MY GRANDPA everything is peppered with fiction writers.

Grandpa kept
By Kenazhafir telling him to always read those people's fiction, more than
one or even two. As much as I can so that I fully understand
the situation from various perspectives. Of all those words,
CHAPTER ONE pictures can explain without having to imagine.
Grandpa and his heroic story While crossing the Strait of Malacca, on a very large
cargo ship, Grandpa bought an Asahiflex IIB camera. The first
Harymurty was my grandfather, a spice trader who had SLR camera was produced by the Japanese. Not easy to buy.
been traveling from one island to another since 1975. At that Grandpa told how his great-grandfather refused to buy the
time he was about 18 years old (his grandfather was born in camera, considering that no one had ever lived with such
1957), following his great-grandfather who was also a spice expensive lens box objects in the village, and they lived
trader. anyway. Hary is apart from the reality of oppressive
Grandpa always told me a lot of things. Since his companies that take the people's rights above the regulations
spiritual experience in Jeddah, while performing the that in fact enforce them.
pilgrimage, grandfather often told stories of exemplary One afternoon on the deck of the ship, grandfather
prophets and apostles, but what I liked the most were the returned to the Japanese man with a thin mustache that was
stories of the sea and the islands he visited. twisted at the end. The Japanese were sunbathing, roasting
What is history? his very white skin.
How do we know history really happened when we are "You again," he grumbled.
not historical doers? "I'm Hary" Grandpa was silent for a while "next time
Grandpa used to say that a long time ago. He did not when you meet me, it's better to just use my name"
believe in what people wrote about the past. He said

1
 The Japanese raised his forehead, looked at Grandpa
with a probing gaze from up and down, and then looked away.
"What…"
"Go away. You can't afford my camera."
Grandpa gritted his teeth. In his village, he was highly
valued, at least by his father. Only this time someone
underestimated him "what ..." fists clenched to the maximum,
ready to give the Japanese person's thin cheeks.
"Hary" great-grandfather called out to him from the top
floor of the deck.
I hate this part of the story.
*****
The thick rattan again slapped grandfather's
gastrocnemius (calf) "How many times have you told me not
to go near the Japanese"
Grandpa was silent, holding back his screams.
“You want to buy luxury goods from Japanese people
that make our brother miserable. Where is your mind?” great-
grandfather was so furious. Grandfather recalled there were
two hundred lashes until the calf flesh was exposed.
"I want the camera, sir."
"Why do you want the camera?"
"The camera can take pictures, faster and
instantaneously than the camera in the governor's office and
can be taken anywhere"
"Why do you want the camera?"
Grandpa was silent. He knew the answer didn't answer
the great-grandfather's question at all.
"Hary why do you want the camera?"
“I… I want to give a look at the Dutch children who
always mock our family. They always mock our poor family”
Great-grandfather sighed.
"Hary, if you buy that camera, will that company noble
kid at your school stop talking about our family?”
“…. I don't know, sir. But they must have been
impressed.”
"Now, does it all matter?" Grandpa was silent.
"Now you lie in bed," the great-grandfather ordered.
Grandpa then lay on his stomach with his feet starting to
feel sore.
******
My Great-grandfather left the room for a while and then
came back in. In his hand, he holds an aluminum plate
containing aloe vera and pacakke' leaves (a kind of fever-
2
reducing herb). The great-grandfather began to put the
contents of the aloe vera leaf, the now-priced gel on the
former lashes.
"Hary"
"Yes sir"
"Have you read the multilingual book?"
"Yes sir. I've repeated three times"
"Do you realize how our nation is tormented?"
"Yes sir"
"Good"
Great-grandfather was silent. After finishing
grandfather's calf treatment, he spoke again. His tone was
calm, truly reflecting his wise nature. That's what Grandpa
said.
"We are a big nation, Hary. Other nations are very fond
of the fertility of the land, the wealth of the sea, and our
spices. But many of our brothers and sisters are suffering in
our rich country, a land favored by foreign nations. It is said to
be independent, but rice is still difficult. You planted this in
your head well. It is more important to please the countrymen
than to impress the people. Impressing them just shows us
below. It is better to appoint compatriots so that we do not
need recognition. We acknowledge ourselves."
After returning from the cruise, one evening before dusk,
grandfather found the asahiflex IIB camera he was after on his
bed, covered in a holster. Grandpa knows his father bought it
for him. He then ran out of the room, around the deck looking
for his father figure.
"Thank you, sir"
Great-grandfather smiled.
Grandpa then ran to the edge of the ship, holding on to
the white painted iron handle, capturing 47 seconds of the
twilight of the Strait of Malacca.
……..First photo.
*****
Around 2001, I was 4 years old when I sat on the
veranda of the house. It was the afternoon. Grandpa just
returned from offering Asr prayers at the mosque using a
legendary Honda motorcycle from the early 90's.
"This is the first photo, isn't it?" I said, holding up a
photo that had a slightly ragged edge. Photograph of the
3
horizon, in fading orange. 50:50 sea and sky, with a few He opened it, then the photos began to tell a story.
immortalized ship armor. *****
"Yes"
"Why is the camera so scratched? Didn't grandpa say
always take good care?"
"The camera has witnessed the history of grandfather
and great-grandfather"
"What?"
"Grandfather chased the rebels to the mountain"
"Is that true?"
"Yes. This camera can tell the story.”
"Where?"
Grandpa put me in another chair. He walked in and out
with a black velvet cover album with beautiful gold writing. The
papers looked tattered from the outside.
"This is an album that Grandpa has never shown
anyone else"
"why?"
"this is a secret album"
"Then why did Grandpa show the album to Nas?"
"Because you love Bejo so much, Grandpa wants to
give Bejo to Nas. But before that you have to see this first."

4

CHAPTER TWO
42 days
Today is a really beautiful, but unlucky day.
I (asahiflax IIB camera) is the first SLR camera
produced by Asahi Optical Corporation. Technology is
developing rapidly, and I'm proud to be one of the first. First,
the initial number is hard to forget, always remember. That's
why all on earth try to be the first.
I was made in a mechanical factory in Japan. Then it
was marketed at auction, and bought by a man with a thin
mustache and thick, distinctive clothing. It's not that clean.
Just imagine, I was put in her leather tote bag, along with half
banana peels and expensive Moroccan cigars.
This morning I boarded a cargo ship to an unknown
island, still in this filthy bag, only peeping from the slightly
open zipper. The ship wasn't that crowded, it wasn't a luxury
passenger ship anyway. Only filled with containers, mostly
maroon.
"Look!" the man with the twisted thin mustache
shouted, standing up on the wooden fairy he had used as an
impromptu stage.
After several people stood curiously in front of him, he
continued his words "you are very lucky to be witnesses who
see the first SLR camera in the world!" he cheers, carefully
removing me like I'm a treasure (what a show).
The sunlight of the Malacca Straits hit me completely.
Everyone looked at me wondering, probing the greatness of
the “world's first”.
This Japanese man is very good at speaking Malay.
With his Japanese accent, he explained everything in the
Japanese manual about me. A young boy, the youngest I saw
in the crowd looked interested. He kept looking at me then
raised his hand "how much is it?"
The people fell silent, looking at him fixedly. The young
man wasn't wearing royalty attire, more like a ship's worker.
Black rubber sandals with feet so dirty. I don't want to talk
about her clothes. Obviously not someone who can buy me.
The Japanese smiled sarcastically "where are you
from?"
"I am Indonesian"
5
 “The price is 85,000 in rupiah”
The young man fell silent. People muttered in awe of
the nominal, while the Japanese man smiled cynically.
How could this young man buy it, I thought, but
something shone in his eyes, as if he had to have me (a
camera) that maybe the man didn't know how to use it.
The day after, the ship docked at the port of Sandakan,
Malaysia. Not a long stop, just a short stop. The Japanese
man dismounted, following behind several people dressed as
runners.
“Bloody!!” someone from the opposite direction seemed
to rush into the Japanese man's shoulder rather hard. His face
sunk into his hat halfway.
"Sorry" the man bowed and then rushed to the ship.
Unlucky.
The man was not in a hurry, but on purpose. A moment
and I'm hidden in a thick hemp gray suit.
Hufft… what can I do. I'm just a human thing. Can't
fight at all. Unfortunate is the fate of the Japanese man.
*****
Until this cargo ship departed there was no sign of the
Japanese. I was still hidden in his clothes for quite some time.
about an hour when the ship returned to the island of
Sulawesi, then I was transferred. To a room on a ship smaller
than my previous owner's ship. I was then wrapped in a
sarong. Everything is dark. I heard the bedroom door opened
and closed, then everything was silent.
Not long after, the bedroom door opened again. The
shadow of a person is seen standing in front of me. A different
person, shorter than my thief earlier. He opened my cover.
That man!
The young Indonesian guy who asked my price
yesterday. I see the lens of his life shining, again and maybe
for a long time to come. Really light. Very surprised to see
where I am at the same time happy not to play. He
immediately ran at full speed, looking for someone.
"Thank you sir"
As I thought, the man who stole me was someone he
called father. What a shame to see this child's smile. Even
though I'm stolen goods.
He then ran to the side of the ship. Pressing the on
button. OK I'm impressed. He then captured the 47-second
sunset of the Malacca sea in a pretty good picture.
******
6
 That night, the young man I know named Hary, instead
of sleeping like his father in the next bed, was actually busy
looking at every side of me – his new camera, who knows
how many times. The cloth sheath used to be used as a rag.
He rubbed my black and copper leather hard case. From the
look in his eyes, it was clear that he really liked his new item.
"Wait until mamak and little sister see you" he smiled,
showing a row of neatly arranged teeth "what do you want me
to name you?"
"Hmmm" he thought. Quite loud, sometimes scratching
his head.
“Bejo? Bejo is Javanese which means profit. Isn't that
good?" he saw me, immediately in the lens. This young man
engaged me in conversation as if I could respond. A little
crazy.
"Ha ha ha! Start

7

CHAPTER THREE
Go home
42 days on the cargo ship, we finally arrived at the port
of paotere'. The father and son got off with most of the
passengers. The ship's workers carried the medium-sized
containers after us. Hary hangs me around his neck, using the
leather camera bag he made on the ship. He made it to my
size. Really good man.
From the biggest port of Ujung Pandang, we took the
city transportation to Daya. We got off after the city
transportation arrived at the Daya market. Hary and his father
passed through the crowds of people who were busy doing
buying and selling transactions with each carrying a backpack
and two carrying bags in each hand.
"Assalamualaikum!" they entered a stone house which
was quite confusingly located. Inside the market, they passed
the vegetable vendor's section, then passed through narrow
alleys which were occupied by piles of chicken coops on
either side.
They arrived.
They entered through the back door, straight into the
kitchen "Assalamualaikum!" the father of the Hary greets
again. A fat man wearing only a singlet looks hastily from the
front while repairing his scabbard.
"Waalaikum salam!" His face was immediately happy to
see Hary and his father "Kak Simba!" he shouted, running to
hug the Hary father.
"When did you guys arrive?"
“From the harbor straight here”
"Ooh. Sit down first" he then invited Hary and his father
sat at the dining table "mother!! There are Sis Simba and
Hary!” he shouted. Not long after, a middle-aged woman
wearing a batik-patterned negligee came out of the same
room where the fat man had left earlier.
"Wow! Long time no see, Mas Simba!” he cried,
running to kiss the hand. His accent was completely different
from that of Hary, his father, and the fat man. More docked.
"Wait for me to make dinner"
"How are you sis?" open that fat man
8
 "Yes, this is it Ardi."
"Hehehe. This is how good you are. What are we who
only live from vegetables sent from the village?”
"Don't underestimate vegetables, Ardi. After all, from
vegetables, your eldest son has gone to PGRI, you have a
stone house, you eat three times a day"
"Hahaha, you can. It's just that recently something has
been bothering us as a family."
"What's that?"
“Land grabbing”
Hearing this, the Hary father's face looked less than
happy. "Hary"
"Yes sir"
"You play in the family room first, father and uncle Ardi
want to talk first"
The Hary just obeyed. He stood up and walked into the
living room which was connected to the kitchen, two bedroom
doors, a bathroom and stairs to the second floor.
Hary sat on one of the chairs, reading any date
newspaper at the table while the people in the kitchen told
stories excitedly.
His voice even reached my ears.
"Not a government person, sis" I faintly heard their
conversation.
"I'm so confused. How come the land that is used is
fertile so it is claimed for reclamation,” he continued.
"Not a government person?"
"No! I don't know which person he is. A rich
conglomerate, his face is somewhat Japanese. The other day
he came here, he said he wanted to buy our garden at Bailing
for 500 rupiah per meter!” he exclaimed.
Hearing Ardi's confession, Hary's father looked angry.
"Do not want!"
“Yes, but yesterday was the last warning. He wants to
take thugs."
I didn't hear their conversation after that. Hary, who
was tired of reading, decided to go around the house. He went
up to the second floor so I didn't hear their next conversation.
There are no partitions on the second floor.
Immediately one room was used as a room by the cousin of
Ardi's wife. Hary opened the window, amazed to see the view
of the developing city, especially the market. He immediately
snapped some photos.
"I'll print it later in the governorate," he said slowly.
9
 After the actual lunch that afternoon, Hary suggested Actually the village is this.
that the three of them take a photo. Ardi's Javanese wife was ******
shocked, amazed to see me, a sophisticated and sleek
camera they had never seen before.
They took pictures at the dining table with the plates
they used to eat on the table. Hary's father sat on the far left,
Ardi in the middle and his wife on the right. They smiled at the
same time, awkwardly. Maybe it's never been photographed.
Fifth photo.
******
They stayed only one day. After filling a few bottles of
water, they took a mini bus from Ujung Pandang to Belopa,
Luwu. There are no significant obstacles. After a day and
night on a mini bus, they finally arrived in Belopa. Followed by
walking for a day to reach their house, Tumbu Bara, West
Bajo.
It was my first time seeing so many trees. Rumah Hary
has a stone foundation with wooden walls. Cement floor, with
a large yard filled with bushes and yellow flowers.
I didn't really know, until Hary aimed my lens at the big
river which was right next to the house. Really beautiful, really
beautiful.

10

CHAPTER FOUR
Brave Simba
Ardi and Bapak Si Hary's conversation did not end at
Ujung Pandang. After two days since arriving home, in the
afternoon Hary's father came into Hary's room, took me
roughly who was then placed at the head of the bed.
"Why this person?" I thought.
He immediately got on his bicycle by wrapping me
around my neck, just the way Hary takes me everywhere.
The bicycle moved quickly out of the countryside
towards an open field planted with some vegetables. From a
distance I saw several people gathered.
I suddenly remembered Hary "surely Hary was
surprised to see that I had disappeared from the place earlier"
******
"Gentlemen!! Moms!!" Simba, Hary's father,
immediately shouted loudly, even before his bike came to a
complete stop. He then jumped from the bicycle and
immediately the group approached him.
"Help us sis!" one mother exclaimed. Her face that
looked tired from working all day in the fields was filled with
tears.
"If we sell our land, where do we work, Simba,"
continued a farmer.
"Just a minute, my brothers. Where are these
conglomerates who go around buying land that isn't for sale?”
Simba shouted fiercely. I truly acknowledge his bravery.
Several large local people who seemed to work for the
conglomerate's eyes widened in unison.
"Wow..well...well...look who's coming?" the man came
out of there. Short skinny body. Wearing gold rimmed glasses,
a suit with a colored satin shirt inside.
"What do you mean?" Simba is really brave!. He got
straight to the point as soon as he saw his opponent appear
from behind the burly bodyguards.
"What do you mean?"
“Farmers here don't want to sell their land. Don't force
it!”
11
 The conglomerate smiled lightly “I never push. I'm just
saying that I will use violence if the farmers refuse."
“Fuck!!” Simba screamed loudly. All the farmers without
being told to stand behind him, while the conglomerate's
bodyguards immediately put on their horses.
“Why are we being threatened over our own
possessions!?” he shouted fiercely.
Simba turned to face the farmers "this is our father's
land, the legacy of our parents. Our right, ours” he paused,
then continued “we are free over our land!!” he then
exclaimed.
A rare sight, but the role of the initiator is extraordinary.
The farmers who had lowered their eyes, looked helpless and
only cried now changed. They raised their eyes, challenging
those who wanted to usurp their rights, looking full of protest.
"We are independent on our own. Whether we want to
sell or not is up to us. We don't like you, we don't like you!”
He then continued "once again you threaten us, we will
report it to the government!"
Simba finished speaking. He felt like he was trying to
balance his breath going up and down.
“Brothers, if they threaten or do something against your
land, just report it to our government! We are the people, our
independence is protected and guaranteed by the state!”
That's how it was that afternoon. Afternoon of a brave
Simba.
******
At night, Hary's mother was going back and forth
preparing the dinner table while I was placed on top of a tin in
the spice cupboard, so that she would always be within Hary's
sight. Hary just kept on rambling about his disappointment
with the father who took me without his knowledge. He kept
on babbling while carrying his three younger siblings who
were still under four sitting on a long bench made of old
coconut tree trunks.
As soon as his father came home from the mosque
after the maghrib prayer, he immediately grumbled nonstop.
"Where were you this afternoon? Took Bejo without
telling him first. I was like crazy. I thought Bejo was stolen”
I already guessed. I thought.
"Bejo who?"
"My camera anyway"
“Owalah… hahahaha” Mr. Hary laughed at that.
12
 The Hary manyun. His brows furrowed.
"Earlier, you went to the land that you want to turn into
a golf course," he said casually.
"Why there, sir?" Hary's mother commented pitifully
from the kitchen.
"It's time to shut up ma'am"
"Yes, but don't get too involved, sir. We are just
ordinary people”
“Well, we are ordinary people but we have human
rights, ma'am. Who wants their livelihood field to be bought for
500 silver per square meter?”
"Yes sir .." Hary's mother seemed to give up. Her
husband is stubborn.
“Take it easy, ma'am”
Hary then spoke up "then why did you bring the Bejo?"
“This afternoon someone reported that they were
bringing thugs with them. If there is violence, I want you to
take a photo and report it to the police."
Simba, Mr. Hary is not only brave but also smart.
“Father, Eni wants to be photographed”
“Rani too, sir”
Simba smiled happily “Hary, take a picture first, son.
Ha ha ha"
"I'm with you sir!" Hary's mother shouted from the
kitchen, running to the dining table carrying a bowl of sautéed
fern.
Hary rose from his chair. He took me carefully and
began to direct the style of the father, mother and three
younger siblings "mother is closer to father. Smile, Mom, Dek”
"One two three"
Sixth photo
I see a great family in the midst of simplicity. They are
so humble, brave, kind, can't even be described in those
words.
******
They talked about things in the living room after dinner.
The Hary family is pretty lucky, as the name suggests. While
not many houses have electricity, Hary's house is one of the
lucky ones. Prosper put me at the head of his bed after
dinner, so I only heard faintly the family's lighthearted
conversation.
About two hours later Hary came into the room. He
immediately took off his shirt and got ready for bed.
13
 I thought the day was done. But not. In the middle of
the night when the sound of crickets somehow sounded so
loud, Hary's bedroom door opened slowly. Very slowly, a
creaking sound came from the old door's hinges.
Half-settled, Simba enters. He made sure that Hary
was soundly asleep then took me carefully and got out of
there without making a sound.
One more adventure.
******
Simba pedaled his bicycle in the middle of the night,
with me around his neck. The air at the foot of Mount
Lantimojong is the coldest at night. He parked his bicycle very
carefully under a giant ketapang tree not far from where his
heroic action was this afternoon. From this place I can see
several people with flashlights on their heads doing something
in the fields of the farmers.
And this is not good.
Simba turned on his flashlight surreptitiously. He shone
it on me, making sure he pressed the right buttons. He then
checked the results of the photos. Good.
"Thank God, Bejo." He smiled with satisfaction "for
there were no flashes of light like the big camera in the office
near the governorate" he added.
He was stealthy, walking but barely crawling, hoping
that the meter-tall bushes that separated the fields from the
rocky path would hide his presence. He looked around. These
depraved people destroy valuable crops that are the source of
livelihood for some residents in their villages.
Simba gritted his teeth. He then took me. Pressing the
on button then getting ready to target the evil behavior of
those people and make it the most sophisticated evidence to
prosecute them in the eyes of the law.
One. photos of burly workers paid for by the
conglomerate were throwing knives and hoes everywhere,
destroying the hard work of farmers.
After taking enough evidence, he then sneaked into the
warehouse with the lights on. A clapboard shed with two
makeshift windows. The building has a roof of sago leaves
and no ceiling so that the light can be seen clearly from the
outside.
Simba immediately took steps. He crawled so fast
toward the back of the warehouse.
14
 "Oh my god" he tried to regulate his breath as soon as
he arrived at a place that he thought was safe.
Simba then looked for a gap to peek inside. Luckily,
Simba found a crack in a weathered wooden wall that had
been eaten by termites with fungus growing on its surface. He
inserted his finger into the small gap and the gap immediately
widened without the need for extra effort. A suitable slit to put
my lens in there.
But before he took some pictures, Simba first looked
inside. I don't know what he saw, but he must have been
really displeased. I saw that his face was slightly exposed to
the light, and Simba looked like Simba. ready to pounce.
His chest was rising and falling with anger. If something
like me could feel fear, this might be it.
After his emotions subsided, Simba pointed my lens at
the hole he made earlier.
Good grief.
Simba's hands shook. He tried to press the photo
button even though the picture was not very good. Two, three,
four, five photos.
Crazy.
It's still at the beginning of the development era, but the
price of life is not worth the land that will be built for a golf
course, who knows who wants that. Inside, there were six
farmers tied up with blunt force blows all over their bodies,
especially on their faces. They sat leaning against each
other's backs.
Simba was crying. I know that, because her tears fell
on me.
“Bbbrrr” the sound of a car starting up in the warehouse
startled Simba who had been stalking them earlier.
"Where are they going?" he whispered.
Those people rudely forced the farmers to get into the
red deer sedan that is often found on city streets. Looks like
they're going to take those guys somewhere. Bad news.
Simba gets ready. He slipped out, back to where his
bike was parked. Confused what to do "how can I follow them
without being caught?"
"Where are those evil people taking my brothers and
sisters?" Simba was completely agitated.
“Bbbbrrr” the sound of the car's engine broke the
silence of the village at night. He came out of the barn about
two minutes after Simba got ready on his bike. The car then
15
drove along the country road, but not towards the city, but
further into the village, towards a dead end (mountain).
“Oh my god” Simba whispered. Dead end means a bad
omen. The people who were kidnapped and taken there never
came back. Most were buried without grave marks.
Simba was completely confused. If he had followed
them, he would have been caught in the rearview mirror. If he
keeps trying to catch up, he doesn't know how many hundreds
of meters of power he will chase after the speed of the
motorized car.
If chased now means dead.
Simba drowned in tears. The evidence I preserved was
enough to put them in jail, but not to save the farmers. His
head was bowed, staring at the main street of his village.
“Wait a moment” a glimmer of hope appeared.
He then half crouched, watching the village streets.
The road is mostly yellow dirt which is quite slippery because
it's the rainy season. But not the dirt, but the rather large tire
tracks printed on it.
“There are never any traces of car tires on the streets
of this village” his eyes twinkled “maybe I can save them after
morning”
*****
That night Simba returned home. His eyes were filled
with determination to save those farmers. When I got home,
Simba put me back where I belonged. He then sat on the
edge of Hary's bed, staring at the face of his eldest son who
was fast asleep.
Her tears fell "you have to be able to take care of your
mother and younger siblings, Hary."
******
Hary wakes up before the sun greets from the eastern
horizon. After performing the morning prayer, he immediately
left the room. He left me, so all I saw were the wooden walls
around the room. It wasn't long before I heard people in the
living room talking in high tones.
"Father don't go, sir!"
"You have to, Prosper. How do the farmers feel? His
family? From last night until this morning you feel so guilty that
you couldn't save them last night!”
"But you don't think about mom? Mother is crying, sir!”
The sound of screaming from the living room made
sure Simba and Hary checked. It seems that Hary strongly
refused his father's decision.
16
 Simba fell silent. The people in the room were silent.
“At least let me come along, sir”
"Not! You should stay here with your mother."
Simba's wife, who had been sobbing earlier, finally
joined in, "Why don't you just report it to the police? Let them
handle it, sir. We are just ordinary people, just a family of
traders” the woman then continued “we do have human rights,
sir. I know very well. But you also have obligations. Me and
your children are not Hary's dependents, but you, sir. God, if
the worst thing ever happened to you, I wouldn't be able to
live, no. In that second, I will die."
The room fell silent again.
Then Simba opened the door to Hary's room. He took
me and left.
"Please, sir," persuaded the wife.
Simba handed me over to Hary. I saw the expression
on the young man's face was so confused. Simba didn't
explain anything. He then knelt in front of his wife.
“Forgive your husband, Lai”
Lai, Simba's wife immediately knelt in front of her
husband "astagfirullah"
It turned out that this family fuss not only caught my
attention, but that of several neighbors as well. Those who
don't know since when have gathered on the terrace of Hary's
house. You could see tears running down those tired faces.
"For heaven's sake I will be responsible for you. But for
God's sake, I won't be able to spend the rest of my life with
you guys if I don't chase those lecherous people now, Lai”
Simba cried.
"Hary, my eldest son, my only son. Bejo has
perpetuated their heinous act last night. After Duha prayer,
you have to go to the police station. Report them with bejo”
"I..yes sir"
Simba held his wife's cheeks that were bowed down
"You look outside, Lai. Those who stood crying were the
families of the farmers who were kidnapped last night. How
can I let our brother cry without doing anything? That's the
same as telling me to die, Lai."
"The sky is overcast outside. It's going to rain soon. If I
don't trace the tracks of the car tires, the rain will wash them
away, Lai. Of course after Hary takes Bejo to the police, the
state apparatus will definitely follow me and the farmers to the
mountains," he continued.
17
 “God always takes care of our family, this village”
Simba's wife's cries began to subside.
"May you come home safely, sir"
Simba finally got his wife's permission "God willing" a
relieved smile graced his face.
A man from the crowd outside spoke up "Simba
brother, let me come to a dead end"
"Pak Djamaluddin?"
"Me too simba simba" continued another man.
Simba's smile is even more "Alhamdulillah"
******
Accompanied by the light rain that started to fall, the
five village youths finally started to follow the village's main
road to the dead end, at the foot of Mount Lantimojong.
Accompanied by the prayers of the villagers too, they spread
sincere smiles, then accompanied by their respective good
intentions, they finally disappeared among the forest trees.
That day the ones who went to look for the farmers
were Simba, Djamaluddin, Faizal, Jibran and Aminuddin. All
of them are villagers and all five of them work as traders.
According to his father's orders, after performing the
Duha prayer, Hary, accompanied by one of the village men,
headed straight to the city. After a day of walking, he finally
arrived when the evening call to prayer reverberated. They
stayed at an acquaintance's house and the next morning he
went straight to work.
Hary prints the photo Simba shot the other day and
goes straight to the police station. After his business was
finished, that afternoon he immediately returned to the village.
*****
Around noon Hary returned to the village. Luckily, the
photo evidence could be printed so I didn't have to turn it over
to the police.
Days passed. Four days since the departure of the
group of village youths, there has been no sign of the police.
The people in the village are waiting anxiously. There was no
sign of the village youths returning, and the police from the
city were nowhere to be seen.
Every morning until evening Hary waits full of
exasperation. He was back and forth around the yard while
holding me constantly.
Then on the seventh day since his father left, Hary
climbed onto a ketapang tree near his house. Its size is very
large, with a height of about eight meters. He saw the twilight
18
that reminded him of the Straits of Malacca when his father
taught him the most important thing about life. Principles of a
man.
Hary again asked me to talk “do you remember Bejo?
The first photo I took when I was on the ship first. sunset
photo”
Hary sighed "tomorrow if the police haven't arrived, and
you haven't come home, we will follow them to a dead end" he
muttered.
The corners of his lips trembled. Dreams of bad things
that happened to his father must have haunted him. Hary then
took a few deep breaths. After feeling calm enough, he began
directing me to aim at the sunset phenomenon. it sets the
focus of the camera. His hands were more skilled than I could
remember.
Just before the 47 seconds of dusk ended, Hary
managed to capture another beautiful photo, full of memories.
Twelfth photo
******
Chapter Five: Into Deadlock
This morning rain splatter down . Sky cloudy , as if sun
already ready sunset .
Her mother cry sad , moderate Hary kneel in front of
him . Keep it up caress hair smacking son the only one , si the
eldest . Not there is ban for go followed the father. Already a
week since departure her husband , and Lai so afraid troops
police that too late . Possible he no think clear moment
prepare supplies for son , maybe neither does he think clear
moment see back her son disappear behind trees forest . Like
the wind that carries go away fear , Lai sama very no against
Hary departure . He as if know her son will back , hunch so .
******
Hary followed Street village going to forest . The
longer, the streets the more uphill . The rocks are also getting
bigger big , sign no so many have passed there .
"Father..." he muttered .
Hary to the end street village an hour then . Leaves dry
from tree chocolate and some tree jackfruit meet all soil ,
decomposed as per the rules nature _ Hary confused , no
know should choose which way North, or west, maybe even
east .
"Father" he mumbled again .
19
 Moment that I felt Hary 's tears wet my hard case .
Truly poor . Hary shaking , all over body . Her body fall , kneel
to soil then cry like baby there .
"Father!!!" her cry more big . Something is holding back
since departure heroic his father finally come out too, the
burden that must be borne a eldest son .
Rain subside , along his growing cry .
I can feel ray sun start sweep leaves , branches tree ,
then warm Hary who fell down , crying cold .
His cry calmed down for a while , that 's it something
that glows shining his eyes Reflection ray Sun exactly about
it , originated from come back check such a bush dense and
unknown trees _ why the branch inclined in the direction of
check said .
Hary rose , immediately running in the direction of the
bush located in the north .
“ Told car father !" he exclaimed . Hary eyes enlarge ,
see car deer hidden red _ behind bushes . If no because god ,
prosper certain still sitting slumped , broken up hope . Now
already no .
He direct wiping the snot already pass chin with long
sleeves . _
“ Thank goodness ” I thought .
Hary view around , trying find instruction where to the
father went . Not far from there he find tree wild jackfruit with
stem diameter a meter, maybe his age about 80 to one
hundred years , maybe even more . The trunk be marked form
visible cross _ still new . That sign who knows made by his
father , or criminals it was , but Hary did not care . He direct
going to direction north , increasingly into the forest .
******
Already three hours of Hary in the forest . He find the
more many the same sign in several the tree he passed .
Possible eight , also the terrain is getting going up and getting
steep .
" Voice flow river " he muttered . It is stop for a while
From a distance he saw one tree by mark the same cross , is
right below _ hill _ Meanwhile his ears found voice water flow
though no so near , and the flow of water no below hill there _
"I'm thirsty . Possible I to the waterfall first , fill
supplies . How Bejo ?"
Agreed ! If Hary truly can hear me .
We are getting up Hill going to direction east in
accordance genuine compass _ just now around the wrist
20
Hary hand . Around two hours walk with a little climb , Prosper
at last arrived at the water source , in the form of a little
upstream protruding out . Prosper arrived at the top normal
cliff _ see from window his room . This is upstream , the
source of the waterfall taste , the waterfall that is in his
village , the place play during child until now .
Now Hary is standing on top of the waterfall that .
******
After fill in bottles his supplies , he too return to point
earlier , come back follow tree marked cross , trail someone
who does n't know who .
and more Hary come in into Forest took me by the
neck . It is down hill , past come back climbing in the direction
of north _ It is pass through the roots plant , hold on at him
then continue climbing _ Land around here quite smooth and
even once no rocky _ Almost all of it overgrown tall wild
grass , also bushes that are united .
Climb with busy hands of Hary clear bushes with
machete ( sword typical of Sulawesi) in hand . Climb on and
on climb up _ late afternoon say hello .
After find pretty place _ ramps , Hary decides build
shelter there , place sleep night it . Just like the place
hideaway car deer the red he saw morning that , Hary build
the shelter in between bushes lush . He use twigs as the roof ,
then cover it up with the branches tree chopped fresh leaves .
Hary gathers dry branches , as well as scattered leaves
where course . He pile up leaves dry it 's inside shelter , use it
as mattress . Hary then coat mattress the leaves with the batik
sarong that he puts in his supply bag , while the dry twigs he
collects made ingredient for make fire bonfire .
Preparation night that finally finished . After two hours
of fighting with the benefits provided god in nature , he finally
can sit inside the shelter . After take a number of fruit wild
banana tree , ia fulfill pray sunset after dawn sink , then eat
banana dish as eat the night . Hary burn two fruit , then the
rest eaten raw .
Day start dark . He waiting an hour and a half for
ensure time pray yes , then fulfill pray and get ready end day it
. After fulfill pray yes , he then turn off fire the bed and direct
fall asleep not long after .
Today _ for sure like that heavy for him .
******
Dawn not yet dawn and something outside the shelter
like footsteps step somebody or a animal sound come closer .
21
No only I heard it , Hary too. He wake up and go straight to
position prone . Her ears brought near to door shelter , eyes
truly alert .
Like me , Hary it seems know that no voice step animal
, but human . Anybody that , they more from one . Possible
three .
“Deg…deg…deg…deg”
That night truly gripping , like cold air _ sting . Voice
crackle leaves , trampled by those people sound true, true
obvious , answered voice nervous Hary heart . the sweat fall
down like water droplets _ unstoppable .
“I really no understand those people “ vaguely sound
conversation they three .
" Yes . They dig tomb they alone ” chirped the other .
“ Right once ” said one _ with voice rather hoarse . He
continued " actually " I no want to hurt them . we are one
clumps , just just they are so loud head , and we work for si
conglomerate damn it that ”
A from they turn on cigarettes , warm body "you're right
. Where does anyone want hurt them , if they direct give soil
that only , they no will waiting on the threshold Dead this way "
" of "
They are talk about life human and still visible normal
just _ Regret a little that yawn like the cigarette smoke he
smoked , united by the cold the air at the foot of the
mountain . Vanished .
******
"Father" Hary muttered , crying in silence. Imagine his
father above there being tortured half dead , that too if his
father still lucky , still live .
Those people passed . I'm grateful they no see this
shelter , I thought .
During remainder dark , Hary not fall asleep same once
. He sits inside shelter , hands clenched . He hold me tightly ,
cry full anger .
Before dawn , after sky black start blue a little , Hary
fulfills pray dawn and direct continue journey , towards those
three people come last night .
Prosper back hike . Pass wild trees , bushes and grass
high . Scratched cross sign _ someone in the trees that guide
him , for five hours until the smoke from fire bonfire interesting
his eyes .
“ There the place , Bejo " he " swallow spit .
22
 Hary put her bag , leaning against the tree big then
bury it with foliage dry . He wrapping me around his neck ,
making sure I no will fell . Prosper then climb , rotate on the
other side of the origin of the white smoke he saw , wished
can sneak and save his father and other village people .
He sneak , hide behind _ the trees knaggy big . Could
see from distance a hut made _ from board . Not big and
many gap between wall the board . There are five people
standing guard outside , burning corn sweet on fire the bonnet
. “Father …” Prosper cry like baby .
"Those five people are left stay awake , temporarily
three the person down to the village" muttered Hary.
Full be careful , Prosper in the end can touching wall
cottage . He peep to inside . Those people truly heartless ! _ _
how they can enter eleven adults _ in 3 x 2 meter house?
Cry Hary fell " father " he muttered . Hary see figure his
father , leaning on one of them side cottage , see out ,
towards busy caretakers _ burn corn accompanied just
kidding _ those who laugh .
“ Oh my gosh Hary ” whisper a from in cottage that
finds the arrival of the Hary who did not predictably .
"Pak Djamaluddin " Hary whispered hoarsely " please
call my father "
People named Djamaluddin that cry . The cry truly
heavy without sound . Everyone inside _ cottage that realize
Hary arrival . glimmer hope in his eyes , some from they cry .
I see Simba's expression as if not believe . He direct
going to wall where Hary is waiting for him . Locked people in
the hut give him road .
“ What are you doing here , Hary?”
" Why are you here ?" Simba whispered full anger .
"I don't " can stay silent waiting the police who didn't
come either . I'm scared something happened , sir."
“….” Simba was silent .
Hary shaking , pointing wounds all around his father's
face and body " O Allah, look " what are they do "
“….” Simba fell silent , then cry . He cry so be it ,
without sound .
"Father" said Hary softly "Hary for sure will save you sir
_his father shook his head " father can stand here , but you
have to fast back . Is not that father give you order for guard
your mother and sisters ?”
23
 Hary shook his head " father "
“ Go !” snapped Simba at the top of his voice turned
down .
Hary wipes her tears that have mixed snot " okay . I will
get a machete first , sir then go from here ”
******
Prosper again to the place hide the bag earlier . He
expel the machete he uses cut weed during _ trip . People in
the hut that more need this machete .
He then return to side outside cottage with safe .
Through gap hut , he insert the machete " accept " love , son ,
" said Simba.
"Father" Hary cries back broke .
“ Now go from here ”
Hary shook his head .
"Father please "
Hary shook his head .
Simba holds hand his trembling son " promise " to Your
father will take care of your mother and younger siblings "
Hary nodded .
" Promise father , until _ you don't die will so people
like those who do job heinous , murderous fellow brother "
Hary nodded .
" Promise father , you will " grow be a person of
principle , above God and the goodness of others than
anything else "
Hary nodded . The cry down more swift , along
messages his father .
" Promise your father you will over school , and finance
your sisters by lawful way . Promise your father you will
continue read books "
Hary nodded .
"I love you , son "
"Hary too, sir "
They each other strengthen grip .
“ Use si Bejo , portrait cottage this so that Becomes
proof strong in the police ”
Hary nodded , straight away take a number of picture .
“ Now go away ”
Prosper again shook his head .
“I want go with father and other villagers "
" Go Hary"
Hary shook his head . she cried return broke .

24
 "Father always there is wherever you are, your brothers
are . Father is inside _ your blood. ” Simba paused , then
continues “ death certain come to all living things , father will
visited Dead whenever Allah wills ”
Hary shook his head .
“ During our undergo straight life , being a straight
person , death no something proper _ avoided , feared . The
only thing feared in the world is owner Dead that alone ”
Hary nodded .
It is release hand his father Then standing outside _
hut almost an hour . Be silent see his father from there ,
temporarily Simba continue apply to him for go away
Hary turned around.
" Bejo , if I go home now , me possible will dead . I will
dead because remember day this every the day . I will dead
out of guilt leave father here " he muttered
"Let 's go opponent "
Yes Lord !
******
Hary is back facing cottage . It is offensive smile , then
running to the direction of the guardians .
"HARY!!" Simba shouts anger , but not can stop his
son .
“ What that ? why are people inside hut …” not yet
done one 's sentence Security that , Hary has standing in front
them . A self .
"HARY!!" Simba shouts frustrated .
The guards that stunned see Hary presence there .
"WHAT ARE YOU HUMANS!?" Hary shouted " we one
nation , one homeland , one history , one struggle for
independent _ Why are you imprisoning and torturing ? your
own friend ?" Hary cried .
"HARY!!" Simba shouts from in hut .
“ Bruk.. bruk..bruck … ” someone inside cottage that
currently use the machete given by Hary, try go out from there
.
" What are you waiting for ? Catch child that !!” a
among the guards scream , wake up the herd .
Two guards _ chasing the runaway Hary from there ,
while the villagers were locked up inside cottage succeed go
out from there , breaking into the door .
“HARY RUN!!”
******
25
 Hary running as strong as he can . Hary one the child
who grew up in the garden runs chase dragonfly when small
and friends with nature and the sea , so that run very fast ,
make guards chasing him left behind enough far away .
"DOR!!" voice shot missed in the air .
Hary is back . Caretaker on top there release shot . It is
pray the bullet missed .
He froze . Her feet no can moved . Hary falls in the
middle escape , direct throw me to bushes beside him .
*****
I don't know what happened _ after . Hary captured
guards chasing him then brought return to hut .
If so god listen prayer expected thing _ dead , if indeed
so , save Hary.
******
Not until hour , group running footsteps _ past me
which Hary had hidden in the bushes .
"POLICE!!"
Police finally come . I don't see how the incident . But
equivocal I heard sound shot several times, then everything
silent .
Twilight day , group footsteps are heard down hill _ I'm
waiting by continue pray Hary is safe .
A stop in front bushes . He enter his hand and grabbed
me out . Hary!!
Seeing me , Hary cry broke " Bejo " father lost !!” she
cried .
******
Hello!
My name Nas . I'm the grandson of Hary, the figure that
is told Bejo above . Grandpa said , grandpa great-
grandmother caught shot moment want help me , told by a
friend father , grandfather Djamaluddin .
After that , project development resorts and golf
courses discontinued . The conglomerate imprisoned lifetime
lived , and died within prison in years fifth . Incident usurpation
land in South Sulawesi Becomes news shocking national _ in
his time.
Body grandpa great-grandfather no once found until
now . After grandpa married, village people build monument
machete dead end for remember incident that forever .
Grandpa grow become a great person , a rich
merchant who continues teach principle truth real and help
26
help to his grandchildren . Like grandpa great-grandmother to
grandpa , like grandpa to her children , then like mother to me
and my brothers .
******
Principle straight life _ is price dead . No money will
can buy how our choose life as man dignified and alive as
man dignified no will can achieved , until our make self one
with another.

`DONE`

27