SURVIVORS
Chaptre 304. The Last Dwellers of Buwan Island
A bright morning.
The sound of the birds waking the team members deep sleep.
Widuri opened her eyes lazily. Dean's warm embrace, a little added to his sense of laziness. Throughout their adventure, Widuri feels that this is the deepest night of sleep she feels. I don't know why.
Could it be because he felt he had gone home? Although not yet at home, but this is still Indonesia. Country he has known for his entire life. The smell of the soil and air feels very familiar and reassuring. He closed his eyes while smiling happily. Wishing both parents were still there to be hugged and unsealed.
Suddenly Dean's arm held him tighter. Widuri opened her eyes. Dean was looking at it with affection.
"We're going home. Patience ...."
Widuri returned Dean's embrace. Happy heart. This man he chose, was able to understand himself without the need for him to say anything.
"Yes, I know .. You're gonna take me home."
"Excuse me ...."
There was a voice call from outside. That's Sulaiman's voice.
"Yes ...."
Doctor Chandra wakes up from his sleep and shuffles out of the cottage, near the fireplace, Alan and Indra are fast asleep.
"Yes, what's wrong?" doctor Chandra asked Sulaiman who was still standing by the roadside.
"Ah, it's nothing. But I just harvested yams. Maybe you like it? It's good for breakfast" he said kindly.
"of course. The yam is very healthy. We liked it. And long time no yam to cook."
Doctor Chandra receives a rattan basket full of yams that Sulaiman is offering. Then all the yams were shed near the fireplace.
"The most delicious baked pork" Dr Chandra said without asking.
"Hahahaha .. Our taste is the same!" Sulaiman laughed happily.
Hearing the commotion outside, Sunil and Robert came out. They thanked him for the food that Sulaiman brought.
"I see, this field is about time to be harvested. Why don't you harvest? Don't you worry about the birds? Look ...."
Sunil pointed towards the group of happy birds pecking at the grain of rice in the rice field.
Sulaiman only laughed a little. "Well .. I share with them. My rice supply is still there. If less, just take it as necessary. There's not enough energy to do all this on your own" he said honestly.
"If you need help harvesting, just say so. We're good at doing this kind of work." Dean offered to help.
"really?" Sulaiman could not believe it.
"During the journey to find a way home, we were also forced to make our own needs. So we also garden and farm according to where we pass," Dean explained briefly.
"That's why we have such a small supply of groceries" Sunil added.
"alright. If you can help harvest this rice field, as much as the result is yours," said Sulaiman pleased.
"Agreed!" suhut Dean fast.
Both of them shake hands. Sulaiman was glad someone helped him harvest. Dean was also happy, as it was a light job for him. Within 10 minutes, the job could be done.
Marianne and the other women are awake. Seeing that there was a yam by the fireplace, they took a container filled with water to wash the yam filled with soil. Then the yams are arranged layered on the coals of fire.
"Cloudy, don't be naughty!" call Widuri.
Sulaiman was astonished to see the beast obeying Widuri's orders. They keep tigers? It was amazing for Sulaiman. All his life, he had only seen leopards and tigers once. Even so, at the zoo, when he went to the big city with his wife and son.
But the other sounds made him curious. Once there was no Cloudy in the way, he could continue with the plan to see. And his eyes opened wide.
Next to the humble grass hut, there was a horse, two goats, two cows and a few chickens in confinement.
"This ... your cattle?" point at.
"Yes, of course. We brought him from a faraway country" replied Dean.
Sulaiman wanted to not believe it. But, it had been a long time there was not a single farm animal on the island. Since a few years ago the storm made sea water rise high and washed away everything left on the island.
He was stranded on Karimata island. Then came back with some rescue workers to comb the small island, looking for survivors. He found his wife and several others still alive. Stuck between the mangrove tree branches near the expanse of fish ponds and shrimp.
The island is poranda. But he was grateful his wife was alive. Although after that his health declined, but Sulaiman was grateful to be able to take care of his wife until the end.
"What's wrong?"
Dean's voice broke Sulaiman's daydream.
"There's nothing. I-I haven't seen farm animals in a long time" he said in a choked voice
Dean nodded in understanding. Ever since they arrived and walked to the center of the island, he had not seen a single livestock. Not even chicken. But Dean didn't want to ask about it. Seeing Sulaiman's reaction, something must have happened on this island that made the cattle disappear. The most likely are storms and extreme tidal waves that sweep across the island.
Dean was stunned for a moment. Now he understood why all the houses here were left to collapse with age. And based on Sunil's story last night, Sulaiman also opened it in good condition. Eyes shortsighted. And when dusk comes, he can't see anything anymore. That's why it doesn't matter to him a dark house without electricity.
"The baby is ripe! Come, breakfast!" marianne's call immediately gained attention.
All gathered and divided the pieces of yam fairly. Even Sulaiman got his breakfast ration. They eat together while chatting.
Dean's plan today is, with Doctor Chandra helping Sulaiman harvest rice crops. Sunil and Alan fix the broken door. Indra, Leon and Robert helped Sulaiman tidy up the garden.
"Summit, can we help you clean the house?" ask Widuri slowly. He was worried that Sulaiman would be offended.
"Hehehe .. origin is not a hassle, just go ahead. Since my wife is not around, I rarely clean," he admitted.
"No hassle at all," replied Widuri relieved.
"Then what about your plan to go to the big island? Usually the middleman ship will come here every month. But this month they didn't come. Maybe the sea is high. If they come later, maybe you can get on that ship." Sulaiman.
"That's good news" Dean said with a smile. Robert jg nodded. This island is not not at all visited by humans. It's not as often as a big island.
"Did you go to town less often?" ask Sunil.
"I don't need to go to town. I have planted my daily needs. If I want fish, I'll fish at the docks. If you want salt to cook, just take sea water and dry it in a small pond behind."
"Once the middleman brought me soap, tea, coffee and sugar, or cheap clothes from the market. Exchanged for more vegetables, that's enough. I don't need any money here."
The team members were able to understand Sulaiman's simple understanding. His personal needs are enough. The main thing is the stomach. And he has it all. So there was nothing in the city that could attract his attention. He'll probably be the last man on Buwan island.
"Okay, breakfast is over. Let's get to work. The other thing we'll discuss later," Dean said.
Everyone got up and started to clean up everything, before taking royong to help Sulaiman.
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