Earth Without Dusk
19. Waiting for the Sun to Sunset Together

The clock was showing at 5:30 p.m., a man in a white shirt and black pants was standing at the end of an unfenced bridge on a beach. He is the Earth awaiting the arrival of Dusk.

The earth felt the breeze greeting his body. The roar of the waves that gently rippled in the ears was like a beautiful symphony accompanying him waiting for a girl who always played in his mind.

There were shortly footsteps walking so slowly towards him. The earth pulled the corner of his lips. Why does Dusk come with such a sneak? Of course, Earth can still hear the sound of her footsteps getting closer to her.

“You are late,” said Bumi without turning to the Dusk that was standing next to him.

“What's late? The sun has not set yet,” replied Dusk while pointing towards the sun that seemed to still be floating above the ocean.

Earth smile. The girl next to him never ran out of words to answer him.

“You used to want to be a lawyer, right?” ask the Earth who is still looking ahead.

Dusk turned his head towards the Earth while tilting his head. “Why can you guess like that?” the word twilight asked.

“Because you are good at quibbling,” replied the Earth who turned her gaze towards Dusk.

Dusk chuckles. He only realized that he really likes to reply to the words of the Earth.

“Are you praising me? Or insinuate me?” ask Dusk later.

“Not both,” replied Earth then looked back to the front.

“You are very economical in speaking. Though talk is free, do not pay,” grumble Dusk.

“You speak, I listen,” Bumi said.

“No, you're all. Yesterday you asked about my name, now change tell me about your name,” ask Dusk.

The earth seemed silent for a moment. Should he obey the request of the girl beside him? He then sat down on the bridge, then he patted the place next to him asking Dusk to sit there.

He opened his shoes and sat down next to the earth. The two of them sat with their feet facing forward.

“So, why is your name Bumi Langit Aerospace? Is your name not excessive?” ask Dusk while chuckling.

“That's the name given by my father,” replied Earth.

“Sorry, I do not mean to insinuate Mr. Dirgantara,” said Dusk quickly.

“No need to apologize, just relax. When I was born, my father was very happy. To him compared to the whole earth and sky, I was the greatest happiness in his life, I was something that was most precious to him. Therefore father gave my name Bumi Langit Dirgantara,” said Bumi explained.

“Wah, you are very valuable to Mr. Aergantara. Surely Mr. Dirgantara loves you more than anything on this earth,” said Dusk.

“Anything on the face of this earth? This face of the earth you mean?” ask Earth while pointing at her own face with her index finger.

“You can be funny too apparently,” said Dusk in between his laughter.

The earth did not answer. He even focused on watching the face of Dusk who was laughing loosely. Seeing the girl laughing, why was even her heart happy?

Dusk who realized the Earth did not come laughing with him spontaneously stopped his laughter. He looked into his eyes at the earth.

“Why do you see me like that?” ask Dusk.

“You're funny. Laughing off once like there is no burden of life,” replied Earth.

“You said I was funny, but you didn't laugh. You freak! I don't have an excessive burden of life right now. Everything I want, I can have. I should feel grateful for that,” said Dusk.

The twilight justifies his sitting. Looking ahead, recalling the time where he visited the house of Mr. Aris.

“When I went to the house of one of my employees, I was more grateful, God gave me many advantages in my life. There is no reason for me not to be grateful. I can't complain. My life is so good now. Those who live in deprivation are still able to be grateful and smile. What is my reason for complaining and not being happy? Everything I want I can have,” added Dusk again.

“All you want you can have? You sure?” ask the Earth suddenly.

The sun turned towards the earth. His bright face had turned sad.

Except for you, Earth. Maybe you're the only one I can't have. Inner Dusk.

Dusk nodded. “I think so, if the universe supports me,” replied Dusk bitterly.

The earth stared at the face of Dusk deeply. It was too early for him to conclude that Dusk was also putting his feelings on her. For a while, let everything go according to His destiny.

The earth turned its gaze forward. He could not see that face for longer.

“Senja, look! His eyes are almost setting,” said Earth while pointing forward.

“You're right,” says Dusk.

Then Dusk stood facing the sun. The earth also stood by after Dusk even though he did not know the reason why the girl was standing.

“A minute,” said Dusk as if to code that the sun is almost slipping on the Western horizon.

Dusk turned his head to the side then extended his one hand towards the Earth. Earth saw the hand of Dusk stretched out towards her, and without hesitation she grasped the hand.

When they both looked ahead, the setting sun slowly disappeared into the vast ocean.

Seeing the sun has set, the Earth again remembered the words of Dusk yesterday. The twilight was only temporary and he did not want his life to be that short. The earth felt strange, it could be that the girl thought that way.

He was willing to lose the beautiful twilight from the sun, but he did not want to lose the beautiful laughter of twilight from his life.