>\n
My heart pounded and I trembled all over at the sight of the
\ngold bars.<\/p>\n
\"Pray for me that I'll be elected president, though you may
\nnot be my wife as you have a family of your own,\" he said,
\nkissing my lips and stepping away.<\/p>\n
I nodded, overwhelmed by the mixed sensation of joy and
\nbewilderment.<\/p>\n
Translated by Aris Prawira<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-candidate-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }