Chapter 14: Practice Problems

Monday – School Hall

The Pantun competition was in three days, and I was already regretting my life choices.

Nad and I had been given permission to skip the last period for practice. The hall was mostly empty except for a few other teams rehearsing.

I took a deep breath. "Alright, let's try it from the top."

Nad nodded. She adjusted her posture, looking completely calm. Meanwhile, my palms were sweating.

She started, her voice steady and clear.

"Sarang merbah di celah dahan,

Tempat punai bermain di situ,

Berkejar-kejaran anak rusa,

Tampak dari tanah seberang,

Bersyukur aku kepada Tuhan,

Kalau nasib memang begitu,

Akan merana sepanjang masa,

Harap pada kasihan orang."

She made it sound effortless.

Now it was my turn. I took a deep breath and tried to match her confidence.

"Bagus rupanya bunga melur,

Putih rupanya bunga pinang,

Berukir bertangkai perak,

Permainan raja perempuan,

Cawan, cerek sudah teratur,

Pinggan, mangkuk sudah terhidang,

Penganan mulia sudah terletak,

Samalah duduk kita makan."

Silence.

Nad tilted her head. "Not bad."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Really?"

She nodded. "Your flow was a little off in the middle, but your pronunciation was good."

I sighed. "That's probably the best I can do."

She shook her head. "No, you can do better."

I groaned. "You sound like a motivational poster."

She laughed. "Come on, one more time."

And so we practiced again. And again. And again.

Each time, I got a little better. I started to feel the rhythm, the flow of the words.

By the time we finished, Nad gave me an approving nod.

"You're ready."

I wasn't sure if I agreed. But at least, for the first time, I wasn't completely terrified.

—Mana, Feb 2017