Dusk At Ufuk Malacca
Chapter 14 (Get in the KBRI)
Saro and I set foot in the embassy gate. Looks solid building with Garuda symbol. On the front there is an heirloom flag pole that flutters magnificently. I immediately cried to see the Red and White Saka, as if I was already in my homeland.
Mr. Security took us into a shelter or shelter. Looks like a girl came to open the door, apparently she's the Chairman of this Shelter. We checked one by one and recorded the biodata and problems. He explained that Shelter regulations were one by one and even banned from using mobile phones. I had to get my butut phone confiscated.
After everything was done, we entered the room. There are a lot of Indonesians here. We introduced ourselves and didn't forget to shake hands. In this room there are 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, laundry, hall and kitchen. Each room has several floor mattresses containing 2 people. I was then placed in room 2 while Saro was in room 1. It's okay that I parted with her still in the same room. Not to forget also me and Saro got a uniform ration that must be worn during the day.
This shelter is also equipped with a cctv and a health check room. So every week there is a schedule of Indonesian doctors who check our health.
I got a ration basket of clothes. Immediately I tidied up some of my clothes and after that I started to get closer to other friends. They explained the schedule of the shelter every day and what to do when you wake up and after that including the schedule of cooking pickets.
***
Togetherness began to feel even though we are different tribes. Some are from Aceh, Kalimantan, NTT, West Java, East Java, Sulawesi, Manado, etc.I can not mention from Sabang to Merauke because I did not find Papuans here.
The problems faced also vary, ranging from simple to complicated. Some even tortured their employers and did not get a penny salary. Some who were harassed.
Every day I wake up early so I can take a shower. This shelter there are about 150 people while the bathroom there are only 3. Waking up a little late, I had to take a shower along with the others. Sometimes 1 bathroom contains 6 to 7 people. I'm a newcomer so I'm still a little uncomfortable if I have to shower together.
At 6 am everyone must gather and finish bathing and cleaning. We do gymnastics together so that the condition of the body remains fit. If anyone is late, Chairman Shelter does not hesitate to give punishment.
After the exercise, we continued with breakfast. It looks like a long line in line with rice and drinks, for those who have received rations directly sitting lined up in front of the room. They had breakfast while chatting with each other. Some speak Sundanese, Madurese, Javanese, Batak, etc. I didn't waste this opportunity to learn another language.
At 8am we gathered to the hall. Ustadzah came to give da'wah and held an istighosah together. While the non-Muslims returned to the room, they already had their own schedule to the Church. There are also those who leave work because some are in bandages, including the chairman of the Shelter who has the right to go in and out of the shelter and one of the cellphone holders.
Istighosah all returned to his room because it was strictly forbidden to leave this room without permission. Outside is very crowded queue of people who take care of dangur, wash clothes even just chatting. The cooks had to go back to the kitchen to prepare lunch and dinner.
***
Today's Shelter Chief apparently brought good news. Some people with mild cases are called to the office to take care of their return. They looked happy and hugged each other. Tomorrow morning they should prepare to Check Out Memo to Putra Jaya.
Saro and I heard good news too. We'll replace the one who's coming home soon. I'm in the bandages of the Task Force while Saro is in the Visa section. Tomorrow morning we have to get ready to start work.
I can't wait for the morning. The needle of the clock is so slow to beat that even the night feels so long than usual. Closing my eyes was hard to imagine I was working tomorrow morning.
***
Saro and I are getting ready to start a new job. Don't forget I sprayed perfume to be more confident. My hair is neat and straight, I took a shower at 3 after that Shelter-style rebounding. The hair was let a little wet then my friend ironed my hair little by little slowly with a towel. It is good to survive a day.
I do it alternately with others and very carefully. There was a friend who did it while still sleepy, as a result his hair burned and a little bald of course.
Me and Saro headed to their respective workplaces. Me and the Shelter Leader entered the Task Force room. He introduced me to the staff who served there. They explained the tasks I had to do, from interviewing everyone who came to ask for signatures to the Consular section.
Every day I go up and down stairs serving the guy who's gonna make SPLP for losing his passport. There are also those who will take care of the return papers by bringing toddlers born in Malaysia. They must complete the necessary requirements, such as the birth certificate from JPN (State Registration Department) which is legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the passport of the father and mother who are still valid, and the passport of the father and mother, marriage certificate (if the marriage certificate comes from another country must legalize the marriage certificate to the Embassy where the marriage certificate was issued and legalized to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia), and the original document and photocopied as much as 2 copies.
