The Dusk of the Middle East

Episodes 10

Three men have been waiting in the Captain's work cabin. Sergeant Heiho, Saleh and of course Captain Diego himself.

Apparently the Japanese sergeant did not like it if Saleh made a recitation after the completion of dawn prayers on the ship's musholla. That's the problem they're going to talk about.

"Heiho, it's a religious lecture. What's the danger to all of us?" Captain Diego expressed his opinion, he did not believe stubbornly the Japanese Sergeant.

"He can spread dangerous ideas, Diego. Take all passengers in rebellion." Sergeant Heiho answered harshly with a sour face.

Saleh just shook his head, he had chosen to be silent to let Captain Diego defend him.

"You can ask your sister Lady Mei, Heiho. Mr. Jack Karaeng only spoke for about ten minutes, even if it was just a matter of religion. There's no discussion you're worried about."

"Now it's only been ten minutes about religion. But who can guarantee he doesn't talk about incitement later? Tomorrow the day after tomorrow, he could be talking for hours. In his head it was full of ideas about independence." Heiho did not accept.

The atmosphere became increasingly gripping when Lucas and two Japanese soldiers appeared with Mei in Captain Diego's study.

"Good, Sergeant. You are not responsible for every indigenous community here. This is a civilian passenger ship, not a warship. Everyone is indeed free on this ship, and has the right to do anything as long as it does not violate the rules." Captain Diego's voice was hardened.

Sergeant Heiho's face was visibly red withstanding emotions, in stark contrast to his white skin.

"You can't stop me, Diego. I can ask for this ship to be detained when arriving in Labuan, or when docked in Japan. The Dutch East Indies government would have been happy to revoke your shipping license."

Captain Diego breathed an annoyed breath. This discussion was very annoying for him. Among the many soldiers on duty why must Heiho be a stubborn Japanese soldier who must escort his ship.

"All right, then what do you want? Catch Jack Karaeng? or drop him off at the next port? He obviously brought a license from your superior. I've also heard about you trying to keep him on this ship." Captain Diego lowered his tone to a little soft.

"I can't get him off this ship. But I can force him to stop lecturing on the ship's musholla. point!" Heiho replied while glancing with a sly face.

"How about other activities? Some of my men have distributed papers containing the schedule of activities that will be carried out by the Muslims on this ship."

"Are you also going to stop the afternoon classes for kids to learn? What are those kids doing, just like Sunday school in church? You're violating someone else's human rights, Sergeant" Captain Diego shook his head in disbelief.

"You just like this, Sergeant." Mei who had been silent since, finally spoke up.

"It looks like the Sergeant was just worried about Saleh talking about topics that mingled the rebellion. So this is it to make sure Saleh doesn't talk that much, the sergeant can send one or two Japanese soldiers every morning to the musholla to make sure that doesn't happen."

Sergeant Heiho's face still looks cold. He shook his head, rejecting the words of his cousin's sister.

"Mr Saleh only made ten minutes of study, nothing more. If he's breaking, you can stop the activity he's doing and no one will mind." May offers.

"I think that's a good way out." Captain Diego nodded in agreement.

Although still silent, but the sergeant seemed to be digesting Mei's speech.

Mei approached Heiho, speaking slowly but still being heard by the people in the room. "O sister, if you insist on stopping, you forget one thing. All the Muslim passengers on this ship want it."

"Our Setiba in Labuan, to some other area in the Philippines, there may be about a thousand people who will board this ship. And I also know most of them are Muslims."

Lucas the crew head nodded in agreement, although no one asked for his opinion. One of the Japanese soldiers stepped closer to Sergeant Heiho, whispering something, confirming Lady Mei's remark.

To be honest, Mei's remarks were justified by Sergeant Heiho, it was better that he only dealt with Saleh than to have to deal with thousands of angry Muslim buildup.

Sergeant Heiho snorted, Fuun, alright. He asked for pen and paper. Then writing all about the idea of independence, equality, and so on is forbidden to be spread by indigenous people.

After that, although reluctant. Sergeant Heiho finally shook hands with Saleh after being forced by Mei.

"You are a good negotiator miss" Saleh said softly while staying the two who walked behind in the aisle of the ship.

"Master doesn't mind not the outcome of the conversation?" Mei asked as she watched the face of the man beside her.

Saleh smiled then nodded, "Help just no, that was a good deal."

And as if I knew what Mei had in mind, "Because of seeing the stubborn character of Sergeant, I could only keep quiet. If I speak up already made sure the Sergeant won't budge even a little."

Mei nodded confirming Saleh's speech. He turned his head again, looking at the man beside him. "Talk Informal alone, it seems that master is older than me."

Saleh chuckled, "You told me to talk informally but still call me mister."

"Then how is it called?"

"Abang. Just call me godly brother."

"Well aa__branch." Mei blushed to herself with her call.

"What about your sister who's always been outside that musholla?" Ask Saleh. He was not unaware if from earlier Mei noticed him, but he as much as possible kept his attitude in front of the noble woman. However, Mei is still the daughter of two colonial leaders whom she dislikes.

"Robert?" Mei asked to make sure.

Saleh nodded.

"Eitherway. Even though he's my brother, I don't really understand his way of thinking that's too mature for a kid his age. He chose not to be involved in any religion, even though I knew he was a little interested in Islam, just like me and Robin."

"Don't force it, let him choose his own path."

Mei nodded confirming his words.

"Where are you going? If possible, can you accompany me to the cafeteria? I haven't had a good breakfast yet." Ask Mei. The woman's face could not be separated from Saleh's face.

"alright. It just so happened that my appetite increased after staring at the old sullen face of the Sergeant."

Saleh then looked at Mei, the two then both laughed. Continue their steps towards the canteen.