Afraid to Widow

Chapter XXI (Sahrial Primary)

2021.

"Astagfirullah, Sahrialllll. You're not awake at this hour yet? Half an hour later the show starts!" yell Mama.

After a year of not coming home because of Covid 19. Lebaran in 2021 alhamdulillah, can go home. Unfortunately, abis Lebaran has been asked by Mama to come to the traditional party of Marga Ritonga.

I was the laziest to come to a custom show. Many julidnya. Some kind of question, "where are you a scholar, where are you working? You migrated to Bandung, means it has been successful dong? 27 Years old, still single? Until when?" 

The end of the conversation is about matchmaking. What should the Batak clan be paired with the Batak clan as well? Honestly, I prefer the soul mate of girls outside Batak. It is up to which tribe. Let it be more varied.

I blinked my eyes. "Should Rial participate in the customary event?"

Oh yes My mamakku is also a Ritonga clan. Naturally he had to attend the traditional party event. The question is, why should I come too?

"Yes should. As the eldest Mamak boy, you must preserve Batak culture by participating in traditional Batak parties. Come on, take a shower and get ready to go."

Rani appears next to the door wearing a typical Batak kebaya. "Udahlah Bang Rial follow. It's good to eat."

If it is like this, Mamak's word will not want to be obeyed. I woke up trying to shake my hair. "Yes, I'm coming. Wait aye. Take a shower first."

***

"Hallo, welcome to Rinto Harahap's family. How are you?" welcome the host.

"Thank God, long time we have not met. Especially since Corona attacked." Mamak follow the pleasantries.

"When was the last custom show like this?" keep Ayakku.

"Two years ago it was."

Suddenly, a girl with a maroon-colored scarf hijab appeared. I noticed this girl in front of me was pretty as well with adorable chubby cheeks. 

"Well, this is my only daughter. His name is Leci Seira Ritonga. She from Junior High attended her mother's school in Yogyakarta."

"Hallo, Brother. Greetings," said this girl blushed in embarrassment. His cheeks are as red as tomatoes.

"I'm Sahrial. Greetings to know."

The host shifted its standing position so that it approached Mamak. He kept looking at me. Bah, so I'm suspicious.

"If you pay attention, our children are compatible too. How about we match them up?" the host whispered to Mama. Because the voice of the Batak people is basically loud, will whisper as slow as anything still heard.

Damnit. Guess ending. Another match again.

"Papa, please, this is not the time of Siti Nurbaya anymore. I am lazy to be fooled. Especially I am the same Brother Rial is Pariban. Cousin's fall, right?"

"Pariban is strictly recommended to marry, "sambar Mamak.

"If you refuse an arranged marriage, you can be friends first." 

What is this Sayak defending them.

"Well, that's right. Just friend first. No need to rush. Oh yes, if you'll excuse me. To welcome another guest." The gaze of the Host turned to Leci. "Sir Leci please escort our honored guest to choose a meal."

"Let's come with me."

We were taken to the pool. Waws. Eating differently. There are 5 typical Batak foods in between:

Tomboys.

    Tombur is one of the typical Batak food that comes from Tapanuli. This traditional dish uses catfish or mujair fish processed by burning. Then this spice-rich grilled fish is served with warm rice and sambal. The presentation is similar to catfish or pecel catfish.

Arsics.

     This is a typical Batak food that comes from Medan, North Sumatra this one. This food is identical to using goldfish as its main preparation. Goldfish processed by boiling with yellow seasoning derived from a variety of warm and strong spices. This food became a symbol of culinary culture in Batak.

The Dali Ni Horbo

     This typical Batak food looks like tofu in general, but actually this is compacted buffalo milk. Typical food Toba Batak the most hunted has a distinctive and unique taste. It is quite rare to find this exotic food with a slightly bitter but appetizing taste. You can find this culinary around the Porsea, Laguboti, and Balige regions.

Gomak Noodles

        Mie Gomak is a soupy dish with a distinctive taste of Batak Toba or often referred to as spaghetti Batak. The main ingredients of lidi noodles are made by boiling with yellow seasoning coconut milk. In its presentation, Gomak noodles are usually added boiled eggs.

Saksangs.

      Saksang is a typical non-halal Batak food that is usually served in various traditional events of the Batak people. Cooked using concoction spices, for example andaliman, makes the taste of pork more savory and delicious.

I scratch my head not itching the confused effect of what to eat. Honey, there is no Rendang aka Nasi Padang.

"What does the Sahrial like?" ask Leci on the chat.

"Actually I like Rendang aka Nasi Padang. But there's no yes."

"Yes, said Papa, a special traditional kayak gini special Batak cuisine."

"Still the final semester, Bang. Japanese Literature. Pray to graduate this year. Brother himself work?"

"Yes, work in Yogyakarta publishing."

"Oh yeah? Where's where? Who knows, Leci might stop by. Since Mama and Papa Pisahan, Leci stay in Yogyakarta."

The conversation continued while eating. Hmmm..the girl in front of me was also engrossed in conversation. He also loves the world of literature. He said he wanted to be an editor. Thanks to his presence, I'm not too dead style to a custom show like this.

***

I have returned to Yogyakarta. On the first day I went to work after Lebaran, Miss Nazneen came with a girl. I scrunched my forehead. Carefully looked at it seemed familiar. However, who?

"Consider everything. Today our office has a new person. He's an intern at the editor's position."

"Ang Sahrial? So work here? Wow, what a coincidence we met here.

Ah, I remember. He's Leci. The girl I want to be with. Why should it be found here?

"Well, you guys know each other?"

"Yes, Mom. We …"

"We are cousins, one village anyway. Fellow Batak clan," as before Leci who answered Ms. Nazneen's question.

Duh, what does AT Family say if they know that I'm being betrothed? Could be cut abis-uran. Especially here is Helen, my ex. 

"Goodoo. Moga you can cooperate well," said Ms. Nazneen.

"Well yes, please guide her, all brothers." Lychee bent body.

***

I'm out of the office. In the parking lot. Waiting for Shopeefood's courier. Suddenly someone pulled my hand. I'm looking. "Opaan narik. Not mahram tau."

Leci. "sorry. I just want to talk to Sahrial for a minute."

"What's? Mumpung courier has not come."

"Why do you say we're cousins and a village?"

"Well, really. My mother is Marga Ritonga, while your Papa is also Marga Ritongan, so we are cousins."

"But we're also being betrothed."

"Should anyone know we're being fooled? There I was cut abis-uran with them. We both refused the match, right?"

The courier I was waiting for came.

"I'm sorry about Mr Sahrial?"

"Yes, right."

"This is order. Please sign it."

After receiving the order and signature, I re-entered the AT Press office. Leaving Leci termangu in the parking lot. 

Judging from his expression he was sad. Appears guilt. I'm not mean to say that to Leci?

***

2022.

"That's the story."

Silent. There was no response from Gisel. When I look to the side. Turns out he's been molested. Basic *****. I felt a futile past story with him.

I stopped the car for a moment. Then take off my jacket and put it on Gisel's chest so he's warm and not bitten by a mosquito.

Ting!

Sound notification WA from I-phone Gisel. I was curious, I peeked at the screen. From Jihan it turns out.

Jehan. 21.00.

Ma'am Gisel, Sunday will come to the 4th monthly event of my pregnancy.

I used Gisel's finger to unlock his I-phone, replying to Jihan's message.

Grizelle. 21.02.

Okay, ready. Thanks invitation.

I drove back to the car, went home. Huft, it was a long day and quite boring having to remember about Lychee.