The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 32

"Two months later, December 21 we got married. The whole village was invited, sugarcane plantation laborers, Dutch landlords. Many weddings. I still remember the yellow janur was everywhere, the seat you were sitting on, the clothes I was wearing. Eyang Ran wore a golden-colored kebaya, a konde skewer, a strand of jasmine flowers. That day, I was the happiest person in the world for getting my true love."

"Nearly sixty years we were married. Our son twelve. Of course there are many quarrels, sometimes sulking secretly with each other, jealousy, misunderstanding. But we made it through everything. And now is the culmination of our journey of love."

"I promised him that when we got married, tomorrow after tomorrow, we would take the Hajj together. We are not from a wealthy or wealthy family. So, I collect money. Sen, for the sake of sen. No matter how many years, it will be enough. A year ago when the money was enough, our eldest daughter signed up for this boat. Deciding to walk around the continent before stepping on the holy land, we were finally able to take the Hajj."

Eyang Ran turned his head for a while, looking at the face of the Princess next to him. That's a loving look. Some passengers had to swallow watching it. Mei wiped the edges of her eyes, moved.

"My voice has diminished, son. My eyes don't see well anymore. But you will ride the Hajj together, going around the Kaaba together. We will do that before death picks us up. Proof of our great love." Eyang Ran clasped the fingers of the Princess, ending the story.

In fact, Robin usually likes to cut people's conversations. Follow silently watching the intimacy of the old couple.

.

.

.

While most of the passengers had finished breakfast and were getting ready to get off the boat, there were some who were still struggling inside the Canteen. One of them was Sergeant Heiho, the canteen The soldiers and the civil society were separated from the beginning. But the mood this morning is not good because of the arrival of Fahri.

Fahri is one of the few Indonesian natives that Sergeant Heiho likes, he has been friends with Fahri for a long time. Fahri has been living in Coron, Philippines for the past two months. Japan's diplomatic affairs with other Asian countries related to the second world war.

"Come on, this time we'll have fun. When again? Rio's waiting outside." Fahri.

Sergeant Heiho shook his head. His face puckered in dislike, "I don't want to set foot in Manila, Fahri. You know exactly why."

Both speak Japanese.

"Well, I know. But it's all the past, it's been a long time. What are you worried about?"

"Just three years ago. I remember that war clearly. The sound of explosions, the corpses of the..." Sergeant Heiho's words were stuck at the end of his throat.

"Gosh, Dude. You should forget about that." Fahri from earlier persuaded while drinking coffee, "There's me and Rio accompanying you, so you need to bring a platoon of your men as well."

Sergeant Heiho looked at Fahri's face dislikefully, "Can't, I can't get them involved."

"Nobody's gonna recognize you, Sergeant. We're just gonna have a little fun in Manila. Just one. You have been in Indonesia for two years. Already have a new life. No one will remember the events of the war three years ago."

Sergeant Heiho shook his head. Let alone to go out having fun, it doesn't even have a thought just to stand on an open deck, seeing the city of Manila is tantamount to evoking bad memories of the War between the Japanese Army against the Spanish allied with the indigenous people of Manila. The war that Saleh had previously told us about.

Heiho remembered very well, even though victory was obtained by Japan. But the people of Manila continued to rebel. He who always looked lightly at the natives of the country he occupied, arbitrarily tortured, enslaved them.

Remembering that incident. Heiho has no intention of returning to Manila. What if there are people who still recognize it. The rebels will definitely return to take revenge on him.

"How about we just go down to eat, you know? Manila is famous for eating it."

"I've had breakfast, Fahri."

"Huh" Fahri snorted angrily, it was hard to persuade Sergeant Heiho. But either way he must succeed in getting the man out of the ship for their plan to go smoothly.

Conditions outside the ship, the stairs have been lowered. Passenger queues who were about to board the Karel Ambo from Manila snaked on the front steps. Passengers who were about to disembark from the ship, looking over the city of Manila from the stairs was as much as the number of passengers who would board. They mixed one at the dock delivery.

Some officers were holding passenger lists, checking correspondence. As usual, it was overseen by Japanese soldiers under Sergeant Heiho

Sunny weather. It rained last night like it never was. Blue sky as far as the eyes can see. The morning sunlight touched the people who were in the harbor. The seagulls flew with a loud bellowing sound.

Crowd dock. Around them are seen loading and unloading activities involving heavy equipment. A large container was raised onto a cargo ship. Workers were seen carrying sacks.

Here and there are Japanese soldiers, complete with weapons. They're watching every port. The news of the riot in Labuan has been received by the Governor's office. They therefore tightened guard at public facilities.

Fahri still persuades Sergeant Heiho to come out with him, but the Sergeant remains unwilling. Fahri surrendered after several persuasions. Maybe tonight he'll come back to Heiho. That guy might wanna come out if it's dark at night. Fahri was about to stand up.

"Ohayo, watashi no yujin. " It was Rio's voice from entering the canteen.

Fahri turned his head, Sergeant Heiho also turned his head.

"Gunso Heiho!" Rio exclaimed again, firmer.

Rio came to pick up Fahri and Sergeant Heiho. He's been waiting since half an hour at the dock. But both did not come.

"That's Rio. The Indigenous friend you said was very wise. A native who can make a great Sergeant like you like his cleverness. If you don't want to get off the ship, tell him that yourself."

"Why were you two so long? I almost became a grilled fish because I waited too long for you guys downstairs."

"I can't go, Rio. Please go without me." Heiho still insisted.

"Huh, I'm tired of coming here to pick you up, you should go with me. If you don't want to. I'll drag him out of the ship myself." Rio nudged Sergeant Heiho's shoulder, joking.

The three people had their own stories, which was why they could be so close.