Hansa & Geeta
Chapter IV

Grandma asked one of the housekeepers to bring tea and snacks to the backyard.

Then take me to the white round table in the middle of the courtyard. There's an umbrella that shields that table.

I followed him and sat down in front of Grandma.

“Hannie, someday. Will you take care of this house?”

I tilt my head in wonder.

“Keeping?”

Grandma looks. Then smile knot.

“Yes, later when you are an adult. Stay here.”

I who was a child did not understand what Grandma meant at that time. But in order to quickly settle down and Grandma did not discuss it at length, I agreed to her request.

His smile grew wider. Those gray eyes looked even more radiant in the sunlight.

The housekeeper came to bring me a snack. I am still amazed to see the charm of my own grandmother.

Just because I agreed to her request, she smiled that wide.

Does Grandma love this house so much? Butwhy?

I looked at the swamp on my right. The swamp was clean like a lake. The sky is reflected on the surface of the water.

I think I know why Grandma loves this house so much.

Tranquilize.

One word that already represents the entire house of Grandma and the surrounding area.

In the middle of my daydream, suddenly something was moving in the swamp.

My eyes are squeaking. To ascertain what object or creature it is.

“Nana, what in this swamp there is fish?”

Grandma thought for a moment.

“Do not know yes. Nana's not sure, but, like, no.”

My forehead was wrinkled at Grandma's reply. What is that move then?

My body stiffens. But Grandma didn't notice my change in attitude.

That thing keeps moving. Free swimming on the surface. Then suddenly stop.

My eyes are getting sharper.

In the middle of that swamp, a black lump appeared. Splitting the water like someone was diving down there.

I'm standing. She surprised Grandma and asked me.

“Han? What's up?”

I'm not listening to Grandma. That thing, he's coming out!

Grandma looked in the same direction. Come stand.

“What's Han?”

But Grandma's reaction didn't even make it come out. He returned to diving quickly. And I lost track of him.

I'm speechless.

What... did I just see?

...…...

“Hansa!”

I gasped, and found Mother looking at me with her death gaze.

“I-Yes..?”

Mother grieving. “Why daydream? Finish your food!” her word.

I bowed and hurriedly finished dinner.

After what happened this morning, I couldn't stop daydreaming. That thing. Or, can I call ‘the creature’?

Does Grandma know where she is? Is Grandma loving this place so much? Or, or,

“Han.Sa.”

Mother growling. I'm waking up again.

“Said don't daydream!”

“I-Yes.”

Grandma sigh. “Already. Don't yell at the dinner table.”

Mother softened and came down. “Sorry, mom.”

Grandma raised her hand. “It's okay. I know what it's like when kids don't listen to their mom.”

I'm insinuated. Then looked at Grandma who was sitting right beside me.

He said the dining table is a relic from his family. Directly from Europe.

Uh, did I tell you guys?

My grandmother was European. My grandfather met her while attending school on the blue continent.

They got married and Grandma stayed with Grandpa here. Therefore, I have gray eyes, which are rarely found in Indonesia.

My friends like to mock me. He said my eyes were flawed, because they were brightly colored.

Huh, are they stupid or what?

“Hannie, quickly finish your meal. Later Nana read a fairy tale before going to bed.”

My eyes sparkled at Grandma's persuasion.

“Appointment?”

Grandma nodded, then damaged my head in the way I liked the most.

“Appointments.”

I smiled widely and immediately devoured the dinner quickly.

“Pelan-pelan will choke,” said Father reminded.

That night, after Grandma recited the fairy tale, I didn't fall asleep right away.

The shadow of the creature returned. Realizing that my curiosity was unbearable, I went down the bed and slipped out of the room.

I slept alone, Father and Mother were in the next room. Grandma slept in the lower room. The housekeepers should also be sleeping.

Sure enough, downstairs, I could make sure no one was awake but me.

I walked quickly to the back door and opened it slowly.

The wind gushed again around my face as soon as the door opened. Just like this morning.

The view of the opposite village looks more beautiful with decorative lights, and lanterns that light up.

For a while, I forgot my purpose here. The charm of the countryside is unparalleled.

It's different in the city. Even at midnight it was still crowded by vehicles that passed by. People say the capital never sleeps.

I walk on grass barefoot. Chilly. The night air is much cooler.

At the end of the courtyard, I propped my body against the boulder wall. Suddenly I remembered Dad's message.

“Nak, don't get close to the swamp. Dangerous.”

I pensively for a moment. That thing didn't show up. Do I have to ignore Dad's message and get close to Rawa?

I wonder what my eyes saw this morning.

Swallowing, I made up my mind. Sorry Dad. I won't be long.

I went down the stairs which were also arranged from the rocks, then went near the swamp.

As soon as I stepped on the muddy plains, my hair stood on end. It's the first time I've stepped on mud barefoot.

No, this is the first time I've walked barefoot.

Continuing forward, I approached the swamp. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes.

The creature still shows no signs of its existence.

I'm approaching again. Until my feet formed water. Cold, my whole body immediately shivered.

But I still don't care. I want to see it again! That creature! Show yourselves!

The wind blows strong. I can't be in the water anymore. I decided to wait a few more moments on the plains.

My eyes are squeaking. I hugged my own body, and started breathing through my mouth.

Hurry up for almost thirty minutes. Then Daddy and Mommy can realize I'm not in the room.

Somehow Mother's instinct was very sharp. Even though I slept in a different room, she would know that I wasn't there.

“Hannie!”

I jerked. My room lights are on. Right, kan. Mother already knew that I wasn't in the room. I looked again at the swamp.

“Five more minutes,” mumbled.

“Hannie!!”

Mother's cry woke up the whole house. Now there's Grandma's room light that hasn't turned on.

“Bu, it looks like adek went out,” said one of the household assistants.

I looked back quickly. How could he know? Did I forget to close the door?

I rushed back to the stairs, but, uh. Damn, I slipped and fell. My head hit something and it hurt so much that I couldn't scream.

After that everything turned black.

.

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