Manira /Damar Scouts

Episode 53

Short episode version of the novel “Senandung HOMESU under the Broken Moon Wings”

Damar Jurors

By: Elmira Arasy Rahman

Episode 53

Gibran was silent, pondering over Manira's words. One by one Manira's words seeped into his heart and mind which made him start to think that he should indeed do something for himself. He doesn't want to be a loser forever. He did not want his life to be in vain. He felt he had to do something to be more meaningful. He wants to make his father proud and prove to the world that he has not lost.

“One more time,” Manira took out a piece of newspaper from her little bag.

He showed the photo in the piece to Gibran. It was a picture of Manira's lover. One of the young entrepreneurs, famous and already a billionaire. His picture is neatly emblazoned in a newspaper and is known as the most successful young entrepreneur. Manira even considered him a role model and showed it to Gibran. Gibran picked up the newspaper and stared at the picture.

“He is one of the richest young entrepreneurs in Indonesia has even expanded his business to Germany. If you want, you can be like him.. Become a great young executive,” continued Manira with passion and admiration for the young entrepreneur.

Gibran stands on top of an old tunnel. There was a rumbling sound of an old carriage passing under the tunnel. Gibran was silent, looking eastward, right at the sun which was still timidly showing his face at seven in the morning. He was silent, brooding, letting the morning breeze blow away the tangled end of his dreadlocks from never being combed. There was the chirping of morning birds that perched in the green surrounding the old tunnel. A few cars occasionally flashed behind Gibran slightly driving away Gibran's loneliness, that morning.

All of Manira's words made her rethink everything. About the chaos of his life. About his almost invisible future. About how wasted his life has been. Including the young entrepreneur. Gibran recalled the moment Manira showed the young man a photo from a newspaper piece. One face reminded him of something. For some reason, he suddenly remembered his dark childhood.

“Mahesa hates gaffer,” cried little Mahesa at the time. “This is unfair. You guys have made mom die. Now, he and his mother want to control all of your wealth. Mahesa doesn't accept it, sir. As the father's legitimate son, Mahesa would not allow that to happen. You bastard! Mahesa is satisfied because Mahesa managed to avenge the death of her mother,”

The scream still sounded very clear in Gibran's ears as if it had just happened a moment ago. Gibran shed tears. She was crying. He felt like he was a useless person. Now he really felt useless with his current condition, unable to produce anything.

Gibran crying. He could not stop regretting his own existence. An illegitimate child, a child born from an affair that ultimately leaves many wounds. Although his father was the richest man in the village, who was proud to be called an illegitimate child? He himself cursed himself. He hates himself. Because they feel worthless. He ruined his life by being trash in a corner of the old station.

Seriate...