LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

ME AND GRANDMA

Going to visit Papa Bray to Singapore is not it? Ever since I hung up the phone last night I kept wondering in my heart. It was like a strange dream. In the condition of my face wound that was still half dry had to travel between countries. It's not something I can easily imagine. Especially to meet Bray and his papa.

When I finished cleaning the wound this morning I ventured to look at the details of my face in the mirror. On the upper cheek the scar is seen as brownish colored stripes. Feels itchy. But I survived not touching it except when cleaning the wound with an alcohol-soaked cassa cloth and applying a clear ointment prescribed by the doctor. While the wound on the lower cheek that forms asymmetrical areas is still red and painful. However, there are no signs of inflammation or swelling around the wound. Overall, my face still looks scary. I was horrified to see my own face.

Tomorrow some lines may have peeled off but still can not be said to heal. I don't want to go anywhere yet. When mama, Salman and Fifi chose to walk around the city of Makassar escorted by Mr. Rodi, I stayed home. They understand the reason I accompanied my grandmother who was busy making flower arrangements from used plastic.

Not just an excuse. I really helped Grandma make those used plastic handicrafts. From choosing plastic colors that are suitable for various flowers to arranging them into one eye-catching artwork. I noticed and imitated very well how Grandma printed patterns, cut, shaped and arranged them into a beautiful flower arrangement. In the hands of the grandmother the object that was considered trash that polluted the environment was turned into a beautiful craft that was used to decorate the table and some other places in the tavern. Presumably I began to realize where the talent of making my various handicrafts was lowered.

"Tomorrow Mr. Rodi promises to find dry tree branches that are rather large and branched. Grandma wants to make a cherry blossom tree" said the grandmother as she twisted the wire she would form into a twig.

"Where are you going to put it, Grandma?"

"In the corner of the room. Later wrapped with small lights to make it more interesting."

Shown in my imagination is the beautiful Sakura tree that will be made by Grandma. His handwork is neat and interesting. But if you make a cherry blossom tree whose branches are large, tall and branches many do not know will be completed in how long. Maybe a month, 2 months or even a year. There is no target. Make it fit the mood and free time of grandma. His name makes pure art work is not targeted. The important thing is that the grandmother is happy and her work can beautify the room and reduce inorganic waste that is difficult to decompose by nature.

"Pak Budhi Sanjaya had a heart attack 2 days ago, Grandma."

"Firdaus's father?" asked grandma while glancing at me with a suspicious look.

I'm nodding. I'll wait for Grandma's reaction in a few moments. Ordinary aja. Grandma remained focused on continuing the activity of making and arranging flowers.

"If for example I want to see him in Singapore about no, Grandma." I tried to express my anxiety to the grandmother who was busy arranging her plastic flowers in a wooden container shaped like a barrel.

"Do you have a passport?"

"No. But Firdaus can be taken care of at the immigration office. A day straight so."

"Can. But grandma doesn't want you to go alone. Get Salman to accompany you."

"Salman will return to Jailolo later this afternoon. Tomorrow we have to go back to work."

Grandma smiled faintly. For me, Grandma's condition means nothing. If the mother who asked grandma to accompany is still possible. But if it's Salman, it's impossible. My brother was in love with his job as a farm extension. As a new employee certainly can not be too much leave. Moreover, his business cannot be said to be very important.

"Let's grandma talk to Salman. Girls are not good to go far alone. Moreover, you have not healed properly."

I-i understand. Just hope to meet Bray and his papa. It is enough to support prayer and communication from afar. Whatever happens, I don't dare fight my father's mother.

"Why don't you be honest with Grandma."

"About what?"

"About what else if it wasn't about Firdaus. We're talking about Firdaus, right?"

"Fifa was honest with Grandma. It wasn't Fifa that caused the breakup of Firdaus' fiancee with Maudy's mother."

"It's not you. You're just a victim of misunderstanding. Their families are in dispute." replied the mild grandmother. It seems like grandma already knows the real heart of the family problem.

"Grandma ever communicate with Mr Budhi huh?"

Grandma smiled lightly. He put the scissors and took the hair dye to form a plastic that had been cut into rose petals to make it look wavy at the end.

"What's my grandmother talking to Budhi?" manya curious.

Oh, they already know each other apparently.

"Why are you talking to me like Firdaus?" ask for clarity.

"Sir Budhi said he wanted to propose to you. But Grandma didn't agree because Grandma's granddaughter was too young and inexperienced."

Huh huh? Apply? Why didn't Grandma talk to me about it? Why decide for myself without my knowledge?

"You're not being honest with Grandma about your heart. You love Firdaus?"

I'm down. I dare not look at Grandma anymore. I let grandma's question float away.

"Firdaus is the only child of two parents who no longer have a brother. Mr. Budhi has been sick for a long time. He very much hoped that Firdaus would soon marry the good girl he loved so that they would soon get the heir to the family lineage. He said it was nice to know that the girl his son loved was still the descendant of a person he had known well and had noble blood." Grandma said that with a cynical tone.

I glanced at the cynical face of Grandma. There was no fire of anger in the veils of his face and the look in his eyes. He is still focused on forming waves at the tip of the rose petals to make it look like a real rose.

"Does that mean Grandma refused Mr. Budhi's request?" manyu timid.

"Defuse not, just suspend. The moment doesn't fit. It could hurt our family's good name. Grandma doesn't want you to be wretched anymore because it's considered to be involved in their family dispute."

Oh, true. Grandma's smart. With that sentence grandma wanted to remind me that the wound on my face was the result of their family dispute. As long as their dispute is not final, it is better that I stand far outside their family circle.

"If you want to look at Mr. Budhi do not have to rush. Next week we'll just wait for Salman to take a day off."

"Yes, Grandma."

"Grandma doesn't want your passport photo to be this ugly." Grandma smiled as she poked my nose.

I blushed in shame. Also true. Cook passport photos in a state of broken face like this.

"But the chances of next week are still ugly, Grandma. The wound that is here will heal for a long time." I said while pointing at the cheek below.

Grandma smiled broadly. Without being told grandma already knew the wound took a long time to recover, especially at the bottom of the cheek where there is a wide and deep wound.

"Grandma's sure Mr. Budhi will be cured?"

"It's God's business, honey. Grandma's cooking can be cocky ahead of her will. We just pray for his recovery and are given the best path."

I was a little disappointed by Grandma's cliche answer. I accidentally vent my annoyance by cutting plastic that has been formed to resemble the shape of leaves.

"Why are you the leaf scissors, Fifa?" reproof grandma.

"Sorry! Not intentionally, Grandma."

Not angry grandma even smiled.

"Calm down! Grandma is not likely to make Grandma's favorite granddaughter can not sleep because of waiting for people who say 'good night' every night. Grandma blesses your relationship with Firdaus, but keep the family. You are the granddaughter of Baharudin Sham. Remember that!" Grandma hit me with her index finger and sharp eyes.

I don't understand at all what marwah means in Grandma's perspective. Whether marwah is viewed from the point of religion or customs. I don't understand how my father's family's customs seem complicated. I think grandma's a little bit of a colot. He may want our relationship to be formally formalized. For this one I disagree less with my grandmother. I don't know if Grandma's negotiating a lot of panai money as a condition of a marriage. Because I heard that marriage according to Bugis custom is famous for being high-cost.