The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 38's

Saleh walked slowly down the harbor aisles with dim light. It's half eleven. The ship is empty. People have been in the cabin since, resting.

Since a day ago left the port of Manila, the sky was cloudy and the wind was blowing. This makes all passengers choose to sit in an enclosed space rather than having to sit in conversation on an open deck.

The ship Karel Ambo continues to advance towards San Vernando. It soon reached a quarter of the way. The ship was like a glowing spot in the middle of a dark expanse of ocean.

Saleh gripped the handle tightly. Ride the stairs slowly and carefully, slippery floor.

Today went very well for him. She was confused as to how she would make Mei and her sisters first. Thankfully, good luck approached him. Just when he was about to whisper to his men to go to where Fahri and Rio were first, the situation sided with him so quickly.

Teachers teach children who have rarely eaten in the cafeteria, rarely get along. I don't know what the problem is with the thick-dressed woman to ask to go home first. It was grateful because Mei could also go home first.

But now he has a new problem. The last time he spoke to Joseph was last night, when he told him who he really was and asked Joseph to help him with the action. But since yesterday morning his friend had disappeared somewhere.

Actually Saleh did not want to think too much about the existence of Joseph. His friend must be somewhere on this ship. However, Saleh began to feel that something was wrong. In addition to not finding Joseph when since yesterday, it should have been from nine o'clock Joseph had come to visit the cabin owned by Saleh. It was a routine that Joseph had always done since the two departed from Batavia.

Saleh began to worry. Could anything happen to Joseph without him knowing? All the bad possibilities he had thought of. As those thoughts passed, Saleh put down the book he was holding. No, he hasn't even focused on reading.

Saleh remembered the Canteen, who knew Joseph was there. His friend once worked overtime. Because of that, Saleh continued to walk through the dimly lit hallway. He might meet Joseph there.

Saleh arrived at the cafeteria five minutes later. Sighs in relief as one of the canteen lights still looks lit. From the outside there are two people sitting face to face at the long table, "Maybe it was Joseph and Lucas the head crew" muttered Saleh slowly.

"Oyasuminasai." Saleh greeted.

"Good night, Mr. Saleh." Lucas stood up to see who was coming in.

But the other was not Joseph, but the sole ruler of the canteen, Chef Ruben, the head chef who was known to be sharp in his mouth. He also stood greeting Saleh in Dutch, the head chef was a Dutch East Indies.

"Include me Jack Karaeng." Saleh introduced himself, shaking hands with the old man before him, "Have we met before, sir?"

"My name is Ruben van den Broecke, but you can call me Ruben. We never seem to have met." Chef Ruben shook his head, "But I'm sure you've met my cooking a lot.

Saleh nodded, smiling wryly, "Of course, sir. I have to thank you very much for the delicious dishes that you often make. I feel like I'm eating my own mother's cooking.

Compliments like, "Feel Mom." It is a pride for the cooks. Saleh knew about the compliment, deliberately saying it.

"So, why did you come here all night? Dinner schedule was over three hours ago." Chef Ruben asked kindly.

"I suddenly felt hungry. Do you have any leftover dinner?"

Chef Ruben nodded, "There's still leftovers. But wait a minute, I'll make you a new, more delicious dish. I won't let passengers eat cold food in my canteen. That's a dishonorable act."

"Not playing, it seems like Mr. Saleh's praise just touched the heart of the fierce head chef." Lucas murmured, whispering to Saleh, "I saw him so cheerfully cooking eleven o'clock in the evening for a passenger. This is really unbelievable.

Saleh laughs. Pat Lucas on the shoulder and sit down. Saleh clearly knew that, he knew the head chef Ruben more than anyone.

Although his mouth is sharp, Chef Ruben is a good chef. The sixty-year-old sailor chef has been working with him since eleven years ago, when he was nineteen.

Well, Saleh's chef Ruben knows each other, but it's a secret. Chef Reuben was one of the people he worked with since Saleh's mother was alive. Why until Ruben can work as a chef on the ship Karel Ambo, only Sale, Chef Ruben, and Author who know hehe.

Lucas left the canteen.

Chef Reuben returned from the kitchen fifteen minutes later, carrying a tray of dishes. He made a warm asparagus soup with slices of potatoes for Saleh, "It's been twenty-four hours that I haven't seen the stem of his nose. Just watch out if he comes. I'm gonna have him rub the whole cauldron butt in the kitchen until it's all white again."

Chef Ruben answered Saleh's question about where Joseph was, did Chef Reuben know?

"The last time I saw him was yesterday morning, Mr. Saleh." Chef Ruben changed his speech to be more formal, "He came to the cafeteria from six in the morning, tumben once he came that early. But he just kept quiet, doing his job. Didn't answer my question at all." Chef Reuben explained.

"The boy often causes problems. I don't know and don't understand why Mr. Saleh told me to help get Captain Diego to recruit him into the cafeteria. But one thing is for sure he often brings disease to the rest of you." Chef Ruben grumbles.

"On this ship, if one crew makes trouble, the rest of the crew will be hit. Tonight is his job cleaning the canteen, but look at him there's nothing. I can't get you another because it could mess up their schedule tomorrow morning. That's why I work alone now."

Tonight, because he was empty, Ruben himself took the place of cleaning the canteen. He doesn't mind as long as the other crew is on time tomorrow morning. That was the reason why he was still in the cafeteria until that late.

Joseph smiled, which is why he said that he knew Chef Reuben well. Although his mouth was sharp, but the old man had a good understanding.