"I don't need any sophisticated equipment," he said before going out to sea to hunt whales. He went to sea alone. He once read books about adventurers, sailors and old men hunting fish who spent days at sea. He wanted to be like the old man.
Strange, tonight there is no wind blowing. The waves seemed dead. He was in the middle of the ocean alone. With a boat that doesn't move anywhere. He didn't try to paddle with the paddle. He stared at the sky, trying to map the direction of the stars. But only red, yellow and blue slides in the black sky. He was amazed.
Suddenly the sea was stirred up. He felt the boat slide into a passage. Deeper into the dark tunnel. He didn't close his eyes, wanting to see what was happening. Do you know what he saw? Yes you know the answer.
Indonesia, September 25 2023
NENEK MOYANGKU PELAUT
"Aku tak membutuhkan peralatan canggih apapun," katanya sebelum melaut berburu ikan paus. Dia melaut sendirian. Pernah dibacanya buku para petualang, pelaut dan lelaki tua pemburu ikan berhari-hari di lautan. Dia ingin menjadi seperti lelaki tua itu.
Aneh, malam ini tak ada angin berhembus. Ombak seperti mati. Dia di tengah lautan sendirian. Dengan perahu yang tak bergerak ke manapun. Dia tak coba mengayuh dengan dayung. Ditatapnya langit, mencoba memetakan arah dari bintang-bintang. Tapi hanya luncuran merah, kuning dan biru di langit hitam. Dia sangat takjub.
Tiba-tiba lautan bergejolak. Dia merasakan perahunya meluncur ke dalam sebuah lorong. Semakin dalam lorong yang gelap. Dia tak memejamkan mata, ingin melihat apa yang terjadi. Kau tahu apa yang dilihatnya? Ya engkau tahu jawabannya.
Malang, 25 September 2023