THE NOURA VAN KEMMERS

Sudarmans

In the side corner of the rubber garden there is a small land that Noura uses to manage the garden. Noura was very happy to spend her time there. Assisted by one of the workers he planted several types of crops in the land. It could be said, the garden was already like his own son. Nouralah was the first to choose plant seeds, seed them and take care of them until they grow perfectly. Starting from cassava, corn, long beans, crepe to taro.

Every time you visit a rubber plantation, the patch of land is never separated from its supervision. Noura was very satisfied because the garden had already harvested twice. Just like back then, once he arrived at the plantation, Noura immediately visited his small garden. He saw one by one the plants that had begun to bloom. Clean the bush that began to spread around and do not forget to water it.

"I didn't think this fast, they would grow, '" Noura murmured.

"Betul Non's. This means that soon, these plants can be harvested. Miss is amazing. These plants grow well thanks to the touch of Miss's hand, "Sudarman said.

"Not really. But because the soil and weather in this area are very good for farming."

At once Noura remembered the words of Opa Willy when he was a child, that the weather conditions in the Dutch East Indies were very much different from those in the Netherland. It's cool and comfortable there. The land is fertile, lots of rainfall, lots of trees, any plant can grow well. And now that speech is proven.

Noura was so excited to see the growth of her plant. The growth of the plant takes place very quickly. Two weeks ago it wasn't like this. And now the long bean buds are blooming, as well as taro, sweet potato and cassava. Only corn that still shows signs a little sign will grow.

"We can sell it again. Last year, middlemen from Bojong Village dared to pay dearly" Sudarman said.

Noura smiled again. At yesterday's harvest, the land harvest was appreciated with a good selling value by a middleman in Bojong Village. It was Sudarman who offered the harvest to an intermediary trader named Koh Bun. Unlike middlemen in general, Koh Bun dare to buy corn, cassava and cassava crops at high prices.

According to Koh Bun, the quality of the harvest from the Noura garden is very good compared to other gardens. Plus, he felt amazed, how could there be a Dutch noni interested in farming.

...****************...

A pretty exhausting day. After looking at his garden, Noura finished his face by meeting the workers tapping the rubber. While riding a horse, Noura wandered around the rubber fields, then went down for a while and helped tap the rubber.

No matter the sweat that had been splashing on his face and neck. Some freelancers who will work in the afternoon began to arrive, they also prepared with equipment to contain rubber sap. They wait for the afternoon to start tapping.

The ideal time to tap the rubber is early morning and late afternoon at sunset, at that time the water pressure content contained in the rubber tree is heavy so that the rubber rubber produced will be more.

"Take me to the river, I'll go fishing!" noura Pinta.

"None Miss. Sorry I can't seem to. Master is in need of my help. Let me ask Hamid to accompany Miss" Sudarman replied.

"Alright," Noura said with a disappointed face. He really hoped that Sudarman could accompany him to go fishing as usual.

The small river behind the plantation has become one of Noura's favorite places every time he visits the plantation. The water is clear and not so deep and there are many fish. Noura is very comfortable spending time in the river, either for fishing or just playing with the water. And Sudarman always faithfully accompanied him. While playing in the water or fishing, Noura can have a chance to look at the young man's face.

Noura spent only a short time in the river, just sitting on the edge of the rock while sinking her feet into the bottom of the river. Sometimes he washed his face and neck with river water. Let the coolness of the water seep into the pores of his skin.

Noura. "Other time only. I have no appetite for fishing this time."

Noura turned his face up, looking at the sky and around the river. In his heart he was very hopeful, Sudarman would come soon and accompany him in that river.

The native man had indeed long since disturbed his attention. Nora admired the man. Admired for his character and courage. Noura enjoys listening to the man's stories about anything, including about his family and about his miserable childhood life.

Sudarman was orphaned. Both of his parents died from an infectious disease outbreak at the time. Since the departure of his parents, Sudarman had to live alone, without parents and siblings he had to work hard to meet the needs of his life. Since the age of twelve, he has been working for Opa Willy. Opa Willy also taught her to read and write in Dutch.

Sudarman lives in a back village, not far from the Van Kemmers family residence. Unlike other workers who work in Dutch family homes, Sudarman may be the only worker who does not want to live in the employer's home. He prefers to go home. The simple house left by his parents must always be maintained and occupied. So principle.

Noura visited Sudarman's house at the age of 13. At that time he asked her to be taught to play slingshot. And Sudarman took him home to pick up his slingshot. The simple house was quite well maintained and clean, even though it was only grounded and bamboo-walled. Noura remembered back then, the villagers were looking at her with gazes that made her uneasy. Some of them even cheered with shouts, "there is a Dutch Noni entering the village! noi Dutch is coming to the village!"

And Sudarman asked him to keep going and not care about the cries of the villagers. Surely the villagers were surprised to see a Dutch girl entering the village with an indigenous teenager.

From childhood, Sudarman always accompanied Noura to play outside. Unlike Sophia who lives in the house, Noura prefers the outdoors. And Sudarman also taught him a lot about how to fish, how to grow crops, hunt, climb trees to ride.

It was this togetherness that gradually grew a tickling sensation in Noura's heart. Sudarman who always accompanied him to play since childhood has made him fall in love. Noura enjoyed his days with Sudarman. Although timid and did not dare to reveal, he did not hesitate to linger staring at the man. Of course secretly. Sometimes Sudarman seemed to realize that he was being stared at. He could only look down embarrassed and take his eyes off.

Does he like me too? so always questions Noura to her heart.

Seriate.

In the past, Bojong Village which is now called Pondok Cina was a rubber plantation, rice fields, and bushes.

In the area lived a landlord of Chinese descent. Chinese people who come to Bogor to trade are welcome to stay overnight and set up modest lodges on the land owned by the landlord.

Pondok Cina area is a particle territory owned by a landlord. It is not yet known who the landlords are in the region.

Since 1918, the surrounding community named the area as Pondok Cina.

Over time, this designation was attached and became the name of the area known as the Chinese cottage to date.

Source: Kompas.com