Castes
3

Alvan's private plane landed smoothly at Italy's airport at one night. The black sedan was waiting on the steps of the plane.

"where are we, sir?"

Alvan's private driver named Abas was waiting at the car door.

"Ostia."

The city of Ostia is known as the Mafia by the sea. The political mafia is in Ostia including the Pagata organization.

"don't you want to rest in the hotel until morning?"

Vladimir gave me advice.

"all right, we change course, we're going to the nearest hotel."

Abas nodded, turning the steering wheel.

While resting at the hotel, Alvan recalled his dark past. The memories kept spinning in his head, never to be lost.

******

Afternoon by night. Alvan and his friends parted ways at the junction, "thank you, zah. I wanted to go to the tournament. Same ball cake is really good, I pesen sometime to make an event."

Azizah blushed in embarrassment. Chain could only help but laugh, on the other hand it felt like Chain wanted to destroy the world when every day he saw two of his friends making out with each other.

Along the way Azizah just smiles herself like a madman. "why Lo? I'm starting to get the psychic."

"what the hell is Lo,"

Azizah hit Chain with a Tote bag containing a place to eat.

"uh, sick tau. It's a place to eat."

"modo very,"

Alvan has arrived at his house. The atmosphere of the house is very quiet. Usually when it was late at night, Grandpa Alvan was cooking for dinner. But somehow tonight the atmosphere of the house is very quiet.

"ma'am, Alvan's home."

there's no answer. The house was pitch black, leaving only moonlight to enter through the windows of Alvan's wooden stilt house.

Alvan walked slowly while fumbling through the walls, looking for a light switch. When the lights were turned on, how shocked Alvan saw that the entire house was in a mess. Dishes broke, books strewn on the floor, windows shattered, glasses splashed to the floor.

Moreover, what made Alvan shocked, how many blood spots on the floor.

Alvan's knee immediately suffocated as soon as he saw his grandfather already lying pale covered in blood on the living room sofa. Alvan fell to his knees. The incision wound of a sharp object was clearly visible on Grandpa Alvan's neck. Alvan's grandfather's face also looks bruised in some parts. Alvan was crying. For the first time the wolf cried.

Tomorrow morning. Residents and the police helped to bury Alvan's grandfather. People know him better by the name of Mr. Mul. Some residents there were crying to hear the departure of Mr. Mul who was known very well among the community. Mr. Mul does not look at the race, caste, or even how rich others are to deserve help.

the autopsy and funeral went well. Alvan thanked the citizens and police who were willing to help. Alvan has no one. Her father went to prison, her mother went to a mental hospital knowing her husband's case. Alvan's grandfather, Mulyadi also went without saying goodbye first with Alvan.

Alvan threw his whole body on the bed. He still can't believe what happened. Shortly, the police came knocking on the door.

"we're from the police."

The man stood in front of Alvan while showing his police badge.

"we heard there was a murder here, and we were assigned to investigate it."

Alvan. He could no longer hold back his cries after hours of him holding up in front of the citizens who helped bury his grandfather.

Her tears kept falling. The two policemen could only shut up, letting Alvan cry. Things like this for the police are commonplace. Hundreds of mothers have cried knowing that their children died in brawls. Already hundreds of fathers who cried knowing his daughter was killed because of romantic motives.

The two policemen were allowed in by Alvan, they chatted in the dining room. Bloodstained still on the floor of the house and on the sofa, Alvan was not strong to clean it.

"are you traumatized by this, son?"

Alvan was silent, his lips looking pale.

"if you're traumatized by something, you can call the police to get a free hospital facility."

Alvan this time shook his head. He was indeed a little traumatized, but if in retrospect his grandfather was killed or not, surely his age would not be long, knowing his age of 80 years. The two policemen sighed.

"if you're not strong, we'll come in another day, how? But we'll do an autopsy today."

Alvan shook his head.

"it's okay, sir. I can tell you everything."

"all right, let's start the interrogation, son."

Alvan started telling me what he saw last night. The two policemen were busy noting the important points spoken by Alvan.

"alright, the autopsy team will be here in a few minutes. They'll secure the living room."

"yes, sir."

While waiting for the autopsy team, the police chatted casually with Alvan. Five minutes passed, the Autopsy team had arrived. Police gave police lines in the living room. Photographing the blood spots and other important things.

the two policemen were busy talking. Alvan just sat in the dining room helpless. Alvan is not allowed anywhere while the investigation is still ongoing.

"they entered through the window, then attacked the victim who was sleeping on the sofa. They attacked with butcher knives, were beaten first and the victim was slashed. The victim had fought back but unfortunately the perpetrator was more than one."

The police captain gave an explanation after a seven-day investigation.

"who did it?"

Chain was accompanying Alvan asking the police captain who came to Alvan's house.

"they're from a gangster organization, this is gonna be a little tricky."

Chain looked at Alvan. dude, you got a problem with gangsters? That was the intent of Chain's facial expression.

Alvan shrugged his shoulders. As he remembered, he had never had any problems with the Gangsters.

"we don't know for sure yet, but it's likely that they came because there are personal issues. If they come to steal, look, none of your belongings are lost, right? Like you said yesterday."

Maybe this is Mr. Mul's problem with the gangsters not Alvan's problem causing this to happen.

Alvan tries to remember him hard, but in his memory indeed he never saw his grandfather dealing with gangsters.

"do you know what the name of the gangster organization is?"

"for now we haven't found it."

Chain nodded. Dead ends, no protesters. The door of the house was knocked, Azizah came with a sponge, visiting all with Alvan who was mourning.

Chain eats a gluttonous chocolate sponge at the dining table. The police captain is still explaining the case of Alvan's grandfather's murder.

"perhaps the perpetrator will be arrested tomorrow or in two days. Be patient, Alvan."

The police captain left, there are still many tasks that he has to do.

The three of them began to discuss. Find out who the gangster organization that attacked Alvan's grandfather was.

"what could be the village thugs?"

Chain just guess.

"all the village thugs never deal with Alvan's grandfather. I've heard the story, the village thugs were making a fuss with the shopkeeper, suddenly they were silent when Alvan's grandfather came to buy a kilo of eggs. Grandpa Alvan patted the thug on the cheek, then they were flushed like a child looking at a ghost."

Azizah heard the story from her mother who also happened to be in the grocery store buying monthly necessities.

"Is that thug still there?"

Alvan asked curiously.

"Maybe. They used to gather at the village market, the boss named Acong."

Chain looked at Alvan, he felt an uneasy feeling.

"I'll be there later in the afternoon."

"for what?"

Azizah stood up, shocked. Alvan did not answer because Azizah already knew the answer.

The sun is at the eastern end. Alvan boarded a search and hurried to go to the market. Everyone that Acong asked, they all said no idea and hurried away.

"excuse me, bang."

"he? I don't have a spare change."

"i'm here for Acong's whereabouts."

"Acongs? Hahahaha, what's the boss doing?"

"I want to talk about Mr. Mulyadi."

"Sir Mul?!"

The man was surprised when he heard Mr. Mul's name.

Acong and his men were on the ground floor where the fresh fish trade. They're having fun playing cards.

"Well, why did you bring a little boy here?"

"he wants to talk about Mr. Mul."

"Mull Boss?"

Acong hurried to clean up his seat.

"Hey, kid. Are you ready, Mr Mul?"

"I'm his grandson."

Acong had his men order chicken noodles for Alvan.

"So, what happened to your grandfather, son?"

"He was murdered last night."

Acong rubbed his face, concerned.

"What's your name, son?"

Acong's men had already brought two bowls of chicken noodles placed on the table.

"Alvan."

"Mulyadi has a grandchild name that is no less good with his son, I even just met him today." Acong pouring sambal.

"Mulyadi, your grandfather, he used to be the greatest man in fighting in the village next door, few people knew that information. In this village the only ones who know about it are me and these men."

"What's my grandfather good until you're scared?"

"He was the head thug in the village next door and I was one of his confidants. He's the most powerful. The whole market was plundered by him. Not paying dues? Get ready your shop will be destroyed whether it's scrambled or even burned."

Alvan gulps. He could not believe that his grandfather, who always smiled at the people around him, was always helpful, and diligent in gardening, had a long-cherishing past that Acong told him about.

"But he mysteriously disappeared somewhere. We searched for almost 5 years in this village. My men finally managed to find Mulyadi at the grocery store who was about to buy a kilo of eggs. They're shocked. Mulyadi patted their cheeks saying, Do not bother me anymore, now my life is much better, leave me, and live in your own desires."

"I was about to meet him but my men advised me not to do so or we would disavow the commanding officer."

Acong. His hand that was about to grind the chicken noodles stopped. Acong's eyes glazed.

"My man only met a year ago, even I haven't met him but he's-"

The words stopped at the end of the sentence. The sobs are unbearable.

"I'm proud to have a chairman like your grandfather, Alvan. Although he was evil in the eyes of others, and in the eyes of customers, but he often helped merchants transport goods, really keeping the market from pickpockets and thieves. Countless how many thieves he beat up. He was forced to destroy the store that wouldn't pay because he needed money to support his family."

Acong rubbed his cheek with a tissue.

"It still dawned on my head how gracious his face was when he smiled."

*****

Finished eating Alvan was about to pay but Acong forbade it.

"Take it this is my last gift to Mulyadi, Alvan." Acong smiled kindly.

*****

Back to the present.

Alvan did not close his eyes from night until morning. "You don't sleep anymore, Alvan?" Vladimir went into Alvan's room and gave him the breakfast he had taken at the hotel restaurant.

"You better take your medicine back, Alvan."

Alvan wasn't listening, he was busy tying ties.

"If you keep this up, you'll die with a panda-like face."

"You're not my parents."

Alvan answered coldly stuffing the gun into his back pocket.

The two of them went down to the basement preparing to go to Pagata's headquarters.

"Have you contacted Kara if we wanted to visit?"

Vladimir nodded. He's been contacting Kara ever since on the plane that they want to visit in peace.

The black sedan Alvan drove entered the narrow streets. People are busy with their own activities.

Very few people know about the city of Ostia. In fact, on the internet there are only a few news websites that discuss the crime of the city of Ostia. If they search the internet Ostia City Rome, then the only thing out is hotel lodging, beaches, tourist attractions, and others. They (news journalists) prefer silence to life. I don't know how many crimes Pagata committed in the city of Ostia.

Pagata headquarters is near the beach, the gate that exactly faces the direction of the beach is open slowly.

Guards inspect Alvan and Vladimir. Guns, knives, coins, paper, and business cards were held up by guards.

"Sorry if our security is this tight, Alvan."

Kara comes over to Alvan at the entrance, "please come in."

Alvan called the waiter, "what would you like to drink?"

"We didn't come here for drinks."

Alvan answered coldly.

"You're the same as you were when we just met, Alvan. You remind me of the past." Kara laughed a little.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?"

Alvan took a long breath.

"Council 4 in our country named Chain was murdered last night in his cell."

"yeah, I've heard the news. It's so crowded on the internet, even if my television turns on now there's a chain face on it."

"Is that your organization?"

This time Kara laughed out loud while hitting the table.

"Hahahaha, I can't stop laughing."

Alvan and Vladimir stared at each other.

"if so, why?"

Alvan stood up after hearing Kara's reply.

"Thank you for the banquet."

"hey, I was just kidding. Sit down."

Alvan sat down.

"My man from chain murder wasn't me or even from my men. But, I've heard the recent issue that there's a larger organization than Cruz."

"Rabellshit. It never existed, Cruz's organization is the king of the black market."

Vladimir pointed at Kara.

"Hey, kid. Do you know the rules for meeting the heads of the organization?"

One of the rules in the meeting of the chairman of the organization is not to appoint each other because it is considered no respect.

Alvan raises his hand, "pardon him, Kara. He's the new kid." Kara laughed again. "I'm just kidding, Alvan."

Alvan breathed. Kara was always like this, always joking. Once one day Buntar's headquarters suddenly got news if his headquarters was attacked. All the sleeping men immediately woke up to pick up their weapons.

With confidence Kara entered the headquarters empty-handed and without any men. It turned out that only Kara was going to visit. He laughed without stopping. Buntar's men put on a sour face.

*****

Kara combed her hair with her hands full of ornamental tattoos.

"I'm a little confident in that issue, Alvan. The thing is, lately my stock has dropped a bit, whereas I don't find the slightest problem in my company."

"That's all?"

"No, some of my men who were assigned to guard the harbor also disappeared. Some were found lifeless in the boat.

This issue is still uncertain but I'm sure there is an organization that has been hiding and has shown its nose."

"What is the name of the organization?"

"They are often referred to by the term caste."