Dead for Reasons

Toward the end of the rainy season, flooding Gung time. The current violent homes had been dragged some residents Hamlet Greetings, clumsy, and Hamlet Sembung. Long bridge that connects the capital with regional tourism district collapsed CACABAN floods swallowed. The tragedy was a provincial newspaper headlines. I read it with feeling hurts.

Somewhat hasty call home boss. I repeatedly apologized for waking up a new boss. "Did you already read the paper today?" I say carefully.

"What's that all about? Devaluation? Inflation? Demonstration? Or?"

I read the news about the floods and the collapse of major bridges Gung time that happened in awkward evening yesterday.

"So?"

"Is not it three months we did not join the project tender?"

"Ah, yes, yes! I know what you mean. Come to the office faster. If I can be assigned to our people in Government and Public Works Department. Look for more information. Arrange everything!"

I said yes.

"Do not forget, the report Vases tourism area development accelerated. Complete with pictures!" How well he ordered something containing a strategy. "Dana tactical and operational costs can you take in Finance," said Boss.

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

"We recommend that you check the location, so not only knew of journalists or other sources."

"I will soon be leaving?"

Departure to the location, then turned back home. Imagine how I feel torn disaster Gung time. On the other hand, my position again exist. And the foreman in charge of nearly two hundred workers did not waste any more time.

Together surveyors, we traveled to the scene in Slawi, 160 miles away. Along the way, I feel nostalgic. Especially when you pass the road parallel to the coast of Java Sea. Rows and rows of palm trees and warm sun, making the illusion of the past jump.

Through the middle of the day, the jeep we passed fields of sugar cane area in the region Pangkah, and arrived at the disaster site. We went down to see the river still-rising tide. Time framework of the bridge half buried in the brown water carrying mud from upstream. I shuddered. Those who become victims, are brothers-born compatriots.

Once, I and my friends like to bathe in the river pool. While residents who live along the river to mine stone, gravel, and sand are endless. Usually, after the flood-wave, abundant rocks back and regarded as a reward for their sacrifices. And that's what led flood stones from the mountain in the upper abdomen.

Traffic now virtually cut off. We take pictures, and just started to leave the site an hour later. Loop road, tour of the county in the past, which now has changed a lot. An area that had raised me, before Urbanist movement contribute to the provincial capital.

The next week, local government offices and the DPU District look more busy. Most of the activities revolve about the plan to build a bridge at awkward Gung time. Other contractors also had to conduct a survey and do something.

The boss told him that a special meeting will be held at our office. Seeing the preparations, there was a kind? Consumption? special. I sensed: we would win the tender!

Special meeting participants consisted of staff of government officials, consultants, and several community leaders who appear wise but a bit mysterious.

"We do not want people constantly overwritten trouble! Major bridge collapse to transport traffic. It affects the economic condition of the growing city, is also troubling small people. In the end, the bridge construction project will only benefit certain parties for career and personal wealth . We certainly disagree with this kind of terror, "said someone who represents the local government.

"We were given a more modest alternative," said one community leader. "A pair of new bride will make a lasting bridge. We set the best possible scenario. Try to finish before the next rainy season."

My don’t understand on the content of that conversation does not show. Moreover boss introduced me as the Project Manager, with a description of curriculum vitae somewhat exaggerated.

Four months have passed, after we receive the decision as the winner of the tender. Now, the pillars of a new bridge made of huge steel frame and foundation stone fortress-mountain was almost finished. River flows docile, waiting for the promise of a replacement bridge collapsed by? Temperament? His bad. At one end of the pier, the proprietor was busy serving of rice about a hundred workers.

I left the Board of Directors Kit, and down to the field. If this is the last day of pier settlement, of the last day for us to talk with a husband-wife-new bridal shop owner. I wanted to share the joy, as? Ceremony? separation.

"Just married to a big contract. It's called the fall months, Yu!" said a porter who ate rice with stew jengkol. "Want to take a trip where you later?"

"Well, better to rent a stall near the market, Kang." Women shop that built it is flushed shape. "Put-receding fortunes as Gung time. So do not be dissipated on the razzle."

"After this bridge completed, you can build a house," said another, justifying, as he asked for additional rice.

"Hopefully, Kang. Overseer well. The pay is always on time. When completed yes, Kang?" the husband asked the proprietor.

"It depends on buyers. But this is ahead of schedule. Tomorrow the castle bridge should be done," the foreman explained the casting. "Could you should move to the top."

"Wow, then tomorrow should make a new tent," the woman turned her husband's shop.

"Do not worry. We'll make it like the ice-shop that dawet there, a little also so." He hits ass wife, a reflex wave of the hand.

"Ordinary cigarette, Yu! Two packs," I interrupted their busy lives. "With all sticks. It's his money."

"The return does not exist, sir," said the shop woman saw the bill with the largest nominal in my hand. "Many owes."

"Yes, I did, later." I took the cigarette and lit another. Kuhisap looking at the river sixty yards wide flows quietly. The bustle of traffic going in an emergency bridge, walking slowly, alternating directions.

"Oh yes, you'll make a lot of rice again. Tonight everyone was working overtime and can not be stopped. So dinner is presented to the late afternoon."

"Wow, when do you tired?"

"Tonight you can sleep soundly. No one will bother you," I consoled. Yes, sleep well! That's what we expected. But could not help shaking my feelings too.

"Sleeping, Yu! Not other," said a foreman. There was another loud laugh erotic tone.

***

Near twilight air turned cold. Insects began to sing. The roar of the river flowing like calling. According to plan, all workers, foremen, carpenters and porters, eat before dark sky. Once bustling atmosphere under the bridge. In lamp beam and the light of gene-set, the husband-wife owners of a busy shop again. Soon fatigue ambushed and they were both lying on the side will jump, on the mat. In the rhythmic music of the river, a different world will pick up.

One hundred workers began to spread, with each task they already understand. The sun had disappeared. Shop was quiet, stay crouched owner exhausted. While other vendors have left the area since the afternoon of the project.

I climbed up the embankment. I called the foreman. Only to those details of the scenario outlined and implemented with full responsibility. All of the orders, with special bonus bets at the end of the project.

I ordered them to work neatly and do not hesitate. Before dawn, pier shop shelter must be completed.

I returned to the Board of Directors Kit. From the window I saw all the artisans, laborers and foremen, ready to work. Someone shined a flashlight at me, husband and wife mark proprietor has fallen asleep. They deliberately contrived extraordinary tired, so not awake when the stone wall surrounding the stall. I saw steel wire began branjangan installed. Machines concrete mixer spinning liquid. The stones of three human heads dropped from above into a web of wires!

The wind that blew through the windows, wash my body fatigue last week, making heavy eyes. Toward the middle of the night had seen the last stone pier refining side, until no remaining cavity. And the shop and its contents were also buried. Strong sleepiness soon grind, then do not remember anything else.

I slept with a tangle of dreams. When awake, no longer hear the voice stream. No longer heard screaming outside insects. The eerie quiet that really bother me.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door of Directors Kit, which really made me aware, and my heart was beating fast. I saw hours: gee, at three o'clock in the morning! Wipe eyes felt heavy.

There was another knock at the door. I squirm with back pain. "Who?" my voice is still hoarse. "Come in!"

I got up and was surprised not to play when he saw someone coming. "You??!" Suddenly my knees trembled.

Guests were: male proprietor! Did not he sleep in a hollow pier? Caged stone with his wife?

"Sorry sir, I'm annoying. This change money you this afternoon." The man put a handful of money on the table. I looked at him without speechless. My throat was clogged. Cold sweat all over his back. "Excuse me, sir."

The proprietor came out and closed the door again. My body was limp extraordinary. Fear was spreading fast. I tried to open the door, but was surprised to hit a stone wall! I frantically ran to the window, but did not see nothing but solid stone structure, massive, and cold! I hit a stone-wall at the still motionless, silent. I was yelling frantically. My voice bouncing in a quiet room. Echoes caused terrible!

I kept yelling. Kept shouting! Until exhausted voice and my hands full of blood from the impact of rough stone walls. Until then heard the faint sound Gung current time so melodious. ***

This short story published in Republika Sunday, October 24, 1993,

sort of birthday gift to self