NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#195
Jamila was still stunned staring at the tobacco-planted rice fields beside the road. Looking at him forced him to squint his eyes because of the glare with the reflection of the heat of the sun. There was no sound of water rustling from a small trench that was located further down from the highway. After a long rainy season with abundant rainfall, now the dry season replaced it and spread drought. The trees shed their leaves. Only mahogany trees lined up along the way are seen to remain green and lush as shade. The wind that blows is not worth the heat and sultry this afternoon.
Azan dhuhur had passed a few minutes ago. This was the first time he failed to pray on time. Before, even while still in prison, once the prayer after being proclaimed and finished praying, he would immediately do it. Everything is so difficult now that he is outside. He's used to the ease. Everything is in front of him. Even when he was in prison. But now, let alone water for ablution, looking for a place where he would pray, he really felt difficulty. When things were like that, he began to doubt his decision to leave the house of Sulastri. It may be a rebuke from God, that the decision to leave the house is a wrong decision.
Jamila gave a long sigh. He got up slowly. The money in his hand now left sixty thousand. It has to be rhythmic until it has a clear purpose.
Jamila set her foot back down the sidewalk. He must find a mushalla or someone who will give him a ride just for ablution and prayer.
Jamila stopped her steps when she saw several women descending from the sidewalk towards the rice fields under the road. If not wrong, the women will pluck old tobacco leaves in the rice fields. In his village, he was used to seeing such a sight. His late mother used to take wages picking the tobacco leaves of neighbors for fifteen thousand rupiah for half a day. That was. After a few years, perhaps the wage of picking tobacco leaves has changed.
Jamila stepped back. Slowly he went down the path and very carefully passed through the cross-section of wooden beams as a trench above the trench into the rice field. He kept following where the women were walking. As the women stopped and sat in a small cottage in the rice field, he stopped his steps. His presence was known to the women. They whisper to each other. All views are directed to Jamila. Feeling the women were talking about it, Jamila ventured closer.
"Assalamualaikum" said Jamila when he arrived in front of them. The women answered in unison.
"Sorry, I want nanya, who has a rice field where huh?" ask Jamila.
"There's at home, brother," said one of the oldest-looking men.
"What's up, dik,"
Jamila smiled as she scratched her head
"I want to take part in tobacco leaf picking work, Brother," said Jamila.
"Oh, I can't think of it, brother. I need to meet the owner of the farm first. We're just workers here,"
Jamila was silent for a moment.
"Will the men come here too, brother,"
"Obviously, he'll usually wait at home until our work here is done,"
Jamila sighed slowly. One of them told Jamila to sit next to him. One of them was seen taking out a few packs of rice from a green plastic bag, then sharing it with friends. Jamila lowered her face as one of the women sitting at the corner smiled at her. Since his arrival, the woman kept looking at him. When he tried to see her, she was always smiling.
"Come, come eat with us" said the older woman. He opened his food and held it in front of Jamila.
"I ate, Brother. Let my sister eat. I was still full" Jamila said.
"Don't be shy. Come on, it's a lot of this,"
"No, brother. I'll just ask for a drink,"
The woman took a glass of plastic drink beside her and gave it to Jamila.
"By the way, where's the brother from?" ask the woman while continuing to eat her food. Jamila. He was confused as to what to answer. Especially when people's eyes are back on him.
"Ee.., I came from far away, Brother. I am originally from the village of Sekaroh," Jamila said after a long silence thinking of an answer.
"Strong?" She looked at Jamila.
"Well, that's a long way off. What the hell are you doing here?" continued.
"You're looking for work, sister," replied Jamila lowering her face.
"Now where's sister kos?"
The woman sighed. Wrap the rice that he had spent the contents folded and put back into the plastic. He pulled out a cell phone from his pocket.
"Come on, it's almost two o'clock. It's time for work" he said to his friends. They then got up and left Jamila sitting alone.
"Sir, sorry we stayed at work first. Just rest here first" said the woman. Jamila smiled nodding her head.
Jamila let out a long sigh while watching the women begin picking tobacco leaves. I don't know what else he should do. Sitting there makes it so bad. He must leave immediately while the women are working.
Jamila lifts her body heavy. But he did not step his feet when he saw the woman who had been staring was seen coming out from behind the grass of tobacco plants. He smiled and approached Jamila. Sometimes he turned to his friends who were busy picking tobacco leaves. Jamila sat back down.
"Sorry, my hands are dirty. Introduce my name Jini" said the woman who introduced herself by the name Jini. Jamila smile.
"Carewell,"
Jini smiled. He turned back to his friends.
"You want to find a job, yes" asked Jini. Jamila nodded.
"If you want, I have a job for you."
Jamila's face looks happy.
"really?" ask Jamila. Jini smiled nodding her head.
"For a while, you can stay in my house first. Now, you wait for me on the side of the road there. But remember, don't let those friends see you." Jamila frowned. He looked at Jini's face.
"Later, my birthday from here, I'll pick you up. Remember, don't go anywhere if you want a job" Jini said. He then got up and by bending his body he returned to the middle of the paddy field.
Jamila rise. He looked at Jini's body. He was a bit hesitant about Jini's offer. Why didn't he say it when he was gathered with his friends, but that's what they discussed while sitting in the cabin. Why is he such a frightened person to see his friends? inner Jamila.
Jamila returned to sigh. He then turned his body and stepped weakly away from the place.
* * * * *
Rianti looked down weakly when Sulastri told him about Jamila's departure. Master Izzul Islam who came with Sulastri, and stood leaning his body on the wall of the room, approached and sat near Rianti. After staring at Rianti for a while, he rubbed Rianti's back.
"We cannot impose our will on others, even if our will is good. This has all been decided by God. We leave everything to Him" said Master Izzul Islam. Rianti raised his head. His gaze was weakly staring at Master Teacher Izzul Islam.
"What I'm worried about, Jamila doesn't have anyone out there. If until tonight he doesn't come home, I can't imagine he would be stranded without any direction out there" Rianti said. He returned to his face.
"That's what you think, son. Jamila knows nothing of this place. He's just a village boy. I was also worried that she would get lost" Sulastri said.
"Please find him bye, ma'am," said Rianti. He held Sulastri's hand. Sulastri smiled.
"You don't have to worry. I told Mr. Mustarah to look for him. Hopefully Mr. Mustarah can go home to bring Jamila," replied Sulastri.
"Thank you, Mom,"
"You also must not think too hard, Dik.Jaga your health and the health of our baby. Leave Jamila's business to us. But you have to promise, if Jamila is found later, forget what the sister wants. Let Jamila remain a part of our family without having to marry me" said Mr. Izzul Islam. Rianti just fell silent. Master Guru Izzul Islam gave a long sigh.
"All right, we go home first. We will also look for Jamila. There is still time before nightfall. Hopefully we can find him" said Mr. Izzul Islam. It signals Sulastri to get up. After saying goodbye to Rianti, the two immediately left.