Praise

Praise from a Mr. Nikolai turned out to have a big influence on us. Because our performance is considered good, Mr. Aidin said that he would give us an additional salary next month. “Your work is great, very good!” Mr Aidin never stopped praising us. “I don't know how to thank you anymore!” he looked at the row of paintings belonging to the family Lazuardy on display in this gallery. “This place was almost sold, it's no joke. I beg that this place be maintained. Because this is where I started my career working for the family Lazuardy,” I was very touched to see him almost crying. “Thank you very much!” He even bowed before us all. Employees who were even far lower than him. We bowed back as a form of respect and then applauded him.

...----------------------------...

“Do you guys know each other?!” Alice pulled my arm. Get away from the mob of employees who are eating pizza.

“What does that mean?” I kept the paper cake plate filled with pepperoni pizza slices. I almost fell when he grabbed my arm. “Who?” I was confused by what Alice said.

“Mister Nikolai! he never takes his eyes off you!!” Alice pointed right in front of my face with an irritated expression. “You probably didn't know him before!”.

“Everyone I think knows about family Lazuardy, especially Mr Nikolai. Because he is very popular, but for' know' like you mean. Like I know you, Honestly today is the first time in my life to see him in person!” Alice looked at me in shock, but I wasn't lying.

“You're not lying are you?" Can only laugh at Alice's question.

“For what I lied, I'm not paid!” Feeling that there was nothing more that I needed to talk to him about, I quickly left. I need a drink, a glass of cola to accompany my pizza. I left Alice who kept looking at me with suspicious eyes and gathered with the other employees.

Unfortunately I couldn't ignore those words. What Alice said just now was true. ‘ Weird, why is that? ’ No. I don't know my boss, just so you know. From the first time he came in, I felt that he kept watching me. This even happened when I was lined up with other employees in the hall Somei Yoshino. ‘ I think it's because I'm a new employee! ’ This is what I thought. ‘Maybe my performance is still in question? ’ this is possible.

“Daydream what? you already got a bonus, do not continue to eat instant noodles!” Ilyas gave the last piece of pizza from the box in front of us.

“Alright, I'll go shopping after I get home from here” it's time to add nutrition when my salary is increased.

“Isn't Mr. Nikolai's sister getting married?” said an employee almost made me choke. I immediately turned to him who was sitting at the end of the room.

“Wow, which lucky person can become a son-in-law Lazuardy?!” said the employee who sat not far from me. “I want to be rich too!” he laughed so hard it filled the room.

“You want, but does Mr. Nikolai's brother want with you?!” instantly the space of the employees became boisterous.

It hurts to have to think about it again. I want to quickly forget everything, but can't. Want to ask that this fact never happened. Want God to remove that 1 day for the rest of my life, that yesterday and all the times I've known and met that person never existed.

Food that should taste good, Now it's tasteless in my mouth. I chew it fast, pushing the food into the esophagus with the help of cola. I looked at the clock, We should be closing in a few minutes. I saw that some of the cleaners had turned off the lights and taken down the safety bars on the windows.

“Can you help me?”

I turned my head, when someone approaches. He is Adam, the youngest employee on our team. “Yes?”

“Isn't your house not far from here?!”

"Right, what is it?” I'm curious.

“Would you like to go to the Columbarium which is not far from the town square? I have to go to the village and my train ticket at 10 o'clock. Today is the 1 year anniversary of my mother's death. Will you pray for him?”

“Eh?” I am shocked. “But, is it okay? How do I know it's your mother's ashes?” Surprised, I've never even been to that place and I already have shopping plans after I get home from work.

“Mother's urn is at the very end. If you are still confused, you can ask the employees there. They will help you find it. I have to go home soon. I took time off because dad asked you to come home,” He said so softly that it confused me. “Your closest home!” What he said was true, but I feel weird praying for people I don't know.

“Okay!” I agreed. It would be a sin if I refused.

Adam thanked me, he asked me out. I followed him, we walked to the parking area on the first floor of the building. “Mother's urn is on the 1st floor,” he opened the trunk of his car. Picked up a large duffel bag and took out a cloth bundle. “It's at the very end on the left, near the big window!” he then gave me incense, bouquet of flowers and cake. Adam also sent me where his mother's pots are kept. It was a beautiful urn, white with a carved cherry blossoms.

“I never go there, but i will try to do it!” My family does not do cremation and funeral methods are different from Adam's family.

“It doesn't matter, simply light the incense I gave you and place the flower with the others at the bottom. The language of prayer is universal, you can do it in multiple languages!”

“Ah...,” I understand. “Okay, I'll do!"

Some of our friends scrambled out of the elevator into the parking area. “I took 3 days off because I was asked to go home dad, See you on Monday, OK?” Adam started the engine. He left me with the packet of incense and cake he gave.

“Okay, see you later!” now I know, why in his car he was carrying so many things. Apparently he plans to go straight to his father's house after work.

I walked towards the elevator which was already empty. Staring at the parking lot that only tells of an old, worn out automatic motorbike, that's mine. My workplace is only 15 minutes away. My dad gave me the motorbike so I wouldn't walk. I could just sell it. Bought a better one and left the sound of the motor which is sometimes very noisy, but that was a gift from my father. No matter how good or bad I will keep it.

...----------------------------...

I've never been to the Columbarium. It is only 200 meters from the rented house. conditions are so quiet and momiji along the road to the main page. Rows of dim, classic-style garden lights accompanied them. Including a koi pond in the garden. This place is so calm, also cold. This calm I know for whom, those sleeping in there.

I climbed the stairs. Look at the instructions from the photo Adam gave. The entrance to this place is only guarded by a security guard. Afraid of getting lost, I chose to ask him by showing the picture Adam gave. He kindly wanted to take me to where Adam's mother's pot was kept.

“Thank you so much for driving me” I bowed to the security guard, thank you for taking me. he then said goodbye to return to vigil.

An aisle maybe 1 meter wide flanked by high shelves 3,5-4 meters. Flowers lay in almost every part of the aisle. Longest photo on several small urns 20-30 cm high. Trinkets such as whistles, medals, to simple crafts and even paper origami accompany each urn.

Maybe those were the things they liked in their lifetime. 10 minutes I searched, finally i found it. A white urn with cherry blossoms. On the side of the urn there is herbarium, starting with cherry blossoms, tsubasi, suisen, tsutsuji, to Ginkgo leaves. I can guess that Adam's mother was a plant lover in her life.

According to Adam's instructions, I immediately lit an incense stick and stuck it in the place provided. Put a bouquet of flowers under a shelf with dozens of other bouquets. Take my hands and start praying.

‘ I'm Kris, friend of your son who came as a representative. He is on his way to your husband's house. I beg you to accompany him so that he reaches his destination safely. I don't know how you pray, because we are different. I will wish you my way. I hope you are at peace in nature and happy. No more burdens about this world. Your son is a good person, don't worry about him. We as his friends will help and look after him. I'm glad to meet you today ’. I put out the incense before leaving. closed the glass door again and placed a black bean cake near the flower.

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