Wedding Ring
Clara Go Merantau

A cold, cool morning, and away from the crowds, Mama Clara was sweeping the grounds of the house. While Mr. Clara enjoyed a cup of coffee accompanied by boiled cassava on the chair on the terrace. They enjoy the morning like people in the village in general.

Smoke billowed beside the house after Mama Clara swept it away and set it on fire. The atmosphere of the village is really visible when the smoke from the leaves are burned. What a quiet and peaceful morning when the atmosphere of the village is far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Clara stood watching her parents doing their activities.

"I soon went to study to continue my education. Of course I have to leave my parents who are not as strong as they used to be. Sad, but I have to do this because maybe with college can make me more developed in thinking and socializing to the surrounding environment. This was also with the consent of both my parents and my Brothers. I have never been away from my family, especially from my mother. My mother was always close to me. I always help my mom work. Sometimes we both look for firewood together." Clara said.

After finishing his coffee, his father went briefly to take care of their horses and buffalo. This time his father left earlier than the day before. While his mother did not go to OnAn for the sale of fish, because she had to send her youngest daughter to study in the land of people.

On the sidelines of cleaning the grounds, her mother suddenly saw Clara squatting with both her hands propped up on her chin pensively.

"Ra, how pensive? What's the pensive thing, son?" greet Mother.

"Eh Ma, no kk," Clara replied somewhat surprised.

"Yes, Mama understands. Today is your last day with Mama and Dad, because soon you will leave. Come on, let's make 'Manuk Na Pinadar'," take Mama with a smile.

Hearing his Mama's invitation, Clara's bengong immediately collapsed instantly. Because "Manuk Na Pinadar" is her favorite food, also in the chicken section there is a special "Hasoloman" Clara. (Manuk Na Pinadar\=Baked Chicken With Batak Special Seasoning, Hasoloman\=Most Liked)

Clara's parents always make it like that every time they send their children to go wandering, so they always remember their parents and their hometown.

Then Clara and Mama prepared the herbs. While his father who had come home from taking care of horses and buffalo caught their chickens some tail, then cut it and roasted it.

Not long, Wati also came who had been ordered Mama Clara to help.

"Horas Nantulang" said Wati. (Horas\= Batak Special Greetings, Nantulang\= Aunt)

"horas. Ehh, have you come, son? Come in, come in" Mama Clara replied after seeing Wati standing at the door.

"Here, Wati. Next to me," asked Clara.

During the process of making Manuk Na Pinadar seasoning, then Mama Clara asked to make sure Clara. There should be no hesitation, for it is not good.

"Ra, how are you feeling?" ask Mama.

"It's normal, Ma" replied Clara, although her heart was sad to see the beauty with her parents. But Clara had to pretend to be strong for Mama to be sure to let go. Clara was not hesitant, but just sad.

Hearing Clara and Mama's conversation, there was a hint of envy in Wati's heart.

"Wrap to Clara's parents, her parents always do their best to Clara so that Clara can continue college. But I do not compare with my parents, because the sustenance of each parent is different. May I be able to help and make my parents happy too, like Clara's dream to her parents" said Wati.

"How are you ready for the roof? This chicken is done I roast," asked his father while bringing the roasted chicken to the house.

After cooking everything, eating together is ready to start. Clara and Wati spread out mats and prepare cutlery, such as: dishes, glasses, hand washing, and so on. And the invitations have started to arrive, because Mama Clara invited some of their closest neighbors.

After finishing eating, it was time to take turns giving "Tona And Poda" to Clara (Tona\= Messages, Poda\= Advice). Giving tona and poda started from Mr. Clara, Mama Clara, then the neighbors.

Clara's departure time arrived. Everyone rushed from their seats. For a moment Clara looked at their house and room with tears in her eyes, and gathered in the courtyard. In front of the yard, Clara paused and hugged her neighbors one by one while greeting them.

Clara did not forget to hug her friend Wati. When Wati was hugged, Wati said, "Remember, don't forget."

Clara, astonished by Wati's words, asked, "Remember what, Ti?"

"Ihh, what the hell are you, Ti! There's-there's," said Clara smiling as she pinched Wati's waist.

Clara went with her parents to a bus counter far from their home. Wati waved her hands while shedding tears until Clara was far away.

****

Like the lyrics of the song Batak:

Marudur do sude,. Akka dongan sahuta,. In the trench hat at huta i, the,. Na di toru ni feather i,.

Nang ilu-ilu pe huhut,. Sai maraburan i,. Lao paborhathon ho,. Na ujui tuparjalangan hotel,.

(And next)

The meaning of this song, tells about a child who became the hope of his parents, was sent to wander for a better life.if later became a person who managed to be monitored, he said, to always remember your parents and your hometown.

****

Arriving at the counter, Clara immediately bought a ticket and returned to sit with her parents on the bench waiting for the hour of departure.

"To our passengers from Medan, welcome to enter. Again, to our passengers from Medan, welcome to enter, thank you" said the counter operator with a microphone.

"Come, come. Depart, depart" the bus said later.

Hearing that, Clara immediately hugged her mother and cried.

“Already, son. This is your desire to go to college there, so you have to be strong. Don't think too much about us, you'll get sick later. If you get sick there, who will take care of you?" the word mother strengthens. Clara nodded as well.

“Take care when you get there, Boru. Remember, what your goal in college is. Here we have great hopes for you, be a good and useful child and do not forget your culture. Make us proud, son. Remember that Mr-Mama here is working hard just for your better future" his father advised. Clara nodded and immediately turned to hug her father. Clara tried to stop her tears, but to no avail. Then he spilled all his sadness in his father's arms.

After saying goodbye to his parents, Clara went to the bus that was still waiting and looking for the bench number that had been determined by the counter. After that Clara sat down and shifted the side glass.

"Pemmm, pemmm," the sound of a bus horn, a sign that the bus is about to walk.

"Da, da, son," said his mother as she waved her hand.

"Da, da, Ma," Clara replied as she waved as well. Clara was still crying.

“Clara, take good care of yourself. Be careful there. We will always pray for you" Mama Clara said later.

"Sir, Ma, I'm going to go back again. Believe me, if today's cry will be a happy smile tomorrow. The struggle of Mr-Mama will be fruitful, believe me. I promise, I will make you happy. Pray for me good luck. Goodbye, dear Fathers, until we meet again", said Clara.

Clara's parents were still standing while monitoring the bus that Clara was on to the distance.

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