Around Us
Chapter 18: Affinity

Along the way in the car, I chose to be quiet. There wasn't much conversation between me and Dani. He didn't say much as if he understood that I wanted to save energy and words.

For 13 hours in the train, until also at Malang Station. Departing in the afternoon around 5, until the destination at 06:30. It is exhausting enough, thrilling enough, and close enough to gain inner calm.

“Yes, Mas Bimo is on the way pick us up here. Just now he was my WA,” said Dani.

I am afraid to hear the news. “Dan, tell Mas Bimo that he doesn't have to pick us up here. We will also find lodging in the city center.”

“But, Yes...” Dani refused.

“I don't want to feel indebted to Mas Bimo. You know what my goal is here?”

“Iya, Yes. Just I hope you don't get carried away by emotions,”.

“You don't need to worry, Dan”.

We rushed to the city center to look for lodging so that we could get some rest. I asked Dani to arrange a meeting with Mas Bimo in the afternoon after Ashar. I don't want to rush. The mind and body must be primed to be able to control emotions when dealing with Mas Bimo.

At first, I didn't want to get too deep into the triangle between Mas Bimo, Nining, and Yeni Tea. Unfortunately, my life became unsettled as I tried to dodge. Why should I act like a hero? What is really going on inside me? The question continued to follow my shadow. I will try my best, and accept that this is all part of the life line that I have to live.

We rented a room with two beds (twin bed) in the city center. For boarding children like us that is important there is a place to spend the night is enough, do not have to sleep in a hotel or luxury place.

We were lucky, the inn owner allowed us to enter the room directly without an early check-in fee which is usually charged to guests who come to stay overnight in the morning or before 12 pm. In fact, he gave us a breakfast package as well.

After eating breakfast, Dani paid to buy drinking water and snacks at the minimarket opposite the inn. But there was something strange about him. He kept looking at his phone screen and trying to get away from me.

Not wanting to dissolve in suspicion, I decided to clean my body first while managing my thoughts and stringing words to ask for an explanation from Mas Bimo. Then, sleep to stretch the muscles. The time is still quite long.

As he was about to slip a pillow over his head, someone knocked on the door. Dani's? Feels not. He can open the door or call me. Or maybe it was the owner of the inn? Ah, instead of guessing, I made sure by opening the door.

It turned out to be Mas Bimo. My suspicions are correct, Dani conspired with Mas Bimo. Huh! Meeting too soon. My brain isn't 100 percent ready.

“Why don't you want to stay at my house? You don't want to be picked up at the station either, what's up? Then, you do not want to also be facilitated for transport?” He immediately bombarded the question with a fiery red face. Gone angry, angry, and disappointed. That's also what I've been quieting for the last few days.

I tried to be quiet. Not wanting to serve let alone complain emotions with him.

“Jawab, Yes! Why are you being weird? Am I wrong with you? Whahuh? By the way, Yes!” His voice was getting louder.

I'm still quiet. Sculpting in front of him. Letting him vent his anger. If I am also the light of fire, then my purpose will be in vain. I want to talk to him well first.

Bruuk!!! Mas Bimo pushed my body until it hit the mattress. I didn't expect him to attack me all of a sudden. His physique began to swing to threaten.

Dani also appeared from behind Mas Bimo. He helped wake me up.

I'm denying Dani's help. “Why are you more pro to Mas Bimo, Dan?” I asked subtle nan insinuating.

“Yes, I'm sorry. I just answered what Mas Bimo asked. Wouldn't it be better also if the problem is talked about faster?” Paras Dani aggravates guilt.

Dani's point is good, but it's a matter to be talked about without emotion. Looks like my delivery to Dani just made him confused.

“What's the problem with me, Yes?” look at Mas Bimo to me.

There is no room to avoid. I decided to reveal it sooner. “Mas Bimo knows that Nining is dead?”

“Yes, I know. Keep the problem what?” Eyebrows groaning. His eyes and fists seemed to want to hit me once more.

I set my vocals first to keep them smooth. Next, I ask a reminder question, “What did Mas Bimo already do to Nining?”

“What do you mean? You should have told me what he did!”

“I know what Nining did to Mas Bimo out of logic. But what did Mas Bimo do to him so he wanted to kill Mas Bimo? Isn't that weird. There can't be smoke without fire,”.

Mas Bimo was silent. I also picked up the parcel he left in his room. I purposely brought in for evidence.

I offered it directly to him. “This has Mas Bimo, right?”

He denies, “What is that thing? I don't know.”

Dani pulled me to keep my distance from Mas Bimo.

“This is from Mas Bimo's closet. I'm sorry, I was so bad to bring this thing here. This thing that has shown me how much of a jerk Mas Bimo,” my tone began to cynically.

One punch suddenly landed on my right cheek. Dani swiftly mediated.

“Because of that thing you feel you know everything. You have a sixth sense. ” Mas Bimo smoldering.

I want to stay as calm as possible. In fact, I was pressed to serve his voice that was getting higher. “Mas, Nining thinks of you as her protector. He regarded Mas Bimo as a good man. I also think demikan, even consider you a role model. But you are outside my dugann. You're depraved!”

“To be clear, what do you mean? Don't twist!” Both of his hands were still clenched.

“OK. Nining was once pregnant with Mas Bimo's son, right? So, did Mas Bimo ask her for an abortion? After he did, Mas Bimo dumped him instead.”

“Don't come from talking, Yes? What proof? The story of Nining? Do you believe that?”

I set my breath so I could control my words. ”Indeed there is no real proof. But what if those who are still alive like Teh Yeni or other women who have Mas Bimo slept open their voices? Still want to dodge? I actually don't want to care about Mas Bimo's behavior like this. However, Nining has become a real victim who suffered from depression to death. In fact, he was not only seeking revenge by using Mas Bimo. He also came to the boarding house to kill Mas with his own hands. Wh why? Because Nining does not want any other victims who experience pressure like him due to the lust of Mas Bimo?”

Then, I lifted up the shirt I was wearing, and showed the wound stitches. “See this, Mas! This is the sign that Nining said to her, for she mistook me for you. How deep a grudge was embedded in his heart. I came all the way here because I love you, Mas. I think there is still a chance for Mas Bimo to improve himself.”

My blood is boiling, my head is billowing. Never had I – before – so upset in talking.

“Yes, we better get out. Try to calm yourself!” said Dani who seemed worried because the situation became uncontrollable.

Mas Bimo pulled the collar of my shirt until it was almost torn. “So you love me? You're jealous after knowing the real me?” His right hand flanked both of my cheeks tight enough that my head was raised. “The reason you're so far here is out of jealousy. Haha…. Arya, if you like me, just say it!”

I grimaced. His face was only a few centimeters from mine. I tried to fight, but lost in the battle.

“Mas, already Mas. Please freelance, Arya!” Dani was trying to get rid of Mas Bimo's hand that was choking my cheek.

“I like Mas Bimo? Haha...” reply me with a satirical laugh. “Does a person be good, for putting on a liking? Have I ever felt Mas Bimo? Did when Mas Bimo slept in my room ever feel me swiping to Mas Bimo? Did I ever try to get Mas Bimo's attention? I say dear as a friend. I think we can be friends, brother. My dear to Mas Bimo is not because I am jealous. I'm still normal, Mom. I came here to deliver a message at least Mas apologized to Nining, came to his grave. Then, apologize to the women who had taken away her virginity after that Mas throw. Wh why? I felt that Mas Bimo's time was not long. To be honest, I don't want to take care of Mas Bimo. But my mind continues to guide me until we meet like this. Unfortunately, you're a geer. It turns out naive is your mindset, Mas.”

Mas Bimo let go of his hand. Dani helped me set the position to stand up straight again.

Before long, Mas Bimo beat me up like a doormat. I tried to fend off, but a few punches were able to break through and land on my cheeks and chest. Dani who tried to break up was also hit by a fist fist Mas Bimo on the left cheek.

The innkeeper came over while shouting. He pulled Mas Bimo out. After that, Mas Bimo left without saying a word.

Dani and I apologized to the innkeeper for the commotion. Fortunately, we were not expelled.

Naas, the thing I anticipated happened. I want to stop being involved in other people's business. Wanting to be apathetic, even though their lives appear in prophecy.

I lay down on the bed while enduring the pain. Dani persuaded me to the clinic to get treatment. However, I said it takes time to sleep first.

Dani woke me up for Dzuhur prayer. Apparently it's 2 o'clock. My mind became calmer. My job was done early.

“Yes, I'm really sorry. I thought there would be no commotion like this morning.” Dani still seems to feel guilty.

“Already, Dan. I was annoyed with you, but what has happened let it pass,”, I said calmly.

“After prayers, I drove to the clinic. Said the father who had an inn, not far from here. Only about 100 meters to the north. There are also many food stalls, all of us have lunch there.”

“Iya, Dan.”

After the clinic and lunch, we circled the places around the inn. The air of Malang City is quite cool. The atmosphere also feels safe and comfortable. Until it didn't feel like the day changed the night.

We wanted to go straight back to Bandung. My business with Mas Bimo I consider it done, even though it is not as expected. However, after thinking back, the condition was less likely for us to sit another dozen hours in less than 24 hours, My body felt so weak. Dani is still tired.

After praying Isya Dani immediately fell asleep. While I try to invite sleepiness by reading a book that I deliberately brought to accompany when there are no friends to talk.

The night was getting late, my eyes were still awake. I'm trying to turn on the phone I've been turning off since noon.

There were 17 missed calls from Mas Bimo. Last call was at 01:37 or 5 minutes ago. I turned my phone back off.

Dani suggested that I no longer take care of Mas Bimo's problems. I also agree. Assume all the problems with Mas Bimo are clear.

It was a sense to take me to walk out of the inn area to look for the wind and see the night situation in the Apple City. Apparently pretty quiet. Only one or two vehicles are still on the highway.

Then, there was the sound of women moaning in the gazebo beside the inn. I'll see her soon. It turns out that a pair of young people are doing pervert. I approached and rebuked them. Their actions are very inappropriate.

“Mas, Ma'am, this is a public place,” I said without a fuss.

Then, the man turned around. Huh huh? Bimo Mas. He polotized me.

The air around turned to heat and the light of the lights in the gazebo flickered. At that instant, I knew that the figure in front of me was the genie incarnation.

His face turned horrified, shattering formless. His eyeballs came out, his cheek flesh slashed and waved with blood dripping.

He walked towards me. Kontan I ran back to the inn.

However, someone blocked my steps to enter the inn. Our bodies collided.

Whahuh? Bimo Mas? He's standing in front of me. I'm surprised I'm not playing.

I tried to look back. No one's chasing me anymore.

“What are you doing outside, Yes?” tanya with a trembling voice finished fighting with sadness.

“Find the wind,”my answer is flat.

“I bring medicine and food.” She hugged me. “I'm really asking for what happened this morning. I'm here from half-eight. I called you and Dani, but no one's active. I waited for you here until I fell asleep in the car. Then, I woke up to hear the sound of footsteps. Turns out it was you,”.

I just kept quiet, didn't give him a response. I was trying to digest what was going to happen, because when I came into contact with Mas Bimo there was a picture of an accident between a biker and a trontoon truck.

The biker was speeding and was about to overtake the bus in front of him. However, from the opposite direction came the tronton truck. The motorcyclist could not avoid being crushed under the big truck. His motor was smashed to pieces, his helmet bounced so far away, and his face swept across the asphalt.

I shudder in horror. The biker was very identical to Mas Bimo. Is that really a portrait of his future? Instinct says I should be able to prevent the accident that will befall him. Tears were also pushed out. Akkkh!!!