8 Hum
Prinah rest her chin on her both hands as she sat on the ground looking up the starry sky. She smiles while the stars seems looking at her as well winking. The crackling burning wood fire give her warmth in the middle of the cold night. She hums as the rustling leaves of the trees joined her. While humming, she turned to her side and look on to her father's book as the fire gives light. After watching the resting branches of the trees, the starry night and and the beauty of the house from a distant tree and listening to her surroundings, Prinah began to yawned as her body wants to lay down in bed. She look at the fire and it was quench, Prinah then roll the mat, carry her father's pot, the lamp, pressed the book under her arms and walk toward the house.
She knows that there is a right time for everything. Though she feel in hurry but on the other side she learn to be patient, calm and wait until she had seen the path to find her father. The only thing that strengthen her is the hope that 'lolo' Rio showed to her. It's always in her mind the staff that the old man raised. After entering the house, Prinah then washed her father's pot and hang it on its place. She roamed around the house while carrying the lamp of 'lolo' Rio checking if the windows and other doors are still open. She untie the curtains and sweep the floor. Prinah then turn around and saw cobwebs on the ceiling, wall, window jams, doors and cabinets.
"Don't worry father I will clean the house tomorrow," Prinah talk to her father in her mind, "But let me sleep first,"
Prinah get inside the room bringing the lamp with her. She then wears a jacket, jeans and a foot sock for the cold wind is freezing the house. Prinah put the lamp on the table, rubs her both hands as it created heat, and place it in her face. Looking at the wall, she notices her shadow as if like a man standing on her side. On the side of the shadow, she saw the mark of the nails on the wall. It reminds her again what her father ones put there.
"You know, you're different, your job, your personality, and your dreams. I think I cannot do that. I cannot even handle myself. Most of all, I have a hard time disciplining myself. When I came to this place, I learn a lot of things from you. How much more if we've been together?" Prinah then sat at her bed as she continues talking to her own shadow. "Anyway, we're unique. I cannot be you. You cannot be me, right?" Prinah raise up her shoulders and tilt her head to right side, reasoned out as if talking to her father.
In a few moments, she yawned and raised both her arms. She covers her mouth with her hand as she yawned. "Father, I must be sleepy now." She kissed her fingers and blew it to her own shadow. "Good night." She turned her head side by side to her pillow as she smells its fragrance. One of her habits when laying down in bed is she used to rub her other foot at her shin (the front of the leg below the knee). After a while, she will be able to sleep.
Prinah having the time to know more about herself while alone in that house. The circumstances of finding her father and her experiences seem her the mirror to see who she is. She learned how to live on her own and even discover her capability.
Early in the morning, she goes down directly to her father's underground music room. She reads other pages of the book to know another routine that her father does in that house. But in the middle parts of the book, she notices that there are records that her father indicated mentioning a girl. Prinah thinks about whether it's a song or a poem. She observed that her father speak only a particular girl. Prinah loves the way how her father writes it.
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You come to me with those lonely eyes.
Telling me, you can find me in the skies.
What can I do? If you lost in my sights.
I give up because I found you in disguise.
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She reads the proceeding stanza's and understands that her father is writing about their quarrels, "Father, who is this girl? Why is it that she's familiar?" asks Prinah, "Why she had to leave you?"
Prinah then commented, "Why you need to separate each other?"
Because of that, Prinah was even eager to read further investigating if her father mentions the reasons. She wonders if they love each other and why the other must walk away. Prinah didn't give up thinking about the writing, hoping to find its answer. And there she found it. The girl had to leave because she knows they will not stay that long. No matter how they love each other, still, she will be taken away.
He could not hold the girl anymore because her plane ticket going back to Australia paid already. They were in that house for three days as they share their love. They enjoy the moment of their company as they live as one in that house. Then Prinah continues reading:
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I feel that joy on your face
As we share and embrace
I hope it will last as grace
You and I can win the race
I can not hold you anymore
Like the sand in the seashore
Washed by, you can't restore
Listen to me and don't ignore
Angels bring to you that fire
Girl, you're the one I admire
Searching you, I'll never tire
I love you, my fairest desire
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"Wow, so sweet," she beams while shaking her head, "You're a brilliant father. Although you created it well, your heart is hurt this time."
