A Piece Of Memory

Storia 2 : Dinner And A Bonfire

There's nothing more exciting at Welmina than its New Year's. Even though it can't be said to be very interesting, it's good enough because there is no more entertainment to be felt. Granted, I didn't spend all my holidays there at that time, but we did take time to celebrate there. Actually, my workplace is an area called Dulin. Those two places were still in the same territory as Welmina. Which is now a sub-district. And the distance between the two was not even more than ten kilometers. But I need to remind you first, almost all transportation in this place can only be done by water. That what makes traveling more than a day and a night.

Time has just entered the beginning of January 2013. Where the rainy season should have started pouring heavily. But what was different at that time was the summer which was longer than usual. The rivers still look dry. Children can also still cross it on foot. Actually, it has been raining since a month ago. But because of the heat that is still felt until the change of seasons, there are still many parts of the river that have not been filled with water. What seems to be the hottest peak for the past five years.

Welmina itself, this beautiful place is right between the confluence of two rivers. One is the Welna river, and the other is the Mara river. Where the smaller Welna empties directly into the larger Mara river. And the location of Dulin is in one part of the Welna river basin itself. Along the flow of the river, there are at least a dozen small villages standing there. But I would be lying if I said the scenery there was nothing interesting. Like the area around the estuary for example. Although the geographical beauty can only be enjoyed if the atmosphere is really right.

So, we planned to have a small event there. The event will be held at night. Before filling the rest of the evening with dinner, illuminated by moon and stars, looks like, it will be an interesting event, right? We didn't know if Otto would come along or not. But if you look at his habits, he was never involved in events like this. So, the question now of course is about Sarah.

All men have been arrived since the evening just fell. And we have a lot of work to do. Setting up a fireplace, setting up a place, while hoping rain won’t fall this time. Luckily, the weather was really clear. At first, I thought I wasn't the only one who was busy with that work. But when the girls started arriving, the story suddenly took a different turn.

All of my friends suddenly left me alone. And leave the task to me who suddenly looks stupid for not be able to make a fire. I've tried so hard, really. The only thing I know how. Kept the cold air out of the way, using dry leaves as fuel, but whatever I did it seemed like it would only ignite for a moment. Plus, my friends, they don't even seem to care at all. They were busy talking to the girls, joking and laughing, as if they had forgotten their will of coming here. But what surprised me was Sarah who was suddenly standing behind. I never knew she was joining, I even never knew she was coming at me.

"Need help?" she suddenly asked. Actually, I don't know how to react at first time of her arrival. Before she took a sit.

To be honest, I'm happy with her. Although I didn't expect that she would come this way. But since she's already near, I can't just ignore it, can I? I wiped my sweat. And somehow when we sit there for a while, time suddenly seemed to run so slowly.

He rearranged the dry wood, piled up the broken one, then burned it carefully. It even took several times to coax it to life. Although in the end the fire still smolders. Still, she put more branches into the fireplace. Keep it steady. While we sat quietly, watching. Pay attention to our ways that may be different.

"You are so quiet?" she asked, again suddenly. Immediately made my attention to her once more.

“Oh…, ”

"Did you know, old people usually used to say, if you can't light a fire, it means he doesn't deserve to have a family," she said again. And smiled to herself.

“Oh…, I didn't know that?”

"Yeah, people here believe in it."

This time, she saw me. Before I could figure out what she was trying to say. “And you yourself, how old are you now? Twenty five, right…? And you're not married either?" Then I replied. Didn't mean to corner her.

But hearing my answer, Sarah was a little surprised. Then she replied, “Oh…, I don't know if you know my age? I thought you were always quiet?” She said. Smiling, while knowing I just said the wrong words.

“It’s not that. I guess… everyone can figure it out easily, right? I think anyone can see your file on the office." I said. Finding a diversion. Trying to say as casually as possible. But Sarah just laughed at me then. Luckily, she didn't respond either. Then our conversation just ended.

The moon had just peeked out from behind the thickets of the forest. Its silver light slowly turned the realms ablaze. But the night has only just begun now. Where the atmosphere will be even more fun. A little away from the bonfire, we started to make arrangements for our dinner. The thick carpet lay on the rock and sand. While around us, the air began to fill with various scents. Sometimes taste good, sometimes come back to fresh, or even delicious again.

By the way, the dishes are really tasty. Grilled goldfish, some meat, before enjoying it for dinner. The bonfire was still burning, small right in front of us. This time we were sitting around. With a man next to a woman. Erik was next to Melia, Eddie was next to Susie, and I was beside Sarah. Even the night doesn't feel too windy now. Where there is only warmth. And it's true if there’s nothing wrong happened then, and we didn’t do anything wrong either, but when Sarah suddenly poured me a drink then, I couldn't help but see it as a dangerous sign.

I saw my friends start to stare, and immediately knew if they have it in their mind. The sense of ignorance that has been imprinted for a long time makes it so easy to guess. I didn't even know if Otto's influence went to this extent. Like it or not, I have to fill the conversation with other things. Like a little mention about vacations, weekend routines, or talking about the same plans for the following year. Luckily, all of my friends responded as well. Though I don't know if they did it to pretend or what.

We finished our dinner before nine. And no one wants to go home now. The women began to wash all the furniture by the river. While, the men lifted all the equipment onto the boat. But it seems like It is just me who don't choose to hang out with my friends anymore. And choose to be alone.

All around me, the world drifted off to sleep, and the moon looked bigger than it had been before. At the same time, the shadow of the sky slowly walked on the water. I could see the mist slowly descending from the sky. The moonlight passing through it made it look like a path of light through the sky. Only the sounds of nature can be heard here. Even the nocturnal animals began to sound lonely. Everything was suddenly calm, quiet, and a little chilly.

And I, I really didn't want to be bothered then. I think everyone can see it. When I was staring at the small river in front of my eyes, before our conversation with Sarah finally resumed.

I didn't want to be seen spending any more time with her then. But since she came to me first, I can't just leave her alone, can I?

"Need friend?" she finally asked, while she was in front of me. I glanced at her without answering. I guess that could give her some answers. "Why not join the others?" She said again, softly.

Then I muttered. “I don't know… I guess I just want to be alone.”

“Oh…, am I bothering you?”

I shook my head. "No. I didn't say that. I mean.., you know, they didn't invite me, did they? So, I come here.” I said, hiding my feelings.

I saw her scrutinize my answer for a moment, before catching a glimpse of her smile. And for some reason, it accidently made me smile too.

"Then the fate is conspiring against us now," she said. “Because I feel like I’m lonely too.”

She smoothed her skirt for a bit, cleaning the place she was going to sit on, before sitting on it, even when I hadn't let her. Inside, I'm starting to wonder how my friends will behave and I don't think I'm ready for that yet.

“So… what are you doing here?” she asked again.

“Um… it’s nothing, just sitting still…”

"Oh, so you want to just sit here, and not to talk?"

I could tell she wasn't serious because I saw her smile. That's why I responded her with the same way. "Yeah, I guess." I said, without seriously answering. But hearing my answer, Sarah didn't say anything either. And we actually sat in silence for quite some time.

I look at her every now and then. Watching the night wind blow against her face. But it feels really weird here, when I have to deal with it like this, which instantly makes me a little awkward at once. Sit alone, away from the crowd. Unlike my friends, while they can easily build a conversation, I don't think I can find that kind of character in me. In the end the silence continued. Till the silliness was unbearable.

“Umm…, you're not crazy, are you? Are you going to keep quiet all night?” This time I did the talking.

SHe glanced at me, but I saw her smile again for the umpteenth time. "Yes…, but you're the one who wants to keep quiet like this, aren’t you?"

“But not this quiet either…” I winked at him.

And she finally mumbled. “So… what do you think I should ask?”

This question confused me a little.

“Um… anything. Whatever comes to your mind, I guess."

It even took a little longer for her to answer. This time felt a little longer. "I don't know... why don't you just ask first?" then she reply again.

However, here something just got out of my mind, and for the first time, I began to feel something strange when we could sit alone there. Not saying anything, each of us busying our thoughts. For a moment, I turned my back on my friends. Imagining what bad things might irritate their heads. But when I looked back at them, they didn't seem to care either. That’s the good news, I think. And despite the bad news, and of course there is always bad news, is that I don't know how to end the meeting so quickly

Then, this is what I have to ask, “So why did you come here all of a sudden Sarah? I mean, you used to work in the city, right?” I said finally.

Actually, I've heard of it too. But I think this is the only time I want to ask her directly. What's more, it's an astonishing fact. But instead of giving an answer right away, Sarah was silent for a moment. And I knew if there is something that was weighing her mind. Although I don't know what. "I'm here because my family Ryan!" Then she said softly.

"What do you mean by your family?"

“Yes…, because this is where I come from, my family's place. I don't think I can just leave it like that."

"You mean you want to be close to your family?" I said and she nodded. "But when you work, doesn't it mean you forget them, does it? You can still give yourself a day off from time to time. Applying for leave is possible. I think that's much better. After all, your family will be fine too, even if you're not around them." My tone clearly showed my disapproval. Something that is definitely not difficult for me to express.

"But what if I prefer it here?" she said, and suddenly laughed. "Sounds like you're not happy to be here?" Before asking again.

"I don't think everyone does."

"Not for me,"

And this is what I've known all along about Sarah. And though I'll never understand her, I can see that our principles are completely different. Which of course sounds ridiculous for me. But I knew she didn't want to talk about it anymore either. That’s why I guess she then changed the subject.

“If you were alone…, if you were free to choose, where would you choose to live?” She suddenly asked me that.

Then I muttered. “Anywhere, anything but here. Whatever it is as long as it's a big city. As long as I have a permanent job, a place to live…”

"I didn't ask you to describe it." She cut me with a smile. "I just want you to mention the name of the place," she didn't even go overboard with it.

“I don't know… Bandung maybe.”

"Because that's where you come from?"

"Because that's where I come from."

There was a short pause before we spoke again.

Then she muttered. “How about you tell me about where you live…!” Now, I actually heard the interest in her tone. And get ready to listen.

“Um…, I don’t know. So, what do you want to listen?”

"Anything interest. Vacation maybe?”

I started to think about it. But actually, my answer is not too much. Nothing is important I think, which is more directed at myself. Because you know, I don't want to sound stupid for not knowing where I live, that’s it.

Then I made up my answer. “Depends on what kind of vacation you want. I mean, most of them are out of town. But it's still quite close because it's still in the West Java area… You can go to the top of the hill if you want, enjoy the natural atmosphere, or go to Kawah Putih maybe, there's even a waterfall view. And if you want a slightly different experience, we can look up the Stars at Bosscha Observatory if you want.” I said, hoping my answer was right. But if my answer is wrong too, I don't think she will know.

“Oh…” her tone didn't show her interest now. "How about Bandung itself?" Then again she asked.

“Ehm… maybe just going to the mall, city park. But shopping can't be said to be a vacation either, can it. Oh yeah, Gedung Sate if you've heard of…” I said quickly, as I just remembered.

"Gedung sate…?"

Now, I'm starting to act like a history teacher.

"That's because you rarely read books!" I said immediately. “It is one of the historical buildings in Bandung by the way. Which is now a city icon. But what's really interesting is the garden. People used to take pictures in that place. Like pre-wedding photos, or just ordinary photos.”

"Oh, I was a little surprised by the name."

"Yeah, if you've seen it, you'll immediately understand why it's called Gedung Sate." I said, this time she looked at me seriously. But didn't answer me right away. I knew this might be a little disappointing for her. But I couldn’t help but say it.

"I think you need to get out there for a once, Sarah." Then I added. “I mean, out of this life. Understand the world and broaden your horizons. This place…, I think it’s only for people who are tired of everything. Those who want to escape from the outside. You won't get anything from a place that's even less than five square kilometers in area. Here will only narrow your range of motion, and keep you lagging behind. Umm… I'm not saying staying here will always look bad. But it's fine if you only go out for a while. Isn’t its?"

I could tell Sarah was thinking about my words in her silence just now. I can even guess what her response will be. But the answer is really unexpected.

“Yeah, I guess I will. When I got a time! That too if you want to accompany me?” Then she said, smiling again.

I could tell he was joking because of her smile. That's why I then agreed to it. In front of us, our eyes made contact now. Even this time a little longer.

"Yes, of course," I answered this time.

And we smile again for the umpteenth time.