Around Us
Chapter 5: The Image

I rushed to the cafeteria after class. Maybe it's time I had a friend to share this out-of-the-box story. I need someone else's vision to validate the events I've been through.

When I was about to find the right place to talk, I was surprised to see Dani was already sitting in one corner of the cafeteria. The position I chose was as I planned. A deserted table and does not become a place for visitors.

“Since when are you here, Dan?” Sapaku with questions, because I saw at the table served food that stayed a little.

Dani looked over in shock. His phone almost fell off.

“Huh! No need to worry, Yes.”

“You are too serious to play the game?”

I immediately took a sitting position in front of him. There is Batagor leftover on the plate and half a glass of sweet iced tea.

“You are from what time is here, Dan?”

“From half-nine,” he answered while putting the phone on the table.

“Pantes. You truant?”

“Ngot truant, just skip courses that I consider boring aja.”

“Do not get used to it, Dan!”

“Ready, Boss! This time also like this.” Dani was stunned for a moment. “Loh even so nasehatin me. Said you were venting?”

“Shortly! I'll order a drink first. You still have something to order, no?”

“I was full from earlier.”

I also ordered avocado juice and french fries for our snacks. Dani looked at me like she couldn't wait to hear my story.

“I want a story last night yes,” my words that were answered by Dani. “But you don't have to look at me like this. I'll chat as usual.”

“OK, okay. Sorry are! I was too enthusiastic to hear an introvert want to share a story with me”, god.

I responded by showing a serious face.

“And, last night I saw Mas Bimo road in front of the DPR in the rain.”

Dani interrupted. “Pas you way home?”

“Iya. Mas Bimo walks with a relaxed look in the middle of the rain.”

“But I swear that yesterday Mas Bimo from day to night not go anywhere.”

“That's exactly it, Dan.” I'm trying to string together words that Dani can digest. “I also think it is impossible Mas Bimo rain. But...”

Dani could not help her curiosity. “How can you know that, Mas Bimo?”

“I called him and asked him where he was going. But he just looked. Well, from his face and posture, I'm very sure it's Mas Bimo,”.

Dani put both of her hands on her head. Then, I looked at me again like the previous one.

“Can you see them?” tanyanya slow.

I understand what Dani means by astral beings. “Not always, Dan.”

“But you can feel their existence.”

Dani's instincts are pretty accurate. Was he also actually able to sense their invisible existence? I just follow the groove made.

“Can. But sometimes I don't know their presence.”

Dani also later told me that the DPR and the boarding house we occupied was haunted. “Yes, my brother often tells me that the DPR is famous for being haunted. Even after the Maghrib no one dared to cross around it. Those who host it behind the campus must choose to turn to the front gate, then walk further to get to the destination. It is common knowledge that the DPR is a forbidden zone to pass at night.”

“Then what about our kost?”

Dani raised both eyebrows. “Our cost?”

“Iya. Did your sister also tell you something about where we live now?”

“Still according to my brother, the boarding house we occupy also has a waiter. But it was never until there was a trance like at the princess's boarding house in the fork of the alley. At most there is only the sound of people showering, but fitting checked no one.”

It means that Dani agrees with the mystical events that I experienced because of the influence of the place that has other residents. However, this was only limited to the opinion of his brother who was conveyed to him.

“Oh yes, I want to ask you something first.” Suddenly I remembered Dani's statement which I felt was right to be confirmed to her again. “You used to say that you do not believe if people who are upset by his body are boarded by a genie?”

“Iya. I still find it difficult to accept the premise, because I have not been at the stage of feeling or experiencing myself,” he said straightforwardly.

“But basically you believe that around us there are invisible worlds that are supernatural, and there are those that can penetrate our dimension, then show up to disrupt our lives?” I tried probing, because I wanted to hear Dani's perception in more detail.

“I believe.” Our conversation is starting to get worse. “I mean only people who do not have sensitivity or belief in things beyond reason, their foundation must be rational.”

“I see, Dan”. Although our conversation heated up, I tried to go back to the first goal of our meeting. “Sorry, actually like this Dan.. About Mas Bimo...” I tried to find the appropriate vocabulary. “This may or may not be rational.”

“Yes, I do not deny if there are people who have sensitivity in feeling and seeing a figure that is not visible in front of others, including you. But as a friend, it's not better that you let go of your vision,” he suggested.

“Dan...” I want to clarify, but Dani shows a reluctant gesture interrupted.

“I'm just worried if the things you experience will actually be a burden to yourself. It could even make you experience psychosis.” I almost got mad at him, but after he said the word “kawatir” I could dampen my emotions. Unfortunately, the last word that came out of his mouth sparked disappointment.

Psychosis. Dani's words imply that I may have delusions and hallucinations. Like that? He who still doubts his words or I who can't catch his point?! Situation's changed. I put my hope in him and tried to believe in him.

I thought Dani would listen to my explanation first. He said he believed in the existence of the invisible world. He believes there are people who are entrusted with sensitivity to feel all that. Why did his attitude become ambiguous?

“And, sorry, I forgot to return the book to the library.” Maybe I'm getting carried away, because I stopped talking all of a sudden.

Dani just looked at me. I also resigned without waiting for a word of approval from him.

How many steps Dani called me. “Ya, wait a minute!”

I realized I shouldn't have done that to him. “Later to connect the story in kost yes,” my word just so he does not misunderstand. But whether this story can be connected again or not, I dare not expect.

I took a step towards the library. But in each swinging step, the last sentence Dani spoke kept on burrowing in my mind. Could I have a mental disorder? I could see them, but they turned into delusions and hallucinations.

Everything that happens is getting harder to understand. Dani and his mind, Mas Bimo and an omen.

Suddenly my body trembled, my chest felt a little tight, and my mind went to Mas Bimo. Is it just a feeling or is there something you want to show?

***

For 3 days, Dani and I did not greet each other. In fact, there was already no feeling of resentment towards him in the slightest. The feeling was over on that day too.

My friendship with Dani was awkward. I wanted to greet him, but I had no confidence.

After college, around 5pm, I was planning to go to a bookstore. Suddenly, my phone rings. Very rarely does anyone call me. I saw the name plastered on my phone “Teh Yuli”. I hesitate to answer or not.

I let the call die. When about to respond to chat, Teh Yuli seemed to call again on the phone screen. If he calls up to 2 times in the adjacent time, it seems like there is something important to say

“Hallo, Tea!” I swipe after putting the phone in my ear.

“Assalamualaikum, Arya,” reply him with a gentle greeting.

“Walaikum greetings, Tea.”

“Sorry yes disturb. What are you doing again?”

“This is me just finished class, Tea.”

“Thank God. So I called you at the right moment.”

The right moment? “Meanwhile, Tea?”

“I want to say thank you very much to you, Yes. Now I've much better”, he explained. From his voice he was already cheerful.

“Iya, Tea. But it was all actually thanks to the effort, passion, and prayer of Teteh himself.”

“Betul, who can change ourselves actually ourselves. But we are social creatures who also need others to interact, share, and support each other, he concluded. I felt a much more positive aura than Yuli Tea. “Oh yes, I don't think I'll go back to Bandung. I decided to stop going to college. Maybe it will be continued again, but the plan is in another campus. I need to restore my confidence first. That's right, Ya?” continued. He seemed to have found his identity and confidence again.

“Iya, Tea. I can only pray for the best for you. Anyway, find and do the things that make Teteh comfortable.”

“Iya, Yes. I thank you very much. Now that my mind is lighter, my body feels so much fresher. Believe it or not, I was reborn, Yes.”

I'm so happy to hear the news of Yuli Tea being better. I am sure, aside from himself who has a strong spirit to rise, his family also has a huge share. The best place to come back is family. The family must have a good support system. The role of the family is crucial in restoring identity and forming character.

“Ya, we will connect again. Teteh want to prepare food first for regular review night Friday’at.”

“Iya, Tea.”

“Assalamualaikum, Yes.”

“Walaikum greetings.”

If I imagine, Teh Yuli seems to have rediscovered her happiness. However, my hunch says there is something else.

“Ya, what else is it here?” Dani just appeared in front of me. It obviously surprised me. “Sorry, Yes! I don't mean to surprise you,” he said flanking both hands together to form a cone.

“I'm going to the bookstore again. Where are you going, Dan?”

“I want to go home to kost.” Dani tilted her face, looking at me questioningly. “He said he would go to the bookstore, but you look like you are confused again.”

“Ngak. Just suddenly changed his mind. I think it's going to rain. So, better go home.”

“Yes, go home with yuk! I want to talk about it too!”

I felt something immediately disturb my mind. Yuli tea is fine, but there is a sense of worry just like that. I hope this is just my feeling.

Dani's got my shoulder. “Yes, about yesterday's incident I'm sorry yes. I don't mean anything. Sorry, I should have been a good listener first.” Unlike before, the sentence that Dani spoke had a vibration.

His apology sounds so sincere. It was like it was designed for a long time.

“I'm sorry too, Dan. The point is forgive each other yes,” reply me.

Dani agreed with a smile. It's just a small misunderstanding that doesn't have to be considered a big deal.

We walked together towards the contest. But as I passed the House, my eyes spontaneously glared around the lush banyan tree. Some students were seen working under the tree. Some were engrossed in conversation and some were gathered with books in their hands.

Then, like someone was gesturing, my eyes caught a portrait of Mas Bimo sitting leaning against the big tree. His gaze was sideways towards the setting sun. At first glance, he was like he was in gloom. He is alone, not involved with others.

I patted Dani's arm. “And..”.

“Iya, Yes. What's up?”

My intention was to direct Dani's vision to the House of Representatives. However, as I led his gaze, Mas Bimo was already nowhere to be seen. Just a few seconds my eyes were gone, he was gone. Would Dani believe it if I said there was Mas Bimo sitting at the root of the banyan with a sad look?

“Ya, why? Something to say?” the question seemed to understand if there was something strange that I saw.

Learning from what happened a few days ago in the cafeteria, I still need time to talk about this with Dani. “Oh, I just want to ask you to find food first or want to go directly to kost.”

“Emmm... But why do you see the DPR continue?”

“Nothing, Dan.”

When exiting the campus area, Mas Bimo stood before us. I could not hide my expression that was so shocked to find him just appearing.

“Mas Bimo!” I stared at him long enough.

“Eh, Upin and Ipin just got home huh?” He even teased us. Match us with the main characters of the famous children's animation from Malaysia.

“Mas Bimo from where and where?” I couldn't help but do an interview, take information and facts to juxtapose it with my vision just now.

“From the place of photocopy, and now want to meet the supervisor.” He who looks in the House of Representatives is very different from him in front of me or in everyday life. “Introduction yes!” He patted me on the shoulder in a hurry.

I am still amazed by what I saw. Plus, when Mas Bimo patted me on the shoulder, his little finger and ring finger were stuck to the skin of my neck. His hands felt very cold like ice. My mind rages, my steps are riveted.

“Yes, what's wrong? Arya..” Dani pulled me to continue the journey which is only a few steps away.

Could it be just a hallucination? Could it be that it was only someone similar to Mas Bimo? May my beliefs be mistaken.