Rasa Yang Tak Terduga (An Unexpected Feeling)

Violetta Annette atau Violet adalah murid paling pintar di sekolahnya. Dia dikenal karena selalu mendapatkan nilai sempurna dalam hampir setiap mata pelajaran. Namun, di balik ketekunannya, ada satu hal yang membuat harinya lebih berwarna: kehadiran Robert Harrison, guru bahasa Indonesia yang baru.

Robert, seorang pria berusia 32 tahun, memiliki kepribadian yang tenang dan ramah. Penjelasannya dalam kelas selalu lugas, penuh humor, dan mudah dimengerti. Setiap kali dia tersenyum, Violet merasa hatinya berdebar. Dia tahu, ini hanyalah rasa kagum semata. Tapi lama-lama, rasa itu tumbuh menjadi sesuatu yang lebih.

"Pak Robert itu baik sekali ya, selalu sabar kalau kita bertanya," kata Violet kepada sahabatnya, Clara, suatu hari.

"Baik sih, tapi aku rasa kamu lebih dari sekadar kagum, Violet," Clara menggoda sambil tertawa kecil.

Violet hanya tersenyum malu. Ia tahu bahwa Clara tidak sepenuhnya salah.

Violet sering mengajukan pertanyaan tambahan kepada Robert setelah jam pelajaran selesai. Bukan hanya karena dia ingin tahu lebih banyak tentang bahasa Indonesia, tetapi juga karena ia menikmati percakapan dengan gurunya itu.

"Pak, kenapa puisi Chairil Anwar sering kali terdengar begitu penuh emosi?" tanya Violet suatu sore.

Robert tersenyum. "Karena puisi itu adalah cerminan dari jiwa penulisnya. Chairil Anwar menulis dengan sepenuh hati, dan itu yang membuat karyanya hidup."

Setiap kali Robert menjawab, Violet merasa semakin tertarik, bukan hanya pada pelajaran, tetapi juga pada pria di depannya. Dia menyadari bahwa Robert bukan hanya tampan, tetapi juga cerdas dan bijaksana.

Namun, Robert tidak pernah menunjukkan perhatian khusus kepada Violet. Dia selalu bersikap profesional, meskipun ia sering memuji kecerdasan Violet di depan kelas.

Di malam hari, Violet sering merenung. "Apakah rasa ini salah?" pikirnya. Tapi hatinya selalu meyakinkan bahwa perasaan itu tulus.

Suatu hari setelah kelas selesai, Violet memberanikan diri untuk berbicara. "Pak, bolehkah saya jujur?" tanyanya dengan suara pelan.

Robert mengangguk. "Tentu, Violet. Ada apa?"

"Saya rasa... saya menyukai Bapak," kata Violet, wajahnya memerah.

Robert terdiam. Ia menatap Violet dengan mata penuh pengertian, tetapi juga kebingungan. "Violet, saya menghargai kejujuranmu. Tapi hubungan guru dan murid itu tidak boleh lebih dari sekadar profesional."

Violet mengangguk, air mata mulai menggenang di matanya. "Saya mengerti, Pak. Saya hanya ingin mengatakannya agar tidak menjadi beban di hati saya."

Setelah pengakuan itu, Violet berusaha menjaga jarak. Ia fokus pada pelajaran dan berhenti mengajukan pertanyaan tambahan. Robert, di sisi lain, tetap memperlakukannya seperti murid lainnya, meskipun ada rasa kagum pada keberanian Violet.

Tahun berlalu, Violet lulus dengan predikat terbaik. Ia melanjutkan studinya ke luar kota, membawa serta kenangan tentang Robert sebagai motivasi untuk meraih mimpinya.

Lima tahun kemudian, di sebuah seminar sastra, Violet yang kini menjadi mahasiswi pascasarjana, melihat sosok yang familiar. Robert ada di sana, menjadi salah satu pembicara.

Setelah seminar berakhir, Violet mendekatinya. "Pak Robert?" panggilnya.

Robert menoleh dan tersenyum. "Violet? Sudah lama sekali tidak bertemu."

Percakapan mereka mengalir dengan mudah. Robert terkejut melihat betapa dewasa dan percaya diri Violet sekarang. Di akhir pertemuan, Robert berkata, "Kamu telah tumbuh menjadi wanita yang luar biasa, Violet. Saya bangga padamu."

Violet tersenyum. "Terima kasih, Pak. Bapak adalah salah satu inspirasi saya."

Seiring berjalannya waktu, mereka mulai sering berkomunikasi. Kali ini, bukan lagi sebagai guru dan murid, tetapi sebagai dua orang dewasa yang saling menghargai. Hubungan mereka perlahan berkembang, dan setelah beberapa tahun, Robert melamar Violet.

Di altar gereja, mereka mengucapkan janji suci, memulai bab baru dalam hidup mereka. Cinta yang dulu tampak mustahil kini menjadi nyata, membuktikan bahwa waktu dan kesabaran dapat membawa keajaiban.

[Bahasa Inggris]

Violetta Annette, or Violet, was the smartest student in her school. She was known for consistently getting perfect scores in nearly every subject. But behind her diligence, there was one thing that made her days more colorful: the presence of Robert Harrison, the new Indonesian language teacher.

Robert, a 32-year-old man, had a calm and friendly personality. His explanations in class were always clear, humorous, and easy to understand. Every time he smiled, Violet felt her heart skip a beat. She knew it was just admiration at first. But over time, that feeling grew into something more.

"Mr. Robert is really nice, isn’t he? Always patient when we ask questions," Violet said to her best friend, Clara, one day.

"He is, but I think you like him more than just admiration," Clara teased with a small laugh.

Violet only smiled shyly. She knew Clara wasn’t entirely wrong.

Violet often asked extra questions after class—not just because she wanted to learn more about Indonesian literature, but because she enjoyed the conversations with her teacher.

"Sir, why do Chairil Anwar’s poems often sound so emotional?" Violet asked one afternoon.

Robert smiled. "Because poetry reflects the soul of its writer. Chairil Anwar wrote with all his heart, and that’s what makes his work alive."

Every time Robert answered, Violet found herself more drawn to him not just to the subject, but to the man in front of her. She realized that Robert wasn’t just handsome, he was also smart and wise.

However, Robert never showed any special attention to Violet. He always remained professional, even though he often praised Violet’s intelligence in front of the class.

At night, Violet often wondered, "Is this feeling wrong?" But her heart always assured her that her feelings were sincere.

One day after class, Violet gathered her courage to speak.

"Sir, may I be honest with you?" she asked softly.

Robert nodded. "Of course, Violet. What is it?"

"I think... I like you," Violet said, her face flushing red.

Robert was silent for a moment. He looked at Violet with understanding, but also with confusion. "Violet, I appreciate your honesty. But a teacher and student can’t have more than a professional relationship."

Violet nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I understand, Sir. I just needed to say it, so it wouldn't weigh on my heart."

After that confession, Violet tried to keep her distance. She focused on her studies and stopped asking extra questions. Robert, meanwhile, continued treating her like any other student, although he admired her bravery.

Years passed. Violet graduated as the top student and went on to study in another city, carrying with her the memory of Robert as motivation to reach her dreams.

Five years later, at a literature seminar, Violet, now a postgraduate student, saw a familiar figure. Robert was there, one of the speakers.

After the seminar, Violet approached him. "Mr. Robert?" she called.

Robert turned and smiled. "Violet? It’s been a long time."

Their conversation flowed easily. Robert was surprised at how mature and confident Violet had become. At the end of their talk, Robert said, "You’ve grown into an incredible woman, Violet. I’m proud of you."

Violet smiled. "Thank you, Sir. You were one of my inspirations."

As time went by, they began to communicate more often not as teacher and student, but as two adults who respected each other. Their relationship slowly grew, and after a few years, Robert proposed to Violet.

At the altar, they exchanged vows, beginning a new chapter of their lives. A love that once seemed impossible had now become real, proving that time and patience could bring miracles.