MYFATHER
Episode 22
The circular stage in the center of the tent is full of decoration with bright color combinations accompanied by colorful spotlights. The four large pylons standing on the outer side of the stage's weight point were painted in a red-and-white striped pattern and became the safety net of the trapeze players who were swinging lightly. On the north side there is a gate that becomes the entrance of the circus performers and the gate is covered with pink velvet curtains. Above the entrance was built a balcony where the orchestra players who accompanied the performance were. They wear brightly colored full suits with a cute bow tie. The smell of candy and gulali adorns the air of the tent. Music was played while waiting for the circus artists to get ready.
If the arena conditions are so luxurious, the other case with those on the side of the audience. The circular arena is surrounded by iron benches that have rusted here and there and spiral shaped like a merry-go-round that is getting higher from one row to the row behind it. Teplok lights that are installed on the tent buffer pole are not able to illuminate a narrow angle. The silhouette of the audience heads from behind the bench showed how full the place was at the moment. There seems to be no bench left. No wonder the houses in this village are deserted, apparently all the villagers are watching in this place.
The initial show only began when the two got an empty seat and sat there. The audience clapped as a clown with four balls in hand juggled through the middle of the arena while showing off a hilarious gesture that provoked laughter.
Yudi looked around with a sense of dejavu, this scene is not foreign.The atmosphere of the circus is similar to what he remembered as a child, once became his father and gave the warmth that every boy craved from the ’big men’ their adoration. A long time ago, long before the man left his mother for another woman.
Although faintly remembered some scenes decorated with sweet pink gulali soy sauce, hugs, pats, and, then the laughter of Saint who is frenzied every clown does a funny thing that at that time Yudi did not understand where the cuteness is. Something worth remembering, as well as painful, because that was the sweet time where he once felt like he had a father.
The laughter of the audience resuscitated him, especially the typical little laugh next to him, which made him inevitably smile amusedly and turn his head. The view of Mirna can not be separated from the clown who is busy playing, also on a group of bicycle acrobatics that show off the action in the form of various formations and scales. The girl looked so happy with her laughter. At that time Mirna realized Yudi's view to her, not on the show in the arena, ”Why? They look great, don't they?”
”Yes! Amazing.”
”Wait until you see the top attractions.”
”What are its top attractions?”
”Face...and very many elephants are involved..”.
The girl clapped her hands in excitement when it came time for the peak attraction, seven animals weighing five hundred kilograms entered the arena accompanied by music. Their slow, calculating and steady movements fascinated Mirna. Squeezing Yudi's arms as the elephant line approached their bench. Applause rumbled as the animal trainer walked into the arena.
The elephant's trainer was a man of medium stature wearing a tight uniform of striking color with a whip in hand. Each object whipped the elephants do various attractions ranging from sitting, playing ball, standing on the back legs, waving with trunk, and lined up. The different sounds of each whip swing become a sign for the giant animal to do what the trainer wants.
”Great, yes..” hiss Mirna is accompanied by applause from the audience that is often heard every time the animals managed to do the action.
”Ya..” reply Yudi. ”That's the coach's job, isn't it?”
”You don't want to know what it's like to stand surrounded by large animals ready to trample you if you're off guard?” ask Mirna.
”That's for sure,” Mirna laughed while patting the arm of the man next to her.
”Company me yuk..” Mirna took Yudi.
Yudi stuttered, ”Eh...oh..where?”
”You didn't see that elephant trainer call us?”
Yudi looked at the center of the arena, the coach pointing at him and Mirna before then waving as a sign for them to enter the arena. The applause of the crowd, giving both support to move forward and accept the elephant trainer challenge. Yudi clumsily follows Mirna into the arena. The orchestra plays the song in an agile tempo while the loud voice of the circus moderator repeats the sentences ”fast” and ”lari” that correspond to each other. The arena lights highlighted once the two stood on stage, making an impromptu star who had not expected this opportunity to happen to them the main highlight. Accompanied by the audience's happy applause because they responded as expected.
The elephant trainer has a chubby cheek with narrow eyes and a neatly shaved chin. Although her face revealed a smile but Yudi knew that smile was the kind of smile the show would lose once you chatted with her off stage. His dragon's ears, which were limbs that made him similar to his pet, dangled from behind his shoulder-length hair.
”The audience here is so enthusiastic that both of them took to the stage,” the coach said loudly followed by the laughter of the audience. The coach actually only invited one person but with her innocence Mirna took Yudi along with her. ”How so? Which one of you would like to take up the challenge?”
Yudi raised Mirna's hand. The girl was surprised but did not have time to argue because the audience shouted and clapped, secretly pinched Yudi's arm until the young man grimaced. The coach smiled widely and then took Mirna to the middle of the arena, ”So choose your elephant beautiful lady.”
”What should I do?”
”Pick the elephant first and I'll tell.”
Mirna pointed at the third elephant as Yudi dedicated towards her. The trainer approached the elephant of Mirna's choice, ”He chose Sari, the youngest of the elephant family. The right choice because Sari is very loving and patient. Give a round of applause for Sari and this beautiful lady.”
Back applause rang out while Mirna glanced at Yudi with a witty look, signaling that it was Judah who should take responsibility in case something happened to her. The next incident took place quickly, even before Yudi had time to move away to safety, the elephant stuck its trunk up to Mirna's waist and with a powerful jolt the elephant lifted the girl up before leaning her up to the animal's neck.
The audience clapped their hands in joyful music as Mirna and the elephant circled the arena. The girl quickly gained control of herself, from the one who had been holding on tightly to the horror of falling down to a joyful laugh and waving at the audience. Yudi's heart rippled as the floodlights gushed into Mirna's joyous face. He really is an angel...
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