Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

20. An Unusual Day.

...*A person who looks perfect once must have made a mistake.*...

Hara's.

All my life I've never done a rough job. Like cutting bamboo stems and cleaning scattered bamboo branches. Let alone such a rough job, such a trivial thing as sweeping the floor has not been done for a long time.

But since yesterday, I've been doing unusual work. Cleaning and arranging the house for the event, sweeping the yard, until this afternoon I helped Irkham cut down and clean the scattered bamboo branches.

No one actually told me to do this job. Neither Reyfan nor Mr. Fares asked me to help Irkham. Just because I wasn't used to being quiet, so I decided to intervene. During the wait Reyfan family who was visiting the place of his spiritual teacher as well as on a pilgrimage to the tomb of the cleric.

Although it is a bit stiff because it is not used to holding a machete, but I managed to cut down a tall bamboo stem towering over the pendopo located in the backyard runah Aneesha. Irkham who cut down the top, I helped hold so as not to fall on the roof.

Instead, it was I who cut down the lower trunk, Irkham who helped prop up. After no more bamboo stems were curled over the pendopo and the main house, Irkham climbed onto the roof, cleaning the dried bamboo leaves. I remained below, clearing the scattered bamboo stems and twigs.

I had a bit of trouble moving the branches everywhere, it was completely unthinkable to cut first so that they could be easily moved. Moreover, the branches scattered everywhere, some fell down to a small river beside the garage.

“Packed to kono kae! Ben dijikuk wong sing need.” (Gather over there! Let someone who needs.)

Although I do not fully know the meaning of the sentence uti mbah uti, but I understand the finger cue that is pointed. I caught the point of saying that was that I had to gather bamboo twigs near the gate to be easily taken by people in need.

“Wong kene iseh okeh sing daden gedi anggo wood, ben do danggo.” (There are still many people here who use wood for the fireplace, let it be used.)

I had to pull the scattered bamboo branches, I gathered them together in a place designated by Mbah uti. Although I actually have trouble doing this job. How not, bamboo twigs that branch everywhere, become heavy when pulled because it concerns the soil and trees around it.

The most difficult was when I lifted the bamboo rod that fell in the trench, near the clump. Slippery and slippery soil makes me have to be very careful when going down to pick up bamboo stems.

Although I had calculated the steps, but my footing that was not right made me slip. I was about to grab the tree trunk for a handle, but in a hurry, my arm was scratched by a bamboo twig.

The pointed twig scratched along my right arm, from the elbow to almost the wrist. Fresh blood dripped from the incision that had been pale white, slowly turning red, gaping. Of course, but I can still finish the job until I collect the bamboo stems in one place.

I saw my wounds not too deep, but blood dripped on, making Mbah uti come closer and come to see my wounds.

“Kham! Meduno!” (Kham! Downhill!)

Irkham came down from the roof without answering Mbah uti's orders. As soon as I saw my arm being held by Mbah uti, Irkham ran inside the house.

Mbah uti took me to sit on the edge of the pendopo, leaving bamboo stems and twigs that were not too neat. I watched him frown, for I saw my wounds that kept bleeding.

“Jenar undangke, iki kudu ndang treated.” (Call Genar, this should be treated immediately.)

Mbah uti left me while muttering what I can still hear, “oalah, wong city. Ora isoh ngati-ati, ora ngerti yen keno karang kuwi isoh gawe die.” (Oh, city people. Can not be careful, do not know if exposed to bamboo twigs can cause death.)

I shook my head because I did not know what Mbah uti said. Choosing to pay attention to my arm that was hit by a long scratch. Reyfan could laugh if he saw me now, I could have been hurt just by being hit by a bamboo twig.

I was watching my arm, thinking how I should do first aid so that the blood would stop immediately. When Jenar approached me, surprised to see because of my wound.

“Should be quickly treated.” He said while frowning.

“The wound is not too deep, later it also heals itself.” I gave up because I didn't want to look weak.

Unexpectedly, Jenar pulled me, taking me to a barrel located near the mushola. He pulled my injured hand slowly, forcing me to bow. To make our distance very close, even too close, because my chest could touch his shoulder.

This is not good, I know Jenar is a girl who always keeps a distance with men, including her own brother-in-law. So when we got too close somehow my feelings became uncomfortable.

Jenar opened the barrel lid, directing the flow of water that came out to precisely drain the wound on my arm. I felt a lot of pain, as the water soaked my wounds. Especially when I saw the flow of water turned deep red, making me shudder, but I held back.

It was so painstaking that Jenar cleaned my wound. He accidentally opened the incision so that water flowed into the wound and it was very painful. But the pain I can still endure, I can still act ordinary.

It was precisely I felt that Genar was not okay after finishing cleaning the wound on my arm. I saw his palms tremble as he closed the barrel. He even repeated several times until the flow of water on the barrel closed perfectly.

I had time to ask him, as he held on to the barrel side, “you are okay?”

I'm sure he can't hear what I'm saying, even though he's shaking loudly. I saw him getting more unsettled, his face paled and panicked.

Jenar seemed to be holding her breath, she rushed to leave me after drowning staring around. I thought he was going into the house, so he took a piece of cloth from a clothesline. The wide rectangular-shaped cloth was folded by Jenar, he used it to seal my wounds.

Though I have prevented it, “wait! Don't wear this!”

But my voice was like yawning in the air, not reaching Jenar's ears. The girl kept my wound covered with peach-colored cloth, no matter what and who it belonged to.

Once he finished tying the cloth to cover my wound, Jenar immediately turned her face away. I don't know just my feelings, but I think the girl's body is shaking, along with the tremors in the hands that are becoming.

He was still holding on to the barrel body, when I saw the body of Jenar began to drift. Luckily I grabbed his shoulder, so he didn't fall. I stretched out my hand to support his body, for the head of Jenar had fallen on my chest.

“Kham! Please!” My yelling.

But Irkham did not respond, even Mbah uti who walked hastily approached. Patting Jenar's cheeks as the girl closed her eyes perfectly.

“Nduk! Nduk! Nopo is iki?” (What's wrong with this kid?)

I ignored Mbah uti's words, because my mind was only focused on Jenar who suddenly fainted. I lifted her body, half-running I took her inside the house. Luckily Irkham immediately responded to my orders to help open the door, so I had no trouble bringing Jenar into the room.

As soon as I got to the room, I laid down Jenar's limp helpless body with her eyes tightly closed. She covered her body which felt cold as I lifted up earlier. I tried to wake the girl by shaking her shoulder, but there was no response.

I was just thinking, looking for something to make Jenar aware. When Mbah uti entered the room, with a step and teary eyes. That old woman must be very worried about her granddaughter.

Mbah uti gave me eucalyptus oil, after he poured it into his own palm. I open the lid of the little bottle, then slide it in front of Jenar's nose. But it hasn't worked, Jenar still closed her eyes.

“Lho, why Jenar?” mbak Sayumi who just came immediately approached the bed and put the back of her hand on Jenar's forehead. He must have been very worried about Jenar.

Ms. Sayumi put a small plastic bag just like that on the edge of the bed, slashing while asking for eucalyptus oil from my hand. He poured eucalyptus oil on his palm, then rubbed it on Jenar's hand. He gave a slow massage, then half hard while twitching his thumb.

Since there are already many who handle Jenar, I secretly resigned. But my step was read by mbak Sayumi, “his medicine in that plastic, Mas.”

I nodded while taking the plastic bag that Sayumi meant, then passed from the room that felt crowded because many people gathered. I let Jenar be helped by Mbah uti and mbak Sayumi.

I can't believe Irkham is following me, sitting in a wooden chair. Without asking, he helped me heal the wounds. Makes me think that it's true no body’s perfect. Everyone has their own advantages and disadvantages, as is the case with Irkham. He who looks different from most people, turns out to have many advantages. One of them is a high sense of empathy.

Until I finished treating my wounds with the help of Irkham, Jenar was not yet conscious. Makes my curiosity grow about the cause of her fainting. Possibly because

I shook my head trying to brush off unwarranted prejudice. I'll get a cell phone to call Reyfan. His family should know about the state of Jenar, if possible they should go home soon. Maybe Jenar needs a more serious handling.

Irkham and I went back into the room. Jenar only realized after we waited a long time. He looks confused while holding the temple, probably feeling dizzy. But a moment later he tried to smile, making us all relieved.

But what kept me from thinking was that he asked me not to tell his family about his condition. It's too late, because I've been doing it since he wasn't conscious. Even her family came home as soon as I called. Of course everyone was worried about Jenar.

Although I didn't speak, but I know Jenar was disappointed that I told her family without her permission. I didn't have a choice just now, where I might have let Jenar pass out for too long. I had no idea to make him aware.

I left the room again, after I made sure he was okay and his family had arrived. Choosing to sit on the terrace while igniting a cigarette. The pain, soreness and itching begin to lengthen the wound that has been covered with bandages. Immerse yourself by smoking a cigarette deeply, feeling the smell of burnt tobacco, soothing.

Staring at the street from behind the fence whose door was open. Then-passing vehicles coloring in the afternoon. The breeze blowing carried the cold air that burst out. For some reason in this area the air always feels cold and cool, unlike in Jakarta which is always sultry and hot.

When the cigarette in between my fingers stayed half, Reyfan came over. Sit on a wooden bench next to me. Without permission he took my cigarettes lying around. Stoking it with my match as well, it was common for us.

“Mbah uti says your hands are bleeding from bamboo twigs? How can?”

I nodded while hissing, enjoying the suction of cigarettes into the lungs and settling there. I answered Reyfan's question with a flat tone tends to be ketus, “of course can. I, am a human.”

As usual we are like this, never communicating normally outside the context of work. I don't know, how we can be friends for life, like humans in general, even though we are more often at odds.

Instead of my words that will not be finished seven days and seven nights, I prefer to ask one important thing that makes my curiosity peaked since then, “What is the Fear of blood?”

Reyfan laughed, until the cigarette smoke coming out of his mouth like shaking, “kony! She went to school majoring in obstetrics, how could Jenar be afraid of blood.”

I just shrugged, and it made Reyfan's forehead wrinkle. I just realized, I've been wrong to ask. Because now the soul wants to know Reyfan came to the surface, “waswhat happened, until Jenar fainted? You any him?”

I'm shaking Reyfan's head. I don't like it when my best friend puts on a serious face with a full view. Like I just made a big mistake that is unforgivable.

“What do you think I am? He fainted after cleaning my wound. I think he's scared of blood,”

Reyfan laughed again, this time too loudly. It can be heard all the way to the house. I don't know why I became upset and didn't want to continue the conversation with him.

I pulled my body up, took a cigarette and a match and put it in my pants pocket. I threw a cigarette that had shortened, threw the butts just like that in the front yard of the house.

“Where are you going?” Reyfan asked as he noticed me stepping up.

“Go home!” Answer straightforward.

“Where to go? Is this where you have a home? It's Magelang, woi! Not Jakarta.”

Actually I regretted the wrong words, but my brain thought quickly to rectify what I had said. Grinning as Reyfan looked at me suspiciously, “I always have some place to stay.” (I've always had a place to live.)

“Hei! No kidding! Where are you going?”

“By being honest?” I put the face right in Reyfan's ear. Whispering with a grin, “I want to go to the sarcomere. Want to come no?”

I laughed because Reyfan frowned, showing an innocent and funny face. It's fun to see Reyfan like this, surely his curiosity exceeds the gossip mums in the village.

I left him, who was still dumbfounded, into the house to get my things. I came here to take care of Jenar's application and it's over. Now it's time for me to have some fun. I can't wait to meet the little boy whose face is always looming. She must have been surprised because I didn't give any news of coming.

“I'm suspicious of you, Hara!”

I dropped the phone I was holding, in shock. While looking at the photo of Naufa, Reyfan was suddenly behind me, scaling while looking at me with a sharp look.

“Tempo day paper pink color, now a photo of a small child. Don't-don't ...,” he hasn't finished the sentence, but I've cut without permission, “don't-don't what? Don't know if you don't really know!”

Carry a backpack after making sure all the items get into it. Reyfan held back my steps by extending my legs, when I was about to pass through, “clearin used to sarcomere what?”

I almost laughed because Reyfan was still discussing my random remarks earlier. Just now I was about to open my mouth to answer already heard a voice not far from us. Apparently, Sayumi heard our conversation.

“Owalah mas Reyfan moso ora ngerti sarcophagus. Kae lho mas kembang market.” (time do not know sarcophagus, it, you know the flower market.)

“Why did you go to the flower market? Buy flowers?” Reyfan still doesn't know what we're talking about. Makes Sayumi almost laugh. But he can still answer Reyfan's questions.

"Yes, definitely buy some flowers, dong. Reyfan ora mudeng." (Mas Reyfan didn't mean.)

“You planted where?”

“Aduh mas Reyfan, not that flower, but the night flower.”

Before Reyfan managed to digest Sayumi's reply, I took the car keys on the table. Passing through Reyfan who was frowning a sign that he was thinking hard.

“Borrow car.”

Reyfan nodded, but a moment later pulled my shoulder until I complained because my sore arm was interested. Highlight his eyes sharp as he whispered in my ear, “just watch if you embarrass me. Don't let my whole family know your bad habits!”

“Ampun bang jago!” I cupped my hands like a worshiping servant, “maybe I am depraved, but not go-block!”

I almost choked because Reyfan pulled my shirt collar, “I'm serious! In Jakarta you can do as you like, here, you have to follow the rules of my game!”

“Yes, I know! Release!” I clutched his hand to take off my collar.

Just then Riani's mom came out of the room with a tray of empty glasses and plates. Probably dropped off delivering food to his newly unconscious daughter from fainting.

“Lho, Hara want to go?”

“Iya, Mum.”

“Where?”

“I want to-” I can hardly find an idea to answer the question bu Riani. I can't say I'm going to Wawan's house, I can't leave because I have to explain to Reyfan. So I chose the safe answer. “Visiting my cousin sister, Bu.”

“Oh! Hara has a cousin sister who lives here apparently?”

“Living in Jogja, Mom. In Seturan.”

“Oh, so. Uh!” Bu Riani seemed to remember something, “wait, first, yes! You bring food for your sister, she lives with her parents or who?”

“Not bother, Mom. She lives alone.”

Bu Riani was like surprised to hear my answer but she smiled, a smile with a motherly look that made me, ah! I don't know. I can't describe how I feel every time someone looks at me like that. Makes me remember my mom.

“It's okay, bring it to your sister. Lots of food here, if not shared, worry no one eats.”

I waited for Riani's mom to prepare the food. While waiting Reyfan continued to whisper in the softest voice, until only I could hear him.

“You really want to go to Cecilia?”

“Don't you have a girlfriend here?”

“Review if you sell your habits here.”

“You can actually fire me!”

I was just a beard, not wanting to answer Reyfan's absurd remarks. Choosing silence, rather than her increasingly terrorizing is unclear. Lazily I served him, I better think of what I should buy for Naufal.

I thought the food Riani brought was just a little, it turned out that a bag of crackles was full. Still plus one medium-sized box. I refused, but Riani's mother half-forced me to keep her.

“It's okay, Hara. Later give it to your friend or neighbor.”

In my heart I feel happy. Imaged reaction mbak Nabila and Pak Wawan when later I bring a lot of food. Also Naufal, the boy must love the cakes that Riani's mom brought. The remaining cake of the banquet was held this afternoon, as well as the shipment brought by the Ghufron family. I just stopped by the minimarket to buy the boy's favorite, vanilla-flavored ice cream.

After feeling through an unusual day, I think indulging in playing with Naufal can calm me down. Delightful.

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