CUTS
CAUGHT ON...

"Are you scared?" What question is that? Yes obviously scared, I'm so scared now.

Rendra sat in front of me, our distance just wasn't too close. I was still down, I squeezed the end of the veil I was using.

"Do you know Jannah?" I nodded my head.

"He's your best friend?" I shook my head.

"Are you mute?" Again I shook my head making Rendra sigh and it was heard by me.

"You want to get out of here quickly eat look at me and answer my questions in a voice instead of a head gesture. You speak Indonesian, right?"

I raised my head and looked at him as he commanded. Rendra smiled slightly.

"So many months she's been at your house, what she needs to be there and you said you weren't close but she's been at your house a lot."

"I don't know either, sir. After Miftah died she went to my house often. I also felt strange because we weren't close but I couldn't get rid of him, right?" I answered with an annoyed look.

Again Rendra smiled, "What do you guys talk about often?"

"Much, about the studies, friends and em..prospective husband."

"Did she have a husband?"

"He said no, but I don't know if it's true or not. Because I don't want to know his business."

Rendra mangosteen. "What about Miftah? Are you guys close?"

"Me and Miftah are pretty close, but Jannah and Miftah are not."

"Did Miftah often tell you about her personal problems?"

"We met just in time for school, we talked to each other before najar started."

"On my men's proposal to Miftah, do you and Jannah know?"

"I know when going to school past his house. And there are some soldiers, after arriving at the new study Miftah story if he's been proposed to the same friend of the Father."

"Did Jannah hear that story?"

"I don't know, because we're talking whispers."

"So you like to talk to me again?"

I wondered, why is he lecturing me? "It was just that day" I answered.

Rendra looked at me with a serious look. "Jannah was arrested for spying for the rebels."

"Huh???" I was surprised but not too. From the beginning I was suspicious but I kept quiet because I also could not report to the security forces. I can be mistaken for their spy.

"It's also possible that he's behind Miftah's death." Rendra said back.

I can't believe what Rendra said. "What's he doing that for?" Mumbles.

"Because of liver diseases such as envy and envy if not controlled it will eat yourself, for example yes Jannah. He envied seeing Miftah and committed a foolish act by reporting Jannah to the rebels."

"Maybe if you accept my proposal and he also knows then your fate will end like Miftah unless your brother helps."

I looked at Rendra as she mentioned 'Abang you'. Does Rendra know about my brother? And does he also suspect us of having hidden my brother's face from him?

"Will Jannah be released?" Ask doubt.

"No, he'll be detained and the court doesn't work for prisoners like him."

I frowned at the sign of not understanding and Rendra had absolutely no intention of giving an explanation for me to understand.

"Be careful, don't go alone again. Ask to be escorted by Abu if there is a sudden need. I can't take care of you all the time. Now you can go home, Abu and Umi must be worried."

I nodded then got up from sitting walking towards the door. "Cut," Rendra held my arm suddenly. "I still hope you accept my proposal."

"Sorry." I said and got out of that creepy place.

I hurried to get home as soon as possible. "Assalamualaik."

Abu and Umi immediately hugged me. "Allah, O Allah, the son of the servant is saved." Abu said as he hugged me.

I told Abu and Umi. At that time Abu and Umi forbade me to go to school again. Abu and Umi were afraid that the events that befell Miftah would happen to me. Abu was also afraid that I would be labeled as a government spy because I had been in their post.

Complete is my pain as a girl born in a conflict area who wants to see the vastness of the world turned out to see my village alone can not let alone the outside world.

No more news of Jannah. His parents could not see him or her again. Sometimes I think the Jannah incident is the same as Miftah. Miftah's parents also can't see her son anymore and Jannah's parents are the same. Is this what we call justice? I don't know...

Days changed weeks changed months and now it's been eight months Rendra's been living in my village. How's our relationship going? There aren't. We didn't know each other and didn't say hello.

Today is harvest time. All villagers who have rice fields look busy to harvest their yellowed rice. I helped Umi cook some of the food we were going to bring to the rice fields.

"Assalamualaik." The sound of a few people in front of the house made me and Umi stop instantly.

That is how we live in conflict zones. It is always a fearful thought that comes to mind when someone is greeting you. Me and Umi go straight to the dock. Some of the fathers and mothers I believe to be the wives of these fathers smiled at us.

"Getishalam." I answered and Umi with a confused face.

"Is this Abu Salahuddin Nur's house?" Ask one of them.

"I-iya, but Abu again in the fields. What's up, huh?" Ask Umi.

"Sorry because we did not arrive on time, we want to meet him, we are here to convey the mandate of a young man in the opposite sub-district."

Umi let them in. "Cut, get Abu!" I immediately ran towards the rice field not too far from home.

With a stinged breath I told Abu if there were guests at home and that second Abu went straight home.

Ash did not go straight to the guests. The ashes went in through the side and then cleaned themselves in the well behind the house. I picked up a change of clothes for Abu in the room and I felt stared at by all of them with a strange look.

"Assalamualaik." Abu said with a smile

"Getishalam."

I made a drink for Ashes and for guests was made by Umi before.

"Pardon us who did not arrive on time so as to interfere with Abu's work."

"It's okay that I'm just shocked, so what are the intentions and goals of the fathers and mothers to our home?" Ask Abu kindly but I can catch Abu's gesture who really knows their purpose.

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