The Musafir
Isak Tangis Bidadari North River
ITU WAS the sound of the sobs of the North River Angel. Weak leaning against the walls of the room. Slowly his body sank like tears slumping down his cheeks.
The mantan did not care anymore even though his body was still difficult to move. As if gaining strength from the sky, Mantingan jumped down from his bed. Climb to Bidadari North River.
“Saudari, what is it?!” The mantan asked.
“Let me, Mantingan. Leave me. This time please, leave me.” Bidadari Sungai Utara brushed off Mantingan's hand.
“Sasmita, what is it?” The actions of the Northern River Angel made him even more worried.
Instead of answering, the Angel of the North River actually ran to leave him. The mantan was about to chase after him, not caring about the pain all over his body. But Chief Rama had caught him first. Mantingan had rebelled and asked the reason for the actions of the old man, but Rama's energy was too great to resist.
“Patient child. Calm down. No need to chase after the Northern River Angel, the girl needs solitude. Be patient, Anakmas.”
Mantingan no longer rebelled, but he could not help but question, “What really happened, Chairman? Why does the Chairman seem to know the cause of the girl crying but prevent me from knowing?!”
“Go back to your bed, Anakmas. You are still not fully recovered. Don't be too rash, or Anakmas will make the woman even more sorry later.” Speaker Rama contains a firm commanding tone, making Mantingan feel he has no choice but to obey.
So after Mantingan sat down at the side of his bed, Chairman Rama told him, “Twenty valiant young men were not warriors, Anakmas.”
Mantingan felt that Chairman Rama did not answer his question at all, but with respect he chimed in, “Then why would they be able to withstand thousands of poison-armed warriors?”
“Because they are not alone.”
“What does the Chairman mean? How many young men resisted the onslaught of the enemy? Is there one of those young men whom Little North River likes?”
“Pacify yourself, Anakmas. I mentioned there were twenty young men, but I did not mention that I had joined an old woman, whose body was no longer young but whose soul remained young at any time.”
Mantingan was silent for a moment. He chose not to believe his bad thoughts. “Who is the old woman, Chairman?”
“Wires, Anakmas. Bitter Leaf Swordsman. She was the only old woman whose direction was not to a refuge, but to a battle rink.”
The mantel's body seems to be a nail. Pensive, not moving. How hard this reality is to accept. “What is meant by it is Lady Mother, owner of Wira Drug Store?”
The old man nodded. “True. In the martial world, he is known as the Bitter Leaf Swordsman.”
Suddenly he could not make a sound. Mantingan did not take into account the existence of Mother Wira because she thought that the old woman was not a warrior. So that he left Ibu Wira in a village full of danger.
Of course in a state of distress in his village, a generous swordsman like Ibu Wira will not stay silent. Other bad thoughts went into his head.
“Is Mother Wira ...” Really, Mantingan was not willing to continue his words.
“True, Anakmas.”
Mantingan saw the look on the face of Chairman Rama who was full of regret. There was no sign that the old man was lying to him. But Mantingan felt much happier if the old man lied. Although in reality it is not so.
“And that's what made the Angel of the North River cry, Anakmas.” Chief Rama continued. “Do not let Anakmas also dissolve in sadness, it will only worsen his condition.”
How could Mantingan not be sad? Sadness is more than sorrow, but hurt. The mantle is wounded from within. The death of the Mother of Wira was completely unacceptable.
So many bad facts that he must accept, but it is impossible to accept this one reality.
“I know that Anakmas is a strong young man. One of the few strongest young men I've ever known.” Chief Rama stood up, feeling better to leave Mantingan. “If Anakmas has been able to control himself well, meet Kiai Kedai on the lower floor.”
***
IT TOOK Mantingan two nights to leave all his sadness. Even Mother Wira died as a hero. Not to be regretted. Because not everyone can die as a war hero.
That morning, he stood behind the window. Ready to accept everything he should see.
For the first time in a long time, Mantingan let out a long sigh.
Everything he saw was destruction. No house stands but his own house and the house of Wiranti.
Everything was charred burning without exception, flattened to the ground.
His garden was still intact without being touched by the fire.
But at least Mantingan can calm down. Taruma troops and White Wind College warriors worked hand in hand to create a new settlement. Likewise with the villagers who took part.
After successfully calming down from all the destruction he saw, Mantingan went down to the ground floor. Kana and Kina were sitting pensively behind the main room table. The mantan immediately greeted them warmly.
“Kak Maman!!”
They ran and hugged Mantingan. The young man replied with a warm embrace anyway. At a glance, Kana and Kina cried sobbing.
“Why cry?” The mantel asked softly.
“Kaka Man, Mother Wira ... Mother Wira ...”
“Already.” The mantle stroked Kana's head. “Mother died as a hero, why are you sad?”
Kina who replied, “Because Ibu Wira is no longer with us.”
The mantel smiled sadly. How these two boys must face the rigors of life, which even adults rarely face. Mantens stroked their heads and said that everything would be fine.
“Kaka Man, I can't forget Mother Wira, how can everything be okay?”
“Why do you think we should forget the Lady, O valiant Cana?”
“Maybe that is Kaka's intention, everything will be fine once we successfully forget Mother Wira.”
“No. We will not forget the Mother of Wira. We must not forget Mother Hero, it is a sinful act. We must remember Mother Wira at any time." The wide smiling coat. "As long as the Lady sticks into our souls, she will never die. He will be immortal in all of us, as long as we are willing to accept him.”
“How can it be done, Kaka Man?” Kana asked with a sobbing. “Every time I remember Mother Hero, my mind will turn into a very chaotic mess. I'll be disappointed that I can't protect Mother Hero. And why did I not take up the sword with Mother Hero? What are the uses of science that Kaka Man has taught so far? No use, really nothing. I have disappointed everything. I deserve to be stoned to death!”
Still in a soft voice, Mantingan said, “Your words are completely disliked by Mother Hero. Don't say that again. Enough of us to smile at him. With a warm smile, we have proven that he is not dead. Imagine if Mother Hero was still alive today, would she be happy to see you guys crying?”
Kana and Kina shook their heads in the arms of Mantingan. Obviously Mother Wira does not like children who often cry.
“Then, he is much happier if you smile cheerfully. Now smile, as if Mother Hero will really see your smile.”
