Reaping

Mr. Rama [1] - A Memory

Mr. Rama [1] - A Memory

"You can't get married in this place. It is not proper for a bachelor man to marry a one-child widow, even ten years older than you," said one resident leading a group of other citizens who were so full of anger against my plan to marry Wanda.

I and Wanda who were sitting in the village hall were shocked by the attitude of the people who opposed the marriage that we were going to do. I almost made a sacred promise to arrest Wanda in front of the ruler. In front of Uncle Haris who is the younger brother of his mother Wanda who served as guardian. And in front of witnesses of my marriage contract. My right hand that held hands with the hand of Uncle Haris to say kabul, immediately shook so nervous because it saw the fanfare of the people who oppose this marriage.

Wanda and I were tight-lipped because we were confused about what we should do when we were in this gripping condition.

"Honored ladies and gentlemen. No one has the right to forbid Rama to marry Wanda" said Mr. Lurah Somad trying to break up the chaos.

"They can both get married, but not in this village. All this time in our village there was never a marriage where a bachelor married a widow even their age was ten years apart. It would be a disgrace that is very embarrassing and tarnish the faces of the people who live in this village" one of the crowd said, all I know is that she was one of Wanda's ex-husbands trying to provoke the people to stop this marriage.

Being in this gripping situation made me unable to remain silent. I do not want the intention to formalize my relationship with Wanda to be hindered by the rude and immoral attitude of the citizens.

Instantly I stood up and directly faced the crowd of people who were around the door of the village hall.

"What's wrong with my relationship with Wanda? Is it not possible if I am a bachelor married a woman who has previously been married. You have not the slightest right to take away the happiness of both of us," I snapped in a loud voice trying to resist the scorn of many.

"Be quiet, Rama! You're the brash man who caused my boss to go to jail and incited Wanda to sue her husband for divorce. And now presumptuously you will marry my boss' ex-wife. I won't let that happen" cried Jamron, who is a member of Wanda's ex-husband, and kept staring intently at me. As if with that gaze of his, he intended to intimidate me into wanting to comply.

"I don't feel like I'm the cause of Wanda's divorce from her ex-husband. In fact, Wanda herself wants to escape from the torment and entanglement of the marriage chain that has been entangling her all along" I said firmly against all the false assumptions that people often point to me.

Jamron furiously stepped closer to me.

"Wanda has always been submissive and obedient to whatever treatment my boss has taken on her." At once Jamron clutched his hand firmly onto the collar of the white shirt I was wearing. "But since you became my boss's boarding house. You turned out to have incited Wanda to be rude to her husband" Jamron said, clutching her hand at my collar.

"Please put your hands on my collar!" I snapped at Jamron.

I tried to rebel but it was difficult to release the grip of his hand which made me feel short of breath.

"Jamron, get your hands off Rama's neck" cried Wanda in anger.

"You think I'd like to hear what you're saying, you lady ******! You are only a woman******* from a village that does not know yourself. It's a good thing you can be my boss' young wife. Instead of serving him, instead you brazenly threw my boss into prison" Jamron said with anger.

"Since I never wanted to marry Wijoyo, but my father kept pushing his will to make your boss his son-in-law" Wanda said. "I used to feel afraid and prefer silence, every experience the harsh treatment of Wijoyo. But now I am no longer willing to be made a slave by your boss! He deserves to be in jail for all his evil treatment of me. Now I have the right to pursue my own happiness."

The words thrown from Jamron's mouth suddenly made Wanda hurt and warm water fell from her eyes. I can't stay silent to let Jamron be rude to my future wife.

"Jamron, your words have gone beyond the limit. I will never be able to forgive someone who has insulted my future wife." With all my might I tried to untie Jamron's grip on my collar. Although Jamron's body was much bigger than mine, but I didn't want to let him trample on Wanda's pride and mess up my wedding plans.

I realized that with my muscles it would be difficult to fight Jamron who is Wijoyo's right hand; wanda's ex-husband. So I want to fight it with my brain. While thinking I set my eyes towards the bottom of his stomach. I know as strong as anyone if they hit their weak point, that person will lose as well. Without waiting for a long time I just kicked with all my might towards the base of his foot. Suddenly Jamron groaned in pain and released his grip on my collar

"Well....." Jamron groaned in pain. "Rama, you're rude. I'm killing you right now!"

The atmosphere was getting gripping, unexpectedly Mr. Lurah immediately stood up and walked towards Jamron. Instantly he twisted Jamron's hand with all his might. Mr. Lurah directly hit various blows directed at Jamron so that the person fell helpless.

Suddenly the fanfare began to subside, because no one dared to fight Mr. Lurah. Not only because of the position of Mr. Somad that makes people afraid to face him. But what is feared by residents because Mr. Somad is famous as a silat champion who can always catch up to anyone who often makes a scene in this region.

Various condescending remarks and scorn like that, which colored my struggle to marry Wanda. She is a woman who has made my life feel peaceful and I always feel comfortable being around her.

***

"Dad, get up."

I heard someone calling me. I also felt someone patting my shoulder gently.

Slowly I started to open my eyes. And I realized one thing that the incident I just experienced was a piece of my memories in the past that became the background of my dreams all night.

I saw Erik standing by my bed. Erik was my only son, even though he was not my flesh and blood. Her concern for me all this time made me grateful to have a child like Erik.

"Good morning, Erik." With great difficulty I move my lips, which for the past decade I have been unable to control.

Actually not everyone can understand every word I say through the lips of my feet. Only those who are near me every day understand the meaning of the day of every word. Maybe because they're used to hearing voices coming out of my mouth.

"Good morning too, father," said Erik, smiling kindly at me. "Today was exactly ten years of my mother facing God in Heaven. According to the plan we talked about. This morning we're going to shove into mom's grave and hold a prayer together at the nursing home."

"Mother today must be happy because we're going to visit her resting place" I said as I stammered moving my bewildered lips.

"Today I'm going to dress my father in the best clothes to visit my mother's grave. Before that I'll clean dad's body first."

Erik put his hand on my back, he slowly raised my body. He carefully took me to sit in a wheelchair beside my bed. Erik slowly started pushing the wheelchair I was in towards the bathroom door in my bedroom.

Ever since I had a stroke ten years ago, it's been hard for me to move my limbs. Starting from both my legs, both my hands and the rest of my body were completely paralyzed. Not only that, I find it hard to speak well. My lips are not symmetrical anymore, slightly leaning to the right.

Ever since I had a stroke I couldn't do anything. My body is completely paralyzed, making me unable to move like I was in my youth. I am so dependent on the help of others.

At a time when people after me who experience the cycle of aging and enter the category of elderly humans. Not a few of them have to undergo old age assisted by strangers. People who are paid to care for and care for seniors.

I am grateful in my old age who is now having a stroke, it turns out I did not experience what my other friends experienced. I have children, daughters-in-law, and twin grandchildren who care and love me so much. They have always rained down on me with affection until my old age did not feel lonely but crowded by their attention.

All my daily needs were always met by Erik and Rosie; my son-in-law. My son seemed not to feel uncomfortable and disgusted to help take care of the business of washing toilet. While my son-in-law patiently and painstakingly fed me a variety of soft foods, ranging from chicken porridge, green bean porridge, and marrow porridge, and other foods. While my twin grandchildren who are now starting to be teenagers are never shy to invite me to sit back and relax on the porch of the house. In fact, they often invite me to go to the park near the house just to breathe fresh air.

***

Losing a loved one always leaves a wound for anyone who experiences it. Until now, I still always feel that only yesterday my wife went to another dimension. Wanda has been away in peace for a decade. But the wound of loss is still I still feel until now. Even so I have been trying to accept every provision that has been outlined by the Great One.

I used to have to fight the world to fight for my love for Wanda. Not a few people continue to ridicule and look down on my marriage relationship with Wanda. Various obstacles and storms of life have me wading to be able to live with my wife. Although now everything has passed, but the memories occasionally still cross my mind and memory.