Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 16)

By Dalem Tehang

“IN every inspection, always father until the real happens. But Rudolf never showed his attitude in support of father's statement. He just sat down, kept quiet, and watched the examination process. There is no attempt to be confronted. Good with Yudi, Anom, especially Aceng. Or other efforts in accordance with the law. Rudolf was only gonna get himself if I had a lawyer. No defense at all,” uraiku long. My voice vibrates. Holding a turbulent soul. Angrier.

My wife pressed her forehead against the iron trellis that separated our position. I know, his mind is raging. In tune with her feelings that have never calmed down since I was detained. 

I elus his head. Time and time again. We both fell silent. I stick my forehead to his forehead. Both of my hands clasped his body from the bars. I heard a noise. Slowly. Wife's crying. 

I let it blow its pent-up sadness. Flows slowly. Shaking his body that remained in my arms. 

We enjoy that hue of grief layered by adversity in our own way. Mouth was silent, mind was telling a story. Beyond a thousand-word chain.

Until we finally realized when the voice of the Maghrib Adhan echoed from the mosque next to the mapolres. I let my wife go home feeling bad. 

I know exactly how a million displeasures settle in his body. Only because he has a strong mentality, he can still survive the course of life. 

One plastic bag containing my wife's luggage, handed over to the guard. While walking towards the room, I saw the contents. 

Not only contains food, but also there are sarongs, cocoa clothes, and skullcap. Plus vitamins. 

When I became a Maghrib priest in my room, I used a sarong, a cocoa shirt and a skullcap that my wife brought. There's a difference in me. More comfortable and united when facing the Supreme Being.

I invite my friends to teach. Reading surah yasin. Everybody tag along. Making circles. One by one our holy verses are spoken. There are vibrations that infiltrate the deepest inner khalwat. Peacefulness. 

After Isya's prayer, the officer performs an apple. I'm still in koko-shirted and dressed. An officer looked at me seriously. As if I made a mistake. 

At the same time, the officer beside him whispered. The officer watching me nodded. After making sure the contents of the cell fit the list, the officer turned around. Back to guard post.

“You saw the officer wanted your country?” said Joko. I'm nodding.

“Why not be?” continue him. I just shrugged.

“Because you can already dispense, Mario. Mr. Rudy the tahti commander must have been to his ranks to take care of you. But don't be proud just yet. It's prison. There are only later who do not like and look for problems with you,” said Joko seriously. 

I nodded my head. More and more understanding of the dynamics of life in cells like this.

Just as we were having dinner, the cell door opened quickly. There's a razia provos and a team of satnarcotics.

I'm already going to protest with the officers' treatment. But my mouth was smothered by Aris who was next to me, as he shook his head. Asking me to hold back. 

The officers who raided were really rude. The whole bag is removed. Tousled and sown to the floor. Each pack of cigarettes is checked. 

All foodstuffs that Ijal put in the bucket, do not escape the examination. All dissipated. As if useless. 

For nearly 30 minutes, the five-person officer checked our room. All the cigarettes were put in plastic bags and taken out of the room. The food that had been neatly arranged on the floor for us to eat dinner, scattered. 

After the officers came out, each of them tidied up his clothes and personal belongings again. 

Some of the vitamins my wife brought this afternoon disappeared without a trace. My cigarette was not left even with one stick.

My heart rumbles unruffled. Not receiving such inhumane treatment. 

I borrowed Aris hidden in a bucket of clothes immersion in the bathroom, and no officers found during the raid. 

I told Laksa, my wife's sister, by text. I exposed the arrogant behavior of the officer. Our room is not a drug prisoner, it's a drug raid. And his execution is very inhumane.

“This is the prison world, Mario. When can we be treated as officers,” said Joko. Who understands the turmoil of my heart.

“They in charge have a prototype, Joko. It can't be gini either. We are not animals. Don't be treated at will,” I said in an angry tone.

“So what do you want? Want to volunteer?” suddenly Doni chimed. 

I stared at the nanar, the man who had shown me so many times his dislike. 

“Yes, I must have fought the behavior of the raiding officer earlier. What do you want?!” I said in a high tone. 

I looked at Doni with angry eyes. I'm standing. Waiting for him to move from his seat. 

Suddenly Asnawi, sitting beside Doni, stood up. The man who got caught in the mugging case spontaneously dropped his body towards Doni. Smothering. Banging his forehead against the wall. Time and time again. Doni roared in pain. 

Move the whole room apart. Doni's forehead is bleeding. His right hand was sprained due to the sudden piercing of Asnawi's stocky body. 

I stood still, just silent. My anger is still bubbling. To make my whole body vibrate (connect).