Firefields
The Unexpected Arrival

ALL DAY ago Jauhari was only busy with the many arrivals of guests at his house. Starting from the group of citizens who questioned the truth about Mat Yusi, there were those who came to propose gotong royong in his field, until the arrival of school teachers.

In front of them all, Jauhari behaved as usual, as if nothing had happened. In fact, you can still joke. However, they knew, Jauhari was in trouble.

Wijan has not even been home since. He chose to accompany Jauhari if at any time necessary.

Plans this afternoon to gather citizens and invite mat Yusi to expel Yudha was finally failed. No one expected this afternoon. Everything fell apart after Mat Yusi made a shocking confession.

Awayari massage his forehead with fingers. “Almost everyone wants to do royong tomorrow. What say?” tanya Jauhari asked for the opinion of Wijan who was sitting cross-legged on the chair.

“You've been doing good to them. At a time like this, they want to help you. So, there is no harm in following their advice!”

“Even the teachers asked to take the students to the fields,” Jauhari took a deep breath. “I don't think it's necessary.” he continued.

“If you clean the fields, Mat Yusi has done it. I saw him myself this afternoon when I picked him up in the fields,” Wijan recounted the condition of the fields when he met Mat Yusi.

Jauhari could hardly believe Wijan's story. From there he felt sure there was something Mat Yusi had hidden from him. He then lowered his voice.

“Until now, I still don't believe in Mat Yusi's confession. I'm sure there's something he's keeping secret about!”

“While I don't know well, I'm still curious. Should we just meet him now and ask him directly?” wijan's proposal calls Jauhari to go to the fields.

“I thought so. After all, he no longer had a hut. If you can, we persuade you to sleep here,” said Jauhari.

“Then, what else are you waiting for. We go there now!” Wijan stood up.

“Shortly. I'll have the Princess wrap her food for her first. I'm afraid he's starving.”

“If necessary, bring also some sheets of clothing. He needs it right now.”

Jauhari agrees. “What else do you think is needed? Let me take you guys.”

Wijan thought for a moment. “Bath appliances can also.”

“Then wait a minute. I'll prepare everything.”

After settling down, Jauhari and Wijan immediately set out to meet Mat Yusi.

***

In Yudha's clove field, the sound of a flashlight still shone on the clove trees. Sapri tried his best not to cause any movement that could make someone there unsuspecting.

“Why is he still standing there?” whispered Sapri began to feel tired.

“Maybe he wants to make sure the clove fields are completely safe,” timpal Ikbal.

“How many people do you think?” ask Sapri curious.

“If from the light of the flashlight, I think only one person,” replied Ikbal unsure.

“Did anyone follow us when we came to this place??” sapri asked, remembering his journey from home to Yudha's clove fields.

“Entahlah. We'll just wait until the guy leaves. We just continue our work,” Ikbal said.

“I was worried if the person went inside and finally found out we were here,” Sapri said.

“Take it easy. There's no need to be afraid. The more we calm down, then we can think healthy.”

“How can it be quiet. Do you not remember what Yudha's men did to Patra? They know no pity.”

“Ssttt, don't fuss. I think you already know the risks and are ready to face things like this.”

Sapri. His hands were looking for the machete he had laid on the tree pole. He noticed the flashlight in front of him as it got closer.

“That person seems to be approaching us,” whispered Sapri feeling anxious.

“I don't care. If that person finds out we are here and threatens our lives, forced I will retaliate with your machete,” Sapri said with trembling hands.

Ikbal was surprised to hear Sapri's words. He was worried if Sapri was reckless to take actions that should not be done.

“Don't be rash, Sapri. Let me hold the machete,” Ikbal's pinta.

“Let me just. This way I feel safer,” Sapri reasoned.

“We don't know who that person is yet. So, don't be careless.”

“Ssttt, lower your voice a little. From earlier he only took a few steps forward and just stayed there.”

“May the person leave immediately.”

Sapri's hope was wrong. The man took a few more steps forward and stopped to aim his flashlight at several places.

“Can you still calm down now?” ask Sapri.

Ikbal quickly silenced the mouth of Sapri who had been talking ever since. “Try to notice the guy.”

Sapri was curious about Ikbal's words. He also sharpened his vision. “What do you mean, Bal? I didn't find anything.”

“Wait..! Well, that. Try noticed. I feel like I know him,” Ikbal said as the man moved his flashlight to and fro. In just a matter of minutes, the flashlight had swelled into the person's face.

Sapri squinted his eyes. Brow wrinkled. He was still curious and waited until the time came.

“Looks Sidik. I'm sure it's him,’ Sapri said. “Why did he come here?”

“Sidikkk.!” call Ikbal with a loud voice.

The flashlight in front of there then highlights to the origin of the sound. The person also gave a sign by pointing a flashlight at his face to make it visible.

“True. It's Shidk!” said Ikbal immediately rushed up followed by Sapri who was still holding a machete.

“You where?” call that person who turns out to be Sidik.

Ikbal then turned on the lamp and lifted it up. “We are here, Dik!” sahut Ikbal waved his hand.

Seeing the light of the lamp, Sidik then approached them. “From yesterday I was looking for you. I don't think so,” he said.

Sapri was silent and did not welcome his friend. “Why come here? Want to continue the fight this afternoon?” sapri asked with a snapping tone.

Ikbal did not wait long, he immediately calmed Sapri and took the machete he still held. “Quiet first. We can ask in a good way. He's still a team with us.”

“Who said? I'll fire him!” sapri looked at Sidik's face.

“Sapri, shut up.!” Ikbal was impatient and immediately snapped at Sapri to be quiet.

“We should be happy because it was Sidik, not Yudha's men. Did you forget your fear earlier, when you thought it was Yudha's men?”

Sapri. Ikbal's words have a point. However, he still feels prestige towards Sidik. “Whatever comes I'm not afraid. I was ready to fight him, wasn't I?” sapri asked not to be humiliated.

“I know that. In fact, I was counting on you earlier. Now, let me talk to Sidik first,” pinta Ikbal invite his friends to sit down and calm down. However, they still have to take shelter in the hut, lest anyone know of their existence.

“I don't want to help you. The proof is I came here now,” Sidik said explaining his arrival.

“Where did you know we were here?” sapri was impatient.

“I told him earlier while we were on our way to this place. You remember when I reasoned to take the machete that was left behind? While you were waiting on the road, I was actually coming to Sidik to borrow a machete.” Ikbal explained why Sidik knew and came to this place.

“So, this is all your theatrics?” accuse Sapri in a high tone.

“No theatrics, Sapri.” firmly Ikbal. “I just said if he still wants to help, please come tonight,”.

“You'd better go home. Me and Ikbal can do it on their own without your help,” Sapri told Ikbal.

“Already, Sapri. Our work will be quickly completed if done three. We have to sell it tomorrow morning, right?”

Sapri still seems to disagree involving Sidik. However, he realized that if he continued to argue, the work of picking clove flowers would be neglected.

“Terasu you, Bal,” said Sapri directly picking clove flowers without caring about Sidik and Ikbal.

“He came with good intentions to support your plan. We should be able to work together.” Ikbal held onto Sapri's shoulder asking for approval.

“I told you, it's up to you. We've been wasting time since. This clove flower should be picked immediately,” said Sapri.

“One hurts all hurts. For the sake of our plan to help Pak Jauhari and avenge Yudha's crimes. Let's get to work now!” ikbal said he was eager to give command to two of his friends.

Sapri then pulls Ikbal's arm and invites him out of the hut. “With one condition, you remain an attacker. Then I'll take him back to our team. Agree?”

Ikbal smiles. “Agree and we will see later,” replied Ikbal did not want to discuss about Sapri's wishes. He immediately went into the hut and asked Sidik to help him pick clove flowers.