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13 | Comrade in Arms
AT night, I just laid down in my room. I was fiddling with my cellphone by scrolling through my colleague's Facebook. I kept scrolling because there was very little that interests me. As usual, my Facebook homepage was filled with selfies, minor complaints, to expletives.
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 14 | Jealousy
THE next day, I happened to wake up early. It was not something I had planned. Maybe because I slept soundly after exchanging messages with Kacey last night. It felt like a new spirit has infiltrated my inner space. I immediately cleaned up myself and got ready to go to Clofus.When heating the motorbike, my eyes twitched. Apparently, Julia was passing in front of my house. I greeted her on behalf of Shri, the Javanese Goddess of Fertility.By her sign language, Julia quipped me. She told me that it was a miracle to see me wake up early. For the sake of witnessing an angel, of course, I had to be willing to sacrifice. As usual, she just grinned.I cleared my throat, then asked Julia to go to Clofus together. She agreed. The sensation of piggybacking Julia was always new. I never got tired of it--essential fragrance without artificial scents. Julia sat quietly. So, the morning was indeed beautiful.Arriving at the school gate, I stopped to drop Julia off b
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 15 | Lovefool
I could hear the crowd. But, I was still reluctant to move from where I sat. I felt like I was falling into a bottomless abyss and floating in an ocean of confusion. I was in a daze. But then, I remembered a video showing several junkies in a drug rehab center, last time.Then there was the scent of the smelly armpits being exposed freely in the air, followed by palms tapping my shoulder heavily. There was only one person who could release such poisonous gas. And there was only one person who had excess power for a trivial job. I turned around."Skipping class?" offered Mr. P."Agree!" said Matt.I nodded in agreement. However, I was wondering when they had been next to me? Anyway, right now I had to get rid of my passion for learning first. At least, l could leave campus with Mr. P and Matt to fi
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 16 | The Scielhort's
ALL the way home, Julia and I did not talk to each other. Aisha and Ahmed overshadowed me. They seemed to be laughing at me. Meanwhile, with Julia, I did not know what landed on her mind. Maybe, she was still disappointed with my attitude at the campus that never changes.When I arrived at Julia's house, she then got out of the vehicle, then faced me. Julia's face was still red. I could see Julia holding back her disappointment. I was waiting for Julia to say something. But she said nothing. A gentle breeze then blew, creating dust that fluttered like in the wild wild west."I'm sorry," I said softly.Julia was still silent. She sighed again. I could see her chest puffed out, then deflated. It seemed like Julia felt something that she was previously held back had burst out of her body, but it was not a fart. I could feel the same relief."I gotta work," said Julia in motion."Need a ride?" I volunteered by my sign."No, thanks. I’ll go
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 17 | Kacey Loves Monday
KACEY and I then passed a large swimming pool, which I thought shaped was like a mango leaf. The water was so clear, so it reflected the blue sky, like Kacey's eyes. All around the pool, palm trees were waving by the wind. I could also see several helpers were busy at the back of this giant luxury house.Farther back, there was a building the size of a mini-market franchise that appeared to have been recently built. I could smell the new paint. Up close, I could hear the low sound of the musical instruments inside. I believed this building was a private music studio.When Kacey opened the double doors of the building, there was a booming sound of musical instruments. Knowing people were coming, the sounds suddenly stopped. Inside, there were already three young people who were ready in their respective positions. Kacey introduced me to them.They were Carson the drummer, Andy the guitarist, and Fanny as the keyboardist."Hi," I cupped my palms.The
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 18 | Sincerity
I cleaned up after I got back from Kacey's house earlier. There was still one hour before the recitation program at Aisha's house started. I thought I would have coffee first at Brother Laymisch's stall.When I came out of my room, I saw my mother was seriously watching television in her shop. I thought she was watching her favorite soap opera or something. Just about to say goodbye, I watched the television was broadcasting a news program.I was being curious. I listened to the news about what caught my mother's attention. Apparently, there was news about an underage girl raped to death by eight adult men.Son of a bitch! Coward! I cursed them.Then, I looked at my mother. Her face was flat, and her gaze was blank. Was she really listening to the news or daydreaming? A moment later, she woke up from her emptiness after I turned off the television. She asked where I was going? I told her that I would go to Haji Abdul Rasheed's house for recitation.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 19 | Incantation
HAJI Abdul Rasheed’s house was like the Nurul Iman Palace of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. There stood firmly high walls with a line of large vents. Apart from the towering main building, the courtyard was also extensive. It was approximately one football field. The yard itself was planted with papyrus and date palms. Anyway, it really looked like the middle east.In this part of the courtyard laid giant carpets and tents. Also, there were standing fans and portable air conditioners that filled every corner of the yard. People flooded from the front of the house to the end of the street. It was very crowded.Located in the Royal Certajava housing complex, Haji Abdul Rasheed’s house was right on the edge of Great Certajava Street bustling with traffic. This street was surrounded by fancy restaurants, like dim sum and pork satay restaurants. There were also fast and junk food outlets, showrooms, car modification workshops, and cafes that were only open
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 20 | Strong Will
THEN, the emcee read out the next schedule. It was the turn of a Muslim scholar who would give a speech. I was surprised when the name of Imam Shahryr was called. I did not see him earlier.Imam Shahryr wore the same clothes he wore when he was present at In-Depth with Aaliyah yesterday. Thawb and guthrah. As he walked towards the pulpit on the stage, the shouts of Allahu Akbar repeatedly resounded.Standing at the pulpit, Imam Shahryr replied to the shout with Allahu Akbar as well. The atmosphere at Abdul Rasheed's house became more crowded. Hundreds of people with turbans suddenly pushed forward before the Imam. It seemed they really intended to listen to his speech.I was sure they are Indonesian Muslim Defender mass.After greeting, Imam Shahryr began his speech by praising the appearance of Aisha, who had just recited Surah At-Tin. I just found out that what Aisha read was apparently Surah At-Tin. But wait a minute. Wasn't Tin is the Arabic for fig t
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 21 | A Ruse
MY cell phone alarm rang. It made me wake up, and it was half-past seven in the morning. As usual, I hurriedly got up and immediately cleaned myself in the bathroom. After that, I rubbed my underarms with deodorant, and I sprayed my body with perfume. Then I put on my shirt and trouser.I swore, at the campus, I would never see Aisha again.I stepped out onto the lawn and heating at my favorite automatic motorbike that I just bought three months ago. But how come there was something odd. Usually, every time I wanted to go to campus, my mother was fussy. But, it was different. I looked at the shop. I saw Jenny was typing on her cell phone. She seemed to be smiling to herself."Don't you go to campus?" I asked while concerned."No," she replied, then smiling."Why?" I was curious."Today is a day off," Jenny burst out laughing.What the hell? I thought aloud."Okay, where is mom?" I asked."At Mother Catherine's house, wor
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