The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 15's

The incident at Labuan market is what Robin will always remember when the ship docked at Labuan.

When her little body curled up in the market hallway, when her eyes closed resignedly, as the legs prepared to step on her small body.

A person suddenly jumps down, closes over his body, providing protection. That person was Saleh, the man whom Robin had not seen in the musholla for several days.

Saleh was also apparently buying supplies at the Labuan market, he was with Joseph of course. But when the eruption of the battle at the market gate occurred, he separated from Joseph.

Saleh was preparing to break into one of the stores when panic swept through the entire market. He was ready to run away from the sound of gunfire, no longer caring about Joseph who was out of nowhere. Surely his friend must have run away to save himself first.

As he was about to run, from the corner of his eyes he saw Robin. He knew very well the little sister of the woman he now loved. The boy was alone, shouting for the name of Abang Jajan with his panicked face while crying.

When he saw Robin tumble down the street, without thinking twice. Saleh, like a lion mother, jumped to hug the little boy tightly. Letting his body be a shield so that the legs of the crowd hit his body.

Not just once. Many times his back was stepped on, his calf was kicked, even his neck was hit by shoes. Saleh bit his lips to endure the pain.

Fifteen minutes later, the market began to slowly quiet down. With trembling legs, Saleh tried to stand up.

Robin, who was still curled up, opened her eyes. The first face he saw was a man he had not seen in musholla in days. A man who dislikes his cousin's brother, Sergeant Heiho.

"Are you okay?" Ask Saleh.

Robin nodded, wiping away the tears on her cheeks. A plastic bag full of new clothes was still in his arms.

Even though they were standing there, it was quiet, but the sound of gunfire and explosions was still heard. God cannot think long. While enduring the pain, he pulled Robin's arm. They had to rush out of the market.

But they can't seem to get far from the market. Saleh's condition is bad. His calf was injured, probably hit by a sharp object during the riot.

They were forced to stop at a house whose owner timidly offered to help, but still gave bandages.

After Saleh tried to treat his leg, they could not immediately return to the ship because all corners of the city were guarded by the Japanese Army. Saleh could have been accused as one of the rebels earlier, the Japanese soldiers must have known him.

Until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the conditions were silent. Saleh decided to walk five kilometers back to the ship, because they had no vehicles operating. Trams are still stopped. Horse carriages, cars, bicycles are prohibited from passing.

Robin limply trying to walk next to Saleh. But before long, the little boy was exhausted, then fell to his feet by the side of the road.

Saleh gulped, he had no choice but to carry Robin's body. They must come back soon, Mei must have been very worried about her sister. And soon it was night time, the Japanese army imposed a curfew.

With a little energy left when the sun was about to sink at the foot of the sky, the two of them finally arrived at the port gate.

"ROBINS!" Mei called out to her sister while running.

"Sister!" Robin returned her brother's call in a slow, hoarse voice.

Exactly reached the dockyard, when the people swarmed the two of them. Saleh finally fell, his strength was exhausted, he was tired.

Some people helped Robin not to fall. Mei hugged her sister's body, kissed Robin's cheeks in droves, not caring if Robin's cheeks were dirty, dusty.

"Thank you" Mei said softly with only her lips moving, as her eyes looked at Saleh's eyes.

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Later that night, some Japanese soldiers boarded the ship for a check-up. They searched many places suspected of being rebel hideouts.

There were six Japanese soldiers from the Labuan outpost who went up. After an hour of searching the entire ship and not finding anything suspicious. The six Japanese soldiers disembarked after shaking hands with Captain Diego.

I don't know where Sergeant Heiho is, since the ship leans in the port of Labuan he is not seen. But thankfully, in the absence of the Sergeant, at least Saleh tonight was not accused of being a rebel.

Seeing from his dislike, Sergeant Heiho could have accused Saleh of being the perpetrator of the bombing that occurred at the market this morning.

Robin is fine. He was weak because he did not eat or drink all day.

His condition gradually recovered when he was given a drink. Her aunt took warm water to wipe her dirty face, hair, and entire body. Then change his clothes.

Saleh's condition looked serious. The ship's doctor immediately came to take care of him. There were six stitches on the wound on his calf, his temples bruised, his back blue-blue

"Do you need anything, man?" Joseph asked quietly, accompanying the friend in the care room with Mei.

"Tell me whatever you want, I'll fulfill." Mei's voice sounded hoarse.

Saleh who was leaning on the bed shook his head, "Nothing. But maybe, if you're willing to accept my invitation to marry me this Friday. I will gladly accept." Saying Saleh in a seductive tone.

Mei chuckled, while Yusuf rolled his eyes off guard.

"Is Robin okay?" Saleh asked seriously.

Mei's face turned sad. He nodded, "Robin is asleep, she is fine after putting on her new clothes. And it's all thanks to brother, thank you."

Saleh looks happy.

"You better not linger here, miss. Don't let Sergeant Heiho suddenly show up and make a fuss if you see you here crying over the man he hates the most." Joseph threw out at once reminding.

Mei nodded. Once again thanking him, kissed the old godly forehead without caring for Joseph who was still in between, before finally leaving the room.

"You're a dangerous young man, man." Joseph shook his head, "Not playing." Joseph is like a fool.

"What?" Saleh looked at Joseph as if he did not understand the plunge of his best friend.

"I just found out that you're so dangerous that you're making a shameless piece of diamond kiss you in front of a friend. Didn't Lady Mai notice your black, dirty, dusty face? I guarantee you haven't even taken a shower all day." Joseph laughed, deliberately teasing his friend.

Saleh was about to grab a pillow, wanted to throw it at Joseph. But he immediately grimaced, slowly stirring, his shoulder hurt.

"Haha, you rest well, don't move much. I guarantee you'll sleep well after you've had a kiss."