LONTAR TREE

Twilight is getting redder. The sun is almost sinking. Human beings who live in the virtual universe rush back home. Come home from work. Come home from the playground. Come home from where to joke. Home from the hustle and bustle of the world. Return to their respective homes. Another case with the old man at the end of the village. He is still struggling with his job. There were still some palm trees that he had not climbed. It seemed that he was not bothered by the passing of the people in his village who were rushing home. In his count there were still 5 palm trees that he had to climb. He sliced. He brought down the leads. And so on what he did for each tree. For him, lontalah the highest happiness he gets in life. The meaning of his life lies there.

He becomes meaningful in front of his wife and children. He is grateful to be able to provide for his family with that tree. He is happy because he can pay for his children to go to school. He was happy because every customary business in the extended family could be completed thanks to that tree. He feasted on it. He felt truly free. For that, he will never leave those papyrus languishing without being visited twice a day. Up and down. The old man is never affected by the night that comes down to pick him up. He didn't want to go home yet when everyone was at his own house.

Now he leaves 4 more trees. His gaze had started to blur when the dusk became more and more foggy. After finishing the business on the tree, he had to go down. He must finish the remaining 3 trees waiting to gently rub his hands. Suddenly, thump! A loud thud awakened him from the rigors of the world. His hands were not tight. His feet could not stand on. The balance is lost. He fell. He fell to the ground smelled dust. He is unconscious. He passed out. Until finally he found out that so many people crowded around him.

He heard many voices talking, but it seemed as if no one was listening. Everyone competes to give their opinion, but no one responds. Some say it is better to Mama Bura because it has been proven that she has cared for her family member who had a motorbike accident. But his suggestion was swallowed up by the sound of voices from different directions. Some say that Ina Goit is more potent. He treats his patients with soft hands. There is no pain at all. The talk disappeared along with the words from the other mouths. There was also a voice asking to be called Moat Tomas. It is said that he had put a broken bone together. Even then, no one wants to care.

The old man listened to them one by one. He opened his eyes slowly. It's a bit difficult, but he keeps trying. He could vaguely see a light streak through his corneas. Dazzled. His reflex motion closed the petals again. He tried again. Slowly. Faint he sees his wife's face. Looks gloomy. Sad. Restless. I don't know what else. He got stronger and opened his eyes wide. His hand intends to reach his wife's palm. But it's hard to move. Difficult. Can not. Numb. He felt that he had lost his hand. His feet wanted to touch his wife's leg, who was sitting on his back. But it's heavy. Can not. Can not take. Even numb. He thought he had no legs anymore.

Then he tried to speak. But hoarse in voice. His tongue was out. Dry throat. He felt like drinking. His wife's soft hand fed him. Spoonful by spoonful. Relief in chest. He said haltingly. He's all right. He's not sick. It's not broken. He will be fine. That is just the risk of the choice to love lontar as her second partner. It's just a small rebuke. His friend 'lontar' wanted to teach him to be stronger. His real friend just wanted him to learn about being tough. Patient. Strong. Sturdy like him.

Everyone present fell silent. His wife looked a little relieved. Her eyes started sparkling. There was a smile on his face. He tried hard. He tried to be strong. She had to be her husband's hands and feet at that time. He can do it. The biggest child suddenly appeared from behind the crowd. He looked surprised. A little. Then sit next to his father. He said he would take him to a witch doctor. Best shaman in the village next door. No one protested. His mother is also his father. All simultaneously agreed. He whispered in his father's ear, "Those manuscripts will be my friends now and in the future." The old man smiled.