The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 11

Saleh opened the canteen door. He had not had time to eat breakfast because Lucas and two Japanese soldiers had picked him up at the cabin when he was busy writing.

It was already half an hour from breakfast time so the ship's canteen was already quiet. The floor of the canteen also seems to have been finished in the mop, inside the canteen only seen one or two low-ranking crew members who were cleaning up a pile of dirty dishes.

Saleh approached one of the crew members, "Do you still have any friend food? I haven't had breakfast before."

You turned your head, looking briefly at Saleh. You were immediately snorted. "Indeed, what you've done until you haven't had breakfast." The crew replied that it was Joseph.

Although still nagging, after putting the wet dishes in place. Joseph stepped into the kitchen cupboard, there was still leftover fried rice and omelet in the cupboard.

Two minutes later. Joseph came with a tray to the table where Saleh was waiting. He put a plate of food and a glass containing tea that he had made, then wanted to move back.

"Why did you only bring one?" Saleh's slow question restrained Joseph's steps.

Joseph turned to look at Saleh with a look as if he wanted to devour his friend alive.

"Ah, he may not see me. My body is blocked by the size of my brother's body. Didn't you yesterday's crew give Robin and Robert ginger?" Mei's words suddenly appeared from behind Saleh.

Joseph was surprised. He then looked pious, although he did not make a sound, his face clearly showed like asking for an explanation.

But the one in the face just shrugged, indifferent.

"Ah," Mei smiled widely, standing up while sticking out her hands. "My name is Mei De Houten, just call Mei."

"Muhammad Yusuf." Joseph answered short.

"When have you been working on this ship, Yusuf?" Mei asked in a friendly manner.

"Two days ago."

"Two days ago?" means since this ship docked in the port of Batavia?"

Joseph just nodded.

"May you take another plate of fried rice? I haven't had breakfast either, Yusuf." Mei smile.

"Wait a minute."

Five minutes later Joseph returned with the same breakfast menu he had given to Saleh. Now he was looking at the two men and women in front of him.

Saleh was a clear opponent of the invaders was sitting sweetly and jokingly with a daughter of the colonial leader himself. Even if it is not a problem, be conscious or not. Saleh's gaze in May was different from his gaze on other women.

.

.

.

Saleh entered the cabin while whistling leisurely. Throwing his body on the bed beside Joseph, not since when the man was in his cabin.

"Push a little bit there." Saleh.

"I don't know what makes you happy until you stare at a book with a smile like that? What the hell is it? Don't tell me you like that noble lady."

Saleh was silent. Not answering.

It made Joseph look at Saleh more suspiciously, "Remember. Not morning, not noon, every evening, even every night you always aggressively say do not like the invaders. So don't let you like that woman."

"Isn't it the same? Love and love are two different things. Besides I know that if Mei was born and raised in Indonesia, she was always friendly to the natives."

Joseph gawked in disbelief at Saleh's reply. "That's not what I'm saying, you know whose daughter Mei is?" Joseph began to ask annoyedly.

Saleh was silent.

Two minutes passed, Saleh was still silent. Joseph finally gave up. He sat relaxed on the bed while staring at Saleh, it seemed like he had to wake up his friend immediately.

"For natives like us, staring at a diamond like Lady Mei who is a noble is a taboo of Saleh. Moreover, you can't just forget if his parents are Dutch, as well as Japanese."

Joseph glanced at Saleh, wanting to know how his friend had reacted. What an unexpected thing, it seems that from earlier Saleh did not care at all about his words. The man was smiling looking at a frame, no matter who he looked at.

"Well, you see. It's not pretty. He gave me his little picture, this is when he was 6 years old. It looks so sweet. Forget about the master. I just want Mei."

Again Joseph was made to gawk with the words of Saleh.

"I will propose to her when this ship returns to Batavia. I'm lucky to have a girl as good as Mei. Hey, you're the first person I told you about the proposal." Saleh grinned widely.

"Don't look at me like that, man. I know what I'm doing. Take it easy, Yusuf." Saying Saleh is relaxing.

"You're crazy." So Joseph did not accept, "What the son of the colonizer did to you."

"You're so chatty, Yusuf." Saleh chuckled, "Alright, I'll be honest with you. At first I also had no interest in Mei because the reason was definitely her master's people invaders."

"But Mei was different, she was not like her master, she agreed that what her two masters were bad. And look at it this morning, he defended me against that shitty Sergeant Heiho. Then this afternoon either because of her kindness or beauty. I was hypnotized and did something I shouldn't."

"What are you really doing?"

"I accidentally did, slept with her." Salih replied without hesitation.

"K*parat! Damn you, where are your principles and religion." Joseph went up to Pintam, he beat Saleh blindly. How could his best friend do such a despicable deed.

"Calm down, I'll definitely be in charge. I didn't say I was gonna propose to her." Saleh said after Joseph had stopped beating him. He spat, blood coming out from the corner of his lips. He was not angry that Joseph beat him, his friend deserved to be angry with him.

Saleh stood up while whistling leisurely, tidying up his clothes. Then walk to his study table, take the Book of Tripitaka belonging to Buddhism and start reading the book. Ignoring Joseph who still looked upset.

"People like you are the most dangerous, Saleh. Though you always read all kinds of religious books but behold, your rigidity is broken. May there not be any trouble ahead for your foolish actions."

"Huh, it's up to you. But remember not to get too close to the girl on the boat. Don't forget, there's Sergeant Heiho always watching you."

Saleh just nodded. Focus on the book in his hand.

Note: What Saleh does is not to imitate.