Around Us
Chapter 14: Shake up

My mind wanders in no direction. Until a fear hit back when remembering “kemadan” Nining. He said he didn't come to hurt me, he actually put scars on my hands and stomach.

Nining, Yeni Tea, and Mas Bimo, it was hard not to think about them. I traced my WhatsApp contacts on my phone. I was going to ask about Mas Bimo, but my index finger asked me to dance. Then, stop to see the last activity of the Yeni Tea.

However, there is no update on the profile of Teh Yeni. Even the last seen was a week ago, at the hour when we were leaving from RSHS to Nining's house.

I tried calling her, but it just said “call” instead of “berding”. WhatsApp is inactive. I tried to contact him with a regular call, the answer was precisely from the mobile operator who told him if the intended number was not active.

Is Yeni Tea okay? Even though I was still upset with him, but I was worried about him too. Moreover I left it without knowing who was the winner in that fight and what happened after that.

My curiosity was stirring me towards the FISIP Building. I want to make sure of Yeni Tea.

I turned around from parks, canteens, sports fields, halls, classrooms, and places that students used to do outside the classroom. Apes, I can't find her whereabouts.

It was only after I got tired of looking, that I tried asking someone.

“Sorry Brother, know Tea Yeni?” I asked the student who was walking towards me.

“Yeni?” He thought for a moment. “Child HI (International Relations) 2012?”

“Emmm I forgot what year of Tea Yeni. “Emmm... He is the same class as Mas Bimo, Bimo Setiadji.”

“Oh, true means Yeni HI 2012,” concludes.

It seems that in FISIP there are many names of Yeni.

“So don't see him today?”

“Ngot look. Only if his friends are on the basketball court.”

I came from there, but did not see them. Maybe it's because I'm more focused on finding Yeni Tea. “Good, Brother. Thanks for the info, Kak.”

“Sama-sama.”

Without thinking long I headed straight for the location. Even though I only met once, I still remember the faces of two friends of Teh Yeni.

From across the basketball court, they seemed to be chatting with a drink in each hand. I was suddenly worried, because I did not see Teh Yeni with them.

I'll get close to them soon. But when I was about to say hello, I heard them mention Mas Bimo's name first. I decided to eavesdrop. I know it's an act of disrespect, but there might be information I can obtain.

“Uyuhan (still mending) the Bimo tea used to want to be with him yes,” unload long-haired Tea Yeni friends with satire.

“Heem, prettier oge oge si Yeni mah,” added his shoulder-haired friend.

Is this a girl's friendship? When they were together, they were so familiar and warm, but behind each other sneered. Ah, it's none of my business. My goal is not to judge or listen to gossip.

However, I gasped at the next sentence that the long-haired Teteh said.

“Jiga na si Bimo bogoh ka menehna due to dipelet deh (like the Bimo likes to him because of dipelet).”

“Feeling urang geh kitu (i think so too).”

“Enya. Lagian saha deui nu hold jeung si Yeni. Lamen in hareupeun jelema new weh sweet pisan, whereas genuine na mah siga thugs market (Yes. After all, who could stand Yeni. If in front of a new friend is very sweet, whereas the original is like a thug of the market.”

“I oge actually already males same her tea.”

“Sarua urang. Where mun again want something, kudu weh ordered. (Just like me too. Especially when you want something, must be followed.”

They are completely unaware of my existence. “Ehem. *P*unten, Tea.”

Their faces turned tense. “Eh, there is Arya”, they said together.

“Sorry to disturb, Tea.” I was confused looking for a sentence that could be put forward without them suspecting. “Teh Yeni where are ya?”

“Ndon't know. He did not menggampus today (to campus) tuh,” replied the woman with shoulder-length hair.

I still need an explanation. “Only today, Tea?”

“Sini or sit first,” invite the Long Hair Tete. “You want a drink? Looks tired.”

I subtly refuse, “No, Tea. Thank you!” I felt uncomfortable after knowing they were vilifying their own friends.

“But we haven't met you yet. I know your name. But my name isn't in your heart yet, is it?! Me, Jihan.” He held out his hand to shake hands. I can't help but to repay him either.

“I, Puput.”

The long-haired woman was named Jihan, while the short-haired one was named Puput.

“Ngapain Yes You nanyain Yeni?” Jihan Tea asked back.

“Eeemm…. I just want to know the news. She was contacted by an inactive number. But thank God, if he's all right.”

Strange, their expressions seemed to be indifferent.

“Our hope is also so,” teapot Puput.

“Meanwhile, Tea?”

“We also this week did not see him,” bright Jihan Tea.

“Hah?” I think his words today are literal. “Tea is there to his house or try to contact him?”

Tea Puput throwing satire, “Ngapain, Yes. Mostly he is also again on vacation or again happy.”

Jehan Tea looked at me suspiciously.“You seem to be very worried about her, Yes.”

“Oh... Em…. If so, thank you Tea info. I say goodbye first.” There was no other way but to avoid being interrogated by them.

The friendship problems of the three of them are not as exciting and not as compact as I thought, let it be their privacy. It's not a territory I can just mix with, though,

My stomach was hungry and my legs were shaking. I was so focused on thinking about other people that I forgot to think about my energy intake.

Finally, I decided to eat at a fast food restaurant located across from the campus. After my strength is full, I will find out again the condition of Yeni Tea.

Ah, crap! I forgot to ask Teh Yeni's home address to the two friends. I was late thinking about that.

On my dark side, I was so afraid that Teh Yeni was still left behind in Nining's house. Am I trying to go to Nining's house? But maybe true said two friends, if Tea Yeni is only quality or me time, spend time to please yourself.

I care about him, because there are sinful feelings. He drove me to Nining's house, but I left him on fire in disappointment.

I checked the time on the phone. Then came the name Mas Bimo. Yes, I tried to ask Mas Bimo the address of the Yeni Tea house.

Afternoon, Mas! What's his condition now? I'm sorry, may I have an address for Teh Yeni's house. Fill my chat to Mas Bimo.

He responded by calling.

“Halo, Yes. What are you doing Yeni's house for?” He immediately asked a question. The words that crossed sounded unusual. Yes, not a curious tone, but there is anger that runs through.

“I..i...ini, Mas. I need to be important with him. Coincidentally he could not be contacted and I was looking at the campus also did not meet”, I explained a little laid out. I'm feeling nervous.

“What are the important requirements, Yes?” The melody flowing from Mas Bimo showed his dislike if I was close to the Yeni Tea.

From the beginning my intention was not to approach Teh Yeni. “Mas, sorry if Mas Bimo might not like me close to Yeni Tea. But I...” Ah, I can't be honest with him about what I mean.

I cut him the sentence, “Mas Bimo has misunderstood. This has nothing to do with what Mas Bimo imagined.”

“Oke, I get it. But I can't give you the address Yeni,”.

I can no longer maneuver. There was no room I could use to beg what else to look for a potion of seduction words.

“Ya, Mas. Thank you!”

“Bent, Yes!” sound softened. “You're going to my place?”

“Sorry, Mas . I can't decide yet.”

“Why, Yes?”

My brain is too full to think about it. “Mas, I pray Dzuhur first yes. Assalamualaikum.”

He hung up the phone without returning my greetings.

Everything gets complicated. I was confused to map out the events I was facing. It seems, I should compile it based on the priority scale.

After the Dzuhur prayer, I decided to go to the Nining residence. That was the only last clue to my mind.

Arriving at the bamboo bridge towards Nining's house, the sky changed rapidly. Bright clouds became cloudy and heavy rain fell.

I took shelter in Nining's house while observing every corner of her house. Dingy. It's just the gloom I feel from his house.

The kreeek!!! The sound of a wooden door opening. I turned around. I waited a moment to find out who opened it. But no one came out. Is that a signal that someone told me to come in?

My intention was only to inspect the outside of the house, but nature seemed to ask me to recognize the conditions inside Nining's house. I also entered with a standby step.

When I entered, I was confronted with the living room. There is a sofa lined up to form the letter L. Then, I explore the middle or core. There is a family room decorated with television. To his left are 2 rooms.

I was curious to see the back of the kitchen and the bathroom. However, I heard the sound of objects from the wood being pushed and pulled back. It sounded like the sound produced from a swiped chair or table.

In my heart said an apology, because I presumptuously want to check every room in Nining's house. One by one the rooms were opened starting from the position of the room attached to the living room.

I felt a warm atmosphere when I entered the room. Utopia or mirage. I saw the figure of a little boy who was spoiled with his father and mother.

“Mama, Father, later if I rank 1 we go to the zoo, continue to buy big Hello Kitty dolls so I have friends to sleep,” said a girl. His voice sounded spoiled and innocent.

“Iya, Neng (or Eneng, call for girls)! Anyway mah later we walk to the city all day jeung (and) as much,” reply his father approves, while his mother only hugs the child. Harmonious family portrait.

My view – then – is fixed to the bed. There was a doll as big as a shabby adult human. That's right, it's her Hello Kitty doll, but it looks so creepy; it's dirty and ripped on some sides.

The shadow of the little family disappeared as I tried to reach for the doll. What was the life of Nining and his family in the past? His childhood seemed full of love.

I was curious to hold the doll, but the sound from the side room surprised me. I heard two people fighting.

“Meetings Father tea find work. Da si Eneng tea is getting bigger and more needs. School fees, hold tuition fees,” said a middle-aged woman with a half-snaps intonation.

“Father less kumaha (what else)? You've worked here for Si Neng, for Mama, for the family. Mama tea should also help the family economy, help the needs of Si Eneng,” martial man who is the husband of the woman.

“So, mama take a job offer in Saudi? Terrace Neng saha nu ngajaga (who keeps the Neng)? Continue you want at home so leha-leha while waiting for transfer from Mama? I want my mother to work far away, while my father in the village will mengapel widows. That (so)?!” his voice is rising.

“Naha ai mama suudzon wae ka father (why does mama prejudice directly to the father)?”

I'll see her soon. I opened the door. Looks real two people who are the same as in the previous room.

They stopped arguing and welcomed me. A sharp eye shot me straight away. I'm sure they're Nining's parents, and I'm sure they're not real, but they're not holograms. I immediately closed the room.

“Back!” There was a whisper of a man telling him to go home. His voice was not foreign, I had heard it many times. I was scared, but my curiosity was much bigger.

The atmosphere was suddenly more dense, like at night with a black sky without stars and a moon dancing in the sky. The rain still did not subside, adding a haunted impression in the house.

I can't be daunted until my asak is reached. I walked towards the back door of Nining's house. I hope I don't find Yeni Tea there. Fear and hope fight in the heart.

Praaaa!!! The sound of plates falling. I'm surprised I'm not playing. I'm trying to get the light switch down. But there is no change. Either the power failure or someone deliberately held it.

I'll get my phone. I tried to turn on the flashlight and walk towards the kitchen. There was no scattering at all. It's strange!

Then, there was a sobbing sound. The source is from the bathroom. My mind had guessed it was Yeni Tea. I made sure to open the bathroom door. Apparently, empty. There's no one.

Panic struck as my feet and hands felt the heat, followed by a rumbling sound from behind Nining's house. Banana trees sounding against each other.

“Back!” The whisper that told me to go home echoed again in my ear. This time, he scolded me.

Nining's house became much more gripping. There were a lot of residents coming. They gave me danger signs, not just to throw me out.

I ran in the rain. Before crossing the bamboo bridge, I tried to catch my breath first. Bamboo has slippery properties, especially if coated with water. I have to pay attention to every footing that is swung.

I felt very careful, but I slipped. My feet touched the rushing river water. I survived with the rest of my strength, clutching the prophesied part of the bridge rope from nylon.

The stitches in my stomach have not recovered, and it feels sore again. I keep thinking optimistically. I can get to the edge of the bridge.

However, both my legs became cramped. I had trouble raising my body to the bridge. I also resigned.

Apparently, God gave me help. There was a father who helped me when I felt that the only hope I had left was to fight in the water.

Apparently he happened to pass by after work. At first, he thought I wasn't real. But after being looked at more closely, he was sure I was human. He took me to his house for further assistance.

I spent the night at the father's house. He won't let me go home. I know my condition is weak. However, I don't actually want to trouble anyone either.

“Udah, Aa nginep just here. Tomorrow just go home,” said kindly the father of the house owner.

“Thank you very much, Mom. Sorry, I'm so troublesome.”

“Nothing, A. My fellow man should help,” his smile. “But the Aa tea ran out of the house huh? Why?” The mother's expression turned horrified when she asked the question sentence.

“From my friend, Bu.”

“Si Nining?” the amazement while.

“Not.”

“There was nobody else but Nining, A,” chirped the mother's husband. “Terus the Niningnya also right again in RSJ. He said he went to town and attacked someone at the back boarding of his campus with Kujang,”.

“Truly, Sir? New mom knows this.”

They don't know if I'm the one Nining attacked. I don't have to reveal it either. Let me hear their conversation about Nining. Perhaps a mystery will be revealed perfectly.

“Take away, Mom. The Father's time is a lie. There will be from the police and RSJ representatives to the house of Mr. RT. Only Mr. RT said do not let the people know. Shame he said Mr. RT tea,” he explained.

“Huh, since mom and dad go tea si Nining mah make lah wae. So he ran away from here for days, apparently wandering into the city. Mah's mother is still not finished thinking, naha (why) be the killer of Nining tea? Though his son is known to be smart in school and always the class champion,” Jabar the mother who makes me not calm.

“Husss... Mother...” Her husband gave the code by attaching an index finger to the mouth.

“Killer?” tanyaku.

What does the mother mean leads to the condition of Yeni Tea? I thought about going back to Nining's house. My investigation there is not finished. I had to redesign the appropriate time so as not to be disturbed by them.