ECLIPSE LUNAR

Episode 4

In addition to Prisma Jaya which is only limited by direct roads, there is a meat factory. Not too big for a factory. Said Bu Kokom, a long-time meatball trader in Prisma Jaya, the factory was once an abandoned mes and old warehouse, then converted into a meat factory.

The access of the secret doors of students who intend to skip is behind the school, side by side with a walkway that then leads to the factory. Because behind the school more overgrown with trees, the escape process is not difficult. I just had to put on a jacket that covered the badge of my uniform, barging out through a wall gap that looked more like a small tunnel in the back that was covered in a big trash tub behind the school, then run as fast as possible through the back of the meat factory. I memorized the access to this road because every day I pass here more often than through the main road in front of the school.

I slowed down the steps as soon as I arrived behind the factory wall that was almost as high as an electric pole. I think the place behind this whitewashed wall looks more like a prison than a factory. The activity of the machine inside was clearly heard from outside. But, it is completely invisible because the blue fence that frames it is no different from the wall, so tight. Only occasionally can a security guard open the gate when someone wants to get out or get in. And then it closed back.

Bu Kokom is a neighbor of one of the guards at this factory. With the connection, the meatballs merchant often buy meat grinder for meat production. He often praised this factory because the ground meat they produce according to him is good quality, fresh and certainly cheap because it is purchased directly without a chain of intermediaries distributors. But strangely I always felt uncomfortable. Besides because the place was quiet, the rancid smell of blood from the slaughtered and milled animals lingered densely in the air. Normally, I would walk faster if I passed behind this factory. While trying to ignore the unpleasant smell, I pulled out my phone, reread LINE's chat from Karen.

Ser, my sister hasn't come home ampe now. Hp's dead. It is totally unrelated. The last time he called me was right we were in class. My family is busy looking for him.

Relax, Ren. I'm sure your sister is okay. Maybe he has some business but he can't handle it. Where are you now?

At home

I'm going there. Your house is in block O next to where?

Upon arrival at the end of the road, pocket the mobile phone then stop the angkot majors Pradana and immediately go up. Karen didn't read or reply to my last chat. All right, until the housing complex, I can find where my best friend's house is.

I exhaled many times as anxiety began to grow. Although I don't know who her sister is, I'm sure Karen must be very worried. Just as sure that he must also be able to control his feelings well. I know him as a mature and understanding man. But for some reason, even so, I still felt the need to be by her side.

***

ME and Karen became close friends in the second semester of X class. Actually since the first semester we were classmates, and I knew him enough because he was an active student and known to many people. He is also the class leader. But at that time our interaction was just a rebuke of classmates, about PR or assignments, nothing more.

We started close when I was assigned to cover the selection of the chairman of the men's basketball team who was then only two candidates, Ken and Karen. Ken who has been the most wanted without a rival, directly compared to Karen. Although Ken's prestige is higher, I salute Karen because she remains relaxed and considers the basketball chairman selection competition as a proving ground for talent.

Everyone knows Karen's basketball skills are above Ken's. But still Ken was chosen as chairman. When interviewed, the old basketball chairman reasoned to choose Ken so that the prestige of the school basketball team was lifted. I was angry with Karen because she was just being treated so fraudulently. Since that incident, we have become closer.

My memory drifted to an afternoon on the school's indoor basketball court so angkot I drove. A few weeks after Karen's defeat in the basketball chairmanship election. Karen was busy dribbling the ball and repeatedly put it in the ring. I sat cross-legged on the surface of the field, resting my chin and looking at him lazily. We're still in class X. I was really upset that I had to write an article about Ken's victory. I asked Karen if she felt disappointed because her ability was not recognized?

The guy laughed. “Don't let me, Ser. I play basketball because of my hobby. You can play with fun. Is it true that if I don't become the chairman I will die?”

I snorted short. “Basic has no ambition!”

“What is the importance of having ambition if I live a normal life I am happy?” he then throws the ball into the ring. Fumble. He snorted, ran to pick up the ball.

Karen who was about to throw the ball, undo her intentions and step closer to me. He sat cross-legged on my right side, sighing violently. “Ser, you know not, what is expensive in this life?”

“Education,” reply me origin.

Karen chuckles. “Not, not that.”

I cringed lazily.

“What is expensive in this life is the same time of intention,” reply is calm. I looked at him silently.

“Lo should be grateful…. Even if it's economically under me, at least you have one: intention.” He snapped a finger. “And one more, destination. Not everyone who has money has clear intentions and goals. Example i.”

I reply with an annoyed grin. “Aren't you going to be a basketball player? Then why is it that you were cheated when you were stolen yesterday? You should have protested. No effort at all!”

Karen shrugged, looking at the empty row of spectator seats. “Who said I wanted to be a basketball player? I told you, it's just a hobby. I don't believe that I have the same goal to make.”

“Sok really mature you.” I patted her shoulder hard. “Try me to hear what you think of your intentions and goals.”

As I refocused my chin while looking at her, Karen immediately turned her face away.

“Hem... yes,” He was silent for a moment. It seems that his brain performance has suddenly slowed down. “I mean, in everyone there must be a goal. The opportunity for success is certainly there. Well, if the intention itself anyway, depends on the person, Ser. So the right word according to me is not ‘make’ but ‘nyari’. Know that goal in me, with that intention to achieve that goal will be created by itself.”

I nodded my head, thinking about his words. “Ren, wrong does not have a high dream? Not if our dream height fitting fall would be very painful?”

Suddenly Karen stood up. The smile on his lips broadened. She reached out to me who was looking at her in wonder. “Bakal I pointed out if jatoh is fun.”

At the time, I had no idea what Karen was thinking. He took me to a park in South Bandung. A smile spread across his lips as he pulled the bike over and took me to the indoor play area. Everything became clear as Karen rolled me into a giant trampoline the size of a badminton court that was packed with visitors ranging from children to adults.

Karen goes up to the trampoline first, joining the visitors. The guy jumps around like a kid. The longer, the jump gets higher and the laughter gets louder. I laughed even though I was still standing looking at him from outside the trampoline.

“Come, Ser!” exclaim Karen. “Lo see, right? Here everyone can fall after a high jump, but they all laugh. You should also try!” Once again Karen reached out her hand, and I finally welcomed her. That afternoon, for the first time I wasn't afraid of falling because there was Karen by my side. Karen's at the bottom of her life losing her sister, and I want to be by her side. []