Man Seeker Cuan

The Part 26

The day continues to change, the itching in his body is getting worse and worse until it feels like burning. The skin of his hands and palms blistered until the pain was hard to ignore and excruciating.

He went to cry in solitude, for he was ashamed of the other ABK, worried that he would be called weak.

There he pondered and recalled the first day he went to sea. His heart was so amazed and there was a feeling of joy that was difficult to describe when he first saw the big fish jumping beautifully in the ocean, which was like a beautiful masterpiece. The extent of the sea as far as the eye can see, makes the mind wide open. But at times like that, she missed her mother so much.

Her tears were flowing more and more when her longing could not be expressed. He picked up his phone and saw no signal in the middle of the sea, which made him even more sad and burdened.

It had been more than three months since he left the mainland. And there were a lot of things he wanted to tell me but couldn't.

When the captain checked every ABK, he saw Indra was not there. So he called one of the ABKs and asked for his whereabouts,

"Hey, come! Where is Indra? Why isn't he fishing?"

"He's sick sir." He replied a little afraid because he was also the new ABK.

"Why don't you give me the same permission?" Snatch the captain.

ABK was even more afraid when the captain raised his voice until he dared not look at the captain's face.

"Yes already! Back to work!" The captain orders and goes to find Indra.

When the captain saw he was busy with a cut on his palm, the captain said, "Why are you? Your hand hurt, right? It's mundane. You will be immune for a long time. Why not give me permission?"

"Sorry sir." Answer bowed.

"Yes already. Just take a break, but tomorrow we go back to work. There are no holidays on this ship. Monday to Sunday work. Understand!"

Then the captain went away from him.

For some time he always exerted his ability to fish despite the desire to stop. The wounds on his hands were increasing due to being hit by his fishing rod and fishing line. Because they still use manual methods.

Every time he pulled the fishing line, he would have to endure the pain in order to retrieve every squid that was stuck. Until in his heart he determined, "After my contract runs out, I will not go to sea again."

There was no medicine he could smear other than endurance, the only one that was deployed to fight disease.

During her time as a sailor, almost every night her mother prayed for her safety.

But during those difficult times, slowly over time the wounds on his hands began to improve on their own, as well as the itching on his body. Later his body began to get used to the sea water.

During the eight months of the contract period, Indra continued to work hard, even harder than his seniors despite the saturation. Until the catch became the most among other ABK.

But before the contract is completed, the captain will move his ship to the Merauke Sea. They will sail for almost a week until they arrive at the sea merauke and menjala. Then the ship will go to a slightly deep place where many squid are found.

For a few months, they will sail the Merauke Sea, which is between February and April.

The captain was very watching every move of his ABKs. If anyone lounges, the captain will yell at him and scold him.

When the captain came down, all ABKs started to get busy with their nets. Starting at 6 pm, each net must be thrown into the middle of the sea and wait until the squid trapped there.

When they were running, suddenly there was heavy rain, the ABK was in a mess taking a raincoat and securing their cuttle squid.

While running, Indra thought to himself, "Hopefully the captain told us to rest."

Rain, accompanied by strong winds and waves it made his body shiver even more. But his heart's plea was not answered.

They were ordered to wear raincoats and keep fishing.

During the middle of the sea, Indra never told his family because there was no signal.

It made her brother worried but didn't know what to do. Perhaps only hope accompanied by prayer reconciles his heart that all will be well.

**********

Days also continue to change, the likes and sorrows of being a sailor berbekas and stored in his memory. Without feeling the contract expires. The captain decided to leave the sea Merauke in the 3rd month because during that time, the weather did not side with them.

Storms, strong winds and high waves, making their catch quiet until the captain decided to leave the Merauke sea and return to Jakarta.

For more than 20 days they sailed out of the sea of Merauke. Bad weather and storms slowed their voyage. Because every time there is a storm, the captain will marginalize his ship on nearby islands because he does not want to take risks.