Canticles

110. First Day

Upon arriving in one of the impoverished countries on the African continent, Rex and his colleagues are fixated. They did not expect that the conditions there were very alarming.

The atmosphere of the city they came to was more like a dead city. Because it was quiet and only a few people were in sight. There is no activity that is striking because the economic movement there seems invisible at all.

There were no people selling in the market, children running around in school or people passing by in the office. There is only a stretch of deserted roads with rundown houses that almost all the doors are closed.

" Inna Lillahi wainna ilaihi roji'uun's. Are we gonna stay here, Captain...?" ask one of Rex's colleagues.

" yes. The group was broken up into several squads. And our squad was sent here. Why...?" rex asked while looking at his partner.

" Gapapa, justa..," Rex's colleague's speech is interrupted because Rex cuts fast.

" We're at least luckier than them. And we should be grateful because our country is not this poor. Well, although there are also people who live in slums, but only a small part. The rest of the country We are arguably prosperous and deserve to be home for a place to return to..," Rex said in a choked voice.

" Fright Captain. We should be more grateful for what we have. This place is exactly like a disaster area because it is too quiet. This is their daily life. Alienated and strayed away..," said another Rex colleague while staring at the expanse of the country that is very concerned.

Rex and the other colleagues nodded. They were silent in the truck while observing along the road and the houses they passed by.

The truck carrying the TNI group and humanitarian volunteers began to approach a building that resembled a large hall on the edge of the field. The truck stops and Rex goes down first, followed by his army.

They were greeted by two black men who were one of the government employees there.

Rex greeted and shook his hands with a smile. The three were involved in serious talks in English. Rex seemed to listen to their speech which several times pointed to the large building behind them.

After a long conversation, Rex nodded. Then he looked at his army with a smile. Shortly afterwards Rex walked over to his troops who were already in the marching position.

" Now get ready to roll up your sleeves, for the task is waiting for us. Is everything ready...?!" ask Rex loudly.

" Prepared Captain...!" sahut the lantang troops.

" good. Put your stuff in there and get back here as soon as you can...!" rex command.

" Prepared Captain...!" the troops then rushed to the only building on the field.

Rex observed his troops while smiling faintly. Suddenly Rex is startled by the loud voice of a woman who asks their fate.

" How about Captain ?. Are we not provided with a place...?!" asked a woman in a denim jacket while looking at Rex expectantly.

Rex turned his head and saw that there were three women and two men there standing in a confused state. Rex patted his forehead because he had forgotten the squad members who came with him earlier. They were two doctors, two nurses and one teacher.

" I'm sorry, I forgot. For a while you can put your stuff in the truck first. We will make a partition so that the women's room does not mix with the room of the army and other men. We will also build a tent for cooking and health later" Rex said as he stared intently at the woman.

" okay. We can help you prepare food and drinks for everyone. So when the army's task is done we can eat right away. How's Captain...?" ask the woman named Elvira.

" Good idea. Please set the place and we can start now" Rex said with a smile.

" Good Captain, thank you..," said Elvira with a smile.

Then the woman in the denim jacket invited the four people who were with her to start preparing food. Yet again they face obstacles.

" There is no water to cook with" lamented a woman who was none other than a doctor named Lita.

" On the back there is usually a well or a water source" said a man who is also a fellow doctor named Farhan.

Doctor Farhan rushed to Rex and told him what had happened.

" There is no water here. We have to wait for clean water. Now their car is on the dockside, coming soon" said Rex, trying to calm the doctor.

" Oh that. Sorry Captain, I don't mean to be violent. I just complain about my mothers. They were confused, they wanted to cook, but there was no water" Farhan's doctor said.

" Gapapa doc, I understand. I'm sure all of us here are prepared for the worst. Isn't that so doc...?" ask Rex casually.

" Right Captain..," said Dr. Farhan quickly.

" Well, what we're talking about is coming, anyway" Rex said, pointing to the freshly arrived water-carrier.

Doctor Farhan turned his head and smiled.

" Alhamdulillah., " murmured doctor Farhan.

Rex approached the tanker truck driver and spoke a few sentences while pointing to the side of the building. The truck driver seemed to nod and drove his car to the place in question.

The tanker truck carrying clean water stopped at the back of the building as directed by Rex. Because there is a plan all activities related to water will be built.

" Was the Tanki truck only hauling water this way, Captain...?" ask doctor Lita.

" Today, the plan is to return here, Doc. But tomorrow and next he'll only come once a day" Rex said.

" Why...?" ask doctor Lita doesn't understand.

" Today's an exception because they consider us guests. We need a lot of water to shower and everything. But next we have to save water because they also have to send water to other regions. The doctor knows if here summer and many residents who lack water..," said Rex.

" I know. Is that enough Captain ?. We have a lot of numbers...?" doctor Lita reminded me.

" God willing enough doc. We will make our own wells later so we do not have to wait for water delivery again. How's doc...?" rex asked while looking at Lita.

" We ?. Captain...?" meant...?" ask doctor Lita.

" The fathers of this army have been trained and reliable in the field doctor Lita. Don't doubt their abilities with your question. The important thing is that you sit sweet and do your job well. Any other business should be taken care of by Captain Rex and his men. Knows...?" ask doctor Farhan mediate.

Doctor Farhan's words made Doctor Lita's face red with embarrassment. He nodded and hurried away from Rex.

" I'm sorry my colleague is Captain.." said Farhan.

" Gapapa doc. I'm used to a rich ngadepin that..," Rex said casually.

" The time. Don't-don't doctor Rex's girlfriend also fussy rich doctor Lita huh...?" asked Dr. Farhan with a nosy smile.

" Not a girlfriend but My Big Brother doc. Her speech was louder and her voice was louder than that of Doctor Lita or any woman I've ever met." Rex said with a laugh.

Doctor Farhan laughed at Rex's explanation.

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