Ulysses - Chapter 12
Ulysses - Bab 12
Evening fell on Sandymount Strand as Bloom sat on the rocks, watching young women play on the beach. Gerty MacDowell, a pretty girl with a slight limp, caught his attention. She was aware of his gaze and responded to it, creating an unspoken connection between them.
Senja turun di pantai Sandymount saat Bloom duduk di atas batu, memperhatikan gadis-gadis bermain di pasir. Gerty MacDowell, gadis muda cantik dengan sedikit pincang, menarik perhatiannya. Dia menyadari tatapan Bloom dan membalasnya, menciptakan hubungan tanpa kata di antara mereka.
Gerty posed and preened, showing off her figure while pretending not to notice Bloom's interest. She dreamed of romance, of a handsome man who would sweep her off her feet. In her imagination, Bloom became that romantic figure, mysterious and sophisticated.
Gerty berpose dan merapikan pakaian, memamerkan diri, berpura-pura tidak memperhatikan perhatian Bloom. Dia memimpikan romansa, pangeran tampan yang akan membawanya pergi. Dalam imajinasinya, Bloom menjadi sosok romantis itu, pria misterius dan kompleks.
Fireworks exploded in the sky, celebrating a church festival. The colored lights reflected off the water, creating a magical atmosphere. Gerty leaned back, allowing Bloom a glimpse of her legs, and felt a thrill of power at his obvious excitement.
Kembang api festival meledak di langit, cahaya memantul di air, menciptakan suasana magis. Gerty bersandar, membiarkan Bloom melihat sekilas kakinya, merasa senang dengan kekuatan dari gairahnya.
Bloom watched her with growing arousal, his earlier pain and humiliation forgotten in this moment of voyeuristic pleasure. He didn't need to speak to her, didn't need actual contact. This distant, visual connection was enough.
Bloom memperhatikan dengan keinginan yang memuncak. Rasa sakit dan penghinaan sebelumnya terlupakan dalam momen kesenangan voyeuristik ini. Tidak perlu berbicara dengannya atau menyentuhnya secara nyata. Hubungan visual yang berjarak ini sudah cukup.
As the fireworks reached their climax, so did Bloom's excitement. The moment passed, leaving him feeling both satisfied and ashamed. Gerty stood and walked away with her friends, her limp now visible. Bloom realized she was lame, and felt a pang of sympathy mixed with his fading desire.
Saat kembang api mencapai klimaks, kegembiraan Bloom juga memuncak. Momen itu berlalu, dan dia merasakan campuran kepuasan dan rasa malu. Gerty bangkit untuk pergi bersama teman-temannya, dan jelas bahwa dia pincang. Bloom menyadari kecacatannya dan merasakan kepedihan karena kasihan, bercampur dengan keinginan yang memudar.
Alone on the beach, Bloom reflected on desire and loneliness, on the human need for connection however fleeting. He thought of Molly, of their lost intimacy, of how they had drifted apart over the years.
Sendirian di pantai, Bloom berpikir tentang keinginan dan kesepian. Kebutuhan manusia akan hubungan, betapapun sementaranya. Dia memikirkan Molly, keintiman yang hilang, dan bagaimana mereka telah menjauh selama bertahun-tahun.
The tide was coming in, erasing footprints in the sand. Soon all evidence of this evening would be gone, washed away by the eternal sea.
Air pasang naik, menghapus jejak kaki di pasir. Segera semua bukti malam ini akan tersapu oleh laut yang abadi.