FRIEND OF THE NATION
EPS 1 EARLY FRIENDSHIP
EPS 1 EARLY FRIENDSHIP
“One night, I dreamed of being a bird. Flying with my two powerful wings, conquering the skies, conquering the mountains and exploring the seven oceans. At the limit of the horizon I stopped, painting the clouds with various stories. About the beauty of the sky like a protective dome, or about the beauty of the earth like a carpet. About rain and sun, or fragrant colorful flowers with a variety of beauty. About the farmers who grow yams, the papa who hunt pigs and the mama who work in the fields,” Marlon said while throwing his gaze through the plane window.
“And now you have succeeded in realizing your dream. Then begin to paint the clouds you pass by with your stories,” said Erizal who sat beside him.
Marlon Isier is a Papuan boy. His father was named Neles Ibo, one of the chief of the Dani tribe who inhabited one corner of the Baliem valley. After graduating from Secondary School, he was sent by his father to Java to study. The main destination is Yogjakarta. Because his father heard many legends of the city as a student city. In addition, there are also many Papuan children who study there. His father wanted Maron to become a doctor, in order to treat the sick Papuans.
“Go to Java. Learn well. Don't come back before you become a doctor,’ order papa when dropping off his son at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong.
Do not forget to insert some gold grains sewn on the end of his shoes. He also told Marlon to take his shoes with him wherever he went.
“Iya papa, I promise I will meet papa's expectations. Also prayer mama Pepertua, as well as sister, sister and grandmother also.”
Marlon hugged his father, mother, two younger siblings and older brother and grandmother before boarding the plane that took him to Jakarta.
Erizal Hasibuan is the son of Minang, West Sumatra. His father died while he was still in Primary School. Since childhood he dreamed to migrate to Java. Unfortunately, his mother would not allow it. But after graduating from First High School, his desire to go was even more passionate. Finally his mother could no longer resist the desire of her son to go to Java.
“Go son, reach your goals. Bundo can only pray for you,” his mother said as she hugged her little son.
His mother slipped a considerable amount of money sewn tightly in the shorts he wore. Then cover it with trousers to make it safer. Erizal will be sent to Pondok Pesantren Gontor in East Java. His mother wanted him to deepen religious knowledge with the kyai and scholars there.
“That's Bundo's savings money for years. Use as frugal as possible,” his mother's message.
Erizal nodded his head before returning his mother's embrace. No other relatives escorted him, for he was his only son. Before boarding the plane that would take him from Padang to Jakarta, he still had time to see his mother's face wet with tears. Actually he did not have the heart, but his heart was round to leave the realm of Minang to seek new experiences in the land of Java..
And finally the two children of the nation were found in the plane that will take them to Jogjakarta. They get a seat side by side.
“Hai! Assalamu’alaikum,” greet Erizal first, while sticking out his hand invites shaking hands. “I Erizal.”
“Hai!” sahut Marlon welcomes Erizal.”I'm Marlon.”
“I'm from Padang, West Sumatra. Where are you from?”
“I'm a Papuan boy, far from the jungle.”
After that they sat down, immersed in a long conversation. Like finding a water source in the middle of the desert, both of them were very happy. Actually they are equally confused because this is the first flight to the island of Java. They have never been to Jogjakarta, only often hear the story.
“I happen to meet you. This is my first trip to the island of Java,” Marlon said. “I'm confused again.”
Erizal laughed.
“Hahaha.I'm also actually confused. You see, I also do not know what kind of Jogjakarta.”
They finally laughed together. Maybe because of the equality of fate and both need friends, make them become familiar quickly.
“Eh where are you going, Zal?” ask Marlon.
Erizal took out a small book containing his mother's notes.
“After the plane disembarked in Jogjakarta, I will go to Pondok Pesantren Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java.”
“Why should you get off at Jogja?”
“Because there are no flights to Jakarta-Ponorogo. We have to get off at Adisucipto Airport, then continue the road trip to Ponorogo.”
“Bus?”
Erizal shook his head.
Marlon nodded his head. His face looked a little agitated.
“Where are you going Lon?” ask Erizal.
“I want to go to Jogjakarta. My papa told me I studied in that city until I became a doctor.”
Erizal. The face of his best friend. He looked like he was thinking about something.
“How about you come with me to Gontor?” ask Erizal suddenly.
“What?” Marlon asked back. “How can I become a doctor if I go to Gontor?”
Erizal smile.
“Did you forget that you need a high school diploma to study medicine?”
Marlon shook his head.
“Of course not,” said. “But what in Gontor we can get a diploma?”
“Yes. Because there is the High School curriculum there as well. We can even teach.”
“But I don't think I'm a Muslim Zal.”
“What is your religion?”
“I also don't know.”
“Do you have an identity card?”
Marlon laughed.
“Of course not. I was only fifteen. Where is the identity card.”
Erizal patted his forehead, then laughed. But after that they fell silent, immersed in their respective thoughts. Suddenly Marlon remembered his hometown. Beautiful valleys of Baliem and songs of praise for the sacred spirits of their protective ancestors.
“It feels like my papa just introduced me to Atou,” muttered Marlon.
“Atou? Who's that?”
“Hmm.a kind of holy spirit our protector from all distress. That is the belief of some Dani tribes who live in the valley of Baliem.”
“Baliem Valley? Is your village there?”
Marlon nodded his head.
***
The night is getting late in the Baliem valley. The cold weather was so felt to make the Dani tribe in the land of Papua reluctant to leave the house. Only the animals of the night still hear the song. In an Ebei, the home of Dani women, most of the inhabitants are already asleep. Only a few people are still awake. They were waiting for a sick child.
Their village was hit by a disaster. A strange disease suddenly attacked the tribal inhabitants who live in the middle of the wilds of Papua. The disease that attacked them was a very powerful disease. Not an ordinary disease that can be cured through the prayers of the chieftain. Various offerings and ceremonies they have done but still the victims fall because of it.
“Please Ma, Yohana's body hurts all,” whispered a girl from inside Ebei.
Her mother smiled as she gently stroked her daughter's hair.
“Please son, your father is praying that Atou will immediately release his curse to our village. Only Atou can help us.”
