Mastenges

117. Outdated album

Typhoon stopped the speed of his car right in a house nuanced 70's. The house looks unkempt, because the residents no longer live there. The house is the relics of Typhoon's grandfather, the father of Erna. While Erna's parents, namely the grandfather and grandmother of Typhoon has long gone. The occupying the house was only a guard whom Erna trusted to take care of the house, as long as she stayed at the Amoroso official house.

The typhoon opened the fence of the house made of iron with actual white paint; it was just that, as time went on, the paint peeled off and left the base paint sky blue. While on the side of the money paint that has not been peeled off, leaving white paint that has changed color to be somewhat brownish due to rust that eats the iron body of the fence itself.

The typhoon stepped into the courtyard of the house that looked like it had just been on a broom. Piles of dried foliage, paved at the edge of the inner fence, just below the nearly dead Mango tree.

The typhoon continued to walk towards the old house pavilion. It seems that some of the outer roof ceiling has begun to erode. The ceiling fell and left half that is still attached under the roof.

"Who is that?" Asked an old man who was carrying a hoe on his shoulder.

The storm almost jumped in surprise. He looked at the old man named Sugianto.

"Sir, I'm a Typhoon."

Sugianto, the housekeeper frowned. Then, he lowered his glasses down to his nostrils.

"Topan? Non Erna's son?" Tanya Sugianto who has served the family Erna for decades as a gardener in the house. After Erna's parents died, Sugianto was appointed Erna to stay and was given a salary every month, to maintain and care for the house.

"Yes sir," said Cyclone.

"Well.hehehehe.." The old man approached the Typhoon and laughed, revealing his front teeth which were only a few pieces.

"Tumben here with Typhoon? How's den doing? My mom, how are you?" Ask Sugianto.

"Alhamdulillah good sir. I just happened to pass by. So I took the time to stop by here and see you, sir" said Typhoon.

"Well, I'm flattered." Sugianto looks cramped.

"I brought fruit to my father. Oh yeah, which Qori mom?" Ask Typhoon.

Qori is the wife of Sugianto. They were alone in that house. Their children worked and got married.

"There's inside. Mommy....! Here.. there's the Typhoon!" Call Sugianto.

Soon, an old woman was seen wearing a t-shirt and sarong as her subordinate. The old woman rolled her hair and looked at the Typhoon with a less stern look.

Qori had long suffered from nearsightedness. The longer, the worse. It was so hard to see well.

"Mommy, how are you?" Typhoon approached Qori and kissed the back of Qori's hand.

"Den Typhoon.. has been big yes.. Thank God," Sahut Qori with a smile.

"Come in here, let me make you some coffee,"

"Don't bother mak, Typhoon here just wanted to stop by for a while. Someone wants Typhoon to take also inside," said Typhoon.

"Take what den?" Ask Sugianto who felt confused after hearing the Typhoon would take something in the house of Erna's parents.

"Sir, I was also told by my mother. Can I have the key?"

Sugianto nodded his head and moved into the pavilion he had occupied for decades; and returned with a few keys tied in a dull red ribbon.

"This is the key" Sugianto handed the key to Typhoon.

"Thank you sir, I'm going in first yeah,"

"Yes den. But I'm sorry, I haven't had time to clean the house. Because I just recovered den, from yesterday's illness." Sugianto brightly with a face expression that felt guilty.

"It's okay sir. I go in first yeah," said Typhoon.

"Please den."

The cyclone stepped towards the front door of the house. Then, he looked for a key that matches the sticker that is attached around the doorknob. Number one is the number for the front door lock of the house.

Click!

The storm opened the front door of the house. Then, he stepped in and looked around the house that felt a little stuffy, because the window was never opened at all.

The typhoon went even further, until it entered the living room. Still seen the rocking chair left by his grandfather in the corner of the family room. Typhoon remembered very well, he often sat on his grandfather's lap while his grandfather was enjoying time on the rocking chair.

The typhoon stared at an old sideboard made of teak wood. The sideboard still looks strong. However, in a thin dust blanket that covered every part of her. The typhoon stepped closer to the sideboard and opened one by one the drawers that were there. However, Typhoon did not find any photos, nor any photo albums there.

"Ohuk!" The typhoon coughed because when he opened the drawer, the dust around the drawer flew until inhaled by it. Typhoon also took the initiative to wear a mask that as if in the pocket of his leather jacket, and try to find again what he was looking for.

That door is open too. The cyclone stepped into the room. Then, his eyes were fixed on the old cupboard in the corner of the room. Teak cabinets with such beautiful carvings, Typhoon approached. Then, he opened the door of the closet and got some files and also the clothes of his grandparents. The typhoon was able to dismantle and observe the files. However, he did not find any photos he was looking for there.

The typhoon decided to search the next room of the closet. There, then Typhoon got a pile of old photo albums that were deliberately stored there. Typhoons opened one by one from the album. Seen the picture of his grandfather who is still dashing, maybe still the same age as himself. Typhoon smiled and felt proud when he saw the photo of his grandfather's youth.

On the first album, Typhoon did not get the photo he was looking for. Then, he switched to his second album. On this second album, it looks like both of his parents are hanging out at the band. Erna looks graceful with traditional Central Javanese clothing. Even with Amoroso who smiled happily in the photo.

The typhoon noticed one by one the people in the picture. Until the last page of the album, Typhoon got a photo of a man who was very similar to the photo Galang sent by Suprapto.

"Is he the one? Approximately if the person in this photo, the old yes, like Galang today," muttered Typhoon.

In the photo, Galang is seen standing right next to Erna. His face looked flat and his eyes seemed to be storing pain.

"Maybe it's the guy, I'll take it." The typhoon took out the photo and put it on a dusty bed. Then, he went back to looking for galang photos in the pile of the album.

Until he found an album with a red heart. The album cover is coated with a type of velvet cloth. The typhoon shook off the dust on the album cover. Then, he began to open the first sheet of the album.

In the first sheet, we see a photo of Erna as a teenager. Erna smiled loosely and looked very beautiful with a midi dress that looks very fitting on her body. While beside Erna, it looks the same man who took a picture with Erna when the woman was married. The difference is, the man laughed loosely and placed his hand on Erna's shoulder.

"Galm! Yeah, this must be him!" Exciting Typhoon. The typhoon took the photo out of the plastic that wrapped the photo in the album. Then, he turned the photo over and looked at the handwriting of someone.

I love you so much, your smile is my happiness.

The writing from behind the photo.

Typhoon put the photo back into the album and began to open to the second page.

On the second page, there is a photo, where Galang hugs Erna's body. Erna and Galang hugged each other on a beach. Erna's hand hugged Galang's waist tightly. While Galang, dropped his forehead on Erna's forehead. They seem very happy and harmonious. The typhoon was curious. Then he took out the photo and turned it around. Sure enough, Typhoon got his handwriting back there.

Even if the world is not on our side. But believe me, my love is eternal for you.

There's a tight feeling in Typhoon's chest. It is like a love story between Erna and Galang.

The storm looked back to the next page. This time, he saw Erna drop her head on the shoulders of Galang who was sitting while holding a cigarette in his right hand. Erna smiled broadly, while Galang looked unprepared for the photo. The man's expression looked very tense. Typhoon again saw the writing behind the photo.

I'm not giving up, I just know your hardship. I love you with his sincerity. So I have to let you go.

Typhoon was silent, he began to understand the situation facing Galang and Erna at that time.

Typhoon again continued his curiosity, he opened the next page; and now he got a Photo Galang who was wearing his dinner clothes, complete with a weapon hanging on his sturdy shoulders. Galang stood firmly and facial expressions that cannot be denied Typhoon, if the man in the photo is very similar to himself.

Typhoon turned over the photo and again found the handwriting that he later knew was Galang's handwriting. The handwriting was in the form of Latin writing that was very different from Erna's handwriting, which Typhoon knew.

Even though I was removed, even if I was dumped, I don't know how far away you are. I keep my heart for you.

Even though you can't have me. Don't force me to stop loving you.

Erna, I love you so much, more than you know.

Typhoon silent. Then, he saw the handwriting again on the album cover.

Erna, I miss you so much and so does the little Typhoon. I know you're happy now. I'm here in this corner of the country, thinking of you and the Typhoon. Give my miss greetings to Typhoon. Anyway, somehow, I'm sure he's my real son. She was exactly like me when I was a toddler. Even if you say no, blood is thicker than water. My heart says, He is my son.

Erna, I purposely sent this album to you. The album I take with me wherever I go. Why did I send it to you? It was all because I would be moved again to an area that might take my life. I don't want this album to go to waste. I want you to keep it well. Either I'm alive or I'm dead later.

Erna, it's been 6 years. But my love for you does not fade. Have I sinned? I am a man who has promised me my love for you. I'm still waiting for you until this second.

If I survive the task, I'll find you. I pledge. Don't forget to bring the Typhoon with us. I'll tell you every chance I get.

Take good care of yourself, take good care of the little Typhoon. He is my son, my son from the woman I love so much. He's not your husband's son. Why do you deny that? Have you forgotten me?

Nunukan, East Kalimantan.

The storm shed her tears. He learns the love story between Erna and Galang. A love story that hindered the blessing of parents. A love story that so drained tears. But they can never unite.

....

FY.

It says Nunukan East Kalimantan, because the story is obsolete.

Since 2012, Nunukan district is part of North Kalimantan Province, along with the expansion of the new province from East Kalimantan Province.