NOTE 11

As one of the requirements to attend the academy, students were required to live in dormitory. While in hospital, Alanka had been researched and imagined that the dormitory was far from cosy. Just a room with a bunk bed and the bare necessities for rest and doing homework. But she did not expect with what is in front of her right now.

The room had a bunk bed built into the wall ad two desks near the window. Across from the bunk bed there was a closet that, if she hadn’t checked it before, looked just like a simple wardrobe but with a storage area and a small fridge in it. In the centre of the room was a short table covered in a fluffy carpet with a vase that held genuine plant, a bonsai to be precise. After she was satisfied with the room, she sat down on the desk chair and wheeled it backwards. As the chair slid across the room slowly, she looked out the window.

From that room she could see the entrance of the academy. The huge steel gate with A fiery red shield with a gold-coloured garuda placed on the either side sides, and the long and wide cobblestone road that connected it to main building. She didn’t notice it at first, but looking from the room, she could see that in the centre of the cobblestone road was a painting. An olive wreath with the emblem of Tut Wuri Handayani in the centre.

“Yet no one has ever stepped on it,” said Thia. She carried a tray full of snacks, two empty cups with a saucer, and a teapot that emitted the delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea. “I hope this is enough for you.”

“Thank you. But I don’t think I can finish all that by myself.”

“But you haven’t eaten anything.”

“I have. Just not as much as Doctor Lika recommended.”

Thia placed the tray on the table whose chair she was sitting on. “If you allow it.”

“I insist. So, please, help yourself.”

Thia nodded. Before she prepared herself, she poured a cup of tea and gave it to her. She also helped her prepare the snacks she had brought to accompany it. “If you want to taste the others, let me know.”

“Thank you.”

“Curious about that emblem?”

“Not until you mention that no one has ever stepped on that emblem.”

“That’s the truth.”

“How so?”

“To train discipline and respect.” Thia cut the cake she had in half. Before eating it, she continued. “Putting the emblem that almost every student in this country wears on their uniform, even your daily uniform, in the middle of the road. Good for aesthetics but stupid for everything else. But all this is done with the thought that anyone who dares to step on or pass over that emblem is not worthy of receiving an education here.”

“One can be expelled because of that?”

“That’s what I heard.”

Alanka looked back at the emblem. Expelled just because of that trivial thing? And all that just to teach respect and discipline? Maybe there was some truth to it, but she felt something odd about it but had no idea as to what.

“Do you know its meaning?”

Alanka nodded. “I saw it on the ministry’s official website.”

The Tut Wuri Handayani emblem consist of five parts.

The first is a light blue coloured pentagonal shape that represent the nature of Pancasila.

The second is the motto of Tut Wuri Handayani itself which has the meaning of that a teacher not imposing his or her will on the students. The inclusion of this motto complements the appreciation and respect for the late Ki Hadjar Dewantara, the pioneer of education for the country.

The third is an illuminated blancong with a garuda blancong motif that comes from a special lamp used in shadow puppet shows.

The fourth is the garuda, which is the main motif. illustrates the dynamic, mighty, capable and brave nature of independently travelling across the vast space. The tail and wings of the garuda are depicted as five each, which means: 'one word with Pancasilais deeds'.

The fifth is a book that symbolises the source of all knowledge beneficial to mankind.

And finally the new additional that is only found at the academy, the olive wreath, that symbolises triumph.

“Has anyone in your time ever been expelled?” asked Alanka.

“None that I’m aware of.”

In addition to the gate and road, she could also see the garden and gazebos. There are number of students were seen enjoying their free time, whether they were enjoying tea time, playing games, or just chatting. She even recognised some of the students, especially Karangka and Cakra along with another classmate. But her attention did not stay on them for long. In the distance she could see it, that hangar.

“What did you think of the last fight?”

Thia swallowed what was in her mouth before answering. “She made the right choice. Though to be honest I’m a little disappointed.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you want to see them fight?”

“Not really.”

Alanka recalled that last fight. Perhaps to call it a fight is a bit of stretch. A single attack that was successfully withstood was not a fight. It was a show of strength and that was what Dianka and Kertanegara showed. She could still remember the look on Dianka’s face when Kertanegara decided to withdraw even without striking her back. It was filled with rage, filled with wrath.

“What about you?”

“About my fight?”

Thia nodded then stuffed another snack into her mouth.

“I don’t know,” replied Alanka softly. Words quickly formed in her head but her mouth refused to speak any of them. “In the first fight, I could feel it again, the tingles. They told me to shove my hands, to thrust the sword. But I didn’t. Instead I attempted to slash.”

“Out of instinct?”

“No. At least I don’t think so.”

For a moment there was silence.

“The second fight.” Her voice was hoarse. She took a sip of tea to clear her throat before continuing. “I knew Karangka would lunge forward again, so I prepared. If she swung her axe again, I was ready to stop them. If she tried to do something different, I would try to counter it. Although I could still feel them, I tried my best to ignore them. I thought maybe my body was not ready to follow them, or simply they can’t keep up with their demands. Then I tried to replicate what I saw in the videos I watched during my stay in the hospital and rely on my instinct. I believe it was the best option I had at that time. And in an instant, I was already lying on the ground.”

“And in the third fight, you try to leave everything to that feeling?”

Alanka nodded. Her hand clenched tightly that they were reddened.

“And what happened?”

“I can feel it. I know I can beat her this time in one strike. Just one precise strike.” Alanka looked down at the empty cup. “I could have killed her.”