Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 11)

By Dalem Tehang

AS my eyes began to sleep, there was the sound of the door being opened. Edi. Exit. Followed by Doni and Iyos.

I look to my left. Joko is still daydreaming. His gaze penetrated the ceiling of the room that was dull in color.

“They want to gather in front of room 1. Female detention room. Happy-happy,” said Joko suddenly, in a slow voice.

“Emang not reprimanded guard?” my many. Also in a slow voice. Joko shakes.

“Kok can?” i said again. Wonderingly.

“What can't be arranged anyway, Mario. As long as there is fulus,” said Joko.

I'm mangosteen. Aris stood up from her bed. He sits near me. Right on my leg. I was in a hurry to sit down too. Joko wakes up.

“Can you have your cigarette, Mario?” said Aris.

I put my cigarette. Shortly after, Aris seemed engrossed in sucking cigarettes in his hands.

Smoke was slowly escaping from his mouth. It was as if he was humming through the movement of cigarette smoke.

“You want to call wife?” aris said suddenly, looking at me.

“Emang can?” my many. My forehead winches.

Without answering my question, Aris looked towards Ijal who was playing chess with Tomy.

“Jal, take the bottle. Mario wants to call his wife,” he said.

“What does the bottle mean?” I said. Baffled.

“The bottle means hp. Cool term here,” explained Joko, with a smile.

I nod my head. A new habit I kept doing almost unconsciously. Spontaneous expression of shock.

Ijal goes into the bathroom. There was the sound of water pouring from the bucket.

“Om here,” said Ijal called me.

I'm flabbergasted. Ijal was opening a small plastic tied to rubber that he took from the bucket where he soaked his clothes. When the plastic is open, he takes out an old-fashioned hp.

“It's om. The phone while squatting in the closet yes, let's not monitor cctv,” he said while handing hp to my hand.

I followed his orders. I pulled my wife's phone number. Up to three times the break up is not lifted. I-i understand. Rarely would my wife pick up her phone if there was a call from an unknown number.

Right what Aris said. After eight breakups, I heard my wife's voice. Ogre.

“Hallo,” said from across. It seems he woke up from his sleep.

“Mother, it's dad,” I said. With a slow voice.

“Yes Allah. How can I call? Dad's well-advised?” he said in a surprised voice.

“Iya, fine. Alhamdulillahot. Mother same children also good invitation? This is hp pinned by Mr. Aris,” I said. Stay with the sound slowly.

“Aalhamdulillah's. Yeah, we're fine. Be careful, if caught by the officer will be a problem. What will I bring tomorrow?!” wife says.

“Inshaallah safe. What matters is not long. It's up to you to bring what. Kiss kangen for mom and kids. That's it first,” I said again. With a trembling voice. Worried about being caught by the guard.

“Yo wes, dad sleeping yes. The meat should be able to sleep. Keep condition. The journey is still long,” said my wife advised.

“Iyo. Assalamualaikum,” I said while turning off hp.

For a moment I closed my eyes. I take a deep breath. There is an open cavity, even if only a little. Relief. Ijal approaching. I put the HP in his hand.

I'm back at my place. Aris and Joko are having a conversation.

“Thanks, Aris. Seneng really I am this malem, can say hello to the wife. All thanks to your help,”. Aris smiled.

“When you want to call your wife or kids, say yes. As long as the condition is safe, use it,” said Aris.

The night is getting late. But there was a boisterous sound of people singing accompanied by a port of gallons of mineral water. The silence of the detention complex.

“We enjoy those who are happy-happy from here. It is not our world anymore. It is past our time,” said Aris, as if understanding the question in my heart.

“Which is where the hell?” my many.

“In front of room 1. Right next to the guard post. Rooms 1 and 2 are female prisoners. Yes, the name of the prisoner seeks entertainment. The important thing is we do not follow,” Joko chimed.

“Each malem no entertainment gini yes?” ask again.

“Yes, who have money and want to spend, can be every mallem. While singing and jogging, they can also drink wine or liquor,” continued Aris.

“Kok can yes? Is this a prisoner complex?” my spoken. Still in awe of astonishment. Aris and Joko laughed together.

“Nothing can't be set in this world, Mario. What matters is the money. Who bothers it if money does not sell,” said Aris. Followed by his last laugh (connected).