LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

CHOCOLATEY

The afternoon. Sunlight came in from the window. The stack of documents I've finished checking and signing. I stared at the cocoa tree from behind the window. Cacao plants located near the office are only about 3 hectares. The rest are spread in some areas of Sulawesi. But all crops are transported and processed in the warehouse next to this office. Taqi said that cocoa cultivation needs extra attention because this plant is susceptible to viruses that can reduce the quantity and quality of crops.

Cacao is not an endemic flora of Indonesia, but comes from the region of South America. According to history I have read cocoa was first consumed by the Mayans in Mexico and could reach Indonesia after being transported by the Portuguese. The cacao fruits in our garden seemed eye-catching. It hangs on tree branches. The shape is oval with a length of about 20 centimeters and has vertical segments on the skin. Some are still green. Others have reddish-yellow markings ready to be harvested.

That afternoon there were still 2 workers picking the cocoa that had been cooked with special scissors. They are still trying to collect as many ripe cocoa fruits as possible in sacks. Later the fruit will be weighed by the warehouse and they will be paid cash based on the results he got that day.

The day I was able to review the cocoa warehouse. When this fruit is split, it looks cocoa beans are covered in a white layer called pulp. Mr. Taqi said, the taste is a mixture of sweet and sour, similar to mangosteen fruit. Cocoa beans that have been released pulp is what will later be dried, roasted and processed in such a way as a chocolate that we are ready to sell and use for daily consumption. After observation I just got new knowledge that the plantation business not only takes care of glorifying the plants, but processing post-harvest products to get added value products.

I glanced back at my gawa. I see now that my message has been double-checked blue but Bray hasn't contacted me. Maybe his mind is in a mess. With the beginning of Basmallah I decided to contact him first.

"Assalamu'alaikum." Bray's voice sounded hoarse than usual. How raucous. Sounds lethargic. The spirit that usually seemed to always envelop his life full of optimism is now gone.

"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. How are you Bray?"

"Good."

"Sorry about last night."

"No problem."

Bray's face is in a mess. Messy. Unseen the rays of life that usually radiated through his smile containing magic. He doesn't know for me what happened last night was a big deal. I waited for his phone for hours.

"How's Mr Budhi doing? Is there progress?"

"Just pray! My dad's still in the operating room."

"May the operation be successful and quickly recovered."

"Amen."

"Mas Bray ate?"

"Not yet."

"The sound of his voice was very strange. Mas Bray eat dong. Don't eat late. It'll hurt."

"No appetite."

"Must be forced to eat. Try to find a cafe and order warm chocolate first to let the mood of Bray mas improve. No need to eat rice, the important thing is that the stomach has its contents. Usually around the hospital there are cafes that sell various drinks and various kinds of bread."

I started to pull out a pretentious style. I have never been to Singapore. Just guessing that in a big city must not be difficult to find a cafe.

"Yes. I'll go downstairs later. The hospital here is big and luxurious. At the bottom there is a plaza rented for wholesalers, pharmacies, optics and cafes."

"Don't you later, Bray! Nowow. Mumpung pak Budhi is still in the operating room, mas Bray must be in the stomach. Maybe after Bray finished eating, the operation was over. God willing if the stomach is filled the mind is also calmer. The positive spirit of Bray will certainly be felt by Mr. Budhi. Mas Bray must be strong so that he can undergo surgery."

I heard a long breath. Bray is seen receiving a phone call while walking. Seen from the movement of the area that became the background of the video image. May he walk towards the place he calls the plaza at the bottom of the luxurious hospital.

"That was your brother's right last night, wasn't it?"

Ah, I saw a speck of jealousy in his eyes. I don't know why I'm so flattered to be envied.

"Yes. The man I told you about was missing is back."

"Alhamdulillah..."

Bray is now in the elevator. The phone signal started going up and down. It didn't sound clear what was being talked about but I stayed with him from afar to make sure he actually went out to eat. Suddenly the phone stopped. I don't feel like I'm out of pulse.

Luckily Bray responded, he immediately called me back while I was trying to replenish my pulses.

Bray smiled broadly. He was already in an international coffee shop and ordered food and drinks as I suggested. Bray shows the order structure in which it says hot chocolate, mineral water and banana croisant.

"Now, as you suggested."

I feel so happy that my advice was really fulfilled. In my heart I am grateful, the more people consume chocolate marketing our cocoa plantation products more and more moncer. At least that's my stupid thinking. Chocolate consumption in Indonesia is still relatively low. Chocolate has long been known to improve mood. Chocolate consumption is believed to lower the cortisol hormone produced by the body during stress and stimulate the brain to release more endorphins and serotonin hormones that can make us feel happy. In the right dose of chocolate can also control appetite, maintain heart and blood vessel health, control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, maintain brain function and health and inhibit cancer cell growth. Anyway as a chocolate producer I need more chocolate consumption campaigns and take pride in one of our plantation's flagship products. Hehe.

"The satisfaction looks good. So I want to fly there." Inadvertently the spoiled voice that I usually hated came out like a seducer.

"Fly dong here. Accompany me! I was alone. Sad." Bray responded with a complaint but was accompanied by a smile.

"You fly but you have no wings. Want to borrow his wings Aga eh small."

"Borrow the wings of a giant eagle dong." Bray returned my chandelier while smiling widely.

"The deer is transforming on the rock because the fur is too long and the beak is bent. Actually, Aky was offered a ride on the garuda. Unfortunately, if you ride a garuda, you must have a passport. Hihih."

"Make passport dong."

"Later if his face has recovered, let the passport photo be beautiful."

Bray laughs. I don't know why I could joke after that. Maybe because instinct wants to entertain. I know Bray's an only child. No brother to share when in joy or sorrow.

"Seriously. You made dong passport. Please, accompany me! I'm afraid there's nothing on my papa." he whined.

"Company from far away. I always pray for the good of Bray and his family."

A waiter handed Bray a glass of warm chocolate and banana croisant.

"Yes already. Please Bray enjoy drinking comfortably. May the food and drink be healthy."

I hung up the phone so Bray could eat and drink more comfortably. It's good to see it's not as bad as I thought. There was a bit of regret not being able to accompany him when he was in trouble. Well. My situation is like this. Lukaku is not dry.

"It seems like a heart is flowering again." Salman commented with a faint smile.

Salman had been sitting sweetly on the light brown leather sofa in the boardroom that was just me. I don't know when he came into this room. I didn't see him at all. There was no greeting or a door opened. Like a ghost, you know you've been sitting casually on the sofa with your hands folded over your chest. Maybe he was in Java he learned the science of kanuragan that can make people can transport by disappearing.

I can't hide my shame. Caught wet saying sweet words to the man across there. I put the device into my sling bag while looking down. Salman's words I thought of the wind. My butterflies must be thickened.

"We're going home now?" ask me while getting out of the chair.

"I think we really need to make a passport, Fifa."

"Make what?"

"To meet someone who has made the eyes of your sister look like there are lights."

Oops. No Fifi. Not Salman. Got brothers all love eavesdropping and taunting. I scowl annoyed.

"Where is Bray?" ask Salman. It doesn't just move. Still sitting on the couch. His hand instead patted the sofa beside him as a gesture for me to sit right beside him.

"In Singapore. His father had a heart attack and is still on the operating table. He was also hospitalized a few months ago for a stroke. Poor mas Bray. Takes care of his father."

"I'm sorry."

I actually realized that my words were exaggerated. Bray was never really alone. There were assistants and bodyguards accompanying him everywhere. Although assistants are not the same as families, sometimes there are those who are more loyal and affectionate than their own relatives.