LOVE THE EXPATRIATE
24. Submitting (3)
Today had come a week when Edward gave Sarah a chance to think about the proposal. And the guy's gonna call her.
“Sorry Sir, I can't give you any answer. But you mean I told my parents. They ask you to visit home.” Sarah replied across the street as Edward asked the girl's decision about her heart.
“When can I come see your parents, Sarah?” ask Edward.
“My father is not a busy man, Sir. He was just a farmer. So whenever you have time, our door is always ready to accept your arrival.”
“Then, tomorrow I am visiting.” said the man.
“Good, Sir. We are waiting for your arrival. I try to be a devoted child to my parents. Whatever his decision will be, I will abide by it, Mr.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
“Thank you back, Mr.”
The next day Edward kept his promise. He flew to Medan only to meet Sarah's parents. Because the girl's house was far out of town and so she wouldn't get lost, Purnomo drove the man in his car. His manager tells Sarah that they are on their way and it is thought before their magrib has arrived. The girl herself had already arrived at her parents' house since this afternoon. Purnomo gave him one day's permission because he and Edward were going to visit.
...-------------------------------------------...
Sarah brought a plate of chicken gulai that she had cooked with Mom to the dining room. There his father, Edward, and Purnomo were chatting while waiting for dinner. Edward did not wear a suit but his appearance remained formal. Long sleeve shirts combined with cotton pants and pantofel shoes.
At the dinner table has been served a large bowl of white rice, gulai padeh tamarind fish, vegetable tamarind melinjo leaves, fried chicken galangal, salted eggs, and shrimp cracker setoples. Also the chicken gulai that was just put earlier that looks like the smoke is still billowing.
Not to forget, Sarah also served her father's favorite durian pancakes that he had brought from Medan this morning for dessert. It seemed that the girl wanted to pamper her father who could not often he looked like he was now.
While eating the three of them chatted warmly.
“Come, add more nya Nak Edward, Nak Purnomo. Don't hesitate.” said dad as his gaze led to the rice bowl.
“Thank you, this is enough, Sir.” replied Purnomo politely while looking at the various dishes at the dinner table. The man was more interested in taking fish gulai and vegetable leaves of melinjo.
“This is chicken gulai kampung, our family favorite cuisine. Every guest who tasted this must praise his delicacy.” said Mr. smiling proudly while thrusting a plate containing chicken gulai on Edward.
“Ouh, chicken curry. Thank you.”
Edward received the plate and took a piece of meat and two spoons of gulai sauce.
“Word Edward's name comes from where?” ask Sarah's father.
“I'm from England, Sir.”
And like most English men, Edward was always as gentle as he was tonight. His chivalry is always maintained when the man sits, talks, or chews food. But the ugly side, therefore he became impressed stiff and serious. Unlike the French or Spanish men who have a sense of humor and are more relaxed.
“Meeting Nak Edward makes you remember the past.” said the old man on the sidelines chewing his food.
“Oh yes, What is Sir if I may know?” asked the man a little surprised.
“When I was a young man, I once worked in a Dutch tobacco plantation in Deli land. Every day we meet with Dutch garden owners who we usually call meneer and his sons who are called sinyo.” stories excited parents.
While the guest only heard the words of Sarah's father solemnly while enjoying the dish on his plate. Edward felt that father was friendly, warm, but humble. He felt that the old man was treating himself as best he could. Or is this the nature of Indonesians if they treat guests? thought Edward.
“But after the Indonesian Army defeated the Allies in 1949, they all had to return home to Holland.”
Sarah who heard their chatter from the kitchen just smiled. Ah Daddy! Always tell me about his youth every time he meets new people.
“Oh yes, how long has it been working here? because you see the Indonesian language Nak Edward quite fluent.” asked.
“Not yet one year, Sir. Actually, my father is a pure British, and my mother's ancestors came from here. From Manado.”
The old man's eyes widened slightly, but a moment later he seemed to smile in admiration. Edward sipped a little water beside him that was poured Sarah. The man was not used to the spicy dishes served by the host.
“Then, Son Edward can anyway like national team football players who have mixed blood, such as Diego Michelis or Sergio van Dijk? What do you call it.” Sarah's father frowned trying to think.
“What do you mean by naturalization?” Edward tried to guess.
“Yes, Naturalization! That was what you meant.” You screamed with excitement.
“But I have no intention of moving citizenship. I have no talent at all for playing ball. I'm sorry, Mr.”
The father laughed, and Edward smiled and went back to his dinner.
“If Nak Purnomo comes from where?” ask Sarah's father to turn to Purnomo.
“I am originally Bandung, Sir. Son and wife live there.” replied the man.
“May Nak Purnomo feel at home yes stay in Medan.” said the old man corroborated.
“Still, Sir. It is hard if you have to be away from the family we love.”
And the familiar atmosphere at the dinner table must be ended when the dinner is over. Dad took his guests back to the living room. The atmosphere became tense when the old man asked what Edward was coming from Jakarta for.
“I love Sarah, daughter of Mr.”
“Yes. Everyone has the right to love anyone. Then what does this Edward boy want from Sarah?”
“I want to marry her, Sir.”
“Father appreciates the attitude of Nak Edward who has noble intentions. In our belief getting married is a great worship reward. But sorry Son Edward, in Islam Sarah must marry a person who believes in her.”
“I will embrace Islam if it is a condition to be able to marry him.” the man tried to convince Sarah's father.
The old man smiled as he rubbed his face. He lifted his body a little.
“The purpose of Nak Edward embraced Islam in order to marry Sarah, so?” he looked at Edward.
“Yes, right Pak” Edward nodded seriously.
“But once that goal is achieved, will Nak Edward still be a devout Muslim? Is Son Edward still living in Islam?"
Edward just fell silent and looked down at the man unable to answer, Sarah's father spoke again.
"Don't make Islam a tool to achieve a goal, son. Because the truth is, Islam is the real purpose of life?”
Edward's stunned. The man felt the old man's attitude changed drastically from a warm and witty figure to a firm but wise figure. He could not find an answer to the question posed by the grizzled man before him, even until he sat on a plane that would take him back to Jakarta. What he still remembers is Sarah's father's last words before he said goodbye.
“Know what Islam is. Learn the values in it. After Nak Edward understood and could love Islam sincerely, then come again to this house to see Mr.”
Edward took a deep breath while leaning his head on the plane seat. He looked out the window, looking at the clouds in the sky. He recalled the song he heard at the Khayangan Club the other day.
On your face I see the moon,
Illuminate a dark heart prone,
Let me seek shade
On the face of peace
It feels like there is no far and easily reached hands
The heart reaches high in the clouds.
