6 | Certajava

ALL my way back to Certajava, I dreamed of singing a love song in the rain for Julia. From behind the window, Julia greeted my chant with her Indian dance. Really hypnotized until I am not aware, I almost arrived at Brother Laymisch's coffee stall. From a distance, I saw a group of people laughing there.

My father ever told me the nowadays people, who lived in Certajava and Wigan are the descendants of the elders who experts in 'silat'--traditional martial arts--and boxing.

My father himself was not a native of Surabaya but was born in Yogyakarta, Central Java Province. He served as an Indonesia National Army personnel. My father was a captain and currently on duty in Papua. He rarely came home, even once a year. My family was sincerely let him go to carry out his mission of the state. Keeping the peace, my father ever said. Yes, there was still indeed a separatist conflict in Papua.

Rumors also said that Wigan-Certajava was a place for outcast people in the pas