A Thousand Flowers
Chapters 8. Disappear
“Zah, here!” Fadhil. Izzah approached his friends. They sit in a circle, ready to open each other's supplies. As usual, Riris always brings a complete menu, white rice along with side dishes, vegetables and fruit. Don't forget the milk box. Understandably, in addition to Riris is the type of girl who really cares about physical appearance, she is also a nutrition student.
Johnny and Yudha take out a small thermos of hot water, brew mocha coffee, and use the rest to cook pop noodles. Fadhil disappeared for a moment, meeting the invitation of a group of young men to join their tent and return with a bowl of ready-to-eat noodles.
Izzah opened a packet of potato chips because he did not want to eat heavy food. Just about to pluck a few pieces, the potato chips wrap was no longer in his hand, deprived of Ihsan.
“Eat this only. More healthy.” Ihsan handed a box of sandwiches and fresh fruit pieces to Izzah.
Yudha immediately moved away, carrying two bowls of warm noodle pop. Ihsan is really good at cooking. Every time he went with Izzah, he would make and bring food for Izzah. So sweeeat's. Envy the others.
“Still,” said Izzah once received the supply box without directly eating the contents.
The others had already left Izzah and Ihsan. Enjoy each meal while staring at the beautiful waterfall. A young man is singing a nostalgic song, a lullaby. The sound of guitar twang and melodious singing accompanied by the whispers of leaves and a gentle gust of wind presents
the atmosphere is comfortable and makes eating more delicious. However, Izzah had not touched the food in the food box above his lap at all. Seeing that, Ihsan took out a piece of sandwich and thrust it into Izzah's mouth.
“Aaaa ...,” Ihsan command gives code for Izzah to open mouth. Izzah.
“Aiissh ... what the hell, San. I can eat alone times,” reject Izzah while pulling head back. His face was red, embarrassed. Fortunately the skin is exotic, not white.
“OK. Make sure you eat it! Otherwise, I will really feed you,” Ihsan threatened.
Despite feeling arrogant, Izzah did not want to take the risk. Ihsan was always consistent with his words. After reciting the prayer, Izzah reluctantly bites off a piece of sandwich.
Ihsan was anxious to see Izzah's annoyed expression while chewing. When I saw the mayonnaise melt in the corner of Izzah's lips, Ihsan's reflexes stretched out, wanting to clear the melt. However, Ihsan immediately regained his senses. Izzah will definitely
evades. He took out a handkerchief and handed the handkerchief to Izzah.
“You are sleeping alone or I am doing?” Ihsan asked in a seductive tone.
Izzah stared intently, clearing the corners of his lips with his left thumb.
“Ya already if you do not need. So, do not bother washing,” always, save his handkerchief back into the pocket of his pants.
He knew Izzah was still upset. But somehow, he always felt happy every time he managed to tear apart Izzah's emotions.
***
Izzah glanced at the clock on his wrist. At 15.05 WIB.
“Guys, want to stay here?” Izzah's voice was clear enough for his friends to hear.
“Rome dong,” replied Riris. Being followed by others.
“Eh Zah's. Top pass it!” Yudha stopped Izzah's steps.
“Why? Passing below can be faster.”
“You see kibut. Not been able to because of this spoiled girl.” Yudha sneered at Riris, making Riris glare.
“Seriously, Jud? which side? I'm not looking at.” Johnny was curious
“Clearly don't look, John. You if the way like people looking for money falls. Look down only,” ledek Ihsan. Johnny grinned the mesem.
“Just right, Yud? Just be careful if you lie!”
“Yeah, Zah. Just suspect the baggage. Nooooh .. proof alone!” Yudha grunts.
“OK. Let’s go!” Izzah turned around.
***
Seeing the blooming flower perfect before his eyes, tall, big and beautiful, Izzah was flabbergasted. Johnny coded for Izzah to come closer.
“Well, just ask this girl!” johnny said to a woman in her early forties with a slightly older man and two teenagers. Looks like they're family.
“Anaan anyway John?” Izzah.
“This mom is about flowers. I don't really understand. Such business you are the expert.”
“Damn it! A noisy turn throws at me, Izzah's inner”.
“Iya, Dik's. Curious. Isn't this Rafflesia Flower huh?” ask the woman.
“Where are you from?” Izzah did not immediately give an answer, instead asked back.
“Palembang, Dik”
“Oh, fast. Generally outsiders do tend to consider the Rafflesia and Kibut flowers are the same, even though in terms of shape it is different. Rafflesia flowers are five-petalled and not tall, ma'am. Well, if this one is called Kibut.” flowers The mother of the mangosteen heard Izzah's explanation.
“What's scientific name?”
“Amorphophallus titanum Becc. Including plant species of taras-talasan tribe.”
“It doesn't taste very good. Usually flowers are fragrant?”
“Besides here, is there anywhere else too?” The woman was curious.
“This is one of the endemic flowers of Sumatra, especially Bengkulu and Lampung. So, if you go to Lampung, In shea Allah you can see it too. It usually grows in calcareous soil and under a canopy with a height of between one hundred and twenty to three hundred and sixty-five meters above sea level. Commonly found in secondary forest, resident field, riverbank or forest edge, but only blooms for seven days.”
“What a minute so”, Mom wonder. “Society here is good yes, can often see.”
“Not really, Mom. A flower seed takes about twenty to forty years to flower.” The mother gawked.
“Means rare also yes .…”
“Betul, Mom. But, it is only one of the causative factors of this rare flower.”
“There are other factors?” Mother really did kepo.
“Mostly because of the conversion of forests into agricultural land, plantations, and settlements. Perhaps this is also one of the effects of population growth. In addition there are also people who deliberately cut flowers and leaves because they feel disturbed or threatened by the smell.”
The woman shook her head, as if unable to believe why there was such a society.
“Very unfortunate, even though this flower is very beautiful lo,” hiss amazed.
“The flower color has always been like this?”
“If for petals, usually it is heart red, orange and greenish. The cob is purplish and yellow with red seeds.” The mother continued to circle the flower, observing more closely.
“Big is also the flower, about how many meters?”
“If this isn't really that big, Mom. At least two meters.”
“Oh yes? Could it be bigger?” Mother was again surprised.
“Can reach five meters high with half a meter diameter. Weighing can reach a hundred kilos,” Izzah clear more detailed.
“Can be eaten?” It seemed like the woman was really thirsty for science.
“Can,” reply Izzah briefly
“Mana part?”
“Umbi. Can make food, drink, even medicine.”
“Wow! Extraordinary.”
Unceasingly the woman shook her head while giggling in admiration. His eyes continued to observe the Flower of Storms.
“But, how can there be smoke?” His forehead wrinkled.
Izzah smiled amusedly. “That's not like it, Mom. But, the smoke realms.”
“Kok can?”
“Because at the time of blooming, the temperature of the Kibut flower ranges from fifty to sixty degrees Celsius.” Mother was amazed by amazement.
“Waah .. thank you very much for the explanation. I feel lucky to meet you here.” The woman was satisfied with Izzah's explanation
Izzah smiled sweetly. “Sama-sama, Mom. Izzah was also happy to share a little knowledge that Izzah had with Mom,” replied Izzah courteously and sincerely. “Pardon if anything is less pleasing.”
The woman saluted Izzah, then said goodbye.
PLOK! PLOK! PLOK!
Izzah's friends gave a standing ovation.
“Anything, if there is Izzah, such a business bereessss!” praise Johnny for giving his two thumbs up. Izzah cuek duck.
***
Satisfied to enjoy the rare flora of the Flower Kibut, Izzah and the group again continue the journey. Yudha, Riris and Johny arrive first at the dam. They rest waiting for another arrival.
Izzah stared at a tree on a cliff by the river. About a meter from the ground level, the tree was forked in two. Uniquely, the two branches are fused at the top to form a cavity, large enough for adults to pass through.
Izzah pondered for a moment, then decided to climb the tree so that it could more freely enjoy the scenery along the river flow, under the cliff.
“Aissh ... shit!” Ihsan. His shoelace got stuck on a root and made him almost fall face down. He crouched down, tied his shoelaces tightly.
Suddenly the wind blew strong accompanied by the appearance of a bright bright light. Izzah was shocked and lost his balance.
“Aaaaaaaa ...,” the pekik echoes breaking the silence of the wilderness. The birds fly.
Ihsan stood up in shock. Fadhil's move came to a sudden halt. As fast as lightning they ran through the thicket.
***