Adult Zone
8. Echoes of Love at the End of Asa

...LOVE ECHOES AT THE END OF ASA...

...Written by David Khanz...

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The roar of rumbling waves off the coast, rolling boisterously fortifying the ocean. Running with white foam, as if racing ahead to reach the mainland edge. Swinging strong with the sweeping banyu that attracts relentless grooves. While the sun does not want to miss, with its bow spitting embers roasting the earth. Mixing in the increasingly stinging breezes.

Not far from a simple hut standing there, a woman pecked barefoot, covered in white sand. Every now and then his eyes stared at the vast expanse of the ocean, with a bias full of hope. Between the heavy sighs and the grin of his dry lips, as if to signal that he was in a waiting. I don't know what or who he's waiting for.

Every now and then, the woman's rough hands gently rubbed her protruding belly. Then wiping the sweat that poured profusely flooded the temple. “Sabar ... Yes, Son! Your father may be busy fishing in the middle of the ocean there, for our lunch later tonight. Hopefully soon home and back to greet you as usual,” muttered he softly accompanied by a hollow smile, while looking at his stomach that often moves. Indicates the middle of an old pregnancy. Then stepped gontai and heavy, burdened by the magnitude of the content. A moment before reaching the hut, the woman turned her head back towards the endless ocean. Wishing that someone he was waiting for would appear among the foam of the blue sea.

“There are still dried fish scraps and a few pieces of cassava, the former we had dinner last night. Hopefully it can make you comfortable, sleep in Mom's womb, yes, Nak.” A comforting remark between his lips that held the pain, struck by hunger that never subsided. Next, “Mom knows, you must miss your father, right? Hhhmm .. So did Mom, honey. However, the longing for your father's presence is much greater, rather than hoping for a mouthful of rice that we do not feel for a long time. I also want your father to come home soon and joke with you. Tells about the courage he sailed the sea alone, to support us both.”

His stomach moved back. It was as if understanding the shrill expression of the mother, who was constantly rubbing gently.

The woman sat in the front hall of the hut full of caution, while staring at the deserted beach decorated with white sand. Looking far ahead, open the horizon of the mind to just remember the recording of the history of life that has been past. A moment of thin smile was revealed on his cracked lips, when he remembered the early days of his introduction to the figure of Syaiful. The pregnant woman's husband.

“Sometimes I don't understand. Why would a girl as beautiful as Adinda, prefer me as a prospective companion for your life later? In fact, in this village there are still many handsome and rich young men, who hope to get your heart, Dinda Bunga,” said Saiful under the shade of trees, after tired of running around together.

“Come, Kanda. I myself have never been able to understand it until now. When I first saw Kanda, I felt sure, that Kandah was the last person I loved after my parents,” replied Bunga with a face still covered in sweat.

“What makes you so sure, that I am the one who deserves your last love, Dinda?” syaiful asked as she gently stroked the lover's beautiful long hair lovingly. There is a special fragrant aroma of flowers and plant roots that smell on each strand.

“Some people say that love is blind. Looking at your figure, it feels like there is an extraordinary charm that can melt the ice of my heart all this time. My mind blinds everything about you. What I think is ... the ultimate comfort when you are near me, Kanda,” replied Bunga while dropping his face on the chest of Syaiful who is field and hairy. The girl's eyes closed, enjoying the comfort and warmth present enveloped her blushing face.

“I am just an ordinary fisherman who does not bestow the treasures of the world. While your family is a prominent treasurer who reigns. Naturally, if all this time your father was so angry to see the fabric of our relationship, Dinda.” Syaiful took a breath. Suddenly his chest felt tight.

Flowers woken. Looking up, then looking at the eyes of Syaiful who began to glaze over. He said later, “For me it doesn't matter, Kanda. The whole love that Kanda gave me, that was more than enough. Treasure does not guarantee the birth of happiness, but it does cause a lot of pride. Have I asked you anything more than your love, Kanda?”

Syaiful did not answer. The burly man tightly hugged the body of the flower affectionately. Both are silent in silence. Until then, without them noticing, suddenly the sky spewed out his sobs busily. As if also sad to see the story of love of two different people caste.

Syaiful and Bunga rushed over, running to find shelter. Coincidentally not far from there, there was an old and small hut. Enough to withstand the swiftness of the rain falling.

“You're cold, Dinda?” tanya Syaiful looked at the Shivering Flower while tightening both arms on the chest. The girl nodded slowly. Then sit down next to the man.

Syaiful immediately undressed and slipped it on the body of the Flower. Slowly, the beautiful girl was laying her head on Syaiful's lap.

“Sleep if Dinda feels sleepy. May the rain stop soon, so that I can immediately take you home,” Syaiful said as he stared at the roof of the old hut. So that rain water that falls, can still penetrate. Wetting these two people who are drunk with love.

The flowers did not answer. Slowly his eyes dimmed and fell asleep in Syaiful's lap. While the young man looked at the face of the beautiful ayu girl who had been willing to anchor love to him. There was a faint smile on Syaiful's lips. I don't know what it means. But clearly, the man seemed pleased with something that only he himself understood.

It rained heavily with a flash of lightning striking. Lasts long.

Can not stand drowsiness, finally Syaiful also lie down on the side of the Flower that has first visited the nature of the contest. Both were covered in rain water, on the sand floor with pandan mats. Until then without realizing it, the rain began to subside. Accompanied by the dim nature that tickles, left the sun who must return to the deckap contest in the western horizon. Simultaneously, several footsteps immediately walked in unison hunting the place where Syaiful and Bunga were sleeping.

The frenzied faces looked unfriendly towards the old hut. In their hands were tucked some sharp weapon blades and the burning torch flames were dim.

“You're sure they're in there?” asked an old man with a bushy mustache and a heavy voice looking at the hut.

"That's sure, Grandpa. I saw for myself they entered the hut when it rained this afternoon,” replied one of them with a look of fear.

“Hhhmm.” The old man snorted, restraining his anger. “Amrul! Dillah! Shahruh! Check that shack! If they're inside, drag them both here!”

“Good, Datuk Mahmud!” answer the three people whose names were called in unison. Then they rushed over to the designated hut.

Before long the three came out while dragging two body figures that were none other than Syaiful and Bunga. The two love couples thrashed with all their might.

“Dad!” exclaim Bunga once recognized the figure of a thick mustachioed old man who was standing while shaking his waist.

Syaiful shuffled a few steps, looking at the face of Datuk Mahmud who looked cruel.

“Bolder boy! You've put the family to shame!” datuk Mahmud's snarling. He saw the figure of a flower that was crying in fear while inching closer to Syaiful.

“And you .. the selfless young man who has polluted this village with your depraved deeds! Embarrassment!” exclaimed Datuk Mahmud as he raised his fist filled with agate ring decoration.

THE PLAQUE! THE PLAQUE!

Twice a hard fist swing rained down on Syaiful's face. But the young man did not budge, his eyes reluctant to blink. Faced with the thick-moustached old man. As if challenging.

It didn't get there. Without realizing it, Datuk Mahmud's toe floated and landed in the young man's stomach until he fell down. Fresh blood gushed adorning her torn lips. Syaiful remained unmoved. Staring strongly at Datuk Mahmud's eyes. As if the attack that was obtained earlier, had not completely made him lose.

Flowers blaring. Hurriedly hunting Syaiful's body. The girl cried out, begging for forgiveness from her angry father. “Don't, Dad! I beg. Don't hurt Kanda Syaiful! If you're angry, just hit me! Because all this is my fault, Dad!” exclaim Bunga while resting at the feet of Datuk Mahmud.

“Braven son of you!” snapped Datuk Mahmud while grabbing his son's hair.

“Do not hurt Dinda Bunga, Grandpa! Just hit me as you like! I'm the one at fault, because-” cried Syaiful. But had not been able to finish the speech, some of the men who had pulled him from the hut also rained a few blows.

No doubt, Syaiful's body collapsed again bathed in fresh blood. Flowers scream, “Stop all this, Dad! I beg. Stop!” But instead of stopping, the men again attacked Syaiful blindly.

Got an unbalanced opponent in number, it was clear Syaiful became moons. Several times his body was thrown onto the wet white sand with a blue face covered in blood.

THE TRACK!

Grandfather Mahmud snapped his fingers, telling the men to stop the attack. Then forward approached the body of Syaiful who was already helpless while pulling a sharp weapon from behind his clothes.

“Calm down, Grandpa Mahmud! Don't you mess up your hands with a problem like this!” exclaimed a white-bearded old man to Datuk Mahmud who had previously only stayed behind in the darkness. Grandfather Mahmud held back his violently trembling hand holding back the already mounting anger. He threw the sharp weapon on the sand while shaking his waist. His eyes reddened looking fiercely at the figure of Syaiful who roared in pain.

In the Hall of Indigenous Villages, Syaiful and Bunga were tried. They are both accused of committing acts that violate Indigenous and religious laws. Although both denied the oath, but the court finally decided that Syaiful and Bunga should be married off and exiled in a remote place.

Datuk Mahmud was devastated by the incident. The only wayang child that is expected to give pride to the family, has tarnished its honor and big name. He was unable to do anything, except only to accept the decision of the customary court with a forced heart.

After marriage, Bunga and Syaiful were expelled from the village. The two of them went to an uninhabited island and occupied a small and simple hut. Flowers hope for the beauty and happiness of living with loved ones, it turns slowly away from dreams. Syaiful turned into a male figure he had never known before. The man's attitude was rude. It is easy to get angry. Not infrequently from his mouth, scattered very hurtful sentences.

“Since the beginning, I never loved you, Bunga! I just wish I could get the son of a famous merchant who would make me rich. But in fact now, even I live suffering, grieving. It's all because of you!” syaiful's snapping deafened his ears.

“I know, maybe Kanda was disappointed with Dad's attitude first. So Kanda vented it all on me. But for me, this love will never escape from the heart and be ready to follow wherever Kanda steps go. Even though Kanda often treats me in such a way, Adinda still loves you, Kanda,” said Flowers wirih but still tried to smile sweetly. All the pain that hit the wall of tenderness of the heart, always he is resistant and reciprocated with love. Hope the man will understand and deign to pamper him later.

“You think life is enough with love? Bullshit!” syaiful replied while pushing his boat into the middle of the ocean.

“This is for supplies in the middle of the ocean there, Kanda. Take care of your health, huh? I'll be waiting for you here.” The flowers put the food pack on the side of the boat.

Flower Smile still present with sweet, although the husband does not want to look at it one bit. At the very least, give a gentle kiss on the wife's forehead before leaving to make a living in the middle of the ocean. Like old times. But it was not obtained, until the figure of Syaiful drowned in the shadows of the night sea.

Flowers stand on the beach lips with a gloomy face while rubbing her enlarged stomach. “I'm sure Kanda Syaiful loves me wholeheartedly. I'm also sure, someday ... Kanda Syaiful will tell me,” whispered Flower among the whirring of the wind that swept across her dull face. The beauty of the woman is still visible, behind the veil of lara strokes that covered her all this time.

As a parent who still has a strong inner attachment to children, Datuk Mahmud occasionally comes to visit his only daughter. Not to forget also the moustached old man brought enough food supplies.

“Where is your husband, son? Every time Father came here, during that time this eye never once saw him. Is your marriage okay, son?” tanya Datuk Mahmud was concerned and sickened, seeing the condition of his thin daughter dry with a bulging stomach.

“Kanda Syaiful is at sea, Dad. Our house is fine too. We are very happy even with the conditions. Kanda Syaiful is a very good and responsible husband. She is willing to do anything for the sake of my happiness and our future child,” replied Bunga with a sweet smile.

Grandfather Mahmud took a breath. His inner whisper still says, that the middle flower is hiding something. Especially about Syaiful, the son-in-law. “If your late mother saw all this, she would be very sad to see how you are, son.”

“Mother has got her own happiness with God, Father. It should not disturb his tranquility in nature. Let Mother sleep in her long sleep. Until someday ... we are allowed to regroup,” added Bunga trying to divert the conversation.

"Don't you go back to the village and live with Dad, son? I miss you so much." Datuk Mahmud's eyes began to glaze over. "Take your husband and we'll both get back to a life that's been torn apart."

The flower looked at the face of Datuk Mahmud and also shed tears. Actually Bunga willing, but the obligation to remain obedient to the husband, poor can not be denied. He had to disappoint his father this time. "Aren't we still on customary punishment, Dad? Until this baby is born and grows up, only later will the grandson of this father be allowed to return to the village. Flowers and Kanda Syaiful should remain here until .... "

"Dad will try to talk to the customary chief. Maybe he can understand, son." Datuk Mahmud.

"No, Dad. Do not teach this Flower and Father's descendants to break the rules that have been agreed and apply for so long. Let the sanctity of our ancestral lands be preserved from our filthy hands."

"But you never did that damned thing, did you, son?" Grandfather Mahmud held the shoulder of Flowers expectantly. Flowers shudder. He said, "No, Dad. Bunga and Kanda Syaiful never did. Even until the marriage contract occurs, the flower still maintains the purity of the Flower."

Datuk Mahmud hugged his son accompanied by heartbreaking sobs.

Who would have thought, it turned out that day was the meeting as well as the last hug that Flowers got from a father. A few days after the old man visited. Later ....

"Sorry, I can't come and see Dad's body. Because my husband has not come home yet" said Bunga when the village envoy told him about Datuk Mahmud's death.

"But this is your own father who died, brother. Can't Big Brother come for a second to see Father Brother's body?" It was furious that the preacher saw the hardness of a flower's heart.

Flowers bowed his face. He replied, "My life is now my husband's responsibility, and I can't leave without his permission. I can only pray here for my beloved late father. Sorry .... "

The woman rushed into her hut. Crying in pain, without clarity will Syaiful come home today? Given this has stepped on the third week the husband did not go home, since his departure was wrapped in wrath. At once, ahead of the birth of their first child at the end of the gestation period.

"My boy, honey. If you grow up later, don't be like your father, huh? Be happy and become a great person who can conquer the world with your greatness. Here, you can only try to help make your dreams come true and pray" Syaiful said during the young days of Flower pregnancy. "Dad promised he would always try to take care of you and your mother."

Not infrequently babbling the man often makes the flowers chuckle. Syaiful often invites their children to talk while closing their faces in the stomach of the wife. It was at that time that the happiness of the Flower really reached its peak. I hope that he will continue to love his family until the end of his life.

End of life? Even until the seconds Flower feels heartburn in the stomach, Syaiful has not come home. Where not.

The flower is stretched over dry pottery made of weeds, where it has been lying down and spend the night. His stomach felt increasingly wrapped around the raining. The sweat flooded all over the body while grimacing withstanding the matchless pain. "Kanda!" shrill screams of flowers with a sound choked in the throat.

Blood began to flow from both legs, mixed with amniotic fluid that soaked the pottery. The woman's screech again ruptured with the encouragement of abdominal muscles, helping the baby who missed her mother's figure in real life.

"Yesha!" Back screams Flower blaring among the boisterous sounds of nature that blows loudly accompanied by a swift speck decorated with thunderous sounds in the sky. Flowers try to push the contents of his womb with the rest of the energy that is still there. The blood splashes increasingly burst into the white sand.

In such a crucial moment, the door of the hut was violently revealed. Accompanied by the violent pounding of the earthy lightning. A body stood in a daze in the doorway in a drenched condition, mixed with droplets of blood flowing from the gaping wounds on the crown.

"Machines .... " The figure collapsed onto the sand and tried to crawl, getting into the hut. "Machines ... Kanda's home, honey."

Flowers gasped at the figure that had been longed for. Subject, "Kanda .... "

Yes, it is Syaiful. He came home when the ocean weather was angry. Floating in the raging ocean, to destroy his boat. One of the wooden debris hit hard Syaiful's headstone until injured. The man tried to survive on the wreckage of the wrecked boat and swam as hard as he could to reach the shore. Until then, he arrived in a weak condition due to bleeding a lot.

"Flower .. forgive Kanda, dear. Forgive Kanda .... " Saiful crawled closer to the weakly stretched Flower. "You love you."

Smiling flowers shed tears. Finally the very expected sentence was spoken also from the man he loved very much. A most honest expression, born from the bottom of the deepest heart.

With great difficulty, Syaiful finally managed to reach the hand of Flowers and kissed many times. "I'm sorry Kanda, honey. Kanda is so sorry to have left you. Kanda loves you."

"Dinda also loves you very much, Kanda," Flowers replied with untold happiness, as well as giving her new energy to immediately remove the baby still held in the womb.

Then slowly, Syaiful's body drooped with the arms of the Flower.

"Kanda ... Kanda .. "call Flowers trying to call her husband. But the man did not answer. Silence is not moving. "Kanda .. Our son .... "

Wrapped in sadness and confusion, Bunga pushed his abdominal muscles strong until then the baby was born into the world. The breath of the Flower accompanied the weariness that had reached the top. Starting with a long and heavy breath, finally the Flower drooped while holding Syaiful's head that was torn wide. While the newborn baby was born, both noiseless and moving. The three figures were silent rigidly amidst the natural raging that was beginning to subside.