The Soulmate Must Meet

Episode 32 - The Afternoon Sun on the Beach

I felt someone standing behind me, blocking the warmth of the afternoon sun that was beginning to set on Kejawanan beach, cargo ships were seen floating around looking for a place to throw anchors, some fishermen were looking for fish, the children swam full of laughter and threw friends together, while other young people were engrossed in sitting while enjoying snacks displayed along the beach. In fact, not a few also they come with a couple just chatting sitting casually on a neatly arranged stretch of stone towards the middle of the sea. And of course, there are also those who deliberately come just to wait for someone or meet someone. Like me this afternoon.

“Sorry I'm late.”

Then I turned around, Yusuf smiled, he was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, very relaxed, different from the first time I met at school, he was very neat, and respected by teachers and students.

“Nothing Sir, I also just came.”

“Don't call Dad, we're not at school. Besides, I'm still young, not yet a Father.”

I blushed in shame. Since the school meeting, Yusuf has been texting and chatting on his mobile phone, and he is also very friendly and intelligent. A lot of times he and I talked on the phone, talking about juvenile delinquency and stuff. I also know that she was single, my thoughts at the beginning of the meeting with her, she was married, but it turned out to be wrong.

His age was only two years different from mine, he was older and mature. His personality looks more mature than Amir, and he seems to be patient.

“To there yuk!” bring him.

We walked together, stepped on the arranged rock, towards the middle of the ocean. Around us, there are many visitors are enjoying the beach Kejawanan in Cirebon, there are those who capture it by taking pictures, until the atmosphere full of laughter they recorded in the video, he said, maybe for them togetherness like this is indeed worthy of perpetuation as an event that may be part of history in the course of his life. O yes, there are also those who are engrossed in fishing, swaying the waves of the beach, indifferent to the crowded surrounding atmosphere. It was as if he was just struggling with fishing rods, bait, and fish as their destination

search for.

The sound of the waves is very melodious in the ears, like the voice of Joseph who was telling how his likes and sorrows became a teacher. Moreover, he turned out to come from the Kuningan area, a small town at the foot of Ceremai mountain. It is not far from Cirebon, only takes an hour if using a motor vehicle.

I don't know why Joseph was so open. He recounts his entire life journey, from his childhood to the joys and sorrows of studying at one of the Universities in Cirebon, he had to work to finance his studies.

“Even being a rickshaw I walk in,” he said.

“Labour Rickshaw?” i'm appalled.

“Yes, you don't believe?”

“Mmm..”

“Playing rickshaw is fun you know. although it is very tortured if you have to take the path of climbing.”.

“I've been riding rickshaws often if to the office, and it feels very heavy, I sometimes feel sorry for the rickshawmen who are mostly old people.”

“This is life.. Sometimes we are faced with choices that are not actually the desires of our own heart.”

“So... becoming a rickshawman is not your choice?” ledek.

“Hehe, no. Only circumstances made me choose to be a rickshawman.”

Joseph's eyes looked far out into the sea. It was as if he was tracing the path that led to his past. In my heart amazed, it turns out that Joseph's life is not much different from mine, it's just that he can handle it well, with a struggle that results.

Then me? Have I also gone through it with success, like Joseph? So far I am grateful that I am also still given the strength to enjoy my very simple life, and of course the people around me who always provide motivation in my days.

“That's why, I'm late in getting married.”

“Eh?”

I'm appalled. Why suddenly Joseph became innocent, and seemed to be opening his identity and desires.

“Iya.. My age is enough to get married, my friends already have a cute child.”

“But... You are not old yet! Kan has not used a stick,” I grin.

“Begini dong?”

Joseph practiced the style of a grandfather carrying a stick while coughing, his expression funny, making me laugh out loud. As it turns out, Yusuf is different in reverse if at school he is very formal, while outside he is very humorous, not stiff, and also soft.

If I compare Joseph with Amir, it is very different. Joseph is more realistic in looking at life, using logic, not always intelligent, and directly at the target. And his patient and open nature is what makes his personal pleasing among the people around.

Unlike Amir, he is more closed, rushed without having to give others a chance to open up to him. I felt that Joseph was searching for a sholeh wife. Instantly I thought to look up at my unanswered thoughts, yes, I also really crave a sholeh life companion.

I dreamed so much of a loving priest who sincerely and patiently led me to create a family that sakinah, mawaddah, warrahmah. However, I do not want to be big-headed about Joseph, surely this figure seems to have many women in line. Only, Joseph seemed to have not made a choice. Is a man like Joseph not easy to fall in love with? Especially until he chooses me?

“Hei view! There was a boat pulling over. How about we go up?” take Yusuf.

I actually wanted to reject Joseph's invitation. Not because of anything, but, from the first time I was afraid to ride a boat, the shadow of an upside-down boat always haunted me who could not swim.

“Duh, boat ride huh?” my confusion made Joseph laugh.

“Oh, no. That's not what I meant. Me...”

“I... I why?” Joseph seemed curious.

In my heart I wanted to be with him in one boat, but I was really scared.

“I'm okay. May we take a boat,” I said which seemed to be heard strangely by Joseph.

“Are you afraid to take a boat with me?” joseph asked with caution.

“Ngak. It's not. Honestly yes.. from the first, I did not dare to take a boat.”

I had to be honest. I don't know if Joseph's judgment heard my ridiculous reasoning. Afraid to take a boat that the distance is still very close to the edge of this beach. If only I could defeat this fear.

“I can give you no advice?”

“What?”

“You better try to take a boat.”

O Allah. I can hang, swaying his intoxicating waves. But, for some reason when Joseph said that, did he deliberately test my courage?

“Fear to be defeated, do not be maintained. Because excessive fear will bring itself into the sense of trauma.”

I was silent, there is a truth to Joseph's words, maybe I was born in a big city so I never tried extreme things, let alone enjoy a beach like this.

“So...really want to try?” ask again.

I'm nodding. It was still heavy, but there was no choice. Joseph smiled, then he went to the boatman, and asked him how much he was hired. At first the boatman refused, because the time is late afternoon and soon will be installed. My pounding heart became delighted, for it must have been canceled the boat ride. But Joseph assured the boatman that he was only a short time away.

Yusuf. These feet were heavy approaching the boat, but I forced them on, and when near the edge of the boat, my head suddenly dizzy, nauseous. But I try to survive. Joseph had boarded the boat, the boatman was ready with his oar, my feet were slowly raised for the ride, but my balance was shaky, nervous. I would have fallen if Joseph had not held my hand.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Control yourself, remember that the one who controls the brave and the fear is you, not the sense that controls.”

Joseph was like a motivator, giving me spirit. While I am very embarrassed, the time to take a boat should be this big. And finally I could stand on the boat, Joseph's hand still holding me, and I sat down. Joseph also sat before me, my face pale.

“Look!” Joseph pointed towards the setting sun.

Subhanallah..this is amazing! The sun is round and red, the color of which dries up into the sky to form an orange. The sun is about to fall into the ocean, very close to the surface of the ocean. Meanwhile, several freighter ships floated one straight line. It was unexpected, so beautiful this scene, could it be that the people here were waiting for this event?

My tension is now slowly receding, I feel pleasure in the boat, looking at the sunset, and Joseph. A young man I never thought was in front of me, a young man I dreamed of. God is everything, man cannot guess the direction of his work. Yesterday, I still felt lonely in the room, but now, I feel happy on the boat.

“You come here often?” my many.

“Not...new this time. I heard from the students at school about this beach, a place that is free, natural and beautiful.”

I smiled, indeed entering this beach does not have to spend money, this place is free for anyone to live.

“If you?” suddenly Joseph asked.

“I had stray come here, understand since long ago I never went to the beach, so.

is a foreign place to me.”

The boatman kept paddling, he seemed to not care about our chatter. It is as if her life is worth more than having to listen to our chatter, or pay attention to our lives.

The waves came slowly, shaking the boat. My hand immediately grabbed the edge of the boat, I was afraid of falling.

“Let's just relax.. Waves are also a beauty, we should enjoy it, not worry about it.”

Slowly I let go of the handle. I tried to follow Joseph's words to always relax, at first still afraid when the waves came, the old banquet was comfortable, even I wanted the waves to always come to make me feel swayed on the boat.

The sun began to fall into the ocean, the boatman pulled the boat over to the shore. Joseph came down, followed by me, after paying him to take me out of the coast to find food. At first I thought I was going to eat at a restaurant or a mall. However, he invited me to find a Jamblang rice stall, Yusuf is indeed simple.

Then we rode a rickshaw, sat side by side in a rickshaw, enjoyed the night atmosphere in the city of Cirebon, looking for a street stall to fill a hungry stomach. Today is great with Joseph.