Around Us
Chapter 21 part 1: Musabab

Intentions want to get calm, but the mystery increases. Like just coming out of a well hole, then trapped in a labyrinth. If you cannot identify and control your thoughts, you will forever be in a puzzle room.

I don't know who else this story will be told. Nah! I can't pin my hopes on anyone else. I had to believe in myself that I would definitely find answers to all the events I experienced.

Time shows 11pm over 13 minutes. Silent and so silent. The wind is blowing hard. The sky covered the moonlight. I set foot down the village road to a stall. My stomach wants to eat instant noodles.

But not yet reached the intended place, the step stopped when I saw something strange in a house that I was about to go through. Who is the one sitting pensively on the porch of Mak Iroh's house? From a distance of about 10 meters, I saw him wearing a white kebaya and dark batik motif cloth (either brown or other colors, look faint).

Then, curiosity whack inwardly. I tried to approach to make sure. He sounded crying. There was an unusual aura, but I decided to greet him.

Haven't spoken a word, instead he first turned his head and looked at me sharply. I'm dumbfounded, “Mak Iroh?” The mouth called his name. Want to run, but the legs do not want to move.

I was stuck with my mouth tight. My hair began to stand up because it did not believe the one in front of me.

“Hampura nyah mun Emak loba wrong (please forgive if Mom is wrong),” he said sniffled.

I closed my eyes. The dreams? It might just be a dream. Mak Iroh is dead.

“*Pang bejakeun raribut nyah meh Emak*can be calm (Please tell me not to make a fuss so Mom can be calm),” he continued while crying.

My lips are hard to open. Imprisoned tongue, silent without a word.

Then, there were footsteps from inside the approaching house. The door opened, and I opened my eyes.

“Arya? What's the matter Yes nights here?” greet the owner who opened the door.

I'm surprised it's not a bitch. “Maaa..Mang Bahri (mang = uncle). No Mang, Arya happened to pass aja.” My body can move back to normal.

“Yes, come in first?” take it while pulling my hand.

I cannot refuse, because there is a message that must also be conveyed to Mang Bahri. “Sepi yes, Mang? Brother Mamang not on nginep? Yesterday tahlilan kayaknya still ram.”

“This way, Yes. From the first to the seventh, no one lives here. At the direct return home, even the brothers Mamang only come after the funeral aja.”

“Sorry yes, Mang. Arya didn't mean..” I felt my question aroused his sadness.

“Nothing, Yes. What do you want to coffee or drink?”

“Ngak, Mang. Arya is just a moment away.”

“Padahan mamang happy to have nemenin.” I saw there was a lot of turmoil that he wanted to share with others. But if he doesn't start a story, I don't want to invite him to tell a story. “Where are you going or from where?” ask again.

“Continue, how can you be in front of Mamang house?”

If I were to go straight to the story, it seems like Mang Bahri would not immediately believe it. I have to pay attention to the appropriate timing. “Em... Arya.. earlier...” I was quite nervous.

Mang Bahri cut my words, “You saw Mom on the terrace?”

I'm stretched. How did Mang Bahri know? Did he see it too? “Hah! How can you know?”

“Many claimed to have seen Mom sitting on the terrace the last few nights. Though Mum is gone,” he said. His face was stingy. It seems clear he actually can't stand to parse the story.

“In fact, it was true that Arya saw Mak Iroh again sitting on the terrace. At first Arya thought who, so Arya samperin,” I explained carefully. I was worried that Mang Bahri became even more sad by thinking his mother's spirit was wandering.

“Arya had a chat with Mom?” Mang Bahri's raut changed expectantly. I was more and more convinced there was something she wanted to tell, only she still fumbled over who could be her listener.

I also ventured to convey the message that Mak Iroh said. “Mang Bahri can believe it or not.” I tried to set the breath for a moment, “Tadi Mak Iroh conveyed a message so that his family can live harmoniously and peacefully.”

“Keep Mom says what else, Yes?”

“Only that, Mang.”

Mang Bahri sighed and twisted his gaze, “It seems like Mom is still worried about her children fussing about inheritance. Indeed, the brothers Mamang already there are those who offend it. My mother's grave is still wet. Mother's relics also only live this house and the land at the end of the road, the edge of the rice fields,” he said haru. “So, apparently that's what you want to convey to us.”

I've heard, when people die, the soul is still around his house. He observed his family life after he left. Some say that 7 days after death is a test period for the gravedigger where he faced questions from the Angels Munkar and Nakir. In essence, the apparition of Mak Iroh may be a manifestation for his family to pray for him rather than fuss over worldly problems.

“Sorry Mang, that's what Arya really wants to say. Arya does not intend to interfere or want to know the problems in the Mang Bahri family,”.

“Mommy's life has suffered enough. His children only fuss over the issue of treasure,” bitterly. “Here Mom just stay alone with Mamang. The three younger brothers have a family and have their own home. Unfortunately, they rarely saw their mother. Even the Eid is rarely gathered. They're new here if they want.”

“Mang, now we just pray for Mak Iroh calm down,” said me smooth.

“Mamang still remember, dated April 14th of 2012”, his voice solidified me to sit longer listening to the story that I want to reveal. “At that time, Mother asked to be escorted to Tenjo (Bogor Regency) to attend the circumcision event of her youngest grandchild. At that time, my mother was not feeling well. However, my mother wanted to go there. That night, my mom came home. He said he wanted to sleep at home. Mamang knows, Mamang's sister cuek the same presence of Mother.

Previously wanted Mamang to reprimand, but Mother gave the code so as not to make a fuss. We went home around Isya, at half-eight. Then, in the way Mom asked to stop for a while, he said his head suddenly hurt,” his voice began to tremble sadly.

“Mamang stop in front of minimarket to buyin Emak medicine and drink. Mamang asked Mak to wait outside because inside there is AC. Mak. But, when Mamang came out Mother was not in front. Then, there were people in the middle of the road shouting that someone had an accident. Inner Mamang at that time was not good, Mamang ran to see. Turns out, Mom was lying on the street. People said, Mom wants to cross to the satayman, continue suddenly there is a motor speeding really fast and hit Mom to bounce as far as 15 meters. There the mother's body did not move, and the one who drove the motor went so. Mamang immediately took Mom to the hospital on an angkot. Someone asked for an ambulance. But seeing the condition of Mother, Mamang's mind already wants to quickly bring Mother to the hospital aja.”

Her tears are pouring. I got carried away too.

“When lifting Mom's body, Mamang felt her body had begun to stiffen. People who helped also told me to be patient. My mom was really scared there. Mama feels so guilty. Mamang should not let Mom wait.”