Be aground

Travelling

As if entering another dimension, when my feet trace back the village located at the foot of this Papandayan Mountain. The vast expanse of green gardens, clean and fresh air, and the absence of the sound of vehicles passing by make this village a great place to calm the mind.

Uphill village contours and rocky roads, as well as the absence of transportation to surround the village, quite draining my energy when conducting counseling activities from home to home residents. The welcoming hospitality of the residents made it feel like I was back at home. Group friends who are also compact add a sense of calm in this place. Little by little swept away the piled up sad blobs. Washing wounds that slowly begin to subside.

This afternoon, the sun slowly began to fall. Hiding behind the mountain. Leave golden light stripes, giving a orange feel to the green of the garden. The peasants began to leave the garden, tired of being clearly imprinted on their faces.

Me and Lia, friends of Faculty–different majors, also returned home, walking in tandem from the village hall after conducting counseling. Tired face is drawn from his tiny face that has been moistened with sweat. His short hair had also been drenched in sweat.

"Run, the road don't speed. His legs were long, "he asked, panting.

"ah! Though I walk easy too, Li." I chuckle softly. Then it slowed my steps more. Swiping the sweat that flooded in the forehead. Even though the air was so cold, as it walked almost two kilometers from the village hall to the house where we lived, it made my body soaked with sweat. Plus I brought a small sack of cassava given by residents during the counseling earlier. Make the body feel like doing heavy exercise.

Just before Magrib's time, we reached the house that became a post. Sunlight was still hanging, leaving the dashing silhouette of Papandayan Mountain that looked so graceful from the courtyard of the house we occupied. I threw myself in the bamboo hall in front of the house. Relax the leg muscles that feel hardened due to walking too far.

"Eh, Neng Runa is back." Johan appeared at the front door, and sat down at the end of the bamboo hall.

"If the gelagatnya like this, like there would want this child," said Lia.

"Ha-ha, Lia does know Aa Johan the most," said the fat man smiling. "That .. gas runs out. I can't turn on the furnace. The hot water ran out, so you can't make coffee." Back he whines.

In this village it is not easy to get gas for cooking like in the city. Gas that we have now, is a property that we bring ourselves from Bandung. The villagers still use wood for cooking. The gas seller is only in a neighboring village located far below, two kilometers from the village. Usually there are those who work once a week to go down to buy some daily necessities. If the urgent situation is as it is today, it is forced to use firewood for cooking.

"Yes, where's the match. Let me take it." I put my hand on Johan, asking for a match he kept to light a cigarette.

"Cemen, you mah. Nyalain fire furnace alone can not, how to light the fire of love Runa," ledek Lia sneered.

Yes, since the game was held on the bus at the time of departure, Johan blatantly expressed his love for me. Make other group members also literate. Only this time, I tried to respond jokingly. I thought, if I immediately showed dislike, worry will have an impact on the continuity of the work program during KKN.

"Runa didn't protest, did you take it?" he replied indifferently, following me into the house.

The house was still quiet when I entered. It seems that the other group members are waiting to finish praying to return home. Petromak lights have been lit and hung, illuminating the central space of the house as wide as five times six meters. There is no electricity in this village, if anyone uses electric lights, usually using a generator as power.

Actually, the village head also provides generator facilities for this house. But Riana proposed that the generator be used at important times only. For everyday use, it is enough to use petromak as lighting. In addition, according to Riana, it's good we can also feel the life like villagers to better understand the limitations they experience.

Thin smoke billowed from the dried coconut leaves I used to light the fire in the furnace, the orange glow grew, providing warmth in the kitchen that was quite cold.

"Awhile more. Why?"

"I took a shower first, yeah."

"Yes. I want to cook a snack first, afraid of hunger when I go home. Mumpung was given cassava."

"Tumben Maneh wants to help, Jo! Na ge hoream." (Tumben you help, usually also lazy.) Lia glared at Johan who was busy cutting the cassava that I finished.

"Now the Runa scarecrow," (Pity the Runa alone) said without looking at Lia.

"God, wae maneh mah mode!" (God, just your mode) lia said, then disappeared behind the door made of woven bamboo used as a bathroom.

"Run, really, Arjun's gossip tea there's a mental disorder?"

I was stunned to hear Johan's question.

"Who said, Jo?" I asked to suppress the sudden anger present. How could anyone make such cruel news.

"Many say that. He said that Arjun tea can not if you gather rame-rame, can relapse his pain, ceunah. Ekh you don't get angry or well, I'll confirm not to mess with gossip." This time Johan's face looks serious, not as usual who often jokes. "It's me too because he thought it was close to you, otherwise mah, I don't dare also nanya," he added when he saw me still silent.

Actually I'm lazy to talk about Arjun's problems. It's just that, if I don't tell you the truth, pity him too.

"He is a crowd phobia due to being a bully victim. So until now still trying to overcome his phobia. Not because of mental disorder." I paused for a moment. Trying to pick the right word, "And I broke up with Arjun isn't because of that either. I'm the same he's been in office for a long time. There is something I cannot tell you. So please don't assume anything." The last sentence made me feel stuck.

For almost two months I have been able to heal my heart. Our communications were cut off as there was no cellular signal in this place. The miss that yesterday had subsided, is now back present.

"Oh! So. Sorry for yah. I didn't mean to make you sad."

I just smiled thinly. How's the guy doing now, if he can survive without me. Uh! Why do I have such a big head. Of course he would be able to get through his days without my presence. I was just someone who happened to be brought by God to accompany him for a moment. I know he's not weak, proof he's been able to survive until now. If he's weak, he might choose to end his life like Anton, my brother.

I'm sure God planned all of this with the best of planning. It's just that I haven't been able to find the meaning of all this.