K&K (Taste Features)

20. Two Docks

Machita, madam Joyce, Paulo and doctor Smith ushered in Mr. Bruce and Kirana at Pearl Harbor Sydney. The ships began to dock. A wide variety of yachts and fishing boats line up neatly along the harbor. During the holiday season, foreign and local tourists meet Circular Quay and Sydney Bridge.

“I will miss you so much. Don't forget to call us and if you have time, go to Maroubra,” said Machita rubbed the edges of her eyes after hugging Kirana for quite a while.

He lost his sister and roommate. Kirana nodded. Kirana invites Machita to walk a little away from her family.

“I'm sorry about a while ago. Thank you for sharing a room with me and lending me your clothes.” Kirana squinted her smiling eyes.

“No problem. I'm glad I have a brother like you. I will always miss you.”

“Don’t forget us, sist.” Paulo's wide grin greeted and hugged Kirana briefly.

“I really feel like I lost you, now. I hope you're okay there,” said Doctor Smith after getting the last hug from Kirana.

Now it's Joyce's madam's unrelenting turn to throw snot. He loved Kirana more than any other Maroon family. For her Kirana is her eldest daughter and she is very happy to be able to raise a child. However, now the girl he cared for for four years must be willing to be released back to her original family.

As she was about to hug Madam Joyce, Kirana could not hold back the tears. That fat woman could not be forgotten so easily. His warm and friendly attitude can make Kirana feel at home in the Maroon family home is very simple in the foreign country. They embraced accompanied by sobs for quite a while.

“Oh, your ship will go. Get on the boat, kid. Remember to eat breakfast and don't forget your medicine. I hope you're always healthy and find happiness.” A mother's advice to her child that will go far for a long time.

Kirana just nodded. Madam Joyce wiped the tears that drenched Kirana's cheeks. “Be strong darling, don't cry. You're a great woman. I'm sorry if I got it wrong. I'm sorry I couldn't take good care of you. Glad to know you.”

Kirana immediately boarded the fish carrier. Maroon's family and Smith's doctor waved off Mr. Smith's departure. Bruce and Kirana.

The crew immediately removed the ship's straps. Suddenly a man ran towards the ship and jumped up.

“Hey. what’s damn!”shouted the crew.

“Sorry, may I board your ship? I missed the yacht that was going to take me,” said the man.

“Can't! This is not a people carrier.”

“Oh, come on. I have to go to Indonesia. I heard this ship docked for a while in Batam?”

“What's up?” ask Mr. Bruce saw a small commotion and his ship did not leave immediately.

“This man wants to board our ship,” said the crew. Mr. Bruce now puts on a rogue look.

“Sir, my yacht has departed an hour ago and I must return to Indonesia immediately. I knew this ship would stop for a while in Batam. Please, I can’t wait for a longer."

Mr. Bruce snorted in annoyance. “Okay, but you must pay. $ 400,” said Mr. Bruce.

“How extensive it is!”grumbled the man.

The whistle sounded loud.

Mr. freight carrier. Bruce started leaving the dock. He stood on the edge of the ship. The ship is sailing away. Kirana stared greedily at the last sight of Sydney. He swallowed.

I never thought I could live there long enough with strangers. The ocean is wide. The waves hit the small sides of the ship.

“I have prepared a room for you. Used barn, but at least you can rest there. Sorry, we don't have a rest area or a clean place. Our journey will be very long. So take care of your health,” said Mr. Bruce patted Kirana on the shoulder. Kirana nodded in understanding.

“I'm fine. Thank you very much.”

“Ah..one more, when many crew members start to get drunk, you should not leave your room. If the waves are big just drink the medicine from Joyce and do not need to get out of your room. I'll send you food. The point is not to leave the room if not pressed or because you want to go to the toilet. Ah, nevermind. Why am I as chatty as Joyce now,” murmured Mr. Bruce then left Kirana.

The girl simply smiled hearing all forms of attention of her foster father. He knows, Mr. Bruce was very careful about his safety. If anything happens, Mr. Bruce would get a lot of anger from his wife.

Kirana looked back at the rest of the Sydney harbour which gradually shrank and disappeared completely.

“Australia, welcome home.” Kirana whispers in my heart.

***

Vietnam, 2017. Equatorial emerald state and island nation.

Fish carriers larger than the Sumatera-Java ferry began to repatriate to Batam port after days spent at sea.

“Thanks a lot sir. I will never forget the kindness of the Maroon family. You guys are angels,” Kirana said as she said goodbye to Mr. Bruce. He got a warm hug from his adoptive father for the last time.

“Nice to meet you. Take good care of yourself, son. If you are able, visit Maroubra,” Mr.'s advice. Bruce. Kirana nodded.

They parted just as the sun began to rise high. Kirana must immediately go to another ferry counter to the island of Java. He had to wait for another hour.

For the first time when buying a ticket, Kirana almost forgot her mother tongue. Because the counter clerk did not understand sign language, he wrote down his purpose.

Then-passing people, a lot of hawkers, garbage scattered, ticket scalpers is a sight that he did not meet in any corner of Sydney. Malay language is heard a lot.

Kirana's lips twitched. Both eyes glazed. In the end he set foot on the longest island in Indonesia. Soon he will meet his family. Soon he could smell the body of his parents and taste the cuisine of his beloved mother.

The journey to the port of Tanjung Priok takes more than two days. And that made Kirana really tired. He has gone through two docks and finally well, Jakarta. The densest and most congested city ranked third in the world.

Stinging heat, various polemics of life in the community layer is clearly visible on the stage of life. The fate spotter even makes Kirana happier. Strange indeed, the city that is so crowded is still favored by immigrants even in 2017. Many changes with the increasingly visible skyscrapers, public transportation began to be improved. Things are changing so fast according to Kirana. It's been almost five years!

***