Before 365 Days
Chapter 23: Confused

After a long silence, and enjoying a snack, Pak Kyai and Kang Ridwan continued chatting again. Frankly, Mr. Kyai is still curious about the figure of Ndoro Kusuma told by Kang Ridwan.

"Kang, I'm still curious about Ndoro Kusuma who you told me about. Why, Ndoro Kusuma can be tortured and buried in the forest, Kang?"

Kang Ridwan smiled at Pak Kyai's question. Then he put the glass.

"Originally, Ndoro Kusuma was a good man, however, because he could not have children, he was eventually tortured every day. This is according to the vision of my inner eye, yes, Mr. Kyai. Everything is wallohu'alam bissawab" said Kang Ridwan as he raised his two hands briefly. "He was daily fed with soil, tree roots, coconut fibers, land of waste, and he drank raw water, even contaminated drinking water. He was also forced to grow crops, plant rice, from morning until dusk. If the work is not finished, he will not get food. If in doing his job, he stopped, he would be whipped. That's how it is until death. He had a faithful lady and aide, who always accompanied him. So when he died, his aides were told to bury him, and they never returned to the palace. They rotted next to the tomb of Ndoro Kusuma. That's the story, Mr. Kyai. Is the genengan still curious?" Kang Ridwan slightly bent his back to see the look on Mr. Kyai's face. Mr. Kyai smiled, as Kang Ridwan looked at him. He felt ashamed. "Ah, don't be, Kang! I'm not tasty. Understandably, I am a layman who knows nothing. You're the one who knows more about history like that."

"You're too low, Mr. Kyai."

They both laughed, and then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in" said Mr. Kyai.

Dimas entered politely, he walked over with a bow.

"Sorry, Mr. Kyai, this is a call from Mr. Wulan." Dimas handed his hape to Mr. Kyai, Mr. Kyai sighed and looked at the smiling Kang Ridwan.

"I'll let you out, Mr. Kyai!" said Dimas who then bowed and came out of the room.

Mr. Kyai then answered the phone from Wulan.

"Assalamu'alaikum" said Mr. Kyai.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Mr. Kyai, am I interrupting?" ask Wulan from across the street.

"Look, Mr. Kyai, about that license plate, Mr. Kyai said at the time. I want to tell you, that, that license plate, right my friend's license plate number, the missing Rose."

Mr. Kyai took a long breath. He had not answered Wulan's question, making Wulan there waiting.

"Hallo, Mr. Kyai, Mr. Kyai,"

Mr. Kyai nodded, then said. "Yes, yes, son Wulan, I'm still here. My message, you do not escape to pray'a well, do'a is the best for your friend, I will help do'a also from here."

Kang Ridwan smiled at Pak Kyai's words.

"Well, Mr. Kyai, but, if you can tell, where is my friend's motorcycle?"

Mr. Kyai sighed again, confused to explain how. He only found out because Kang Ridwan explained it.

"I'm sorry, son Wulan, I can't say it right now, because I'm not sure myself. If I'm sure, I'll call you again. Sorry yeah."

"Why did Mr. Kyai apologize. It should be me who apologizes, because it has troublesome Mr. Kyai. Anytime if Mr. Kyai wants to contact me, insya Alloh I stand by, Mr. Kyai."

"Yes, yes, I hung up the phone first huh, Wulan boy, assalamu'alaikum!"

"Wa'alaikumsalam," replied Wulan from across the street, feeling a little dissatisfied with Mr. Kyai's reply. However, Wulan was quite grateful because Mr. Kyai was willing to take the trouble to help him.