Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 24)

By Dalem Tehang

After the prayer of Dhuhur worship, friends invite to read the letter of yasin. They want to be able to memorize sacred letters in the Alqur’an. Although the body is weak because it is not used to sunna fasting, I fulfill the request of my friends.  

Without feeling, the Ashar Adhan echoed. Study continued with prayer. My body feels weaker. I was in a hurry to take a shower. Somewhat fresh. 

“It looks lackluster, Babe,” says Ijal. Joking at me.

“Not looking anymore, Jal. But today Babe we are very lackluster,” interrupted Aris while laughing crazily. I also laughed.

“What is the most severe if fasting, Be?” ask Ijal.

“Yang sure, yes because do not eat rice and do not smoke, Jal,”. Henceforth. 

“For example, if you do not eat rice, it feels like you have not eaten, so yes, Be?!” continued Ijal. I nodded my head while laughing.

The sound of the cell door lock ended our conversation. Adit Tamping carries two plastic bags filled with food.

“Om, there's aunty at the guard post,” Adit said as he invited me to follow his steps to the guard post.

I hugged my wife from behind bars. He's not alone. But with Laksa, his sister. I hugged Laksa. Long time she hugged me. A thousand novelties fused in his powerful embrace into my body.

“Mother bring food for dad iftar same friends. There are market snacks. Plus supplements and instant noodles. There are also cigarettes from Laksa,” my wife said.

“Aalhamdulillah's. Thank you my dear,”, I said while hugging my wife again.

I kissed my wife. The expression of the chunk of affection covered with sadness. 

I told you, Rudolf the lawyer came and I asked to take steps according to the reality. 

“Thankful that he has come and can discuss. Inshaallah, he still can be professional,” said my wife. There was a pessimistic tone in his words.

My wife, Laksmi, asked if possible tonight my youngest child's phone, the Thunderbolt. 

“Not nothing at all. Last morning he pesen, if you meet father, until you can call adek,” said my wife, imitating the message of Thunderbolt.

“Inshaallah yes. If there's a chance it's definitely dad's phone,” I said.

There are many things my wife has said. Starting from the distance of people who have been close to our family. The unfriendliness of the people who used to be always present in our lives. 

Up to the media who continue to report the case that happened to me by developing news that came out of the rules of journalism, by mentioning the name of my wife and where my children's school.

“Yes already, just be patient. In this situation we know who are friends and who are losers. It's a natural selection process of God-ordered humanity,” I said calmly. 

My wife nodded with a smile. Thin. I know he's trying to make peace with reality.  

Laksa said he and his family would be out of town in a few days, so they couldn't see me.

“Iya, deck. Its nothing. Be careful on the road. God willing we all remain in the protection of the Supreme Protector wherever we are,” I said as I patted Laksa on the shoulder.

Towards the Maghrib Adhan, my wife and Laksa parted. I hugged my wife for a long time. Also Laksa. 

I am so grateful, in such a limited situation, that every evening I can still meet my wife. Just a different meeting place. Usually at home, now in the detention complex. 

As the Maghrib Adhan echoed, we were all occupants of room 10 iftar. After taking a sip of water, I continued to enjoy half-sweet coffee and smoke. 

Every breath of cigarette smoke, I always accompany with an expression of gratitude to the Gusti of God. The Sing Gawe Urip. 

After the Maghrib prayer, I ate the grilled chicken rice that my wife brought me. 

Friends of fellow cell dwellers repeatedly thanked Allah the Almighty and thanked my wife who had prepared food for breaking the fast.

“If open fast gini, it feels like we are at home? Not kayaking in jail,” said Edi. We all smile (connect)