BROMOCORAS
The Unknown

Manan had just returned from buying cigarettes when he found a middle-aged man standing leaning against the gate wall of Pondok Hidayah. Manan momentarily focused his gaze on the man, it seemed like the man was observing around the pesantren courtyard.

With a calm step now Manan tried to step closer to the man.

"Whose father is looking for?" Sapa Manan from the back of the middle-aged man.

Instantly the man jumped in shock and immediately twisted his body.

"Well, didn't you also spy on my friend back then?" Manan then said.

The man looked excited. Even his face looks very confused.

"What does this man really need?" Ask Manan again.

The man did not answer. But from his guts it seemed like the man wanted to leave the place immediately.

"I'll excuse you. Sorry." Said the man. Manan pulled the man's arm to hold him.

"I won't let you go until you answer my question. What does this father really need?" Manan repeated his question by still holding the man's arm.

"I'm sorry but I have to go." The man was a little struggling. But Manan was getting tighter holding onto the man's arm.

"Before I know your purpose. I won't let go of you." Threaten Manan this time.

The man sounded breathless. Manan was still clutching the man's arm.

Duak!!!

Suddenly the man elbowed beside Manan so hard. Instantly Manan let go of the grip on the man's arm and fell to the ground.

"I'm sorry young man. I honestly don't want to attack or even hurt you. One day I hope you understand. Again please forgive me." Said the man as he left Manan who was still groaning in pain.

"Tung.wait, Sir. I. I want to know the purpose, father." With his condition still enduring the pain Manan was still trying to restrain the man.

The middle-aged man turned his head while smiling, "Oh yes, young man. Give my greetings and gratitude to your friend for helping me at that time." Said the man then with quick steps passed from in front of Manan.

Manan was still moaning in pain holding onto his waist. It felt like being twisted, cramping and nausea mixed into one. In his condition like that and remembered the man's words just now. Manan seemed to remember something.

Before long a santri passed by and saw Manan who seemed to be in pain. Soon the santri approached and asked what had happened to Manan.

"Kang, Manan? Kang, Manan why? What's going on." The santri greeting immediately approached Manan who was still seen enduring the pain.

"It's not papa. Help me get you to Ajimukti's room." Pinta Manan to the santri.

"Okay, Kang." The Santri immediately helped to get Manan's body. Manan tried to stand while still holding his waist which still feels so painful. With a staggering step Manan assisted santri was walking towards Ajimukti room.

Arrive in Ajimukti's room. Ajimukti and Dullah gasped in shock at the condition of Manan who was served by a santri. Soon they wake up and help Manan.

"What's this, Nan?" Ask Ajimukti.

Dullah immediately took a glass of water and thrust it into Manan.

"Diminum first, Nan. Let's just calm down and tell me what happened." Said Dullah while thrusting the glass of water to Manan. With a breath of breath, Manan received the glass of water and drank it immediately.

"I'm sorry if you'll excuse me, Kang. There's still another need." Santri who escorted Manan to retreat from Ajimukti's room.

Manan still felt a pain in his waist. Several times he massaged his own waist.

"What happened to you, Manan?" Again Ajimukti asked, hoping to get an answer from Manan.

"Yes, Nan. Are you fighting with another santri or something?" Imbuh Dullah was also still filled with curiosity.

Manan sighed. "I just saw a man the age of Lek Dul seemed to be spying on the eyes of the pesantren. This is the second time I've caught him observing the pesantren." Manan held his breath.

Ajimukti and Dullah are still waiting for the continuation of Manan's remarks.

"I was trying to know what the father was doing? What need is it? Like when I first saw it. The father wanted to leave immediately. And I tried to hold it." Manan.

Manan nodded, "But after that he apologized. He said it wasn't his wish." Manan again.

Ajimukti and Dullah were stunned. "Then?" Ask Ajimukti again.

"And after that he sent you a message, Jik." Manan again.

Ajimukti. Now Ajimukti and Dullah look at each other. "What did that guy say?" This time he was filled with curiosity.

Manan sighed again, "The man said send a message for you, Jik. And convey his thanks. Only then did I remember who the father was."

"Who, Nan?" Dullah quickly cut. While Ajimukti was astonished and only frowned.

"You remember what happened in the market when? When there's a mugging?" Ask Manan to Ajimukti while upholding his body. It seems like his condition is much better.

Ajimukti nodded, "Yes, I still remember. Then what does that have to do with what happened back then, Nan?" Ask Ajimukti full of astonishment.

Manan nodded again, "Yes, father who hit me this, snatch that you helped in the market, Jik."

Ajimukti was aghast, from the look of his face he looked shocked. "A.are you serious, Nan?" Ask Ajimukti.

"Yes, Jik. When I first caught it, I felt like I was no stranger. I don't know where I've seen that father. And I just remembered that the father was the snatch that you helped." Manan replied while twisting his waist.

Ajimukti nodded lightly.

"Help jambret? What do you mean, Mas?" Asked Dullah who had been silent since then due to confusion with their conversation.

"Yes, Lek. So when was it that I was the same Manan fitting to go to the market both of it. Manan and I saw a mugging. Well, I'm after. But after that snap of his I love money because he did it was forced because his wife was sick, he needed money to redeem his wife's medicine." Ajimukti recounted the incident at the market that afternoon.

Dullah nodded slowly, now he began to understand a little. "But why did Manan say he was monitoring the pesantren, Mas?" Ask Dullah afterwards.

"That's the Lek that I don't understand. But from Manan's story just now, it doesn't seem like that person meant anything bad." Sahut Ajimukti while holding his chin.

"I thought so too, Jik. I saw it in the eyes of the father. It looks like there's something the father tried to cover up from me earlier." Imbuh Manan later.

Ajimukti nodded lightly, "What is it exactly?" Once again Ajimukti palpated his chin while laughing.

"Maybe we need to find out, Jik." Manan. "I'm sure either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the father will definitely show up again." Imbuhnya.

"But is that possible, Nan? I mean after you twice went to him. Is it possible that he'll come back?" Ask Ajimukti.

"Maybe not in the same place, Jik. I think he's got a need with you. When I first caught him I saw his eyes on you." Manan explained.

"I'm worried, Mas. If the person has the same evil intentions Mas Aji how?" Timpal Dullah slightly implied his concern to Ajimukti.

Ajimukti patted Dullah's thigh, "Just calm down, Lek. I'm sure that father didn't mean anything bad." Ajimukti tried to calm Dullah's worries.

"Then I'll keep an eye on you, Mas. If anything happens, let me brush that guy. I happen to have all my body. Long time no sport." Dullah was excited.

Ajimukti just a head bobble, "Already, Lek. Nothing will be like that. If there is even Lek Dul go forward first." Ajimukti is laughing.

"By the way, Nan. Still sore?" Tanya Ajimukti turns to Manan.

"That's fine, Jik. If it didn't feel good." Complain Manan. "Emmm, it seems like I should learn to do silat with you, Jik. Yes make sure to take care if it happens like gini. So I'm ready." Manan started laughing a little.

"The son of Anggoro is a thumper, fallen just like that." Ejek Dullah laughed a little with Manan.

"Not trained, Lek. So kethul." Timpal Manan was still with his laughter.

"But I'm still curious, Mom. If you haven't seen who that person is." Now Dullah's face looks serious again.

Ajimukti just nodded, "Me too, Lek. I don't know what's behind all this. But then again I'm sure, that father must have had no malicious intent."

Seriate...