Around Us
Chapter 8: Whispering

Time keeps rolling. The day changed. Various events precipitate questions that form quartz on the head. The less you want to feel, the more real it is that it interferes with life.

Will anyone understand if the events I'm experiencing are not fiction? I tried to forget every strange event that hit my life. Still, it still weighed on the days I spent.

I'm trying to observe the boarding house at the alley. I just wanted to make sure that the figure of grandfather who was there was real or not.

“Yes, seriously really ngamatin kost the princess. Is there anything you're interested in there?”

Again, again, and again. Dani's presence surprised me. He always shows up all of a sudden, or because I'm so serious that I don't feel him behind me.

“Dani...” I glared at him.

“Sorry Yes if it makes you surprised. After you are so serious that you do not realize I was behind you.”

“And have you ever seen an old man in the princess's boarding house?”

“Old man?” Dani scrunched her forehead. “That's a princess boarding, Yes. Where there may be grandparents there.”

“Owner, maybe?”

“The host was one of the lecturers who taught in my department, and he was young.”

“And..”.

“What's the matter, Ya?”

I pulled Dani's arm and took her to my room. Dani, according to him, looked confused.

After both in a sitting position, I did not buy time or ask Dani's approval again to tell a story.

“Dan, two nights ago I experienced an incident that made my own outside of logic.”

“So that night you cried because of a strange incident. Is that right, huh? Does it also have something to do with tonight you look seriously pay attention to the princess's boarding house in the fork?” His question implies enthusiasm to be a listener.

Dani is hard to guess. He can be quiet, can also be full of curiosity.

“You remember when I left your room to pray Maghrib?”

“Iya.”

“Well, after the completion of Maghrib prayer continued Isya prayer, I plan to go back to your room. But the atmosphere suddenly became quiet. I didn't hear anyone's voice. From there, I rushed to see you.” I try to hold back the sadness. To be honest, remembering Dani's convulsions in pain made me sad mixed with fear. “I saw you lying on the bed with a convulsing body and a foaming mouth. There I panicked. I tried to find help from others, but there is no one in this complex other than the two of us,”.

“Then?”

I took a breath before continuing the story. “I saw that Mas Bimo came home and went straight to his room. But I called several times, he did not answer. Even when I opened the door to his room, there was no one. I went around looking for help. That's when I saw the door open. I'm approaching right away. Then, a grandfather appeared in a white robe and sacrificed from inside the house.”

“What happens next?” Dani looks impatient.

“I asked the grandfather for help, but he told me to go home instead. I also went home and planned to take you to the nearest health facility.”

“So what happened to me?” His eyes are focused on me.

“When I opened your bedroom door, you were sitting down playing the phone. Slowly, everything felt like before. It turns 180 degrees in a matter of seconds. The sound of friends returning, the sound of people around, and the sound of vehicles. You also look healthier.” I still feel the horror that night.

“What it means there will be bad things happening to me.”

“I hope not. I don't feel that either.”

“Yes, do you often experience events like this?”

“I used to care less about all this.”

Suddenly my chest felt tight. My thoughts were with Mas Bimo.

“And, is Mas Bimo in his room?”

“He hasn't arrived, Yes. What was? How do you look panicked?” Dani's expression turned to astonishment.

I am still wondering about myself. “Dan, I don't know why I suddenly became restless.”

I decided to contact Mas Bimo. The first call was not raised. I tried calling again, and answered.

“Halo. Assalamualaikum, Mas Bimo.”

“Walaikum greetings A.” greet voice at the end of the phone. A woman's voice with a worried tone. “This Aa her friend who has hape huh?” tanyakanya.

“Iya, Tea. Who has hapenya where ya?” The silence enveloped for a moment.

“This A... i..ni. His friend was in an accident on Jalan Cihampelas. The man is now again taken to Hasan Sadikin.”

News that slices the heart. “Dan, Mas Bimo accident.”

I hurriedly booked a taxi online to Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung. Along the way Dani kept me calm.

There was a feeling of guilt that also slipped my mind. People say, do not be too scary something (bad thing) that has not happened. It could be our fear that actually suggests that bad things are created.

Arriving at RSHS, we went straight to the ER. According to the nurse's description at the reception, there were victims of a motorcycle accident on Jalan Cihampelas which an hour ago was brought. His condition died at the hospital.

I'm getting panicked. The mind continues to strengthen the belief that it is not Mas Bimo.

My body feels so weak. I can't imagine losing anyone I know in the near future. I sat on the floor, begging for a miracle.

The atmosphere became dark. There was only light from the sky that helped my senses see. The sound of screams and moans was mutual.

I looked around every hallway around me. Why is the mood suddenly gripping? Where did the people go? Where'd Dani go? Where am I at?

I'm looking for a way out of the hospital. The voice for help is getting louder. At first, I didn't listen to that voice. However, curiosity led me to turn around.

It was seen Mas Bimo waving a hand full of blood. Face grimaces. His clothes were worn almost on all sides.

I immediately ran towards Mas Bimo. But my steps felt heavy. While he kept asking for help, calling my name over and over again.

With all my might I try to step. Let's step! I need to help Mas Bimo immediately. He's in so much pain. Comeing! Why are my legs so heavy? There was a tremendous war going on in my brain.

Sweat pouring profusely wet the body, but a little while I can not yet tapaki. I feel like I'm casted into a statue.

Then a voice of a man whispered to me. “Tong disamperkeun (don't go)!” My head turned 30 degrees to the right and to the left looking for a figure that prevented me from moving.

I took a breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds.

“Ya, why here?”

“Mas Bimo?” He was just in front of me. I observed from the tip of the foot to the tip of the head, his condition was fine.

Dani followed behind. “Quiet, Yes! Mas Bimo is okay.” Dani looked towards Mas Bimo. “This loh Mas, Arya panicked earlier fitting news Mas Bimo accident.”

There is no more darkness and silence. I was hit by the waves many times. It is like living at the limit of consciousness and the threshold of madness.

“Actually what happened, Mas?” I tried to hold back the tears. I don't know how many times I cried in the first semester of living in Kembang City.

“So gini Yes, it was fitting on the road there was a motorbike that suddenly hit the pavement and fell in front of me. He was moving very fast. His body was on the asphalt. People swarmed him, but some just watched and recorded the incident. I also took the initiative to call an ambulance and take him here,” explained Mas Bimo.

“And hape Mas Bimo dropped?”

“Great you Yes can know. Just as I helped raise the crash victim to the ambulance, I didn't realize that I had fallen.”

“Thank God that Mas Bimo is okay.”

“Betul. Mending on rest. I'll follow you later, I'll take my hole first. Last phone call using Dani's phone and make a deal in front of Ciwalk same people who found me hape me.”

“OK. If so we go first, Mas!” Dani concluded.

All the way home, I could only be pensive. I'm relieved that it wasn't Mas Bimo who had the accident, but that I should be able to master my fears. Whatever I feel and see, I cannot rush to draw conclusions.

Arriving at the boarding house, Dani made a sound. “Yes, you're all right?”

“And, the incident a few days ago that I told you about, just happened again in the hospital. Just, this time, I saw Mas Bimo covered in blood and there were many voices asking for help, then.”.

Dani cut my story. “Yes, it looks like you are tired and have a lot of thoughts. You rest first!”

“Dan, I'm fine. I'm not..”

Dani cut my words again. “Yes, how about tomorrow I take you to a psychologist?”

A psychologist? What does Dani mean. Regret increased. “You mean I've gone crazy, Dan? I really can't guess your way of thinking, Dan. Yesterday you said believe in everything I experienced, now you seem to say I have a mental disorder,”. Inner was instantly disappointed with Dani's attitude.

“I don't mean that, yeah. I mean, we're trying to meet a psychologist or a kiai or ustad who can understand what you're feeling. I don't trust you. But I realize you haven't been able to fully tell the same story as me, have you? Therefore, I only suggest that you can tell the right person. Please Yes, don't misunderstand me first!” brightest.

We're speechless. I'm not trying to solve a mystery that's getting real haunting. I'm still trying to identify whether this is an advantage or the beginning of a distraction.

“Sorry to me yes, Dan. I go up to my room first. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, you can tell me anything and anytime with me. Again, I beg you not to misunderstand!”

“Iya, Dan.”

I then clean the body while refreshing the mind through running water.

When I take a shower, I try to let go of all the bitterness, forget the unpleasant things that happened all day. However, while washing his head and closing his eyes, appeared the shadow of Mas Bimo. He looked in pain with a body full of blood, as seen in my vision when in the hospital. I also accelerated my shower.

I better read a book and re-examine my college assignments, I murmured inwardly.

“Ya, have you slept yet?” I heard Mas Bimo calling from behind the door.

“Not yet, just log in!”

“Don't learn mulu, Yes! Later you forget how to date.” Mas Bimo's face was radiant, but reflected sadness. A paradox. I felt something covering up his cheerfulness.

“No, Mas.”

“You have a boyfriend?”

“But.”

“Again, are you taksir?”

“Not there either.”

“For someone to chase you?”

He even interviewed me.

“Who the hell Mas want to be with me.”

“I'm sure many like you. But they're still insecure with you.”

“Mas Bimo here want to interrogate me or want to teach you how to hook women?”

“Hahaha.. Seriously very, Yes. Here I bring you Pie Bowl and Apple Chips typical Malang,” he said while taking out a goodie bag containing the food he mentioned.

“Thank you very much, Mas.”

“Oh Yes, Yes.” Mas Bimo sat down closer towards me. “Dani said there's something you want to say about me.”

“E…. What's Mas…. I guess...” I became a wave. I was confused starting the first word to convey it.

“Yes, just last time in the hospital Dani told me if you have seen several times an unreal figure that looks a lot like me.” Mas Bimo's face became serious. “I just want to know, what exactly do you see about me?”

“Mas, maybe it's just my hallucinations aja.”

“Ya, lately I also often experience strange events.” Added sad strokes on Mas Bimo's face. “I often have nightmares. I dreamed of drowning, falling to the brink, having an accident, and being chased by someone who wanted to kill me.”

“Mas...” I feel like there's a common thread that can bridge our conversation.

“I know dreams are just flowers sleeping. But the nightmares felt real and repetitive. Sometimes my head hurts too suddenly. Plus I feel lazy to do anything, the innate always wants to sleep. Hence, I went back to Malang to calm down. But actually I don't feel like I'm thinking much either.” The words coming out of his mouth felt heavy. He was also looking for a story companion.

“Mas, I have not been able to ascertain what is going on with Mas Bimo based on my vision. However, I felt that a black aura was looming over Mas Bimo."

“What does that mean, Yes?”

“Previous, I hope Mas Bimo does not immediately believe or be provoked by what I say.” I don't want his mind to be burdened. “Please Mas Bimo digest first, whether it has anything to do with what Mas Bimo has experienced lately or not.”

Mas Bimo nodded. However, just as I was about to continue my sentence, he coughed.

I tried to set his position and give him a drink. Mas Bimo's breathing was somewhat breathless. I took her to see a doctor, but she refused and asked to rest in my bed.

“Mas, I tried to find medicine first yes!”

“Not worth it, Yes. I'm okay.” He coughed again, even louder than before.

His hand tried to support the mouth that kept releasing liquid. However, the liquid that came out from Mas Bimo's mouth was quite terrifying. Yes, fresh and quite a lot of blood.

I tried asking for help, but Mas Bimo got in the way. When I lifted her body to be taken to the clinic, she held back with all her might.

“This is just a common cold. Maybe because I'm a little cut. I'm okay, Yes!”

“But Mas, this..”.

“Do not be afraid, Yes! I'm asking you to get me a little flask and medicine in my room! His position in the corner near the closet,” please him with a drag sound.

“Iya, Mas.”

I rushed down. I opened Mas Bimo's room. My hair is goosebumps for a moment. It felt like there were many who greeted me with cynical gazes. There was something unusual in Mas Bimo's room.

I was going to call Dani too, but she seems to be sleeping. After all, I should immediately give the medicine to Mas Bimo.

After taking the medicine, his condition improved. He even fell asleep right away. While I shuddered in horror considering the atmosphere in his room.

An hour later, Mas Bimo woke up. “Yes, sorry I dirtyed your room. Tomorrow morning I promise to clean it.”

“Casual, Mas. Mas Bimo just rest!” I saw the time on the phone showing at 01:13 in the morning.

“You changed my shirt too? I really did not feel good.”

“Quiet, Mas. Don't hesitate! ”

“Then I go back to my room!”

“Do not!” prevent me while preventing him from getting up. He looked at me in wonder, too. “Mas Bimo sleeps here. Anyway don't sleep in Mas Bimo's room first tonight!”

“But, Yes..”

I put him back in bed. I have a bad feeling if Mas Bimo sleeps in his room. It was as if there was an invisible danger stalking him, waiting for him to fall asleep.