Waiting For Life's
CHAPTRE 17
Meli has been in college for a week as usual, not much has changed just that there are some people who consider if Meli made a mistake that caused her an accident, they believe what is broadcast by television.
Meli who has also been told by Rani with the details of the original incident did not cover every statement of the person who cornered her. Meli knows if she wants to be harmed by someone who Meli does not know who that person is.
“Mel,”Gia patted Meli's shoulder slowly.
“Oii” Reply Meli while smiling looking at Gia. “Mana Dony?”asked Meli who looked around and could not find Dony who usually had gone home.
“She again printed the Mel” paper replied Gia by snacking on her mouth candy.
“Oooh, diligent also dia”
“It is if it is later ngemorein his lecture target”
“Hai Mel”sapa Daniel with friendly.
Meli who did not like Daniel just smiled thinly and pulled Gia's arm to go from the presence of Daniel. Daniel who saw Meli go directly pulled her arm.
“Wait Mel”
“Aaan anyway, cave still no affairs”
“Our engagement so right ya?”
“Perhaps you haven't told you yet, gua kasau tau ya papah has already canceled our matchmaking, now we've no connection with each other okay, okay, so do not disturb gua”ucap Meli then go leave Daniel who rubbed his face rough.
“Seriusan Mel, bokap you have canceled your arranged marriage with Daniel that?”
Meli nods and smiles happily, “Iya, papah has changed since the cave accident Gi”, Meli replied smilingly considering her papah who has changed more loving herself and Rani as before.
“Alhamdulillah I was very pleased with the horror of Mel”Gia hugged Meli happy to hear the thing that had been he
please for his best friend.
“Waaah what niiii, hug-hugging, romantic her real romance”ucap Dony from behind Gia.
“Eh you, already here aja”Meli let go of his embrace with Gia.
“Iya nih cave abis nyelesatin gua paper assignment”Dony raised the finished paper he printed.
“Good if you are getting diligent”Meli patted Dony's shoulder slowly.
“It's guaa”ucap Dony with his pride.
“Yuk was eating”tajak Gia who had been holding back hunger for the last hour of college.
“Let's who's afraid” replied Dony who is excited when it comes to food.
The three of them joked back and talked together cheerfully like there was no burden in their lecture.
*****
Ray prepares his belongings for his duties in Papua. Ray and several people including Fad, Sahat and Rafli join forces to help colleagues from several other units who are
trying to ease conflict in Papua.
Ray brought what was necessary and needed he did not bring what he did not really need when there. In Papua, Ray and other members not only helped physically but also took part in recovering people in Papua who were injured by the actions of the insurgents.
After all was enough, Ray rushed away and locked his house. Ray walks with his backpack and other gear with both hands. His steps stopped when he saw Fad who was hugging Sarah tightly.
“Kasian mas Fad, mba Sarah”batin Ray stared at the two who were still hugging, Sarah continued to shed her tears, not wanting Mas Fad to go far let alone in a conflict area like Papua.
“De, mas will go home healthy and as soon as possible, so please do not be sad and continue to pray for mas ya”ucap mas Fad while wiping eyes that are filled with sad tears.
Sarah nodded, “Iya mas, mas have to go home and congratulations yes, I was always at home waiting for the time I returned home”Sarah hugged Mas Fad.
Ray joins other members who are still unmarried (bujang) . Ray stared around him, so sad his gaze of the wives of married members looked at his husband who went on duty by putting his life.
After about 30 minutes passed, Ray and the rest of the group set off in trucks from the dormitory to the air force military base. During the trip Ray and the other members tried to melt the atmosphere by joking and talking like there was nothing to worry about. Tasks like this should be the responsibility of a national army, they must be ready to be assigned wherever and whenever.
*****
“Mba,”call Rani while knocking on the door of Meli's room that she didn't lock.
“Log Ran, ga locked”answere Meli still lying in her chair after college.
“Mba know ga?”
Meli shook her head, “What?”
“In papah company again find volunteers”
“Rawyers?”Meli frowned her confused.
Rani smiles happily, “Iya, volunteer for in Papua mba”.
Hearing that Meli was immediately jolted and woke up from her sleep, both corners of her lips lifted into a smile, “I have to join”gum Meli slowly.
“Yaaaah, I can't join dong”Rani sitting at Meli's bedside sadly.
“Other times if you have a holiday, surely you can come, right?”
Rani nodded. “Iya mba, but I'm not sure also will be able to follow even holiday”.
“Pasti can dong Ran, zhim”Meli encourages Rani who looks lethargic and sad because she cannot volunteer in Papua with Meli.
Meli from the past was very eager to visit Papua but because of his busyness that is becoming every day, now he is on semester break so there is an opportunity to volunteer for Papua.
Meli is interested in Papua because of its unique nature and people. Meli was very happy when she saw the laughter of Papuan children who were so sincere and innocent. Meli got up from her seat and rushed to her papah workspace to offer herself to volunteer for Papua from her papah company.
‘Tok...tok...button...’ Meli knocked on the door of her papah workspace with a smile that did not fade earlier.
“Iya entered”sahut Kusuma who is still typing something on his computer.
“Papah”sapa Meli cheerfully, “Pah, I'm coming ya”
Kusuma stares confused Meli, “Where to go?”
“That's a loh, papah company is no longer a volunteer for Papua right?”asked Meli while sitting on the sofa near the shelf
books.
Kusuma nodded, “Iya, why?”
“I want to be a relawab for Papua pah”ucap Meli still with his spirit
“You're right,”
“Plis pah, I have long wanted to go to Papua”Meli cupped his hands and squeezed on Kusuma to be allowed to volunteer.
Kusuma who saw seriousness in Meli also nodded, “Oke, papah will permit you but you also have to promise”
“What promise does reward?”
“You must pay attention to your health and safety during there”
Meli immediately nodded in response to her papah request. “Siap bos”Meli saluted Kusuma who just shook his head and smiled at what Meli was doing.
*****
Ray and other members rest first before tomorrow start activities to help other members of the union and the villagers who are many victims of the violence of the
mutineers.
“Mas Fad, take a shower first or go straight to bed?”ray asked Fad who was still tidying up his clothes in the closet that had been provided in the room. The room in place of Ray and the other members resembles a mes or barracks in the dormitory.
“I take a shower first Ray”ansi mas Fad who wants to refresh his body.
“Yaudah, replace”
“Iyo”
While Fad took a shower, Ray opened his bag and tidied up his clothes and all the items he brought as support for his service. “Bawaan mas Fad many also ya”Ray turned to his right side and saw what mas Fad brought.
After Fad finished bathing, Ray rushed to take a bath. After taking a bath, Ray put his body in bed while reading an English novel.
“Wiiih, her diligent”sapa Sahat who just finished bathing still with a towel wrapped around her waist.
“Read the ko” novelReaded Ray showing the cover of the book he read.
Satan nodded, Satan put on all his clothes and sat on his bed. “Bang Ray, yesterday when we visited Meli, his rich Meli did not know brother”
Ray turned his head for a while towards Sahat then smiled, “Terus?”.
“Iya. Doesn't his brother know the Meli?”asked Sahat who was curious since the time he visited Meli.
“Yeah I also don't know hat” replied Ray who actually does not know for sure why Meli can forget him.
“That's god's will?”
Ray nodded in response to the Evil question. “Maybe a hat, we do not know for sure, the same what will happen in the future”Ray closed his book and put it next to the pillow. “We can skip today but that does not mean we can know what we will pass tomorrow”
Evil and Fad who heard that immediately nodded in understanding with what was said by Ray.
“Where are you Ray?”ask Mas Fad who stood up from his seat.
*****
Meli has prepared all her needs while she volunteers in Papua. Meli approached Rani who sat quietly staring at the plants in the outside baklon. “Ran,”call Meli while patting Rani's shoulder gently.
Rani turned her head as she patted her shoulder by Meli. “Mba ready to go?”rani asked, there was sadness in her eyes.
Meli hugged Rani, “Mba will not be there long, just one week ko”Meli tried to calm Rani.
Rani stared at Meli, “Oya mba, ka Dony sama ka Gia so come?”.
Meli nodded and smiled, “Iya so, they are also very enthusiastic rich mba” replied Meli.
“Alhamdulillah, there are those who take care there”bala Rani smiled with relief looking at Meli.
“Yes Allah, you are very worried about the same mba”
Rani nodded quickly, “It is, I do not want mba sick or why-why then mba must take care of herself mba as well as his ya”Rani stick her little finger at Meli.
Meli cupped her pinky to Rani's pinky,. “Iya, mba will go home healthy and as soon as possible okay”
Rani nodded and smiled happily. “Mba,”call Rani.
Meli turned her head, “Why?, a by-by sure”ujar Meli who guessed what Rani wanted to say.
Rani shook her head, “I just want her souvenirs Mel came home safely” Rani sincerely.
“Iya Ran, mba will have promised you”Meli to hug Rani again, actually Meli also brat left Rani who will certainly be lonely but if Meli does not volunteer now when else she can get such an opportunity.
*****
The next day, Meli and another group of volunteers arrived in the village which was targeted by the rebels. Meli was saddened when she saw many houses collapsed due to the actions of the rebels, many public facilities were also damaged such as schools and small puskesmas.
“Yes Allah, have a good time that person until rich gini”gumam Meli look around the village.
“Oh yes, the refugee camp for cementitious residents is over there, you guys follow me aja bang Rendy ya”ujar Fian yang
he is the leader of the Meli volunteer team while pointing to the right from where they are.
All the volunteers follow the Rendy bang who know where the refugee camps are threatened by the brutal actions of the insurgents in Papua. Meli felt tired because the distance was quite far from the village she had entered.
Meli's eyes were glued when she saw many soldiers at the evacuation site, some were examining mothers and children, some were chatting with residents, some were teaching children.
Not only the army but also there are doctors and teachers in the evacuation. The refugee area is heavily guarded by security from the TNI-Polri. Meli and her volunteer group were warmly welcomed by everyone in the refugee camp. Meli and her roar in between to her resting place which is near the evacuation.
Meli suddenly stopped walking when she saw Ray sitting with two young boys in a seat under a tree. “Ka Ray”gumam Meli slowly still pay attention to Ray and the two boys.
“Aww”ringin Meli when she was hit by a boy about 6 years old.
“Sorry kaka, sa no accidentally”ucap the boy then went to approach Ray under the tree.
Meli who saw the boy went immediately smiled, her smile fading as she looked at Ray who was staring at her. “Aduh, ketauan again”batin Meli.
“You're here?”asked Ray who made Meli step stop when he wanted to leave.
“O...oh i.that, i...follow the volunteer, yes volunteer” replied Meli who stammered, she felt nervous when asked by Ray.
“Oh, so volunteer toh”Ray stood up from his seat and approached Meli who was still silent in her place. “Always be careful and vigilant here”Ray reminds Meli.
Meli nodded in understanding with the warning given by Ray, “I, yes ka, I must be careful”.
Ray nodded and then smiled as he walked back to sit with the children who were still waiting for Ray to sit with them again. Meli notices Ray teaching them to make folding art from colorful origami paper.
“Ka Ray, can be very familiar with the children”batin Meli amazed to see the closeness of Ray with the boys who
now it has grown to 7 people were only three people.
Meli gasps in shock at Ray staring at her, Meli stares directly at the other direction pretending not to see what Ray and the children are doing. but Ray knew that from now on Meli was watching herself.
“Seneng meet you again Mel, but the sense of her getting crowded”batin Ray stared at Meli who went past.
*****
In the afternoon, Meli and 9 women including Gia from her volunteer group and the residents began cooking for dinner together with the surrounding residents who were in the refugee camp.
“Waah, have a good meal tonight”ucap mas Fad who after taking water from the aqueduct that is close to the evacuation soup kitchen.
“Mas Fad”pekik Meli when viewing Fad mas.
Mas Fad who felt his name was mentioned also turned to the women who were cooking while looking for who said his name. Meli waved her hand, only Mas Fad who saw Meli was among the women who cooked directly approached her.
“Meli, ko here?”ask Fad while putting a bucket big enough to contain water.
“Iya, I joined as a volunteer from the papah” office, Meli replied smiling at Mas Fad.
“Oh, ko can be the same as Ray who dapet task here ya”mas Fad smiled seductively Meli who was silent considering when he met Ray. “Do not-do you guys are a soul mate again”ujar mas Fad make Meli blush.
“Fadli where the water, has been awaited also”ujar Dhani friend of Fad's crossbreeding which is also assigned in the same place as Fad's mas.
“Iya, this has been taken by his water”mas Fad pointed to a bucket full of water.
“Who is Fad?”dhani asked smilingly looking at Meli who was cutting carrots.
“His cousin my wife”answer mas Fad pointed to Meli. Meli just smiled politely in return.
“Oh, I Dhani her temen Fadli”Dhani reached out her hand then replied by Meli.
“I Melisha, commonly called Meli”
“His water has been awaited fromadi”ucap Ray who immediately broke the salaman between Meli and Dhani which was long enough.
Mas Fad covered the walk forward to hand over the water meant by Ray. “Bang, on the same call sir Daniel”Ray conveyed the inforamation to Dhani with a flat face.
Meli who saw Ray immediately returned to focus on his activities that were cutting carrots. “She can ko ya flat keep her face, ga no expression of her”batin Meli when look at broad shoulder Ray
go away.
Actually Ray deliberately to approach the Fad mas, he did not like to see Meli shaking hands long enough with Dhani who is a friend of Fad mas and also his level kaka first during education.
After all the food is done in the cook, Meli, Gia and Indah are tasked to distribute each person a portion of food along with his drink. Gia divides the two rows on the right, Meli divides the middle two rows and Indah divides the food the last two rows.
Meli distribute food by passing from one person to another. Meli glanced at Dhani who was right next to her left staring at her continuously without stopping.
“Sorry pa, something wrong with me?”tanya Meli who feels uncomfortable is seen continuously by Dhani.
Dhani shook her head, “Ngga ko, maybe your fault is just one” Dhani replied with a smile.
“What?”asked Meli curious while fumbling her face.
“Too sweet”dhani replied to make Meli embarrassed, because so many people who whistle and laugh hear what Dhani said.
“Ma,”Meli's speech came to a halt when she saw Ray who was suddenly next to her and took over to hand out to people who had not gotten his rations.
“You just go back to the kitchen, help the one in the kitchen let me who should this”ucap Ray on Meli. Ray's words very make Meli calm and return to the kitchen to help some people who
still washing some cookware.
“You're disturbing Ray”ucap Dhani is upset and confused by what Ray is doing all of a sudden.
“Iya bang, abis I have no job, so help me to-in food aja”ansi Ray is still focused on distributing rations for people who have not got their dinner rations.
Ray could not bear to see Meli felt uncomfortable to be noticed by Dhani continues to take care, Ray could find out from the look of the face and the movements of Meli who felt uncomfortable. Ray decides to take over Meli's duties when Dhani says that Meli is too sweet and many people cheer in favor of what Dhani says.
In the kitchen Meli arranged some kitchen utensils that were washed in their original place carefully.
“It's a good thing there is ka Ray, try if not, the cave is already very lazy there”gumam Meli is not aware of Ray waiting behind him.
“Eeh...eeeh”Meli who slipped and fell just closed his eyes without realizing Ray had caught it easily. “Ka Ray”Meli smiled when he saw Ray had caught him so he did not fall.
“You guys are dating jang here e”ucap a woman who is the same age as Rani, “This we are pu kitchen”songnya.
Ray immediately lowered Meli slowly and carefully. “Sorry Maruna, we people no dating, earlier she fell and sa caught her”Ray explained with a little mixture of language and logic
Papuans.
“Oh that's it, are you Ray?”
Ray nodded, “Iya Maruna, right that”Ray smiled back at Maruna who returned her smile.
“Halo, I Meli”Meli introduced herself to Maruna kindly.
“Maruna sa has a name” replied Maruna by returning a friendly smile Meli.
“Oh Maruna, beautiful name”
“Thank you kaka, sa do not know the name kaka indah ato not”plain answer Maruna makes Meli and Ray laugh slowly.
“There is a wrong e?”
Ray shook his head, “No, let's go back to dinner”Ray, Meli and Maruna came back to the front to eat their dinner.
*****