The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 40's

Pooongg!!

Robin jumped in shock from the cabin living room couch as the ship's whistle sounded.

"Horay!! Ships anchored!"

They all knew at the dawn prayer in the mosque, eavesdropping on the conversation of other passengers, if soon the ship docked at the port of San Fernando.

Following Robin's wishes, he stood on the deck of the ship. Wait there, watch the process of the ship docked. However, his brother refused this.

Although it does not rain like a ship docked in Manila, the weather around it is still dark. While waiting, Robin spent time reading the book he had borrowed from Saleh. Robert is busy studying. Later in the day they have entered school again after yesterday in liburkan.

Robin rushed towards the small round window, wanting to look out. Robert also put down the book he was reading, standing behind Robin.

Since Sergeant Heiho was not on the ship, Saleh always took the time to come to Mei's cabin. Although there are still soldiers on guard but not as tight as before when Heiho was still there. Therefore this morning, after the completion of the dawn prayer, Saleh had visited in the cabin owned by Mei.

Saleh stood up, "Do you want me to watch the ship dock on the top deck?"

The two little boys might refuse.

May wants to protest, ban.

"It's okay. Not every time they can play outside the cabin early in the morning like this. I will accompany them. Put on your thick clothes, Robin, Robert. It's cold outside."

"Or do you want to come along? It's not so bad anymore every morning, is it? We can all watch the sun rise from the deck of the ship. It must have been romantic once, even though there was nothing compared to the story of Eyang Ran and Eyang Putri." Saleh whispered, teasing Mei.

Mei was about to be upset because her sisters did not want to obey, added the man she loved was even compact to defend them. But it didn't last long, Mei began to bear fruit. She stared at her secret husband.

Mei's sisters don't know if Saleh and Mei are married. Saleh's almost daily visit to their cabin was thought to be a form of friendship between his brother and Saleh. Mang Jajan and Aunt Situ already knew that their lady was now the Wife of Saleh.

"Come, baby or you'll be in the kids' house." Saleh was still whispering.

Be the four of them go to the top deck, the most fun place to see the scenery. It wasn't too dark. Around the ship was starting to light up. The sun is visible in the eastern sky. While in front, the Port of San Fernando is visible.

The port is small. There was only one large boat at the pier and several wooden boats belonging to local fishermen. But it's still an interesting sight. Look, coconut trees as far as the eye can see, like lined up neatly by the beach.

Seen the houses of the stage owned by residents. Some still lit up the petromax. In the distance, there are green hills and thick forests. White mist envelops the hills, typical of the island's nature.

Robin and Robert clung tightly to the fence. There were many passengers around them who were watching the docked kapa. Next to them, Saleh and Mei were watching the sunrise.

"See the sunrise, May. Beautiful as you." Saleh clasped Mei's hand.

Mei looked up, followed by staring at the sun from a distance, while stroking her stomach which had begun to look enlarged.

The port of San Fernando is in the bay. So, the sunrise is not visible at the horizon, but rather appears from behind the hills. Different sensation of view. The first glimmer of sun touched the ship, shining on the faces of the passengers. While the ship still continued to approach the dock, the speed of the ship was reduced.

The busyness of the small pier was also beginning to be clearly seen. Not as much as Robin could have imagined. Some officers were ready to welcome there. Also a crowd of potential passengers and the ushers.

Saleh turned to the ship that Robin pointed at.

"That's a coal-carrying barge, Robin." Saleh explained, "The shape is like that. New embers spilled into the barge until full, then the barge pulled another steam engine ship. That's not the ship.

"Then, what is coal?" Robin was interested.

"That's steam engine fuel, like the engine of the ship we're riding on now. Shaped like a stone, jet black. It was actually a wood that grew millions of years ago. The wood was buried in the bowels of the earth, subjected to pressure and heat, so that it turned into stone."

"There is a large mine in the interior of Sab Fernando, formerly operated by Spain, now taken over by Japan. Well, the coal from the mine was then carried by a train at this port. Up on the barge. It's taken to Europe, America, to faraway continents."

"Coal is the most important power source for steam engines. No coal, means the whole steam engine won't work."

Robin listened to Saleh's explanation carefully, while staring at the busy dock. Diding the ship has touched the soft lips of the dock, The rope has been thrown.

Once again the whistle of the hood sounded loud and long. The ship's sign is tied firmly to the harbor. Around them is bright.

"You'd better get back to the cabin. Shower and prepare breakfast." Saleh.

The two boys nodded.

As Saleh was about to climb down the stairs to his own cabin, one of the crew met him.

"Goedemorgen, Mr. Saleh."

"Morgeni."

"Sorry to interrupt your busy life, but Captain Diego is waiting for you in the treatment room right now. If you're pleased, please get there soon." The crew of the ship conveyed a message.

Mei turned around, held Saleh's hand, what's up?

Saleh stroked his Beloved's hand slowly, smiling, "You go back first with your sisters. Its alright. Maybe, the Captain needs an interpreter."

The woman nodded. Together with his two sisters down the stairs. While Saleh followed the steps of the crew to visit the ship's maintenance room.

.

Where has Joseph been for the last 36 hours? This morning there was an answer.

A crew member in charge of tending to the chimney that morning came in for a routine checkup. As he opened the small room where the tools were, Joseph was found with his body curled up, his legs and hands tied together. The body was cold and stiff like ice, but fortunately, his nose was still exhaling.

The crew immediately ran in a hurry, shouting for help. Two other crew members on duty near the chimney approached. They took Joseph to the treatment room immediately.

Ship doctor on call, emergency situation. Joseph's condition was bad. One of the crew knocked on Captain Diego's cabin door, reporting. Captain Diego who was still in his pajamas immediately came to the treatment room. While waiting for the doctor to check, he had you call Saleh, Chef Ruben, and Lucas in the crew. They better know the situation.

The young man was found.