FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 50 I'M HUNGRY

EPS 50 I'M HUNGRY

That's how life is, giving a role to each person where the story begins. Sometimes we have antagonistic roles, in other people's life stories. Often we get sad roles in our own stories. All of those colors will do us good. Because in essence, life is a process that builds our character through episode after episode of life until we know ourselves.

Under the full moonlight, the members of the Misman Gang were still sitting in a circle. The mood is quite quiet. Their attention was centered in the middle of the arena where Marlon and Santo were still hugging, after a great fight. Erizal approached Marlon and touched his shoulder from behind.

“You didn't hurt Marlon?” whispered.

Marlon. Then smiled at Erizal who was worried about him. He held her head up, indicating that she was doing well. In the embrace of his best friend's body, then pulled forward. His gaze twisted towards the people sitting filled the field.

“Oh, yeah almost I forgot. This is my best friend, his name is Erizal. From today on, he declares to join us. Because we have given his approval,” he said.

People turned their eyes to Melin for a moment. After the girl nodded her head, they looked back at Marlon and Erizal.

“Does anyone want to test it?” said.

People are still silent. Apparently they're starting to acknowledge Marlon's toughness. They were reluctant enough to respond to the Papuan youth's challenge. Although in their minds Erizal was not as tough as Marlon, but they still did not react. Maybe they also have accepted the young Sumatran to be part of the Misman gang.

After that they sat back down. Paing signaled to all members to tidy up their seats. After that he approached Melin and asked her to stand up.

“Monggo mba Melin, please convey words of encouragement to all children,” he said.

Melin nodded her head. Slowly he got up from his seat then stepped into the middle of the arena. Everyone looked at him. All views are stunned. All hearts are fascinated. Under the moonlight, Melin's face was so beautiful like an angel who had just descended from the rainbow color. Ah, only once did they see the head of such a beautiful street gang.

“All friends, thank you for coming. I will just pass on the words and messages from our mother, Yu Kimah, to all of us.”

Melin paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh. People are silent waiting.

“Mother's message, we must stay united, keep harmony as one family. This place is our region foraging for food and guaranteeing our lives. Many people or groups are at all times threatening to seize our territory. Especially after the passing of Misman's father, they are increasingly dare to interfere with our existence. Working together and watching each other. Be vigilant and avoid betrayal.”

Melin stopped her words. The look in his eyes turned to look one by one the faces of his men. Such a shady and soothing look.

“Berjanjilah kalian untuk setia.”

His words briefly closed his words that night. Simple words that felt so warm filled the recesses of everyone who heard them. The mood is still quiet. Then Paing stood up and stepped into the middle of the arena. His right hand was raised high, then he shouted to have everyone imitate his words.

“We who sit under the bright moonlight, watched by the stars. Swear loyalty, keep the big name of Misman gang and submit under the leadership of Melin!”

There was a rumbling sound as they mimicked the words of Paing. A roar that shook the whole soul. The rumbling sound that makes the sense of ego rumbles and collapses, then dissolves in a sense of togetherness in one big family of the Misman gang.

***

The atmosphere in Yu Kimah's stall looks crowded. The holidays keep the airport busy. Many people from outside the city visit Jogjakarta. Most of them are tourists, but there are also immigrants who want to complain about their fate in the student city.

Melin and Marlon often laugh at themselves when they hear it. Thanks to Erizal, now the food menu at Yu Kimah stalls is increasing. There are some typical Padang foods that are served, such as rendang, chicken gulai, eggplant balado and fried eggs krispi. And the presence of the new menu was welcomed enthusiastically hungry buyers. They look satisfied, especially Erizal also turned out to be good at cooking.

“Miss, can I wrap rice with rendang, make take it to the hotel,” said a foreign tourist who liked it after eating rendang.

Melin smiled as she nodded her head. Then take the oil paper and wrap the rice and rendang, cassava leaf vegetables and green chili sauce. Then watered spicy coconut milk in yellowish brown. From the aroma alone has made the stomach rumble.

“Marlon, did you see that little white boy?” whispered Erizal to Marlon.

Marlon nodded his head.

“Iya. Why?”

“From that moment he stood there looking at the picture of food in our shop. Looks like he wants to eat but doesn't dare to go in.”

Marlon sharpened his gaze. It was true, in front of the stall was a small white-shirted child standing while holding his stomach. The boy must be hungry, he whispered.

“You're right Erizal. Come to the boy, offer to come in and eat. Ask where her parents are. May she be separated from her family.”

Erizal nodded his head. He hurried out to the boy. But not yet he arrived, suddenly the child fell face down on the sidewalk.

Brug!

“Hai!” Erizal was surprised, reflexively jumping. “You why?”

There's no answer. Erizal immediately lifted the small body and turned it upside down. The boy fainted. People have noticed it. Then Erizal took her into the stall.

“Why Zal?” ask Marlon.

Melin also approached him.

“What's Erizal? Whose son is this?”

Erizal shook his head.

“I don't know. All of a sudden this kid passed out in front of our shop.”

Melin looks panicked. He took a clean cloth from inside the room and held it on a long chair. A little pillow on it.

“Then lay him here. His head under, his feet on the pillow.”

Erizal put the boy's body on the long chair. Then Melin brought a glass of warm sweet tea. Little by little the tea was dripping on the child's lips with a small spoon. Slowly the boy moved his hand. Then both of his eyes opened. The longer it gets wider. His eyeballs spun, observing the unfamiliar faces surrounding him.

“Eh, have you realized?” ask Melin.

The boy was still silent. Apparently he was not fully aware and was still confused because he was in a place that felt foreign. Melin fed the sweet tea water once more, but the boy shook his head. Holding his stomach he whispered softly.

“I'm hungry.”