Adult Zone
26. Elegy At the End of Ramadan

...ELEGANCE AT THE END OF RAMADAN...

...Author by: David Khanz...

The roar of the vehicle engine that came in and out of Baranang Siang terminal, Bogor, continued to scream noise piercing the eardrum. Black smoke gushing out from the worn-out exhaust mouthpiece, puffed up everyone while closing the nostrils.

I sat down in a daze of fatigue on a bench in the terminal courtyard, after a long journey, Surabaya.

The esophagus feels dry kerontang, plus the stomach drum that continues to sound. Ah .. if it were not the fasting month, I would have already expelled all this suffering. Especially not far ahead, many rice stalls are still open and loyal to serve buyers who do not fast.

Athaghfirullah!

I could only sit dumbstruck while tightly clutching the backpack. Worried when he was off guard, there was an ignorant hand trying to take it from me. 

A moment later this view turned to the figure of a fruit trader who was offering his sales. Remembering my work all this time. Far-away came from the land of Pasundan to Surabaya, only to become a clothing dealer. I never thought I would get such a job. But because it has already been and it turns out that the benefits are doubled, then I try to maintain the profession until now. Imagine, three years back and forth between Sukabumi and Surabaya. Once a year, go home. Precisely, when the eid arrived. 

Every month set aside the benefits I get to just return home later.

So not just enough, but once I go home, I can buy whatever the child and wife want. Even for both parents and in-laws. 

Thank goodness!

Kulirik watches, it's three in the afternoon. Not bad, once I get home later, I can immediately break my fast with my family. Oh yeah, it's the last day of fasting. Then tomorrow's lebaran. 

In a moment's time, my wife and son will welcome me with joy. Moreover, the supply of money that is there feels more than enough.

"Back home, son?" Asked a middle-aged man sitting at the side, startling me.

"O, yes, sir!" My short answer is still covered in shock.

The middle-aged man was bearded with a smile.

"Where?" Ask him again.

"Sukkazuki."

"Sukabumi? Wah ... seamun kitu mah we are not far apart," as long as the man with a typical local indigenous dialect.

"Where is Father Linggih?" I spoke with my real accent.

"Oh, far away! Abdi mah in Cisaat," he replied with a chuckle. 

I smiled, trying to return the hospitality. "Well, if that's the case, we can papahare atuh, sir."

Finally there are friends talking to the same destination, of course.

The middle-aged man smiled for a moment.

"Hature nohun! It seems you can't, son. I want to go to the house of the child in Ciseeng! Haven't been there in a long time. I miss the feeling of hoyong meeting my grandchildren," said the man with eyes like he was imagining the people he meant earlier.

"Usually when the eid is like this, it is the children of grandchildren who come to the parents. Not the other way around, sir," I interjected between her daydreams.

"My son's family condition is no better than my own, son. Rarely do they have a chance to come see me."

"I mean Father?"

"Yes .. let alone to just have the cost to Sukabumi, already able to eat a day is indeed a huge fortune for them."

I'm stunned. 

Very lucky for my family. It turns out that if we want to take the time to look down, there are still many people whose lives are not as lucky as ours.

In the heart suddenly there is a deep sense of compassion. I want to feel like I'm helping. Especially the supplies I carry now.

No, don't believe the old man's words and heartwarming story. Who knows this is a new scam. In an age like today, criminals are required to be smarter in acting and thinking. Especially at a time when the wheels of the economy of society are declining and the needs of life ahead of the Eid are increasing. And .. let alone he's a new person. Who knows, he's been after my supplies. Ah, damned! Don't think I'm a fool!

"Have a family, son?" Asked the middle-aged man back. As if he were investigating.

Hhhmm .. I will not be impressed by his friendly attitude. Although in terms of age we are far adrift, but do not think I am a child yesterday afternoon, sir.

"Udah, Sir. Have two children. Counts follow the government's advice. Just two, "I'm trying to hold back a bad impression of this guy.

"Thank God, may it be a happy family" he said, patting me on the shoulder. 

I gasp. Don't get caught up. Maybe he was trying to deflect or even hypnotize me.

"Thank you," I replied as I brushed off his hand that was still on his shoulder.

"You don't seem to see family very often, son?"

Damnit damnit! How'd he know? Or ...

"Kok, you know?"

The man smiled.

"Your backpack."

Exactly guessed. He was after my supplies.

Fuck you, Old Bangka! I know what's hidden behind your sweet words.

This heart suddenly felt burning embers of fire that was burning. Heat. It was like showering his cursed mouth with a few fist fists.

My intentions are round. No matter who is in the crowd. The stupid time with fasting that is being lived. Fuck the ....

"Thank God, the bus came at last" said the middle-aged man, rising from his seat. 

I canceled the intention of the attack.

Hhmmm .. apparently the old man had sniffed my intention earlier. He was trying to hide.

 "I'll excuse you, son. Go to Ciseeng first. Hopefully we can meet again someday," the man rushed on the bus in question.

Laknat, anyone would not want to meet a dirty man like you.

Bathinku continued to whisper foul. Don't know, is it the conscience that says that or the influence of the whisper of the shethan? Ah, too far away I was thinking.

But .. O Allah, not far from where I sit, there is a seedy wallet lying there. Whose wallet is that? Must have been sitting there. And that person must have just left. Even if it has been there for a long time, it is impossible if it is still safe to be in such a crowded place.

Wait, the guy just left? As I recall that one who was there, yes, that middle-aged man earlier. Must be hers. 

I picked it up as soon as possible and secured it into a backpack. While the attention of the people around me is not on me. Aha, congratulations.

In order to avoid that man, I must leave immediately. It does not rule out the possibility that he will soon return and search for his wallet.

Ha Ha Ha ... Mampus you, Old Bangka! Gun eat sir. I'm the one you're gonna make a victim of, right? But now, even he must feel his own karma.

In a quiet place, I tried to check the contents of his wallet. There is only an obsolete ID card with a expired validity period. The picture is also unrecognizable. There are several pieces of money that amount to two hundred thousand rupiah. Hhhmm .. definitely money from crime. 

That money? Ah, appreciable. I'd better take it to add more provisions. Shown by the lively Eid party with the wife's children. My wife's cute smile and cheerful faces. Wait for all of you, soon the person you miss will be here.

To avoid chasing the old man, I decided to take the train. Not bad, in addition to cheap, can also quickly reach the destination. Will not be stuck in the highway.

Long story short ... station by train station has passed. The day began to show darkness. The view outside the car window was filled with flickering lights from the houses of the residents. While the echoes of takbir have begun to reverberate adorning the sky Pasundan. 

When Maghrib time arrived, all passengers immediately opened their respective supplies. No exception to me. However ....

Ah, crap! 

Only one bottle of mineral water is available. I forgot to buy food. Maybe because of a hurry or ... fear of the middle-aged man that was met last afternoon? Huh, that thought again!.

Immediately I opened the lid of the bottle of mineral water and prepared to pour it into the mouth, but suddenly ....

"Sorry, Kang," exclaimed a young man who accidentally hit me. 

It doesn't hurt, but what's regrettable is that the bottle of drinking water I held spilled out left nothing. Damn, not a single drop of water had touched my pink lips.

The people around me didn't seem to care much about my situation.

Huh, you hypocritical humans. He said the fast was to feel the suffering of the poor? But no one felt sorry for me. 

Hhmmm .. finally can only enjoy my thirst and hunger that never subsided. 

Surprisingly, unlike the usual in the carriage, there was not a single food and drink vendor. Usually they always pass by selling merchandise. But it was really quiet. Maybe because they are also busy for the preparation of the Eid tomorrow! A scab? Sure have.

"My backpack?" Suddenly remembered the bag that had been lying next to my seat.

But ... That stuff isn't in place. My eyes were busy tracing every inch of the place around. But the bag was no longer there. Whither? During this journey I have never been anywhere. Especially leaving the bag. But ...

Wait, I think I was watching. When's? Hhhmm .. yes when that young man hit me. And .. O God, he must have taken it. Why realize now?

I want to scream angry, upset and a myriad of feelings that are difficult to express. How not? In a time when beautiful wishful thinking is in sight and just wait a while, at that time everything disappears without impregnating! 

Several pairs of passengers' eyes on the train turned towards me. Looking strange and afraid of my face. Like seeing a scarf about to strangle their necks. Shit, I'm not a demon. I ....

Not demons? But why in the moment of the reverberating takbir echoes I even want to close the ear hole? Not the heat felt, nor the pain present. But the voice seemed to be mocking me who was experiencing this sad disaster. 

What is the meaning of Lebaran with empty hands like this. Not a penny I brought. Not even a little gift that hangs in the hand. What will the wife and child say? Months left them, only to lament the fate of a day.

Finally, after the journey ended, I could only walk down the path with a mind that floated far out of nowhere. I don't know what's really on my mind right now.

"Oh my God, hey ... Young man," one big, hoarse voice from inside an old house called out to me.

I looked and ....

"Jeez .. " I was surprised.

That voice belonged to the middle-aged man I met at the bus terminal earlier this afternoon. It's right here. Just one building from my own home. Is he my neighbor? Many years of wandering, to not recognize the conditions around my own village. 

I can't talk. The mouth is open, but no sound can be said.

"You're a citizen here, too? Thankfully," the middle-aged man patted me on the shoulder, "I was going to Ciseeng, but the wallet and money were gone! I was confused and didn't know what to do. I have absolutely no money for the cost of going home."

I'm jerking. Is it sad or ashamed at this time?

"But God is still willing to help. It was then that I met my children, grandchildren and daughter-in-law at the terminal. God gave them a chance to visit me. Although .... without bringing anything, but their arrival here is actually more expensive than anything I have ever had before," said the man with a happy smile that always adorns every word spoken.

I'm downcast embarrassed. 

I regret that I made a mistake. And .. O Allah, You have given the right recompense. Cash. Without waiting for time. That time and that day too.

...DONE IT...