Be aground

What a beautiful time

Arjun looked as surprised as I was. It never crossed my mind, a relationship hindered by tribal equations. I, who was born and raised in the Priangan land, knew almost no rules regarding marriage in the customs of my ancestral land.

"Does that rule still apply, Maktuo?" my question is, leaving my activities to help bi Sumi do the dishes. Sitting next to Arjun, opposite the maktuo.

"Still, until anytime the rule still applies to those who want to marry fellow Minang," said Maktuo firmly.

"But .. if I'm a match for Arjun, the recipe isn't in a maktuo village, so no one's going to take issue with it." My voice trembled, almost unable to withstand the warm seepage that began to hang in the eye.

Although my heart is not too strong to have a more serious relationship with Arjun, but this fact has brought me down. I'm sure Arjun feels even worse.

Makuto took a deep breath, looking at us in turn. Mom just fell silent. Seemed as surprised as we were.

"Maktuo tell you. Why is my marriage forbidden, because we who are my fellows are considered still of the same descent. Our ancestors used to swear, there can be no marriage. If anyone breaks, it's not just social sanctions that you get. Many instances of offspring of married people will be born disabled," said Maktuo. This time his voice was not as usual. His voice sounded weak. He also seems to be concerned about our condition.

"It's not just a myth, Maktuo?" I insisted, still trying to find a gap.

"Regardless of myths or not, you should not violate. Pity your descendants."

Silent. The dining table that had been alive because of the conversation of mother and Arjun, suddenly like a loss of life. I saw Arjun's face, pias. I can't bring out his eyes. He tapped his fingers slowly at the table, as if thinking of something.

"But your friendship should not be broken just because of this. Can't go on to the wedding, no problem, right? You guys are still friends" Maktuo looked at us in turn.

The bitter coffee seemed to return. If yesterday it was Arjun who gave my coffee a sweet taste, not for now. He was also seen trying to swallow bitter coffee that was forced on him to drink.

At first glance, there was a clear liquid hanging on the end of his eyes.

"I will try to accept, Maktuo," he said slowly. His voice vibrates. "Being able to see Runa every day, for me, is enough if I can't be with her."

"I'm sorry Maktuo, son. It's also for your own good." Rau sounded his voice.

"Mother also apologized Runa, all this time I never taught you about the customs of our village. I didn't think this would happen." Mother's voice shakes. And in his eyes, I saw a deep sadness. Just like when my dad died. I haven't seen my mother sad for a long time.

"It's not Mom's fault. God made all this up, didn't Mom. We have no power." I tried to comfort Mom. I don't want my mother's health to be disturbed by my problems.

"Arjun wants a break? In Indra's room, Maktuo wants to go to the mosque first." Maktuo's voice unraveled an awkward feeling that felt increasingly stifling.

"Oh, I want to go straight to papa's place, Maktuo. It just so happens that papa is in Jakarta." Arjun stood up from his seat, experiencing the motto to say goodbye.

"ah! Yeah, be careful on the road. I'll be here again before I go back to Bandung, right?"

"Yes. Be careful on the road." Only that phrase was spoken from the lips of the mother. Usually, the mother always makes jokes that can provoke Arjun to laugh. At first glance, she rubbed the back of Arjun's hand when he was experiencing it.

"Yes, my aunt's saying goodbye." Arjun smiled weakly.

I drove Arjun out of the house without saying anything. He seemed still unable to ease his surprise to find the reality that had just happened.

"Later tell me when to return," he said when he would enter the car.

"Hu-um." I can't hold back my tears any longer. I rubbed my eyes so Arjun wouldn't have to see it, but it was too late. He had seen my tears shed before I could remove them.

"Let's talk about this again. Now we try to calm ourselves down" he said, seeming to undo the intention to wipe my tears.

"Yes ..." said I was stunned, biting hard on my lips so that no more tears escaped.

I watched him move away. Let the sweep of the night breeze gently caress my face. Wishing what I heard was just a dream joke.

"We pray first, yuk!" Take the gentle mother from the top of the stairs, when I enter the house.

"Yes, ma'am." I slowly dragged my steps upstairs. Following mom to pray.

"Rone ... Your feelings for Arjun haven't gone deep, have you?" ask mother lirih.

"Ha-ha, don't worry. Arjun and I have been friends for a long time. We just need to readjust like before." I tried to cover up the pain that was secretly infiltrating present.

"Humm .. thank God, I hope you can handle it well. I can't give you a way out, "sighed the weak mother.

"Sure, Mom. There must be another way. I just pray, yeah."

***

Not as good as I can fall asleep. I stared at the ceiling of the room, Arjun's injured face still hanging on my mind. What should I say to Arjun when we meet again. It can't all be the same anymore.

I turned to face my mother. His soft snoring voice sounded so calm. When I was supposed to be happy to see my mother's health begin to improve, God gave me one more test. Want me to scream at Him, what more do I have to deal with after this. Is there still not enough pain that I have to accept when I accept the reality of the mother's illness. So, what else is God?

My brain is not able to think clearly. Although I tried to look ordinary when talking to my mother, but my heart seemed torn.

"Lord, strengthen me. Let me feel a little happy" I cried in my heart.