The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 20's

"World War II is still ongoing, Mr. Hatta," Captain Diego said across the table, "American soldiers have landed on the Admiralty Islands, part of New Guinea. It was only a matter of time until the Americans also landed on Kwajalein Atoll and other islands in the Japanese-owned Marshall Islands. And if the Americans manage to occupy the Marshall Islands. The U. S. Navy will first bomb the Kurile Islands, the northernmost region of Japan."

"That's right." Mr. Hatta nodded in agreement, "And if America succeeds in taking over the Marshall Islands, it also means that it is only a matter of time that America can rule Japan. Although the Japanese Navy could defeat the Dutch, they were no match for a large country like America.

"But what I heard, the Japanese Empire has prepared propoganda asking for help from other countries. Japan is the elder brother of all of Asia. But whether the people of other Asian countries are willing to support voluntarily or not."

The big table is talking about the geopolitical constellation of the world. A topic of no interest to Robin at all. He talked to Saleh, who was sitting next to him. They talk about lobsters all over the world.

If that happens, then it's a very good opportunity for us." Mang Jajan spoke up. His hand movements stopped.

"Good chance?" Mr. Andipati seemed to not understand the direction of the conversation, "Wouldn't it just replace Japanese rule with American invaders? Of course America will not waste enslaving Indonesia as well as the Netherlands and Japan."

"No, I mean Brother Jajan. We have a chance to be free, sir." Saleh replied, "The world can change power, but it gives us a chance. When the invading countries are busy fighting each other, our nation has a chance. Either with physical resistance or world diplomacy. We can be free."

The big table was silent for a moment. Tells the crew that went round and round pouring drinks into empty glasses, changing dishes, adding food.

"But it's expensive anyway." Mang Jajan sighed, commenting, "Thousands of innocent people will be victims. War never saw children, women were helpless. Bullets could not tell which one was weak "

"War is never good from any side we see it. But independence, it's worth paying any price." Said Mr. Hatta.

Captain Diego smiled, then politely turned the conversation around, "Ah, we chose a very heavy topic to talk about. Good thing I didn't invite Sergeant Heiho. Maybe Heiho will also catch me if he finds out we're talking about this at the dinner table."

Mang Jajan and Saleh laughed loudly at Captain Diego's joke.

"How's Robin's Lobster? Captain Diego asked

Robin still chewed for a while what was in his mouth then replied, "Enak."

"This is special for you, Robin. Usually our dinner menu is the same as the cafeteria menu. But tonight, celebrating Robin who survived the Labuan market, also celebrates this ship still sailing normally. The cook made a special menu."

There's no way Robin rolled her eyes "Captain must be joking." Robin's face folded.

The table was crowded again with laughter.

"I'd like to say thank you to Saleh for saving our young master." Mang Jajan said takzim.

"Oh, Lady Mei should give Saleh credit for what he did." Captain Diego added

"Credit?" Saleh asked confusedly.

"He's right, but unfortunately, the lady can't be here tonight. Miss has had a fever for almost a week now. He always vomits and falls in the morning. We had persuaded him to go to the doctor, but he insisted on saying fine."

Mang Jajan nodded, "Yes, every morning. The more the day gets worse. At first we thought it might be a new seasickness effect, but it's impossible because Miss is used to traveling by ship."

The end of the table was silent for a moment. The others are busy eating dessert.

"Is Lady Mei married? I mean if he's married, maybe he's having symptoms of a young pregnant person." Said Captain Diego.

"Pregnant? That's impossible, Captain. Miss is not married."

"Then I don't know what your lady is going through. If not seasick or pregnant then what?"

Mang Jajan Chuckles at the confused face of captain Diego. The captain seemed to think hard, like he was a doctor. The captain of the ship turned out to be a fun person.

They still talk about Mei until the dessert is over. Forgetting the Virtuous beside them suddenly turned silent. The young man's face turned pale, like he had seen a ghost. His hands were cold, giving off a lot of sweat.

Without finishing the dessert, at a quick pace and in a hurry he left the room without saying a word.

Saleh walked quickly through the hallways, his eyes blank. I really hope I don't hear bad news tonight.

Some mornings, he did see the pale face of Mei. She is also rarely seen eating breakfast in the cafeteria. Last night he sat down with Mei, Saleh took the girl around the boat. Walking while sneaking around, hiding so that no one would see the two of them.

He knew Mei was sick. But the girl seems fine when she is with him, is it true that Mei is pregnant? He never really thought about going that way.

Damn, the atmosphere in front of Mei's cabin was quiet, but there were two Japanese soldiers in front of her. Looks like Sergeant Heiho is in that cabin.

Saleh decided to wait in the corners of the room, waiting for almost two hours. Then he just moved from his place when from afar he saw Mang Jajan, Robin and Robert who seemed to have just returned from Isha prayer in musholla.

Saleh met with three different men of that age. He had a brief conversation with Mang Jajan. Robert, the fourteen-year-old boy from earlier kept staring at him, not knowing what the little boy was thinking.

If Mei is pregnant, I don't know what will happen. Though they both have a mature plan for their lives ahead. But if Mei was really pregnant, Heiho would definitely make things difficult for the two of them.

Saleh now began to regret what he did at that time. Happening so quickly, she is mesmerized by the beauty that Mei offers. Forgetting the sanity of her screaming brain warns her if Mei is the son of an invader.

But his heart did not care about it, forgetting all the consequences that would be faced. That day was consciously, once, late at night in his cabin full of piles of religious books. He and Mei unite soul and Raga.

It was 4am when he woke up to go to the mosque. A pure white body without a piece of clothing beside it, alerted Saleh if he had made a mistake. He wanted to say to Mei that if the two don't have to be together, forget about it.

But he also bled when he saw the blood on the white bed sheet, and Mei's cry that held him responsible.

Here he was now, staring at his bed. Recalling what happened that night. Thinking, was Mei really pregnant after having once done with her?