Around Us
Chapter 25: The Shrill

Many people say that dreams are flowers of sleep. Some say dreams can be a sign of events that will happen in the future. But what if the dream happens during the day? According to psychologists, dreams during the day signify a condition of feeling that is not good or hit by anxiety.

Right, my feelings are indeed being filled with anxiety and anxiety. Various mystical events increasingly follow in my life. The reason is, it is accompanied by a drastic change in the nature of Dad.

Life is like floating in the middle of the ocean. Oscillating in the waves without seeing the pier. Not only do I have to swim to reach the edge, I also have to be able to maintain balance so as not to drown.

Father persuaded me to check my health with the doctor. However, I subtly refused. It's not that I don't want to heal, but I feel like I just need to rest and calm my mind. Simply boosted by taking pain medication and vitamins.

For two days lying weakly in bed, on the 3rd day my condition gradually improved. My mind has returned as usual. Accepting all the events God has planned for me. Whatever happens, happens.

To speed up recovery, I decided to exercise with a leisurely walk around the village while enjoying the air and morning sunlight. I haven't done anything like this in a long time.

Along the way, the neighbors I met greeted me. Some ask about my college, some tease by asking my lover. What, lover? I responded with a smile. The hospitality of living in the village is always a longing when feeling life abroad.

I passed Mang Bahri's house. The aura is much brighter. There was no negative energy coming out anymore. Thank goodness!

But after passing through the mosque, precisely when looking at the house that used to be occupied by Adam, there was something strange that disturbed my hearing. It was as if Adam was talking to his parents. Though the house was long abandoned, no longer occupied after Adam died. His parents had gone nowhere. The house was left unkempt.

From the outside, Adam's house is almost only in the form of a skeleton or foundation. The roof and walls are almost gone. Chest-high tares grow luxuriously. Closing access into the house.

Odd! I got carried away with curiosity and wanted to prove the truth of the voice I heard. Then I put my foot through the weeds.

Then, when it reached the front of the door foundation, everything changed suddenly in just one blink of an eye or a split second. The house that was not shaped became whole again. The grasshopper was lost to change the page filled with pots of ornamental plants. I shook my head. Miraculous. It doesn't make sense.

The view I saw was exactly like Adam's house back then. Am I passing time into the past? I looked around the house, nothing changed. It is so painful and excruciating.

In confusion, Adam emerges from the house.

“Arya,” cheerful reply. “Lu already here, why not just go in?”

Adam pulled my hand. Meanwhile, I was at a loss for words. Can only observe it in detail. He wears a black shirt and black trousers. He also wears a black hat.

“Kok you even bengong?” Adam shook his hand in front of my face. “Come in. I waited for my mother first. Last time to warung want nukerin money, he said mah just bentar.”

I went into Adam's house. Everything is as I once saw it. The living room, table, chairs, cabinets, to electronic furniture such as television was in a position that was so familiar in my memory.

I recall. It's the day Adam showed a strange attitude, the day before he left for good. He doesn't just dress all black from toe to toe. He also apologized to me for the mistakes he made. At that time I hesitated to call his behavior a premonition or a sign.

That day, we went to the bookstore to buy Atlas. After the bookstore, Adam took me to Tanjung Pasir. We sat on the beach all day, waiting for the sun to set. He said he didn't know when else he could watch the sunset with me.

We arrived home at about 9 p.m. I took Adam to my house. But instead he was scolded by Dad, for inviting me to play so he did not know the time.

It's hard to understand. But hopefully this is a real time loop before Adam is gone for good. Maybe I can change history. Preventing him from an accident that took his life. But if the past changes, then the future must also experience changes and distortions, right?

“Dam... Dam.. I want to say something,” call me spirit.

Unfortunately, Adam didn't bully me, not even looking. The distance to me is only a few steps.

I tried to touch his hand. Huh, why can't you? Adam could pull my hand. I felt his touch was so real.

I approached Adam, but his mouth seemed busy talking to someone. His words faintly sounded. I can't see the interlocutor either. Adam's position closed my vision.

At first glance, I seemed to recognize the person who was talking to Adam. Is that me? It's so dizzying.

When I was one step away, there was a voice in the air calling my name out loud enough, “Arya, what's there?”

I'm turning. Apparently the source of the vote came from Mr. RT.

The atmosphere also changed to the origin. I stood back in the middle of the weeds . Shit, I'm “dijahili” again.

“Sini.. Why are you there, there will be a snake or something there. Danger!” exclaim Mr. RT waving his hand.

I'm out of Adam's house trap. I pat my clothes because they are attached to the weed stalk.

“You wear a sports shirt, but instead you go into an empty house. What sport do you want there?” Asked astonishment.

“No, Mr RT. Last...em...what is his name..” my words stammered because I did not know to tell a story or find a reason.

“Yes already, go home there! Your father said he said you were sick, but he was wandering around. If you are bored at home and need friends, just play to the house Mr.”

“Iya Pak RT, thank you. Then Arya comes home first. Assalamualaikum!”

“Walaikum greetings.”

What kind of sport is this? Not adding immunity to my body even added to the row of strange events that I experienced.

I don't think Adam's figure bothers me anymore. Is there really anything she wants to tell me? The events I've been going through are getting random. Starting from the groove to the time background.

When I got home, I cleaned my body. When the bath was flushed if the appearance of Adam might be a reminder for me to come on a pilgrimage to his tomb. All right, I'll do it later in the afternoon.

This afternoon, I'd better take some time off. A sick body can also be due to the influence of a mind that is not good.

As soon as he closed his eyes, Dad suddenly entered my room. “Arya, you're okay, right?” The question sounds panicked.

What happened to Dad? Suddenly he asked like that.

“Arya is okay, Yah?” I was panicked to see Dad's expression.

“Tadi Pak RT phone Daddy. He said, this morning you were in an empty house, Adam's house first. Mr. RT also told me if he saw you talking to yourself in that house. What are you doing there, Ya?” The words that came out of Dad's lips were soft.

So, it's Mr. RT's story that got Dad home faster. Did I just explain the real events I was going through? No. gabe. My mind says Dad still won't believe it.

“E…. Aryans…. It was just a sport this morning and happened to be through there. I..i...it....” I was scared and nervous.

“You've eaten?”

I get out of bed. “Not yet. This is Arya just want to buy.”

“Neventless. It just so happened that Dad had bought Rice Padang and Dad put it on the kitchen table. I know you haven't had lunch. Now you eat fast. I'll change clothes first. Oh yeah, Dad ate. So, no need to wait for Dad,” he said in a hurry.

Not wanting to make Dad angry, I immediately ate the lunch he bought. I also let go of my suspicions about his attitude.

15 Minutes later, Dad called me back.

“Aryans. Have you finished eating?” I shouted from inside his room.

“Udah, Yah”, sahutku while walking towards the middle room.

“OK. Quickly change neat clothes,” Dad's orders.

I'm pretty sure Dad's not taking me on a trip or a walk.

“Change? Where are we going, Dad?”

I didn't answer right away. He walked towards me, looking at me teary-eyed.

“We go to the doctor, son,” hug Dad.

I'm appalled. "Doctor? Arya is well, Dad. No need to go to the doctor anymore."

"I mean the father of psychiatry doctors or if you want a first chat friend who can be a listener for you, we can go to a psychologist. Yes, yes, son. It's for your own good, too." The words that Dad said were indeed soft, but pierced my heart.

I'm getting flabbergasted. See a psychiatrist or psychiatrist or psychologist, what for? For my own good? So, Dad thinks I'm having a mental breakdown. Why is my relationship with Dad getting so complicated? I really can't figure out his line of thinking. There's always been a barrier to getting along with myself and Dad.

"Arya's all right, Dad?" I try to hold back my emotions.

"Son, I'm just worried about your condition. Maybe you have a lot of thoughts or have difficulty in college,” Dad's approach is getting tighter.

“Arya doesn't want to, Dad,” reject me while letting go of her embrace.

I persuaded with another option. "Are we going to kiai?"

My brain was aroused to elevate the words, "What do you mean? Dad is anxious because lately Arya is talking about things that are beyond your logic. Is that so? Well, what Arya experienced was true. Maybe for me it doesn't make sense. But I should have listened to Arya first. Not adding to the burden by accusing Arya of mental disorders. Arya's still sane, Dad."

"Yes, sorry Dad. But this is for your own good. Let you be like before.”

Cry broke. “As before? What was that Arya like, Dad? Who is silent and obedient, who keeps everything to himself, who tries to face problems without telling anyone. If now Arya is more vocal, it does not mean Arya is wanting to rebel against Dad, and if lately Arya tells about mystical things that Arya feels, it has been living Arya since long ago.”

“Then, how should I do? What's wrong if Dad has concerns if maybe you experience stress due to college or stress in a relationship or social interaction during your lecture in Bandung.”

I took a deep breath. “How Dad in showing concern keeps Arya understood. As much as possible Arya positions herself if Arya is Dad. But why do you immediately judge Arya has a mental disorder? Dad didn't give Arya any room to tell stories. When Arya tries to make a friendship with Dad by telling him every incident that Arya experienced, Dad actually broke the hope and effort that Arya built.”

I looked like I was holding back tears. “Son, all this time maybe I was too hard to educate you. I'm careless in establishing communication with you, but every day I think about you. Dad only has you. So, whatever Dad will do for you.”

I understand all the words you're saying. “Yeah, Arya never forces anyone to believe what Arya is going through. But Arya please, don't take Arya that way. If someone else says it, Arya doesn't matter. But why did it come out of Dad's mouth?”

My father was sitting down and listening to my words. No words came out of his lips.

As soon as I realized, maybe some of my words offended him. I hugged Dad back. “Sorry Aryan words, Yah.”

Father responded by nodding.

“Arya also permission to exit briefly yes, Yah.”

I stepped out of the house to find peace. Then I decided to go to Adam's tomb.

After arriving at the burial area, I saw from a distance a mother standing in front of Adam's grave. I'll approach her soon.

“Assalamualaikum, Bu.”

“Walaikum greetings. Sorry, who is it?” weak tanyanya.

“This is Arya, Mom. Little friend Adam,” I am.

Adam's mother looked very thin. It looks like a bone packed with skin. I can't help but watch her condition. There was so much pressure coming from his face.

“Arya..” She hugged me while crying. “You are now big and handsome. If Adam still exists maybe he's as big as you.”

His embrace is so warm. Treating my longing for Mom.

“Mother how are you? Now live where?”

“Good mother's news, Yes. Now I live in Sumur, Pandeglang.”

“Mother come here by yourself?”

“Iya.” He let go of the embrace, then wiped away the tears. “Several days Mom always dreamed of Adam. In fact, sometimes I feel like Adam is next to me. Usually, Mom comes here once a month to visit him, praying at his grave. However, this year my mother began to get sick. Do not travel far, for daily activities only Mother needs the help of others. Maybe Adam was angry with Mom for not visiting him as usual.”

“Now Mom conditions how?”

“Now it has been meningan, it has been able to walk again without being swept by people.”

I know he was forcing himself to come to see Adam. “We say a prayer first for Adam yes, Mom,” invite me so that he does not dissolve in grief at the grave of his son.

“Dam, this is your mother coming to look at you. Sorry Mom ya Dam just came back here again,” he said sad.

The loss of a loved one is painful. Not wanting to denounce fate or break up. Nor does it mean to oppose the Suratan of life. However, when longing to say hello only tears can read the mood. If you come back later, meet again with those you love.

Dam, we came to see you. Hope you calm down there. I say my prayers in my heart.