In Reply to: Young Love posted by Hammockman on Friday, 7. November 2008 at 15:27 Bali Time:
Note: Apologies if this is a bit rushed.
Sitting on the veranda of Wayan's family home in his village I played with a stubby tailed cat that had wondered through looking for a morsel of food, it's concentration now placed firmly on the piece of string I swirled around on the floor in front of it. Wayan's grand parents sat at the far end of the porch, she humming softly, deftly weaving offering baskets, he fixing a small hole in his throw net that he trusted would serve him well in the hunt for fish the next day.I heard the door to Wayan's bedroom close and very soon after he stood before me.
The young man looked very fine, very fine indeed,and extremely proud. I couldn't believe it was the same person who had, just fifteen minutes before looked a little scruffy in his board shorts, singlet and thongs. He now wore the most resplendent white hindu ceremonial dress I have ever seen and my huge grin must have conveyed it.
"Am I handsome man,Hammockman?" Wayan asked me in all seriousness, turning around in front me.
"Very, very handsome Wayan. I think Ketut want marry you". I jibed, knowing that Wayan would have been blushing under his tanned skin.He jokingly went to slap my shoulder and we both laughed. I suspect we both wished it were true. She was such a gorgeous woman both in spirit and looks.
Of course, this was a special day because of the ceremony Wayan had to attend at his temple, but it was made that much more important for this wonderful young man, because it would also be the first time he and Ketut would be seen in public together as a young couple, affirming their desire to be together for all to see and it made us all very proud of the two of them. His aunt Sunnie had aloud Wayan the use of her Honda motorcycle for this special day, to go and collect Ketut and return her after. Brushing himself free of a spec of dirt on his arm he promised to come and see me after his special evening, down at my hut. Wayan then said goodbye to his grandparents and took off in a cloud of dust. I will never forget the image of Wayan riding off in his pristinely white sarong,shirt, vest and cap wearing a pair of Men In Black sunglasses. He was the coolest Hindu on da block.
Saying goodbye to the grand parents I wandered slowly back through the village to my hut,absorbing the sounds of village life as I went. The moo's, crows, and barks of the animals. The joyful squeals of little children running bare foot from bigger ones as they were being chased. Why do I love Bali? Gimme a break.
All I remember was being nudged awake in my Hammock by Wayan. Not sure of the time, I enquired of him.
"Sorry, little bit late Hammockman"
"That's OK Wayan. No problem." It was then I noticed another figure standing on my balcony . Ketut. She looked so beautiful, obviously dressed in her finest as well. Hair pulled up tightly in a bun on the top of her head to reveal the most lovely long smooth neck, she wore the loveliest of red embroided jackets and unles I was mistaken, was that a hint of lipstick and makeup?
Then it dawned on me. I realized what this late night call was all about. Both Wayan and Ketut lived in crowded households at night and they had nowhere to be alone, to relax from being ubder the gaze of others in their respected villages, and as much as I feared there could be repercussions, I could hardly not allow them to have the opportunity of at least an hour or two of privacy.
"Would you like to sit on the balcony for a while Ketut/" I asked.
"If no problem, Hammockman." she replied.
How could I refuse these two beautifully polite, loving, generous young people.
"OK. No problem". I moved into my room and left the two of them sitting on my balcony with nothing more than the moon and the sea.
I had a dificult time sleeping for some reason and lie awake for an hour or so and for the entire time there wasn't an awkward silence between them and there was much "new love" laughter. I fell asleep thinking that these two kids were going to be very good together.
Looking out my window early next morning Wayan and Ketut were still there, lying in seperate hammocks that had been strung close together. They had fallen asleep holding hands across the small space between them. I swung slowly on Wayans hammock and he slowly opened his eyes and immediatley looked at his hand clasped in hers. He then looked at me and gave me the thumbs up sign with his spare hand, grinning madly. I couldn't help but laugh aloud and this in turn woke Ketut. I waved and headed down the cliffs to the ocean for my morning recreation.
Swimming in the warm Bening water I turned on my back and looked up toward my little hut perched above on the rocks, with the young couple inside waking up together for the first time.I tried to recall a time that seemed so long ago when I had enjoyed,such an important day.