DAMNED GIRL
8. NEW SCHOOL

Shortly after the water hit the plume, Yumna's body fell down and Abas swiftly caught it before it touched the floor.

Yumna was laid on the bed and Abas' mother gave her a glass of water to calm herself down. The breath of Yumna that had been stinginged had started to stretch.

“You all right, Nduk?” ask Abas' mother to worry.

Yumna shook her head, “Ndak, Mom, Yumna ndak papa.” nevertheless, Yumna's face looked deathly pale and her hands felt cold as if touching ice.

On the advice of Abas and his mother, Yumna was taken to their home to avoid any unwanted occurrences. Although Yumna initially refused, but they insisted that Yumna come with them until Yumna finally recited their advice.

As the night wore on, Abas sat in front of the house accompanied by his mother, while Yumna rested in the room. He re-thought the incident that Yumna had just experienced, although it could not be digested using logic, but it was true.

“If you're worried, why don't you just marry Yumna, son. So he can stay here with us,” said Abas' mother who seemed to understand what her son was thinking.

Abas looked towards his mother, though he kept the taste for Yumna. However, there was a sense of worry tucked in her heart about the rumors circulating that Yumna was the female of Laweyan Shoulder.

“But, Mom ...."

Abas' mother clasped his son's hand tightly. He understood what Abas was worried about Yumna, “Listen to mom! Death and sustenance are the secrets of Allah. Never worry about the destiny God has set. Two more weeks Yumna's idahic period will be over, if you're sure, please marry her. I bless you, son,” a sweet smile etched beautifully on that wrinkled face.

Abas smiled, his heart warmed every time he heard the advice given by the woman he greatly appreciated. Abas took a deep breath. He tried to establish and convince the heart that the path he chose was right.

“Bismillah,” murmured Abas in heart to begin his intention.

“I'll see Yumna, Mom. May he approve of my good intentions." Abaz's mother nodded and Abas passed by to his mother's room where Yumna was.

Tok tok!

Abas knocked on the door. Then there was a voice from within that allowed him to enter.

“You haven't slept, Yum?”

“Not yet, Kang."

“I can talk for a minute?” Yumna nodded answering the question that was fixed on her.

Abash sat on a wooden chair not far from the bed where Yumna was sitting. Abas's face bowed as if he was at a loss as to where this conversation should begin. Yumna waited for the word that came out of the mouth of the man before her.

“Yum, sorry if I was presumptuous. If you're pleased, I want to marry you,” without further ado Abas immediately expressed his intentions.

Yumna's eyes were round, her forehead twitching at Abas's utterance which she had not expected.

“You sure, Kang? Didn't you know that I'm called the female of Laweyan's Shoulder?” Yumna stared deep into Abas' eyes, her tears dripping without him noticing.

Like a fresh wind blowing hard, the news of the marriage of Yumna and Abas quickly spread to the corners of the village. Not infrequently many who joined to scorn Abas for his choice to marry Yumna, but he did not waver with his intention.

The news also made Abas, Yayan and Wandi friends surprised. The reason, this decision seems rushed and desperate. It was only two days that the news was widespread, the wedding date had been set by the two of them.

“You are sure of this decision, Bas?” yayan asked while they were at the patrol station.

“Goddessa, Kang. May Allah Meridho."

“But, Bas, you know fix how Yumna's former husbands always die in an unnatural way?” yayan asked again as if he disagreed with the decision his best friend made.

“Don't be bad to think first, getting married is worship anyway. God determines what is best for his servant. Just continue with your good intentions, Bas,” Mr. Udin joined in defending Abas.

The conversation was quite a warm conversation between the three of them, until without feeling the night was getting late but Wandi had not yet arrived at the patrol post.

“Kang, Mr. Udin, I went to the musala first. Kebelet because,” said Abas who immediately ran to the musala toilet which was not far from the patrol post and left Yayan and Pak Udin on guard.

After he finished shitting and was about to return to the patrol post, Abas suddenly saw someone he knew walking quietly through the darkness of the night.

“Wandi? Where is he going at midnight like this?” Suspicious Gelagat Wandi provoked curiosity in Abas' heart to pull him to follow Wandi's footsteps.

In the middle of the night, Abas walks down the entrance into the forest following Wandi's steps. The 30-year-old man looked suspicious walking nights alone wearing a black raincoat and a torch in his hand when it was not raining.

The road through Wandi is getting steeper and rocky down the slopes of Mount Lawu. Until finally after walking for almost three hours he stopped at an old hut that almost reot with a spacious yard and much overgrown by teak trees.

Abas was hiding behind the bushes. He saw Wandi enter the hut which was greeted by a slightly hunchbacked old grandmother.  Wandi looked left and right as if he was confirming something before he actually closed the door.

Seeing the very suspicious Wandi gelagat, causing curiosity in the heart of Abas.  He approached the west side of the hut and tried to find a gap in order to look inside and hear the conversation between the two of them.

"Nyi Asih, I want Nyai to do things as usual" Wandi told the old woman while offering some money.

"Missful Nyi? Isn't that the name of a shaman who is famous for his black magic and expertise in abortion? What business is Wandi doing with him?" muttered Abas while frowning.  He never knew before that Wandi had come to a place like this, but saw from the way he spoke as if he and Nyi Asih had met often.

The curiosity in the heart of Abas is getting peaked, what exactly is Wandi's business so it must involve the witch doctor.

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