Animal Sacrifice For Mother
26. All Change Happy
Today, Arif is four years old. Rahman was still asleep when Arif's brother whined he wanted to come with Amaq to the rice field. Salah Amaq also told Brother Arif how beautiful the scenery in the rice fields.
About the green grass, the yellowing of the rice, the number of grasshoppers chasing, the coolness of the natural fan, until the sound of rustling pool water where the fish play.
“Arif want to come! Amaq has promised to invite Arif to the rice fields.”
Brother Arif hugged Amaq's leg. Head looked up. Look expectantly. A little bit hard so that Amaq would take him to the rice field.
“Nak, later Amaq will definitely invite you.”
Amaq squatting. Trying to convince his eldest son.
“But when?” Arif insisted on wanting to come along.
“Later. Instead, Amaq will make something as your birthday gift.” Amaq then stroked Arif's hair. Alright. Brother Arif agrees.
After saying goodbye to Inaq, Amaq left home. He took the time to kiss his eldest son's forehead and advised that Arif's brother to take care of Inaq, as well as his sister.
Brother Arif nodded innocently as if he could really be a protector for Inaq and Rahman. Inaq just smiled at Arif's behavior. Especially when Arif's brother tried to convince Amaq by showing the muscles of his two tiny hands.
Beautiful morning came to greet the village. The birds were sounding sweet from behind the trees. Menjelma as a companion for roosters who are teasing their females. Occasionally heard cow bellows from behind the cage owned by the farmer. This is the rural orchestra.
Tegur greeting friendly fellow rice field cultivators never broke up throughout the trip. Not just the villagers. This kind of thing also applies to the villagers across the street. For the record, the villagers who were one with another village at that time really knew each other.
Amaq did not lie to Arif. The view in the field is so beautiful. The dew grains left at the ends of the leaves and grass are like a sprinkling of diamonds. The expanse of yellowed rice is very pampering to the eyes.
The harvest season has arrived. Dozens of burly farmers were seen preparing traditional harvesting equipment. Their smiles add beauty to the vastness of the rice fields. Harvest season, season of hope. The season where the struggle and sacrifice during planting, caring, and keeping rice reap maximum results.
Amaq is like that. He was also happy because the rice fields owned by Mr. Karim who worked gave satisfactory results. Amaq is famous as a farmer who takes care of plants. In addition, he is also a confidant of Mr. Karim thanks to his honesty.
Day is up. The burly bodies of the village farmers were shiny due to sweat. They're used to it like this. The heat of the sun did not dampen their spirit in picking the hope contained in each grain of rice.
Soon, the rice was harvested. That is, the next task of the farmers is to pack the rice seeds that have been separated from the stalk into sacks of large enough size. To be exchanged for rupiah. Some of the rest is stored in the village granary as a joint savings in anticipation of bad possibilities that can happen at any time.
The grains of rice have now been neatly packed. The natural beauty of the countryside takes turns pampering the eyes of farmers. In that corner, a flock of low-flying storks floated up. Maneuver occasionally. Combing every inch of ground. The other corner, four burly peasants, including Amaq, shoulder to shoulder raised sacks of rice towards the edge of the rural dirt road. One by one. Back off. Discharged.
Hear that. In between the loudness of the breath, thanksgiving kept coming out of their mouths. Abundant harvest. This is the fruit of cooperation between farmers in the village.
Before leaving the field. While sitting in a circle of grass, Amaq departed from his group of brothers and sisters. He did not forget the promise he made to his eldest son.
From them, there was no question of Amaq moving away. Not that far, because their eyes can still see the movement of Amaq's hands splitting and looking at the old yellowed bamboo. Also witnessed the patience of Amaq to tie ropes on bamboo that has been finely polished. Be a simple masterpiece as a birthday gift of his eldest son.
“Jak de kadu kembe tie? (What does Amaq make it for?)”
“Nike jak tiang beng kodek nu lek bale. (I'll give it to my son at home)”
Amaq smiled in response to a question from his high-profile brother.
The day has twilight. Piles of rice sacks are ready to be transported using cidomo without a roof (a transportation tool that is currently rarely seen). The tired circle of the farmers began to choppy. Time to go home, leaving all the natural beauty of the rice fields of the village to be enjoyed again tomorrow.
Arriving at home, Amaq was immediately greeted by brother Arif who had been waiting for his return. He was very happy to receive a bamboo guitar made by Amaq.
Suddenly Rahman cried while running around hugging Inaq. Amaq left brother Arif who was happy to play his new toy. And immediately approached Rahman who was increasingly sobbing crying in Inaq's armpit.
“Sini, son. Your sister wants to borrow her toys. Momentary return.”
Inaq said softly to Arif. Not happy to play his birthday gift from Amaq. He had to lend it to Rahman. After all, brother Arif did not forget his promise to Amaq this morning that he could protect Inaq and his sister.
“Not necessary. Just save it for you.”
Amaq stroked Arif's hair. He is proud to have a child like them. When one cries, the other calms. When one is weak, one is strong.
“This is for Rahman.”
Rahman. He lifted his head from Inaq's armpits. Immediately snatched the Amaq gift. Arif was happy because it turned out Amaq made a similar toy for his sister.
Eventually they both played a simple guitar given by Amaq together. Although not as successful as the duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, but they really enjoy the fun.
Looky. Arif's gloomy face is nowhere to be seen. In the corner of Rahman's eyes, not a single tear was left. Everything changed happily.
***
“Inaq, Inaq. Inaq why?”
Inaq surprised. Rahman dragged him out of his fond memories twenty years ago.
“Eh, the. Erg, Inaq is okay.”
Inaq smile. Little shy. Indeed, had Amaq been around, the harmony of the Doni family might have been felt today.
Never mind. All that will only happen when Inaq returns to the sea of memories with Amaq while he was still with him. The most important thing is how to live the next life without ignoring the example once taught by Amaq.
Dinner with Doni's family is over. Mas Firmansyah and his wife, also Raka did not stay overnight. Not long after, they went to sleep. Doni invites Rahman and Arif to sleep in his room. Inaq chose to sleep with his aunt in the guest room.
***
