Love In War
⁇ ⁇ II

The night is getting late, but my eyes are so hard to close. The sound of thatch was heard getting louder, the sign of the wind getting stronger sweeping the gray night.

The wind that blows through the cracks of the walls of the bamboo room greeted the heart that was in a hurry covered with longing. I shed tears, as the longing grew heartbroken.

Dad, Mum. Araya.

I don't know what time I closed my eyes. Until unknowingly Arunika has shone brightly radiating light in the sky, entering through the cracks of the walls.

"Astaghfirullahaladhim's chat. I haven't prayed dawn."

Hurry up, I flicked the sheath that was still enveloping my body as I stepped towards the backyard.

In the kitchen there is already Mother who is busy wrestling with the fire stove in front of her.

After fulfilling the obligation, I approached him. Sitting down beside him.

"What cooking, Ma?"

"Mama wants to cook rice, but firewood runs out." He stood up. Take the long cloth he hung behind the door.

"You're home, huh? House beres. Don't forget the front yard. Mama's going to the woods to find firewood first."

"Ma, can I come?"

He frowned."Tumbens."

***

The sun is getting hotter. Burn every inch of my skin.

Kuseka sweat pouring profusely from the corner of the temple while picking up wood ratings to take home.

My breath is tired of holding back tired and hungry. This time I missed breakfast.

"Ma, why don't you buy a stove? Don't you have to be tired of gini-rich firewood anymore?"

Smile Mother's. "Nobody's wearing that thing here. Stoves are used only for those people."

Kuhela took a long breath. That means every firewood runs out, I have to go to the forest to get more supplies.

"That's enough, La. Let's go home."

I nod my head. Pick up one more branch while following Mom from behind.

"You go home first. Mama's going to Pan Nia's shop first."

"Yes, Ma."

Trickering, I walked on the road full of rocks while holding a tree branch, it was amazingly tired. Plus the thump-thumping sound of the stomach worms asking for their food rations.

Imagining the struggle of life here, deserves thumbs up. There is no grievance coming out of their lips, in the midst of this life of deprivation.

Unlike me, who despite living in the midst of modernization and adequacy, there is always a lack of gratitude and complaining.

"The wheel of life keeps turning, La. If we give up now, the impact will also be felt on our children and grandchildren later. Suffice it, Father and Mother who suffer, you do not, " said Father at night.

He let out a heavy sigh, the look on his already wrinkled face was covered in an anxious look.

"May the next generation live in comfort. Without fearing anything."

I scrunched my forehead. Confused, he meant his words.

"I mean, Dad?"

"Here, don't discuss. It's midnight. It's time to go to bed. Get in your room, La, "sit Mom.

I exhaled a heavy breath. There are a lot of questions I want to ask. But confused where to start.

"Brake!" A man called. He slowed his bike. I didn't scratch him at all even though I knew the man

calling me. Continue the journey without any intention of stopping.

Turns his head when the man holds my left arm.

He looked at me with his own eyes. "Can we talk for a second?"

I raised both eyebrows while brushed off his hand.

"I'm sorry. I can't keep my promise to you."

What this guy really wants to say. Is he struggling?

"I could not resist Ambo's will, when he betrothed me to Romlah."

"Are you a man named Zainuddin?"

The man's forehead shriveled. He looked at me with a confused look.

"La, you don't intend to forget me, do you?"

I retreated as the man was about to hold back my hand.

I lift my shoulders indifferently." I don't know."

"Laila, you know that I love you so much, right?"

Idih, I thought. Swasher.

"If you love me, why did you marry someone else?"

He ruffled his hair. It looks frustrating." Because I can't go against Ambo's will, La. You know how tough he is, right?"

"If you love me, you should put more effort into it, Zainuddin."

"I've tried, Laila. But I can't."

"That means you're not trying. No effort is wasted if you don't give up convincing and taking your parents' hearts."

Oh, I'm sorry Laila. I had to be you. But, I promise I will make this man regret for betraying you.

My eyes wide. Can't believe it when that man named Zainuddin knelt before me.

I felt like I was in a Korean drama scene.

"Give me one chance. I promise to melt the hearts of my parents."

"What about your wife?"

The man looked up at me. His eyes looked teary. Is that how much she loves this woman named Laila?

"I promise I'll divorce her, once we're married."

Daebak. A cynical smile rippled from my lips.

"Zaynuddin." The man looked at me. "If I were Romlah, and Romlah be me, would you do the same?"

Not yet had the man replied, there was a thunderous sound that was launched from above the sky.

"What's that sound?" I asked, looking up into space.

"You'd better hide."

"Why?"

"Don't ask too many questions. Just hide!" Snarled. Told me to hide in the woods. Despite my doubts, I still obeyed him.

Stalled steps. Obtained. Seen from above the sky black smoke billowed.

What's this really about? Fear suddenly whack my chest cavity.

I was about to run home, but stopped when I heard someone screech. Slowly, I approached a large tree surrounded by the grass of shrubs.

"Hello, is there anyone?" My eyes widened, both of my hands reflexively lifted as the man pointed his firearm at me.

He looked at me for a moment before he went back to grimacing in pain.

I ran to him. The man was already sitting down while leaning against a tree.

I closed my mouth with my palm, as soon as I saw the blood pouring down on his left ankle.

It seems like the man is in a lot of pain. But I don't know what I should do?

"Wat ben je aan het doen?"

I don't answer anyways I don't know what this guy is saying.

"Be quiet! I have to stop the bleeding on your leg first" I'm telling you, to pull out his hand that's trying to stop my hand from moving on his leg.

"Why do you want to help me?"

I lift up my face, until our eyes meet."Why anyway? Can't I help you?"

He was silent, his jakun looked up and down.

"I'm a rebel. "