LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

SURPRISE

The meeting of the coconut farmers in our house went smoothly resulting in an agreement on the establishment of a farming community and a plan to establish a VCO oil processing plant to add value to the copra commodity. I am happy that the discussion facilitated by Salman and Bray can give a little hope to mama mama who currently often makes me a place of outpouring about anything. Not only about gossip that is trending, mama mama often complained about her own family. Nothing really changes from a Fifa. I still prefer to hear than tell stories and shut myself down about my personal problems. I thought they appreciated me more because fate led me to a new stereotype. No longer as a poor girl who has no future. But as a girl of Bugis noble descent who has a legacy of treasure. Realizing that my position was not very comfortable, I tried to put myself only as a passive friend. Not trying to provoke new problems.

Saturday morning I was surprised by the arrival of Mama, Fifi, grandmother and uncle Hasan. Suddenly they were in front of the house delivered by PT XY driver. Though the plan is me and Salman who will go to Makassar. The flight schedule at Buli airport today is only one flight and the time is still later.

"Sir ..." Fifi who first got out of the car screamed while running. I who was sitting enjoying warm tea with Salman on the porch immediately stood up. The girl immediately spread her arms and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you, brother. Very cool today. We were picked up by helicopter from Makassar airport. Later if Fifi school holidays can often stay at sister's house in Jakarta ya." whispered in a spoiled style.

Uh, what the fuck. Who wants to buy a house in Jakarta. I looked at the faces of my mother, uncle, and Salman alternating one by one. Everyone is holding a smile. What a surprise today. This must have something to do with the change in Bray's plans that he never told me.

"So Fifi's already updated the status on the helicopter. Next time Fifi can borrow his cool car red strip black that the logo of the horse prancing yes, Brother."

I saw Fifi from top to bottom. Early in the morning he talked a bit. Is it possible that he is still half dreaming?

Fifi looks beautiful and elegant with shirt shirt brand Zara and Lea jeans last week purchased in Jakarta. His face looks crisp. Incredibly happy. But when he pinched his arm slowly he complained and immediately pushed my body away. He still felt pain, meaning he was conscious. Hehe.

I switched to approaching Grandma who had just been dropped from the car and was seated on her wheelchair. Bi Ika seems to have trouble pushing a wheelchair on a rocky dirt road whose surface is uneven. Mama and uncle Hasan helped him. Too bad. This place is not suitable for Grandma.

I kissed Grandma's wrinkled hands while kneeling in front of her wheelchair. Grandma was always fragrant and looked dignified despite having to sit in a wheelchair. I always liked being close to him. Grandma stroked my pasmina-covered head gently. Slowly he brought my head closer, then kissed me warmly.

I feel adored with the physical form of my grandmother's love for me. Being with him feels peaceful. But ....

"This is our home, Grandma" I said shyly.

Maybe the state of our home was beyond Grandma's expectations. I'll ask Bray to have Grandma sent home today. I don't know where Grandma would sleep if I had to stay here. There are no hotels around our village. Our home is also far from a word worthy of grandmother. There are no health facilities that support elderly people who live in big cities for life.

Grandma smiled understandably. In my heart I cursed Bray who had been presumptuous to bring grandma here. Poor grandma.

"So grandma's been on a pilgrimage to your father's grave."

Oh, grandma turned out to be here driven by a desire to make a pilgrimage to the grave of her biological child. For this reason it feels like I can understand the reason why grandma forced herself to come to this village. Do not ask how the suffering of a mother whose child goes first to the Lord. Once in a lifetime would want to visit the tomb of his baby.

"You said your mama, you made the headstone yourself. What right?"

I'm nodding.

"Not good, but unique."

Whether it's an expression of praise or disappointment because baba's headstone is not as good as the gravestone of grandfather or other relatives buried in a family cemetery. I'm down. I can't do my best for my father. That was the limit of my ability and I carved the stone of the big time with hard work wholeheartedly. My love is just that simple.

"Fifa who lost the most for the departure of Brother Sharif, Mam. As the first daughter, since childhood she was so close to her father. Often taken to the forest. He refused to move his father's grave. Four years he survived living alone in the heritage house of the late brother of Sharif on the grounds of waiting and caring for the relics and the tombs of his father and brother."

"Fifa Principles are good. If we don't take care of the ancestral tomb, who else. All children should be devoted to their parents. Sounds trivial. But caring for the tomb includes the form of love and devotion of children in many cultures of the world."

Grandma's comments made my heart grow. Grandma's right. Being near the tomb of Baba was an attempt to keep the baba alive in my heart. No one can exchange our love.

After greeting and hugging my mother, I greeted the uncle who seemed not too happy to see the condition of our home environment. Uncle's face expression was flat. His eyes were seen going around looking at the situation around our house with a little fret. I don't know. Maybe the uncle did not think that it turned out that our family in the land of the region is as poor as this.

Uncle forced a smile without saying anything.

"Aunt Marlina and my cousin aren't there?"

"They are busy in Jakarta. Later if you make a reception in Jakarta maybe they will come."

"What perception?"

"Your marriage to Firdaus."

I smiled a little. "There's no plan there yet, Uncle."

"No plans yet? Mr. Budhi has been here since yesterday. They're gonna propose to you this afternoon. He said marriage at once."

Ha's? Why the hell for this show I wasn't told? If the application event, Bray has plans to take place this week. The plan is in Makassar. Not here.

I looked at Salman who was smiling.

"Sorry, Fa! It was me and Firdaus who changed this plan without telling. I hope it's a nice surprise."

"Ah. Don't like. What kind of surprise is this. Poor grandma and uncle. In our house there are no standard facilities of city people. It should be before grandma and uncle come here that the facilities are prepared first."

"The best facility is that here there is our love of his grandchildren. Grandma said she wanted to make a pilgrimage to Baba's tomb. While the time is right, we facilitate dong."

I'm upset Salman doesn't understand what I mean. As a host I am ashamed. I didn't prepare anything for the arrival of my grandmother and uncle. If you are told early maybe I can order snacks from the mama-mama village who are experts in making cakes typical of this village. I can also ask you to buy a comfortable mattress for grandma to rest. I think that should be the standard for receiving grandmothers and uncles.

Mama helped the driver get their luggage out and put it in the house.

"You don't have to prepare anything to welcome our guests. I've ordered Mama Hiya's chatty side neighbor to cook a special meal that is usually cooked by villagers."

"You?"

"I didn't order it, but Hisham. I'm not paying either, but ..."

Salman did not continue his sentence. No need to be told or followed. It must be Bray. I looked at Salman sharply but my older brother was still smiling half mockingly as if enjoying my confusion. Moving the venue is not just a matter of transportation to the location, but about many things that need to be prepared. Without careful preparation which of course I as the host of the confusion. What to prepare? I have to do something to make the guests pleasant. Moreover, grandmothers and uncles who might only visit once to this land.

"You don't have to think about anything. Enough and beautiful" said Salman, rubbing my cheek.

I looked at him annoyed.

"You will be queen today" whispered Salman slowly near my ear.

I don't know. I feel confused myself. How and what to do. This surprise makes me feel good.

"Don't pout! The queen should always look beautiful and wise. Whatever the circumstances, you should always smile."