What a Beautiful Divorce

82. Creating and Coloring

Prapto pedaled his bike. The night just came down. There are still many residents who take a walk or who are inclined to do night activities on the terrace of their homes; play with children or talk while drinking tea or coffee.

Prapto pulled out his bike not far from a cart selling ginger wedang. About seven men from Kejora village who were all known to Prapto seemed to be waiting in line for their ginger wedang order.

“Pak Gum, wedang gahe is big seplastik.” Prapto sat on a long bench after nodding a smile at the gentlemen who were in line.

“Many right, Prapto?” asked Mr. Gum in a joking tone.

“Make brought to Mr. Oscar's house, Sir,” replied Prapto.

“Beres. Wait, yes.” Mr. Gum said without turning his head because he was making ginger wedang.

“Aman, Sir,” says Prapto. Then he lit a cigarette.

Prapto noticed the patience of Mr. Gum who was wearing a head covering typical of the shepherd boy. How he lived his profession as a peddler with a smile.

“Trade ginger wedang its main purpose is to sell healthy drinks to Kejora villagers, Prapto,” said Pak Gum, breaking Prapto's thinking. He handed me a large package containing ginger wedang order Prapto.

Prapto. “Pak Gum also gardening, right?” tanyakanya.

“Iya. That's why I said the main purpose of selling ginger wedang is not money. I already have more than enough income from the garden.” Mr. Gum lit his cigarette. “You're in a hurry to Mr Kades' house?”

“No, Sir,” answered Prapto.

“Then, I made a mini ginger wedang for our friends to chat for a while.” Mr. Gum stood towards the porch of his wagon. Soon he sat back down and served two small glasses of ginger. “Please, Prapto,” said.

Prapto gulped down the mini ginger wedang. His forehead wiggling. “Kok tastes different, Mr Gum? Another delicacy.”

Mr. Gum laughed. “This is my new ginger recipe, Prapto. Not yet sold, new for my home consumption only.”

“This cool, Sir. I'm waiting for the release date.” Prapto again sipped a mini ginger wedang, then gave money for his groceries.

Mr. Gum nodded. “No need,” he said while refusing the money raised by Prapto. “You will definitely talk about things related to the innovation of our village at the home of Mr. Kades. Let's just say ginger wedang is my participation form as a good villager.

“I thank you, Prapto. Since your presence in Kejora village, the income of the citizens increased without having to eliminate the true values of our village.”

“Thank you, Mr. Gum. That's because I love the village that is now my home, sir,” answered Prapto.

They chatted for about fifteen minutes, then Prapto went to Mr. Oscar's house. “Thank you, Mr. Gum,” said and went back pedaling the bike.

***

Prapto parked his bike in Mr. Oscar's yard. On the terrace appears to have sat Mr. Oscar, Mr. Purnomo, Nimo, and also Mr. Oscar's son-in-law, Stepen. Prapto greeted them and sat down. Nimo took a packet of ginger wedang then poured it into a prepared glass.

“Still at seven past fifteen minutes, Nimo, it will also run out as we chat. Where have we talked for a while with Mr. Village Head.” Prapto poured the glass that had been filled Nimo to Mr. Oscar, Mr. Purnomo, and Stepen.

“Pak Gum won't accept money when I pay, sir. He said, this is his participation as a good villager,”, Prapto told Mr. Oscar.

Mr. Oscar laughed. “Hopefully the trade of the Gum is getting better-selling.” It ignites its shell. “There is something I want to discuss with you tonight, which is about adding a type of fish to our village river. That's the first one. The second is about sewing skills.

“It seems that the interest in sewing in our village is quite high. It will be useful for residents and will increase revenue also if we can sell stitching materials from Kejora village. But still by maintaining the natural element, it will make the production of Kejora village special.”

“Then,” says Stepen. “Means there will also be clothing coloring with natural plant fibers such as indigo plant, Father.”

“Yes, Stepen. There must be many advantages of this natural fabric that will make people interested in buying it. But our village needs a teacher. Where do some people really understand this? And that person must be a citizen of Kejora village so that he can focus on teaching the villagers,”, replied Mr. Oscar.

Prapto lit his cigarette. “If it's about adding fish, it's a simple matter, Mr. Village Chief. We have a plan to go to town with Mr. Purnomo, to sell the painting, I can order the fish to a freshwater fishmonger. About the science of making and coloring clothes in this natural way that I do not know where to find his teacher.”

“It looks like it's a traditional science of skill, Boss,” Nimo said. “But it does not rule out the possibility there are experts who live in the city. Information can be found later.” He then looked at Oscar. “But if asked to settle in our village, it will be a bit difficult, sir. What if the teacher comes to the village once a week?”

“Ongkosnya certainly from us, Nimo, if the teacher does not live here. And if you study once a week, there will not be much knowledge that can be absorbed. I want his teacher to stay in our village so that the citizens who want to learn can be perfect intelligence. It is unlikely that the teacher will be stingy to teach his knowledge if he has become a resident of Kejora village,” explained Mr. Oscar.

Mr. Purnomo gulped down his wedang gahenya. “This fabric business opportunity is indeed very potential. Fabrics made and at the same time colored in the village Kejora. City people are now racing to buy natural food, they will surely also flock to buy natural clothing. In Paris, I once saw a natural cloth described by Oscar earlier. It is beautiful and character. The city people will love it.

“But about that and about the marketing later we will think. The most important thing now is to find the teacher and how to get the teacher to stay in our village. Not just want to teach or stay for a while, but want to live in this village from his heart, like Prapto used to be.”

Mr. Oscar nodded. “True. As Purnomo said, the teacher must be willing to settle in the village of Kejora from his heart, not for money.” Mr. Oscar sucked his horn. “There are still some of my other ideas for Kejora village, but for now, we focus on this one first.”

“What's the name of the sewing and coloring skills of clothes, Dad?” ask Stepen. “If you know his name, it will be easier to find his teacher.”

“If about the name, it may refer to the science of making and coloring clothes in ancient times. You said it too, Stepen. Wrong name can result in wrong bringing guru.” Mr. Oscar looked at Prapto. “When will you accompany Purnomo to the city, Nak Prapto?” tanyakanya.

“Two or three more days, Mr. Village Chief,” Prapto replied.

“Well, you guys have time to find out the name of the skill of making and coloring those clothes before leaving for the city. I trust you guys,” said Mr. Oscar.

Mr. Purnomo laughed after starting his cigarette. “Oscar ... Oscars. Just say you're lazy browsing looking for his name, use say entrust everything.”

Everyone on the terrace laughed.

“Yes, that is,” said Mr. Oscar. He looked at the table. “I forgot to offer her fried cassava. Come, eaten! Later cold hunt.”

They also continued the conversation.