Before 365 Days
48. How the Fate of Mamat

"In there, we know neither night nor day. I don't know what time, don't know what day. We do the same thing over and over again. Our food was the same as the menu, "Roses told me by imagining the days there with Mira.

Everyone listened to the Rose story solemnly, with no one interrupting.

"We ate porridge, fried chicken, and also drank a glass of water. At first, I didn't know what I was eating. Before I finally met Mira. Mira was the one who told me that what I ate was not what I saw. The porridge is contaminated soil, deep black in color. Fried chicken, is the roots of trees or coconut fibers. While the water we drink, the comberan water that has been contaminated with waste," said Rose while holding back his nausea.

Everyone who heard felt concerned, and shuddered. They then focus on listening to the Rose story again.

"When I first met Mira, her condition was already concerning. His body was much injured. At that time, I heard a girl screaming. It turns out that the girl who was always tortured was, Mira. When I met her again, her condition was worse. Some of her hair fell out. It's gone!" the rose covered his face.

The rose could not tell the condition of the Mira at that time. Her tears did not feel back. Everyone who heard it was swept away. Especially Umi and Abi, as Mira's parents. They were devastated, and felt tremendous pain.

"You're not strong, you don't have to tell me anymore, War. Just bury everything in deep. And never dig again" said Wulan, stroking the rose's shoulders.

Rose nodded at Wulan's words.

The neighbors who heard it were still curious, but, Rose did not continue her story anymore, leaving them disappointed.

***

Mr. Driver tried to hold his breath deeply when he was pulled by such a powerful wave. His eyes were firmly closed with shadows between life and death. I don't know what's going to happen to him. He still hoped there would be help from the Khaliq.

His body was immediately pushed by a heavy object. It swallowed a lot of water. Then he felt a twitch pull his body. He could feel something pulling him, before he finally felt no tightness in his chest anymore because he held his breath for too long.

No matter how long he pingsa, the Driver known name, Mamat, it, then blinked his eyes slowly. His eyes glared when he saw the extremely bright light of the lamp piercing through his retina. He saw the ceiling so beautiful, so beautiful. Thin mist enveloped several corners. Like when there is a musical drama with a backdrop like in a fairyland, and the smoke around it. That's the picture.

"Am I still alive?" mamat blinked his eyes a few times.

Mamat felt his whole body. There were no injuries in his body. The clothes he was wearing were also intact. Mamat then woke up from his bed.

He looked at the situation around him.

"Masya Alloh, where is this! It's a beautiful place" said Mamat with a feeling of amazement.

"Is this heaven?" ask him again to himself.

"You're sober, young man?"

A voice suddenly sounded, making Mamat shocked and inching backwards when he saw the figure of ayu in clothes like Nyi Roro Kidul, according to Mamat, when he had seen a painting of Nyi Roro Kidul in a hotel.

"You si-si-who? Nyi-nyi Ro-Ro kidul is it?" tanya Mamat stammered.

The woman smiled with sweetness, making Mamat fascinated and praise the beauty of the woman who was standing in front of him.

"Nyi, how pretty! More beautiful in the original, than in the painting," said Mamat pretentiously.

"Really!" said the beautiful woman.

"Yes, Nyi!" mamat replied with a smile on his lips.

The beautiful woman then approached Mamat, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Am I still alive, Nyi?" ask Mamat.

"of course! Because I saved you" said the beautiful woman.

"Thank you, Nyi" said Mamat.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, Nyi! I am very hungry" said Mamat continues to look at the face of the ayu.

***

The two drivers who were at Mr. Ruman's house, were confused, because their friend, Mamat, was still missing there. Juned, one of the truck drivers approached Kang Ridwan who was inside.

Looking at the many people, Juned felt bad if he had to speak outspokenly. But, they all also witnessed Mamat's disappearance when it was captured by Bayong fish.

With determination, Juned then ventured, to take a promise to Kang Ridwan, to help his friend.

"Assalamu'alaikum, excuse me, Kang!" juned said with his hands rubbed in front of his stomach.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, yes, what's wrong, Mr. Juned!" replied Mr. Ruman.

"Sorry, Sir! I need to be with, Kang Ridwan, about the guy, Mamat!" juned's light was accompanied by a smile.

"Astagfirulloh!" said Kang Ridwan then stood up from his seat.

Mr. Kyai who saw Kang Ridwan's reaction, was shocked and moved from his seat.

"What's up, Kang?" ask Mr. Kyai.

"Anu, Kyai! I forgot, during the pick-up, Rose, there was one of the drivers who broke the ban. Finally, the driver ate with the swamp dweller" Kang Ridwan said in a slight panic.

"Where it's been night, what if ...."

Kang Ridwan did not continue his sentence anymore, making everyone curious.

"Kyai, can we now head for the South coast?" kang Ridwan.

"alright. Aziz, Dimas, we're getting ready, yes" ordered Mr. Kyai.

Aziz and Dimas immediately carry out orders from Mr. Kyai.

"My employees are also happy. I have a responsibility to him too. How about I come with you, Kyai!" ruman offered himself.

"Yes, Kyai, let my husband come with you. Mamat has also contributed to the rescue, Roses," Saras continued.

"You see, I'm going too" said Adam.

Kang Ridwan and Pak Kyai looked at each other. Mr. Kyai then nodded his head in agreement.

"All right, you can come" replied Kang Ridwan.

"I'm sorry, I can't come, I want to stay here, accompany Rose, and also Aunt Saras" said Marsel who felt bad.

"Yes, you're here, Cell," Adam replied with a smile.

Everyone understood how Marsel felt. Remembering, Roses were the future wives of Marsel, and they had been separated for a long time.

Wulan herself did not come with them either. Meanwhile, Abi Ilham and Umi Fatma had gone home first, after hearing the story of her son who was confined in the house of Ndoro Kusuma.

The group was already preparing to go towards the South coast. Not to forget, Ruman told Bi Minah to prepare food supplies and also plenty of drinking water just in case.

"Be careful, good luck, yeah" cried Marsel to Adam and the rest of the group.

Both cars left the Rose residence, heading for the South coast. The first cars were Pak Kyai, Kang Ridwan, Aziz, and Dimas.

The second car there Ruman, Adam, and the two drivers, among others, Juned and Bambang.