Srinayu On the Hill of Randu
Chapter 10 | Life in the Farm

"HERE we are living ourselves. For that we have to fight hard. There is no word to laze," said Mr Linggih, who was carrying a dry grain with a limp step. Some of the grains were scattered to the ground. Randu saw it, but he stared indifferently, and continued to accompany the steps of Mr. Linggih.

Interspersed with small talk the two of them continued to step up, until a few meters later, entering a small hut.

In the hut there are various kinds of household furniture and supporting equipment for daily needs. Among them, there are whips, lasso rope, saws, and nets, which are neatly hung on the wall, displayed like a fancy painting. Indeed, it looks beautiful. In the right corner parallel to the door, there is a large barrel. His height almost covered the chest of an adult man, such as Randu. The top is covered with a flat round wooden slab, with a baffle in the form of a shabby white cloth. Thus, deliberately to prevent air from entering or leaving. Randu watched him carefully.

Mr. Linggih lowered the grain on his shoulder, then combined it into another pile. There was more than one pile of grain there.

"Is this wine...?" ask Randu while pointing at a large round object of wood.

Mr. Linggih stepped closer to the object in question Randu. "We don't grow grapes, son."

"Definitely fruits," pursue Randu pretentiously.

The barrel was then rubbed by the two rough stocky palms of Mr. Linggih, like treating someone with affection. "Absolutely not a type of fruit. But it's still a plant too."

Dahi Randu wrinkled. "A__"

Before Randu was about to guess again, Mr. Linggih continued, "This is rice, Randu."

Quite reasonable, Randu said in his heart. It is to protect it from lice or termites. It is important to keep the rice clean, so that it tastes good and of course healthy.

Rice! Reminds Randu of the rice they eat. "Does the mother always cook rice by mixing coconut milk?" ask Randu curiously.

Mr. Linggih understood what Randu meant. He smiled, then said, "The rice we eat comes from this barrel. The rice does have a distinctive taste and aroma, coconut milk taste. Unlike you think, there is a coconut milk mixture in it, but no, it is the rice of the systemewa. All you tasted was pure rice without any mixture, except for how many pandan leaves."

His pretentious battle made Randu ventured to blabber, "This must be rice pollen. But there was another cross. Yes, there may be at least two or three crosses of superior seedlings. Blending the best with the best, to be the best. The best rice pulen I have ever tasted nothing like this, even though the rice is superior from Thailand. Em. let alone vietnamese rice." Not stopping there, there is still another in line in his head, and I don't know what he means now, "Conon in Bangkok, Thailand, and now, there is a story about the king who wanted to behead all the peasants in the land. Until then his intention was broken because he met this great farmer.

"Like the others, he will also receive the same punishment if he is unable to harvest rice that can satisfy the taste of the king. Day and night he worked hard to do research, to be able to produce rice seeds with extraordinary taste.

"Time decreases with each passing day. Until he was forced to decide to immediately sow the seeds he produced, whatever the circumstances, ready or not ready. I mean he's doing research, but it's not perfect."

Mr. Linggih nodded, keeping Randu honored of his story.

"Finally when harvest time comes. Turns out he succeeded. Thus, all farmers could be saved and immediately released from confinement. Then he was appointed. ee. we call it the minister of agriculture, at that time. He he he...." Cover the palanquin with a cry.

Mr. Linggih was bearded, and his mouth was murmuring. "Great story" he said.

Just like that Mr. Linggih's response, and Randu looked disappointed.

"Oh yes Mr. Linggih, the king got his taste from his dream. For him what he felt was so real. He was completely obsessed with rice in his dreams." Randu has not given up, the parents must be able to be amazed, that's his hope.

Enough, Randu! Enough's enough! It will make you look more stupid, and feel restless for no reason. I don't know what he expected. Perhaps, for Mr. Linggih to clap his hands, and was crushed to roll on the ground. However, the results can be guessed through the pouting face of Randu. Indeed, it is not too obvious, but it wants to be known. Minted.

Mr. Linggih turned to the other corner. While Randu, as if pretending to be serious was observing a set of green grains in his grasp.

As soon as he realized the old man had started to move, curious, he immediately reacted. His curiosity is almost never tired.

Mr. Linggih reached out to a small cloth bag, similar to the metal money parcels of ancient warriors. Randu glanced at the thing, his head tilted.

"It's rice seeds..," silent for a moment, ".today we will sow new seeds," explained Mr. Linggih.

Hopefully the taste will not change, because of the intervention of Randu. Then Mr. Linggih stepped out of the hut, followed by Randu.

A moment later Randu momentarily dissolved in his imaginary world. This time he was a successful farmer. His hands stretched out, his face closed in the wind, inhaled in the air. Then he opened his eyes, watching the rice fields that thrived, green rice plants stretched like tapestries. His gaze was satisfied, feeling proud of his hard work.

There are more questions from Randu. Not just bas-basas-basis should now be, because it was scattered in his heart; determined to be a reliable farmer. He wants to find new superior seeds, as well as how to grow good crops. "Is there a pest here? Or a bad bird eating grain? How are the seeds here produced...?"

"Are you an aspiring agricultural engineer?" Mr. Linggih asked back.

"Not."

"Then..., what school are you in?"

The other asked, the other answered. "I used to want to be an architect" said Randu innocently.

Mr. Linggih thickened his lower lip. Darling Randu did not see.

"So..., are there any pests?" Randu repeated his question again.

Mr. Linggih tried to respond excitedly, "There certainly is. Sometimes the favorite bird of Nayu is more worried than other pests. Strangely, son, there's no mouse here that dares to approach the father's rice fields."

Sandy was getting interested. "Why could that be?"

Mr. Linggih stopped stepping. "Because a long time ago, a cat.." he corrected his sentence, "Nayu once saved a dying mouse that was almost targeted by a bobcat..."

Randu knew Mr. Linggih was making fun. "Haha... The mouse understood about return. They respect Nayu... He he's..."

After being satisfied with laughter, then the view of Randu swept across the expanse of agricultural land.

"Come Randu! Follow you there," invite Mr. Linggih and point towards the long table in front of the rice field area. On it were boxes of wood; in it was the ground that had been spewed. It was a little bit in the water.

NAYU is busy planting three-week-old rice seedlings in the rice fields. It is still like a weed. The planting distance should be arranged in such a way. It should not be too close, as it will interfere with the division of absorbed food intake. Also, it should not be far apart, as it will take up more space before other seedlings can be planted. His hands look very deft, the movements are like ingrained in him, like a unity with the body. Occasionally the side of his hand that he considered was still clean, wiping his hair that was still scattered forward disturbed the view, although some had been pigtailed back. Nayu wore a capil as a head covering. Reminds of the atmosphere of settlement in the interior of Vietnam.

He used to do it with his fingers that seemed always well maintained, like never touching something dirty. White skin is radiant, like never touched by the sun. The clear face glistened, emitting an aura of beauty. Always wear beautiful clothes, which are classified as clean. Not a proper costume to go down to the rice fields, it should be. Seeing her daily appearance, everyone would think she was a spoiled girl who stayed away from dirty things.

She almost always wears a skirt. The length of the legs anyway. Even as it is now, it is struggling with rice and mud. Soaking water soaked the end of his skirt, radiating up to the knee. One time he will lift it, whatever the purpose, maybe just to ensure the condition of his feet, then the calf looks flickering, clear bright in the middle of the sea of black mud.

It's not worth it to be there. The shading of the tapestry and the fountain at his side is what he deserves more. If only there was a prince who wanted him. In the grandest palace, accompanied by ladies-in-waiting, and treated to fruits and luxurious food. Rather than being left free like an unattended. That's so sorry lotus. Beauty should be treated as it should be.

TOGETHER with Mr. Linggih, Randu was sowing rice seeds into small wooden boxes on the table. After three weeks of age, the seeds will grow to be like weeds. It will then be moved to the rice field, as Nayu is doing right now. Still left in the bag of some rice seedlings, but all wooden box containers have been filled.

Randu looked around. At the end of there, not far from the side of the hill, seen by him Nyu still remain in his place. Sinking into his preoccupation.

Waiting for Mr. Linggih invited Randu to help Nyu will be free. Uncertain and will still be too long, maybe even never thought of by the old man. It's time for a Pandu to seize the opportunity. Reasonable moment, right time, and not too far-fetched. Doesn't Mr. Linggih know that Randu is interested in planting, which will be the subject of discussion. Enough to immerse the shame deeply, throw all prejudices far away, if necessary to get behind the hills there. Don't care about anything, after all, getting close to Nayu won't take your life.

Randu stepped up with his heart pounding, approaching the idol. Then he remembered again about Mr. Linggih, he saw the old man was tidying up his work. Safe.

Unbeknownst to Randu, actually secretly Mr. Linggih smiled amusedly.

Doubtful but sure, Randu stepped closer. Randu assumed, Nayu did not realize there was someone who was about to approach him. Who knows, though, the girl's deepest heart. His eyes glanced small towards the arrival of the palanquin. His hearing can feel the whistle of the wind that hit a body figure.

"Oh.. my Vietcong girl.", Randu sizzled very slowly. His steps stopped, three steps away from Nyu. And suddenly found himself holding a toddler. On his shoulder was an old rifle, Mosin Nagant. "Cup cup cup... Don't cry baby, don't make your mother worry while she works."

The little boy continued to whine, crying so much that it attracted the attention of a beautiful woman. It seemed to be a young mother, and she said half-calling to Randu, "Please pamper him, so as not to cry..."

Randu tried again; showed bloon mimic, stuck out his tongue, kicked a song, whistled. Yet failed.

"Do I have to stop working...? Time just like that you can't take care of our child" said the young mother upset. "Can it really not...? If you can't, let me... Hey..huh...! Bang Randu, listen no? Don't just shut up...! Bang Ran's... Stretchers..." Stretchers...

"...Pandu...," said Sayu softly. "What are you daydreaming about...?"

"Our son...!" answer Randu kecelosan, between conscious and unconscious.

Nayu plays her mouth, her eyebrows are raised. Confused about what Randu had just said.

Suddenly Randu was confused what he had done and should do now.

Nayu then smiled. His lips twitched, curved gently, and thrust into the deepest recesses of Randu's heart.

With such a close distance, the charm of Bayu is very clear. The heart of Randu immediately beat fast. Fast, fast, and fast. Faster than time rotates. The circulation of blood seemed to run to and fro, scattering indeterminate directions.

Oh... what am I doing...., Randu protested to himself, What are these things!? Why do I say that... This crazy delusion... Doesn't make sense...

Bayu's arm thrust towards Randu. Like a Goddess who holds out hope for someone who slips; hangs on the lips of a precipitous abyss; faces death before the eyes; feels almost naked. "You want to try it?" tawar Bayu's. "Hm..."

"Bo Can...? Is it not disturbing? If you don't mind let me do it, "Randu said, pretending to be unwell, pretentious gentleman. Suddenly his brain began to think. His creativity slowly strung together nicely; cassanova's figure soon lived his soul; improvising like Mozart was leading an orchestra. "By pleasure, beautiful lady... You can sit sweet. If I'm good, next time, you don't have to bother doing it anymore. I will always be there for you."

Nayu nodded slowly while smiling again. And even softer; like a shade in the twilight of farewell. But, it was best for the girl not to smile anymore, as no one expected someone to fall unconscious in the middle of the muddy rice field.

Randu welcomed the helping of Naju's hand, with his chest still slightly trembling irregularly.

"Look.., how. Keep paying attention to the distance," explained Nayu while demonstrating. "You see the others, yes that's how it is. Don't forget, you should treat them gently."

"What can plants feel?" tanya Randu impressed. Her lips are annoying. Then glanced at the plant in his hand.

"Almost all creatures receive a caress" replied Nayu. "If you could feel it..."

"good. I'll try," said Randu. I hope the old man doesn't notice me... Cold sweat began to queue behind the pores of his skin.

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Glossaries

Mosin Nagant is a bolt-action rifle used by the armed forces of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, and other Eastern Bloc countries. Guerrillas/vietnamese fighters also often use it in times of war. Discovered in 1891, it was produced in 1892.

Casanova: Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born in Venice in 1725, the name of a mischievous man. Casanova is an expert on women, adventurers of love.