CUTS
Minang Youth...

The sound of the pounding sea waves under the full light further beautifies the night view from an open window facing the beach. A soft face and smooth hair are also exposed to a soothing beach breeze.

There's a lot of things Cut's thinking about. He began to miss his parents and nephews. A week after the beachside debate with Khalid the other day, his memories with Halimah and their conversation in the forest. The struggle of Halimah's parents while saving her continues to roll one by one disturbing her mind that has long been empty.

The breeze of the night re-aroused his soul that had long been empty due to various bitter events that had happened to him. Khalid's decision to take him to Breuh Island was right even though it had to make Cut's parents suffered a very great sadness. But, Breuh island is a great place for Cut. There were never heard the sound of gun blasts, the screams of frightened people or the screams of the gun-wielding parties.

The island was occupied only by villagers who worked in the fields or became fishermen. They were actually living in peace without thinking about what was happening to the people outside the island. They only thought about how much money they would bring home after selling the crops or how much the crops betel nut, cocoa, coconut, banana and other vegetables sold in the provincial capital.

“Kak Cut hasn't slept?” tanya Putro Tari entered the room.

During his stay on the island, Cut slept in a room with Putro Tari. Keuchik Banta deliberately told Cut to sleep in the room with Putro Tari because Putro Tari was considered a child. While Putro Ceudah as the brother must be accustomed to sleep alone as preparation if later married. Moreover, the two girls often do not get along.

“Where did you yourself run out of?” cut asked as he closed the window of their room.

“Hearing parents talk.” replied Putro Dance casually.

“Hearing or stealing hear?” satirical Cut who was replied with a shy smile by Putro Tari.

Cut had caught Putro Tari several times stealing hear the talk of his parents or guests who came to their home.

“Why do you like peeking at your parents talk so much?” ask Cut curious.

Putro Tari sighed for a moment, “Kakak, as a child we should know what they are talking about. That way we will know what problems they are experiencing.  They will never share with us if we have a problem because for them we are only children. In fact, a small child that they think can already print another small child.”

Cut just nodded his head as he chuckled. Putro Tari is a cheerful child with always speaking the word as she pleases. He was quite disinclined with his father and mother. His relationship with his brother was like a dog and a cat. Only to Cut, he could act spoiled and tell her all of his heart. Including his feelings for Khalid.

“Kak Cut,” call him whining like a little boy.

If Putro Tari had called him that, Cut already knew if there would be a request that would come out of Putro Tari's mouth and it must be related to Khalid. During this month, Putro Tari's request to be betrothed to Khalid was intense. Various reasons have been Cut but Putro Tari still do not want to give up.

How Cut would match Putro Tari if he and Khalid just didn't talk even to see Khalid's face he wouldn't. Despite remaining one roof, he and Khalid rarely spoke. Moreover, everyone on the island knew the state of Cut, so it was not strange if people saw a pair of siblings not talking to each other.

Cut chose to sleep, he turned his back to Putro Tari who was still waiting for his answer. “Sleep! Sister sleepy.”

“Ihhhh, Sister Cut. Always sleep if I ask again.” no answer comes out of Cut's mouth. He chose silence. “How should I answer your question? If the lives of both my parents are at stake.” Inner Cut while clutching tightly pillow bolts in his arms like holding both parents.

The atmosphere of dawn was enlivened by the sound of chickens crowing and the pounding waves on the beach. The men and women all prepare to go to Surau to perform the congregational dawn prayer. The morning prayers on the island are still going as usual. If in the village, people prefer to pray at home because of the situation. Unlike the situation on the island, everything goes like there is no war here. Those who often go to the city know how things are in other areas so they are very guarding the island from the immigrants.

No one wants to go to their island. Who can live on the island in such a state of affairs. Boys who have gone to school in the city do not want to return to the island for various reasons. Those who already feel good living in the city although with fear of gun contact at any time can occur but do not discourage the island children to continue to settle in the city.

The population of the islanders is getting reduced so much that the elders who inhabit the island are thinking of finding a mate as soon as possible for their daughters. It was here that Khalid was with the elders as well as other male residents to have an interview about the continuation of their lives on the island.

The meeting was held after dawn prayers in surau kampung. Women and children are allowed to go home first.

“We have been hereditary inhabiting this island and most of us are still one nasab. There's no way we're marrying them. What about Banta Husna, Keuchik?” ask one of the.

Keuchik Banta sighed for a moment. “I'm sorry because it looks like Banta Husna doesn't want to get married. I was surprised by that kid too. I think the decision to send him to school in the city was a mistake. He said in his letter that he had started working and would seek a scholarship to continue his studies outside Aceh. He also did not say he would return to the island anytime soon. I feel free if I wait. We better find someone else.”

“What about you, Khalid? Did Keuchik Banta match him with Ceudah?”

Uhuk...

Khalid choked while drinking his coffee. He looked at Keuchik who was smiling towards him followed by several others.

“If Khalid wants to, I would happily marry them off. Khalid is not my son so I cannot force him. Moreover, his existence here was aimed at healing his sister. Maybe if Cut has recovered, he will return to his family.” said Keuchik Banta. The elders nodded slowly after hearing Keuchik Banta's explanation.

“Nak Khalid, do you want to be betrothed to Keumala?” Khalid was surprised and so was Keuchik Banta.

***

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