Beberapa waktu lalu, seorang teman yang tinggal di Madagaskar mengabarkan berita sedih. Dadabe, bapak tua yang pernah menjadi bagian keluarga kami selama tiga tahun setengah tinggal di Antananarivo sakit. Lumpuh karena serangan stroke. Saya sedih, anak-anak ikut sedih.
Some time ago, a friend who live in Madagascar told me a sad news. Dadabe, the old man who had been part of our family for three and a half years while living in Antananarivo is sick. Paralyzed by stroke. I am sad, the children are sad.
Dadabe adalah lelaki pendiam. Ia memang menjengkelkan ketika alkohol membuatnya mabuk di hari-hari libur. Tapi ia setia dan bisa diandalkan.
Dadabe was a quiet, calm man. Although he was annoying when alcohol made him drunk on his day off, he is faithful and trustworthy. We had relied on him for many things.
Pagi-pagi, ketika aku kebingungan akan menyajikan apa di meja makan sebagai sarapan seluruh penghuni rumah, ia akan cekatan berjalan ke toko roti di ujung gang, membelikan roti isi coklat, french toast, sekotak susu dan sereal.
Siang hari, ia akan menyibukkan diri di bawah matahari, mengguntingi rumput, menyapu daun-daun dan melap kaca-kaca jendela. Ia juga yang menanam dan merawat mawar-mawar dan tanaman lainnya agar kami bisa menikmati keindahan dan kerapian taman.
Sore hari ini berjalan ke sekolah, menjemput anak-anak dan mau saja membawakan tas mereka yang sangat berat.
Malam hari, ia memaksa matanya tetap terbuka dengan meminum segayung kopi hitam. Ia lalu duduk mengawasi rumah ditemani radio kecil yang membunyikan ragam suara. Pada malam-malam musim dingin, angin dan suhu bisa turun hingga 7 derajat selsius, namun itu tak megubah rutinitasnya. Hanya jaketnya yang bertambah tebal dengan tungku perapian yag terus meyala.
Dari kamar kami di lantai atas, kami tertidur pulas, tahu bahwa kami aman dari hal buruk yang bisa saja masuk ke rumah.
Early in the morning, when I was confused about what was to be served at the dinner table as a whole house breakfast, he would deftly walk to the bakery at the end of the alley, bought chocolate sandwiches, french toast, a carton of milk and cereal.
During the day, he occupied himself under the sun, cut the grass, swept the leaves and wiped the windows. He also planted and cared for roses and other plants.
In the afternoon walked to school, picked up children and brought their very heavy bags willingly.
In the night, he forced his eyes to remain open by drinking a cup of black coffee, then sat watching the house. A small radio that rang the sounds always by his side. On the winter evenings, winds and temperatures might drop to seven degrees celcius. But it didn't change his routine.
Inside our upstairs room, we fallen asleep, knowing we were safe from bad things that could enter the house.
Dan kini, Dadabe terbaring di dipan rumahnya, tanpa bisa kami kunjungi. Kami tak mampu melipat jarak. Ada samudera luas yang merintangi Madagaskar - Indonesia. Semoga Dadabe kembali sehat.
And now Dadabe is lying on his cot, without us being able to visit. We can not fold the distance.There is an ocean that hinders Madagascar - Indonesia. May Dadabe be healthy again.
