Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 5)

By Dalem Tehang

“OM, if need anything say yes?” Ijal suddenly split my composure.

“O yes, definitely it is, Jal. Thanks for the coffee yes,”.

“Not to thank you, om. Indeed it is the duty of Ijal ladeni the needs of friends in this room,” he said.

“You why did you get here, Jal?” my many.

“Berantem, um. Yeah, people don't have fate, om. Although it is not really wrong Ijal, but yes this is the end,” he said. There was a poignant tone to his voice.

“Where did it happen?” ask again. Curious.

Ijal. His eyes stared at the ceiling. Breath restrained. His eyes suddenly glazed.

“Sorry, Jal. If it makes you sad,” I said. Trying to understand the raging sense on him.

“Nno, om. There is nothing wrong with me. Ijal aja too baper,” said he. While still spreading a smile.  

There seemed to be an attempt to calm the turmoil of his heart and mind. An effort to maintain the balance of the humanitarian side.  

We were both silent for a long time. My eyes looked at the friends who returned soundly in their sleep, after the congregation. 

I don't know. Is there still a dream sleep in this prison. Because I haven't had a second to close my eyes. 

“So Ijal fought it because it restrained love, om,” said Ijal suddenly.

“O. How can I go to jail for breaking love?” my spoken. Chimed.

“That time Ijal again on campus, om. Just finished the exam. Fitting out of the room, see Ijal's girlfriend again bullied people. Students too. Both went to college with Ijal. Keep teasing them. Uh, even fight. Finally occurred. The one who disturbed Ijal's boyfriend broke his head because Ijal hantem used a stone. He's reported to the police. Be now Ijal here,” he said in a heavy voice. Resisting anger with regret. 

“How many smester are you now?” my many. Divert this dramatic melancholy atmosphere.

“Already the final smester, om. Again compose thesis. If there is no this incident, next month Ijal has exams and the end of the graduation year,” he continued. Look at his eyes empty. As if we had lost hope of the future.

“Later to be found, Jal. The important thing is that you remain optimistic and upbeat,” I said. Trying to lift his spirits.

“Oalah, apes it's name, Jal. But you still can continue to study elsewhere after all this is done,” respond me. Keep trying to spread a shard of hope.

For a moment we were silent. Until a loud voice while beating the iron bars sounded from the end and got closer. 

“Apel, apple. Let's wake. Apple,” said the loud voice.

“We're apples first, om. Just for a second. Later we continue the conversation yes,” said Ijal, immediately moved to wake up friends who were still sleeping.

We stand. Be jam-packed. Three officers in full uniform, standing straight in front of the cell door. One by one, we count. Complete 12 people.

“Which just entered semalem where?” ask one of the officers.

I raised my hand. The officer, as well as the other two stared intently. One of the officers moved. Look at the prisoner list board installed next to the cell door. On the board there are names and expected articles.

“Pak Mario, fine here yes. Don't make a fuss or make a macem. Follow any of these rules. And what's going on here, don't get out. If it violates, we can be loud and rough,” said the officer who read the prisoner list board.

I'm nodding. Start getting used to threats or insults, even though not yet 24 hours in the detention room.

After the officer left, Edi the head of the room reminded me of the adaptation and kept the secrecy no matter what.

“Follow what the guard would like. Because, even if only one person violates, everything in this room is punished as well,” said Edi. 

“If he's a macem-macem, we're bustling around,” suddenly Doni interrupts.

I looked at his face. Sangar. Her body is tall. Full tattoo. Nothing yet, three times he blasphemed me.

Joko pulled my hand. Take a seat at our place. He took out a pack of cigarettes from a sock he tied to a bottle of mineral water that became his pillow.

“Liet aja, Mario. Just smoke first. He is not the same level as you,” said Joko. Unpacked the cigarette and told me to take the cigarette directly from the pack. 

“Thanks for the cigarette, Joko. So not feeling good, take your cigarettes continue,” I said.

“Seat. Just like you said: thank you. Life's the point is thank you and love, Mario. No one just accepts without giving. Also, no one gives without a heart. Made lightly. Consider again staying in rented,” said Joko with a smile. Very simple. (connected)