RUSTING BOAT
Chapters. 10

After the dawn prayer, I decided to walk around the house. The thin fog is still visible at my threshold. The cold morning air and wet by the remaining rainwater point overnight accompanied my footsteps.

I stretched out my hands and let the breeze caress my delicate skin wrapped in a floral chiffon-patterned robe - the flower that Mas Haris gave me. Refreshed.

Inhaling the morning air that is still clean and not contaminated brings freshness in my body. My dawn that was hot because of the invitation of the destroyer man of my life, a little extinguished. My steps slowly walked down the little rookie in front of the house.

The splashing of water in the gutter collided with the chirping of noisy sparrows sharing the sustenance of the Khalik. It's been a long time since I've felt this morning.

" The morning air in this village is indeed not good for those who are not used to it. Wearing a jacket is a wise choice so you don't get sick." I was shocked and almost screamed when I heard his voice.

The man was not far behind me. His hands were tightly folded over his chest after he had fixed the hoodie cover on his head.

Actually, I'm not understanding his whereabouts. I continued my steps leaving him behind.

The man rushed to catch me. " You know, a lot has changed in our village" he said later after catching up with me. His head looked to the right and to the left. Scanning the quiet morning atmosphere. Not many people pass by and go down into the fields.

" After the hill many villas were built. But the big tree where you and I used to sit together is still there. The beach is no longer good. Now the beach is dirty with rubbish. But more crowded than ever. If you want to go there, I'll take you" he said, pointing to the mangrove forest I saw yesterday.

Turning your head. I cursed in my heart. Hah.where would I both be with you. Just sharing the air with you right now I feel compelled.

My footsteps are not far away from home. I was the one who stopped my steps. Clenching hands and closing eyes.

" Stop talking as if we're okay! " I said without bothering to look at his face.

I felt a small impact on my back. Upset, I turned around and presented a sharp shot towards the man. " I know, we're not doing very well. But I'm trying to get us back on good terms again."

" Hmm, don't dream, man! " i was angry. I wanted to tear the man's mouth apart. Did he think our household ark that ran aground on the beach could sail back. A broken boat will never be able to sail back. Just dream of him, huh!! "

" I'm not sleeping. So how could I have dreamed." The man leaned back while sniffing his shoulders with a smile that could not be separated from the corner of his lips. The smile that looked like it was mocking me made me even more want to cut the smooth cut of the lips that had spoken.

" May you not forget the reason I left this village! " hisku as he approached and looked up. Staring sharply into the black pupils of the man.

My anger was further triggered after seeing the man's behavior that seemed to never incur sorrow in my heart.

Shaking unblinkingly, the man said softly. " You still hate me...? Even after ten years of your departure? " There was a wound that radiated through the look in his eyes after he finished his sentence.

" Say one reason, why shouldn't I hate you? " I challenged him. The sharp glint in my eyes should be able to answer my question.

At first I didn't want to show her my hatred. I want her to know that the bitterness of the wound she inflicted on my heart has forged ten years of Asthma's life into a tough woman.

But facing this kind of attitude of Syafrie, made the old anger extinguished in my heart become ignited again.

" A lot, one of them is for letting me for ten years fight alone.. " He looked down at me inside. Unfortunately, our distance is too close to make our noses touch.

Whahuh? This man has forgotten his memory. Do I need to remind you that he was the one who dumped me. Why now say that he is fighting alone.

" Shameless. The person I don't want to meet the most is you. But apparently bad luck never ran away from my life. Just so you know, meeting you at my mom's house made me regret my return to this village. I even cursed myself that was once a part of your life! You're so disgusting, Syafrie. Stay away from me! " I pushed the man's body. Looking for a way to escape the touch of the man.

I stepped away leaving Syafrie alone glued to stare at my departure.

The fact that I still hold a grudge is very clear. I deliberately left the cut of the wound still bleeding, so that I never forget the pain of Syafrie's betrayal that he had inflicted ten years ago.

The sun has appeared to show off a beautiful morning. But I still didn't get out of my wounds. My dress shirt is waving - waving in the wind. The breeze of the wind sends word to nomads like me about our village story crawling slowly towards change.

Funny thing is, I who returned to this village only realized that my heart had not changed. Still weak in the passage of time by the lamentation of suffering that Syafrie chastised.

My steps now walk through the side of the lonely highway on the border of my village with the rice fields - the rice fields of the population.

I stared at the rice fields there. There were some farmers who started working to pluck weed grass that grew in their fields. They look good once they work. I pray in my heart that they don't see our debate.

Syafrie is no longer following me. He seems offended by my words. What care?.. I'm even happy if he's offended. That means I managed to hurt his ego as a man.

Arguing with men is always emotionally draining. Not before, not now. I'm afraid I'm khilaf. Mana knows I took the farmer's sickle lying there and flicked it at Syafrie. Chop the man's body until smooth and spread it in this rice field to become food for rats - rice rats. Look...so much my hatred for the man makes me always think to finish him.

" Sma.!" a man asked doubtfully from the top of a white Acanza car. The car then went slowly and stopped. The man behind the wheel then got off and walked closer to me.

" You're Asma Syafrie's wife, right? " the man scanned me from head to toe. I got uncomfortable with it.

" Why so long, Asthma. Ten years passed without news. I think your soul mate and Syafrie are done there. It turns out that God is still generous in answering the prayers of my friend." He stared in disbelief at me.

I remember, this man in front of me was named Bayu. He was the friend of that bastard Syafrie. The man whose mouth was eleven twelve with Syafrie. Sharp and spicy.

" My best friend must be happy with your return. Thank you for coming back. Have you met Fadil...?"

" Hey, your best friend isn't dying. His body is healthy. Fresh fit not skinny flat like before. So no need to worry about her. And stop calling anyway - connect me with the man you said was your best friend. Because I don't know him..! Excuse me..! " I cut his words. And when I was done I passed from before him. He was silent, unable to believe my reaction.

" You went for years without giving any news. It just disappears like it was swallowed by the earth. His mistake did not deserve such a reply. You're even worse than him. If you knew what he had done to make amends for all his mistakes, you would probably beg and prostrate at his feet to ask for forgiveness."

Bah... I think I want to laugh at Bayu's words. I am the victim here. I am the one who suffers, why is he the one who is flattered.

But the words of your baby did not stop, making me stop the step.

" I told you, I don't know the man whose name you mentioned earlier, so I might prostrate at his feet and beg him for forgiveness. I've had an exhausting day since returning to this village. So I'm grateful that your joke has comforted me a little. But unfortunately, we are not close to each other to remind each other." I said as it passed from before him.

" You're evil, Asthma. He paid the price for your wounds. If only you knew what my best friend had been through for ten years waiting for you to come back! " the man shouted that I didn't care about.

How could I find out about that man. He said my wounds have been paid off by Syafrie. How could he possibly say that if the best repayment for Syafrie was his death.

I went back on my journey. The grass there really spoils the eyes. Staring at him was like staring at the soft and enchanting expanse of green jambrut. I plopped down on the stretch of elephant grass that lay by the road.

I don't know how long I've been there. My heart honestly felt a little disturbed by Bayu's words about Syafrie.

What have I missed in ten years?

" Which debt has Syafrie paid for me. I was banished, I was hurt and even I was betrayed. But why did the man seem to be a hero who was so admired - glorified even by my family.

The world is now turned upside down. Bayu said that I am the antagonist here because I have allowed the man who has thrown myself away, must fight alone.

What did all that Bayu said to her. I'm running out of words. Damn, my tears won't compromise. She just slid out soaking both of my plain cheeks without makeup.

I looked up, afraid that someone was behind me. I'm ashamed to know that someone caught an Asthma crying over her fall.