Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 29)

By Dalem Tehang   

UNTIL the voice of the Maghrib Adhan echoed, there was no call for me. Usually, by evening my wife was away. There is displeasure in my heart. Why and what is it my wife did not come.

After receiving Maghrib prayers, I taught with friends. Ijal was busy lifting the water. Put it in a big tub in the bathroom. He alternated with Tomy, Irfan, and Arya.

Just now we finished praying Isya congregation, Deni tamping came. Calling Aris. They spoke slowly restricted to iron bars. 

Deni Tamping handed her a sealed envelope. Aris opened. Read the paper in it. Just sec. He put the paper back in the envelope.

When he turned around from talking to Deni, Aris's face looked gloomy. This dashing man who always appeared perlente and fragrant, sat on his bed with eyes glaring. I'll signal Joko.

Joko called Aris. Ask him to my place. Indeed, my place is the most strategic position in the room for limited conversation. Because it is in the corner and directly adjacent to the bathroom cover wall.

“Why you?” joko asked as soon as Aris sat in front of us.

“There is bad news. Not seriously very, just did not expect a piece of this,” said Aris. His voice vibrates. Between haru and holding back emotions. 

“If you may know, how are you?” my many. Curious.

Aris did not answer. Hand's moving. Into his shorts. He took an envelope. Handed it to me.

“Can I open and read the contents?” I said ask permission. Aris nodded. 

My eyes widened and my heart pounded as I read the letter. I gave Joko a letter in an envelope.

“Subhanallah, why can gini, Ris? This really?” joko said with a surprised tone.

His voice was quite loud, attracting the attention of the other comrades. They all turned their faces towards the three of us. 

“What's up, Aris? Dapet land letter yes,” said Edi. As he stood up from his place and approached to where we were sitting.

“What does the land letter mean, Kap?” ask Joko.

I'm stunned. How Edi can find out if the letter received by Aris is a letter of approval of his wife filed a divorce lawsuit. 

“Kok sir Edi knows that this letter is about divorce?” my many. Also with a slow voice. 

“Feeling aja, Be. Usually, we who are again detained gini rarely get letters. Especially the ones with sand. Most often, yes the land letter that comes,” replied Edi. No load. 

I put the letter in the envelope again and I handed it to Aris. In a hurry he put it in his pants pocket.

“Patient yes, Ris. You plus this exam because you are the person of choice,” said Joko encouraging Aris. 

Patted on the shoulders of the great businessman, the honorable former member of the Council. Aris just looked down. It looks like he's so down. Inner collapses. His formidable mentality and mature self-control, had suddenly disappeared. Just get sucked up. As if being blown by a breeze that passed through iron bars.

“Sorry, Aris. Has your household been in trouble all this time? And as far as I am concerned, ever since you came in, neither your wife nor your children have been frenzied. Most also some of your friends,” said Edi.

Aris still looked to be setting her heart. His breathing is irregular. Up and down. Proverb in motion without rhythm in his chest that field. 

Several times he took a deep breath. Trying to restore calm. 

Joko ignites a cigarette, giving it to Aris. Slowly, he smoked the cigarette. He breathed out his smoke with great anticipation. His eyes followed the irregular movement of smoke. Away carried as breeze. And disappeared through a small iron-tested window at the end of the prisoner's room.

“There hasn't been a problem so far. My family is fine. We can even say that we are a harmonious family. Problems arise, yes because I entered this,” said Aris, after successfully calming himself.

“Why is that?” as if. 

“Honestly, my wife and children, as well as my extended family, can't take me to jail. I was embarrassed and ruined the good name of a big family. Hence, ever since I entered, my wife and children, as well as my family, no one has ever been besuk. Actually Edi said, only a few friends who came to grieve me. It was no more than a count of fingers on one hand,” Aris later explained.

Me, Joko, and Edi fell silent. Imagine how heavy the inner burden of Aris so far. His closest people, whom he loved, left him as he was drowning in a pit.

In fact, now the big ship that he has built with the struggle so far, will just sink. Only because now he is confined in a storm vortex that is beyond his expectations (connected).