Short Story: The Man In Front of Me

There he was, standing before me with his slanted black eyes and long eyelashes. Back when I was a child, I used to say “you have a camel’s eyelashes.” And you will reply, “Yes, a camel has long eyelashes to protect its eyes from sand.” It just who you are, a man with an explanation.

Some arguments often happen between us. I still remember how you supported your favorite role model, Gus Dur, and I was there to argue. You said “he is a chosen man. He can see what an ordinary person fails to see.” And I would say, “Yeah, whatever,” by turning my back from you.

“You are his favorite daughter,” once my relative said to me. “You always accomplish what he wishes from you.” Really? I questioned myself. Despite all the arguments and complaints he considers me as his favorite?

There he is, lying down in front of me. He still has his long eyelashes. He still has his black eyes. But now they are closed. Actually he does not need any eyelash now though. He will close his eyes forever, until Israfil blows his last trumpet. And when the day comes, I wish I could see him standing in front of me, with his black eyes and long eyelashes.

By Adah, on September 24th, 2010

This posting is published on Ubud Writers and readers Festival 2010