LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

AN HOUR WITH ANDI

Of course I reported the return of Aga to the parties concerned so as not to be a problem in the future. Since her status had been released, the first thing I knew about Aga's return to the aviary was Andi as the only environmental staff I knew. As a rural village, I don't have many colleagues who understand the laws and regulations of the environment. I heard that someone was arrested by the police for keeping a protected animal without permission. Of course I don't want to have a problem with the law.

Andi chuckles at my story about Aga's return.

"Which comes back only the male, Fifa?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Hahahaha, it means that the male parrot may have already fallen for you."

Uh, Andi. Apaan. The joke is not funny at all.

"You share loc your aviary location. I'll come see you later."

"The Aga certificate can be returned, right?"

"I'll work on it."

Not half an hour Andi had arrived at the yard with his motorcycle. He must have left immediately as soon as I sent the share loc. So quick.

"Your aviary is good too. Tiny but the design is eye chaching." he commented when he came in and looked at my aviary.

"Sister Hisham who made the concept and built it. I accept it."

Andi smiled thinly. I replied with a proud smile. I'm the only one in the region who has aviary this good. I myself never thought of making a large bird cage with a garden and a beautiful fountain inside. Understandably, my association is limited. I never came out of my dwelling in a deserted village on the edge of the forest.

Since childhood I have enjoyed the sound of birds, but have no intention of keeping wild birds. I used to hear the screams and songs of the birds every morning and evening. Sometimes baba takes me to go see the more exotic birds in the forest. All I know is that the villagers keep the parrot by putting it on a branch with their feet tied to a chain. I don't think that way is worth it. I was sad whenever I saw a parrot shackled in such a way, while others could fly free and sing at will. I don't think there's any right for us to shackle the freedom of other living beings. Birds are free to fly as they please.

"You're really serious about being a volunteer keeper, Fif?"

"meaning?" I don't understand what Andi said. The language is foreign to my ears.

"Are you really volunteering or getting paid to take care of those birds?" He clarified his question in other words that were easier to understand.

"Sukarela dong. Is anyone willing to pay for a little job like this?"

"Eits.... Don't take it lightly. What we do though small but has an impact on the sustainability of the environment. What do you think my work is."

What yes? I can only scratch my head while grinning. I don't understand the jobs of civil servants other than teachers and medical personnel.

"I was assigned to the BKSDA unit, which stands for conservation and natural resources. My main job is to manage the forest area and conserve various types of plants and wildlife both inside and outside this Lolobata area."

"Hehehe. Same dong us." I said cheerfully knowing that what I did was about three dollars with Andi's job.

It is fitting that this morning he immediately offered to take care of halmahera angels who are still stressed. Animals hunted from their habitat and subjected to ill-treatment need extra care. That is why it takes time for recovery and adaptation to begin before it is released back into its habitat. I'm happy and proud to be given the opportunity to take part in the rescue efforts of wild birds. I hate hunters and smugglers who trade and treat rare birds in an unworthy manner. Poor them.

Surely Andi is often overwhelmed with the task of preserving many flora and fauna in his work area. The forest of Lolobata is vast. It is said that this forest is a paradise for exotic birds that are rare and valuable. And until now there are still hunters who catch rare birds in the Lolobata forest area.

"Yes, our jobs are pretty much the same."

"But Andi's brother is well-paid, I volunteer." I underlined our differences while smiling widely. A second later I closed my mouth with both hands. Shame to talk about this.

Thank goodness Andi was not offended. He even laughed wide.

"The animals and plants that must be conserved by the government are very much yes," I commented later.

Naturally Andi was paid, because his time was fully dedicated to the job. After all, the task is much more than just bird conservation. Unlike me who does it just to fill the time with activities that make me feel more valuable and happy.

"Yes. I am often overwhelmed by my work. That's why I'm so happy whenever I meet volunteers who want to help care for animals to be released back into their habitat. My job has been helped. Hehe."

"I'm happy to take care of these birds. They're good friends. Never angry, never gossiping and entertaining."

Akh, why the effect so confided yes. I'm ashamed, but unfortunately something that has already been said cannot be withdrawn. Duh, this mouth is sometimes very difficult to control to not throw my subconscious mind just like that.

My words may have sounded sad. But honestly, that's the reality of my life. I think the older my friend the less. Either because I'm used to being alone or that's the nature of my life because I choose to be in a different perspective than most villagers. Whatever I do is always wrong in the eyes of the neighbors.

Fortunately Andi did not respond too much to my sentence containing the complaint. He just nodded in confirming. Perhaps it has been understood the general assumption that women are sentient beings who like to complain. I don't want to be considered that. But ... never mind. We can't be perfect like we want to be, can we? There are always gaps that make our self-image slip a little.

"Quickly."

"How'd it go?"

"Now I want to take a photo and make news of the event first. At the earliest tomorrow his administrative affairs can only be processed. I'll let you know that the certificate can be taken back." Andi nyengir's. Maybe regretting can only help that.

"alright. Thanks for the help."

I understand the business with the administration must only be processed on weekdays and involve bureaucratic procedures that he said can be convoluted. With that help, I am very grateful. Without Andi's help, I must have had a really hard time taking care of Aga's letters. Frankly, I'm lazy hero-wiri to the official office just for the affairs of a letter. My ignorance will certainly make the affairs of a piece of paper must take a long time and exhausting. In this way, I just wait for the good news.

"What about halmahera's male angel? When can I take it?" ask me with a passionate tone.

In my mind there was already the halmahera angel dancing beautifully. I can't imagine my heart's joy waiting for tomorrow. I can't wait to see that bird from heaven. Kangen.

"Not to take it yourself. I'll take you home tomorrow from the office. I know where your aviary is."

"It's not good."

"I think it's good." Andi smiled again seductively. That guy is really ignorant.

I frowned waiting for the continuation of Andi's statement which contradicted my sentence. Cook the sentence just that.

"I want to be sent here often."

"I don't want to." cut me fast while laughing.

"Why? Your boyfriend's mad, isn't he?"

"No. Neighbors here like to gossip. We are here only three and all are women, so if there are men who visit our house so the attention of mama mama kampung. Well understand. This is the atmosphere of the village." I said as I glanced to the side of the house. Some mama has been seen talking in the yard of Mama Hika's house. I hope I'm not the subject of their conversation.

Ah, why is every word that comes out of my mouth like a complaint. Duh, I think I want to hit my own boneless tongue.

"If you don't want to be disappointed, complain to God, don't be human." I remembered again the advice of my mother who had just escaped the memory of my brain. Apparently I have to learn and practice patience throughout life. It is very heavy to keep oral.

Andi also looked in the same direction and smiled wryly while commenting, "Mommy wherever there is always someone who likes to gossip. Don't mind them."

I'm nodding.

"So, can I come here often to see these birds? We can share knowledge and experience about the character and methods of bird care."

I'm nodding. The offer of sharing knowledge and experience is more exciting to my heart than the unrest caused by the neighbor's gossip.

"Tomorrow Brother Andi can not accompany me to meet Mr Firdaus?"

"The director of the mining company?"

I'm nodding. "I was invited to his office, talking about the foundation."

"I can't, Fif. Tomorrow there is business that cannot be left behind. I really want to meet him directly."

"Are we asking to be rescheduled?"

"No need. It will be hard to find time. He is a Jakarta man."

"But he said starting this month he'd be in office here."

"really? Know where?" Andi seemed curious and doubted me.

"He said it himself."

"Say yourself? When did you find him? Lucky you could meet him."

I scrunched my forehead. Any luck? Ah, it was only natural that Andi said so. Not just anyone can meet a director of a large company. Moreover, can eat together and talk four eyes. But what's in it for me? Because of him I'm suffering from a crazy disease that I don't know what the cure is. Especially if you remember the event of the arrow that killed my beloved parrot, it feels better forever not to know the man.