Bomb

Bomb

Chairil Gibran Ramadhan

A year ago tonight, a tragic event occurred. A bomb exploded in a
crowded shopping center, killing many innocent people and
replacing merriment with horror and fear.

That night, my next-door neighbor, Rosdarminto -- Ros -- had
just arrived at the terrace of our home, bringing with him a
plateful of cakes that his wife had made.

"Today is Sekar's birthday," he told my wife, Laila.

On the screen, a private television station presented a
breaking-news live report of the bomb explosion. I switched to
other television stations and found only information about the
bomb explosion, with little mention of the plight of the victims.

I was disgusted. The TV people were concerned only with the
cold hard facts. The pictures vividly showed how a shopping
center had been destroyed, people gathering to ogle at the
spectacle. Reporters were busy taking pictures of the explosion
and its aftermath. An old lady sat on the ground, holding her
umbrella. Someone's leg was found lying in front of a building.

"Luckily, your child is unwell," I said, handing over the
plate from Ros to Laila. "Otherwise, you would have taken her to
the shopping center, right? It is really a blessing."

"That's why I always thank God for whatever happens to me,"
Ros said as he stood in front of my television. "He knows what is
best for us, that's what I always believe."

"I agree."

"The perpetrators are really wicked," said Laila.

"Obviously, this was the work of a well-organized group," I
said. "It was well planned."

Sadness appeared on Ros' face. When he was given back the
plate, he left.

For many years this country has been torn apart by sectarian
and ethnic conflicts. Thousands lost their lives because of
narrow-mindedness. Provocateurs were everywhere, pitting people
of different religious persuasions or ethnic groups against one
another.

Suspicion was the order of the day. Bloodshed became a common
sight. Suddenly, everybody seemed to have changed and become
savage. Killings, assaults, shootings, kidnappings and slander
were common.

As for me, although I came from the same region as some of
those involved in the bloody conflicts, I always remembered the
advice from my parents and my former teachers. "Never feel that
you undergo greater oppression than other people. Better stand
united than being alone."

I could hear Happy Birthday coming from Ros' house. The night
sky was clear. I would prefer a cloudy sky. Our country needed
heavy rain to quell our angry hearts.

Five days after the bombing, I passed the site of the bomb
explosion on my way to the only public park in our town. I took
Laila with me on my old motorcycle. As we were still childless,
we would spend our Saturday night sitting somewhere in the park.

"The perpetrators must have carried out the bombing for
money," I told her.

"Or they may work for some politicians," I added.

My wife nodded in agreement.

*****

A year has passed since that bombing. Ros has just brought us a
plateful of cakes again. Sekar is a year older today.

"There are bomb threats again today," Laila said, offering me
the cake from Ros.

"Only rumors, La," I said to calm her.

"We must remain alert, mustn't we?"

"Yes."

"The police say they have arrested the perpetrators."

"Maybe they have arrested the wrong people."

"Be careful. They say our neighbor across the road, Taslim,
works for the intelligence agency."

I simply smiled.

On the screen of our television, a private television station
broadcast the commemoration of last year's bomb incident. Footage
of the gutted building and dead and dying returned to our screen.

Eating a piece of cake, I hugged Laila, now in the fifth month
of her pregnancy.

"The bombers are heartless fools," I said.

Laila nodded, still in my embrace.

We could hear the singing of Happy Birthday from Ros' house.

The night sky was clear. There was no sign of rain. I prayed
to God peace would not leave my hope. I hoped that the bombers,
whoever they may be, will never think that their suffering
greater than those the rest of us. I hope they realize that other
people are also oppressed and live in misery.

Translated by Lie Hua