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Right and Left Fangs
A work by Sultan Rasyid Hamonangan Hasibuan
That morning, dew still clung to the mangosteen leaves on the banks of the Barumun River. A thin mist covered the surface of the water, causing the sunlight to merely dance on the calm ripples. Two twin brothers, Lompo and Rapo, walked with cheerful hearts, holding long woven baskets that would later be filled with shrimp and fish they had caught.
Lompo, who had slightly thinner cheeks, took faster steps, sometimes turning to make sure his younger brother, Rapo, was not left behind. Rapo, with his fatter body, often reprimanded his older brother so that he would not rush too much.
“My little brother, do you remember this river? When Opung taught us to swim?” asked Lompo, closing his eyes for a moment, as if he wanted to relive the memory.
Rapo nodded, a smile forming on the corner of his lips. “Botul ma. You were the first to drown, then you laughed because I helped you.”
They both laughed softly, remembering how silly they used to be. Small fish nets circled between their legs, creating a ticklish sensation that made them cheer happily. Village children playing on the riverbank welcomed the arrival of the two famous children with waves and shouts.
After a day of catching shrimp, the two of them walked towards the rice fields. The expanse of green rice seemed to cheerfully welcome their steps. The rice shoots swayed gently when a small breeze came. Rapo stopped for a moment, bending his body while picking several stalks of yellow rice. “It’s so beautiful, will it be harvest time soon?”
Lompo replied, “Yes, maybe before the end of the month. Opung will be happy if we can help give a little extra money.”
Lompo and Rapo were ten-year-old twins, intelligent and diligent in studying. Every time the call to prayer sounded, they immediately prostrated themselves on the thick prayer mat that Opung Duma had spread in the corner of the house. Opung Duma was the only family who had cared for them since they were babies after they lost both of their parents in an accident when they were two years old.
Every morning, Opung Duma woke them up gently. Her graying hair was neatly arranged, although her steps were now faltering. In a weak voice, she whispered a prayer to her grandchildren,
“Hopefully today you will remember your lessons at school and come home with good stories, okay.”
Then, she prepared warm savory rice and chili paste. Lompo and Rapo looked at each other, holding back smiles because they knew that Opung Duma’s cooking always tasted the most delicious in the world.
“Opung, take it slow when you walk to the rice field. We’ll help you carry firewood later,” said Rapo, carrying a small sack of rice.
Opung Duma nodded and stroked Rapo’s head. “Pahopuku, you’re all grown up now. Opung just didn’t want to bother you, but I’m proud that you’ve grown into siparbagaon.”
***
Lompo and Rapo went to school, and came home to help Opung, then in the evening they studied the Koran together on the porch of the house. Neighbors often came to visit, praising how obedient these two twin grandchildren were. “Pious children, diligent in studying, praying on time, how happy Opung is to have grandchildren like them,” whispered the neighboring mothers, while looking proudly.
Time continued to pass, and the day came that the twins had least anticipated. Old age came, their health declined and finally, Opung passed away on a quiet night at the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
Every month of Ramadan after Opung’s departure, Lompo and Rapo visited her grave. After tidying Opung’s grave, the twins sat cross-legged in front of the grave, staring at the simple tombstone. A gentle breeze blew on their cheeks, carrying the whispers of the holy verses of the Quran.
“I want to be smart,” said Lompo softly.
“I want to be smart,” repeated Rapo, as if in disbelief.
They stared at each other with two pairs of eyes full of emotion, trapped by memories. However, neither of them added a word. Only silence and a thin smile ended the visit.
On the way home, silence had enveloped them. Suddenly Lompo stopped walking, surprising Rapo who was behind him.
“Rapo, just take a bath in the river. The water is cold, it will definitely refresh your mind.” Lompo said.
Rapo looked at his brother suspiciously, “Take a bath now? Can’t we do it tomorrow?”
Lompo smiled, “Trust me, the river water can guide our minds back to being clear. Maybe your tondi will be stronger”
After a short consideration, Rapo obeyed. He took off his shirt and pants, leaving his clothes on a large rock on the edge of the river. The water that hit his skin felt piercing and refreshing as if lifting the burden that had been resting on his chest. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and felt the gurgling water and the rustling of the trees. Rapo seemed to be wiping away the remnants of sadness in the recesses of his heart.
Suddenly the sound of a twig breaking was heard, breaking the silence. Lompo, who was standing on the edge, screamed softly to his brother,
“Rapo, stay calm no matter what happens!”
Frozen, Rapo eyes and turned slowly toward the bushes. He squinted, trying to guess what was moving behind the thick leaves. A moment later, he saw a pair of erect ears and a striped back.
Rapo’s body shivered, his vision blurred by fear. He could not look the tiger in the eye. His survival instinct made him turn and run as fast as he could. His screams bounced through the trees, setting off an alarm for anyone who heard them.
However, the tiger immediately charged, darting toward Rapo who was still running. Panicking, Rapo looked up and saw a tall tree trunk towering over him. Without thinking, he climbed as fast as he could, his fingers almost falling off as he struggled to hold on. The protruding roots on the tree trunk provided the best grip. In an instant, he was several meters above the ground.
While Rapo climbed the tree, Lompo blocked the tiger in the middle of the path. His body was small, but his gaze was full of determination. He shouted, his voice booming among the trees.
“Get out of here!” shouted Lompo.
The tiger’s eyes flashed, his whiskers moved. However, when his gaze locked on Lompo’s eyes, he paused for a moment, as if surprised by his gaze. Only the sound of their breathing could be heard responding to each other.
Lompo took a step forward, his heart beating fast. He remembered Opung’s advice, “All living things are our brothers. We must protect them because we are leaders.” Those words strengthened Lompo.
The tiger roared softly, clawing at the ground. However, suddenly it turned and disappeared behind the bushes, leaving Lompo full of hope. Lompo sighed and fell, his knees weak, unable to support the weight he had been carrying.
After making sure the tiger had really left, Lompo ran towards the tree where Rapo was hiding. Lompo helped lower his brother to the ground.
“I’m scared too, Rapo. But Opung taught us that all living things are our brothers. We must protect them, and don’t forget that we are in a higher caste.”
Rapo looked at his brother with teary eyes, half in disbelief at the courage that emerged from a figure he had always considered weaker than him.
“So, you didn’t run away like me?”
Lompo smiled weakly, “Of course I was scared. Whatever it was, my heart was pounding and my legs were shaking. But I remembered Opung’s words, so I chose to look him in the eye and finally, the tiger went away.”
The sun was getting higher, and its rays were starting to spread through the gaps in the leaves. The two brothers sat on a large rock on the edge of the river, their bodies still shaking. After a few seconds, Rapo broke the silence, his voice soft and full of admiration:
“You are very smart, Lompo.”
Lompo looked at his brother gently, holding Rapo’s shoulder, “We won’t let anyone, including the tiger, separate us..”
Rapo smiled thinly.
Lompo and Rapo became a pair of village boys who were no longer only known for their intelligence, but also their courage. When night fell, they sat on the porch of the house, lit a kerosene lamp, then recited the Koran and read the interpretation of the Koran. Beside him, hung a photo of Opung Duma who always smiled as if proud to see her grandchildren continuing the tradition.
END
Tarjemahan
Taring Kanan dan Kiri
Karya Sultan Rasyid Hamonangan Hasibuan
Pagi itu, embun masih menempel pada helaian daun manggis di tepian Sungai Barumun. Kabut tipis menyelimuti permukaan air, membuat sinar matahari baru sekadar menari-nari di atas riak yang tenang. Dua saudara kembar, Lompo dan Rapo, berjalan dengan hati riang, memegang keranjang anyaman panjang yang nantinya akan diisi udang dan ikan hasil tangkapan.
Lompo yang memiliki pipi sedikit lebih tirus mengambil langkah lebih cepat, kadang menoleh memastikan adiknya, Rapo, tak tertinggal. Rapo, dengan tubuhnya yang lebih gemuk, sering kali menegur agar kakaknya tak terlalu terburu-buru.
“Adikku, kau ingat sungai ini? Waktu Opung mengajari kita berenang?” tanya Lompo sambil menutup mata sejenak, seolah hendak merasakan kembali kenangan itu.
Rapo mengangguk, menitikkan senyum di sudut bibirnya. “Botul ma. Kau yang pertama kali tenggelam, lalu kau tertawa karena aku menolongmu.”
Mereka berdua tertawa pelan, mengingat betapa konyolnya mereka dulu. Rawai-rawai ikan kecil berkeliling di sela-sela kaki, menimbulkan sensasi geli yang membuat mereka saling sorak gembira. Anak-anak desa yang bermain di tepi sungai menyambut kedatangan dua bocah tenar itu dengan lambaian dan teriakan.
Setelah seharian menangkap udang, keduanya berjalan menuju persawahan. Hamparan padi yang menghijau seolah riang menyambut langkah mereka. Tunas padi menggoyang pelan saat angin kecil datang. Rapo sempat berhenti, menundukkan tubuh sambil memetik beberapa tangkai padi yang sudah menguning. “Cantik sekali, kira-kira sebentar lagi panen?”
Lompo membalas, “Ya, bisa jadi sebelum akhir bulan. Opung pasti senang kalau kita bisa membantu memberi sedikit tambahan uang.”
Lompo dan Rapo adalah anak kembar berusia sepuluh tahun, cerdas dan rajin belajar. Tiap kali azan berkumandang, mereka segera bersujud di sajadah tebal yang dihamparkan Opung Duma di sudut rumah. Opung Duma adalah satu-satunya keluarga yang merawat mereka sejak bayi, setelah keduanya kehilangan kedua orang tua dalam kecelakaan saat mereka masih berusia dua tahun.
Setiap pagi, Opung Duma membangunkan dengan lembut. Rambutnya yang mulai memutih tertata rapi, meski langkahnya sekarang tertatih. Dengan suara lemah, ia membisiki doa kepada cucu-cucunya,
“Semoga hari ini kalian ingat pelajaran di sekolah dan pulang dengan cerita yang baik, ya.”
Lalu, ia menyiapkan nasi gurih hangat dan sambal terasi. Lompo dan Rapo saling pandang, menahan senyum karena mereka tahu, masakan Opung Duma selalu terasa paling lezat di dunia.
“Opung pelan-pelan ya pas jalan ke sawah. Kami akan bantu memanggul kayu bakar nanti,” kata Rapo, menggendong sekarung beras kecil.
Opung Duma mengangguk dan mengusap kepala Rapo. “Pahopuku, kalian sudah besar. Opung hanya tak ingin merepotkan kalian, tapi aku bangga kalian tumbuh menjadi siparbagaon.”
***
Lompo dan Rapo berangkat ke sekolah, pulang membantu Opung, kemudian malamnya mereka mengaji bersama di teras rumah. Tak jarang tetangga datang berkunjung, memuji betapa patuhnya dua cucu kembar ini. “Anak-anak soleh, rajin belajar, salat tepat waktu betapa bahagianya Opung memiliki cucu seperti mereka,” bisik ibu-ibu tetangga, sambil menatap bangga.
Waktu terus berlalu, dan datanglah hari yang paling tidak dinantikan kedua saudara kembar. Penyakit tua datang menyergap, kesehatannya menurun dan akhirnya Opung berpulang pada suatu malam yang sunyi di awal bulan Ramadhan.
Setiap bulan Ramadhan setelah kepergian Opung, Lompo dan Rapo menjenguk makamnya. Setelah merapikan makam Opung, kedua kembar itu duduk bersila di depan liang lahat, menatap batu nisan yang sederhana. Angin semilir menerpa pipi mereka, membawa bisik alunan ayat suci Al-Quran.
“Ku ingin pintar,” ucap Lompo pelan.
“Ku ingin pintar,” ulang Rapo, seolah tak percaya.
Mereka saling bertatapan dua sepasang mata penuh haru, terkurung oleh kenangan. Namun, tak satupun yang menambahkan kata. Hanya keheningan dan senyum tipis yang mengakhiri kunjungan tersebut.
Di tengah perjalanan pulang, hening sempat menyelimuti. Tiba-tiba Lompo memberhentikan langkah, membuat Rapo yang berada di belakang terkejut.
“Rapo, mandi saja di sungai. Airnya dingin, pastinya bisa menyegarkan pikiranmu.” Ucap Lompo.
Rapo menatap kakaknya curiga, “Mandi sekarang? Bukankah kita bisa keesokan hari?”
Lompo tersenyum, “Percayalah, air sungai bisa menuntun pikiran kita kembali jernih. Mungkin tondimu akan lebih kokoh”
Setelah pertimbangan singkat, Rapo menuruti. Dia melepas baju dan celananya, meninggalkan pakaian di batu besar di tepi sungai. Air yang menerpa kulitnya terasa menusuk segar, seolah mencabut beban yang bersemayam di dadanya. Ia menghela napas panjang, menutup mata, merasakan gemericik air dan gemerisiknya pepohonan. Rapo seolah mengusap sisa-sisa kesedihan di relung hati.
Tiba-tiba terdengar suara ranting patah, memecah keheningan. Lompo, yang berdiri di tepian, memekik pelan kepada adiknya,
“Rapo, tetaplah tenang apa pun yang terjadi!”
Dalam keadaan beku, Rapo membuka mata dan menoleh perlahan ke arah semak belukar. Ia memicingkan mata, berusaha menebak apa yang bergerak di balik rimbunnya daun. Sesaat kemudian, ia melihat sepasang telinga tegak dan punggung belang.
Tubuh Rapo menggigil, pandangannya mengabur oleh ketakutan. Ia tak bisa menatap mata harimau itu. Naluri bertahan hidup membuatnya berbalik dan berlari secepat mungkin. Teriakannya memantul di antara pepohonan, menyalakkan alarm bagi siapa saja yang mendengarnya.
Namun, harimau itu segera menerjang, melesat ke arah Rapo yang masih berlari. Panik, Rapo memandang ke atas dan melihat batang pohon tinggi yang menjulang. Tanpa berpikir panjang, ia memanjat secepat mungkin, jari-jarinya nyaris terlepas saat berebut pegangan. Akar-akar menonjol di batang pohon itu menjadi pegangan terbaik. Dalam sekejap, ia sudah berada beberapa meter di atas tanah.
Sementara Rapo memanjat pohon, Lompo menghadang harimau di tengah jalan setapak. Tubuhnya kecil, namun pandangannya penuh tekad. Ia berteriak, suaranya membahana di antara pepohonan.
“Pergi dari sini!” teriak Lompo.
Mata harimau menyala, kumisnya bergerak-gerak. Namun, ketika tatapannya terkunci pada mata Lompo ia terdiam sejenak, seolah terkejut tatapannya. Hanya suara napas mereka yang terdengar saling menyahut.
Lompo melangkah setapak maju, jantungnya berdebar kencang. Ia teringat nasehat Opung “Semua makhluk hidup adalah saudara kita. Kita harus melindungi mereka, sebab kita adalah pemimpin.” Kata-kata itu menguatkan Lompo.
Harimau mengaum pelan, mencakar-cakar tanah. Namun, tiba-tiba ia berputar dan menghilang ke balik semak belukar, menyisakan Lompo penuh keharanan. Lompo menghela napas dan terjatuh, lututnya lemas tak sanggup menahan beban yang selama ini ia pikul.
Setelah memastikan harimau benar-benar pergi, Lompo berlari ke arah pohon tempat Rapo bersembunyi. Lompo membantu menurunkan adiknya hingga sampai di tanah.
“Aku juga takut, Rapo. Tapi Opung mengajarkan kita semua makhluk hidup adalah saudara kita. Kita harus menjaga mereka, dan jangan lupa kalau kita ada di kasta yang lebih tinggi.”
Rapo menatap kakaknya dengan mata berkaca-kaca, setengah tak percaya akan keberanian yang muncul dari sosok yang selama ini ia anggap lebih lemah darinya.
“Jadi, kau tidak lari seperti aku?”
Lompo tersenyum lemah, “Tentu aku takut. Apa pun itu, hati ini berdebar dan kaki ini gemetar. Tapi aku ingat kata Opung, sehingga aku memilih menatap matanya dan akhirnya, harimau itu pergi.”
Matahari semakin tinggi, sinarnya mulai merebak menembus celah-celah dedaunan. Kedua saudara itu duduk di atas batu besar di tepian sungai, tubuh mereka masih gemetar. Setelah beberapa detik, Rapo memecah hening, suaranya lembut dan penuh kekaguman:
“Kamu sangat pintar, Lompo.”
Lompo menatap adiknya dengan lembut, menggenggam bahu Rapo, “Kita tidak akan membiarkan siapa pun, termasuk harimau, memisahkan kita..”
Rapo tersenyum tipis.
Lompo dan Rapo menjadi sepasang bocah desa yang tak lagi hanya dikenal karena kepintaran, tetapi juga keberaniannya. Ketika malam tiba, mereka duduk di teras rumah, menyalakan lampu teplok, lalu mengaji dan membaca kitab tafsir Al-Quran. Di sampingnya, tergantung foto Opung Duma yang selalu tersenyum seolah bangga melihat cucu-cucunya meneruskan tradisi.
TAMAT
