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Between Anjuau and Nauli
Anjuau has just arrived at home from his office. He feels so tired and wants to go to bed immediately, but a letter on the table attracts his attention.
There is no sender mentioned on the back of the envelope, but it was postmarked from Medan.
He opens it immediately. This is what he read:
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My dear Anjuau Hasian,
I haven’t seen you for a long time. I would like to see you. I’m sorry I haven’t replied to your letters. I am really busy. Moreover, I hate writing letters. I seldom even write to my parents or brothers and sisters. Well, I want to tell you that I have moved from Petisah to Pajak Bengkok, so why not come to Medan and visit me. I miss you so much.
Yours sincerely,
Nauli Lagu. |
The short letter made Anjuau feel wonderfully hopeful. It reminded him of Nauli’s beauty, and the very first time he met her in Serang. The way she spoke thrilled his heart and made him feel his love for her. He had sent many love letters to her, either by mail or by a friend, but she never wrote back. He had no idea why. After two years, his letters have finally received a reply. Why doesn’t Nauli Lagu simply forget him? Why does she invite him to see her again? His heart tells him that he must see Nauli Lagu soon.
Anjuau felt calm as he alighted from the bus which had taken him from Jakarta to Medan. The bus station was crowded with passengers, but he ignored them. What he wanted to do, directly he arrived in Pajak Bengkok, was to meet the woman he had fallen in love with. Actually, Anjuau had been looking for the right young lady for a long time, but no one had suited him so far. His parents’ letters from his home town frequently beg him to get married soon as they are getting older. So his reason for traveling to Medan was to say that he had chosen her to be his wife.
When he reached Nauli Lagu’s home, she welcomed him politely. Anjuau expressed his intention bravely, but her reply saddened him.
“I have told you, I belong to someone, I have my own choice,” Nauli Lagu said in a feelingless voice.
She appeared to be angry, but Anjuau hoped this was only a test for him. He was disturbed. Was she telling the truth? Did she really have someone else? There was an awkwardness between them. He felt betrayed.
“If you come to see me in friendship,” she continued brusquely, “that is okay. I will be happy to see you. But nothing more than that.”
“But I love you so much,” Anjuau persisted.
“Love? No thank you!” she scoffed him. “You can just be a friend, if you like. But
no more than that.”
“So what are we going to do, Nauli Lagu?
“Be friends,” Nauli Lagu replied. She went to her room and returned with some letters.
“Why have you got my letters there?” Anjuau feels surprised by her action.
“I have to give your letters back to you.”
“Give them back to me? But why? Oh, how cruel you are,” he cried.
She stood as though she had washed her hands of the whole affair.
Anjuau said nothing more. He simply did not know what to say. With a heavy heart, he left Nauli Lagu’s home, taking with him all his letters to her. He needed to leave Medan as soon as possible.
Anjuau dropped by a small restaurant and had something to eat. Some sidewalk traders approach him and offered their goods for souvenirs.
“Cheap, Sir! Please buy for souvenirs!”
He firmly but politely sent them away.
Anjuau can’t get out of his mind what he had experienced a short while ago with Nauli Lagu, the beautiful girl who was so full of anger. He realized now that the nice smile she gave him initially was totally false.
After paying the bill, he went to purchase his bus ticket home. Without warning, a lady approached him and presented him with a smile. Anjuau ignored her.
The lady greeted him and continued to smile at him
Anjuau remained silent. He had no idea who she was.
“Don’t you remember me, Anjuau? I have been watching you for some time.”
“Sorry, Mom, I don’t know who you are.”
“Mom? You are wrong. I’m not your Mom. I’m your Auntie.”
“Auntie? Er...er... I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.”
The lady’s smile broadened. “It’s me, Nurmala. Your Auntie from Pangkalan Susu.”
“Auntie Nurmala?. Oh come on!” Anjuau protested. “I can’t believe that. Your hair is different, and you look more beautiful than you used to.”
“That’s quite enough, Anjuau! I am your Aunt who used to take care of you when you were a kid.
Anjuau now remembered who she was. When he was young, he couldn’t stand her.
They gazed at each other for a moment, and finally hugged each other.
“Auntie! Now I remember. You were in Palangkaraya, weren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right. I‘ve also been in Denpasar, Malang and Jakarta too. I am a professional nurse, you know, though I prefer living in Medan. I hate your busy and hectic lifestyle in Jakarta,” she added. “Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?”
“Yes. I am returning to Tangerang“
“I see. Have you bought your bus ticket yet?”
“I was just going to.”
“Well, If you have the time, why not stay and talk whilst I have something to eat?”
Anjuau drew a long breath. He gave her no answer, though he really wanted to.
“What’s the matter with you Anjuau?” she asked. “You appear depressed about something.”
Anjuau maintained his silence. He doesn’t want to talk about it at the moment.
“Anjuau, do you have a problem? Possibly a love affair that’s gone wrong?”
“No Auntie,” he replied. He was surprised that his aunt had guessed so quickly.
“You are lying, aren’t you?” she persisted. She took his hand and sat down again.
Anjuau meekly did the same.
“Don’t worry, Anjuau. I used to be young too my dear. May I help you?”
“You are cunning, auntie,” Anjuau smiled. You must be a mind reader. You know what’s wrong with me.” He put his hand on his aunt’s shoulder. He found himself telling her the whole story.
His auntie listened carefully to his tale and nodded her head. “Anjuau, that’s the eastern woman. So be wise and careful. Perhaps Nauli Lagu feels the need to test your faithfulness. Do you love her seriously?” She gazed intently at him.
“Yes, I do.”
“Then you must assure her.”
“I have done that already. Many times.”
“And how do you do that?” She gave her order to the waiter.
“I have told her many, many times in my letters.”
“Oh, expressions of love by letter aren’t enough,” she remarked forcefully. “She doesn’t need your letters, she needs you. Do you ever call her by phone?’
Anjuau shook his head. “Never.”
“You must, because a woman is eager to listen to your voice on the phone. And remember, she needs not only words, but action.” She took up her spoon and started to eat. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that, Auntie?” Anjuau was curious now.
“Don’t return to Tangerang.”
“I have to work tomorrow.”
“Then ring in sick. Stay another day to achieve your objective. Love needs sacrifice, Anjuau,” she explained. “Believe me, my dear. Come closer. I want to whisper you a secret, so you will get Nauli Lagu at last.”
* * *
At dawn, the next day, Nauli Lagu is about to take her bath. To her surprise, the telephone rings. She answers the phone.
“May I talk to Nauli Lagu, please?”
“Speaking. But who are you?”
“Do you know Anjuau?”
“Yes I know him. What’s the matter with him?”
“I am a nurse at the Pringadi Hospital.”
Nauli Lagu starts to feel apprehensive.
“Sorry Nauli Lagu, I have to tell you the truth. I er...”
“Please tell me quickly what’s the matter with Anjuau,” she pleads, her voice full of concern now.
The phone went dead.
Tears slide down Nauli Lagu’s cheek. She suddenly feels lost. She glances out of the window. She looks at the clock on the wall. She doesn’t know what to do.
The phone rings again.
“Nauli Lagu please.”
“Speaking.”
“Sorry, we got cut off.”
“Please tell me about Anjuau.” She found she was shouting now
“Sorry, Nauli Lagu. When Anjuau was about to buy ticket at Pinang Baris station, he was hit by a car. He was in a hurry, you see.”
“Anjuau has been hit by a car? No, no, no. This mustn’t happen to him.” Nauli Lagu was even more desperate now.
“Please calm down. On his luggage, I found some love letters written to you. As Anjuau has no relatives here in Medan, I would like you to come here immediately. He’s in room 12.”
“I’ll come straight away,” Nauli Lagu said. Tears were flowing freely now.
Confused and frightened, Nauli Lagu took a taxi to the hospital. She felt guilty for the way she had treated Anjuau yesterday.
Nauli Lagu finally located the room and found Anjuau covered with bandages.
She looked down at him. “How bad is it Anjuau?” she whispered.
“Who are you?” Anjuau asked, slowly opening his eyes.
“I am Nauli Lagu. Don’t you remember Nauli Lagu?”
“Oh, Nauli Lagu. You are the cruel Nauli Lagu who returned my letters. Have you come to be cruel to me again?”
She shook her head. “No, Anjuau. How could you say such a thing?”
“Don’t you remember last night? You treated me like a beggar and
a worthless dog?” Anjuau closed his eyes again. “Please leave me alone. I want to die. I want to leave this world with my pure heart and my rejected love.”
“No, please don’t send me away,” Nauli begged, grasping Anjuau’s hand tightly.
“Why do you say that? You don’t care about me, do you?”
“Of course, I do,Anjuau! I love you. I want to be with you...”
“Love me?” Anjuau protested. “It’s too late for love between us now. Let me go. Give me a kiss on my lips before I go to heaven.”
Nauli Lagu bent down and kissed him lightly. He grabs her slender body and hugged her tightly to him.
“Anjuau, why are you so powerful? Your body is covered with bandages. Don’t move too much. Surely, it’s dangerous for you.” she looked utterly confused now.
“I don’t care,” Anjuau laughed. “I don’t want to die. These are only dummy bandages and false blood.”
Nauli drew herself up tall. “I don’t understand. Dummy bandages and false blood? How come?”
A nurse entered the room. “I am Nurse Nurmala. Are you Nauli Lagu?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m sorry but visiting hours are now over. I must attend to Anjuau.”
Anjuau and Nauli Lagu looked at the nurse as she continued firmly, “Neither of you is too young to be married, so please arrange it soon.”
- Hotma di Hita L Tobing
Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia.
published: August 2007 |
