LOVE SONG SINGLES

New novel

The creeping dawn marked by the sound of crowing roosters was earthy, it was time for Bagio to wake up and get ready to go to work in the fields.

A glass of black coffee, a plate of rice leftover overnight covered in fried salted fish, became a breakfast that was more than enough to give it energy, in order to work growing rice, until noon.

Simply by wearing shorts and sleeveless jerseys, Bagio was ready to wrestle in the mud.

Bagio still had time to glare at a calendar, which decorated the faces of a pair of candidates who smiled widely at the top of the numbers of the date and month, before he left his home.

Still 5 months later the deposit at the pawnshop will be paid off.

Then, it has been 4 years and 7 months, Bagio has to work extra, but the results can only be used a little to buy daily needs that are really important and urgent.

To the extent that his underwear was already thin laughing, but Bagio could not buy a new one.

All the results of his hard work only to pay off the interest-bearing debt, which, if totaled, is more than double the amount of the actual debt.

But Bagio did not regret his decision to take out a loan at all, for the sake of his grandfather's health.

Although the grandfather of Bagio finally tired of fighting and returned to face the Power of Power, but Bagio remained grateful, because he had been allowed to get the opportunity to be devoted to the person who cared for and raised him.

With him still in debt, Bagio could not blame Sarimunah too much, who hesitated to marry him.

Naturally, Sarimunah may feel worried, because to meet the needs of her own life, Bagio is still difficult, especially if you have to bear the cost of household.

To be honest, Bagio was also hesitant to get married, but in a hurry to remove the loneliness that plagued his every day, Bagio desperately proposed to the lover.

Nevermind!

Bagio was sure that if he had become a successful person, then the women themselves would approach him, and Bagio just chose him.

As Bagio walked out of his house, a group of young people who looked the same age as him, were also seen walking closer from the end of the road.

Apparently, students who will do real work lectures by helping residents, also lead to the same location as Bagio, to the rice fields.

Although Bagio did not know them, but the shame when he saw the appearance of the young men, quite disturbing the pride of Bagio is worth one sheet of blue money a day.

Thus, regardless of the dust raised behind him, Bagio accelerated his pace, in order to create a further distance between himself and the student groups.

***

After hours, Bagio, Kartono, and a few other workers walked back, finally most of the rice seedlings that lay on the rice fields, had stood up to challenge the sky.

It is time for all those who work together to plant rice, to rest and enjoy the lunch provided by the owner of the rice field.

The worms in Bagio's stomach, which ran out of snacks, were as noisy as the intestines in Kartono's stomach, which had been hit by a lightning storm.

Warm white rice from freshly ground rice grain, a spoonful of vegetable lodeh, fried sambal mixture of tempeh, tofu and anchovies, still coupled with a piece of grilled eel, filled a plate made of metal.

Who will not be grateful for the blessings of the Almighty, if it can fill the stomach with such a luxurious food menu?

Apparently, none of them were there dissatisfied, and forgot to thank their Lord.

Food with a complete menu like that, became one of the advantages for Bagio, if working in the location of the rice fields of others, besides him who can immediately get money, if you work in the location of the rice fields of others, without waiting until the harvest time comes.

That was why, when there was nothing urgent that needed to be done in his rice field, Bagio definitely accepted the offer to work on someone else's land.

Not just working in the rice fields.

Digging new wells or washing old wells, picking coconuts, helping builders to build houses, transport workers, absolutely anything, as long as someone asks for it to work, he said, so Bagio will do it with pleasure.

As a result, in addition to having a lot of expertise for odd jobs and earning extra money, Bagio's body, which is above the average for young people his age, is more muscular, complete with a stomach like torn bread.

If only Bagio lived in the city, then Bagio with his posture and face similar to the Middle East race, maybe Bagio could be an advertising model for high-protein drinks.

Can't believe that Bagio is actually handsome face, and has a good body shape?

Want proof? ... Okay!

The sun was still not hiding behind the hills in the western part of the countryside, but Bagio, Kartono, and a few other workers were already resting in the rice field huts.

All the seeds that were still laid back in the rice field, now stand tall and ready to fight against the weather and pests.

Two young men and a young woman were seen walking closer to the cottage, which became a free coffee shop for Bagio, Kartono and other day laborers.

The traces of sludge that were washed only carelessly in the irrigation water stream, did not deter Bagio from getting more attention from the youngster who brought the photo camera with him.

Still not sure? ... Okay, continue!

"Good Afternoon! Excuse me! Broads! Pakde-pakde!" One of the young men who approached the cottage, then greeted the residents of the cottage.

"Good afternoon!"

Bagio and all those breathing who were called just now, answered simultaneously.

"Sorry to interrupt the time. But, my friend here—" The young man then pointed towards the young man, who was now smiling and nodding his head.

"... Want to ask permission to brother—" The young man, this time pointed towards Bagio.

"... in order to be photographed," the young man continued, explaining their intention to go to the rice field hut.

Bagio did not immediately reply, but rather looked at Kartono and the people inside the cottage, who were now looking at him with astonished gazes.

"My name is Karenina!" The young man, who wanted to take a picture of Bagio, introduced himself, extending his right hand towards Bagio.

"Baggio."

Embarrassed by her rather dirty hands, Bagio welcomed Karenina's small and delicate hands, and went on to say his own name.

"I'm sorry, bang! ... If you allow me, I would love to be able to take pictures of my brother, with a rice field background."

Although Karenina spoke in a very soft voice, she seemed very sure of what her goal was to meet Bagio.

Bagio looked at the clothes, and the overall look of himself that could be reached by his eyes, with doubt.

"Abang looks good" said Karenina, as if she could read Bagio's mind.

———***———

If interested, for more, the story above can be read in the novel entitled :

~ Painting Image with Light ~

Thank you 🤗 🙏