Asking For Her Hand: Part 3 - A Long Morning

February 19, 2006. Bear woke up to the call for prayer. It was the alarm clock in the room that performed the Adzan that woke Bear up. Bear got out of the room to perform the subuh prayer with Papa and Mama Lion but they were not there. Bear messaged Little Lion and she believed that Bear was too late. Bear didn't go back to sleep like Bear used to do at home but sat around the porch. Bear remembered that Little Lion once said Papa Lion would not let her sleep after the prayer. It was still a long wait before Little Lion would arrive in Dumai. Bear missed Little Lion very much that morning, just like any other morning without Little Lion around.



Soon Mama Lion called Bear in to have some tea with Papa Lion. Papa Lion had already toasted some breads for Bear. Bear knew that the next attempt to talk about Little Lion would be later so Bear just enjoyed the morning tea with some toasted breads topped with margerine. Papa Lion had a golf tournament that morning. So, after tea Papa Lion asked Bear to follow him along with Ranto who would be dropping him at the golf course. Bear did not have time to shower and jumped into the panther with Papa Lion and Ranto. Luckily Bear still smelled good!





An alien in Dumai





After dropping Papa Lion at the golf course, Ranto took Bear around the Pertamina complex at the Bukit Datuk (Tucin). That morning, Bear was shown the house where Little Lion used to stay, her schools as well as the supposed to be the longest rows of volleyball courts in Asia... or was it the world... Bear was not sure. Then, we went off to town where Ranto bought some Soto Medan for a second round of breakfast for Bear and the rest at home.



The Soto Medan great. Soon after that Bear thought of taking a shower but before Bear could do that, Mama Lion had asked Bear to follow her to the wet market in town. Bear used to go to the market with Mama Bear whenever Bear went back to his hometown. Therefore, Bear did not feel awkward and happily agreed to go. When we got there, Mama Lion Asked Bear to wait in the panther with Ranto. How could Bear resist a market in a foreign land? Bear got down from the panther followed by the surprised Ranto, who was supposed to ensure the safety of Bear.



Bear saw Mama Lion walking fast cutting through the morning crowd and Bear followed on with Ranto trailing not far behind. Finally Bear saw Mama Lion stopped at one of the stalls and Bear sneaked to her left. The seller looked at Bear and spontaneously, Mama Bear turned her head to the same direction. She was shocked to see Bear standing there... So, in the end, Ranto and Bear followed Mama Lion shopping at the market.



After coming back from the market, Bear thought of taking the shower again. But then, Om Dodi walked out of his room and Bear joined him at the dining table, accompanying him to eat his Soto Medan. Then Om Dodi asked Bear whether Bear wanted to follow him to town for some Dumai coffee. Bear said yes and scrapped the idea of taking a shower.



The coffee shop reminded Bear of his own childhood where Mama Bear used to run a restaurant back then. The type of cup and saucer used there was exactly what Mama Bear used to have during those old days. Om Dodi was supposed to meet his friend there and while waiting Om Dodi suggested that we have some Mee Pangsit (some kind of soupy noodles) so that Bear would know what it is. So, we ordered a half serving each and it was not bad at all. After finishing the noodles, Bear's tummy was filled to the brim. After meeting Om Dodi's friend, we went home.



At that time, Little Lion, who was still in Jakarta, was busy protesting about Bear who had not taken his shower yet. Lucky for Bear. If Little Lion were here, she would have given Bear some bites. That would be fun!



Since there was nothing much going on, Bear finally took his shower.



Lunch time came and Bear was getting more and more excited about the arrival of Little Lion. Mama Bear cooked lunch and Bear loved her cooking especially the Ikan Danau (some kind of small fish that were deep fried with green chillies) dish. Bear love fish and so Bear filled his tummy to the brim again.



1:45 pm, Mama Lion, Ranto and Bear went to the airport to pick Little Lion up. Mama Lion knew a lot of people at the airport and Bear just sat quietly beside her. Then came the announcement that Little Lion's flight was delayed. Ranto went off to pick Papa Lion from the golf course and Bear stayed at the airport, chatting away with Mama Lion.



Finally, at 3:00+ pm the plane landed.





Part 4 - A New Chapter

Part 2 - An Evening In Dumai