LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

17. Mega Mendung Romanticism (2)

Mikaila ran along a small path that was between the pine trees. Edward seemed to be following her in the back. The man paused for a moment to inhale the morning air while closing his eyes. The dew on the grass and pine leaves that began to evaporate were exposed to the sun, spreading the scent of a fresh forest. Even hummingbirds are as simple as offering a melodious song of nature for him.

The cold, foggy air, and hills covered with homogeneous forests reminded Edward of the natural atmosphere in England. Suddenly the man remembered his hometown. He misses his home and family.

Early in the morning Mikaila and Edward had been tracking across the hills that contained the expanse of tea gardens, into the pine forest, and then out again in the fruit plantations containing citrus and strawberry plants. Occasionally they passed by other passersby and the village women who would pluck tea leaves. After the sun was rather high, Mikaila and Edward returned to the villa for a bath and breakfast. They enjoy fruit yogurt, and scramble egg on the side patio.

After breakfast Mikaila took Edward to the lake below the valley. There is a small wooden pier on the edge of the lake. At the pier, there were several boats moored. The boats are deliberately provided for visitors who want to explore the lake, either using the services of a guide or pedaling it themselves.

“Wind down the lake, Mikaila?” ask Edward.

“Indeed you can paddle a boat, Ed?” Mikaila who was sitting on the edge of the pier while applying sunblock on her legs and hands asked back.

“Then I used to be on the canoe team in college. So still remember how to pedal the boat.” he answered sniffly because he felt harassed while his hands removed the boat mooring from the dock pole.

The woman laughed and ended her sunblock oles-polishing event. Then he caught up with Edward who had sat on the boat and was getting ready with the rower in his hand. The man started pedaling the boat which slowly moved to the middle of the lake leaving the pier.

“Yesterday you said that often to this place if you want to calm down. Is your heart troubled right now, Mikaila?”

“Sign up, Ed. I don't know myself.”

“How have you been feeling all this time?” ask Edward to stop the paddling. The boat stopped in the middle of the lake.

“I don't know what I'm feeling, Ed. Ever since you asked me my past, now I am often restless at night and have trouble sleeping.” Mikaila said as her hand played with water.

“I feel my soul is empty. I'm confused by myself.”

“Do you believe in God, Mikaila?” edward looked at the woman.

Mikaila was flabbergasted by the question of the man sitting before her. No one's been asking him that all along. And he didn't take offense to Edward. He felt that the thing that the man asked was what had been his anxiety all along.

“Why do you ask that, Ed?”

Edward paddled back on his boat slowly.

“It may be that your soul is empty because God has moved away from your heart. Or are you the one who doesn't want to know him? Like myself, Mikaila.”

“You must want to say that I am an irreligious person, right?”

Edward didn't answer Mikaila's question. The man still continued paddling while throwing his gaze away into the pine forest on the hillside.

“My father was an atheist, Ed. He does not adhere to any religion, but that does not mean I am also like him.”

“I remember a long time ago, when my mother and I always burned skewers in the back of the house. When I asked him what we were doing, he said it was our thanks to the gods. After I grew up, I only found out that it was called Kong Hu Chu.”

“So after you heard my story, you must know that I believe that God exists. But it feels like he's been missing from my heart, ever since my mother left. That's when I lost my grip. Dad just wanted me to go to school and study all day."

Edward took off the steering wheel and clasped the woman's hand. He felt sorry to see the woman in front of him. People who do not know Mikaila deeply will definitely say that the woman is very lucky, because she is blessed with a beautiful face, a bright brain, and a good career. But they don't know if the girl's soul is really fragile. He has a crisis in him. Mikaila doesn't know what culture to live in, East or West?

It was made worse by not a single belief he held, so he felt his soul was empty and empty. He spent his entire life working and raising money. According to his father, life should be enjoyed. Because there is no life after he dies.

“How about you, Ed?” ask Mikaila to Edward who was just listening.

Edward took a long breath. He stopped rowing the boat.

The man told Mikaila that he had been baptized as a Christian. I forgot how many years I hadn't been to church. Edward left his parents' home at the age of 21 for a career in London. He had just finished his management business.

Since then he never again joined the service, and began to be addicted to alcohol and promiscuity. The man was completely consumed with his ambition of pursuing money and career, seeking prestige, and pleasing himself with women.

“That's why I said I was like you. To be someone who no longer has God in his heart."

There was doubt on Mikaila's face as she looked at the man. He could not believe that Edward also had a dark side.

“Did you ever pray, Ed?”

“Hever. But now I'm ashamed to ask God for something for ignoring it.”

"How are you?" ask Edward.

“Always. I always pray to be reunited with my mother and sister." Mikaila said expectantly.

"If your prayers are now granted by God, what would you like to ask for, Ed?”

Edward thought for a moment while closing his eyes.

“I want us to be friends forever, Mikaila.” he said opening his eyes and looking at the woman.

“Are you sure we'll always be together like this?”

“I'm sure, Mikaila.” he said smiling.

“But we have to be realistic, Ed. You're pursuing your career, so am I. This country is just a crossroads where we have met. One day, we will continue our journey. You will move again to another country, so will I.”

“But at least I have the courage to hope, Mikaila.” Edward said as he paddled his boat back to the dock.