What'sThe Use Of Marrying Were It ...?

What’s The Use Of Marrying Were It ...?

Most love stories end with “and they lived as happy ever after.”

Remember, I’m Indonesian, so can I afford, permit myself to write bad English without punishment. Don’t you be jealous.

They  almost do not tell what happened after they got married.

And I mused, what’s the use of marrying were it only the highest point of happiness in life and then drop, decline, instead of growing richer, rising. What is a happy marriage without having to face the storms of life, of wars and peace, of fidelity and infidelity, ... but a dull, boring, safe haven?

But that was because we’re not a pigeon race that is faithful without vows and still loving till old age.

Yet I believe that it can grow, rise, even without being forced to be faithful by God, the church, the law, except, unless we have a petty love or no love left.

I don’t care,

Your ring, your vows, your oaths to other women giveth

But your love to me, Tir, la, la, la,

So sang my lover.

April 2013

This is my book. You can read it.

• http://blookup.com/en/blookshop/blook/leisurely-reading-14566/

Opa Johan's Birthday Present

Opa Johan’s Birthday Present

“What do you wish as your birthday present?” asks his wife.

“No, it’s not your kiss, you little fool. But, just guess,” and Opa Johan whispered: “a new ... wife. Ha. Ha.”

March 2013
  

This is my book. You can read it.

• http://blookup.com/en/blookshop/blook/leisurely-reading-14566/

Even Death Couldn't Separate Them

Even Death Couldn’t Separate Them

When Eng Tai visited her lover’s grave, the grave opened and she stepped into it and the grave closed again. Then two butterflies happily fluttered together from the grave.

Even death, so it were told in the beautiful stirring love story of Sam Pek  - Eng Tai, couldn’t separate them.

And I mused, I would be grateful, though, when she comes into my life, loved, even not marry me, even for as short as less than a day and not ever blame her.

March 2013

This is my book. You can read it.

• http://blookup.com/en/blookshop/blook/leisurely-reading-14566/

 

Where's Your Courage

Where’s Your Courage?

You say, you, men are braver, stronger than us. Where is your courage, were you, men, to bear children? How would that feel? Did that ever occur to you, you blockhead. Ha. Ha. So teased Opa Johan’s wife in return.

March 2013

This is my book. You can read it.

• http://blookup.com/en/blookshop/blook/leisurely-reading-14566/

Something Nice Of Our Indonesian People

 Something Nice Of Our Indonesian People

I said to the woman who sold fish crackers on the sidewalk: “give me just a bit for Rp. 2000,- to eat it while wandering in this Fatahilah square.”

She gave me a little parcel and I gave her the note.

“You don’t have to pay for it.” she said.

I said: “I don’t want it if I don’t have to pay for it.” Then she gave in. While I’m not a good man, you know? Ha. Ha.

Perhaps she thought, it’s just a trifle, I’ve not the heart to ask payment. He is an old man walking alone, without anyone to accompany him, not riding in a car in the hot sun. While that’s just what I’m proud of and I’m not a poor man either. Imagine a poor woman would treat me, a man not less poor than she. Besides I’m neatly dressed, wear shoes as I’m just from visiting the church.

And I thought, oh it’s only Rp. 2000.- or just 20 dollar cents but her goodness, her kindness, her heart is worth a kiss, far more than a thousand dollars.

But I only remembered afterwards, to give her a note of five and say, “keep the change.”

So now, I deserve your kiss, you little fool, if you’re proud of me. So said Opa Johan to his wife.

March 2013
   

This is my book. You can read it.

• http://blookup.com/en/blookshop/blook/leisurely-reading-14566/