An elderly man sat alone looking at the crowded city streets. His eyes lit up watching the passing of people who were preoccupied with his various interests. There is a conversation in the hubbub, bargaining in berdangang, even there are also foreign tourists who cool to immortalize the moment with the camera.
Every now and then he turned to look at a small blue bucket in front of him. Still empty. Six hours already he was sitting on the porch of a very crowded store, but no one human beings are impressed his heart to just put a dollar coins into the bucket. Instead of putting in coins, they are also reluctant to see. What a very bitter life that afflicted the poor grandfather in his old age.
The old man smiled bitterly, after all I did. Is this like the best reply for me O God ?. He leaned against a lamppost, staring at the sky of the city of Jogjakarta that was still blue, bright with no clouds overcast. From the side of the road in a shop corner that he witnessed events that are changing from time to time. This atmosphere is similar to the atmosphere of Jogja 68 years ago. A sweeping atmosphere. Make people in those days blind to read a sign. They fail to understand the implied message that nature has shown. Until finally the peaceful city fell into enemy hands.
His mind returned in reverie, danced through the flow of time. Until finally he arrived in his youth first, when his body was still standing. The gray hairs on his head were not yet popping. The muscles of his hands and feet are still able to be invited to wring a sweat, blood, and tears. The time when he was still able to risk his life for the sake of his beloved country.
Kricik!
Suddenly the sound of a few rupiah coins dashed her reverie. He looked ahead. In front of him stood a well-dressed young man with a camera hung around his neck. The young man was wearing a dark brown duffel bag, making him look more like the tourists who are cool hunting pictures there.
"Grandpa has eaten?" The young man's voice was friendly.
"No," the grandfather replied in a hoarse voice.
"This is my kek carry a pack of rice, eaten yes kek." The young man stuck a plastic bag containing rice wrap and a bottle of mineral water. Then he sat cross-legged in front of his grandfather.
"Thank you son." The grandfather immediately accepted the gift of the young man. He looked at him intently, there was a suspicion in his mind. Who is this guy why is he so nice to me? Did he mean evil? Or maybe he's a cop in disguise to attack people like me? suddenly the grandfather stopped his hand gesture, his mind raging. He was worried about this handsome young man before him.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Bayu kek. I live near here, in my grandmother's place. I come here, in addition to visiting my family, as well as to do some research. "Bayu said quickly, he understood very well what the grandfather's odd looks meant. His gaze implies the intent that he immediately explain the purpose of his arrival.
Heard Bayu grandfather's answer was a little quieter. Looks like he can be trusted. The old man said to himself. He immediately devoured the rice offered Bayu. Pamuda was just smiling at the old grandfather in front of him was greedy eating his gift.
Soon the grandfather again spoke up. "Rarely is anyone as good as you, who cares about an old man like grandfather." The old man took a sip of mineral water in his hand, a sign that his food had run out of nothing. Bayu still survives with his friendly smile.
"I'm not that good. I am still young but have sins. While grandfather, though old, does not close the possibility of bringing more goodness than me. "The young man softly caressed the old man's shoulder in front of him giving moral encouragement to him not to give up with fate.
He did not know yet, that the path that the grandfather had to go through was not as easy as he thought he was. It is true the straight path without any obstacles he had passed. But now the path is changing so complicated, steep, and full of life's cruel trials. Until finally he chose to be a beggar in his old age. He could have chosen a different path. He can be a bookie in a nark * ba, or mucik * ri dealer. Then he will be rich, though for a moment and not experience the bitterness of life as it is now. But he chose this path, a steep road full of obstacles. So he can keep his honor. Save his life from a more cruel torture in later days.
"Em kek, may I ask some things to grandpa? I do not mean anything, it's just that I need my grandfather's answer later for me to make my research material. "Although a little hesitant but Bayu ventured to ask the question. Questions that will give answers to his curiosity over the years. Previously he had often interviewed people similar to his grandfather. But they did not give an answer that satisfied curiosity.
The old man sighed. "May be please, if you can afford grandfather." Grandpa was curious, what kind of questions would he ask ?.
"Look here, I want to know why Grandpa. Why did Grandfather choose, sorry to be a beggar at the age of grandfather's twilight? "Suddenly the wind blew hard against two people who were now clashing eyes. It implies a message that the question will give birth to an answer that will initiate a major change in the nation's history.
Grandpa was surprised. All these years he had gone through his profession, but nobody ever asked the crazy questions that Bayu asked. But on the other hand, there was a glimmer of hope in the grandfather's heart. Is this young man the gate, is he the one you sent to save those who experienced injustice like me Oh God? Will he be the key to rescuing victims of governmental galliness like me?
But all that is useless. If indeed this young man will publish his research, the government will also not pay attention. At best they will only give strange awards that he often receives first, then after that all return with their respective interests. People like that grandfather would go back to his days as an abandoned person. Their fate has not changed !. His heart was hard. He no longer trusts the false expectations of the government.
"No son, I can not answer him. I'm sorry I have to go! "The grandfather tidied up his things, tried to stand as fast as he could, he wanted to leave Bayu soon, whether he would be disappointed or not. He just wants to be calm in his old age. Do not want to debebani with empty hopes again.
Before the grandfather had been able to walk, his steps stopped. A tug stops her movement. "Wait for kek! Please, give me an answer to my question. I have interviewed many people, but they have not been able to answer my curiosity for years. Please kek, who knows grandpa is the person, maybe grandpa's answer will be the key to big changes in the future kek. "Bayu begged the grandfather, he was tired of traveling around the country looking for answers to the question. Looks like this grandfather is his last hope. She really hoped that he would give her an answer.
The grandfather was silent. Her eyes began to tear. For decades he had kept his tears spilled. He feels Bayu's arrival is too late, but if indeed God has outlined this is the time, he can what. The grandfather realized that only God knew the most precise moment at which the point of change began. Maybe this is the time.