Dul
014. The New Idol

“Udah Mother said, you do not come out if the man came to mambu-ngamuk—”

“Bloody mom—”

“Dul, listen Mother ...”

Dul looked at the hand of Sejah who was tightly gripping his wrist. His mother's hands were dirty and there was a lot of sand. Her mother's face was falling. How would Bara like her mother if she looked like that? Dul's mind was now filled with other worries.

“Dul ...” The touch of Dijah's hand made Dul's gaze return to his face. “What did you just see?” tanya Sejah's.

“Bapak beat Mom,” replied Dul.

“Others …. You see what?”

Dul returned his mother's gaze in earnest. “I saw Om Bara dateng nolong Mom,” she replied.

His mother quickly closed her mouth. “Don't be hard, Mbah Wedok is sick again, right? Until there was no commotion outside. Lagian Mbah will be angry if you mention the name Om Bara.”

Her mother uncovers her hair and tidies her haste. Swiping some parts of the face that might feel his mother was sick and hit by his father earlier.

Dul saw his mother glancing at the room. “Om Bara outside ..”

Dul's words made Dijah flinch and his gaze moved to the closed door. “Do not go out, you are in dalem aja.”

And Dul is back on edge. His mother's screams sounded from outside. The scream of anger mixed with panic further added to his anxiety. He was worried about being abandoned by Bara and his mother. Wanted to peek outside, but was afraid that his father would still be there. Dul stood behind the door.

Silent for a moment, Dul gasped for a knock on the door. Quickly he opened it. The face appeared. His forehead was sweating and his countenance was still flushed. Although the man smiled widely, the rest of his anger was still visible. I don't know why Dul was happy to see him. Knowing that someone was angry when his mother was hurt.

“Om just wanted to hang out for you, eaten, yeah. Sorry Om, yes ...”

*Apologies for what? Hit that guy? It should be me or Mom who thanks you. *

Bara ruffled his hair. The man's eyes softened even more. It had completely changed from his gaze the first time it appeared.

“Please Om Bara. I must have eaten,” said Dul, opened the canteen and looked at the contents. There were many people he had never seen before.

At that time Dul understood the purpose of Bara's arrival that night. Some chocolate packets look a little dirty. Bara must have dumped the package because he wanted to help his mother immediately.

"Lock the door. Sleep, yes ...”

Dul rolled his gaze outside the fence. His mother stood looking at him and Bara. Then his mother's gaze moved on his father who might be sitting outside the fence. He could not see his father from where he stood.

She still looked at him waiting for an answer. Dul nodded and retreated to close the door. That night he could make sure he would follow Bara's words. Lock the door and go to sleep. The man asked him to do the right thing. He must make Bara sure that he is a submissive son.

Every day Dul looked at the calendar to calculate how long he would be a child of Kindergarten. He promised his mother to live together. It does not mean that he does not love his mother. He loved his parents in his own way. He will love them even if he does not live in the house. He just wanted to be near his mother.

Lately Dul heard his mother has rarely scavenged. His mother said Bara gave him money to ease their shopping. His heart was happy, but he did not feel safe. Bara is just a foreign man who is close to his mother. Bara can leave him and his mother whenever the man wants.

Half the day Dul just unpacked the contents of the drawer and ate the chocolate Bara gave the other day. Mbah Lanang was curious because he visited the contents of the drawer many times. And the old man's eyes widened when he saw a large amount of snacks.

“Kok, many? From whom?”

“Mbah, want? All this is Om Bara. He said he had just returned from Holland. Here's. Chocolate's good, Mbah. This is for Mbah.” Dul thrust two chocolate bars with shiny packaging.

Dul felt a change in his attitude. His mother was right again. It seems Mbah Lanang or Mbah Wedok do not really like his mother close to Bara. Or rather ... both her mba do not like her mother close to any man. Maybe they do not want to get into trouble with his abusive father and often crazy every time they are drunk.

“Not done. Save there. Kayak never eat aja,” said Mbah Lanang put a slightly rough brown wrap.

“Yes, I'm just nawarin. I never eat this,” said Dul, picking up his chocolate and putting it back in the drawer.

That was a few days ago. That day she was a little calm because Mbah Lanang was getting at home in the stall and Mbah Wedok came out of the house through the back door on the grounds of calling her husband. Dul hopes Mbah Wedok greeted neighbors and linger chatting. He wanted to rule the house alone for a moment. Want to laze around without asking questions that are usual will end up being romeli.

“Dul,” call Colored from outside.

Dul placed the images of Ultraman he was cutting, then rushed to the door.

“Udah to eat?” tanya Sejah directly.

Dul's eyes were round looking at the figure behind his mother. Bara appeared after a long time did not show his nose there. His interest in the man made him an observer. Bara who always wears a t-shirt behind his flannel shirt. Blue jeans with semi boots that look sturdy. Also do not miss a black backpack that is always carried by the man everywhere.

Dul's attention poured on Bara until he forgot his mother who had sat down with a plate of rice and prepared to feed him.

“Om Have you eaten?” tanya Dul looked at Bara who was sitting in the door goal.

“Udah. You eat a lot to make big fast.”

Yes, Om .... I will eat a lot so that it will get big fast

Dul took over his plate and spooned his own food without waiting for his mother. He glanced back at Bara who looked busy with his phone. The man sat on the floor with half of his body facing the outside of the house.

“Om Good-looking coals, yes, Bu.” Dul looked at his mother's face to see the reaction. Under the goal of the door, Bara changed his position to half facing into the house. Dul was pleased with the man's reaction.

“Iya ...,” sahut Colored.

Dul jumps in the heart. His gaze was busy moving around looking at his mother's face and Bara's face that seemed to hold a smile.

Each again together with Om Bara, Mother looks more beautiful and cheerful.

“Saturday you go to school?” Bara turned her seat to look at Dul.

“No, why Om?”

I want to take a walk ….

“Om want to take a walk. The playground at the top. Want?”

Bara is seen storing his phone and is now staring at Dul waiting for a response. At that time Dul felt that there was still a man who liked his mother and at the same time considered her existence. In that moment he felt that he meant enough.

Bara transformed into a new idol for Dul. All of the attitudes of the Bara are right. The little sand on the chocolate packaging that the man gave him was easily understood. Dul. Bara's attitude is considered too good for him and his mother.

To Be Continued