FOREIGN LANGUAGE (Laje Tribe)

*** HARD POV ***

Suhardi Fernandez, Or just call me Hardi. I'm only 19 years old. My face is not very handsome, well, by Indonesian standards. For school at this time I am still taking 2 years of undergraduate studies at the University of UNTAD Paru in the field of Medicine and health.

I'm originally from the Laje tribe. Haven't heard of it before right? Obviously not, because our tribe comes from the interior of the mountains of Tinom City whose name you can only find on a map of Indonesia, he explained.

The Laje tribe is very thick with local customs and various beliefs from our ancestors are still applied in our daily lives. My parents' stories about the stories of old smart people still stick in my memory until now. Our language is also very difficult for ordinary people to understand, even for me.

Well funny indeed, I'm originally from there but not fluent in the language. And I don't think I'm the only one who's experienced this, you have, of course. Both my parents were born and raised in Tinom City, but my brothers and I were born and raised in Bala village, which is tens of kilometers from Tinom City. My parents are also fluent in Indonesian, that's why I'm not very fluent in my own language, except for the meaning of the words that I just memorized in my head.

What makes it difficult is that one language can mean up to 2, 3 or more. For example, the word "Monapa'" actually means hitting, but it can also be slapping. In KBBI these two words clearly have different meanings.

Assume that my local language is similar to English which has the same meaning. One language can have many meanings. The word 'Laje' itself means No, It means that once we say no the answer is still no.

Don't worry, this just means that my tribe is a hard person but not stubborn either. Some people clearly have this kind of character, even a lot. We only hear advice that makes sense, If it feels like something is off, of course we will strongly reject it.

That's a brief introduction about me and also my foreign tribe.

"Uti, the things you brought have been prepared?" My mom asked from the kitchen, Maybe she was cooking.

(Uti: The name for a favorite boy)

I also replied, "Yes Mom, have you prepared my lunch or not?" I asked back.

"Not yet, the rice is still hot, it'll rot later if you don't chill it," he replied.

This morning I was really bothered with camping needs that I had to bring with my friends later. The 2 month vacation that the campus gave us really surprised me, but it's no wonder because the damage caused by the big earthquake a few weeks ago made my campus fall apart.

Some are happy because of this fantastic holiday, while others are not. For example, yes, I am happy because we are also not required to study online, so my friends use the vacation to take us camping to the Mountains of the City next door, Mini City.

I counted again what was missing. Prayer tools, clothes, jackets, right? Who wants to be cold in the forest? Sleeping bags with mattresses, eating utensils, bathing, cooking, shoes, socks, gloves, beanie hats, flashlights, whistles just in case one of us gets lost, matches and finally Poncho.

I put all the things that fit into my backpack and those that don't fit later I'll hold on to myself. After all, it's not too heavy for my 182 cm tall body.

Pat

"Uti!" I was surprised because a tap suddenly landed on my shoulder, I turned and smiled innocently at my mom's annoyed face.

"What, Mom? It just surprises me" I muttered.

"You were called from earlier to be told to eat not to hear" My mother said annoyed.

"Hehehe... I'm sorry Mom, Hardi is still calculating who knows what Hardi brought is missing" I replied grinning a horse.

My mother shook her head for a moment, "Well then, let's eat, it's 9 o'clock when you leave?" My mama's typical laje accent never fades.

I nodded and went with Mama to the kitchen. If someone asks where are the brothers I talked about earlier? They are all married and living in their respective homes. I am the youngest who is stranded at home with Mama. My own father passed away 3 years ago.

Immediately I sat my ass on the chair and focused my eyes on the table then raised my hands and closed my eyes, Praying before eating. After praying without thinking I grabbed a plate, scooped up the rice and side dishes made by my mother and put everything on my plate. Washing my hands after that I immediately brushed my food.

"Use this kid's spoon! What if your friends ask you about your smelly hands?" Reprimand Mama, because when she saw me eating, i immediately used my hands.

"Just washing with soap, what's so difficult, after all, who wants to bother kissing my hand?" My mother seemed to laugh amused at my answer.

"Hurry up and finish your food. It's almost 8 o'clock. The road to the market crossroad is far from here. Then who will you leave your motorbike with?" He said asking me repeatedly.

"The plan will be entrusted to Uncle Kamal only" I said briefly.

"Is it true that one of your friends can't really pick you up?"

"They are busy just like Hardi Mom. Don't worry about it, Hardi will take care of it later." I ended the conversation, because if it wasn't finished, the food on my plate wouldn't run out.

After eating I started to get ready, I also put the lunch that my mother gave me in my backpack. Loose jeans and Keds shoes to cover the legs, a white t-shirt lined with a plaid shirt on my body and don't forget one more thing, my favorite red hoodie I also wore this morning. I let my hair fall apart as a young child should.

Now I look cool in the mirror of my closet, How many times I want to go round and round the result is still the same, I'm handsome hehehe. I glanced at the clock in my hand, Oh 20 minutes to go at 8 o'clock apparently. I have to hurry to our meeting place.

I nimbly carried my backpack to my back and I held the rest in my hands and walked over to my mother, who seemed to be watching TV, usually morning soap operas. This Sunday my mother is off work, her job is to be a manager at a cafe owned by my late father.

"Ma, Hardi wants to leave, okay?" I said making the middle-aged woman turn her head. He stood up from the couch and walked over to me.

"Be careful on the road, don't take the motorbike too fast," he advised.

Smiling, I took off the object in my hand and hugged her, "Yes Ma, Mama, don't be tired from work, Hardi doesn't promise to come home when the point is Hardi wants to refresh there first"

My mom laughed then hit my head lightly, "You think your mom is a waitress there? Mom just sits there, thinking about selling food at the cafe and taking care of small things, What you should advise is the waitress at Mama's cafe"

My lips pursed as I let go of the hug then I kissed her cheek, "That's also the name, you use your brain, Mama's waitress at the cafe is a different story, they're not Hardi's family," I grumbled annoyed.

"Yes, yes Mama knows, now hurry up and your friends will think you won't go"

"Do you want to tell me to hurry up or get out of here?" I asked jokingly. Annoyed, my mom pointed at my waist making me laugh.

"There," he said with exasperation. Immediately I kissed his hand, took back the object on the floor and then left. He escorted me to the door, maybe I was afraid that I would trip because my luggage almost covered my eyes.

I put the things in my hands on the motorbike and started tying it so it wouldn't fall on the road later. After tying it I put the helmet on my head and climbed up, then waved my hand at Mama.

"Hardi goodbye first, Mom, Assalamualaikum!" In the doorway my mother was seen reviewing her sweet smile while waving her hand back at me.

I turned on my Jupiter MX motor contact and followed by pressing the hand starter button, I gave him a smile and warm gaze before running the motor away from my house.

*** HARD POV END ***