ABHIMANYU WORLD

Chapter XL: Let's Rock the Night!

The universe began to fade. The world stage plays a short rest, releasing the accumulated fatigue after a day of activity. The dark veil began to reveal the sky. For a moment, the sky was filled with scattered beads of light. Meanwhile, the goddess of night seemed to be preening in the eastern sky gracefully. A gust of wind gripped all the way to the marrow.

All camp participants warmed themselves in the middle of the field, circling the soaring bonfire. The tongue of the fire licked the wind in a rhythmic wind. The sound of guitar passages sounds friendly in the ear, accompanied by the sound of acapella singing the song Kemesraan.

“Who wants to share a story?” haggar Irawan's. [Who wants to share their story?]

The guitar stopped. The night wind blew strong, toying with Irawan's hair that resembled a Korean artist. He went around the campfire full of charisma, looking into the eyes of every camp participant.

I want to be like him.

“Come on, guys! Let’s rock the night!” again kicaunya. [ Come on guys! We're gonna make it tonight! ]

All participants remained silent. I think I understand how they feel. Every individual who is here, would want to appear in front, telling a piece of his life story. Unfortunately, there is one problem that has become a scourge since pre-historic times.

They do not believe in speaking English.

This is a classic problem for everyone who does not use English everyday. For myself, let alone English, using my own mother-tongue, I messed up trembling.

“You forward no?” whispered Darwis who was sitting next to me.

I'm a little upset. Clearly Darwis is against the rules because he speaks Indonesian. Don't copy.

“No. It’s better to stay here!” my answer. [ No. I'd better be here! ]

“Sok England!” darwis Cibir.

Perhaps, there are more than a dozen camp participants who are usually the same as Darwis. They are less motivated to speak English for a variety of reasons. They prefer to follow camp activities, rather than practicing skills that are ambiguous. I think this is a good opportunity. Not all colleges have cool English clubs like this. With Dahlia as the pilot of the project, I'm sure I'll juggle this club even more sparkling.

“Mr. Abhimanyu?”

Shit!

Irawan called my name. All the views were directed towards me, as if being judged. Really, this was similar to the attack that was carried out at dawn. I stammered.

“No. No....,” I stammered.

“Come on! I know that you have an interesting story,” continued Irawan [Come on, I know you have an interesting story ]

“No. I am sorry. Maybe another else!” my firmness.

The atmosphere was silent for a while. Irawan couldn't force me to appear in front of other participants.

“Let me share a story!” [Let me tell you! ]

Suddenly a voice sounded from the back row of participants. All views turned to the source of that voice. A mysterious person in the darkness, valiantly as cadets set out for the battlefield, stepped forward. A confident, mysterious and cold aura spread out instantly. His eyes swept to every participant, and came to a halt as he looked at me sharply.

Uh, looking at me or Darwis huh? I'm not sure. We sat near him.

“Okay. Let’s introduce yourself!” Irawan's orders. [ Okay. Introduce yourself! ]

“I guess they’ve already known about me before,” he said full of confidence. [I think they all know me ]

Just incredible!

I was amazed by him. Yes, Dahlia Sukmawati.

Using a completely fluent English, she tells the story of her dramatic life journey. The same story he told on the day he died. How heartbreaking it was to lose his father and younger brother at the same time due to a traffic accident.

Real emotional.

The lionesses I knew faded. Dahlia's a sweet little tame cat. Her eyes glazed over, then shed a drop down her cheek. All participants were hypnotized with each word. No one spoke a single sound. Unfortunately, that only applies to participants who have topnotch listening skills. For those who do not understand, just dumbfounded and sometimes yawn. Maybe in his heart they complain ‘when does this boring show end?’

Including Dervish. His eyes were red withstanding the drowsiness. Several times he yawned.

“What does that mean?” ask Darwis.

Gum!

I'm pissed off and I'm no longer taking care of him. Sometimes, people who are difficult to be invited forward this becomes an obstacle to career advancement. His brain has been heavily contaminated by immoral impressions.

Dahlia's performance was closed with a long round of applause from camp participants. Yes, Dahlia has managed to become the star of the show tonight. In particular, I clapped my hands while standing up to reward him even more.

In fact, the appearance of Dahlia became a locomotor for other performers. Some of them were crushed by his motivation to tell an interesting life story.

When she finished, Dahlia left the circle for the committee tent. For some reason, I was like I was attracted to a magnet, followed him there. I left Darwis still drowsy. Who cares?

“Congratulations. What a great performance!” my praise.

“Thank You, Bro!” Dahlia smiled slightly. Murat was tired of being imprinted on his face, but I was sure he liked my praise.

Which woman does not like compliments? This is the science of romance I've learned from Andre.

“You know why Cleopatra fell in the arms of Julius Cesar? Because he praised him,” explained Andre at that time.

At first I didn't fully believe it. Now, there's probably no harm in me starting to embrace that theory. Conquer women with compliments, I don't think it's too complicated.

Dahlia poured a pot of hot coffee into a plastic cup. In the committee tent, there were several organizers who were sitting around sipping hot coffee. Some others sleep while making out with the device.

“You want me to drink coffee?” tawal Dahlia's.

How come he doesn't speak English? Oh yes, we are the committee. The committee is free!

“Bby,”my reply quickly. This time I can't refuse, so he doesn't change his mind.

“There's a good place there. Come!” bring Dahlia.

After pouring the coffee, I followed Dahlia's steps towards a place that was a bit of a hike. We passed the tree-lined path on the left-right. Gulita blinded the vision, but Dahlia brought a flashlight. We arrived at the edge of the ravine, like a giant balcony above the expanse of a beautiful city. So amazed when I saw the expanse down there. The flickering of Stone Town was so beautiful as to take me on an adventure to a fantasy land.

“You see that ...,” said Dahlia.

His eyes could not be seen into the expanse below. So enchanting. I can't even turn away. I feel so small compared to the grandeur of this universe. The shadow of Mount Arjuno was like a towering black giant reaching the sky. Unimagined, if the mountains fall on me.

“This place makes me remember something ...,” Dahlia's voice turned raucous.

Please, don't start crying Dahlia ....

I was silent, not wanting to give him a chance to tell me more. Worried that he would dissolve in his emotions.

“When I was a kid, my dad took me and my sister to the mountain ..” Dahlia begins to tell stories.

I said what too. I wasn't expecting this. Patience with Bi ....

“I forgot what mountain, which is obviously a beautiful mountain with many pine trees. He invited us to see the city at night from the top of the mountain. I remember one time I was falling and about to enter the abyss. Quickly, my father's hand held me. I thought I was gonna die in the ravine. But father will not let his daughter woe ..”

She's speechless. Clear liquid also goes down the cheeks. Breathing in deep breaths. It seemed like something was weighing on the mind, until then the tears flooded in.

Really, I don't like this atmosphere. Women's tears are the thing I fear the most. But I realized, it was a universal language owned by a woman. An awkward feeling rippled out, in an instant I didn't know what to do.

I was still completely sculpting, when Dahlia suddenly hugged me, shedding all tears onto my shoulder. Really, my feelings are not out of whack. The heart beats faster. Tears washed down my chest.

I should how?

***