The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 13's

Robin woke up early. The spirit goes to the dawn prayer mosque. Again that morning it was not Saleh who became the imam of the mosque, the man was not seen at all.

The man in his forties who replaced Saleh was discussing about tawhid. Robin doesn't listen too much, he's busy thinking about new clothes.

That morning the breakfast menu was green bean porridge. The queue of passengers looks carefree, it looks like many who are impatient to get out of the ship looking at the city of Labuan, it can be known from the conversation of some passengers.

"Good morning, your mom." Robin greets Joseph, he is drinking with Robert.

"Morning." Joseph answered kindly, today he is happy.

"Today I'm going to Labuan's market." Robin was excited.

"Who?" Robert nudged his brother's arm.

"What is who?" Robin asked back not understanding.

"Who asked you?" Robert laughed a little.

Robin glares.

Joseph laughed at Robin's angry face.

The two of them then went to the table where his brother was there, busy talking to people from the Riau Sultanate. They are still talking about the price of copra, spices.

Robin notices her older sister is more silent, not as usual. These two days her brother's behavior does tend to be strange, spending more time in the room than mingling. Very fishy.

Fifteen minutes later, the conversation between the adults ended on its own. Mei invites her two younger brothers back to the cabin to get ready.

But it wasn't May who went with Robin and Robert. At nine o'clock in the morning, Jajan, along with Robin and Robert, were already standing on the deck of the ship where the steps would go down. Her sister Mei couldn't leave, because she wasn't feeling well.

In front of the stairs down. There were two crew members on duty to record the names of the passengers who were about to disembark, there were also two Japanese soldiers.

Although not going with Mei. Robin remained spirited down the stairs, while staring around. He just realized, there were a lot of prospective passengers who were preparing to board the ship, he saw from a different ladder.

Every four years the world cup is held, the passengers from Labuan are usually the most." Mang Jajan explained "But still outnumbered by the number of passengers from Batavia."

"Oh yeah?" Robert looked interested.

"Yes in Brunei is also famous for many adherents of the devout religion of Islam. Around here are thousands of pesantren, religious schools, and religious organizations. Many famous scholars from here."

"Are they as famous as Bang Saleh, mang?" Robin asked, he had trouble walking amid the large number of passengers.

"Eh, it's not the same, sir." Mang Jajan laughed, "Be careful when the shirt gets stuck, sir. Can Mr. Robert help hold Mr. Robin's hand. You guys don't go far, you'll be left behind."

"The market is still far from the port, Mang?" Robin asked again.

"Away, maybe another ten kilometers. The city of Labuan is wider than the master Batavia.

"So what are we kids going there, Mang?" Robert now asked, "What's a horse-drawn carriage?"

Mang Jajan shook his head.

"Not on foot, is it, Mang?" Robin asked worriedly. Walking five kilometers is not easy, even for boys it seems.

Actually, Robin had been interested in staring at the corner of this one port. Why are there so many people standing there, like waiting for something. There were no horse-drawn carriages or cars there, let alone ships. But people still gather there.

The teng-teng-teng voice slowly sounded. From the corner of the pier appeared a large rectangular box with windows, there was a trunk on it, linked in long wires

"What is that thing?" Robin's eyes grew.

"It's called a tram. Electric train." Robert replied, "The band passed through the tracks. Power from electricity, from the wires above it.

"How do you know?." Robin asked again, doubting her brother's explanation.

"I took the train several times when I followed my father and mother to Surabaya. You don't know, 'cause you were a kid."

Robin did not accept, to refute his brother's words. However, "Come on, sir, we won't get anywhere!" Mang Jajan exclaimed while pulling his second hand.

Robin stared at the inside of the tram carefully. He and Robert sat down, while Mang Jajan stood holding a handle over his head.

"No Seru?" Robert whispered.

Robin nodded quickly, this is very exciting. He was staring out the window. There were many cars, horse carriages, bicycles filled the streets. The busy city of Labuan was already visible that morning, people in neat clothes, Japanese soldiers, and locals.

Robert nudged Robin's arm, pointing forward. Robin immediately looked. There was another tram running into them. Robin just found out that there are two side rail lines. He stared at the tram until it was lost in the corner.

Ten minutes later, the tram they were riding stopped at the third station. Mang jajan and Robert immediately went down, after Robin who was still standing in staring at the tram he had just been riding walked until lost at the end of the rail.

Robin laughs. This is a new experience for him. Taking the tram is fun, because usually he only rides a Jeep car. He wanted to ride a horse-drawn carriage several times, but his father said that such a ride was only for ordinary people.

Unfortunately not the tram ride experience that most robins remember that day, not also when he was shopping for new clothes.

That morning, the market was crowded by local visitors with local clothes mingling with the Japanese. The officials and nobles wore neat clothes among the common people.

There are many ethnic groups there, the Malays, mixed with traders from China as well as some traders from India there. Several Japanese soldiers were seen patrolling at the gate of the Japanese army post there. The soldiers walked carrying rifles with fierce faces.

Robin and Robert walk behind Mang Jajan steps, both know if they are not in the territory of his parents. Even so, both of them keep looking around with incredible curiosity.

They finally arrived at a special section of clothing, right in the middle of the market. Mang Jajan invited his two masters into the biggest store.

Half an hour passed, Robin had already pointed at the many clothes she liked. Occasionally quarrel with Robert who as usual suddenly became a clothes observer.

The store owner and cashier, a Chinese citizen, had made small talk praising Robin's choice. Say tasteful, of course both are nobles. Mang jajan paid for everything with local money.

Five minutes later, Robin brought himself a large bag of clothes. He kekeh wants to bring his own new clothes, the difficulty of bringing visitors who are increasingly crowded in the store.

When Robin wanted to step closer to Mang Jajan, the sound of a bang suddenly sounded loudly from the direction of the market gate.

"BUOM!"

Three Japanese soldiers on guard immediately bounced off. The other three were clenched inside a ravaged post.

That's a grenade.