FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 12 MARLIN'S DEPARTURE

EPS 12 MARLIN'S DEPARTURE

I aim your heart with the arrow of the god Amor, the sharp end of which will pierce your chest. Spreading love poems through your heartbeat, filling your veins and pulse, penetrating into the veins. It permeates and fills every side of your heart's space. Until you are sprawled and helpless, in the arms of an Arjuna.

That day the air was very hot and humid. The sun was like burning mercilessly. The sky was so bright, cloudless, like a white cloth dyed with blue dye. The animals in the forest refuse to come out of their nests. They feel more comfortable lying in the ground, or hiding behind dense forest leaves. Only butterflies dance from one flower to another.

After getting permission from his father and mother, Marlin seemed very excited. Since last night he has packed everything he will carry. His personal belongings have been put in his rangsel bag. Yesterday Marama had warned not to carry too much stuff. Because it will only be difficult later on the journey that travels land, water and air.

“All your needs have been prepared in mess sports. If there will be less, then I will buy it in Wamena,” Marama said.

Marlin only nodded in order to receive instructions from his coach. Then Marama gave a paper containing a note of what items can be brought.

“No need to bring yams, pork, vegetables, fruit, bows, arrows, stone axes and more,” he continued as he watched Neles Ibo prepare everything. “You won't be short of food there.”

“Can I bring my talisman?” marlin said while showing a necklace of woven dried ulin bark, and in the middle hung kangaroo teeth as a pendant.

Marama looked at me for a moment. Then smile while nodding.

“Yes, Marlin. You can take him.”

Marlin smiled with relief. This necklace is a gift from Nene Yoteni, as a protector as well as a reminder Marlin to the family.

“Thanks, mr Marama.”

Luke's uncle helped carry Marama's belongings and Hendra's doctor. Outside, some members of the Ibo family were already preparing to take him to a boat that would cross the Bira lake. It was a shortcut to the helicopter runway, rather than walking around the lake by road. Besides taking time, the terrain is also very difficult to reach on foot.

Marlin got dressed. Colored trousers, sweatshirts, and jackets bearing ‘PB PERPANI Jayawijaya Regency.’ Marlin was not comfortable with the clothes he was wearing. Especially wearing thick clothes in this hot weather. But Marama forced her, she said she should start getting to know the archery organization in Indonesia. Finally Marlin relented, he was willing to wear his t-shirt. Marlon laughed to see it.

Of course Marlin's appearance was considered strange by the Ibo people. Especially those who are always naked. Their oversized clothing is a tangle of bark that covers the lower part of the abdomen, Emu bird feather ornaments embedded in the head, as well as some animal bones that are inserted into the soft tissue in the nose, and also some animal bones, lips and ears. Some of them even held up the t-shirts and pants that Marlin was wearing.

“You look different Marlin,” Marlon said.

“Iya. You look handsome like Mr. Marama,” continued Martinus, his childhood friend.

They all laugh. Only Mama Perpetua looks grim. Her tears just kept flowing. Although his lips said they had let go, he was still sad. After all he still felt Marlin was too small to part with his family. Besides his age is not even fifteen years, his nature is still childish. Unlike the more mature Marlon.

They drove Marlin's departure to the forest boundary. Then the group began to walk down the path to the boat bridge on Lake Bira. Marlon also escorted his twin brother. Moments later they reached the boat bridge made of several wooden beams arranged in rows. Two motorized boats are ready on the bridge with the engine on.

Uncle Luke and Marlon as well as some men helped put things into the boat. Then they sat on the wood that was set across like a crossbar. In addition to being a seat, the crossbar also serves as a handle. One boat was filled with seven people including the driver. The other boat was filled with stuff. Mr. Marama also chose to join the second boat behind the goods.

The day is so bright and hot. The cold wind cools the skin. Marlon formed the surface of the lake with the tip of his hand. The water splashed back, soaking Marlin's face and hair and Luke's uncle sitting behind him. Everyone laughed to see it.

“Hahaha... You are so naughty Marlon,” shouted them.

The end of the boat is conical like splitting the surface of the lake. Passing through several villages and other platforms by the lake. Before finally entering the dense and so long forest. They need to be more careful. Besides the surface of the lake is getting narrowed, many branches of large trees jutting into the middle of the lake. Sometimes they have to bend their bodies, worried about getting stuck.

The sun was almost as fast, when they finally arrived in the open. The boats stopped on a grassy land. They packed their things from the boat and walked down the path. After passing through a small hill, they found a land that was quite flat and airy. That's the runway where the helicopter that picked up was waiting for them.

Marlon and Marlin looked at the small airplane with amazed gazes. As dazzled as they were, they were speechless. Their whole life had only once seen the iron vehicle shaped like a dragonfly. His head was surrounded by round stained glass, and his tail was long tilted upward. Its long propeller rotates fast, giving rise to a windstorm that blows very strongly.

People tied items in luggage on both sides of the helicopter's exterior. Followed by doctors Hendra, Marlin and Mr. Marama. After checking everything out, Uncle Luke signs everything is safe and the plane can take off. The plane flew slowly, before then darting through the lake towards the city of Wamena. Marlon, Luke's uncle and two Ibo tribesmen waved to Marlin.

“Be careful Marlin! Take care!” shout Marlon.

Marlin did not answer his brother's screams, perhaps not being heard due to the roar of the helicopter engine. He just gave a thumbs up, then waved his hand back. The small plane kept flying away. Marlon continued to look at it until the plane became a small dot and disappeared from view.

“Already Marlon. Let's go home. The owner of the boat is waiting for us,” said uncle Lukas while hampering Marlon's back.

Marlon nodded his head, then turned to follow his uncle.