Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 21)

By Dalem Tehang

AFTER the evening apple, Ijal opened a plastic bag containing food my wife sent.

“Wah, amazing sahur we later. All should fast this,” he said so opening one after another pack of food.

“Emang why, Jal?” ask Aris.

“Babe wife sends 12 packs of pecel catfish rice. Plus tofu and fried tempeh. Alhamdulillah,” said Ijal with a beaming face.  

He tidied back the food package and put it nicely arranged in the corner of the room. Front of the bathroom.

“Aalhamdulillah's. Thank you all to his wife, Be. Inshaallah the more the rejeknya,” said Edi represents the occupants of room 10. I nodded my head while smiling.

I saw Aris code Ijal. The young student who was entangled in the persecution case shuffled from his seat. Towards the bathroom. Not long after, he called me.

I looked at Aris. He beckoned for me to Ijal's place. To the bathroom. Apparently, Ijal handed over Aris's phone. I get the point.

While crouching in the closet, I called my wife. The one who picked up the phone, my girl. The Moon's.

“Dad, thank you for the water. Maak Samaek has been drinking it. But it doesn't end right away. Mother said, mixed with ordinary water can also be. Let's end our fitting finished replay,” said Moon, so know I'm the phone.

“Aalhamdulillah's. Yes, may be mixed with ordinary water, sure God always guides you, nduk. Learning should be the maximum. Dad always doain,” I said slowly.

“Mbak is just as serious about learning, dad. Moreover, mother said, if we have to show even though father is now not at home, we can still survive,” said Moon in an optimistic voice.

Suddenly my heart whimpers. Sliced. Mournfully. Grievous. Imagine how heavy my wife's burden motivates children to stay upright. While he must also be present in daily activities with a mind full of rigor. 

“Dad, this new mother finished bathing,” the sound of the Moon resuscitated me from the pull of such a stifling feeling.

"Food for sahurnya already accepted huh, father? Thank God, the officer is good. He wants to help because to eat sahur,” said my wife.

“Aalhamdulillah's. It was accepted. Thank you, dear. Inshaallah tomorrow father fasting, with friends all,” I said.

“Yes, where to. Most importantly, do not interrupt activities in the office. Earlier Mr. Edi the head of the room represented the nyampein friends, thank you for the delivery for his meal. A lot of that. Like all fasting tomorrow,” I said again.

“Aalhamdulillah's. That was indeed the windfall of my friends in the room. God has already ordered it so. The unusual fasting, yes do not be forced. The important thing is to be healthy and be friends,” my wife said.

Suddenly Ijal passed in front of the bathroom. Signal me not to make a sound. There's a guard officer controlling the room. I was in a hurry to turn off the phone.

After pouring water a few times into the toilet, I went out of the bathroom. The officer who had just applied a moment before, seemed to be looking at me. There was suspicion from his eyes. 

“Times in the bathroom? Stomach pain or discharged what?” ask her.

“Astomach pain, sir!” sahutku short. While getting into my bed.

“Eatya, if you want to be naughty when you are young. Don't be old and go to jail. Difficult to be,” said the officer again. No load.

Stung at me with his words. I looked at the officer who was standing on the iron bars. There's a fight in me. Suddenly Joko patted my thigh. Slowly. Muffle. 

“Edi, take these elders out if the malem. Let there be entertainment. Hang out in front of room 1 there. So not a little bit sick,” said the officer while looking at Edi the head of the room.  

“Ready, Dan!” edi immediately stood up and approached where the guard stood.

I saw Edi reach into his shorts pocket. And a moment later, his hand handed something into the hands of the attendant who was holding the iron bars. The officer smiled. A moment later, turn around. Go awayl. Back to the guard post.

“Pak Edi love how much was it?” I asked, as soon as Edi sat back to his place. The head of room 10 signaled Rp 50,000. 

“Tomorrow I change the money,” I said. Edi nodded with a smile.

“Not mind, Babe. The behavior of the kayak officer earlier was because he was again dead-end heavy. Don't-don't just have a cigarette, whereas the duty of guard until tomorrow morning,” sela Iyos. And smiling too.

The story is released when prisoners like dairy cows or adders to the coffers of guard officers income, it is not just a story. Although not all officers treat the troubled people they care for, to take care of at a glance. Many even give extra food and attention. It all goes back to the individual.

At exactly 03.30 WIB, we ate sahur. All residents of room 10 in the morning intend to fast the sunah. Togetherness in conditions full of limitations to stay closer to God, feels more meaningful (connected).