LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

STRAY

That afternoon I was struck by the memory of the romance created by the beautiful bird dance of the Angel Halmahera that I accidentally saw in the woods 2 weeks ago. I hope to find that endemic bird once again. It has been 3 days I walked into the middle of the forest looking for trees - tall trees that I can make a bird monitoring place as well as a place where I relax to release the fatigue of thought due to Deya's words and threats the other day. I need healing. The most likely way of healing is the path to the forest.

The first day I took off my fatigue by sleeping on a tree with a cloth swing that I tied to the tree branch tightly and firmly. I hope to hear the birds chirping when morning comes. But my hope is nil. In the morning, all I found was quiet.

Today my view of light changed. Sometimes the night is more festive and happy even though the earth is covered with darkness. Light does not always mean joy. Darkness can be happy too. At least the cheer in the dark I found from the noise of nocturnal animals partying last night. I really enjoy the sound of night insects creaking merrily. The crescent moon smiled. Millions of stars looked at me with a shady glow that reconciled the heart. All of them who accompanied and reconciled my heart to sleep comfortably in my own simple hammock. I don't feel alone. Nature is my true friend day or night.

I just carry a little food and drink in my backpack. My first provision was only a little bit of jungle survival experience and the belief that God would take care of me wherever I was as long as I kept remembering and praising His name. My journey is without any mission except to survive in the jungle. If you have to die or wretch on this journey it's okay. I'm all set. Whether it was apathy or some form of determination, I could not tell the difference. But it was that attitude that led me to go deep into the jungle alone without fear of meeting wild animals, hunger or anything that could endanger my life. Far away I walked down the traces of the path that may be left by the people of the Lili tribe inland. There were also the remains of animal footprints and horseshoe on the path I walked. I feel like this journey is comfortable. At least I know the area I crossed was once passed by the TNAL forest patrol police. Baba said the forest police like to patrol on horseback.

The second day I stayed in that place enjoying the forest air while observing the herd of apes and birds that I hoped to pass in my sight. But it was just empty hope. The whole animal I was hoping no one would show up. All day I was just pensive to enjoy the gusts of love songs that were kicked by a gust of wind that moved the leaves and branches of trees.

Maybe I should go further into the forest to meet the wild birds I missed. The third day I felt I had to be more courageous to go further into the forest. I am Afifa Sharif the adventurer. I stepped up confidently. I can survive alone in the forest. My father was a descendant of the Bugis tribe that has been known as the nation of ocean explorers. My mother, a descendant of the Lingon tribe, who was able to survive, lived in the jungle because her ship was wrecked in the ocean far from her home country. Many say the Lingon tribe is still the descendants of Portuguese explorers who sailed around the world with their ships in the middle ages.

Surya's older brother who once taught us in a jungle school, Portuguese is the name of a country in continental Europe whose citizens are mostly white, large height, and blue eyes. That's why some Lingon people inherit the genes of Portuguese people who come from the Caucasoid race. Physically they are different from other tribes of inhabitants of this island which mostly come from the mongoloid race or melanesia.

From the third day I walked and continued walking down the path without a compass without a definite purpose. The longer I walked I did not recognize the location of the forest where I stood. The result is confusion finding a way home.

Stupidly I still hope to find something rare on my trip this time, which is to meet the Angel Halmahera once again or hear the love song of wild birds in the Lolobata forest. Luck cannot be obtained every day. Especially when we really want to run from the fatigue of burdening thoughts. The birds are like they are getting away from me.

Meanwhile, Deya's words kept ringing in my ears. Sooner or later I will be kicked out of my house. I should how? Giving up on your mama or going into the forest like some of our tribesmen who want to live peacefully with nature?

No. gabe. I have my own thoughts that are different from those 2 alternative options. I still want to stay at my house. It was the house that made me feel like I was still with me. Deep down, I still hold a curiosity in who killed my son. Time can't cure my curiosity and revenge. Yes, I admit I have not been able to fully recant baba's departure. I'm sincere about Baba's death, but I don't accept why she was killed. I need to know who killed and why I took the life of the man I loved so much and meant so much in my life.

The change in social conditions around me made me feel uncomfortable. I can't accept the change in our village like my mom, Fifi, Arfa and the other villagers. My heart still reneges on that change, unable to be forced to coexist in it.

After almost four years, I still want everything to be as it was when Baba was alive. Nothing has changed. But the truth is everything changed. Things are no longer the same. The villagers have left our village and settled in a new village with new habits and mindsets. Mama and Fifi kept urging me to just accept the mercy money and move the baba tomb to a new village. I'm totally alone. Now Arfa - the only friend who wants to understand my thoughts and still take the time to talk and eat together - I can no longer meet.

I should how?

Sometimes I stop because I see a water tree. I cut the tree trunk and then I breathed the fresh water soaking my throat. I knew the tree trunk could be a source of drinking water because Baba had done the same thing when I followed her to go find resin in the forest. In an emergency and do not find a river there are several alternatives to get a drink, one of them from a water tree. In addition, you can also look for drinking water from banana stems, squeeze moss or if you find a pembar bag plant also stores water that can make quench thirst.

Thank God, I am grateful every time I get the ease that makes my body fit again and ready to continue the journey. Whether it's meeting the water tree, finding the forest rambutan fruit tree, wild berry fruit, or, walnut seeds or mushrooms that I can directly eat as a stomach filler or I take first to burn with fire that I made from rubbing dry tree branches.

That was my life for a few days in the woods. Very wild. Perhaps almost the same as the life of the inland Lili tribe that inhabits this area of Lolobata forest.

Should I live forever alone without direction in this forest? After days of being alone, my mind finally began to wonder.

Of course not. After 5 days of adventure, I started to feel lost at home. I remember my pet chickens that I let myself feed by removing them from their cages. How are they doing? Can they eat? Are they happier free without me taking the eggs for side dishes?

I miss baba's tomb. Did the above her tomb grow weeds? I have to clean it up. I want to sit on her side of the navel and tell her about what happened to my life.

I miss mama. He must be sad to think about my fate. I also miss the fussiness of Fifi who sometimes able to entertain lara. I gotta go home. Perhaps the parrot who used to hang out in the walnut tree next to my house was looking for me, longing to chat together again.

Damn when I started getting gripped with longing, I didn't know where the road went home. I feel like I've been circling around in the woods until I don't know where I'm headed. To the west, east, south or north? I'm really confused.

My clothes are starting to feel uncomfortable. Plicette. My body and hair are dirty. I had not found the river for the last three days of my journey, but I had tried to follow the trail of the animals that usually go to the river to drink.

I watched since the fifth morning, the horseshoe trail was no more. Means my hopes of meeting the forest police who might be a place to ask questions and help me return to the village began to thin.

Hik hik... When should I be in this forest?

"Mrs ... Fifa kangen's. Forgive Fifa for ignoring your advice." I murmured softly.

Mama's right. People always need other people, they cannot live alone forever. That's nature. Animals live in colonies and in pairs. Outback tribes that live in isolation are also in groups, not really alone.