My dearest, Dek Ratri (2)

If somebody asks how I sum up my sister in three words, so it would be; mature, persistent, generous. Though medical history declared I was born eleven months prior to her, at the time when night came and I had a kind of me-time for exploring things blew up in my mind, in the silence of my heart I, somehow, believe she should have been the older one. Not in a one or two occasions, I sadly laugh at the childish part of me when comparing myself to her, admiring on how she makes decision, the way she deals with complicated situations.

Well, one said that sister is a friend and defender – a listener, a conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of not only delights but also sorrows. Then, she actually is. My dearest Dek Ratri, thanks a million for your presence, always, for your countless helps to ‘maintain’ my ‘buoyancy’, for always encouraging and supporting me. Cant wait to see you here. Yes, here. See you when I see you!

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Dek Ratri, bagi saya, ibarat Arai :’)

Edensor
Suatu ketika, pada bulan puasa, kami harus pulang karena ayahku sakit. Tak ada kendaraan yang dapat ditumpangi. Kami berjalan kaki, tiga puluh kilometer dari kota tempat SMA kami berada. Matahari membara, tepat di atas kepala. Panas menjerang tanpa ampun, aspal meleleh. Perutku kosong, kerongkongan kering. Aku melangkah seperti rangka kayu yang reyot. Pandangan berkunang-kunang. Kami kehausan dan menderita dehidrasi, bahkan sudah tak lagi berkeringat. Aku tak sanggup, waktu melewati danau aku ingin membatalkan puasaku.

“Jangan,” sergah Arai tersengal-sengal. Ia membopongku. Kami melangkah terseret-seret. Aku tak mampu bertahan. Kembali melewati danau, aku mendesak ingin minum.

“Jangan,” sergah Arai.

“Jangan, Tonto, jangan menyerah.”

Arai menaikkan tubuhku ke atas punggungnya. Ia memikulku. Langkahnya limbung, terseok-seok berkilo-kilometer. Ia istirahat sebentar, lalu memikulku lagi. Napasnya meregang satu per satu, hidungnya mendengus-dengus seperti hewan disembelih. Tumitnya mengucurkan darah karena terjepit jalinan kasar sepatu karet ban mobil. Ia melangkah terus, terhuyung-huyung. Tak sedikit pun ia mau menyerah. Sampai di rumah, aku terkapar tak berdaya. Arai tersenyum. Aku menatap matanya dalam-dalam.

Tiba-tiba, Prancis rasanya dekat saja.