NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#56/Sulastri Smile
"We are indeed a match, Mr. Suma. We were happy to hear the next-door landowner was willing to sell his land. Now, you just complete the letters. If all is in order, we will call you to the office" Mr. Sahril said. He turned towards Pratama who was seen sheltering under a bidara tree not far from the cottage. Mr. Sahril waved his hand telling Mr. Pratama to come closer.
"It's noon, sir, it's time we go home," asked Mr. Sahril when Mr. Pratama was sitting nearby. Mr. Pratama glanced at his watch.
"God willing, I will contact you immediately if I complete the letters. Stay in coordination with the land owner next door," said Mr. Suma. He stood up when Mr. Sahril got up from his seat.
"Good, Sir. And thanks for your time." Mr. Sahril and Mr. Pratama salute Mr. Suma. The two then say goodbye and immediately step towards the car. Mr. Pratama honked his car horn when his car had turned towards the main road.
* * *
Sulastri. His clear gaze when waving his hand towards the passing vehicle was nothing to bear fruit. The passing cars seemed to have no time to stop questioning him. The cars really look busy racing against time. A busy townspeople who are apathetic towards others.
Sulastri pulled the tip of her veil and rubbed the sweat on her neck. A truck can be seen driving from a distance. He waved his hand again without even turning his face. He no longer cares about the driver in the truck. He resigned if he had to pay with whatever was on his body. He just wanted to get to his house and meet his kids. He hadn't seen them for too long.
Again the truck passed quickly in front of him. In fact, the very fast pace created a strong wind, so it almost flew the veil that Sulastri wore.
Sulastri lowered his weak hand. He returned to his weak body. He looked at the clothes he was wearing. Maybe he looks like a badass, making the drivers reluctant to stop their cars. Coupled with his position currently sitting alone on the side of the road. People might also consider him a lunatic.
"Yes, Lord," sighed Sulastri. Life is not as easy as speaking on television. How easily they spoke as if the world was within their grasp. They haven't felt what he's feeling and the unlucky ones. No one will insult and blame each other if each of them has experienced the bitterness of life. Each does have a choice, but sometimes there are times when we cannot choose and inevitably have to accept the choice of life's destiny.
Sulastri turned back. He saw a silver car driving slowly towards him. He tried to raise his hand and wave once. After that, he returned to his body. The car belongs to the rich. The truck will not stop, let alone the luxury car. Inner Sulastri was desperate.
And his assumption is correct. The car just drove in front of him. Sulastri closed his eyes while waving his hand. Like about to call the owner of a car that had passed a few meters in front of him. Her hair covered her face.
* * *
"Retreat, sir," said Mr. Sahril as his gaze fell upon a woman leaning through the rear-view mirror of a car. Mr. Pratama pulled back his car slowly and stopped in front of the woman. He honked his car once.
Sulastri awakens from his sleep when the sound of a car horn shocks him. He stared at the car that stopped in front of him.
Mr. Sahril lowered down the car window.
"Let's get on, ma'am," said Mr. Sahril from the car. He watched the woman from the rearview mirror of the car.
"Come, Mom, up. If not, I stay" said Sahril again.
Sulastri. The person in the car called out to him. Sulastri immediately got up and stepped towards the car. Pratama turned his body and opened the door.
"Alhamdulillah," Sulastri's mind was full of gratitude.
"Where are you going, ma'am," said Mr. Sahril. He was seen looking for Sulastri's face from the rearview mirror, but Sulastri's face was blocked by the chair where he was leaning.
"Jerowaru, sir," Sulastri replied in a hoarse voice. His voice was almost drowned by the sound of the car. Mr. Sahril brought his ears closer.
"It looks like Jerowaru, sir," interrupted Mr. Pratama.
"Ow, it means we're unidirectional" Mr. Sahril said.
Sulastri leaned his body. He glanced towards the bottled drinks near Pak Pratama. Mr. Pratama saw it from the rearview mirror.
"Take the drink, ma'am," said Mr. Pratama. Sulastri smiled shyly and lowered his head.
"Take it, ma'am, take it," added Mr. Sahril. Slowly, Sulastri picked it up and directly gulped it down a few times.
The atmosphere inside began to calm down. Mr. Sahril who had been seen yawning, finally drowning also fell asleep in his chair.
Sulastri shifted his body towards the outside of the car glass. He began to watch the surroundings and tried to recognize some shops and stalls by the roadside. Nothing he knows. He is still a stranger to the places he travels. There were no signs leading to his rented place.
Sulastri frowned as his eyes fell on the face of the sleeping man, from behind the rearview mirror. His heart was racing and his breathing was held back. He was closer to his face on the sidelines of the empty space that penetrated into the rearview mirror. Looks like he knows the face of the man behind the rearview mirror of the car.
"Sir Sahril?" call Sulastri doubtful. Mr. Pratama scrunched his forehead. He seemed surprised when Sulastri like calling the name of Mr. Sahril.
"Sir Sahril? Sulastri tried calling a second time. This time his voice was louder. Mr. Sahril who looked sound in his sleep soared woke up. He looked towards Pratama.
"What's up, sir," he said spontaneously. Mr. Pratama smiled. He turned towards Sulastri.