COOLDER
3: THE FORGOTTEN STORY

The atmosphere in the yellow tent was very crowded, filled with the families of the victims. I haven't seen any casualties so far, only the wounded continue to arrive stretchered by volunteers. What the hell did I just happen here? And who would do such an evil thing to the innocent?

My mind stopped asking questions when I saw Dad sitting holding Mama's hand lying on the makeshift tent bed.

"Dad... Sorry we were both late, and not–" Dad stood— hugged us tightly and made Kak Reza stop talking.

"Seeing you guys are fine is more than enough for now, son." Father smiled as he wiped his fallen tears. "I'm sorry, I can't keep your sister, yet" Dad complained in a sobbing voice. "In those moments the explosion happened. Dad's body was pushed by everyone running in the direction, not giving you a chance to pass," he explained, "And when everything stopped, I realized that your mama had passed out, and Miko...." My crying is not strong to explain.

"Dad sit down, calm down." Reza's sister stroked my father's back, trying to calm him down while telling him to sit on the chair next to your bed.

It's very difficult to be in my position now. Being a victim and a witness at the same time. Had to see Miko who somehow she why and where now.

Father bowed for a moment, and then his head lifted. "Everything happens fast." Dad squeezed a finger.

"It's not all Dad's fault." Mama was awake, and had commented on Dad's statement.

"It's Mama's fault, I can't keep Miko." Mom tried to lift her body to sit down. The three of us held back and told Mama to stay down.

Mama smiled, telling me she was strong enough to just sit on the bed. Dad agreed to your mother's will and helped her sit on the bed.

Mama took a deep breath. "Mama is in the front row near the judges' seats. Mama wanted to be at the very front to encourage Miko..," she exhaled again, "The explosion happened just seconds after her dance music was played. A huge explosion occurred backstage, and then a very bright light passed from backstage, went up on stage, and at the same time, Miko was no longer visible on stage. Then mom can't remember why she fainted."

"That light. Surely that's the reason Miko disappeared, just need to find out, what light is passing in front of Mama," said Father.

"But how's Dad?" Moments later, Dad was back in heartbreak. Mama already knows what makes Miko go missing, but Mama doesn't know how to find out.

"Mama's worried about Miko right now, I don't know what brought her. There must be a certain purpose and reason." Mom's breath instantly became tight. Dad immediately told Mama to regulate the breath, helping Mama to lie back to calm down for a moment.

One of the nurses who saw coming, helped Mama. Running the other way carrying medicine and a bottle of drinking water. "Thank you for the Buk." I received the medicine and the bottle.

"Father or mas if you need food can go to the cafeteria, there we provide some food for the visiting family." Father nodded back at the friendly nurse.

...***...

We returned home at 6 p.m., after things had started to improve a little and Mama chose to continue the break at home.

Me and Reza's sister took care of all the work Dad was supposed to do, because I told her that Dad would be better off accompanying Mama to rest in the room for now, and Dad agreed without thinking.

All the bags and other items we put near the living room sofa. We closed the front door of the house. I went up first to clean myself up for dinner. Reza immediately lay on the long sofa in front of the TV in the living room. I turned on all the lights. Go to Reza's room to turn on her room lights.

Brother Reza's room was always a mess like the last time I walked in, a week ago. The study table is filled with novels and biographical books, even though the bed is almost left right there is a pile of books.

The closet's open, not since when. I'd rather close, I'd rather not see the closet open, reminding me of the horror movies that mostly ghost out through the closet.

It was time to take a shower and change clothes, I hurried to my room to take a shower immediately. Just a few steps away from the door of Kak Reza's room, I heard the door of the closet in his room open.

I came back to confirm what I just heard.

And it turns out to be true, the door was back open.

I try not to think negative things, which makes me even more afraid. But the more forced not to think, the more my brain thinks about those things.

I grabbed the closet door leaf, a soft whistling sound came out from the direction in Kak Reza's pile of clothes.

I was curious and tried to move one shirt at a time. Makes her voice more clear I hear.

A black book with a pictorial cover that looks like a circle forms a door or rather a portal. What book is this? What's inside....

Reza pushed hard on the closet door making me jump before perfectly opening the book I found. "Suppose lo!" Reza pulled the book I was carrying and put it on top of his closet.

Reza's sister pulled me out. "Sorry brother, that was Amed ga accidentally—" Not finished talking to me, the door has been slammed and closed perfectly. I don't know why he looks different, a little scary.

I walked into my room picking clothes and getting ready to take a shower before it got late.

I finished the bath after almost 10 minutes I sat inside doing nothing, just thinking about Miko who was now somehow somewhere.

I went back to the bathroom after the shower. Put yourself on the bed. This house is completely quiet and dark. The absence of Miko is like there is no happiness in this house. Everyone's darkness is becoming more and more apparent now.

...***...

"Your children are upstairs?" Dad shouted from the sati floor.

I didn't answer. Stepping up the stairs to get down to meet Dad.

"Well dad's coolest son comes down first." My father smiled broadly to see me coming down the stairs.

Dad embraced me. "Where's Reza's sister?" ask Dad. "Amed didn't see. Amed just got out of the room today" I explained.

"Judah, I'll check myself then." Dad's up the stairs. From his room there was no sound or noise at all, it could be that Kak Reza was asleep.

My mom seems busy in the kitchen. I decided to help Mama prepare the dishes for dinner. Mama brought the pot to near the table—pour vegetable capcay onto the plate.

Dad came down the stairs while embracing Kak Reza who was halfway unconscious was rubbing his eyes. "The other father's son was sleeping from earlier. Kasian has run out of nugas until he falls asleep," he sneered.

Dad pull chair—please let Mama sit first. "Romantic is so. Is there something today?" ask Mama who was curious about Dad's romantic attitude just now.

"Dad is always romantic." He smiled at Mama. Mama smiled back with her face flushed in shame.

Mama replies by pouring tea into dad's cup, then feeding Dad with a spoonful of rice. "Lho's just fed rice? No side dishes?" ask Daddy to tease Mama. Mama laughed back.

It's been a long time that this kind of atmosphere has disappeared from my family. Because of the busyness of my parents that makes them almost unable to chat as warm as tonight.

I bribed rice with my mom's vegetable capcay. "Tomorrow. You all go with me to the lab," said the father. Dad wiped his mouth with a tissue. "Dad will show the results of your work all this time to you and also to the public."

"Tuh right. his romantic father just as a sweetener earlier," said Mama while mocking. Dad pinched Mom's arm. "So it's really from the heart that I love the most...." My mom's face is getting red. Mama immediately stood—woven all the dishes and brought them to wash.

"Your mama always did that." Dad laughed to see the blurred Mama blushing while carrying a dirty plate.

I stood up to catch up with Mama. "Your mama's so easy to baper if you're Dad, '" Dad boasted. I just smiled hearing it.

Dad walked out of the kitchen holding mom's hand "Okay, kids, it's time for you to rest." Reza saluted. "OK, ready."

Reza and I went up the stairs to the second floor and we went into our rooms.

I'm going to get my favorite suit ready to go to the lab tomorrow. Clothes that are not casual, but also that are not too formal.

I chose a white t-shirt that had a collar, as well as black trousers that I usually wear when there is a family event. I stacked my suit on the table. Everything is ready, I can rest for now. I grabbed a roll and a pillow, I pulled the blanket straight to sleep.

Tomorrow.

Mama stroked my shabby hair. "Let's wake up, dear mama." I opened my eyes immediately.

"Directly take a shower, mama wait under for breakfast together." Mama's back had already disappeared behind the frame of the room door.

I grabbed a shirt and a towel. Walk a little straight towards the bathroom. Start brushing your teeth, then take a bar soap and shampoo.

I grabbed a towel. Wear pants to the room. I wear perfume before I wear clothes.

I walked out of the room. Look at Reza's room. The room is empty, everyone means they are waiting for me to come last.

Reza's sister plays cell phones at the dining table. Dad was reading the newspaper on the long sofa in front of the TV. And Mama looks to be preparing a little more breakfast ready.

I approached the mama who was pacing. "Amed help Ma?" my many. Mama said nothing, instantly giving a pile of dishes. I take the pile of plates, and I put them on the table one by one.

"Well, everything's ready." Papa folded his newspaper after seeing me and Mama busy preparing plates and glasses for breakfast.

I sat next to Reza. Mom is next to Dad. The dining table is one year old. Since the disappearance of Miko, the father decided to change the dining table and reduce his seat to only four people. Dad wanted to make sure his family was better after the incident.

I poured vegetables and rice on each plate. "I'm a little Ma." Reza put her phone on the table. "Soak tumben ate you a little?" ask Dad who is curious about the portion of Kak Reza. "It's okay Dad. Just a diet." I immediately choked, my drinking water coming out through my nose. My father and I laughed at Reza's explanation.

"Huuts, if on the table must be polite," said Mama turned to me and the father who laughed curled up.

"What's wrong trying?" Reza looks annoyed at being ridiculed.

Mama grabbed my plate and scooped the rice. "Here's mama bribe you Med, gapake chat. Too often." Mama fed me who still withstands stomach pains from laughing.