The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 42

The canteen is bustling with the sound of conversation and the clinking of a spoon.

There were twenty-four passengers from the port of San Fernando. Twenty men and four women. Eighteen of the passengers were a large family. They carried dozens of large containers filled with supplies, inhabiting two large cabins on the upper floor of the middle deck.

They were Leonardo's family, one of the successful merchants of San Fernando. There were two boys of Robert's age in the entourage.

The newly boarded passengers immediately mingled with other worshippers. Lunch schedule is the best time to greet each other, get acquainted, and ask about the background. It's always nice to find a match for each other, to appreciate each other's differences.

"The price of pepper is doing well after ten years of drastic decline." Four new people joined Robin's dining table.

"Yes, all commodity prices fell once due to the great depression in America in 1930. But now it's much better." Mei replied, clearly finding a match in the topic the new passenger was talking about.

They are large farmers who own a field of white pepper dozens of hectares in the interior of San Fernando.

"Is the price still going up, Lady?" One of the farmers asked, realizing that the person they were talking to must know a lot about the price of the produce.

"Depends on the situation in the world. If war were to return, the price of goods would fall again. This time it might be worse than before. The world economy is highly dependent on security and political stability. No one would trade if a bullet crossed over the head"

The farmer was silent. The topic they were discussing was a little sensitive to talk about with the daughter of a great General.

"Just pray there's no war, sir." Mei smiled, trying to cheer up.

Robin decided to finish the meal quickly. He is not interested in adult conversation. Especially at their table there is no Eyeang Ran and Eyang Putri who usually can sometimes make the atmosphere festive. The old couple ate in the room, rested.

Robin returned to the cabins after lunch. Apart from San Fernando Bay, the waves are higher than before. Ship swaying.

May banned them from playing outside despite the clear weather. The two sisters did not protest much, distracting them by working on PR. Saleh was again in that cabin. He was sitting pensively. There were not many options that could be done, radio and television was still a super rare item at that time.

They had just exited the cabin when the Ashar Adhan sounded.

Robin's preparing teaching equipment, hoping that this afternoon Anna's mother has returned to teaching. Robin and Robert cross paths in the middle of the cabin between Musholla and the Cathedral with two boys newly boarded from the port of San Fernando. The two boys were heading to the cathedral.

It was not Anna's mother who taught, but Saleh.

That afternoon, Saleh decided to teach the children himself. Robin was happy with his temporary teacher. Hoping that after all the children had deposited the reading, they would listen to the story again like the last time Saleh joined the teaching.

But unfortunately, after his last friend deposited the reading, Saleh immediately closed the lesson. He advised that children often practice reading the Koran in the cabin, so that it gets smoother.

Robin's face looks disappointed.

"You want to come with me, Robin?" Saleh stood up, ready to leave Mushollah.

"Where is Brother Saleh? Engrossed. Robin's face was cheerful.

"We will go to Yusuf. You can come with Robert if you want."

Be it, the three of them went through the hallways. Down the stairs, turn twice, pass through the sewing room, until arriving in front of the treatment room.

"Excuse me." Saleh opened the door, saying hello.

I heard a slow answer, it was the nurse. Joseph was seen still lying weakly on the couch, unconscious. The nurse approached the door.

"Okay, no problem." Saleh smiled, "But he's fine, isn't he?

"Yes, Mr. Joseph is fine. Just need a break."

"Alright if he's okay. Please tell him later if I come, if he thinks I didn't see him, he'll be sulking." Saleh chuckled, joking.

That's all Saleh did, speaking in front of the treatment room door. Robin stared inexplicably. This is the same as the crew who was delivering food, just reaching the entrance, not entering. What's that visit?

Saleh again closed the treatment room door from the outside, "What's the matter Robin?" Saleh laughed at Robin's visibly upset face.

"Just like that?" Robin finally spoke up. They've walked back in the hallway.

"Yes. What were you hoping for Robin?" Saleh grinned, according to the expression of Robin's face that likes to do it every time he fights with his brother.

"Eh," Robin was so confused herself, what was she hoping for?

"Maybe Robin means why don't we go inside, Brother Saleh? Sit inside, looking at the situation of Om Yusuf. It might comfort him not to feel too sick."

"Om Yusuf can't be found yet, Robin. The best thing we can do for him to recover quickly is to let him get enough rest. Tell you what, if you're sick what do you need most?"

"Of course rest, Brother Saleh. If he is sick. The whole house is fucked up. Mother's pet cat just can't get close to her." Robert answered, laughing.

"Yes, Brother Torn. Yes" Robin grinned, always had a way to avenge his brother.

The ship's passageway suddenly became the scene of a quarrel. Robert was about to pinch his brother making Robin run away.

"It's Robert." Saleh laughed, "Hey, stop it."

Robert stopped his pursuit.

Robin was still staring at her brother. Who knows, Robert will still pinch him even though Brother Saleh has told him to stop.

"Alright, instead. How about you spend the whole afternoon in my cabin?"

Robin and Robert nodded quickly, in unison.

"Then, return to the cabin. Tell Mei if you're going to my cabin. Be prompt. I have a Palembang pempek. There are passengers who just boarded, they are from Palembang who settled in the Philippines. Share one large bag. Look delicious.

Not yet finished Saleh's words, Robin and Robert had already rushed to run towards their cabin.

Saleh, Jack Karaeng laughed broadly at the sight of the two little boys. His wife's two younger brothers could actually be the best entertainers on the entire ship.

Saleh fell silent again, so he remembered Joseph. He clenched his hand strong

Who tied Joseph up and put him in that little room? Until now Saleh has not found a bright spot who his friend's enemy is.

Saleh could do nothing because he had never spoken directly with Joseph.

One thing is certain. He would not be silent if he knew the culprit.