Around Us
Chapter 11: The Laknat

Mas Bimo asked me to be present during his thesis hearing. Unfortunately, I couldn't miss class because of the presentation turn. However, I promised to see him soon after I finished my course work.

When I arrived at the FISIP courtroom, Mas Bimo walked out of the room with a happy face. Seen, he was greeted by the women with great fanfare. They may be friends and hardline fans of Mas Bimo. I noticed that there were a lot of gifts in his hands. He was, in fact, overwhelmed to embrace the gifts received.

I'm approaching soon. I see that Mas Bimo is nearing recovery.

“Halo, Mom! Sorry, I just finished class,” my broom that made the noise stop suddenly.

The girls who were around Mas Bimo were looking at me rather cynically. Maybe they were annoyed, because I came and broke their celebration moment. Right, Mas Bimo is like a celebrity in his faculty.

“Nothing, Yes. We go home now yuk!” invite smile.

Seeing the hassles, I also tried to offer help, “Sini, I help, Mas.”

The gifts that Mas Bimo received were mostly chocolate. There are also cakes such as cheesecake and dessert box, even tucked some flower stalks. Looks exciting! However, I saw that he was not too comfortable with the gifts and hysteria.

Mas Bimo thanked and thanked his fans. He never told me if he was popular.

I tried to throw a joke. “Mas Bimo fanbase name what?”

“Do not sneak, Yes!”

We laughed too. May Mas Bimo be cheerful again as before, climbing me up in prayer.

When we came out of the FISIP Building, we heard someone shouting our names. “Arya! Bimo!”

We stopped and glanced at the source of the sound.

Mas Bimo answered with a question sentence. “What did Yen call us?”

“Actually I called Arya anyway, but since there is you, yes I called you too. Fear you are jealous,” god followed by a crisp laugh.

“Why do you call Arya? We again want to go home,” explained Mas Bimo.

“Iya deh, I also know you want to go home, o mister (master) our only force that has been declared passed 3.5 years,” kelakar Teh Yeni.

“Yen, I asked, what do you need for Arya?” Mas Bimo did not respond to the Yeni Tea.

Seeing Mas Bimo's face turning serious, Teh Yeni explained his point. “Arya this morning chat ngajak I met. He said someone wanted to talk to me. Aye, Yes?”

I bawled for a moment. Lothawat! I should've taken him with me. Hah, I didn't anticipate that I would face a situation like this. “Emmm.. Yes.”

“You chat about what, Yes?” ask Mas Bimo to know.

I became a little too busy looking for the right sentence to describe. I can't possibly tell Bimo the real reason for me to take Teh Yeni to meet. “Emmm... That... What...” I tried to throw the code by looking at Teh Yeni. I need his help.

Fortunately, Teh Yeni understood. “Udah the Bim, don't kepo! It's both of our business. Save it first just a gift from your fans before adding a lot,” us relaxed.

Mas Bimo looked at me.  Before he gave any further questions, it was better that we leave immediately. “Teh, I anter Mas Bimo go home first yes!”

“OK, Yes. I'll wait in the park, yeah.”

I nodded. But, just a step, Mas Bimo gave a speech. “Yen, Arya this is still plain. He was like my own brother,” he said, warning.

“What the hell, Bim?” Yeni Tea put on a confused look. However, it turns out that he is quite responsive looking for ammunition. “Huge jealousy is you. We have nothing. Then Arya will not me anything. We just want to talk about PSM (Student Voice). Do you know who I am on PSM? Seniors who are able to advance and scent our campus choir,” the pretext.

Mas Bimo's eyes twitched in disbelief. Though I hope the conversation ends until the sentence Teh Yeni. “Iya, right, choir. I want to join the SME,” added me. I don't really want to tell lies.

“Emang you like to sing, Yes?” Mas Bimo tried to confirm. “I don't think I've heard you sing.”

“That's exactly it, Mas. A...me...wanted to learn to sing too,”. I understand he's not easy to lie to. “We go home, Mas! Discuss it later on.” If not this way, he would continue to cast suspicion.

Mas Bimo looked helpless as I pulled him home. He resigned, though his face doused dissatisfaction over the perfectly unanswered curiosity. Let it! After all, I did all of this for his good as well.

“We first yes, Tea!”

“OK. See you, Arya!” reply by waving your hand.

Arriving at the boarding house, Mas Bimo put on a sour face. “Yes, I know you don't want to talk about the choir, right?”

Again, I didn't mean to lie to him, but I couldn't add sin to my mind. Honesty is calming. However, it must also be delivered at the right time. Mas Bimo's condition is not stable. He should not be crammed with things that make his brain work extra hard.

I'm trying to switch topics, “Oh yes, Mas Bimo would like to have lunch the same? Let me order now ya.”

“Samely with you,”.

“Sorry, Mom.… Um…. Tea Yeni just chat ngajak me all lunch too,” my light. I was a little careful about delivering it.

“Oh!” Drawing a sense of annoyance on his face. “Let me order by myself!”

“Don't forget the medicine is taken as well huh, Mas!”

“Iya,” response is short.

“One more, Mas. All these foods no one Mas Bimo eats first yes!” Point me at the gift that Mas Bimo received. “If Mas deign, share to other friends much better. But if there is something from the food that you want, tell me yes. Later I try to find it at the stall or minimarket.”

“Iya.”

“I'm leaving now yes, Mas. I'm going to the library to meet my friends for a group discussion. After that, I just met Teh Yeni,”.

“Iya,” the response again with one word.

“Mas...” I undo my intentions, he may take some time to blur his emotions. “Let me know if Mas Bimo needs anything huh.”

He just nodded. It even feels weird. He turned his face away from my eyes. What's pissing him off? Jealous I want to meet Teh Yeni? I'm hard to guess what's on his mind.

I left Mas Bimo who was still cold to me. The attitude shown changed 180 degrees in an instant. Never mind, I should be able to understand him.

After the discussion of group assignments, I rushed to meet Teh Yeni in the cafeteria. I see, the canteen is so full. Yes, because it coincides with lunch hour. I hesitated to talk in a crowded place.

I sat opposite Teh Yeni. Two servings of Rice Padang with Chicken Pop side dish served on the table in front of us.

“You like Rice Field, right?” tanyakanya.

“Like, Tea.”

“Sorry yes, I did not ask first what you want to eat, afraid of long queues because.”

“Nothing, Tea.”

I need to speed up our conversation. I can't leave Mas Bimo for too long. My feelings are not good.

“Teh, I actually want to connect the chat yesterday.”

“Mango (please)!”

I watched around and smoothed my voice, “There was no Tea in class or in the social environment or among friends Mas Bimo who did not seem to like him.”

“Bentar..” He is trying to identify. “After I tried to remember from last night, I think there was one person. Him it...”

My phone's beeping. The conversation stopped. I asked permission to answer the phone call. “I answered the phone first yes, Teh.”

“Iya, Yes.”

The name Dani called. “Halo, And.”

When I put the phone on the earlobe, he immediately greeted with a voice that was so panicked. “Ya... Quickly go home! Mas Bimo Yes.. Mas Bimo.

“Why, Dan?” I was also panicked.

“He vomited blood, Yes. Quickly go home yes, Yes!” his voice was terrified.

I got up from the chair immediately. I need to hurry back to the hostel.

“What's up, Yes?” ask Teh Yeni after I put the phone in the shirt pocket.

“I'm back now yes, Tea. Mas Bimo said he vomited blood,” I replied by trying to stay calm.

We ran to get to the boarding house soon. Though the condition of Mas Bimo in the morning is better. There must be something he broke.

Arrived in my room. Mas Bimo was lying weakly covered in blood.

“What is this, Dan?” I can't hide my anxiety.

”I don't know, Yes. But after eating this cake, he immediately vomited and came out blood.” Dani took the cake in question with a shaking hand.

“And, I told you that Mas Bimo should not eat food that is not from us first.” Spontaneous I was provoked by anger.

“Ya... I also just got home. When I saw Mas Bimo it was like this.” Dani is panicking. “She said her throat was sore and hot after eating this cake.”

Yeni tea tries to mediate the tension. “Udah.. You guys calm down! I'll book a taxi online first. We'll get Bimo to the hospital as soon as possible.”

I threw the cheesecake. “Who loves this?”

“Ya, relax first yes!” said Teh Yeni.

“I can't calm down, Tea. This guy is really bad with Mas Bimo.” My emotions are exploding. However, I soon came to my senses and said Istigfar to relieve the heat in my heart.

“Shortly! You mean the guy who loves this cheesecake?”

“Teteh know the person?” I was expecting information.

“Iya. I saw the man give the cake to Bimo when Bimo came out of the courtroom. He's our classmate as well, his name is Nining,” he explained.

I asked for affirmation. “Teteh sure?”

“Iya. I think you've met him too. This is the guy.” Teh Yeni showed a photo of a woman named Nining on her phone.

Dani was surprised to see the woman's face “Nah, here it is Yes. He who was here yesterday brought a cake for Mas Bimo.”

So, she's the girl I greeted at the FISIP park that I thought was Tea Yeni. Ever since I first saw her, I've felt something was wrong with her.

“Ya..” Mas Bimo calling while pulling my right hand. “I'm fine, kok.” His voice clearly sounded in pain.

“Ya, his online taxi is waiting below,” Teh Yeni bright. “Come!”

While Mas Bimo seemed resigned to nod his head while closing his eyes.

We took Mas Bimo to RSHS. Although Mas Bimo's illness had indications of magic, he also needed medical treatment.

From the ER, Mas Bimo was transferred to the inpatient room. Doctors at the ER explained if Mas Bimo was diagnosed with pneunomia so that intensive care needs to be done in the hospital.

We are dissolved in haru. Praying for healing for Mas Bimo and so that he is spared from the supernatural things that hurt him.

The day is dark too. Yeni Tea was apparently familiar with Mas Bimo's parents. He decided to inform both of Mas Bimo's parents. They also said they would come to Bandung tomorrow morning.

Mas Bimo was lying limp on top of the hospital bed. I can't bear to see his condition.

Mas Bimo's pain can be explained medically. However, still if there are still people who send usages to him, he can fall again at any time. That's what I'm so worried about. If he was attacked continuously, it would be very able to trigger his immunity down. Furthermore, other diseases are easily infiltrated into the body.

Yeni tea poked my shoulder. “Yes, I want to talk to you for a moment.”

“We chat outside yes, Teh.”

He's approving. “Oke.”

I also asked Dani to look after Mas Bimo for a while, as long as Me and Teh Yeni chatted in the patient waiting room.

“Yes, what's with Bimo? You're honest with me,” asked without a fuss.

Hem! Yeni tea had already revealed the identity of the person who sent the cake to Mas Bimo. Yes, the alleged perpetrator who attacked Mas Bimo with the use of it began to unfold. I can't be tangled with him anymore.

I try to explain slowly. “I see if Mas Bimo hurts from people who do not like him.”

“Means he was used?” He tried to digest every word from me.

“I would consider it natural if Teteh did not believe me. But the cake that that person sent to Mas Bimo, today and yesterday, it contained something mystical.”

“To be honest,“ Tea Yeni set the breath, “I was also very surprised to see the condition of Bimo who vomited blood like that. As far as I know, he has no history or symptoms of pneumonia.”

We were all flabbergasted to witness what happened to Mas Bimo. However, I have to go to the woman first. “Oh yes, Teteh know where Nining lives?”

“Tahu.”

“Can I record the address, Teh?”

“You want to go there now?”

“Iya,” I reply sure.

“I'll come, Yes,” the door.

“Oke.”

I sent a message to Dani that we had a need and I went back to the boarding house for a while to pick up Mas Bimo's clothes.

Time shows at 21:13. According to Teh Yeni, Nining's residence is quite remote. It can only be reached by two-wheeled vehicles. We also use an online motorcycle taxi to arrive at a village on the border of Bandung City and Regency.

The village seemed to be dying. The lighting in every house seems sober. The distance between one house to another is quite far apart. Until you arrive at the house located in sebrang kali. We were very careful, because the bridge to pass the river is made of bamboo. Plus it's pretty dark.

Nining's house looked simple, yet a gloomy aura was already felt from a distance. In the house there are only yellow lights that light up in front and inside the house. The atmosphere is very unfriendly.

Tea Yeni repeatedly knocked on the door and said her greetings, but there was no answer. Though Teh Yeni believes Nining is inside the house. According to the story, Nining lived alone. Her mother worked as a TKW (Women Labor) in Saudi Arabia, and her father worked in Kalimantan.

There was no response from the residents of the house, I then checked the back of the house. I heard a faint voice. I walked over and asked Teh Yeni to be alert.

The back of Nining's house was shrouded in a dense banana tree. I tried to pay attention to the conditions around him first.

Justright. A woman stood holding her hands together and closed her eyes. His mouth was chanting a spell. Various fragrances run down the nose. The aroma of jasmine, canning, and incense that was burned thickly smelled. It's a shame Nining didn't hear our voices. Apparently he focused on performing the curse ritual.

I immediately ran and kicked the incense along with the offerings that were in front of his feet. He opened his eyes and was very surprised. “Who are you?”

I saw under the incense there was a piece of paper. I took it right away. Apparently, it's a photo of Mas Bimo.

“Nining!!!” A plaaakkk! I can't believe that Teh Yeni just slapped the woman. “You're outrageous!”

“What do you mean?” Nining's face instantly smoldering. “Just get into people's homes!”

“Then what are you doing?” I showed Mas Bimo's picture to his face.

He looked at me full of anger. I'm not afraid in the least. I returned to show a fiery look of face while waiting for an explanation from him.

All of a sudden, the wind blew quite fiercely around the banana tree area. Then, it seemed that someone was flying quickly. My attention's distracted.

Nining tried to escape by entering her house. Fortunately, Teh Yeni was deft and able to repel Nining's movements. He also managed to lock the movements of the cruel woman.

Yeni Tea becomes frizzy, “Where are you going Nining?”

“Leasin! Otherwise, I will shout at you as a thief for the citizens to come and beat you mercilessly,” threatened full of anger.

However, I did not tremble in the least. It was just an empty bluff. I replied by challenging him, “Please! Once the citizens come, they will also know that you are a devotee of black magic.”

“Do not accuse you!” he said while spitting at me. Fortunately, I can avoid it.

“This what?” I asked him to look at his ritual device that I had been ruffled.

“I didn't expect you, Ning!” timpal Yeni Tea.

Nining laughs, “Hahahaha..” He seems to mock us.

I can't wait for him to explain.