The Musafir

The Silent Night Feels Beautiful

With a thin smile, Kenanga said, “Don't promise too much, Kangmas.”

“Only promises can move people.” Jaya retaliated. “And hope ...”

The night sky was showing its darkness. Hollow without stars. Silence without crickets. Cold pierced without moon. However, Jaya and Kenanga still stand firmly on the open terrace, as if there is no night more beautiful than tonight.

“What's your hope, Kangmas?” Kenanga faces Jaya.

“Hope?” Jay had to smile. “I guess .. no.”

Kenanga raised her eyebrows. “Nothing? Isn't a hopeless person a person who doesn't deserve life?”

“You're right.” Jaya nodded slowly. “But now, your hope will be my hope too.”

Now Kenanga's forehead is wrinkled. “But, haven't we just met? How can Kangmas trust a stranger like me? I could've cheated Kangmas.”

Jaya turned to Kenanga and showed her warm smile.

“How do you entrust this task to me.”

Kenanga felt warm in her chest. So he returned Jaya's smile with an equally warm smile. As a result of the two smiles clashing with each other, the cold air of the night seemed to vanish unceremoniously.

That's how they spend the night talking about things. While staring at the empty sky together. Both Jaya and Kenanga did not sleep at all until the sky suddenly brightly lit blinding eyes.

Kenanga looked down. He knew that Jaya would be leaving soon. Then he will be stabbed again lonely. Kenanga always wanted this night with Jaya to last much longer.

“Kangmas Jaya, can you stay here longer before you leave?”

“I'm worried that I can't, Kenanga.” Jaya said in a loud tone, intentionally to reinforce. “You'll be out of here soon. And that means I have to get out of here, find Kembangmas.”

Still down, Kenanga nodded. He went down with quick footsteps. Jaya took a long breath. Aware that the journey will be long and tiring, Jaya comes down and sleeps in the painting room. Sleep for the first time after he left his village and will be the last time before embarking on a long journey.

***

Jaya only woke up after her body felt well rested. When she opened her eyes, Jaya found Kenanga in a room with her. The girl was painting something that seemed to be covered up, considering Kenanga's back covered Jaya's view on the painting.

Jaya will greet him, but in order not to surprise him, Jaya greets him in a soft voice. “Kenanga.”

“I'll leave now, can?”

Kenanga's face doesn't look good. Then he said, “Before leaving, better Kangmas Jaya take a shower first.”

Jaya muttered at the beginning of the sentence. “Actually it's been a long time since I last took a fresh shower. Maybe you also smell bad from my body. I'm so grateful, Kenanga. Can you show me where the bath is?”

“Oh, of course. The bath is in the lake. It is not difficult to find it, Kangmas just need to go behind the house and follow the path that Kangmas will see later. I'll prepare new clothes.”

Dahi Jaya shriveling. “New clothes? How did you get it?”

Kenanga scratched her non-itchy cheeks. “I'm bored and I sew a variety of clothes, including men's clothes.”

Jaya grinned happily. “I understand and I am so grateful for the clothes I know are so precious.”

Jaya has never bought clothes since her departure from the village. Getting new clothes that he will get of course makes him happy not to play. If not in front of Kenanga, he had jumped up and down in excitement maybe even to climb a tree so happy. He must maintain attitude.

“Let me just deliver. And as long as Kangmas cleans up, I'll make you dishes and supplies.”

Jaya knows exactly that Kenanga actually intends to hold him for longer. He even knew from then on. However, Jay understood. Kenanga would be lonely if she left this place.

Go Jaya to the lake. Carrying nothing but attached clothes and footwear, he walked down the path that cut through the orange forest. The journey leads to a rocky lake with clear water. Some leaves floated on it, while large and small fish swam freely under it.

Jaya couldn't help but cheer when she saw the fresh water in front of her eyes. He immediately took off all his clothes and threw himself into the lake water. Large waves are created wiggling leaves that float on the surface of the water.

The water in the lake is very fresh. Not too cold, but full of freshness. Jaya has not felt this for a long time, even she has never felt such fresh water in her entire life.

I don't know how long since Jaya soaked there when Jaya heard Kenanga's voice calling her from afar. Remember talk not much—the girl knows it is not worth talking about here—besides saying that new clothes are placed on a big black stone. Jaya remembered where the stone was mentioned, so she understood.

Finished rubbing his entire body, Jaya came out of the lake a little bit of fret. In a state of complete nudity he walked towards a large black stone located not far and not close to the lake. Look at the clothes Jaya got. A black slipper suit and trousers of the same color, made of smooth but strong material. Jaya doesn't need to be smart to know that this is silk. Jaya also gets a rectangular fabric of all-red batik patterns to be wrapped around her waist. One more thing, Jaya gets a red-colored destar from materials that are both silk.

Not holding back all his fun anymore, Jaya wears all those clothes. From top to bottom, it is fully equipped. Jaya's appearance changed almost entirely after bathing and wearing nice clothes. Jay looks like a handsome young man. His clothes made him look like a scholar or a government official.

After putting back on his ikat footwear, then walking back towards Kenanga's house, Jaya smelled a delicious scent coming from the red house. Be able to make his stomach rumble to ask to be filled again. Immediately Jaya entered the house and headed to the painting room—which is his temporary room. But apparently, in the room also Kenanga waiting for Jaya, sitting in front of a table full of food.

From what is seen, the food this time is much different and more than the food previously served. Starting from mustard, potatoes, tubers, and a little fruit are presented there.