FIZAH (Female Kolong Garbage)
PART 17 “Elegi”
*ratna
We're pampering. The most free to speak Fizah. He said he would come home with me to my hometown, but said honestly his home address. But, luckily the glass-eyed man was willing to drive us to the terminal, using his personal car.
While in the car, the three of us were just like rocks. The distance is quite far, takes about half an era, making the atmosphere in the car quiet. Sometimes suddenly startling just the buskers who suddenly sing when the car glass is opened at the intersection of red lights. Mending if the sound is good. If the sound is ugly, but made up as if to be good even sounds wagu (strange).
The man occasionally looked at the question in his gaze. Only so without revealing. I want to hear him talk too. Mature and convincing. It is only a matter of expression, not judgment, nor admiration. It's too hard for me to fall. Moreover, after an incision wound in the sahara desert.
“Mbak Rinai was once a model?” Finally he opened a very precise conversation.
“Singer and pianist. That was.”
“Ohhhh.” Beard. His right hand gave two five-hundred coins to a tall, shabby busker, about the same age as the Judge.
“I'm sorry if I just wanted to give you a ride overnight.”
“Nothing,” replied me and Fizah together.
“Aalhamdulillah's. Soon until.”
Just a few minutes later, we were dropped off in front of the terminal.
“Thank you,” says Fizah.
He just smiled. Waving once, then closing the windshield.
“He's whose name is, anyway?” ask Fizah.
I'm shaking.
Our time there was too short. I don't exchange personal stories. His mother also rarely called names, in addition to le. Her brother spoke without using the frills—malah looked less familiar. And, the little girl called it a paklek. A little curious, but what's the point. In fact we also no one intentionally questioned his name to his mother. Just talking about it was fortunate.
“You said you'd tell me.”
“Mas Judge you mean?”
“Iya. I'm curious.”
“Since when did you become a curious woman?”
“Since knowing you as a reckless woman. Who eventually even fainted.” He's a little chuckling.
“Not you more reckless until finally locked up?”
“Already. We're already in heaven,” I said steady.
“You're right. But, we still stink under the garbage, must be purified immediately. I'll take you to taubatan nasuha.”
“What is it?”
“Part of the steps of human conversion.”
“Who's Judge?”
*Hafizah Palace
“We've known since childhood. He's my neighbor. Living with Mabah and his mother. His father had been dead since he was a child. So, he once experienced life being ignored by society. Difficult communicating. Especially, have friends. The point is that not many people want to be close to them. And I am one of those women who is ordinary with her. I'm not picky.”
“We're getting closer. He cares about me like family. Often gave me sweets, toys, accompanied me. She may have been considered like a sister because of her distant age. Before I got my period, I still played with him a few times. Until I often met up with friends. In my village it is taboo. Moreover, the people iu know we have no blood ties. I'm just plain ordinary. I don't know what it means if the opposite sex plays together. In the end, there are also many who say I am a late adult woman. But, after I came to the moon, Mamak forbade me from playing with him again. Enough playing time. There are things that need to be learned further after women are puberty. My mother told me to study more seriously. I knew I wanted to go to college. Although we live sometimes lack, but Ibuk's spirit is extraordinary.”
“You don't have a brother?”
We waited for the bus to arrive.
“Three brothers. That's how the Judge is. He was originally good. I don't know what's on his mind right now until he's willing to be a garbage man. Obviously, he tricked me and my mom. Already knew my mother forbade me often close to him. But, he begged and persuaded me under the pretext of wanting to give me a job. We were struggling economically, trying to think over and over again about Mas Hakim's offer. And, I also asked Ibuk to just accept it. I thought I'd be lucky after that. The story is long. But, I think that's enough that I can tell you, Ratna.”
Ratna has read my story well.
“You want to stay again with your parents?”
“What if I stay with you?”
“Why?”
“If my parents care, they'll look for me. If they find me, they'll be disappointed I'm not what I used to be. I'm a pick-up boy who no longer boasts. Want, yes, Zah?”
“I won't trouble you.”
“Not that, Ratna.”
“You are from a family of people. I regret your talent if you don't want to go back to the parents. Yes maybe after you meet, you do not need to be the story to them.”
“I have to lie?”
I looked at the face of that woman.
“They are perfect. It's easy for them to find a kid like me.”
“The problem is not that. The struggle they raised you, Ratna.”
“You yourself will hide the reality if you have met your parents?”
I'm shaking. Duck. Sighs.
“This is our load. And, Mr. Su will not likely remain silent. We're chasing time. One day Mr. Su will come looking for us or our name will be spread in cyberspace.”
“On that, now I'm not too scared. Where might Mr. Su deal with social media. It's the same as looking for a death hole yourself.”
“You know, right, how did that piece of trash stay standing until now? Mr. Su is sneaky. You don't get too plain, Zah.”
“Plain?”
“Learn you licked a late-adult woman.”
“I'm confused..”
“Zah, teach me proper salat and prayer.”
“Haa?”
“Iya.”
“I don't dare. I haven't qualified in that field.”
“But, you said earlier Your mama told you to work hard studying after menstruation?”
“I have not dared. All I offer you is a prayer of prayer nasuha.”
“Why do other prayers not?”
“I don't deserve to be your teacher. You can, really, study with my teacher njai in the village.”
“I want you, Zah. Who knows what my condition is, it's just you. I'm not ready to face strangers. Seeing his brother that man yesterday I was horrified.”
“Ratna, Ustadz it's good kok.”
Ratna shakes. It's not easy indeed.
“But where should I tell you to sleep? Rumah. I'm afraid you're uncomfortable.”
“I believe your home is heaven. I've imagined that since you've been trying to get me out.”
“Already. You think re-think, yeah. Family is the best place to come back. The journey will be far away. You think again. I don't want your relationship to be far away.”
“Or, you want to accompany me home?”
“You remember, right, your house?”
“I remember.”
“But, you really don't remember what happened before you were picked up from the bridge?”
“No, Zah. I'm like amnesia. I'm also confused why.”
“Each of them you have to go home. You want to know, right?”
Ratna nodded.