The Gema Shahadah Aisyah
First Trip

Purple and yellow yams that still emit smoke are presented on the table along with other breakfast menus. The special sweet potato was Atalie's request yesterday. Atalie was so eager to eat her breakfast this morning plus she did not have to peel the thin skin from the yam because ART aunt had peeled everything.

"Is there a yellow one too?" Atalie took one purple sweet potato and blew it away for a while before putting it in her mouth.

"There is white too." Renata responded, it turned out that Atalie's general knowledge was lacking because he did not know about the plants that propagated on the land.

Although not as sweet as the sweet potatoes that Atalie ate at Umar's house but he still consume a purple and yellow sweet potato. After trying both, Atalie steadily made purple sweet potatoes as her favorite food compared to yellow ones. Yellow yam texture wetter, Atalie not too like.

Why the sweet potato that Umar planted sweeter, maybe he doused it with sugar water or honey. Atalie smiled amusedly imagining that.

"You never bring your friends here, next time play with them so Mama knows them too."

"Maybe?"

"Yes, you can also find friends other than Ayana and Khanza, the time of his friend that's it even though you've been to two different campuses but other than the two of them, but other than the two of them, you never told anyone else to Papa and Mama."

There was no answer from Atalie, wasn't it all because of her mama too. Since childhood Atalie was always busy with various activities, after school she still had to get extra lessons even on a certain day she also tutored piano just because the children of Renata friends took piano lessons.

On Sundays after returning from church Atalie had swimming lessons, she did not have time for a vacation let alone socialize. Just after graduating from S1, Atalie had little freedom to hang out with her friends, only three friends, Ayana, Khanza and Gracia.

Then don't blame Atalie if she has trouble making friends with others. Now Atalie feels she doesn't have time to make friends. Although already trying to follow the organization on campus but Atalie difficult to accept others. As an adult he thought, having many friends was actually unnecessary. There are a few that can really be said to be friends.

While studying Mandarin for a year in Hangzhou—, Zhejiang's capital, Atalie was not close friends with anyone. Only one person lived in the apartment unit right next door, they often went to campus together but after returning to Indonesia, Atalie and her friend never communicated again.

Gracia tells Atalie that she wishes she had a Chinese boyfriend. Of course that's impossible, just making friends Atalie is difficult let alone dating.

That's why when Gracia says Atalie has a crush on Umar, Atalie immediately denies it. If you remember Umar almost always wears a sarong and cocoa plus black skullcap as if it is his mandatory attribute, nothing special. Atalie couldn't have fancied it, of course Zhang Han was more handsome. The lead role was in the Chinese drama Boss & Me that Atalie had seen before.

"Daniel doesn't have many friends either." Atalie pointed at Daniel, a time like this he always had a target to distract his mama.

Daniel is no different from Atalie, preoccupied with activities since childhood makes him not have many friends.

"Yesterday Daniel brought his friend here."

Atalie sneered, now she felt defeated by her sister who was now sticking her tongue out at her. Atalie immediately stuffed Daniel's mouth with the remaining yam in her hand.

"What's your thesis?" Jaya who from earlier focused on enjoying her breakfast now makes a sound.

"Today I'm with some friends going to Ijen, Pa." Atalie has not yet determined the research she will do for her thesis. Because some of his senior friends invited him to go climbing to Ijen crater, Atalie just went with them. Atalie also needs to get to know her fellow majors after almost two years of college.

"Don't forget to bring the mosquito repellent lotion." Renata reminds Atalie.

Atalie pointed her thumb at Renata, she would never forget to bring her anti-mosquito lotion or spray. It is easy to bite by mosquitoes and its scars will last for weeks. Expensive creams that are said to be good on the market still do not help much to remove the scar so it is better to prevent the bite.

"You can do research on the sale of Alindra Beauty products, just come to the office then Papa will give you everything you need." Jay gave me advice.

"It's okay Pa, Atalie also rarely go for a walk." Renata.

Atalie wanted to rectify her mother's speech, not infrequently but she never traveled far with friends. Although Ijen Crater is not too far away but it is much better than not having any experience.

******

The Paltuding post is crowded by tourists who want to climb or down from Mount Ijen. Tents were set up in the post area, in addition to climbing they can camp or stay at homestays around Paltuding. The prices of lodging offered are quite diverse, ranging from hundreds to millions of rupiah per night.

Atalie along with three male friends, Tio, Juna, Margie and two women Alfi and Sukma chose to set up a tent under the Shrimp Fir tree to enjoy the cool air of the highlands.

Atalie's friends even brought complete equipment for the camper. Instead of doing the research they look like they are about to take a vacation.

Atalie sat in front of the tent watching her friends who were collecting twigs of cypress trees to light a bonfire. He said camping was incomplete without a campfire although they were not sure if the wet twigs could be used.

"They look familiar." Atalie pointed to Juna and Alfi who were chasing like children, fighting over the pink knit skullcaps obtained from buyers around the post.

"You don't know they're dating, even the whole campus already knows." Sukma thrust a chocolate wafer at Atalie, they have not had lunch because they want to arrive soon.

Atalie chuckled because she really didn't know about it. Apparently all this time he had less attention around so he did not know anything that happened on campus. Atalie is too focused on studying and working when there is no class.

"Don't you also not know that Tio has a crush on you."

"Tio?" Atalie frowned, she had not memorized the names of her friends who were coming today.

"That's a white sweater, she walks towards us, look at her smile."

Tio seemed to walk towards them carrying a branch of white-colored hairy flowers and a little pink.

"Make you."

"For what?" Atalie received the flower with a confused feeling.

"As a thank you for letting us go in your car." Tio smiled broadly.

"With this flower?" Atalie could not believe if her car was appreciated with the flower, even before she received a more valuable gift such as introduced to the figure of Aisyah or a plate of purple yams are very sweet. While this flower has no benefit.

"Yes." Yeah." Tio said proudly and then ran away again.

Atalie sneered, she pulled out the hairs of the flowers and threw them in any direction. Sukma could not help laughing at her.

"He's trying to be romantic." Sukma still could not stop his laughter.

If Atalie was easy to woo with just flowers then she must have had a lot of ex-boyfriends. Felix used to give expensive items but Atalie always refused. Atalie doesn't need stuff like that, but she can buy it herself.

"Previously you were in management?" Sukma wanted to ask this question a long time ago but because Atalie was too quiet, she did not dare to come close even though they were often in the same class.

"Yes, more precisely Hospitality Management in Surabaya."

"Then decided to take the S2 here?"

"Yes, because I had no job at that time than to be unemployed so decided to go to college again." Atalie tried to find a logical reason to answer Sukma's question.

Sukma laughed at Atalie's reason for studying which was very different from her. Sukma must spend years to be able to study S2.

"Mbak Sukma and others will discuss the matter of Ijen Crater tour for the thesis later?"

"Yes, you know that access to Ijen Crater is still difficult for tourists from outside Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, compared to Mount Bromo, tour packages to Ijen Crater are not on the website."

"It is unfortunate because tourists from outside the city definitely need information about the cost of tour packages, if there is an e-ticket facility that allows tourists to book anytime for sure this place will be much more crowded."

"You're right, Atalie, but it's very difficult to realize, it could be a few more years."

Atalie nodded in agreement with Sukma's opinion, even if there is a tour package they certainly do not list the price clearly so as to make prospective tourists feel doubtful.

Tio, Juna, Margie and Alfi join forces to discuss their research. Although visiting the same place but they raised different topics.

"Let's have lunch first, it's too late." Sukma raised his arm looking at the circular watch on his left hand.

They took food out of their bags. Instant cup noodles, corn and yam to burn. Atalie carries eggs, sausages and bread. They can grill and eat it together afterwards.

"Would bring teflon everything." Alfi turned his back to see Tio take out a teflon from inside his bag.

"If we can make toast with eggs, Atalie brings all the ingredients." Sukma took the initiative, probably because he was the only married student among others so he spontaneously arranged their activities.

"Good idea." Excited the others.

Atalie roasts bread while Alfi makes beef-eye eggs and bakes sausages simultaneously. After that they also boil water for noodles. Corn and yam are stored for the night, they won't be able to eat all the food at once.

This is the first experience for Atalie, it turns out that camping in the open like this is very fun. At first he thought it would be difficult to adjust to the others. However they were all kind and friendly so Atalie did not feel awkward anymore.

"I'm the same as others pray magrib first." Said Alfi after being satisfied lying in the tent, full stomach makes them lazy to move until the sky is dark.

Atalie stayed alone in the tent because others were setting up magrib prayers in nearby musholla. Atalie was pensive to hear the sound of Adzan reverberating, for a moment she felt her chest warm.

After the sound of the Adzan is no longer heard, Atalie realized that many mosquitoes were perched in her calf.

Atalie stirred up the contents of her bag in search of her anti-mosquito lotion but it was not found. Atalie finally spewed out all her belongings and scattered them.

"Don't say forget." Atalie ruffled her hair in frustration, Renata had warned her earlier but she did not find the lotion. That means Atalie must be willing if her body is bitten by mosquitoes. Atalie shouldn't have worn shorts when she left earlier.

Atalie immediately entered the tent and closed it, while waiting for her friends to finish praying magrib she read a book.