Childhood Match

Red Sajadah

The crowing rooster. The dry season has not rushed to leave them. Making the cold air more slashing the skin at dawn. While everyone was asleep in the dreamland, pulling the blanket tightly, Genphis was awake. Against the cold water like snow, washed the beautiful white face and took the water.

Gendhis then presented the red prayer which he always used to prostrate. How not, the prayer mat was very special to him. He remembered very well, the prayer rug was given to him on the seventeenth birthday of Gendhis. Together with a beautiful pink watch, which is always taken wherever he goes.

He was unceasingly grateful for the gift God had given him. He was born into a family that loved him. And Lintang, is the only one that makes Gendhis always smile because of his love. Love is simple, but it feels special. Although at first he never understood the wishes of adults about his marriage, but as time went on, Gendhis began to understand the meaning of the wishes of his parents. Lintang's attention, her kindness, makes Genphis realize that she has fallen in love with her childhood soul mate. He doesn't even remember when he started to love Latang. All he knows is that Lintang always takes care of him, protects him, even since he was a child they always play together with their peers.

He glared far away.

"Cross... Latitude.please... Genghis, Lin..." Nadia frantically called Lintang who was engrossed in playing kites on the field.

Lintang paused for a moment, then asked "Gendhis why Nad?"

"Gendhis fell off the bike." Answer Nadia.

Without a second thought, Lintang released a kite that was flying high in space.

Nadia took Lintang to meet Gendhis who was crying because his knee and elbow were injured. The little girl was still sitting next to the bicycle lying on the ground.

"Already... already...don't cry." Lintang tried to calm the still crying Gendhis.

"Come, let's clean your wounds first, after that I'll take you home, so your parents don't worry." The latitude led Gendhis to the side of the road.

There was a small, clear river water splashing like crystal on the side of the road. Wild grass and long swayed on the banks of the river because of branches that seemed to be carried away by water. Carefully, Lintang cleansed Gendhis wounds.

"Oh.. sick, slow down dong Lin." Gendhis was shocked when the cold river water soaked his wound.

Nadia's friend Gendhis was just observing beside the Latitude, without knowing what to do. He was afraid to see blood. It was only natural that he looked panicked.

"Yes, yes, this is also slow." Reply Lintang while continuing to clean the wound of Gendhis on his left elbow.

After his wound was clean, Lintang brought Gendhis home on a bicycle onthel owned by Gendhis. Lintang pedaled the bike vigorously and Gendhis sat behind the piggyback. He did not expect that the boy who used to help when he was injured as a child, would soon become his fiancee. He feels very happy.

Gendhis only realized that he had been betrothed to Lintang when he was only fourteen years old. He was still Junior High. At first he never took this seriously. But these past few weeks, Lintang seemed to have completely stolen his heart. Attention Latitude, kindness Latitude, especially some time ago when the age of Gendhis even 17 years old. On Gendhis birthday, Lintang expressed his feelings. Not because they had been betrothed since childhood, but Lintang really loved Gendhis, as he said.

"Gendhis.I really like you..." Latitude reveals his heart.

Gendhis was surprised by Lintang's speech and then teased, "Lhoh, does not Mas Lintang like Linda? Why did you suddenly say you like me?" Genphis smiling.

"Jeez, Dis, that was when the three of us were little. You're the one who likes my soul mates the same as Linda? Apaaa... Don't-don't you who secretly like me but embarrassed ya want to talk? That's why I'm with Linda. Aye, right?" The reverse flirting with Gendhis was after school in the front garden of their school.

"Ehhh.. what the hell, yes lahhh..." Gendhis answered with a reddened hue on his cheek.

Both are still sitting in the school garden chair while waiting for the exculpation that will be followed by the two after school hours.

Lintang is one of the best basketball team members in SMAN 1 Bandongan or often known as SMANDONG. The team often won inter-school basketball competition in Magelang Regency. No wonder so many girls actually put a taste in her. But apparently the news of Lintang and Gendhis engagement made the girls give up before competing.

"If I like Linda, it means you have to get ready for your heartbreak." Obviously Latitude while enjoying a plastic cup that contains his favorite cold drink cappucino.

"Lho, why would you?" Ask Gendhis.

"You forgot, one week after we got engaged, Linda got married..." Lintang wondered why Gendhis could forget his close friend's wedding day.

"Oh yes.Why can I forget the wedding day of my own friend Oh Allah..." Genphis was silent for a moment.

Lintang saw the face of the girl sitting beside him suddenly paled.

"Why are you Dis?" Tanya Latitude.

"No, Mas. I'm just concerned. The three of us were very close. Play everywhere threesome, hard to smile with threesome. When we meet later, after that Linda will start her new life." Replied Gendhis.

"Why are you sad? Should be happy, your friend wants to marry." It was as if Lintang didn't know what Gendhis was thinking.

"How do I want to be happy. Linda is my age. He should get married when he's supposed to be here with us."

Gendhis was silent for a moment and said again, "She told me the same story I had a while back at home, about her match, actually she didn't want this to happen so quickly. He still wants to go to school. Even how sad I was when Linda said that her fate wasn't as lucky as mine..."

Gendhis eyes glazed over.

"She said that I was very lucky to be betrothed to a family that could understand how important education was. Even they're willing to wait until I graduate college when we get married later. But Linda?" Continue the words of Gendhis.

"Gendhis, as we know, we cannot oppose the matchmaking of our ancestors. That's how Linda feels. So don't be so sad, look.your beauty can wear off because of your tears." The latitude comforted as it gently wiped away Gendhis tears with a handkerchief in his pocket.

Gendhis simply smiled as he wiped the tears on his cheek with a Lintang handkerchief. In his heart he said, at this time he could only wipe away the tears that came out because of the sadness of early marriage experienced by his close friends, but tomorrow he promised... will abolish arranged marriages and early marriages in his village.

Lintang finally understood how much Gendhis was saddened by the condition of his best friend. But she could do nothing but comfort her lover by strengthening him.

"Thok.. yok... yok..."

"Gendhis... Nduk.. wake up baby, it's almost dawn, son...."

That voice broke the reverie of Gendhis. He only realized when his mother's voice knocked on the door and woke him up. Instantly the shadow of childhood and his conversation with Latitude last day was gone.

"Yes, Mom. Just sec..." Gendhis rushed to open the door for his mother, who was standing at the door of his room. Still wearing a white mukena with pink embroidery, Gendhis opened the door.

"Lho, have you woken up to Nduk?" Ask Ms. Sari.

"So Gendhis woke up and continued to pray tahajjud, just finished some time ago suddenly Mother was in front of the room of Gendhis. Until Gendhis can't get off the door." Reply Genthis.

"Yes already, the same father Mother wants to worship to the mosque first. You wanna come?" Ask Ms. Sari.

"Good, Mom. Gendhis take the prayer first." Gendhis folded and brought a red prayer mat that was given by Lintang on his birthday some time ago. Of all the gifts that Lintang has ever given, Gendhis feels that this is the most beautiful gift for him.

From a distance I heard the sound of dawn. Then the sound of the adzan of the Kampung Merangi mosque is the loudest. A sign that the dawn prayer time has arrived.

Gendhis, Radit, Pak Ratno and Bu Sari also walked to the mosque in the center of Merangi Village.

When Bu Sari invited the congregation and mosque, Gendhis then supported him. Because as he knew, that the best woman prayer is congregational prayer in his own home. Unless accompanied by his mahram when going to congregate in the mosque. Just like Gendo is doing right now.

After they prayed together at dawn in the mosque, as well as other residents of Kampung Merangi. They drink tea for a moment with some stomach-boosting foods to warm the body. After that they went to the field. Young children go to school, and women are busy with a pile of homework, from cooking, washing, cleaning the house, taking care of their children, only after it is done, and then, they will follow her husband in the field with provisions. That is the routine of the people of Kampung Merangi every day. The level of education and facilities is still very limited.

You could say, at that time Sekar Wangi Village, especially Kampung Merangi, was still far enough behind with other villages below. That is the reason why Gendhis was so eager to change the order of society there. Especially her awareness of childhood education and matchmaking. Because according to Gendhis childhood matchmaking is very vulnerable. Both in terms of health, mental, are also vulnerable to divorce when they get married too early.

****

"Gendhis... Gendo..." The sound of Bu Sari calling her son from outside the house.

"Yes, Mom, take the bag soon." Reply Genthis.

"Wait a minute, lak Latang, let me call Gendhis." Bu Sari put down the broomstick she used to sweep the yard and called her daughter.

But Lintang prevented it, "Ee. uh. no Bu Sari. I just wait, I'll be out soon. " Say Latitude while sitting on his favorite red CBR150R honda motorcycle.

"Mother, Gendhis went to school first." Gendhis said goodbye and kissed Bu Sari's hand.

"Yes, Nduk... Be careful..." Answer Ma sari.

The two went to school and went home together. That's how it is every day.

On the way to school, Lintang said, "Dis... eemmm, can you help me?"

"Help me about what, Mom?" Ask Gendhis.

"You know, since I was a kid, I really wanted to be a TNI? How do you think?" The latitude asked.

"If I were, as long as it was good for Mas Lintang and the Mas family, I would always be supportive." Gendhis.

"Well, that's the problem, Dis, I definitely wouldn't agree. Especially Mr." The latitude looked desperate as it continued to ride its motorcycle down the road along the top of Sumbing towards their school.

"The father wants it, I continue the business of the Father, take care of the farm of the Father. Moreover, I am the only boy from the Mitro Dimejo family." Latitude Continue.

"Mas Lintang has not tried to speak well, Mr. Argo certainly can understand the wishes of Mas Lintang." Gendhis Advice.

"Already, Dis..." Cut Cross.

"Then?" It was as if he didn't know Gendhis was asking.

"Surely you don't agree." Answer Lintang despair.

Both of them were silent for a moment.

"Dis... Can I ask a tollon?" Tanya Latitude.

"What can I do for you?" Gendhis asked back.

"You can, say the same father Mother if after graduating from school later I want to register as TNI...?" Pinta Latitude.

"Me, Mas?" Gendhis. Latitude speech alone does not agree with Mr. Argo, let alone himself.

But Lintang knew, whatever Gendhis said to his parents, it would not be possible to refuse. Lintang understood very well, the hearts of his parents would definitely melt if Gendhis asked for permission for him.

"But... does Mr. Argo want to listen to what Gendhis says?" Gendhis.

"Not just listening, Dis. They'll definitely agree to it." Latitude reassures.

Gendhis was still silent as if thinking about what his lover was saying.

Latitude suddenly stopped the speed of his motor under a shady tree on the side of the road.

"Why stop, Mom? We're almost late for school." Genphis still doesn't understand.

Lintang turned to face Gendhis, held both hands, looked into his eyes deeply and said, "Please.help me realize my dream, Dis, we'll get married after I graduate from military school. Yaahoo..." Lintang.

Genphis could not refuse his lover's request.

"Well, Mas. I'll try to talk to Mr. Argo." Reply Genthis.

Lintang was relieved to hear that answer. He felt, Gendhis was the only hope that could open wide the road for Lintang to reach his hopes and ideals so far. Being a member of the TNI, yes.

The motorbike they were driving drove back to school.

*****