Old Jacket
Chapter 21. Winnowing.
Days changed days, we had searched for 3 days but we found no results. Entering the 4th day I again wear a jeans jacket given by Dinda and jungle shoes. My steps and Bang Nusa began to walk through the dense forest. Bang Apoy and Bara had to return to Basecamp to buy food.
" Dinda I'm sure you're strong "Say my inner voice.
We continued to slash the branches and leaves that blocked our path until the afternoon came.
Again we did not bring results, only disappointment that I felt.
In the dark of the night, I sat alone in front of the tent, hoping to meet Dinda. Before long Bara approached me with food in her hands.
" Na eat first" he said.
" Yes Bar, hmm stupid cave bar, should not ngizinin cave Dinda go " My words are soft.
Almost every time I say that sentence, I will not forgive myself if Dinda does not meet.
The next day we went back through the forest looking for Dinda and Andin, but we found nothing. Until finally the SAR team decided to stop the search for victims.
" na let's go home" said Bara.
" You are patient and you are " Bang Apoy said.
They hugged my limp helpless body, even to walk home I couldn't. My steps were filled with tears coming out.
My steps were broken out of the jungle door to basecamp. Upon my arrival at the basecamp, Dinda's parents approached me and hugged me tightly.
" Thank you, Lana, help you find Dinda " said Dinda's father.
I just nodded my head, my tears coming back.
" I'm sorry to bring Dinda home "I said softly.
" Yes Lana "The answer.
Bang Nusa soon invited me to come home. On the way home the atmosphere was so quiet, Bang Nusa, Bang Apoy, and Bara understood at this time I did not need words because it would not be useful. My eyes looked at the car glass guiltily. Because of the tiredness after the search, my eyes immediately closed.
*****
Dinda and I sat on a rock with the sound of a waterfall falling. I held her soft hand.
" Belgium .... " She said.
" Yes Dinda? "My grandfather.
" You remember what I said when we graduated school? " She said.
" Somewhere will change because of the times, but not with the memories in it "I said.
" I'll always have Lana, in your heart" she said with a smile.
" What about your novel, are you still having trouble writing ?" said staring at me.
" That's how Dinda is, I wonder why I can't finish my novel? " Answer.
" I'm sure you can, spirit ya na "he replied with a smile.
Instantly I woke up while calling his name which made Bang Apoy who was driving in shock.
" Dinda's dream again na " said Bang Apoy.
" yes bang "I said softly.
I went back to face the glass next to me until we arrived at my house.
" Assalamualaikum" I said softly as I stepped into the room leaving them.
Mother was surprised when she saw my poor condition. Bang Nusa also tell the truth to mother.
" Bariin Lana herself used to be aunty, she again needs her own now" said Bang Nusa.
Day after day, when night came I still spent my time in the room contemplating Dinda's departure. Mom soon knocked on my door and walked in to me who was sitting at my desk facing the window. I still lament Dinda's departure but I can't show it to Mommy.
" You eat yes son" said mother.
" Yes bun "my words.
" You have to be strong, son, this is destiny" he said.
I looked at my mother with a smile as if my mother had seen me sincere with Dinda's departure. I say goodbye to my mother to the coffee shop.
" Mother I want to go to Dinda's house" I said
" Yes son, be careful" said the mother with a smile.
I nodded my head then I took my motorcycle to Dinda's house. When I arrived in front of Dinda's house, I saw Dinda's father who was on the porch alone.
" Assalamualaikum om" said I.
" Waalaikumsalam na, what's the matter? " answer.
" Just want to know the news of the same aunt "my words while smiling
" Yes this is na after the departure of Dinda, aunty still likes to be moody in her room. Om so confused klo aunty sick how " said Dinda's father.
I took a deep breath to hear the news of Dinda's mother.
" I'm sorry, this is all my fault. Suppose I do not ngizinin Dinda climb would not happen like this " said I lirih.
" It's not your fault na, it's already a destiny that we have to accept" said Dinda's father.
" Kaya om same aunt will move from this house na, we need time to accept all this. If we still live here, Dinda's memories haunt us.
I was shocked when I heard of Dinda's parents' plan to move out of here. But I realize it's not easy to forget Dinda. Soon I said goodbye to Dinda's father to come home.
On the motorcycle I drove my motorcycle through the streets that began to be quiet, until finally my motorcycle stopped at a nightclub. My steps walked inside past the people. I sat down at a bar, then I ordered a beer to calm my mind. Suddenly a woman came to sit beside me.
" Lana ?" said it.
" I turned towards him while remembering the faint face due to the light of the discotheque lamp.
" Who is "My word.
" Nia Cave temen SMA lo" he replied.
" Oyeah Nia, you do it here "my words.
" The cave is often here, can you hahaha, klo lo tumben very here ? " he answered with a small laugh.
" You must understand "I said.
We talked while drinking beer. I had a lot of beer until my head started to feel dizzy. It doesn't feel like the night is getting late either. I also stepped home, but my step was arrested Nia.
" Temenin gua yuk na" he teased me
" Temenin what is it? " answer.
" It's good" he said teasing me.
" Caves no longer want in temenin na "I said.
Nia still forced me to accompany her but I ignored her, walking away from her. I brought my motorcycle home. When I reached the house, my steps slowly passed through the bedroom of the mother who had fallen asleep. I don't want to wake you, let alone get me drunk. In the room I lay down my body still wearing a jacket Dinda gave me.
" Good night Dinda "Say me with a smile.
My eyes closed instantly.