The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 8

Yusuf's new job as a crewman has been completed since. The kitchen had been cleaned, the dishes had also been washed clean and he put neatly piled up in large buckets. Tables, chairs, and rooms have been wiped clean mop.

His job is done but he has no intention of going to sleep. Yusuf goes to the cabin of his best friend Saleh, leaving Lucas, a Japanese cabinmate who is also the head of the crew who has been asleep comfortably since.

Joseph was looking at Saleh who was busy with the Bible, the yellow book and some books about religion which of course Joseph did not understand at all.

Saleh likes to learn. His friend knew many things, that is what made Joseph to work as a crewman on the big ship.

Flashback

Joseph sat on a chair that had been provided, he did not seem enthusiastic at all staring at the contents of the room that only had a lot of photos on the cabin wall. Photos of sailors, photos of ships, and views of famous cities and there is a large world map next to the photos.

Joseph had firm jaws and cheeks, his face typical of the natives. Yusuf is tall like most average locals but his body is stocky and dashing with tan skin due to frequent exposure to sunlight.

The man's eyes were sharp even though from earlier a lot of down. It was like Joseph came out of the room and went to teach Saleh his best friend, I don't know what was in Saleh's mind so he made Joseph have to work as a crewman.

Joseph clearly knew that Saleh was not a random man. Although what other people know if Saleh is just an ordinary man. But he knew other than the background of the palace, other forces behind him.

The cabin door pushed from the outside distracted him. Joseph looked around, standing when he knew who had come inside. No need to ask, just need to see the name and uniform that he wore automatically showed the rank of the person in front of him.

"Have you waited a long time?" Captain Diego stepped in.

"Not for long, just a hundred and thirty seconds." Joseph answered while pointing at the pocket watch that was open on the table.

Captain Diego laughed as he reached out. The two then shook hands.

"Sorry if it's a little late, please sit down and sorry if this cabin is a little messy because no one tidied up." Said Captain Diego as he stepped across the table, sitting on his large chair.

Joseph did not answer, but nodded and sat down in front of Captain Diego.

Captain Diego seemed to be picky piles of paper in front of him, seemed to be looking for something. " This is the stuffing paper you filled out earlier." Said the Captain while showing two sheets of paper that he had now held.

"Your name here is Muhammad Yusuf so I will call you Yusuf. Is my way of calling your name right?." Captain Yusuf spoke Dutch.

Joseph nodded in response.

How long have you been a sailor, Yusuf?" Captain Diego began to ask seriously. The job interview officially began.

"Twenty-five years." Joseph answered short.

"That's impossible, obviously your age here is written twenty-four years."

"I've been at sea even before I was born, since my mother was pregnant." Joseph answered a little longer, but in his heart he cursed Saleh for making him lie.

Let alone being a sailor, he even recently boarded a large ship like Karel Ambo. Fortunately, he was from a fishing family so he was not seasick, if it can not be ascertained at this time he was lying on the bed.

"Let's see your work experience... Esther, Dean, Martin. These are all traditional Dutch ships, right? Captain Diego listed the type of ship that Joseph had boarded.

Joseph nodded, and in his heart he cursed at Saleh. The truth is he didn't even know any of the ships Captain Diego mentioned.

"What are you doing on those ships? And what does that ship fit in?"

"Campus." murmured Joseph softly but could still be heard by Captain Diego.

"I'm sorry?"

Joseph pinched his own thigh, almost saying something rude earlier. He was silent for a moment thinking of a reasonable answer to Captain Diego's question.

Fortunately, Captain Diego was not suspicious of him. But Captain Diego's next question makes him feel flea eyes.

"Blitar? have you ever worked at Blitar? Captain Diego asked enthusiastically.

"Yes." Yeah." Joseph answered briefly, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

Thankfully Captain Diego simply nodded in response, then put the paper in his hand on the table.

"So where did you learn Dutch? Although stiff but the Dutch you speak is quite adequate."

"Aged twelve, I worked for the Dutch Landlord who owned an orange garden as a picker. The gardener was very kind-hearted because he was willing to provide education for the native children who worked for him."

"Last question. What makes you want to work on this ship?"

Joseph was silent, confused as to what to answer. It is impossible not if he had to answer that he actually did not want to work on the ship but because of the coercion of Saleh his best friend so he applied for work.

"Work on this ship so you can go to South Korea to watch a ball? Guess Captain Diego.

Joseph chuckled softly for the first time, then shook his head.

"What lounge?"

"I can't answer you, sir." Joseph replied, his face turned flat again.

Captain Diego grabbed the stuffing paper again and read it one more time, "To be honest I like your non-talking attitude and your stern eyes and facial expressions."

"If you only work on small traditional ships, maybe Blitar as an exception. But since we only need you in the kitchen, from today on I'm officially recruiting you."

"Thank you Captain." Yusuf answered, eager to dance in front of Captain Diego. But because keeping his attitude from the beginning was flat, Joseph could only smile a little.

Flashback off _

Karel Ambo ship has thirty-two hours sailed from Batavia, that means stay sixteen hours more or less the big ship will dock at the port of Labuan Brunei Darussalam.

"At least tell me, what purpose did you have for me to work on this ship." Joseph asked while taking a deep breath.

"Not that I have also answered if to help you get extra money, you yourself say if less money is not." Saleh replied casually still not turning his face away from the pile of books in front of him.

Joseph snorted in annoyance, of course that was not the answer. If it is about money, he does not need to work, because clearly Saleh will be happy to share the money he has free of charge with him.

There must be something, "Ah later you will tell me by yourself." Said Yusuf later.

At last Saleh's attention was distracted, he looked at Joseph seriously. "That's you already know, so can you shut up? I'm really bothered by your question."

"I know too, but when. Say it right now." Yusuf's scream rubbed his face in frustration.

Joseph chose to return to his cabin when he saw the clock had shown at two in the morning. It seemed that he indeed had to sleep and no longer asked about Saleh's reason.

When entering the cabin. Lucas the Bousun in the middle of sleep snoring, soundly. He went up to the top bunk, trying to force his eyes closed.

Maybe tomorrow Saleh will kindly speak honestly to him.

- Bonsun: The Head