Tone & Sound
#16 Sirius
"Come, Je. I will miss the plane. Uda this bad luck." urged Una. Little pout. Staring at Jeje in front of the door of the rental house that was still busy with his suitcase.
At 09:11 in the morning. It's time. Today they are leaving Paris. Half an hour later their plane will take off. Actually, they had to leave an hour ago if Jeje hadn't gotten up too late. But that's not a problem. Everything's taken care of anyway. Tickets, and everything else Naira had prepared last night. So they don't have to worry about anything.
"Merci, Madame." Smiling tone. Giving the keys to the rental house to the woman in front of him who is none other than the owner of the house. The woman received the keys to the rental house and smiled as well.
After that Nada stepped towards the taxi that had been waiting for. Jeje, Una, and Naira were already there. They have to leave now. Tone up into the taxi. Naira says the trip to the airport takes fifteen to twenty minutes. They have to hurry if they don't want to miss the plane. Yeah, even though Jeje was a little protesting why to rush. But they must be in a hurry. And shortly after, the taxi left.
One or two blocks of road are well covered. The taxi driver accelerated his car. Skillful overtaking some blocking vehicles. In accordance with the direction of Una who was beside him to accelerate quickly. The centile elf slightly urged the taxi driver. The driver's face was glimpsed and did not protest at all. Nada and Naira laughed softly at that. Una is an expert when it comes to on time.
Tone leaned back and turned to the right. Widespread all from the car glass. Several hikers, low-flying birds go hand in hand, and the sky. It's very clear weather today. It turns out that the radio announcer who delivered the news about the weather this morning-heard from the taxi radio wasn't lying. Beautiful sky blushing. Plus some white clouds were preening there as far as the eye could see.
A wonderful trip though in a hurry. His face turned away from the window. Lean quietly while holding his mobile phone. In the coming hours, Paris will be completely abandoned. A very beautiful city. Keep the memories that will later be remembered Nada someday. Every corner of the city, night, and season that thrice repeats, really. The pieces will be carried anywhere at any time.
"Jeez, Nada!" Jeje suddenly shouted. Folding the laptop that he had been holding. Everyone was shocked and looked at him. Even the taxi driver looked up from the windshield.
"Why, Je? Is anyone missing?" Naira asked to know. Jeje shook her head.
"It sounds like you're going back to Jakarta and you're not going back to Paris again, Nad?" ask plain jeje.
Una who heard that immediately patted his eel while glaring at Jeje. Naira turned her face away. Little pissed. While Nada just laughed softly.
"As friends, we should remind each other." Jeje turned away an indifferent face. Opening the laptop screen.
Naira glanced at Nada for a moment. Tone twitched his shoulders.
Nothing wrong with Jeje's question. But if it's possible, why did Nada have to tell Bunci about her return this morning? Of course it is not important for the tone. Or for that man. But this morning, Ms. Ni called for a while and asked about this. Saying a lot of farewell sentences and saying Nada should call her when she gets to Jakarta. Surely later this return will reach the ears of Sound from Bu Ni. Yes, although Nada had guessed that it must have sounded completely unimportant to men like Sound. Guy sucks.
Ten minutes later, the taxi arrived. Tone and the others down. Similarly, the taxi driver who came down and helped them drop their suitcases. After that they rushed to the airport along with the taxi that took them away.
Inside, the atmosphere is crowded. Especially in the arrival area. Tourists come back and forth. Paris will always be one of the tourist attractions. But the departure area is also no less crowded. Looks like the flight this morning was congested. A dreamy tone in his steps. He recalled three years ago when he first arrived in Paris. The view is still the same. The crowds, the happy faces of the people, and the hope that Paris will have many beautiful things hanging there. Nothing has changed. Tone turned to the left. Watching around. Calls continue to be heard from airport speakers. Breaking his reverie. Especially the call for their flight. They continued to walk towards the departure gate.
"Nay, is there selling rice here?" Jeje held her stomach. Pouty.
Naira who heard that shook her head. Nonexistent.
The tone that heard that smiled faintly. Poor thing. But now they shouldn't think about the rice sitting down, five minutes from the plane they're taking off. They had to rush into the plane. Calls for their flights have also been heard repeatedly. There's no more time. Tone turned left-right. The people around them also stepped in the same direction. Hurriedly. It seems like they are not the only ones going to Jakarta this morning.
Passing through the departure gate, they finally managed to board the plane. Stepping slowly while leading to his chair. Jeje and Una sat together in the third row on the left. While Naira with other passengers right behind them. An aged woman. Maybe a businessman or gold collector. Seen from the bracelets in his hands and the necklace around his neck. Then as for Nada herself, she still stepped up. Her seat was a little far away from the three centil elves in front. Tone stepped towards the back. Until finally he reached the back two rows. A black-haired woman, wearing a jacket, sitting while reading a book was there.
Nada glanced at the woman for a moment then hurriedly sat down.
• • •
Putting the bag and leaning back, Nada stared at the outside view from the plane's glass. Soon he will be parting ways with Paris after three years of providing an amazingly wonderful experience for him. Separate by a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers. Tone sighs. He hates that word. Maybe everyone hates it too. Yes, the word parting is annoying even though many of us will come back again with a temporary time.But parting is still separated. Temporary or forever will always mean abandonment and abandonment. Tone turned. Looking ahead. Two flight attendants passing by. The sound of the plane's notification about to take off is heard. The lights are dead. Tone fixes the backrest. Now it's time. Tone closed the eyes. A minute later, Paris had only the sky left and the tiny dots were disappearing ever dimmer in the back.
After that, twenty-five minutes passed very quickly. All that remained were clumps of clouds and vast stretches of clear blue sky. Paris is far behind. Tone opened the bag and took the book inside. The book he intentionally brought. One of his favorite books. Tone always reads the book. It was as if the book could accompany him to enjoy this long journey. Given the sky of Jakarta will appear fifteen more hours. Pretty long time.
In the front row, the three centil fairies were silent. Maybe they are busy each other or maybe they have slept like other passengers. The atmosphere inside the plane was a little quiet. There was only a flaming television sound on some passenger benches as well as the footsteps of two passing flight attendants taking turns carrying food and soft drinks.
"Five friends?"
Someone's voice was heard greeting. Or maybe more precisely ask. Tone turned. It was from the woman beside him. Tone looked at the woman while nodding slowly.
"Harmony." He put his hand.
"Tone." Small smiling tone. Brief introduction.
"I think it's a good book for this fifteen-hour boring trip." The woman named Harmony laughed softly. Nodding.
"Maybe so." The tone laughed slowly.
"Sorry to interrupt your reading time. Now I won't bother you anymore. I'm actually sleepy anyway." Harmony grin. Tidying up his sitting position and leaning back. Sharpen eyes.
The tone that saw it laughed softly. A funny girl. It was as if now Nada already knew the name of the person sitting with her for the next fifteen hours. Tone turns away the face. Look back at the book and start reading it. First page.
Tone of reading and paying attention to every sentence in the book. Observe each page. Sometimes also staring at the glass of the plane. A heavy hour and a half. The view outside looks a little cloudy now. Black clouds faintly clad in the sky. Little creepy. Looks like a storm is coming. A few moments ago, it still looked very bright. Tone closed the book. Last page. He put the book on his lap. He rubbed both eyes for a moment. It rained an hour after that. Millions of grains simultaneously fell piercing the earth. Tone back leaning. Closed his eyes, decided to sleep.
Until finally a dozen hours passed unnoticed. Tone woke from his sleep. The voice of the flight attendant was heard giving a cue to prepare. The plane will land soon. All the passengers also seemed to be in their seats. Likewise with Harmony who has been sitting upright while holding his book. Tone turned towards the glass window as the lights went off. Fifteen short hours. A small smiling tone stared out the window. Beautiful light spots appear flickering along hundreds of kilometers despite dew and drizzle along with it. Thank goodness this sky was not stormed. At 01:12 in the morning, Jakarta. Plane landing.
Tone prepared to step towards the front. Looking for a moment at the smiling Harmony towards him. The woman stepped first. Tone smiled for a while then stepped forward. There three centile fairies were already waiting. They got off the plane after that. Stepping into the airport, Naira said the driver was waiting for them. So they can go straight home. Their faces also looked tired. Although during the trip they slept, still fifteen hours in the plane must have been draining.
Tone nodded in agreement. Even when stepping out of the airport, he did not come home with three fairy centils because suddenly Bara came to pick him up. The tone that saw Bara coming with excitement on her face was immediately upset. Yeah, well, his frustration was that Bara couldn't be called a dozen hours ago. Even the message Nada sent was not reciprocated. But even so, the frustration did not last long after Bara said that he had good news. News that will make Nada's heart happy. The tone that heard it also wanted to know. Bara said, this is about Miss Ann. Tone suddenly silent. Fifteen minutes after that, they left the airport.
Last trip. Thirty minutes. Tone impatiently wanted to get home. It's been three years. His face was very happy. It's the queen bee who misses her best flower fields. Missing hanging there clearly. Even though he held back that longing a little. Nada had told Bara to stop by the hospital first before returning home because he was impatient to meet his mother. But Bara said it was too late. The hospital clock ran out a few hours ago. Tone nodded thinly.
But Bara said Nada had nothing to worry about. He also returned to say the good news. News about Ms. Ann's condition. Bara said conditions were much better. The doctor who handled Ms Ann said the healing process went well. A positive response was shown by his mental state that was beginning to gradually recover. The tone that heard that immediately sighed happily. Before finally turning his gaze to the car glass. Street's jammed. Vehicle horns are not friendly to each other. Jakarta is Jakarta at all times.
• • •
Half an hour passed. They arrive. Tone and Bara get off the car. Holding a bag and stepping towards the door of the house, two beautiful flower pots were hanging neatly on each side of the door and a woman welcomed their arrival. He is Bi Mira. Bara once told Nada about Bu Mira. A housekeeper who worked a year ago. He takes care of everything at home. Small smiling tone. Bi Mira helps him with the suitcase and goes inside.
"Welcome back." Bara stared at Nada. Smilingly.
They're in the living room now. The tone also smiles. His eyes looked around. Look at the details of everything there. Bara said nothing has changed. He told Bi Mira not to change anything. All because Bara wants when Nada or Bu Ann returns home, the condition is still the same as the beginning they left it. Tone nodded in confidence. Bara's right. Everything still looks the same as it did three years ago. Nothing has changed in a small speck. The position of the table, the sofa, the paintings on the left wall, and the picture frames of their life memories. Tone breathed a happy breath.
After that Nada stepped towards her room. Go inside and stare at everything in turn. The room is still the same. Like three years ago. A small bookcase on the right, a turntable and some vinyl boxes next to the mattress, even the little aquarium. Aquarium where the beloved animals Nada. Popo. The little turtle that Nada bought as a gift for herself on her seventeenth birthday. Tone turns away the face. Step into the bed and sit there. Now he's really home.
Tok
Tone turned. In front of the door Bara stood smilingly looking at him before finally stepping in and sitting with Nada.
"Good to have you at home, Nad. Yeah, there's no gossip about Mas marrying Bi Mira anymore." Bara laughs. Same with Nada.
"Anyway, how's Paris?" Bara wants to know. Tone twitched his shoulders.
"Beative. But there's still no place more beautiful than home." Smiling tone. Small nodding.
Bara nodded. Right enough.
"If it sounds, what?" Bara asked again.
"Good man, genius, though sometimes annoying." Bara answered his own question. Nodding thinly. Tone turned his face.
After that somehow their views were both fixed on one photo on the wall. Right in front of them. Tone looked at him first. Bara also took a look at the photo even though if seen from his face, he was actually reluctant. The photo that looks worn out frame, slightly covered with gray clouds and thunder that come along, the photo is their photo. Family photos from years ago. Tone sighs. Looks Tone small and Bara teen who smiles happy there. Also Miss Ann and Mr. Karso who both embrace them tightly.
"Tomorrow morning to take you to the hospital, yes. Now you rest first. Fifteen hours of flying in the air, I know you must be tired." Bara standing. Rubbing Nada's shoulder for a while then stepping away.
Tone nodded slowly.
It looks like Bara is trying to shift the focus of Nada from the photo. Maybe Bara doesn't want Nada to remember those happy memories again. Beautiful memories that not make the heart happy, but vice versa. Tone turns away the face. Go up on the bed, lay down. Staring at ceiling. No matter how hard we try to forget it, every piece of memory will always be present in any way. At least that's how the past works.
The next day, dawn came early. His light came in and woke up the souls that drowned last night. Eight o'clock in the morning. Jakarta was a little different this morning. Cool and friendly. The streets are so good. No deafening car horn. Pedestrians, street vendors fill the left-right side of the road. Even if you are driving, skyscrapers still do not escape from view.
This morning Nada and Bara headed for the hospital. They left fifteen minutes ago. This morning, Nada wanted to surprise her mother. Removing the accumulated longing for three years. For Nada this morning is a very special morning. He could not wait to embrace his mother. Plus Bara said today Miss Ann there is no schedule of any therapy. Nada can spend all day accompanying her Mama in the hospital.
"Nad," Bara called.
Tone turned, "Yes Mas?"
"Every night I forgot it. You said you had a chat Mas. But the number, the new number. You changed whatsapp number?
"New number?"
Bara nodded.
"I don't think I ever changed my number." Tone folded his forehead.
"Whose number is this?" Bara gave his cell phone to Nada.
Nada accepts. His eyes looked at the mobile phone screen. And how wonderful Nada when looking at the contents of the message there. The message I meant. That phrase. Tone was silent for a moment. He remembered. It's the same message. Tone saw the sender's number. Is correct. The sender number is the same. There's something I want to tell you. It's about Mama. Tone turns away the face. Look at the street ahead.
"Why, Nad?" Bara wants to know.
"Gapapa Mas's. It's just like something's weird."
"Any?" I am beginning to get confused. Tone nodded slowly.
"Two days ago I also got a chat like gini. Exactly. It's the same, the sender's number, too. I even thought this message was from Mas." The tone folded back his forehead. Trying to think the owner of the sentence. He was obviously curious.
The people who heard it became more confused. If it wasn't from the two of them, then from whom? Nada thought about it over and over again before finally leaning back on the car bench. Staring at the streets that are starting to quiet now. The sky is a little cloudy outside. The drizzling spots began to descend as the bright suddenly disappeared this morning. Completely disappeared. Who's sender.
• • •
Five minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Nada and Bara got out of the car before finally stepping into the hospital. Nada can't wait to see her mother soon. Inside, someone was waiting for them. Smiling while giving a greeting. She is Luna. The doctor who handled Ms. Ann. Bara says Luna is the best specialist at the hospital. Luna is also the owner of this hospital. Tone nodded and smiled at Luna. After that they immediately stepped into Ms. Ann's room. Luna led the way.
Along the way, the hospital atmosphere was quiet. There were only closed rooms, some empty rooms for patients, two-three nurses passing by, and a garden that looked like a patch from the left window. This hospital is not like a hospital in general. Tone knows it because Bara had told him that this hospital is home or arguably like a special place for certain diseases only. And Luna also explained that to Nada. He said, in addition to the hospital this place is more suitable to be regarded as a rehabilitation house. Tone nodded thinly. He had thought that this place was similar to the place in Paris. It is a home for Alya.
Tone turned. Bara asked Luna a little about Ms Ann's condition until this morning. Luna said everything was still the same as what she said last time to Bara. Luna said Miss Ann still can't walk even though her legs have started to move. Good news for them. Luna continued. Improvements in the sensory and motor nerves of his body also improved. Ms. Ann began to react with therapeutic stimuli. That's why Ms. Ann's hysterical illness never came back. Tone and Bara looked at each other and smiled. Really good news. Then Luna continued to explain. Even so, Miss Ann still behaves the same. Cold and still unable to speak. Plus, often at night before bed, Ms. Ann is delirious. Calling a name or getting nervous. Tone and Bara looked at each other.
It is difficult to explain how they felt as children who saw the suffering of their parents. There is always a feeling of pain and sadness when they know about the condition of the mother. But they seemed a little more relieved because the more days Bu Ann's condition improved. It does not rule out the possibility for his recovery later. Yes, Nada always wanted her Mama cured. It had been a long time to see a smile hanging beautifully on her face. Tone shed tears. Then, rub it and stop stepping. One minute later. They reached the very end of the room.
Tone stared around before his gaze focused on the one door that was in front. Luna said that's Miss Ann's room. Tone sighs. Now he was close to his mother. In a moment he could see his mother inside. His heart is very happy. But, no doubt a little tucked sadness there. Tone lowered for a while while sighing again. Somehow there was a little fear in Nada that Miss Ann might not recognize her anymore.
"Nad" Bara said slowly. Holding arm Soft tone.
Tone turned. Seeing Bara smile while nodding thinly. His eyes seemed to speak, gapapa. Tell Tone to go inside.
Tone sighed again, again, and again. Her chest feels a little tight. His hand touched the door and then slowly pushed it. The tone lowered and closed the eyes for a moment. One light that pierced through the window greeted him from the right. One cello instrument was also heard out of nowhere with the sound of someone humming sharply, stabbing.
What it's like to have a full cloud, without ever sharing it with rain. What it's like to own the land without ever sharing it with dead souls. And what it's like to have a past, without ever sharing it with a future waiting down the road.
Tone stepped inside. Bara and Luna were behind him. Opening his eyes completely, he stared at the back of a woman sitting in a wheelchair facing the window. Tone biting his lips. That's Miss Ann. That's Mama.
"Ma." Speech tones slowly. Swiping the other end of the eye for a bit, trying to call Miss Ann over there.
But Ann did not answer. Still looking at the window. The instrument and the gun stopped. Tone stepped closer. One or two steps towards your mother. Still staring at Bu Ann's back while holding tightness inside the chest. Tried calling once more, before he finally fell silent. Miss Ann turned around.
They're looking at each other right now. Tone sighs. He couldn't stand it. Withered eyes and that pale face. There is no room for happiness there. It was obvious sadness was hanging on each of his petals. Really, Miss Ann's been holding it for a long time. There is nothing but sadness. Tone shed tears. Her chest is really tight now. Trying to call again even though he couldn't help but cry. Until finally Nada ran and knelt in front of Ms. Ann.
"Ma. It's Nada, Ma." Tone held tightly onto Ms Ann's hand. Looking up, expecting her mother's empty eyes.
"Ma, Nada's home. Mom's kangen tone."
"Mama still remembers Nada, right? Mama how are you? Mama misses Nada, right, Ma?"
Drop by drop Tone tears fall. Slopped. Break that dam already. Tone crying as he pleased. Ms. Ann still did not answer. There was only a blank stare and a flat face looking forward. He could not even see his son crying and kneeling in front of him.
On the other hand, the bar turned its face. He was not strong if he had to see that scene. Look at the ceiling of the room. Eyes glazed. Bara didn't want to see his sister crying there. Although actually Bara knows what Nada does for free. She knew Miss Ann would never answer. But Bara still can not do anything.
Tone wiped her tears repeatedly. As if the sadness had no end. Tone turned around and looked at Bara for a while then looked back at her pale flat face with a smile. Holding tightly onto Ms Ann's cold hands, gulping her saliva and wiping the tears on her cheeks, Nada began to sing.
One star at the end of the road. Make friends with night. The moon disappeared and then disappeared. Tomorrow will come.
A little hoarse as the tears were still streaming, Nada hummed softly. I hope my mom hears it in the deepest part of my heart. Tone down sluggish. It was a lyrical rendition of a song that Bu Ann used to sing. A song that can always deliver a little Tone into the embrace of dreams. Songs called Sirius. Defined as the brightest star in the night sky, Ms. Ann used to wish Nada to be like that one day.
• • •
Although this morning is not as beautiful as what you think, although not as soft as the light that touches the sky, at least long it is complete. Even if it has to be paid with tears. Bara took Nada out of Miss Ann's room. End the morning in the room. He could not bear to see his sister drown deeper in the sea of sadness. Moreover, because Luna had told Bara that Miss Ann should not be forced to remember too much or be in such a condition. It can affect bad memories re-emerge and trigger depression.
The room was also abandoned. They're goin. Luna invites Bara to talk a little about Miss Ann in her room. While Nada, downcast sluggishly sat on the bench of the hospital garden. His eyes. Her tears are still falling. One by one as the wind blew away the fallen leaves. The clouds are a little gray. This morning, Nada hopes she hugs her Mama while reaching out happily to meet again after three years of their separation. As the daughter longs for a mother's warm embrace, Nada hopes this morning will be a happy piece even if it's just a piece. It's been a long time. Sobbing tone again. Her tears fell back. Staring blankly ahead, those pieces of memories twisted. The whole park is turning into a stage of the past.
In the past, if Nada or Bara was crying, Miss Ann would have come and grabbed them. Without asking and immediately expel the sadness from the faces of his children while smiling. Ms. Ann said everything would be fine. Nothing can drive away that carefree face. Although world. The tone and little Bara who heard it instantly stopped crying. Wiping the end of your eyes and smiling. Hugged tightly Ms. Ann. Calm and safe with him. Miss Ann is the one who understands best. She won't let her kids cry any longer. Whatever he would do to be happy was hanging solidly on their faces. But now everything is so much different. No more smiles after tears. No more warm and peaceful hugs. Tone breathed her. The whole park is back to normal. That piece of memories disappeared in an instant.
Tone wiped the end of his eyes before finally turning his head. His phone is ringing.
Hi, Nada. How are you doing? I know you must have gotten there. How's Jakarta? I called Madame Marie yesterday. He said you left the rental house. Mercifully. I'm glad you're home. Congratulations on your graduation. I'm also happy. Now you can take a vacation before you become a professional musician like me. Don't mind about my invitation a few days ago about the festival. Focus there first. But if you're interested in seeing that great show, let me know. Oh yeah, by the way I'm already here. The Banda Neira. I got to last night. This place is absolutely incredible. A very beautiful paradise. My advice is you should see it straight away. Yeah, got here first. I have to go around this morning. The opening event will be held in two days. Nad, once again congratulations on your graduation.
marked in this message, your teacher.
The tone turned away from the mobile phone screen after reading a fairly long message. Message from a very familiar person. Who else if not Cikal. Because there will be no one other than Cikal who chooses to send messages throughout it rather than having to call. A pretty unique man. He said he had arrived at the place by now. Neira Banda. Cikal will start to take care of the festival. Summer jazz festival. Tone staring flat ahead. He remembered about Cikal's invitation which he had not yet responded to. Come to think of it, Nada was indeed a little interested in going to Banda Neira. At least just to see the festival that Cikal said would be a great festival. Because maybe there will be many great musicians of the world who come and perform on stage. Given also the time in Paris, after one of his dreams of performing in New Hall failed, Nada had the thought to accept Cikal's offer to go to Banda Neira to see the jazz summer festival there. But in the end, it was slowly forgotten. Nada did not think too much about Banda Neira and the festival after Bara said that the condition of Bu Ann had decreased a few days ago. Even when I went back to Jakarta now and saw the condition of Mama earlier, it seems that Nada will not go.
