FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 18 BAD PREMONITION

EPS 18 BAD PREMONITION

Ever since I met you, my days have been special. Every second I pass is different. The overcast sky still looks bright, the cold air still feels warm. The storm that came was a longing rain that filled the space of the heart. Your laugh, touch my side. It makes the world feel like nirvana. Then why else would I step on my feet, if it was enough for me to spend my days with you?

The night has just come. There was still a copper color on the horizon line, the rest of the sunlight left its mark. Many streets are filled with people passing by. They are preparing to celebrate the last week of the Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations. Bringing to life the tradition of the ancestors and founders of Singkawang city, in West Kalimantan.

Red lantern lights hanging neatly decorate every house and building, as well as the streets and every corner of the city. Residents of the city came out of their homes to meet relatives, neighbors and other citizens of different tribes and beliefs. Yes, in Singkawang there are four large groups of people who inhabit it. They are of Chinese, Dayak, Malay and Javanese descent. There are also other tribes, but not so many. They live so well together and complement each other.

Melin walked by herself. His feet nimble down the narrow alley towards his home. Sometimes he jumped when he found a small hole in the middle of the road that was cast concrete. His heart is happy, today there is a lot of fortune flowing to him. Just look, the four pockets of his pocket are full of angpaos, red envelopes filled with money, giving generous people. His right hand was carrying a basket cake, and his left hand was carrying a bag of new clothes from Arsylla, his English teacher.

The Chinese celebration in Singkawang is always lively. Various activities are carried out to welcome the arrival of the new year in the Chinese calendar. Lunar New Year is the most important celebration for Chinese people all over the world. Chinese New Year celebrations begin on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar and end with Cap Go Meh or the fifteenth day after Lunar. Cap Go means fifteen.

There are two important festivals that have always been preserved as Chinese tribal traditions in Singkawang. The first is the festival rejects reinforcements from shamans or called Tatung. With a certain mantra they invited the spirits of the gods to penetrate into their bodies. After that they performed a terrible deadly attraction. Piercing his body with iron, or slashing the skin of the body with a sharp razor.

The second festival is held on the fifteenth day or Cap Go Meh. Two giant lion replica statues nearly nine meters high, in arak along the city road. Starting from the Kridasana stadium to the city center, Alun-Alun Regency. Then proceed with Altan and Auction before closing with the procession of burning the Replica of 12 Dragons in the Buddhist Monastery of Roban (Chai Thong).

Banners adorn every corner of the city, containing the celebration of Chinese holidays and prayers that prosperity always accompany the lives of the people of Singkawang. It was at this time that many rich people suddenly became generous. They shared some of their windfall by slipping banknotes into a red amplom called an angpao. Then they distributed these angpaos to the poor and children.

Melin's footsteps stopped in front of her own house. He clearly heard that there was a person who was angry with his father who could only apologize. In the interlude of the sobs of his mother who begged for mercy. And Melin memorized the voice of the angry man.

“Ngai has given Koko a lot of time, but Koko always keeps breaking promises. Remember Ko, Ngai has already given Koko a hand. So, avoid it,” said Baba Ig Yan, a ruthless loan shark who likes to lend money at very high interest rates.

“Yes, I understand. Sorry, but I have no money. Give me another week, will you?” his father's voice begged for an extension of time.

Baba Ig Yan immediately shook his head quickly.

“Can't! There is no love of time anymore. Anyway tomorrow night, Koko is already smooth pelgi dali this house! Understand?”

Bugs!

Ow!

Melin quickly entered her house slowly. He did not want to worsen the mood of his father and mother. His father was sitting on a broken rattan chair. Her mother sat down in front of the bed. His head was on a pillow. Her tears still flowed from both of her eyes. His two sisters just sat in the corner of the bed hugging his knees.

Melin waved her hand, signalling for her two younger siblings to come closer. Then Melin hugged the bodies of the two tightly. His face was still smiling, even though his heart was eager to cry. But as hard as he could, he held his emotions.

“This brother brought you a basket cake. Eat a lot,” he said while giving the cake basket he brought to them.

The faces of his two brothers changed. They immediately ran to the back to enjoy the basket cake. Then Melin approached her mother and hugged her from behind. A moment both of them were silent, playing with their respective thoughts and feelings. Then Melin took out dozens of angpaos from her pockets. On the stack so one, then handed over to his mother.

“This is love money to papa, maybe can help pay off his debt,” he said.

Mama looked at her daughter's face deeply. Without feeling her tears melt again. Ah, her daughter is so beautiful and tender-hearted.

“Do not Melin, save your money for your school needs,” said Mama refused his gift.

“But Ma..” has not finished Melin talk, suddenly heard the door on tap people.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

Melin immediately stood up, then rushed to open the door. Two young men were standing at the door. One of them smiled at him.

“Who is Melin?” ask mama.

“A Khiu Han with Ma,” said Melin told me that her mother's sister, uncle Han and his friend came.

“Oh. Come in Han,” said Mama.

Han went inside after his friend. A tall man but a friendly face. As soon as he entered he immediately greeted everyone.

“Goodnight A Khiu and Khiu Me.”

Smiling, the foreign man rolled the corner of his eyes towards Melin. And the little girl was instantly fixated, she felt an uneasy feeling in her heart. A kind of bad premonition or an ugly omen that would befall him.