What a Beautiful Divorce
99. The Kejora Village Hall

“Please sit down, Nak Prapto, Nak Nimo!” bring Mr. Oscar. They just got back from the village hall.

It was a cloudy and cool afternoon in Kejora village. Light cloudy and the tread will not rain at all.

For a moment Mr. Oscar, Prapto, and Nimo stared at the leaves of a tree that moved gently in the wind. Nobody talks, they just pay attention. Until Bu Inari came to serve three cups of hot coffee.

“Coffee, Sir,” call Bu Inari.

Mr. Oscar looked over, smiling. “Thank you, Mom,” said.

“Mr, Nak Prapto, and Nak Nimo noticed what? It looks serious once.”

Mr. Oscar laughed. “Watching the leaves being blown by the afternoon breeze, Mom. I'm sure they both noticed the foliage.”

“Betul, Bu,” answered Prapto and Nimo almost simultaneously.

Ms. Inari laughed, then returned home.

“Peace the leaves, Mr. Village Chief,” Prapto said. He lit a cigarette.

“Yes. Very cool to see it.” Mr. Oscar also ignited his shell.

“Bos, ask for a cigarette, yes, my cigarette out.” Nimo then took a Prapto cigarette and also lit it.

The afternoon wind blew again. Mr. Oscar, Prapto, and Nimo closed their eyes. There is a sense of serenity in every gust of wind for a happy heart.

“I didn't really hear Mr. Kades' conversation with the Prapto Boss earlier,” said Nimo. “Pak kades order what to present to children at the festival tomorrow?”

“Something simple, Nak Nimo. I bought them a miniature pedati carrying rice and bicycles. That's for boys. For girls, I bought miniature flowers in the garden, and other toys that girls love,” replied Mr. Oscar.

Nimo scrunched his forehead, considering that the miniatures mentioned by Mr. Oscar were made from materials that were very affordable; from polished wood or plastic. “Why up to five million rupiah more, Mr Kades?” tanyakanya.

“The wood is quite expensive, Nimo. Even more raise the price, the miniatures are coated with a mixture of silver.”

Nimo smile. “The village head of Kejora is great, I am proud.” Nimo sipped his coffee.

“If you may know, why Mr Kades would give a gift worth five million rupiah more?” Prapto looked at Mr. Oscar's face. He wanted to see how the old man revealed it.

Mr. Oscar sighed. “In hindsight, the five million rupiahs I bought for the gift were still much smaller compared to the donations of some famous artist and youtuber, Nak Prapto.

“But I am somewhat suspicious of them and I think the value of my gifts is much more noble than theirs. I give gifts without being covered by the media, without the hope of subscribers going up.

“And I gave gifts to them because they are not people I hate. Even if I were the most generous person, I wouldn't give gifts or help to people I hate.”

Prapto. Mr. Oscar's face must be. Without pride, there is only purity and decisiveness. Purity of noble conduct without expectation of reward, and firmness with the principle that he will not forgive those whom he hates.

Nimo seemed interested. He sat forward after sipping his coffee. “Pak Kades has people you hate?”

Mr. Oscar smiled. “Of course, Nak Nimo. There are things and people I hate.”

Nimo nodded.

A box car drove very slowly and almost passed in front of the fence of Mr. Oscar's house. The driver was driving while looking at his cell phone.

“Mas!” call Prapto to the driver of the box car while waving his hand. “Just enter to the page, Mas!”

The driver looked smiling. He pulled his car back a little and went into Mr. Oscar's yard. The middle-aged man sitting next to the driver descended towards the box section, but the driver remained on the steering bench.

The driver smiled and opened the car door. Smiles that can be interpreted clearly by Prapto, Mr. Oscar, and also Nimo. A smile that shows that the driver feels respected even though he is not someone who pays well.

***

“Pinaka, sweet, done with the makeup?” prapto cheer from the terrace. He called his wife while holding a smile.

“Shortly, Mas,” Reply Pinaka.

“No makeup and you stay sweet, kok!” cheers Prapto again.

“Mas Prapto dreadlocks!”

Prapto laughs. He lit his cigarette, then checked the medium-sized bag, containing painting equipment he would bring to the summer festival at the village hall.

Pinaka appeared at the door and smiled at Prapto. “Come, Mas Gombal we go to the village hall!” bring him.

Prapto laughs. He picked up the bag and then hugged Pinaka by bicycle to the village hall.

***

“May we win the race again, yes, Lapen, Taro,” Lennon said as he stuffed his painting equipment into the bag.

As usual, Lennon and Taro had arrived at Lapen's house early in the morning to take care of their grain crops and help Stepen take care of the livestock.

Lapen and Taro eventually also finished putting their painting equipment into their respective bags.

Lapen sighed. “Entah, Lennon,” said. Then he shook his head. “If the fishing race I can guarantee we win. But when it comes to the painting race, you yourself know how to paint us.”

Taro laughed, making his two friends turn their heads. “I was yesterday afternoon taking a walk with my father and saw some of the village fathers of Kejora painting in their yard.

“Their painting is good. Uncle Prapto and Uncle Nimo too. But we can't be daunted, Lapen, Lennon.” Taro's face seemed to be getting excited. “You are already with the news, right, that Cake Oscar will reward all the children of Kejora village?

“Not to mention a variety of good foods that we will eat until full. So, this summer festival is happy, whether we win or not in the painting race.”

“Tumben he said wisely like this, Lapen?” lennon asked without looking at Taro.

Lapen laughing. “He is sometimes reliable,” he said. “I asked Grandpa what gifts he would give to the village children later, but Grandpa did not want to tell.

“Come, go to the summer festival and spend all the food there!” Lapen stood up, his two friends followed.

The three of them took their bicycles. Their faces now looked solemn and full of spirit. Then Lapen pedaled his bike.

“Come!” the cheers of Lennon and Taro were almost at the same time.

“Eh, you guys, wait!” cheer Lastri. But Lapen and his two friends had disappeared from his sight.

Stepen who was eating heard the cheers of Lastri, he went to the terrace carrying his rice plate. “Why, Lastri?” tanyakanya.

“They three haven't had breakfast, Mas.”

Stepen laughing. “Let's relax, in the village hall there will be plenty of snacks for breakfast. Come on, resume your breakfast, after that we go to the village hall.”

Lastri smiled. What Stepen said calmed his heart.