The Blink is Dusk.
WEEPING FOR AND LYSAM
The sun was shining brightly, with the singing of the birds. Dozens of Pamong Praja Police, Mr. RT, Mr. Lurah, a lawyer, and several fathers walked to a small complex of houses, where there were Bagit and Lisam houses. Four uniformed and heavily armed policemen escorted two handcuffed men. Then every Pamong Praja Police officer came to fifteen houses around it.
"Mother, I'm sorry we got together for a minute. There's something important to talk about." Every police officer Pamong Praja told the people. All the residents gathered in a grassy field. It looked like Bagit, Lisam and their mother were also present.
"Brummmmhmm. Brum." In the distance, one bulldozer unit came down from a car and was on the side of the road.
"What's the matter Mr. RT." Ask a neighbor of Lisam. There are also those who ask the lurah sir, and some police pamong praja. Their answer should be explained, Mr. Lawyer, that's all. After all gathered and asked to be quiet and silent. Only then did Mr. Lurah explain his sitting.
"Mothers and mothers all apologized in advance. There are important things about the land that you build houses and occupy. Okay, respond with chest. As a lurah I only appeal that we solve all these problems with a cold head. To shorten the time, let's say Mr. lawyer." Said Mr. Lurah accompanied by Mr. RT.
"What's wrong, we bought it and we got the letter and the certificate." Answer a citizen. The situation is back low. The police, Mr. Lurah and Mr. RT again appealed for calm.
"Well, I explained to all the fathers. If the certificate you have is fake. You have been deceived by these two men. Both have been suspects in the sale of people's land and the case of forging certificates." The lawyer said, then the police showed two men handcuffed. His face looked down and everyone recognized the two. The lawyer and Mr. Lurah finally managed to convince the citizens. Therefore, inevitably they were all forced to leave the land and destroy their houses. The original owner's land papers are complete until the history of the land owner he knows.
Look at the evidence of the original owner. All residents are aware and willing to move. They asked for three days. To get ready to move. Lisam's mother was so sad, almost every night she cried. They have no money for rent. While the illness of Lisam's mother is still not cured.
"However they cheat, it deserves cheap." Lisam's mother's words regretted the incident seven years ago.
Three days have arrived. Only five houses were moved by their owners. The rest, left to be crushed by the bulldozer. Including Lisam and Bagit's house.
"Brummmm-s. Brum." The sound of the bulldozer roaring. Then their house collapsed unceasingly. From far away they watched while crying. Then walk away carrying a bundle of clothes. Also bring some cardboard.
"Mother, why is our house destroyed by people." Ask Bagit who doesn't understand.
"Oh, we're leaving now." His mother replied, looking as if she grimaced and pinched his forehead. Bagit's mother's face looked pale. They walked somewhere. No destination, no brothers in Palembang City.
...*****...
Mr. Hadi's wife prayed Ashar. He prayed that his mother would be found soon. Because prayer is the best thing from the success of a business.
"Oh Allah, please meet me again. Let me do good to him. I will never cheat him again. I beg of God." Such is the prayer of Juhusi the youngest son of Cik Rumi's grandmother.
...*****...
On the other hand, Bibik Tara Pak Barda's wife also finished Ashar prayers. She also prayed for the safety of her Mother-in-law, Grandma Cik Rumi.
"O Allah, I ask you for forgiveness, if I have upset my mother-in-law and become angry. I realize I'm not the perfect woman. Give me back my mother-in-law, I'll be a better daughter-in-law. I know sin in-laws are as sinful as my birth parents." The Bibik Tara prayer was long and full of regrets. Aunt Tara is a good daughter-in-law. It's just that he's too talkative and spoiled. He also loves his parents-in-law.
Tears of Bibik Tara flowed down his face. He was tormented, also ashamed of being considered the evil son-in-law's people. Mr. Leban overheard his wife's prayer. So that he became moved and more affectionate to his wife.
Meanwhile, Cik Rumi's other two daughters-in-law also prayed with regret. Indeed, three daughters-in-law grandmother is a good and righteous daughter-in-law. But the name of the man does have his own character. Not perfect, and they love Miss Rumi's grandmother.
...*****...
Bagit and Lisam hugged their mother. Mosquitoes fly around them. The dim atmosphere of the street lights. That night they slept in a former hut selling fruits that were no longer used. Zinc-rooted rusty and crooked. Likewise, the plywood walls seem to start to perpendicular. The night wind blew, and it rained hard.
"Wusss. Wusss. Grundungs. Guarrr." The wind was blowing violently shaking the leaves. Lightning strikes and lightning blasts.
"Cold, Mother." Complaint Bagit.
"Prophe Git, tomorrow we find a place that is not alkaline by rain." Said mother. Lysam then lifted the white plastic wide and protected Bagit from raindrops. Not only droplets, from beside the rain water also wet them because of the wind.
"Uhukkk.Uhukkk." Lisam's mother coughed because of her recurrent asthma, and her stomach acid also started to rise.
...*****...
THE NEXT DAY.
The streets were busy, some motorists appeared to be dealing with police on the outskirts of the road. A big car with a load somehow passed by. Jalan Kenten Lama directions Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II international airport. In a complex in the direction of Kenten Sea a young man pushes a motorcycle.
"Where is this Aram." A young man pushing his motorcycle. He was alone looking for Aram. Kapok's friends went with him. Often pushing his motorcycle.
"Aduuu, a little gasoline. It's been two days around Palembang." Grumpy the young man again. Azan Asar from the mosque. He saw the tall minaret of the mosque. He then pushed his motorcycle towards the mosque. Sweat drenched in a black t-shirt. Only the mosque is the best place to stay according to him. In addition to praying, he can rest comfortably and there is a WC generally.
"Where else am I looking for this Aram. I've surrounded this Palembang City. Opposite Ulu and Seberang Ilir is all." He thought while leaning against the wall of the mosque. It looks like pilgrims are starting to arrive and are busy taking ablution. He looked at the cardboard box containing the donation money for Aram. A fortune-teller entered the courtyard of the mosque and stopped between several cars. A man goes down first.
"So, bring my phone." Said a man.
"Yes Brother." The man called Hadi opened the fortune car. Several luxury cars were parked in the courtyard of the mosque. The young man in blue red with the AF logo silently observed the two people. The rich think.
...*****...
In a small forest on the roadside Tanjung Api-Api. Aram blamed the fire. Grandma washes rice in a basin. Two buckets full of water. Grandma's gonna cook rice. The pot was ready and put water and rice.
Salika holds the baby. Deak and Figan sat nearby. The two children were so anxious with the face of baby son Salika.
"Baby, big quick." Deak.
"Eahhkk." A funny voice sounded and made them laugh all over. While Areha and Junka cut kale to stir-fry. The kale was a granny picking up on the side of the road. In addition to kale there is also a genjer. It will be boiled for lunch.
"Mom, I feel sorry for baby's sister." Said Aram while blowing fire.
"Yes Aram, grandma knows. When do we get the money for rent again. Grandma's money is just enough to buy rice." Grandmother said.
"Pity Brother Salika, Deak, and Junka. They must be very difficult with this kind of situation. That I, Areha, Luran, Figan and Grandma are common. Lunta like this." Said Aram.
"We pray, may there be a way out of this shit." Grandmother said.
"Kukrakkk." Rooster Aram crowed. Looks like Luran's taking care of the chickens. Dozens of chicks in cardboard boxes, and a hen tied to her feet. Luran gives you drink and food.
Aram then stepped towards a tree. The ground around the tree was in the shape of a small hill. From there you can see the road that is always crowded even on holidays. Aram sat leaning back, he looked at the road. From there he could also see Grandma, Areha, and the others.
*
Oh my God.
Why so much, why so much,
The kite is disconnected,
Break off from the thread.
They are dancing though.
Between the clouds and the wind passed.
Their laughter and jokes.
It's so bubbling.
My god.
Why, why my god.
Is this world fair to us.
For those of us who are orphans.
While there, they laughed happily.
With the people they love.
Play in the school garden.
Or in the mosques.
There are also those in the luxury gaming venue.
God, oh god.
Universe oh universe.
Leave it to those of us who are lost.
A little food for tomorrow.
A blanket at night.
A little junk junk.
To buy rice.
Buying salt.
Where would God.
There are leaders in this country.
Or some hajj.
Who knows us.
Nothing, no.
There's only one sister.
Don't know his origin.
The poor and miserable.
Pushing his motorcycle.
So that he could eat and go to college.
I only know, suffering.
Those who know me suffer too.
Be I a miserable man.
We picked up kale on the side of the road.
Then pluck the genjer in the gutter.
To fill the stomach.
In order to survive.
*
Aram silently stared at the streets and the blue sky. His eyes looked at the sky. As if he were protesting against the situation. To the most holy God. He rebelled and could not accept, his destiny. He was weak, but could not give up.
...*****...
As a result of last night's rain, Bagit became ill. While asthma and stomach acid Lisam mother become guava. Bagit's body became hot and his head was dizzy. Bagit's mother endured her pain.
"Mother, Bagit's dizzy." Said, he looked cheerful.
"Prophe Git, you're gonna crack up in a minute." Said his mother while looking for a can of food. With the rest of the vegetable oil they brought from the house before being crushed bulldozer.
"Here's your big brother, Bagit." Lisam said, while their mother was leaning against the wall of the weathered hut. Resisting pain in the stomach and tightness in his chest. After mastering the situation, their mother approached and started to scrape Bagit away. True Bagit caught wind, his back looked red after being scraped.
"Sin, try digging that wild yam with a machete. Maybe there's a tuber." Said Lisam's mother while scraping Bagit's back. Lisam got up and he took a machete tucked into their tote cardboard. Lisam had so much trouble digging up those tubers. Many times he asked his mother.
"Try digging by his side." Said mother. Lisam dug but met nothing.
"If there are bulbs, the ground looks cracked and notched." Obviously mother. Lisam saw one side there was indeed ground cracking and wriggling. Then Lisam dug and found two large and long cassava tubers.
"Mother, it's so big." Lisam.
"Alhamdulillah, quickly dig and light a fire." Said mother.
"There are two bulbs, what do we do Mother." Ask Lisam.
"Burn, one. The one for tonight." Answer mother. Burned, so that Lisam easily performs. If boiled, need water to clean and boil. But they don't have clean water.
Lisam made a fire by burning the plastic trash he picked up around.
The burning smoke billowed, and made people's attention pass. Every passerby glanced at them. But nothing stops. A few moments later the grilled yam cooks. The three of them ate grilled potatoes. It feels so good on their tongue. Their stomachs are very hungry. Since yesterday afternoon they have not eaten anything.
"Bagit, let's eat some more grilled cassava." Said mother. Bagit shook his head, his body was hot and his head was still dizzy. There was even a sense of vomiting.
"Uhukkkp. Uhukkk." Their mother coughed and her breath was very tight.
...*****...
TWO DAYS PASSED.
Daytime in the afternoon. The sun is moving west. The wind blows hard. Black clouds covered the sky. Then the rain came down hard.
"Oh, it's raining again." Said the young man, in his heart. All wet clothes, his body shivering. The body of the path that is full of water suddenly:
"Brum." A luxury car drove pretty fast.
"Brass." Car tires bulldozed the inundated water and splashed right wet the young man's face and body. He stopped, his red and blue clothes looked yellow due to the dirty water. The young man rubbed his face so that the dirty water would not hit his eyes and enter his mouth.
The young man cleaned his clothes and arms. After that, he pushed back his motorcycle. It was then, from the opposite direction he saw three children walking down the street. One was pushing a cart and two were busy picking up plastic waste. Their clothes were drenched in rainwater. The child pushing the cart saw also the incident when the young man splashed dirty water when the car passed earlier.
"Aram." Call the young man. Then he waved his hand. Aram followed Luran and Figan approached the young man.
"Oh, sister apparently." Aramaic.
"I've been looking for you for four days. Around the City of Palembang." Said the young man.
"What's brother looking for me." Ask Aram.
"Sister said, if you want to talk to your college friends. Finally there is a donation for you that can be destroyed by fire." Said the young man. Then he opened the motorcycle box. Take out a medium cardboard, and a totebag.
"This is the donation, you use it the best." Said the youth giving a medium size cardboard.
"Thank you brother." Said Aram almost crying, his eyes glazed over.
"It's your friend's care, if it's not the wrong name Yuzaka." Said the young man, then handed the totebag to Aram. Secretly Aram's chest thumped hearing Yuzaka's name called.
"Thank you Brother. I'm sorry for bothering you." Said Aram.
"Sama-sama, my sister is going back to the contract. There's a lot to do. Tomorrow for guidance let brother's thesis finish quickly." Said the young man, then he stepped up to push his motorcycle. Aram was stunned to see the young man. He did not think, how there are people so difficult in life but still help sincerely. Aram really became strong in his soul right then and there.
"Sister AF, I won't forget my brother at any time. May the ideals of brother be achieved." The heart of Aram.
"Koyong, what's in that cardboard box." Ask Luran.
"Not yet, let's go back to grandma." Aram said, he peeked into the cardboard. It looks like a bond of money in it.
"We haven't got much plastic." Said Figan. They were only a few hours out looking for used goods. Then the rain came.
...*****...
It turns out that Aram took everything to an empty building inside an unkempt garden. To the right of many canals, a sign of former fish farms. The house building is broken. Some of the roof is gone. Some are still there but have leaked. Aram made a seat with used boards. Then it is filled with cardboard. So that everyone can sit. The building floor is destroyed. It is a muddy land. Mosquitoes are very numerous, large as well. The atmosphere is dim because the sunlight is not translucent. Especially if it is raining and overcast.
"Gradak. Gradak." The sound of the tires of the Aram cart hit the roots of the tree. He passed through a grassy road and many dry twigs scattered about. Moments later he arrived near the building they had occupied since two days ago. They are looking for a temporary place to live while raising money to rent a rental.
"Flood koyong." Figan. They looked around the building and in the building water pooled at the knees of an adult. Aram was surprised, he did not expect that there was a flood of rain.
"Eakkkkkkkkkr. Eakkkk." The cry of the son of Salika. Aram leaves his wagon, carrying a cardboard box and a totebag given by Yuzaka.
"Fusier. Debur." The sound of their footsteps walking in the flood waters. When he arrived at the old house. Aram watched as the bench almost sank. Three more fingers. All of them were sitting in a corner that was not wet because of the rain. Grandma, Areha, Salika, Junka, Deak, sitting together. The baby sister in Salika's arms.
"Keep, you're home." Ask grandma lethargicly.
"Yes Nek." said Aram. "Sorry, Aram doesn't know it's flooded here after the rain." Said Aram feeling guilty.
"It's okay Aram. Come on up so you don't get cold." Grandmother said. Aram, Luran and Figan ride. Looking wet on their bodies, pale faces held back the cold.
Then Aram recounted his meeting with the young man he called brother AF. When the cardboard is opened, it looks like a pile of money. After they counted over a million and a half. There's writing on a piece of paper "SKI A 2013." They don't know what the words in the book mean.
Grandma, Salika, Aram, Areha and Junka were crying. They understand the bitterness of life. While Luran, Figan and Deak wish them in love money. Then they'll be served at the stall.
"We're getting out of here, before nightfall. Hopefully soon we get a contract we can rent." Said Aram. All agreed and got up immediately leaving the empty house that was about to collapse. Their accompaniment returned to walk among the specks of rain. Breaking through the wet grassy road. Everyone has luggage.
"Kukrakkk." The rooster in Luran's sling crows.
...*****...
