Torment and Sorrow: Bab 1

Bab 1

Chapter 1

Daftar Isi

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Hari yang panas itu berangsur-angsur menjadi dingin, karena matahari, raja siang itu, akan masuk ke dalam peraduannya, ke balik Gunung Sibualbuali, yang menjadi watas dataran tinggi Sipirok yang bagus itu.

The hot day gradually grew cool, as the sun, king of the daytime, prepared to retire to its resting place behind Mount Sibualbuali, which marked the boundary of the beautiful Sipirok Highlands.

Langit di sebelah barat pun merah kuning rupanya, dan sinar matahari yang turun itu nampaklah di atas puncak kayu yang tinggi-tinggi, indah rupanya, sebagai disepuh dengan emas juwita.

The sky in the west took on hues of red and gold, and the descending sunlight shone upon the tall treetops, making them look magnificent, as though gilded with precious gold.

Angin gunung yang lemah-lembut itu pun berembuslah, sedap dan nyaman rasanya bagi orang-orang kampung yang sedang di perjalanan kembali dari kebun kopi, yang terletak di lereng gunung dan bukit-bukit yang subur itu.

A gentle mountain breeze began to blow, bringing a pleasant coolness to the villagers making their way home from the coffee plantations on the slopes of the mountains and fertile hills.

Maka angin itu pun bertambahlah sedikit kerasnya, sehingga daun dan cabang-cabang kayu itu bergoyang-goyang perlahan-lahan sebagai menunjukkan kegirangannya, karena cahaya yang panas itu sudah bertukar dengan hawa yang sejuk dan nyaman rasanya.

The wind grew a little stronger, causing the leaves and branches of the trees to sway gently, as though expressing their joy that the scorching sunlight had given way to a cool and refreshing atmosphere.

Batang padi yang tumbuh di sawah yang luas itu pun dibuai-buaikan angin, sebagai ombak yang berpalu-paluan di atas laut yang lebar; sawah yang seluas itu pun tiadalah ubahnya dengan lautan, sedang daun padi itu sebagai air yang hijau rupanya.

The stalks of rice growing in the vast paddy fields swayed in the breeze like waves rolling across a wide sea. The expansive fields looked just like an ocean, while the rice leaves resembled its green waters.

Burung-burung pun beterbanganlah dari sana-sini, seraya berkumpul- kumpul di atas cabang beringin-beringin yang berdaun rimbun; masing-masing menyanyi memuji Tuhan dan memberi hormat kepada raja siang yang sedang turun ke balik gunung yang tinggi itu.

Birds flew here and there, gathering on the branches of leafy banyan trees. Each sang its praises to God and paid homage to the king of the daytime as he descended behind the towering mountains.

Dari jauh terdengarlah bunyi kelintung kerbau berderang-derang, diiringi suara dendang anak gembala yang membawa binatangnya itu ke kandangnya.

From afar came the clanging of buffalo bells, accompanied by the songs of young herders driving their animals back to their pens.

Di sana-sini nampaklah asap dari bubungan rumah orang desa, sedang azan orang di menara mesjid besar yang ada di Sipirok itu pun memperingatkan hamba Allah akan menyembah Dia dan mengucapkan syukur sebab rahmatnya yang besar itu.

Here and there, smoke rose from the rooftops of village houses, while the call to prayer from the minaret of the great mosque in Sipirok reminded the servants of God to worship Him and give thanks for His immense blessings.

Jalan dan lorong makin sunyi, laki-laki sedang sembahyang magrib dalam mesjid besar dan perempuan tengah bertanak hendak menyediakan makanan untuknya anak-beranak.

The roads and lanes grew quieter. The men were performing the evening prayers in the great mosque, while the women were cooking rice and preparing meals for their families.

Akan tetapi siapakah yang duduk di sana, di sebelah rusuk rumah yang beratap ijuk dekat sungai yang mengalir di tengah-tengah kota Sipirok itu?

But who was that sitting there, beside the side wall of the thatched-roof house near the river flowing through the centre of Sipirok?

Perempuan itu sedang muda remaja.

The woman was in the bloom of youth.

Ia duduk memandang ke pohon beringin yang di tepi sungai itu.

She sat gazing at the banyan tree on the riverbank.

Akan tetapi pandangnya itu lain, yakni matanya saja yang menatap ke sana, tetapi daun beringin yang bergoyang-goyang itu tak nampak pada matanya, karena ada sesuatu yang dipikirkannya.

But there was something unusual about her gaze. Her eyes were fixed in that direction, yet she did not see the swaying banyan leaves, for her thoughts were occupied with something else.

Suara air yang mengalir di sungai yang berbelokbelok itu pun tak kedengaran di telinganya, karena angan-angannya sedang sibuk berkisar-kisar.

Nor could she hear the sound of water flowing through the winding river, for her mind was busily wandering among her thoughts.

"Belumkah ia datang? Sakitkah dia? Apakah sebabnya ia sekian lama tak kulihat?"

"Hasn't he come yet? Is he ill? Why haven't I seen him for so long?"

tanya perempuan itu berulang- ulang dalam hatinya.

the young woman repeatedly asked herself.

Siapakah perempuan itu?

Who was this woman?

Sabarlah dahulu, nanti akan kita kenal juga dia, meskipun ia tak mengenal kita.

Be patient. In time, we shall come to know her, even though she does not know us.

Kota Sipirok kataku... akan tetapi janganlah pembaca membandingkan negeri itu dengan Sibolga atau Padang.

I said the town of Sipirok... but readers should not compare it with Sibolga or Padang.

Tiadalah sampai sedemikian besar dan ramainya Sipirok itu; sungguhpun begitu adalah ia lebih besar daripada kampung atau dusun.

Sipirok was by no means as large or bustling as those places; nevertheless, it was larger than an ordinary village or hamlet.

Oleh sebab itu saya menyebutkan "kota Sipirok"; tambahan pula itulah negeri atau kampung yang terbesar di dataran tinggi yang luas itu.

That is why I call it the "town of Sipirok"; besides, it was the largest settlement in that extensive highland region.

Kalau tuan sebutkan juga, bahwa tiadalah pada tempatnya saya meletakkan perkataan "kota" itu, biarkan sajalah begitu, dan bacalah kota itu kampung atau dusun.

If you still maintain that my use of the word "town" is inappropriate, then let it be. Simply read "town" as "village" or "hamlet" instead.

Kalau kutulis dalam buku ini negeri Sipirok, bacalah "kampung Sipirok", supaya jangan menjadi percedaraan antara kita.

Whenever I write "the town of Sipirok" in this book, read it as "the village of Sipirok", so that there may be no misunderstanding between us.

Akan sekedar menjelaskan bagi pembaca letaknya Sipirok, baiklah saya terangkan dia.

To give readers some idea of where Sipirok is situated, I shall explain its location.

Kira-kira pada pertengahan Keresidenan Tapanuli (sebenarnya Tapian na Uli artinya "Tepian yang elok".

Approximately in the middle of the Tapanuli Residency (originally Tapian na Uli, meaning "Beautiful Shore".

Tepian yang indah itu didapati orang dulunya dekat Sibolga; itulah sebabnya negeri atau keresidenan itu disebutkan Tapanuli; nama itu asalnya dari tatkala pemerintahan kompeni), di situlah terletaknya dataran tinggi atau luhak Sipirok, yakni pada Bukit Barisan yang membujur sepanjang Pulau Sumatera.

That beautiful shore was once found near Sibolga; this is why the region, or residency, came to be called Tapanuli. The name dates back to the period of Company rule.) There lies the Sipirok highland region, or luhak, situated in the Barisan Mountains, which stretch along the length of the island of Sumatra.

Adapun bentuknya dataran tinggi itu kira-kira empat persegi.

The highland region is roughly rectangular in shape.

Di sebelah timur diwatasi dolok (gunung) Sipipisan, di sebelah barat Sibualbuali, gunung yang selalu memuntahkan asap karena berapi.

To the east, it is bounded by Mount (Dolok) Sipipisan, and to the west by Sibualbuali, a volcanic mountain that constantly belches smoke.

Simagomago berdiri agak di sebelah selatan, yang menjadi watas dengan tanah Angkola.

Simagomago rises somewhat to the south, forming the boundary with the land of Angkola.

Simole-ole menceraikan dataran tinggi itu pada sebelah utara dengan dataran tinggi Pangaribuan (Toba).

Simole-ole separates this highland region to the north from the Pangaribuan Highlands (Toba).

"Masih di sini kau rupanya, Riam," tanya seorang muda yang menghampiri batu tempat duduk gadis itu.

"So you're still here, Riam," said a young man as he approached the rock where the girl was sitting.

Yang ditanya itu terkejut, seraya memandang kepada orang yang datang itu.

The girl was startled and turned to look at the newcomer.

Ia terkejut, bukan karena suara itu tak dikenalnya, hanya disebabkan ia tadi duduk termenung-menung dan pikirannya kepada masa yang lampau, tatkala ia masih kanak-kanak.

She was startled not because she failed to recognize the voice, but because she had been sitting lost in thought, her mind wandering back to the days when she was still a child.

"Ah, rupanya hari sudah malam. Dari tadi saya menunggu-nunggu angkang," sahut gadis itu seraya berdiri dari batu besar itu, yang biasa tempat dia duduk pada waktu petang.

"Ah, it seems it is already nightfall. I've been waiting for you for quite some time, Angkang," replied the girl, rising from the large rock where she usually sat in the evenings.

"Marilah kita naik, Angkang!"

"Come, let us go up, Angkang!"

"Tak usah, Riam," jawab orang muda itu.

"No need, Riam," the young man replied.

"Saya datang ini hanya hendak bersua dengan kau sebentar saja. Malam ini saya hendak pergi ke rumah seorang sahabatku yang baru datang dari Deli."

"I came only to see you for a little while. Tonight I intend to visit a friend of mine who has just arrived from Deli."

"Apalah salahnya Aminuddin, naik sebentar, karena mak kita pun sudah lama hendak bersua dengan kakak."

"What's the harm in coming up for a little while, Aminuddin? Our mother has also been wanting to see you for a long time."

"Tak usah, saya sebentar saja di sini, kalau Riam suka, duduklah sebentar, ada yang hendak saya cakapkan."

"No, there's no need. I'll only stay here briefly. If you don't mind, Riam, sit down for a moment. There is something I want to tell you."

Kedua orang itu pun duduklah di atas batu yang besar itu.

The two of them sat down on the large rock.

Sejurus panjang lamanya tiada seorang yang berkata; anak muda itu memandang ke tanah dan pada mukanya terbayang dukacita yang memenuhi hatinya.

For a long while neither of them spoke. The young man gazed at the ground, and his face reflected the sorrow weighing upon his heart.

Mariamin, begitulah nama gadis itu dan ia dipanggilkan orang Riam, mengamat-amati muka orang muda itu, akan tetapi sebab hari yang gelap itu, tak dapat ia melihat air mata yang mengalir di pipi orang muda itu.

Mariamin, that was the girl's name, though everyone called her Riam, studied the young man's face. But because of the darkness, she could not see the tears running down his cheeks.

Cuma ia mengerti, ada yang disusahkan orang itu.

She could only tell that something was troubling him.

Dengan suara yang lemah-lembut ia pun berkata,

In a gentle voice, she said,

"Katakanlah, apa yang hendak angkang katakan itu."

"Tell me, what is it you wish to say, Angkang?"

"Riam, jangan terkejut, cinta sayangku kepadamu bukan berkurang, bahkan makin bertambah dari hari ke hari. Percayalah kau akan perkataanku itu?"

"Riam, do not be alarmed. My love and affection for you have not diminished; on the contrary, they grow stronger with each passing day. Do you believe what I say?"

"Mengapa angkang bertanya lagi?"

"Why do you ask me that again, Angkang?"

jawab Mariamin, perempuan muda itu dengan suara yang lembut, karena itulah kebiasaannya; jarang atau belumlah pernah ia berkata marah-marah atau merengut, selamanya dengan ramah-tamah, lebih-lebih di hadapan anak muda, sahabatnya yang karib itu.

replied Mariamin, the young woman, in her gentle voice, for that was her usual manner. She rarely, if ever, spoke angrily or sulked, but was always kind and pleasant, especially in the presence of the young man, her close friend.

"Saya bertanya, bukan sebab saya menaruh bimbang akan hatimu."

"I ask not because I have any doubts about your feelings."

Ia terdiam pula.

He fell silent once more.

Perkataan yang akan dikatakannya seolah-olah menahan napasnya dan kelulah rasa lidahnya akan bercakap.

The words he wanted to utter seemed to catch in his throat, as though his tongue had lost the power of speech.

Kemudian ia pun mengeraskan hatinya, sambil ia menyapukan setangannya yang basah oleh air matanya itu, ia pun berkata perlahan-lahan,

Then he steeled himself, wiping away his tears with his handkerchief, and spoke slowly,

"Anggi Riam! Beratlah rasanya hatiku akan berkata ini. Akan tetapi apa boleh buat, lambat laun akan kauketahui juga, apalah gunanya kelengahlengahkan. Saya bermaksud hendak pergi ke Deli mencari pekerjaan. Itulah sebabnya saya datang malam-malam ini ke mari, yakni hendak pergi ke rumah seorang sahabatku, yang baru datang dari Medan. Saya hendak menanyakan hal pencaharian orang di Deli, karena saya sudah merasa, lambat launnya saya akan pergi juga dari sini; saya pergi bukanlah meninggalkan engkau Mariamin. Percayalah engkau akan saya. Ah, kalau sekiranya Riam tahu, betapa isi hatiku, adalah senang sedikit perasaanku. Berapa tahun, berapa bulanlah saya sudah mengandung kenang-kenangan akan bersama-sama dengan engkau, akan tetapi barulah kuketahui, mustahillah rupanya saya mencapai maksudku, kalau tiada dengan jalan yang lain, yakni saya harus pergi ke tanah lain akan mencari pekerjaan. Janganlah terkejut, jangan berdukacita engkau Riam; ingatlah saya pergi bukan meninggalkan kau, tetapi mendapatkan kau."

"Dear Riam! It weighs heavily on my heart to say this. But what can I do? Sooner or later you will find out, and there is no point in putting it off. I intend to go to Deli to look for work. That is why I have come here tonight: I am on my way to visit a friend of mine who has just arrived from Medan. I want to ask him about employment opportunities in Deli, because I have already come to realize that sooner or later I shall have to leave this place. But I am not leaving you behind, Mariamin. You must believe me. Ah, if only Riam knew what lies in my heart, I would feel a little more at ease. For years and months I have cherished the dream of living together with you, but only now have I come to understand that I cannot achieve my wish unless I take another path: I must go to another land to find work. Do not be alarmed, Riam, and do not grieve. Remember, I am not going away to leave you, but to make it possible for us to be together."

Perkataan yang penghabisan itu dituturkan orang muda itu dengan suara putus-putus; beratlah baginya melawan hatinya yang pilu itu, apalagi sesudah kedengaran pada telinganya, orang yang dilawannya bercakap itu menangis tersedu-sedu.

The young man uttered those final words in a faltering voice. It was difficult for him to master his aching heart, especially when he heard the person sitting opposite him burst into heartbroken sobs.

Kedua orang itu duduk berhadap-hadapan di tempat yang sunyi itu.

The two sat facing each other in that lonely place.

Seorang pun tiada yang bercakap, masing-masing tepekur memikirkan nasib persahabatan mereka itu.

Neither spoke. Each sat with head bowed, contemplating the fate of their relationship.

Hari makin gelap, cahaya bulan tak nampak, hanyalah bintang- bintang yang mengilap itu mencoba-coba mengurangkan kegelapan, yang menyelimuti bumi ini.

The night grew darker. There was no moonlight; only the glittering stars made a feeble attempt to dispel the darkness enveloping the earth.

Kelam rupanya langit itu, muram nampaknya muka orang muda itu. la duduk tiada bergerak, tetapi pikirannya tiada berhenti, berkisar-kisar sebagai roda yang digulingkan.

The sky looked gloomy, and the young man's face was equally sombre. He sat motionless, yet his thoughts never ceased turning, spinning like a rolling wheel.

Adalah ia sebagai orang yang hanyut di lautan kesusahan, sebentar-sebentar hendak tenggelam, karena kekuatannya hampir-hampir habis, sedang ombak gelombang amatlah hebatnya.

He was like a man adrift in a sea of troubles, on the verge of drowning at any moment, for his strength was nearly exhausted while the waves crashed around him with tremendous force.

Dengan pandang yang sedih, ia melihat ke kanan dan ke kiri, kalau-kalau ada kapal yang dekat, tempat meminta pertolongan, akan membawa dia ke negeri yang ditujunya itu.

With a sorrowful gaze, he looked to the right and left, hoping to catch sight of a nearby ship from which he might seek help to carry him to the land he longed to reach.

Suara orang bang kedengaran pula dari menara mesjid besar, karena sudah waktunya akan sembahyang isya.

The call to prayer sounded once more from the minaret of the great mosque, for it was time for the evening prayer.

Kedua orang itu terkejut dan barulah mereka ingat akan dirinya.

Both were startled, and only then did they come back to themselves.

"Wah, sudah pukul setengah delapan rupanya," kata orang muda itu,

"Goodness, it seems it is already half past seven," said the young man,

"bagaimanakah penyakit ibu kita?"

"How is our mother's illness?"

tanyanya, sambil ia berdiri.

he asked, rising to his feet.

"Mudah-mudahan sudah berkurang," sahut Mariamin,

"Hopefully, she is feeling a little better," Mariamin replied,

"cuma tinggal batuk saja yang menyusahkan dia."

"Only her cough is still troubling her."

"Ah, tak sempat lagi saya akan bersua dengan beliau. Nanti saya datang, kalau dapat. Selamat tinggal Anggi! Jangan kau bersusah hati, mudah-mudahan baik juga kelak kesudahannya. Marilah kita menyerahkan diri kepada Tuhan Yang Esa," ujar orang muda itu, seraya menjabat tangan anak dara kecintaannya itu.

"Ah, I shall not have time to see her now. I will come another time, if I can. Farewell, dear Anggi! Do not grieve. Hopefully, everything will turn out well in the end. Let us place our trust in the One God," said the young man, taking the hand of the maiden he loved.

Mariamin memandang anak muda itu, sampai lenyap dari penglihatannya.

Mariamin watched the young man until he disappeared from sight.

Dengan langkah yang berat naiklah ia ke rumah, terus masuk ke bilik tempat ibunya, yang sedang terletak di atas tempat tidurnya.

With heavy steps, she climbed up to the house and went straight into the room where her mother lay in bed.

"Sudahkah berkurang sesaknya dada Ibuku itu?"

"Has the tightness in your chest eased, Mother?"

tanyanya sambil dirabanya muka ibunya yang sakit itu.

she asked, gently touching her sick mother's face.

"Syukurlah, badan Ibu tiada berapa hangat lagi. Mudah-mudahan dua tiga hari lagi dapatlah Ibu turun barang sedikit-sedikit."

"Thank goodness, Mother, you don't feel so feverish anymore. Hopefully, in another two or three days, you'll be able to get out of bed and move around a little."

"Ya Anakku! Sudah jauhlah berkurang rasanya penyakitku, kekuatanku pun sudah bertambah," jawab si ibu dengan suara yang menghiburkan hati anaknya.

"Yes, my child! I feel much better now, and my strength is returning too," replied the mother in a voice meant to reassure her daughter.

"Riam di manakah adikmu? Suruhlah dia ke mari, janganlah dibiarkan ia tinggal di luar, hari sudah malam, nanti ia kemasukan angin."

"Riam, where is your little brother? Tell him to come inside. Don't leave him out there; it is already night, and he might catch a chill."

"Tidak, Mak; ia ada di dapur, nanti kusuruh dia ke mari, supaya ada kawan Mak di sini."

"No, Mother; he's in the kitchen. I'll ask him to come here in a moment, so you'll have someone to keep you company."

Setelah Mariamin menuangkan obat maknya ke dalam cangkir dan cangkir itu diletakkannya dekat si sakit, ia pun pergilah ke dapur akan bertanak.

After Mariamin poured her mother's medicine into a cup and placed it beside the sick woman, she went to the kitchen to cook rice.

"Tinggallah dahulu Ibu sebentar, saya hendak bertanak. Tadi saya ada membawa sawi dan ko1 dari kebun kopi, barangkali sudah ada nafsu Ibu akan makan. Ah, sudah berapa hari Mak tidak makan!"

"Stay here for a little while, Mother. I need to cook some rice. Earlier, I brought home some mustard greens and cabbage from the coffee plantation. Perhaps you might feel like eating something now. Ah, it's been so many days since you've eaten properly!"

kata Mariamin.

said Mariamin.

Si ibu yang sakit itu tiada menjawab perkataan anaknya itu. la memandang muka Mariamin dengan mata yang menunjukkan, betapa besar cintanya dan kasih sayangnya kepada anaknya itu.

The sick mother did not answer her daughter's words. She gazed at Mariamin's face, her eyes revealing the depth of her love and affection for the girl.

"Ya Allah, ya Tuhanku, kasihanilah hamba-Mu yang miskin ini," mengucap ia di dalam hatinya, setelah anaknya itu pergi ke dapur.

"O Allah, my Lord, have mercy on Your poor servant," she prayed silently after her daughter had gone to the kitchen.

Ia berbaring di atas tikarnya dan matanya ditutupkannya, tetapi mata hatinya melihat hal ihwal rumah tangganya, pada waktu beberapa tahun yang lewat, tatkala suaminya masih hidup dan ketika harta mereka itu masih cukup; pendeknya pada masa kesukaan yang sudah lewat itu, karena pada waktu itu bolehlah mereka itu dikatakan masuk bagian orang yang kaya dan yang ternama di negeri Sipirok.

She lay down on her sleeping mat and closed her eyes, but in her mind she could see her household as it had been several years earlier, when her husband was still alive and their wealth was plentiful. In short, she remembered those happier days, when they could be counted among the wealthy and respected families of Sipirok.

Akan tetapi sebagaimana kerap kali kejadian di dunia ini, adalah kekayaan itu tiada kekal dan kesenangan itu fana jua adanya, karena nasib manusia itu sebagai roda, kadang-kadang ke atas, kadang-kadang ke bawah, hujan dan panas silih berganti menimpa bumi, dan burni itu harus sabar menerima apa yang datang.

But, as so often happens in this world, wealth does not last, and happiness is fleeting. Human fortunes are like a wheel, sometimes rising and sometimes falling. Rain and sunshine take turns falling upon the earth, and the earth must patiently endure whatever comes its way.

Si ibu itu pun adalah juga orang yang sabar, tiadalah pernah ia bersungut-sungut, karena ia dan anaknya hidup sekarang dalam kemiskinan.

The mother, too, was a patient woman. She never complained, even though she and her children now lived in poverty.

"Allah adil dan pengiba," katanya selamanya dalam hatinya, bila ia, didaya iblis yang selalu hendak membinasakan orang yang dalam percobaan, supaya orang itu sesat dari jalan kebenaran, mengatakan Tuhan tak adil, kesudahannya orang itu menyangkal Allah taala.

"Allah is just and merciful," she always reminded herself whenever the Devil tempted her to believe that God was unjust. The Devil seeks to destroy those who are undergoing trials, leading them astray from the path of truth until, in the end, they deny Almighty God.

Itulah kesukaan setan dan iblis, musuh manusia yang jahat itu.

Such is the delight of Satan and the Devil, those wicked enemies of mankind.

Pada malam itu amatlah susahnya hati perempuan itu.

That night, the woman's heart was particularly troubled.

Ia amat mencintai anaknya yang dua orang itu, Mariamin yang tua dan seorang budak laki-laki, umur empat tahun, sebagaimana ibu yang lain-lain.

She loved her two children dearly, Mariamin, the elder, and a little boy of four, just as any mother would.

"Pada waktu dahulu sudah tentu saya mendapat pemeliharaan yang senang, kalau saya sakit," kata perempuan itu dalam hatinya.

"In the old days, I would certainly have received the finest care whenever I fell ill," the woman said to herself.

"Akan tetapi sekarang, aduh, siapakah yang kuharapkan lagi? Seorang pun tak ada yang melihat saya, demikianlah rupanya manusia itu di dunia ini. Kalau kita dalam kekayaan, banyaklah kaum dan sahabat; bila kita jatuh miskin, seorang pun tak ada lagi yang rapat, sedang kaum yang karib itu menjauhkan dirinya. Akan tetapi Allah pengiba, anakku sudah besar dan cakap memelihara saya pada waktu sakit. Cinta orang tua yang kusimpan baginya, dibalasnya dengan kasih sayang anak kepada orang tuanya. Demikianlah cinta Riam kepada saya. Kalau ia pergi ke ladang atau ke sawah, selamanya ia mencari pembawaan akan menyenangkan hatiku, meskipun yang dibawanya itu tiada seberapa harganya; seperti tadi cuma kol dan sayur-sayuran yang dibawa untuk saya, karena telah lama tak ada nafsuku makan. Sayur yang direbus anakku itu, tentu lebih sedap nanti kumakan, lebih sedap dari sup daging atau ayam waktu hari kesukaanku, sungguhpun tak enak dirasa lidahku nanti, akan tetapi lezat juga pada perasaan hatiku. Mariamin, Mariamin, doakanlah kepada Allah, biar saya lekas sembuh dan lama hidup, supaya saya dapat menyenangkan hidupmu dengan adikmu. Kalau tiada demikian, siapakah yang akan mencarikan nafkah untukmu berdua? Kalau induk ayam itu mati, siapakah lagi yang mengaiskan makanan untuk anaknya yang kecil-kecil itu? Bila hari hujan, sayap siapakah lagi tempat mereka berlindung, supaya jangan mati kedinginan?"

"But now, alas, whom can I turn to? Not a single person comes to see me. Such, it seems, is human nature in this world. When we are wealthy, we have plenty of relatives and friends; but when we fall into poverty, no one remains close to us, and even our nearest kin distance themselves. Yet Allah is merciful. My daughter is grown now and capable of caring for me when I am ill. The love I have given her as a mother is repaid with a daughter's devotion to her parent. Such is Riam's love for me. Whenever she goes to the fields or the rice paddies, she always looks for something to bring home to cheer me up, however little it may be worth. Just as today, she brought me only cabbage and vegetables because I have had no appetite for so long. The vegetables my daughter has cooked will surely taste better to me than meat or chicken soup ever did on the happiest days of my life. Even if my tongue finds them tasteless, my heart will find them delicious. Mariamin, my Mariamin, pray to Allah that I may recover quickly and live a long while yet, so that I can make life easier for you and your little brother. Otherwise, who will earn a living for you both? If the mother hen dies, who will scratch the ground to find food for her little chicks? When the rain falls, beneath whose wings will they shelter so that they do not freeze to death?"

"Allah melindungi makhluknya," sahut suara, yang lain dalam hatinya.

"Allah protects His creatures," another voice within her heart replied.

Perempuan itu pun membukakan matanya, karena ia mendengar suara anaknya yang kecil itu memanggil ibu.

The woman opened her eyes when she heard her little son calling for his mother.

"Belumkah ibu lapar?"

"Are you still not hungry, Mother?"

tanya anak itu, seraya duduk dekat bantal emaknya.

the child asked, sitting beside his mother's pillow.

"Anakku sudah makan?"

"Have you eaten, my child?"

tanya si ibu seraya menarik tangan budak itu, lalu dipeluknya dan diciumnya berulang-ulang.

the mother asked, taking the little boy's hand, drawing him into her arms, and kissing him again and again.

"Sudah Mak; Kak Riam memberi saya sayur... kol direbus. Enak Mak, enak. Makanlah Mak! Kak Riam bawa nasi untuk Mak, itu dia sudah datang," kata budak itu, sambil berbaring dekat ibunya.

"Yes, Mother. Sister Riam gave me some vegetables... boiled cabbage. It's delicious, Mother, really delicious. You should eat some too! Sister Riam has brought rice for you. There she is, coming now," said the little boy, lying down beside his mother.

"Makanlah Mak dahulu, nasi sudah masak," kata Mariamin, seraya mengatur makanan dan sayur yang dibawanya sendiri dari gunung untuk ibunya yang sakit itu.

"Please eat first, Mother. The rice is ready," said Mariamin, arranging the food and vegetables she had brought herself from the mountain for her sick mother.

Ia pun duduklah bersama-sama makan dengan ibu yang sakit itu, sedang adiknya yang kecil itu sudah tertidur di belakang ibunya.

She sat down and ate with her sick mother, while her little brother had already fallen asleep behind their mother.

Tengah makan itu kelihatanlah oleh ibu Mariamin, muka anaknya lain daripada yang sudah-sudah, adaiah suatu kedukaan yang tersembunyi dalam hatinya; kedukaan itu terang dilihat si ibu, meskipun Mariamin menyembunyikannya.

As they ate, Mariamin's mother noticed that her daughter's expression was different from usual. There was a sorrow hidden in her heart, a sorrow that her mother could clearly perceive, even though Mariamin tried to conceal it.

Akan tetapi apa sebabnya anak itu bersusah hati, kuranglah diketahuinya.

But she could not understand what was troubling her daughter.

"Susahkah hati anakku, karena saya belum sembuh?"

"Is my child troubled because I have not yet recovered?"

tanyanya seraya mengawasi muka Mariamin.

she asked, studying Mariamin's face.

Yang ditanya tiada menjawab, hanya ia mencoba-coba tersenyum, akan tetapi mukanya merah padam sedikit.

The girl did not answer. She merely tried to smile, but her face turned slightly red.

"Janganlah Riam bersusah hati, dua tiga hari lagi dapatlah ibu turun sedikit-sedikit. Wah, enak benar sayur yang Riam bawa tadi, anakanda pun pandai benar merebusnya; nasi yang sepiring itu sudah habis olehku," kata si ibu dengan suara yang lembut dan riang akan menghiburkan hati anaknya itu.

"Don't be troubled, Riam. In another two or three days, Mother should be able to get out of bed a little at a time. Goodness, the vegetables you brought earlier are delicious! You certainly know how to cook them well, my child. I've already finished that whole plate of rice," said the mother in a gentle, cheerful voice, trying to comfort her daughter.

Karena bagaimana sekalipun besarnya dukacitanya, tiadalah ia suka menunjukkan kepada anaknya, karena ia tahu, anaknya itu masih muda akan, memikul dan menanggung kesusahan dunia.

No matter how great her sorrow might be, she did not wish to show it to her daughter, for she knew that the girl was still too young to bear the hardships and burdens of the world.

"Ya, Ibu! Moga-moga ibuku lekas baik, kalau ibu selalu sakitsakit, apalah jadinya kami berdua ini," sahut Mariamin.

"Yes, Mother! I hope you get well soon. If you are always ill, whatever will become of the two of us?" replied Mariamin.

Si ibu terdiam mendengar perkataan anaknya itu.

The mother fell silent upon hearing her daughter's words.

"Sebenarnyalah perkataan anakku itu," pikirnya.

"My child is right," she thought.

"Jika sekiranya saya mati, apatah jadinya biji mataku kedua ini? Benar ada lagi saudara mendiang bapaknya, tetapi tahulah saya, bagaimana kebiasaan manusia di dunia ini. Sedang pada masa hidupku tiadalah mereka yang mengindahkanku, apalagi kalau saya tak ada lagi."

"If I were to die, whatever would become of these two precious children of mine? They do have relatives on their late father's side, it is true, but I know all too well what people in this world are like. They pay me no attention even while I am alive; how much less would they care once I am gone?"

Pikiran yang serupa itulah yang acap kali timbul, dan itulah yang menyusahkan hatinya.

Such thoughts often came to her mind, and they were what troubled her most.

Bila dikenangkannya yang demikian itu, perasaannya penyakitnya bertambah berat dan kemiskinan mereka itu berlipat ganda.

Whenever she dwelt on such thoughts, her illness seemed to grow worse, and their poverty felt twice as burdensome.

Kalau ia sekiranya tiada menaruh kepercayaan yang kuat kepada Allah, tentulah ia akan melarat dan tentu iblis dapat mendayanya.

Had she not placed such firm trust in Allah, she would surely have fallen into despair, and the Devil would undoubtedly have succeeded in tempting her.

Tetapi ia seorang yang taat dan yakin kepada agama.

But she was a devout woman with unwavering faith.

Maka keyakinannya kepada Tuhan Yang Pengasih dan Penyayang itulah yang memberi kekuatan baginya akan menerima nasibnya yang baik dan buruk; sekaliannya ditanggungnya dengan sabar.

It was her faith in the Merciful and Compassionate God that gave her the strength to accept both good and bad fortune; she bore everything with patience.

Dari kecil ia pun mengukirkan sifat dan tabiat yang demikian itu dalam hati anaknya.

From their earliest childhood, she had instilled these same qualities and habits in her children.

Siang-malam ia mendidik anaknya, supaya di belakang hari menjadi seorang yang rendah hati, berkelakuan yang baik dan percaya kepada Tuhan.

Day and night, she taught her children to grow up humble, well-mannered, and faithful to God.

"Pergilah anakku tidur! Riam sudah payah sehari ini bekerja; tak usahlah ibu anakku tunggui," kata mak Mariamin.

"Go to bed, my child! Riam has worked hard all day and must be tired. There is no need for you to stay here watching over me," said Mariamin's mother.

Setelah anak gadis itu menyelimuti ibunya dan mengatur apa yang perlu baginya, ia pun berdirilah.

After the young girl had covered her mother with a blanket and arranged everything she might need, she stood up.

"Kalau Mak mau apa-apa, panggillah anakanda, nanti anakanda lekas datang. Jangan Mak bangkit-bangkit dari tempat tidur, seperti yang dulu-dulu, supaya badan Mak jangan lelah; kalau Mak bersusah-susah, tentu penyakit maka bertambah, akhirnya anakanda pun susah juga."

"If you need anything, Mother, just call me and I will come straight away. Please don't keep getting out of bed as you used to, so that you won't tire yourself. If you exert yourself, your illness will surely get worse, and then I shall suffer too."

"Ya, Riam! Pergilah kau tidur," kata si ibu menyenangkan hati anaknya itu.

"Yes, Riam! Go and get some sleep," said the mother, wishing to put her daughter's mind at ease.

Pada waktu itu pun pergilah Mariamin ke bilik tempat tidurnya.

Thereupon, Mariamin went to her bedroom.

Sekarang ia sudah jauh dari mata ibunya yang sakit itu.

Now she was well out of sight of her sick mother.

Baru ia masuk, tiadalah diingatnya lagi memalang pintu bilik itu dari dalam, ia menghempaskan dirinya ke atas tempat tidurnya.

As soon as she entered, she forgot even to bolt the bedroom door from inside and threw herself down upon her bed.

Sekuat-kuat tenaga ia tadi menahan dukacitanya, sejak bercerai dengan anak muda itu sampai ia meninggalkan ibunya.

She had done her utmost to hold back her sorrow, from the moment she parted from the young man until she left her mother.

Sebagaimana sudah dimaklumi, amatlah susah baginya menyembunyikan dukanya itu.

As we already know, it was extremely difficult for her to conceal her grief.

Pada waktu makan tadi, ibunya melihat awan yang menutup dahi anaknya itu.

During their meal, her mother had noticed the cloud of sorrow darkening her daughter's brow.

Sekarang tak tertahan lagi olehnya, sudah habis kekuatannya, ibarat mata air yang ditutup, demikianlah kemasygulannya itu; sekarang sudah datang waktunya hendak meletus.

Now she could no longer contain it; her strength was exhausted. Her sorrow was like a spring that had been dammed up, and at last the time had come for it to burst forth.

"Wahai malangnya aku ini! Sampailah hatimu meninggalkan daku, Udin?"

"Oh, how wretched I am! Could you really bring yourself to leave me, Udin?"

tangis Mariamin dengan sedihnya.

Mariamin cried out in anguish.

Tak dapatlah ia lagi berkatakata, karena tangisnya menyumbat tenggorokan, dan air matanya bercucuran pada pipinya yang halus itu, jatuh ke bantal-gulingnya.

She could no longer speak, for sobs choked her throat, while tears streamed down her delicate cheeks and fell upon her bolster.

Sejurus lamanya dapatlah ditahannya sedikit tangisnya itu; mata air yang telah tersumbat itu, mendapat jalan ke luar; dengan memancarmancar keluarlah dari dalam tanah, dan lama-kelamaan berkuranglah kuatnya air yang memancar itu.

After a while, she managed to restrain her sobbing somewhat. The spring that had been dammed up had finally found an outlet, gushing forth from the earth in a powerful stream. Gradually, however, the force of the flowing water began to subside.

Demikianlah halnya Mariamin.

Such was Mariamin's condition.

Meskipun air matanya berlinang-linang, ia pun duduklah, karena bantalnya sudah basah.

Although tears still filled her eyes, she sat up, for her pillow had become soaked.

Kedua belah tangannya ditongkatkannya ke dagunya dan matanya memandang ke lampu kecil yang terpasang di hadapannya.

She rested her chin in both hands and gazed at the small lamp burning before her.

Tetapi tiadalah ia melihat nyala lampu itu, melainkan seolah-olah barang lainlah yang nampak olehnya, karena duduknya itu sudah dipenuhi kenang-kenangan.

But she did not really see the lamp's flame. It was as though something else appeared before her eyes, for her mind was completely absorbed in memories.

Semua halnya selagi ia anak-anak datanglah kembali ke hadapannya.

Everything from her childhood came flooding back to her.

Seorang pun tak ada yang melihat Mariamin duduk termenung itu.

No one saw Mariamin sitting there, lost in thought.

Amatlah kasihan kita melihat gadis yang semuda itu digoda kesusahan.

How deeply we pity a girl so young, tormented by such sorrow.

Hati siapa takkan iba melihat muka yang manis itu menjadi muram dan bibir yang merah dan tipis itu tiada menunjukkan senyum lagi, sebagaimana biasanya.

Whose heart would not ache to see that sweet face grow gloomy and those delicate red lips no longer bear their usual smile?

Siapa pun yang melihat anak dara itu duduk sedemikian, tentu tiada sampai hatinya, ia pun akan turut bersedih hati.

Anyone who saw the young maiden sitting like that could hardly remain unmoved; they too would feel sorrow for her.

Ia akan berbuat sepandai-pandainya untuk menghiburkan hatinya.

They would do everything in their power to comfort her.

Akan tetapi apa boleh buat, tak ada seorang pun yang dapat berbuat begitu karena gadis itu hanya seorang diri dalam biliknya.

But what could be done? There was no one to offer such comfort, for the girl was all alone in her room.

Jadi tiadalah heran, jikalau ia terus juga memikirkan nasibnya itu.

It was therefore no wonder that she continued brooding over her fate.

Betul, ya, lampu kecil yang menyala di hadapan dara muda itu, melihat kawan sekamarnya bersusah hati.

Indeed, the little lamp burning before the young maiden seemed to witness its room companion's sorrow.

Ia seolah-olah berkata,

It seemed to say,

"Janganlah tuan menangis, wahai gadis yang cantik, tiadakah sayang tuan melihat air mata tuan yang mahal itu terbuang-buang? Diamlah Tuan, janganlah tuan terlampau amat bercintakan hal yang belum kejadian. Siapa tahu malang yang tuan sangkakan itu menjadi mujur kesudahannya."

"Do not weep, beautiful young lady. Is it not a pity to waste your precious tears? Be still, my dear, and do not grieve so deeply over something that has not yet come to pass. Who knows? What you fear will bring misfortune may yet have a happy ending."

Banyak lagi ucapan hiburan lampu itu, tetapi Mariamin tiada mendengarnya.

The lamp had many more comforting words to offer, but Mariamin did not hear them.

Telinganya sudah tertutup dan matanya pun tak melihat lagi, karena diserang angan-angan itu.

Her ears were deaf to everything, and her eyes could no longer see, for she was completely overcome by her reverie.

Hidupnya yang dahulu sajalah yang nampak tergambar di mukanya.

Only scenes from her former life appeared before her eyes.

Kasihan, gadis yang semuda itu memikul penanggungan yang sesedih itu!

Poor girl! So young, yet burdened with such sorrow!

"Ia akan pergi juga merantau ke Deli yang jauh itu; aku tinggal seorang diri. Aduhai Angkang Din, sampai hati rupanya tuan membiarkan aku dalam untungku. Lupakah tuan akan pergaulan kita sejak dari kecil, yang sudah bertahun-tahun itu? Kasih sayangku amat besar kepada tuan, dari dahulu sampai sekarang, tetapi rupanya kecintaan tuan kepadaku tiada cukup kukuhnya akan mempersatukan kita. Bukanlah aku yang kurang ramah, bukan aku yang kurang menyayangi angkang, tetapi tuanlah yang lebih dulu meninggalkan aku."

"He really is going away to distant Deli, and I shall be left all alone. Oh, dear Angkang Din, how can you bear to leave me to my fate? Have you forgotten the companionship we have shared since childhood, all these many years? My love and affection for you have been great, from the beginning until now, but it seems your love for me is not strong enough to keep us together. It is not that I have been less devoted, nor that I have loved you any less, but you are the one who has chosen to leave me first."

Perkataan itu dikatakan Mariamin dalam hatinya, tetapi tak tahu rupanya ia lagi, apa yang ke luar dari mulutnya itu.

Mariamin spoke these words in her heart, but she seemed no longer aware of what was coming out of her own mouth.

"Aku pergi bukan hendak meninggalkan adinda, tetapi mendapatkan kau. Aku terpaksa, karena suatu hal," terdengar dalam telinga anak dara itu perkataan kekasihnya, waktu mereka itu bercakap-cakap tadi, di atas batu besar, di rusuk rumah.

"I am not going away to leave you, my dear, but to make it possible for us to be together. I have no choice; circumstances compel me," her beloved's words echoed in the young maiden's ears, recalling their conversation earlier on the large rock beside the house.

"Apakah makna perkataannya itu?"

"What did he mean by those words?"

tanya Mariamin.

Mariamin wondered.

"Ia merantau ke Deli, negeri yang sejauh itu. Tetapi ia berkata juga, "Aku tak akan meninggalkan adinda.

"He is going away to Deli, such a distant land. Yet he also said, 'I am not going to leave you, my dear.'

"

"Itu tak benar. Aku tinggal, hidup dengan untungku, Aminu'ddin tak melihatku, tiada mendengar suaraku lagi, sebab tuan sudah jauh, tentu tuan melupakan aku lambat launnya. Hilang dari mata, lenyap dari pikiran. Hal yang serupa ini telah beratus kali kulihat di dunia ini. Akan tetapi aku tiada lupa kepadamu, biarpun tuan tak mengingat aku. Sudah kukatakan, bahwa engkau kucintai, diriku pun sudah kuserahkan kepadamu, sebab aku berhutang budi dan nyawa kepadamu dan lagi aku sudah percaya akan kemuliaan hatimu, cuma aku kadang-kadang bimbang, bila engkau jauh dari anggimu..."

"That cannot be true. I shall remain here, living with my fate. Aminuddin will no longer see me or hear my voice, for once you are far away, you will surely forget me in time. Out of sight, out of mind. I have seen this happen hundreds of times in this world. But I shall not forget you, even if you no longer remember me. I have already told you that I love you, and I have given myself to you, because I owe you a debt of gratitude and my very life. Moreover, I have always trusted in the nobility of your heart. It is only that sometimes I grow anxious when you are far away from your beloved..."

Di luar hari amat dingin.

Outside, the night was bitterly cold.

Langit yang lebar itu ditutupi awan yang gelap, sebutir bintang pun tak nampak.

The vast sky was covered with dark clouds, and not a single star could be seen.

Angin pun berembuslah dengan kencangnya, sehingga berdengung pada pohon-pohon yang tinggitinggi yang menghambat perjalanannya itu.

The wind blew fiercely, roaring as it struck the tall trees that stood in its path.

Angin yang hebat itu bercampur pula dengan hujan rintik-rintik.

The violent wind was accompanied by a light drizzle.

Akan tetapi itu hanya sebagai tanda, bahwa sebentar lagi awan yang gelap yang menutup langit itu, akan bertukar menjadi hujan yang lebat.

But this was merely a sign that the dark clouds covering the sky would soon release a heavy downpour.

Sunyi-senyap rupanya di jalan dan lorong-lorong, karena tiada suatu apa yang kedengaran, hanya bunyi angin yang dahsyat itu; sunyi dan sedih juga pemandangan mata kita dalam kamar anak dara yang gundah-gulana itu.

The streets and lanes were utterly deserted, for nothing could be heard except the dreadful howling of the wind. Equally silent and sorrowful was the scene inside the room of the heartbroken young maiden.

"Riam, apakah sebabnya engkau menangis?"

"Riam, why are you crying?"

datang suatu suara dari pintu.

a voice called from the doorway.

Yang ditanya itu terkejut, seraya melihat ke belakang, yakni ke pintu kamarnya.

The girl was startled and turned around to look towards her bedroom door.

Ia terkejut, bukan sebab tak mengenal suara itu, tetapi ia tiada menyangka, bahwa ibunya yang bertanya itu.

She was startled not because she failed to recognize the voice, but because she had not expected her mother to be the one asking.

Disapunya matanya dengan lengan bajunya, seraya ia mengawasi orang yang berdiri di pintu kamarnya itu, karena pada sangkanya penglihatannya salah.

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and stared at the person standing in her doorway, thinking that her eyes must be deceiving her.

Ya, benarlah dia.

Yes, it really was her.

Muka yang pucat dan kurus itu nyata juga kepada matanya, meskipun cahaya lampu yang kecil itu malap adanya.

Even in the dim light of the little lamp, she could clearly make out that pale, thin face.

"Mak, ampun Mak!"

"Mother, forgive me!"

kata si anak seraya melompat memeluk ibunya itu.

the girl cried, leaping up to embrace her mother.

Akan tetapi air matanya makin lebat bercucuran ke pipinya.

But her tears continued to stream down her cheeks even more freely.

"Apakah yang anakku tangiskan, sedang jauh malam begini? Pikirku Riam sudah tertidur," kata si ibu dengan suara perlahan-lahan.

"What is my daughter crying about at this late hour? I thought Riam had already gone to sleep," her mother said softly.

Si ibu terjaga dari tidurnya dan melihat cahaya lampu yang datang dari pintu bilik Mariamin.

Her mother had woken from her sleep and noticed the lamplight coming from Mariamin's bedroom doorway.

Ia mendengar suara yang sayup-sayup, yaitu suara Mariamin yang mengeluh itu.

She heard a faint sound: Mariamin's voice, murmuring in distress.

Oleh sebab itu heranlah hati si ibu, dan ia pun pergi ke kamar anaknya itu melihat apa yang terjadi di situ.

Wondering what was happening, the mother went to her daughter's room to see what was wrong.

Oleh karena pintu tiada dikunci, dapatlah ia masuk ke dalam dengan tiada diketahui anaknya itu.

Since the door was unlocked, she was able to enter without her daughter noticing.

"Katakanlah apa sebabnya anakku menangis?"

"Tell me, my child, why are you crying?"

tanya ibunya lagi seraya menyapu-nyapu pipi anaknya yang basah oleh karena air matanya itu.

her mother asked again, gently wiping her daughter's tear-stained cheeks.

Dengan tiada disembunyi-sembunyikan Mariamin menceritakan sekalian perkataan Aminu'ddin itu.

Without hiding anything, Mariamin told her everything Aminuddin had said.

"Kalau anakku takkan menyusahkan bunda yang sakit-sakit ini, diamlah kau, dan senangkanlah pikiranmu, engkau harus sabar dan berserah diri kepada Tuhan," kata si ibu sesudah ia mendengar cerita anaknya itu.

"If my child does not wish to distress her ailing mother, she must be quiet and put her mind at ease. You must be patient and surrender yourself to God," her mother said after hearing her daughter's story.

Mariamin seorang anak perempuan yang penurut; ia membawa ibunya ke kamarnya, seraya katanya,

Mariamin was an obedient girl. She led her mother back to her room and said,

"Janganlah ibuku bersusah hati, masakan mau ananda memberatkan hati ibu. Ananda menangis tadi karena ananda bodoh dan pikiranku muda, sekarang tak mau ananda lagi menangis. Tidurlah Ibuku, hari sudah jauh malam."

"Do not trouble yourself, Mother. Surely I would never want to burden your heart. I was crying because I was foolish and immature. I shall not cry anymore. Go to sleep, Mother; it is very late."

Setelah ibunya pergi, maka pergilah Mariamin merebahkan dirinya di atas tempat tidurnya itu. la pun mengumpulkan kekuatannya akan mendiamkan pikirannya yang berkisar-kisar itu.

After her mother had left, Mariamin lay down on her bed. She gathered all her strength to quiet her restless, wandering thoughts.

Tiada berapa lamanya ia pun tertidurlah.

Before long, she fell asleep.

Hujan rintik-rintik itu sudah bertukar dengan hujan yang amat lebat, sehingga sebagai air dicurahkan dari langit rupanya.

The light drizzle had turned into a torrential downpour, as though water were being poured from the heavens.

Angin yang keras itu makin kencang dan kilat pun berturut-turut diiringi halilintar yang gemuruh, sebagai gunung runtuh lakunya.

The fierce wind grew stronger, and flashes of lightning came one after another, accompanied by thunder that roared like a collapsing mountain.

Dalam rumah kecil yang tersebut sudah sunyi, karena semua sudah diam, masing-masing tidur dengan nyenyaknya.

The little house was now silent, for everyone had settled down and was sleeping soundly.

Hanyalah lampu kecil yang terpasang di tepi dinding itu yang masih menyala dan cahayanya yang suram itu mencoba-coba melawan dan mengusir kekuatan dewi malam yang memerintahkan alam ini.

Only the little lamp fixed beside the wall was still burning. Its dim light seemed to struggle against and drive away the power of the goddess of night, who held dominion over the world.

Catatan kaki sunting

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