Legionaries

Markus Priyambodo

October 26th, 2018

At 22:42

ringing the phone again damaged concentration. Apparently Papa is not giving up. He kept trying to call my phone. The news of my sudden appearance seems to have succeeded in surprising him. Actually I should be proud, because in this world I am the only person who can surprise him to such an extent.

Among his friends and men, Papa has always been known to be very calm in addressing all forms of problems. It is not because of his expertise in controlling expression, but because he is known to always know many events long before all happens. Not a few people who just knew him, who then thought he was a psychic.

This time Papa didn't seem to be twitching towards me. When he heard the sudden news of my return from Germany, he did not wait long to immediately find information about my whereabouts. I understood his longing for me, but what worried him the most was the state of security in this country which was in an emergency. He's worried I'm caught up in the chaos that's engulfing the republic.

While my cell phone was still ringing, I tried to remain ignorant. Free. Even if I raised the call, I would only hear the same advice. Papa's gonna come back and tell me to go back to Germany. For my safety, for the sake of my wife's child there, he said. This country is my real home. Where else would I go if not to this land?

The vibration of the car dashboard caused by the ringing of the phone has not stopped. Apparently I've underestimated Papa's persistence. I don't know how many times he tried to call my phone. Suddenly I felt sorry for my parents. As a child, I had made him very anxious.

I surrendered. I decided to answer the call.

"What else would you like Papa to talk about? My stick is round. I'm not going back to Germany without that kid."

"Obviously a year ago, Papa chose the best path for you, but you ignored it instead. You even worked with that doctor without Papa's knowledge. What do you really want?" Papa's voice sounded raucous. This is clearly out of his habit which is better known for his sharp grin.

"That kid. I want to end his long suffering."

"The boy is not your son. Why are you paying attention far beyond your own child?"

"I've been contributing to making him suffer some bad luck, Pap."

"His fate isn't as bad as you think. Papa followed your will sixteen years ago. Papa took care of her and now she's grown up. What else do you expect from him?"

"No, Pap. That's not enough. All this time Papa's been getting too far into the game circle."

"That's not part of our deal. You certainly understand that every child who lives in this bunk house will be my soldier when they grow up. So if you're asking who's wrong in this, that person is you. If only you hadn't let the boy live, he wouldn't be like this now."

I paused for a moment to reflect on Papa's words. "Maybe Papa is right. It's myfault. Therefore, I came here to make amends. It's a good time to free the boy from all this trouble."

For a few seconds my phone speaker was silent. Looks like Papa is stunned. No more sounds of that voice.

"Once again, my throat is round, Pap. I'll take the boy away. With or without Papa's consent."

"Alright," Papa's voice finally came back. "If that's what you want, as a parent, Papa has no choice but to support you."

This time Papa's speech slowed down a bit. "Papa's gonna make sure your plan with the doctor goes well."

Instantly, my smile expanded. "Thank you, Pap."

"You're still around that hospital?"

"still. I'm waiting for Dr. Edward's in the parking lot. Army forces have surrounded all corners of the hospital building. It seemed impossible for him to escape."

"good. Papa will contact Teja who is already there to help you. Already, that's all. After this, General Edi must have contacted Papa immediately to question what happened tonight."

"Pap," for a moment I held off Papa who was about to close the connection. "Once again... Thank you for helping me."

"That's all a father can do for his child. Later when Papa's grandson has grown up, you have to do the same to him."

Tutt... Tutt... Tutt... Tutt...

Papa's voice was no longer heard, but his echo was still in my mind. Finally I was able to melt his head that hard as steel.

"How's next?" I looked towards the back seat. Apparently, Raymond was awake from his deep sleep. Since then, the man from the East followed my conversation with Papa by phone.

"Papa will help us."

"OKAY. Then what am I supposed to do?"

"We just have to wait for Dr. Edward's here."

"We can't wait, Markus. I do believe in you. But, frankly it's hard for me to trust Papa just like that. We both know what kind of man Papa is."

"No, Raymond. I remember his tone of speech. This time he was serious."

Raymond still seems to doubt Papa's attitude in this situation. "I need to go inside to make sure of everything."

"If you insist, I can't hold you back. But I don't guarantee your safety. Our top priority is that boy, Mond. You take good care of yourself."

"I understand. Once they get away, you don't have to wait for me."