The Timor Man (39 page)

The American's car was luxurious. She had never felt such comfort. And it was air-conditioned! She would have a story for Bambang when they next met. In fact, the conditions inside the sedan were cool and refreshing, similar to what she had experienced in the mountains in Central Java where, should one walk up the trails to the two thousand metre summit, blankets were required to prevent exposure from the cold.

Wanti shivered. The driver had turned the air-conditioning to maximum knowing this would cause this girl to feel uncomfortable. He counted off the minutes expecting his passenger's reaction at any moment. He was aware that these girls were not accustomed to the cold air and this was his method of punishing them for associating with the foreigners. Wanti realized that the vehicle's air-conditioning was far too uncomfortable but was uncertain as to how to remedy the situation. She refused to seek this arrogant driver's assistance. There were no handles on the door with which to open the windows and momentary panic engulfed her.

Her eyes began to glaze over. Her mind slipped away taking her to another world and another time. It was as if her person had departed, leaving her physical being while her spirit travelled away - away to the picturesque terraced mountain slopes topped with blankets of cloud overlooking the tranquil rice fields spread so uniformly below. Her next recollection was that of the driver whispering urgently.

“
Non! Miss, wake up miss!
” The driver was extremely agitated and beginning to panic, ‘worried that she had fainted or even worse, might complain to the
tuan!

“
Non, please Non. Wake up!
”

Slowly her consciousness returned. Her body was no longer cold. ‘
Aduh
,' she thought,
‘we have arrived. I must have been daydreaming again.
'

Regaining her composure Wanti was assisted from the Nash Rambler by the courteous young Marine who took her hand and escorted her inside. When Wanti first entered and saw the large crowd of guests she was immediately intimidated by the scene before her. She was nervous at being alone, not recognizing anyone until she spotted her date amongst the other guests standing in the reception queue. As Wanti was late, he hadn't waited more than a few minutes outside the residence before entering with the other guests, assuming she had elected not to come.

Wanti had walked directly up to the American and stood alongside as all the guests in the line moved slowly forward into the large colonial structure. The premises were located on Jalan Raden Saleh. It was the residence of the United States Military Attaché and the evening's function was to introduce some of the many new Military Aid Advisers. Wanti was relieved to see other Indonesian ladies wearing the traditional
kain kebaya
. Now she would not feel so conspicuous.

Her escort introduced his guest to the host, a very tall Colonel who towered over the assembly. American Marine guards stood stiffly at the entrance their colourful uniforms adding to the atmosphere of colonial splendour. Five hundred guests crowded the stately home, some spilling out into the garden and gazebo where houseboys mixed, then refilled, cocktail glasses at an amazing pace. Trays of
hors d'oeuvres
were offered by the white uniformed
jongus
while others prepared the buffet.

The spectacle almost caused Wanti to cry out. She had never imagined anything so beautiful! It was if she had been thrust into a scene from Hollywood. Foreign Attachés and Ambassadors, French, German, Italian and even Russian representatives were to be seen. It was almost too much for the attractive Javanese as she remembered not to gape at the cocktail dresses and jewellery adorning the wives of these prominent people.

As she was introduced to another group Wanti noticed the young foreigner standing alone, a cocktail in one hand, cigarette in the other. He smiled, and Wanti looked away, embarrassed. She turned to ask her companion if the food provided was
halal,
or prepared according to traditional Islamic Law, but had difficulty in expressing herself.

The American replied, asking her if she was already hungry, misunderstanding what Wanti had said. She attempted to ask the question again, and when the words she required stubbornly refused to flow in the required sequence, she turned away to avoid the feeling of panic which threatened to engulf her. Flustered, Wanti reverted to Indonesian to escape unwanted attention as the other couples in their group were observing her struggle, the women inwardly enjoying this pretty young girl's discomfort at not being able to converse as fluently as the others.

Immediately she felt self-conscious. Exposed. Alone. She wanted to flee, and turned back to her escort for comfort. He was now preoccupied with the platter of
saté
offered by the servant to his left. As Wanti's concern grew she was surprised that the young man who had smiled at her had suddenly joined their group.

He was introduced by the American. Wanti immediately noticed the man's confidence and looks of admiration he received from the women nearby. He stood directly in front of Wanti, squeezed her hand gently and inquired, “
Nona cantik ini, siapa namanya?
” Who is this beautiful young lady?

Momentarily, she could not answer, amazed that this foreigner could speak her language. Wanti stared at the handsome darkly tanned Australian, his green eyes smiling at her surprised expression. Her fears immediately vanished. She looked at Stephen, mesmerized, deciding that he was of mixed extraction as he was darker than most of the other foreigners in the room. Or maybe he was one of those Dutch Christian missionaries she had heard about? Whatever he was, one thing was certain — she had never met a
bulé
who could speak her language so fluently. Confidence returning, Wanti responded in her national tongue.

“
My name is Suwanti. Can you really speak Bahasa Indonesia or have you merely memorized a few phrases to flatter the ladies and impress your foreign friends?
”

Coleman laughed at her refreshing directness. He decided to converse in her language so that the other foreigners could not follow the conversation and to keep her at ease.

“
Bukan main galaknya!
” he retaliated, indicating that she was snappish, noticing the instant change of expression.

“
Maaf tuan, kalau perkataan saya menyinggung,
” Wanti apologized for her cutting remark.
“Apakah tuan bisa maafkan saya?”
she requested, soliciting his forgiveness.

“
Sudah dong!
” Stephen replied with genuine sincerity as he took her hand once more and guided her away from the group and her partner.

“
I noticed your concern and decided that you were too pretty to be ignored by your boyfriend
.”

“
Boyfriend? Oh no tuan. He is my English teacher when he is not working at the Embassy
.”

Coleman grinned.

“
Call me Stephen, not tuan. You will make me feel so old with tuan this, tuan that.
”

He led her into the garden where the strong fragrance of jasmine hung heavily in the air. Frangipani flowers decorated the tables while orchid arrangements enhanced the gazebo's setting. Candles flickered in their clay temple-shaped holders as harmonious voices blended perfectly with the Tapanuli guitarists' chords.

 

Stephen realized that he'd been staring at her only when Wanti suddenly smiled, looking directly into his eyes. He couldn't believe how stunningly beautiful she was, dressed in the traditional costume, her hair rolled into a meticulously dressed half bun which rested gently on her lace-covered shoulders.

Wanti's features were classic. Her bright almond eyes were more oval than round, accentuated by high cheekbones providing just a touch of almost regal strength to her face. Stephen had seen many beautiful women in Indonesia and other countries, but never had he been so struck by the beauty of a young woman as
cantik-molek
as this magnificent Javanese creature.

He knew that the other guests would be observing them together in the garden and, although there were many other couples now mingling in the outdoor setting, he became conscious of the other guests' glances in their direction. They made a handsome couple, indeed, he thought.

Wanti sat where he'd indicated while continuing to admire the decorations. Coloured lights placed along the walls spreading high into the tall
beringin
tree created an almost carnival atmosphere and she was now pleased that she had attended the function. They sat together, momentarily silent, absorbing the serenity of the evening setting. A
jongus
replaced Coleman's drink, asking if the
tuan's
health had completely recovered, genuinely interested in this man he obviously admired.

Wanti was surprised with the sincerity she observed between the men. It was not common to see a foreigner behaving so kindly to those they considered below them. She was again impressed with the man's manner. Her interest in the young Australian grew through the evening as she came to notice the respect given to him by many of the other foreigners and the friendly nature he displayed when dealing with her own people.

He talked to Wanti for a while telling her about the function and the people present, stopping only when interrupted by other guests who had also ventured into the garden. She realized that he had a natural ability to put those around him at ease. Wanti suddenly felt comfortable in his company and was reluctant to return to her original escort, although she knew that good manners demanded that she do so.

“
Please excuse me, Stephen. You have been very kind to me but, I should return to talk to my escort. I don't wish to make him angry. You understand?
”

Coleman turned his head and after examining the crowded area inside spotted the American.

“
Wait here, Wanti,
” he asked, “
I'll just be a moment
,” with which he rose, patted her hand softly and walked back through the garden and into the main hall.

When he returned, he was surprised that she looked concerned, almost worried.

“
Was I gone that long?
' he teased, smiling so that she would feel at ease, as before.

“
I must go now, really.
”

“
I don't think it's a good idea
,” he started, “
I have just spoken to your date and he is currently putting the hard word on someone else.
”

“
I don't understand
. ”

“
Wanti, your escort has just arranged to meet with the young lady who is leaning all over him after he has you sent home,
” he lied.

“
That will be all right. I don't mind, he is not my boyfriend and I am grateful that he asked me to come here tonight. I think it has been a wonderful evening,
” she said.

“
Wanti, I have told him that you have agreed to permit me to take you home.
” He looked very serious. “
It is not correct that you should be sent home alone. I hope you don't mind?
”

“
I'm not sure
,” she hesitated, “
should I speak to him first? Was he angry that we have been out here together in the garden? Have I been rude?
”

“
No, Wanti, no
,” Stephen assured her, taking the long fingers of her right hand and squeezing them warmly. “
He was pleased, in fact,
” again he lied.

“I
f you're sure, and if it is not too much trouble. I could go home by becak if necessary but it is so far and late at night, not so safe, as you probably already know
. ”

“
Well, we should not be in a hurry to leave
,” with which he took her by the hand and moved around with Wanti attached to his arm, introducing her to many of the guests. She couldn't remember their names and had given up attempting to do so after the first few. It was so difficult. The names were strange and the accents varied greatly making it almost impossible for her to cope. She realized that in no way she did feel intimidated, holding Stephen's arm as they walked slowly around, he shaking the men's hands, introducing her to them and their ladies while ignoring questions regarding the length of their friendship, or how they had met, while she smiled and occasionally responded with a polite rejoinder.

As the evening progressed she discovered to her surprise that she was really enjoying the party and the guests. They had accepted her as one of them. They had been kind and charming. She looked at Stephen as he finished listening to a story, laughing at its ending as he caught her eye. He grinned and winked at her. Wanti just smiled in response.