It's Not Sleep That Makes Me Dream, But You
Chapter 55: Riyan and Bamboo Firecrackers (The Story of Junior High)
At Junior High, I was a teenager who looked messy but geeky. Uniforms are not in, belts are a bit saggy and pants are a bit sagging, about the way I wear Junior Uniform at that time. Pake the pants that are overstretched at the shadow, already like a malnourished padlock.
Not only was my appearance a mess, but my behavior was too. Bayangin, every teacher is busy bribe-cuap material that is very useful for my future, I even crouch under the table to read comics or play HP. Besides, I was often absent from school. If counted, I only go to school 4 times a week. Often run away from the pursuit of security guards because of the determination to climb the school gate with a noble purpose, which is to go to a comic rental place (in those days, there was still a place to rent comics. Because in my place there is no gramed, so if you want to read comics, yes just there) Very often rebuked teacher BK because the clothes never entered.
My behavior at home is inversely proportional to my behavior at school. At home, I rarely go out, do not have cool friends. Once there is a maen ngajak, I was even in the bully. That's why I spend more time in the room just to write a diary, or images are not clear. So effeminate.
My grandmother often told me to maen outside, but I always said “Temen school home away all nek.” Grandma stopped telling me to come out every time I said that, because I can't play far. So yes, I only have a few close friends.
I make friends with those who are one sepesies with me, namely those who rarely play far from the village area. Rafiq, Sukardi, Wahib, and Yono, these four people are those who are able to accept me as I am in a friendship bond. Difficult, sad, happy, upset, all we almost went through together.
Since we are friends from SD, the five of us know each other. Understand the good and bad habits of each, whatever they may be. Rafiq is very good at sports, but he is a bit irritable. Yono is creative, but sometimes he is a bit bego’. If the Wahib is religious, his religious knowledge is high. His father had musollahs, if everywhere he likes to wear sarongs, and it makes him often argue with Sukardi, because according to Sukardi, make sarong everywhere is tacky and make a shame. While Wahib on the contrary, he feels cool if you wear a sarong. Sometimes they both almost fight just because of the sarong. While Sukardi is a person who has a magical hand, among the five of us he is the most good at making handicrafts, making any toy must be the perfect result. But, that's why he's a little rare to be with us, busy helping his parents.
Ramadan is a special moment for us. Nginep in musollah belonging to the Wahib family is a mandatory tradition for all five of us when the month of Ramadan arrives. Almost every day in the month of Ramadan we always spend the night in musollah. Whether to say anything, as long as in musollah, the sound of laughter and joking cries will be heard between us. Not infrequently, his father Wahib who felt disturbed would shower the roof of the musollah with gravel and sand, at that time the five of us immediately pretended to sleep.
Not only sleeping in musollah, playing bamboo firecrackers is also a mandatory thing that we usually do during Ramadan.
One afternoon in the month of Ramadan, when I again sat unyu on the porch of the house while fantasizing again drinking iced tea with Cinta Laura, Laura, Sukardi and Wahib suddenly came to my house while carrying large pieces of bamboo.
“Main ginian yuk yan!” Said Wahib who wore a sarong standing in front of my house, while pointing at the bamboo she was carrying.
“Main what?” I'm confused.
Sukardi sat down next to me and raised his voice. “Maen bamboo firecracker,yan, you never?” Said.
“Earninglah, whose bamboo tip is in the plug using cloth, trus if burned can flame right?” Ask me.
“That torch, bego’, bamboo firecracker yan, that can explode.” Wahib. “Udahlah, anyway later come with us.” Further.
“Open if it explodes is a danger huh? I'm afraid of scolding grandma.” I said like a plain girl. But my grandmother never gave advice like that anyway, can not play firecrackers. So I doubt if I want to go with anything.
“Lo would want to write diary in the room right?” Ask Wahib firmly.
“No.... Yes, I'm coming with.” In order to cover the more dominating feminine side, I try to act like a real man by playing bamboo firecrackers with them.
Because I have never played bamboo firecrackers, along the way to the location where we will play, I did not stop thinking about the possibilities that will happen. When viewed from the form of bamboo that we use, it will cause a fairly fast explosion. Because the size of the bamboo is quite large, Wahib aja ngebawanya already like the wrong grandfather pillows, slanting does not matter, must be heavy.
According to my thinking, a strong explosion has the potential to cause a rampage of local residents. But depending on where we play, everything will be fine if the firecrackers in the middle of a large field, far from the settlement. Hopefully we will not end up burning the masses.
Before heading to the location of the firecracker explosion, I, Wahib and Sukardi went to Yono's house first to make sure he too. Arriving there, Yono turned out to have done some preparation, assisted by Rafiq. They are busy preparing the equipment needed to launch firecracker play activities today. The extra equipment we needed was prepared with all our heart. Starting from a long small stick in a small cloth at the end, there is kerosene, carbide and water in a two-liter package.
I am still layman on everything about bamboo firecrackers, really do not understand what the function of these items. The only thing on my mind at that time was, the bamboo logs would explode. “This little stick for what? why on the end should be given cloth anyway?” I asked with high curiosity.
“Create firecrackers. This later ends in dipelupin to kerosene,yan, well kai kai wet tuh oil, trus burned deh, must be long-lasting fire.” Rafiq.
“Oh... well, this same water carbide trus what does it do?” I asked again.
“Ntar we enter enough water into the bamboo wall through a large hole at the end, then enter the carbide through the same hole and wait a while so that the heat is evenly distributed first, then copy the firecracker using a stick whose tip has burned through this hole.” Rafiq then pointed to a small hole that was on top of the bamboo, located at the end of the bamboo side that there was no hole.
Come to think of it, cool too, like war cannons in cartoon movies, just the difference, the guts through a small hole, do not use an axis. I am starting to get interested in playing it.
They prepare items, re-examine the quality of bamboo as well as discuss the place of firecracker explosion. In the midst of busy those who are discussing, I am busy playing with sticks that will be used for firecrackers. I tried to warm up first before actually doing the blasting. I swung the stick up and down with my right hand, then pointed the end of the stick with the kai to the small hole at the top of the bamboo while closing the left ear. The scene I do repeatedly let me get used to when it is his turn to his master.
The location is already dapet. the equipment is ready, bamboo like dapet good quality, not easily broken, we also start to go to the blasting location. We choose to playin his parents in the area of banana plantation deket musollah Wahib, banana tree lives in a little. The field is wide, the residential area is also quite far away, except Wahib's house which is located next to the musolah, and it looks like it will be safe.
Sample on site, all nyiapin equipment. I looked around, it was a spacious, the houses of residents were a good distance away except Wahib's house, as expected. At the edge of the field, overgrown with a row of shady banana trees, can be used to shelter from the hot heat, that's where we play his elder, among the banana trees. My feeling is a bit unpleasant just squirming the leaves of the banana that is already dry, as far as I know, the dried banana leaves are very easy to burn, especially during the day like this.
“Which banana tree can burn gas? Dalemnya water all.” Yono. “Emang lo ever heard the news of a fire in a banana garden, right?” Further.
To reassure me that looks are still hesitant, Wahib stabbed one of the nearest banana tree trunks using a stick he carried. When removed, the water content on the banana leaves came out. “Tuh, the water, will not burn. Except for living in Bikini Bottom with Spongebob. Because only there we can fire in the air.” Wahib. “That makes Spongebob cartoons think what ya?!” He's suddenly a little lost to Spongebob.
What I'm really worried about is not the banana tree trunk, but the dried banana leaves that are scattered around us. Some dry leaves are also still attached to the tree, if accidentally burned like it will make it easier for the fire to spread and grow, do not rule out the possibility of fire in the banana garden. But I immediately dismissed that thought and hoped everything would be all right.
The main agenda begins. The bamboo side that has a large hole is directed to the south, back to the banana trees so that if the leader does not outside the fire, the tree does not burn. We were ready to blow firecrackers in turns and Sukardi got his first turn. He started by putting water into the bamboo through a large hole at the end, then insert some carbide grains and immediately close the hole with the palm of his left hand while a small hole on the other side is closed using the right index finger. While waiting for the bamboo to feel hot due to a chemical reaction between the carbide and water, Wahib dipped the tip of the stick that had been wrapped in a small cloth into a used milk can filled with kerosene, then burned it, and then burned it, kayak torch mini.
“Udah hot power yet?” Ask Wahib to Sukardi.
Sukardi just diem and did not give any answer for a while, then exclaimed “SIAP READY, READY READY!” i, Yono and Rafiq who were standing behind Sukardi immediately closed their ears tightly. Moments later Sukardi swiftly picked up the stick that Wahib had brought and aimed his flame at the small hole in the bamboo. He managed to light his fire, the sound of a fairly loud explosion was heard accompanied by a small fire that emerged from the bamboo hole. His voice was like a track car tire that exploded on the highway.
“Kereen!” I was amazed to see bamboo firecrackers for the first time.
We had fun with bamboo firecrackers, lighting them up in various ways. Yono tried to experiment by inserting a ball into the bamboo, when it was said, the ball bounced away along with the sound of an explosion. “Keren right?” Ask Yono.
“Great cool!” The four of us stared in amazement with sparkling eyes. I was thinking about getting sick while I was kayang, but it was hard.
Unfortunately, every time I get a turn to firecrackers, the sound of the explosion is very slow, not like cement. In fact, when I was at Yono's house I was training seriously, I did not have the talent to be a professional bamboo firecracker explosive. “Lo give the water mostly continues yan, so the sound is slow. One thing you must know from this game, everything must be balanced.” Rafiq said, giving additional tutorials.
The longer, the more we were swept away in pleasure with bamboo firecrackers. Explosions after explosions were heard, we went crazy. Furthermore, when Wahib got his masterful turn for the third time, he said “This time, I will create the biggest explosion. After twenty years of waiting, finally came the time!” Like a main character in the Dragon Ball anime series, Wahib stared at the firecrackers with cool pretentious experiments, as if the firecrackers were his strongest enemies.
“20 years what, you're new age 13 years.” I said.
“Alah, most also like Riyan earlier, very slowly, still farts with me.” Sukardi scoffed.
“That's right, you two don't matter, just look at it later!” Wahib.
Wahib then mix ammunition with an unusual dose. He put all the remaining carbide into the bamboo palm, still quite a lot. After putting enough water, he put whatever he saw into the bamboo. Leaves, twigs, plastic bottles, even petrified dry land he also entered the bamboo palm. Wahib looks confused while squirming around, he is confused to enter let alone.“Yon, here's the ball I pinjem!” wahib to Yono.
“Neither ah, have my sister, ntar if he says he's sulking!” Yono refused.
“Alah, not papa here, ater if I change, adek I also have. You want to see the biggest bamboo firecracker explosion of the century!?”
“Yaudah, nih.” Yono handed over the ball he brought, resigned.
I lit a stick that was used for firecrackers, I was really enthusiastic about this last detonation. Seeing Wahib had entered what was around into the bamboo, it was like the firecracker was in the future would be cool. Plastic bottles and mental balls from inside the firecrackers, dried leaves and twigs flew, crushed pieces of earth scattered in the air for a moment, it was about as cool as it was in my head before the adventure was completely blown away for the last time. But for a while I somehow felt bad.
The wand I gave to Wahib with great respect. Sukardi was in charge of closing the hole in the bamboo, waiting until the bamboo felt hot. I, Yono and Rafiq are ready to close their ears tight. So afraid, my eyes reflexively brushed themselves. Not long after, the voice of Wahib who gave a signal was heard. “One...Two...Tig.yeh...Tig..campret..” Because I brushed, I do not know what happened in front of me, the horror of his voice, like Wahib was a little afraid.
A few moments later, the sound of a very very powerful explosion was heard, even though my ears were closed, the sound still sounded like a track car tire that was stranded on the highway. It can be estimated that the sound of an explosion this time is five times that of an ordinary bamboo firecracker explosion, Wahib emang gokil.
My eyes are still closed and my hands are still closing my ears. Slowly I tried to open my ears and heard the voice of Yono who was chatty, “Eh, Eagle! The eagle! The eagle! my feet are on fire!!! (Chicken already maenstream)” And followed by voice “KUPING GUE NGIING! MY EARS NGYING!!” it was Sukardi. I opened my eyes slowly. The scene around me turned into a panic. Small flames scattered all around, burning the dried grass, all panicking. I don't know what happened as long as I closed my eyes and ears earlier, which I know Wahib on firecrackers and his voice was very tight.
The small flame near Wahib suddenly grabbed the sheath, causing him to panic and scream “SARUNG GUE! THE SCABBARD! GU SARUNG!” he twirled his body unkill while patting the burned scabbard and throwing a stick whose tip there was still a flame carelessly. The stick was just above the dried banana leaves not far from where Wahib was. The fire was burning, burning the leaves of the banana that had dried quickly.
Wahib who is still muter-muterin body accidentally kicked a can filled with kerosene. Cans were bounced, the kerosene spill was right about the fire in the banana trees where Wahib threw his stick earlier, the fire was getting bigger “Fire!” i said. I and Yono immediately ran towards where Sukardi and Rafiq were. Wahib ran away while revealing the scabbard.
“ASTAGHFIRULLAH-HALAZHIM!!” Shouted Wahib's mother from a distance as he stepped forward, he just came out of the house and was writhing the fire in the banana garden in front of his house, immediately shocked. Not long after, he caught five of us standing not far from the fire.
“What are you doing there?! Padamin cepet apinya use water!!” Wahib's mother's orders were half-angry. Without a second thought we immediately ran towards the musollah, taking water from the place of ablution using the bucket that was there. Fifteen minutes later, the fire was extinguished. The situation around where we played the firecrackers looked charred, the dried banana leaves were not left. Some banana tree trunks also appear charred in some parts.
Wahib's mother advised us kindly. “Meanings, this afternoon do not toy fire, know the consequences yourself? Fortunately a banana tree that burns, if people's homes will add repot.” Said. His face looks too full of veins, like Son Goku trying to turn into a Super Saiyan. Very careful if again emotional rest, maybe because of the fasting month.
Not long after, his father Wahib who had just returned from the rice fields also gave a rebuke to us. He was not angry, nor did he give advice. But take action immediately. Right then, right in front of the five of us, he took a machete and directly smashed the bamboo firecracker that caused the fire tragedy, right in front of the five of us. Without saying anything, while emotional, his father Wahib continuously hit the bamboo logs with his machete nonstop. Although he did not say a word, what he did as if giving us a warning, “KALIAN CAN NOT PLAY BAMBOO FIRECRACKERS AGAIN!” While the five of us could only watch the violent scenes on the bamboo. When I squirm towards Wahib, his eyes come out of water a little, indicating that he is heartbroken.