The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 36's

In the horse-drawn carriage, though wanted, Robin and Robert did not dare to wonder. Mei also kept quiet, only watching the streets, feeling disrespectful if she noticed Anna's mother who was crying a little while her hands closed her face.

Adults like Mei could instantly deduce what was going on by second-guessing. But for Robin everything was dark, even Robert who usually could see the situation the most also did not understand. They are too young to understand adult problems.

Mei finally spoke up. It was only short, "I will ask Abang Saleh to find a temporary teacher for children. Rest this afternoon, Anna's mother."

Anna's Mother's husband nodded. While Anna's mother remained silent until they arrived at the dock, climbing the steps of the ship.

After returning from Oud Manila, Robin and Robert played on the deck of the ship, watching the crowd from the edge of the fence, forgetting about the incident. They rushed back to the cabin when the Ashar prayer was heard. Taking prayer equipment and teaching. Finish praying, gather at the mosque waiting for Anna's mother.

Long time ago, the teacher taught them it did not come. Tired of waiting, the children started playing in the mosque.

Mei has not had time to ask Saleh to find a new teacher. Not because he had forgotten, but because Saleh had not yet returned to the ship. Mei started to worry. There was a small but serious incident on the deck of the ship, where new passengers boarded. Captain Diego asks Mei to come over there, helping to translate the conversation. There were some passengers who were caught using correspondence from others while on board the ship.

"Sorry to trouble the Lady. Yusuf, our new Dutch-speaking Filipino crew hasn't been in the cabin since last night." Captain Diego explained.

Especially this? Why did Joseph disappear.

The crew, who were on duty at a small desk where passengers handed over their travel documents, found two passengers whose photos on the documents differed from the original. The two passengers wanted to get on the boat.

One of the passengers reasoned that the photo was an old one. The other claimed he replaced his brother who could not leave. The table was getting messy because the Japanese Army, Sergeant Heiho's men who were in charge of guarding the deck, were about to immediately catch the two passengers. The Japanese soldiers exclaimed that the misuse of the documents violated Japanese rule.

Unable to control the situation, one of the crew calls Captain Diego. Who then called Mei came to be a translator and helped explain to the two passengers the importance of the suitability of the document.

While in the mosque, Robin stood at the door, staring out.

"We'll just go back to the cabin, yuk!" One of his friends gave a suggestion.

Some of the kids nodded.

"It's been half an hour, but Anna's mother didn't come. I'll go home first." One of the sons of the entourage who had ascended from the port of Labuan surrendered. The others tidied up the equipment, following back to the cabin. Leaving Robin and Robert.

"Whoops.." Robin complained quietly. Face disappointed. He finally put the Qur'an and the written book into a bag. Robert had been waiting for his brother at the door of the musholla. They stepped in the hallway, back to the cabin

But as he passed the stairs, Robin suddenly turned.

"Where are you going, Robin." Robert asked.

"I'm going to Anna's cabin." Robin answered.

"Make what?"

"Find out."

"Remember, Brother forbid we wonder, Robin." Robert reminded.

Robin shook her head, "I won't wonder, just wondering, if Anna's mother is okay or sick."

Without waiting for his brother's approval, Robert had already run first in the hallway to Anna's mother's cabin.

Their footsteps stopped at the end of the hall. As it turned, it almost collided with Saleh.

"Where are you going in a hurry to not see the road." Saleh rubbed his face. To his surprise, the two boys suddenly appeared in front of him.

"It's because of Robin, Saleh's brother. He just kept running." Robert glared at his sister. We're going to see Anna's mother."

Saleh shook his head, "It can't be now. Anna's mother doesn't want to see anyone. Her husband told me that. I just talked to her husband."

"Yes..so how?" Robin was again disappointed, "Will Anna's mother teach us no more? Who will teach? This afternoon we're off." Grumpy Robin.

"God willing, tomorrow there will be a temporary teacher who will teach you. Brother will be looking for. Well, now you guys just go back to the cabin, don't let Mei look for you.

Robin and Robert stared at each other for a moment. Robin nodded, alright. They're off visiting Anna's mother's cabin. Turning around, walking with Saleh in the hallway. Back to their cabins.

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The process of raising passengers at Manila port was too late, only to be completed when the sun was preparing to sink. The problem of the misused documents lasted until it dragged on, making other passengers so restrained.

Unlike the case of the broken engine at Labuan, this time Captain Diego could no longer delay the departure. So he made a firm decision to the two passengers. I don't know what Sergeant Heiho's reaction will be. Captain Diego decides the ship must leave immediately.

There were four hundred and ten passengers boarding from the port of Manila. Three hundred and twenty are men, the rest are women. Although they were numerous, there were only two girls among them.

When Captain Diego ordered the stairs to be pulled, a Japanese soldier yelled at Captain Diego, telling him to lower the stairs.

A Chief Sergeant named Akio walks over, explaining that he has been searching for Sergeant Heiho throughout the ship. However, the Sergeant Major was not found anywhere. Assuming that Heiho has not yet returned aboard.

Akio urges Captain Diego to delay departure until Sergeant Heiho is found.

Captain Heiho clearly disagreed with Akio's request. There was a long argument between Captain Diego and Chief Sergeant Akio over the ship's departure.

At about 19:00, the other Japanese soldiers arrived. Pointing a weapon at Captain Diego, threatening the Captain, “If the Captain does not stop the departure of the ship, the result may be a bloodbath and a big killing – magnitude tonight."

Thank goodness May came on time. He heard what the Japanese soldiers were doing, “ Put your weapons down!" Hardik Mei when just got to the place.

"Sergeant Akio, we're not on a warship right now. Your purpose on this ship is to accompany me on my family's journey to Japan. So, don't make a mess on this ship."

"But lady, Sergeant Heiho hasn't returned aboard."

Hearing that, Mei was quite surprised, but quickly returned to her usual attitude, "If it is like that, why don't you guys get off the ship and look for Sergeant Heiho himself? Why should one ship delay departure?"

"But Miss."

"You want to get off, Sergeant Akio? If not let Captain Diego do his job."