Airs
Chapter 7. Journey

...<•••>...

The car that Lilis was riding in was now driving so calmly. The four wheels of his tyre spun across the paved road. The beautiful hills make Lilis let out her head for a moment so that she can more freely look at the natural scenery out there.

For the first time Lilis can enjoy the feeling of riding a car like this. His entire life had never felt what he was currently doing.

The scenery of his village is so very beautiful and of course he will come back to this village to see the scenery and feel the fresh air that always gently caress his lungs. From here he could also see some women with big hats and baskets on their backs were busy picking tea leaves on the plantation that looked green along the way.

Long enough that the journey until finally along the journey decorated with tea gardens replaced by residential houses people passing through several long bridges made both eyes of Lilis blink several times feel drowsiness that came to him.

"Uncle!" call Lilis make Uncle Somar who has been talking with his two friends since then turned his head.

Even the two friends of Uncle Somar were seen glancing at him from the reflection of the mirror in front.

"Is the journey still far away? Lilis is sleepy."

"Just sleep, Lis!"

"Can?"

"It's okay, just sleep!" tell her with a smile to make Lilis comply.

He rested his head on the back of the chair. Both eyes were snapped several times as he felt his sleepiness increasing until finally the two eyes moved slowly so tightly closed. That girl named Lilis was actually asleep right now.

The journey continues. High buildings also appear to show if they have entered the city area. Long enough, Lilis fell asleep until finally Lilis' head moved down and almost hit the side of the car, making Lilis wake up from her sleep.

His two reddened eyes were staring at the street right outside the window. Now there is no more tea leaf plantation, all decorated with tall buildings. Vehicles passing by and people who are busy there.

If when in the village he saw people who seemed to carry hoes, carrying baskets or pulling buffalo and other livestock differently when he was in this place. From here he could see people who seemed to be busy stepping while carrying suitcases, bags that were seen below by all of them.

They all looked busy even Lilis had never seen people talking to each other there.

"What uncle have we arrived?" his tanyanya made uncle Somar's friends turn their heads.

"It's over."

"Are we going to get to the restaurant where Lilis is going to work?"

"Not so fast, Lilis. We haven't really arrived. We just got to the city not in Jakarta."

"In the city of Jakarta?"

"Yes, Lis."

Lilis fell silent. He thought that if his Uncle only invited him to the city where he lived, he would go to Jakarta.

To the city of Jakarta! Lilis never even imagined herself setting foot in the city that had become the capital of the country.

"Where are we going now Uncle?" tanyanya made the car he was riding finally stopped at a ship port.

"Lilis down! We'll have breakfast and continue on!" his orders made both of Uncle Somar's best friends get off the car first.

Lilis looked confused. He pulled out half of his body in the car window and then he looked left and right at the many people who were busy there. There are some people who also appear to lift goods and bring them into a large ship that is parked in the sea port.

"Will he get on that big ship to get to Jakarta?" thought.

...<•••>...

A bowl of meatballs placed on the table makes Uncle Somar immediately give flavoring spices to a bowl of meatballs.

"Eat, Lilis! Our journey is still very long!" her door made Lilis slide the bowl to get closer to her.

He occasionally looked at two of his Uncle's friends who until now he did not know what their names were.

"Uncle, how many days are we traveling again? Lilis is tired."

"Patience, Lilis! It only took us two days to sail the ship."

"On the ship?"

Lilis turned her head to look at the people who were still busy lifting things into that part of the ship.

"Lilis thinks we're not going on a boat to get to town. Lilis also thought that we would only be in this city and work, not go to Jakarta."

"Lilis, Jakarta's salary is more than this city."

"really?"

"Yes, where did my uncle lie. If you don't believe, ask the two of them. Tomang and plural," he said made Lilis turn to look at the two friends of his Uncle who was seen smiling while nodding his head trying to give an answer without needing Lilis to ask.

Oh, apparently Lilis just found out that his two uncle's friends have quite unique names. Tomang and Jamang, very funny names. It felt like Lilis wanted to laugh but this kind of atmosphere was not supportive.

After a long time of thinking finally Lilis enjoyed all the meatballs that had been given some flavoring. He's really hungry right now. Along the way he only fell asleep until his eyes were sore and heavy.

...<•••>...

Lilis set foot on the steps where the entrance to the large ship was open and several men in uniforms checked the passenger tickets.

Lilis stood on the siring of the ship. Both of his hands clasped tightly onto the iron guardrail and stared at the scene.

From the top of this sizable ship Lilis could even see the very small looking people down there passing by and even some women seemed to be busy offering some items they sell to prospective passengers of the ship.

The traders are also busy going up and down the ship to offer their merchandise they sell, such as watches, dolls, towels, souvenirs and much more.

"See what Lilis is?"

The voice was heard to make Lilis turn to look at Uncle Somar who also stared at the gaze that highlighted below.

"There is no Uncle. Lilis just look at the people down there."

"Oh," he answered briefly.

"Uncle, when Lilis gets there, where will Lilis live?"

"Just calm! There's a free house."

"Free house?"

"Yes, the free house was reserved for the restaurant workers."

"Well, that's great, Uncle."

"Yes, you also do not need to pay or spend money even the money to eat is borne there."

"Oh, huh?"

"Yes. Don't you trust Uncle anymore?"

"No Uncle. Lilis believes in Uncle."

Uncle Somar smiled. It seemed so easy to trick and lie to this nephew of his.

"Rest, Lilis! Here's your room number. Uncle and Uncle's two friends will keep you from the outside."

"Keep Lilis?"

"Yes. Oh yes Lilis, if anyone asks you to tell a story never reply to them!"

"Why Uncle?"

"Just obey! There are a lot of bad people here so you have to be careful!"

Lilis nodded her head. Lilis was happy because it meant uncle Somar was really looking after her. He did not even want to be bullied by others even Uncle Somar and his two friends would guard him from outside the door.

...<•••>...