Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 32)

By Dalem Tehang

“TIME that, Mr. Edi is sued for divorce after serving the sentence, what just entered like Aris gini?” my many.

“That time, my sentence is only three months away. Which I've lived for three years and six months. Suddenly, a land letter came to where I was being held. Yeah, what else. That reality. So, I signed the petition for a divorce. That was my wife's first case,” Edi said. His voice remained calm.

“Three years six months Mr. Edi's wife can survive, only three months left free, even ask for divorce. Strange too huh?” my spoken. Mumbled.

“That's what I said, life is full of possibilities. Mysteriously. Who does not know Aris. Great politician. He was once an honorable member of the Council. Big chaser. The network is very extensive. Even he built this prison complex. Who would have thought, if finally he even went into the detention house that he worked on the building,” Edi continued.

Hearing Edi's statement which is always what it is, Aris just smiled. A very forced smile. Storing bitterness and bitterness. 

“So in conclusion, all the possibilities are actually called destiny yes, Kap,” said Joko.

“If I thought so, Joko. God gives all the possibilities as a form of destiny for His servant,” said Edi again.

“Saran Kap for me what?” Aris interrupted.

“Apply your wife's divorce request. Want especially? Thank you, because she's filing for divorce now. Try it later, if you want to be free. Can stress your weight,” said Edi lightly. 

“But I feel sorry for the kids, Kap,” said Aris. Voice slowly. There's novelty.

“The children are already guaranteed life and the same fortune of God, Ris. Don't you worry. They have their own lives, which are very different from our own. What matters is this destiny. Finish all business,” continued Edi. 

Me, Joko, and Aris just fell silent. Edi's statement is very vulgar. But fit and hit. He removed the consideration of emotional turmoil to bring us to life in reality. 

Our conversation came to a halt as a guard stood behind bars. 

“What a chat, it seems serious really,” said the officer. With a friendly voice.

“Ngalor-ngidul, And. Time before drowsiness,” said Edi.

The officer gave a signal. Edi approaching. They talk slowly. Edi shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 

Not long after, Edi moved. Stay away from iron bars. Wake Iyos, chamber treasurer. Asking for some money, and given to the officer who is still waiting behind bars.

“Moreover his business, Kap?” ask Joko.

“Custom, the reason for money to buy cigarettes. He is running out of online gambling. Want to pinjem a lot before, I said there was only at most Rp 30,000,” said Edi.

“Emang later behind the money?” my many. Edi shakes.

“Not a story of money back, Babe. Well, agep-anggep aja we are again difficult just keep alms,” Iyos interrupts. Smirking.

“This world is back and forth. We should be the ones who are hard gini who are loved, this is even us who must give,” Aris murmured. We all just smile.

Each one back in its place. I can't close my eyes. My heart and mind are upset. My wife doesn't usually come to see me after work. Diverse thoughts milling. Kian make confusion. 

I saw Aris wake up again. Towards the bathroom. Wudu. I know, he'll pray Istikharoh. I was moved too. Wudhu. Night prayers. Repentance and wish. 

Just finished wirid, I saw Ijal woke up from his sleep. 

“Mau coffee, Be,” says he. Rubbing his eyes. I'm nodding. 

Ijal calling tamping. Request hot water. Crowsily, the tamping brought hot water. I gave him one cigarette. Rewards for his kindness. 

Just once a sip of hot coffee made by Ijal, there was the sound of the dawn adhan. It didn't feel like day after day it changed so fast. 

After the congregation, I asked tamping to open the room door. Move the body in front of the room and walk back and forth in the hallway or a long hallway in front of the row of detention rooms. 

A middle-aged man came out from room 6. He also exercises. Face's clean. Body stocky. Friendly smile. 

“I pay attention, almost every day his wife is here yes, sir,” he said. Starting chat.

“If it is fit. Yesterday no came. Because there is activity. Mr. Rusdi is rarely dyed yes,” I said. Responding.

“If I did tell the family, come every two weeks. Don't have to be frequent,” he said.

“Why is that?” my many.

“Weight is paid, sir. Once besukan it will we have to pay for Rp 20,000 copies. Not to mention if the default is a bit much, it must be sorted by the same officer. If calculated, more taken officers than we receive,” said Rusdi. Unblunt. The calculations are so mature.  

I'm speechless. Apparently, all this time my wife routinely sent food. From breakfast to dinner. Means all this time, every day quite a lot of money is also spent. Not only to buy food, but also to secure all shipments can enter the room without sorting. 

“Don't talk to Rusdi for long, Be. He'll take drugs. He was a drug addict,” suddenly heard Joko's voice with her laugh.

“Ah, you are Joko. Early in the morning has provoked,” said Rusdi. And also laughing.

“Not provocation, Rusdi. Tell Babe if he talks to anyone again. Let her not be as happy as you,” said Joko as she exited the room and joined me and Rusdi.

“Emang this sampeyan ustad ya?” I asked Rusdi, who was thick in his Javanese accent.

“Teacher saw him this, Be. Frequently invited lectures. But his work was haunting before the lecture. Finally yes so ustad gini drugs,” said Joko explained. 

“Yang said Joko it's true. I teach in the village every day. One day, I met someone and he loved drugs. Sabus. Uh, continuity. Finally ketangkep,” says Rusdi. Plain. 

I looked at Rusdi's face. Not a single glance there seemed to be any regrets there. Stay shady and enjoy. 

“So really, if you want a lecture, until nyabu first?” my many. Curious. Rusdi nodded with a smile.

Suddenly Rusdi pointed at a young man who had just come out of room 8. 

“That's one of my santri. Hasbi. The pinter is amazing. Memorized qur’an as well. His fate is shit. Already got a scholarship and just left for Cairo to study in Al-Azhar, even hum the problem and finally entered bui gini,” said Rusdi. There was a hint of concern in his voice.  

Hasbi saw Rusdi who was fighting with me and Joko in the corner of the terrace room 10. The last cell. The young man approached. Sitting down, he salami Rusdi with both hands. Respectfully. Also greet me and Joko. 

“What's the story you can get in here? Mr Rusdi said, you should have left for Cairo to study and get a scholarship?” ask me about Hasbi.

The 25-year-old man smiled. Momentary. After that, his face looked grim. There was anger in his eyes. Anger that is pent up because it is powerless to resist reality. 

“Not yet fate I studied abroad, want how again, om,” said Hasbi. 

His voice was made so light. Indicates he has a fairly mature soul control.

For a few moments, we were all silent. Waiting for Hasbi to continue the conversation. But apparently, the young man preferred to keep his stories of grief and injury. 

 “Ceritain, it's okay, Hasbi. This Babe just came in here three weeks. I will next week the devolvement, so in the future you still have a place to chat, yes this Babe,” Rusdi said as he looked at Hasbi who lowered his head.

“Sorry, mr. ustad. I am ashamed to tell my disgrace. Enough to know. Add my inner burden if more and more know my disgrace,” Hasbi said later. His face is still down.

“Yes already, don't you tell me your problem yes, Hasbi. Indeed not all the stories of our lives until here, need to be told to everyone,” I said. Cutting discomfort Hasbi.    

Rusdi and Hasbi nodded. Joko asked Ijal to make us coffee. 

“I don't have to, my coffee is still there,” I said.

“Sorry, I don't copy. Water only, I will take it myself,” said Hasbi. 

Ijal makes coffee drinks for Joko and Rusdi. Not to mention the coffee that was served to drink, a guard officer stood at the end of the hall. He ordered us back into the room. Hasbi brought Rusdi's cup of coffee to her room. Takdhim a santri on his endadnya. (connected)