Between Love and Corona

The Journey to Toraja

The journey from Makassar to Toraja can be taken by land by taking the Primadona Bus, a bus that serves the Makassar route to Toraja and vice versa. Makassar people often use this mode of transportation to visit the city of Toraja. After all, this bus provides transportation services every day. Even Primadona Bus also has a sleep bus facility for passengers who can sleep on the bus during the trip from Makassar to Toraja or vice versa.

That night was at exactly 21:00 WITA (Central Indonesia Time), Surya left for Toraja with two colleagues from his place of work namely Andi and Pak Teguh who had become senior employees at the Makassar City Tax Service Office.

"Don't forget to charge the pulse at once buy the signal Surya... Usually during the trip will be difficult signal." said Andi who teased Surya. Andi knew that his friend was undergoing a long distance relationship, so the signal became one of the things that are very important for those who are on different islands but still look at the same sky.

It's just that Surya looks at the sky in the middle of Indonesia, while the Moon looks at the sky in the Western part of Indonesia. The sky is endless, that is why even though Surya in Makassar and the Moon are in Jogjakarta, they still look at the same sky.

The land they were on was a different island and separated from the ocean, but they remained under the sky that surrounded both of them.

The night trip by bus felt so long for Surya. It is true that the signal is erratic, which ends up making Surya choose sleep. Hoping that tomorrow morning when he arrived in Toraja, he could find a signal so that he could be patient with the Moon.

The travel time from Makassar to Toraja is scheduled only about 8 hours, in fact it takes up to 11 hours.

In the morning, Surya woke up and checked his phone again. The man found a reply to a message from the Moon.

[To: Solar]

[You're still on your way?]

[Have arrived?]

[If you have arrived in Toraja, do not forget to tell me.]

[Surya, still not there yet huh? Is there no signal?]

Four messages lined up from the Moon, Surya then quickly moved his fingers on the keyboard screen on his phone. All he did the first time was reply to the Moon's message.

[To: Month]

[I've reached Makale (the capital of Tana Toraja district), Moon.]

[New looking for lodging and direct to the object of inspection.]

[Hopefully there are no signal constraints and we can keep in touch.]

Surya immediately sent those messages. Hopefully there will be no signal constraints anymore, so Surya can still give news to the Moon during his time in Toraja.

Londa is a graveyard complex located on a large rock cliff. Even this Londa is also known to be surrounded by mountains so that it gives an atmosphere that is so cool and refreshing. There is a different sensation when entering Londa because of the magical nuances and many caves with holes in the cliffs that are deliberately carved as a chest containing corpses.

Many people say they have not been to Toraja, if they have not visited Londa. So also Surya who was invited to visit this place it feels so creepy to see various statues that resemble humans. The mystical aura seemed to greet him to make his hair creep. Because the placement of the body in Londa should not be arbitrary and in accordance with family lines. The Londa Tourist Area is located at about 7 Km from Rantepao City and is often used as one of the most visited Toraja recreation parks tourists.

After visiting Londa, Surya returned to the inn and he just remembered the Moon. He sent no message at all for the Moon.

Once at the inn, it seems that the universe does not side with Surya. There was no signal for the provider and also the rain fell so fast that Surya was ignited emotions and upset because he could not contact the Moon.

Until finally, Surya chose to lay himself on his bed and put his hands to cover his eyes. Just the signal thing really makes Surya cringe.

...🌸🌸🌸...

Meanwhile in Jogja, Moon has returned from teaching. The girl was relaxing on the porch of her house. Since last night the Moon was thinking why Surya did not send a message to him, even all day there was no news at all from Surya.

Choosing calm and keep a positive mind, maybe Surya is on duty where the signal there is difficult. However, the Moon still hopes Surya can send a message.

Just as the Moon was daydreaming while sitting on the terrace, his Father was sitting beside him. "Why Nduk, why daydream?" ask the Father to him.

The Moon shook her head. "No daydreaming sir .. sit around relax this Mr.." said Moon to his Father.

Mr. Hartono smiled at once. "What's a lot of thinking? Why do we look at daydreaming?"

"It's usual sir .. not so much thought. Just be grateful for everything, sir. Especially a few days ago the Moon was exposed to the Corona virus. Now can be healthy and can gather with the Father and Mother it feels like the Moon is so happy. Healthy pleasure is infinite, sir. Can be healthy, gather with family, and do activities even if only at home it feels like its own happiness." The Moon is so grateful.

He went through the worst of times until he fell down physically and mentally. Grateful now he has been healthy and can gather with his Father and Mother. Although it is undeniable if there is one part of his heart that feels empty, yes the emptiness created due to his long distance relationship with Surya. Making a void that sometimes makes the ayu girl misses.

Slightly cleared his throat, Mr. Hartono smiled. "Are you not thinking about Surya?" ask her husband spontaneously.

The moon is smiling. Honestly, that smile was a wry smile. Of course he thought about Surya, but could only think about it.

"If you think about it yes, of course, Mr. .. it's just that the Moon does not want too many thoughts to make the Moon just focus on that alone. There are still many things the Moon can do." said the girl to her Father.

"Yes, thinking about it is natural. Moreover, the two of you still love each other. Still young and having to undergo a long distance relationship, it is definitely not easy. It takes not only living, it takes prayer also so that God intervenes, it takes sacrifice as well. Lha, the son of the Father is ready not someday if the invited Surya lives far away and ready to follow Surya where he is placed?"