INDIGO “SANG INVISIBLE MATA”
CHAPTER V MID...
(Rumah Akbar, Sunday 06.00 WIB)
(Akbar's Point of View)
The sun rises from the East in a song of birds welcoming the day, “Kak already morning there is your friend outside tuh” my father called
I'm still lying in bed, my drowsiness hasn't gone away until I'm unconscious,
“Who the hell came early in the morning gini” gruntuku
The night track I did at school with Cindi really took a lot of time and effort, not only tired I felt even my fears were still there.
That night was the first time I met and communicated with the subtle-creatures, but unfortunately I was still afraid of their appearance. Just think about it my hands and feet were shaking until I promised myself I wouldn't do it again.
But who in the morning is this disturbing blind, I open the front door and I see for a moment,
“Why are you guys coming here?” I asked Agus, Dandi, Faruq, Shyahdi and Sukron who looked ready for the sport
“Ayo bar join jogging” invite Agus
“Heh?" I was surprised at their sudden invitation
“You do not talk about jogging, when ngabarin?” ask them
They like to waste their face not wanting to answer the question, seeing Agus smiling himself I also suspect “Just this morning we chat you from Whatsapp” said Agus
“Ehhhh, where can la goblok, ah you guys I can not come next time aja deh” obviously I avoid them by entering back into the house
“Ehhh but this is Sunday, why there is a job or business. Come on bar, get together again with us SMP” friends invite Syahdi
“You can say we have not seen for a long time, but only last week we collected sausage burns” Syahdi was silent for a moment
“That was last week, it's the week now” is good
“Come bar, come with me. Later I carry if you are tired in the streets” taunted my Junior High School friend once named Faruq
“Ehhhm, where are you going?” I said resigned because there was no other choice
“We jog to Gor Sriwijaya, back home” invite Faruq excited
“No angkot ride?” said Dandi
“Iya later chased by the dog again kayak first” Faruq talk about the past story
“It is wrong of you to run first so it is thought we disturb him, so we are chased by Faruq” I blame Faruq for the incident
Well it is strange when I travel with my Junior High friends especially when jogging or exercising, when going or coming home we must always be chasing dogs. Somehow it was so attached that even I thought it was a curse, so every time I met and gathered with them I would be wary of the surroundings.
***
(FLASH BACK, 2 YEARS AGO)
(Palembang, Sunday 06.30 WIB)
For example, my story while jogging with Dandi and Faruq in class 2 Junior High School, Go when the new sun rises we aim to gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Palembang which is quite far away, the distance is quite far, but when it arrived at Gor Sriwijaya as if all paid off was not in vain.
Distance my house with Gor Sriwijaya if jogging will probably take an hour and a half, yes it is a famous place for the people of Palembang in exercising. In addition, Gor Sriwijaya is also the venue for the national football league “Liga 1 Indonesia” where the home of the football club “Srivijaya FC”.
At that time Dandi and I had stopped running but Faruq was still behind us, holding back tired from being out of breath after running long enough was important.
Dandi and I chatted while watching Faruq run up to us, while we saw a dog in the house of a resident where he was not tied up and the fence of the owner's house was not closed.
Dandi and I knew not to disturb the dog so we both acted calm, but fate said another Faruq came from behind.
“Woi let's go fast!” Faruq continued his run with small steps
But the move was fatal because the dog from the residents' house was driven by Faruq's movements,
“Guk...guk...guk...” the dog barked.
I caught a glimpse of the dog coming out of the fence and started chasing us, “Woiii run woiii !” I'll run as fast as I can
Dandi who was surprised to jump on the spot before running, “Woi Danc**” Dandi also ran as hard as he could after looking back
Me and Dandi took a thousand steps quickly, Faruq who already knew if there was a chasing dog did not stop his running. “Woooo” shouts Faruq but he also laughs
“Down you ruq!” I was now in front of Dandi and Faruq probably because I was running the fastest between the two of them
Looking back for a moment, I saw Dandi behind me, Faruq was at the very back and the dog was already approaching him. “Hah let what matters I was the survivor” thought my inner self
A few minutes we were chased by the dog, because I was in front immediately I crossed a small and long bridge made of wood and bamboo in front as a shortcut to the Sriwijaya Gor. “The dog will definitely not cross this bridge” I thought
The three of us managed to cross the wooden bridge with out of breath, “Hahh…hah” after looking back at the back of the dog is no longer there whether he was gone when we crossed the bridge or before we crossed the bridge.
Whichever one we are grateful the dog has gone and there has been no harm. Feeling our breath is back..weird..not afraid we simultaneously laugh together “Wha.ha.ha..haa” our laughter looks satisfied.
“Crazy just now knew”
“You're good in front of Danco*, I'm in the back almost to bite tofu” Faruq angry
“Well it's your fault, you yourself why even run when you have seen there is a dog on the side of last” said I scolded Faruq
“Dak deliberately lah” he said greeted by laughter
“Anjin* dak accidentally” but strangely I also laugh “Whahaha, Dandi was also almost kapi” I said
“Iya but fortunately I ran cepet, you yourself crazy bar to leave us” said Dandi with the accent of his ilir marble
“Yes I already know there is a dog chasing, yes run lah” I said while laughing
It was the unluckiest day that I went through, where the beginning had been pursued by dogs and the three of us had to turn around because I was afraid of being chased by dogs again.
At that time we turned the road with a long time, even I arrived at home at 11 pm when the promise to go home at 09.00 am.
“Already let's go” take me to my Junior High friends
“Wes okay ready bang”
(FLASH BACK END)
***
(GOR SRIWIJAYA, PALEMBANG)
Two hours passed after coming from my house, I and my Junior High School friends used to jog to Gelora Srivijaya, once inside we were six separated. Me, Syahdi and Agus were jogging around Gor, Faruq and Dandi renting rackets and badminton balls to play in Gor yard while Sukron bought food and drinks.
“Hah...hah..hah” my breath is running out.
“Why bar?” ask Shahdi
“I hope first if you want to continue please” I ran to the edge to rest let Agus and Shahdi continue their morning run
“Haaah, finally able to sit” I jumped a leg to avoid cramping, at that moment I saw someone I knew coming closer
“Morning Akbar” greet Kak Aisyah one of my seniors in PMR extracurricular
“Eh yes sis early in the morning also” I lost my mind because of embarrassment, not expected to meet with senior here
“Only alone?” ask Aisha to sit next to me
“Neither my friends. Who's the same sports sister in Gor? Alone?”
“Family together, Sunday morning sightseeing to Gor make sisters so happy”
“Kak Aiyah has a sister? If you can know how old it is”
“There are the first two girls still Junior High then the only boy is a kid
“Ohh so yes kak” I immediately stood up because I was unable to serve brother Aisyah, either feeling embarrassed or unwilling
“Oh yes Akbar, for the race next week do not forget to exercise again yes, learn again the material”
“So calm brother Akbar has memorized all his material” vanity comes out of my mouth
“Well good anyway, yes also his name is Akbar”
“Heh?” I'm a little confused by what Kak Aisyah said just now “I mean kak?”
“Akbar can always be relied upon, you know Akbar always works hard especially in PMR”, said Aisyah with a smile at me
I heard the words glad not to be praised to the sky, a beautiful senior who in training always frowned and was angry at his juniors praised me.
“Ah, not kak”
“Sister likes Akbar deh”
I was back in silence processing the words that Aisyah just said, “Eh, meaning kak?” in my mind, maybe Aisyah likes me who works hard, not like me personally
“Other times we went for a walk together ya” ayesha stood up from her seat and went running leaving me with questions in mind
I was still standing while looking at Aisyah's departure, she approached the family who were heading towards the exit portal. At that time I still did not understand Aisyah so I stopped and I concluded that her words just now were just a compliment. “Yah now just find another” I thought,
The first thing I remember is the name Sukron because before parting he said he wanted to buy drinks and food “I asked to drink Sukron only lah” said I walked looking for Sukron
(After Jogging, Gor Sriwijaya, 09.00)
“Haahhh tirednya” complained Agus
“I got 15 rounds just”
“You're good I'm only 14 rounds” Agus doesn't want to lose
“Hehh you guys I've got 20 laps” said Faruq in a snobbish tone in a lie
“Diem wak Totok you just do not run” Syahdi began to feel emotion because Faruq made it up if he ran up to 20 rounds
“And you were just playing badminton with Dandi, Wan Faruq” taunted me to Faruq using a nickname during Junior High School
“How do you want this, go home or still want to play?” take Dandi
“Go home” take me
“Ehhh change Sunday too, how about we play the place of Shahdi first while eating-eating” ideas from Sukron but he looks his own spirit
“I up first, this abis directly home I” said Agus made a momentary silent atmosphere
“Why gus, any business?” ask Faruq “It is not necessary to follow” goda Faruq
“Satan you ya Ruq, great flirt” taunted Sukron
“What’an Wak Benu” reply Faruq mocking Sukron with his father's name
“This morning I have family affairs, it runs out to learn because tomorrow there is a repeat at school” said Agus
I who class with Agus was surprised to hear the word sensitive from his mouth “Hah repeat? repeat what Gus” asked to Agus
“Eh kan Jum’at yesterday has been told that Monday will be a daily repeat of Geografi” immediately I was surprised, why I did not know it or maybe I forgot
“Iya what gus?” many do not believe
“Iya bener Bartokkk” firmly Agus
“Well you just forgot the hell, the smartest student in our class when Junior High forgot that there was a repeat of” Faruq's tease pissed me off
“Hahhh silent Totok” wak hear me trouble they all laugh, but I am not angry because I know they are just joking
“Whe..Bartok Chibi” taunted Faruq to me making our laughter all grow broken
Although we often ridiculed each other using names of parents or strange calls but we never fought or fought with each other. Maybe because of the word “Alumni” that we hold, because we are not school friends anymore or I think in say “Sudera”
***
(House of Akbar, 18.30 WIB)
(Akbar's Point of View)
Today is not my lucky day.After the sudden arrival of my friends to take a jog this morning, I have to spend the afternoon and evening attending the aqiqah event of my grandmother's neighbor.
The distance is quite far and the long time of the event makes me unable to study for the school replay tomorrow, I have not touched the geography book at all.
“Assalamualaikum” I entered the house with my two younger brothers in wet clothes because the rain fell while I was on the road adding to the misfortune of today
Dark, it looks like the lights have not been turned on by father and mother, I walked looking for the light switch..”Blak, Ouch!” I stumbled over something but I didn't think for a moment
“Crek” sound switch that I press makes the lights in the living room illuminate
After that I turned on all the lights, both bedroom, bathroom and kitchen lights, “Quick change first, it was wet” I said to Ari and Rasid
“Iya kak” they start moving to the bathroom cleaning themselves
I went back to the front to pick up the leftovers until I remembered the thing that tripped me, “Well what I kicked earlier?” thought
“Ah have” I take dirty clothes and soon I close the door
The first incident that did not make me think at all about a major incident occurred, I put dirty clothes into the tub of clothes to wash. I went from there to my room changing clothes,
“Lucky I have taken a bath at grandma's house was” remembered yesterday's incident I was looking for mirror Cindi want to know more about its usefulness
Just touched the mirror, “Klantang...tang....” sounds like an iron can dropped from the roof of the house.
“Cat lah” times without thinking about the negative I came out of the room preparing to prepare dinner
“Dek, still want to eat or not?” ask my brothers
with screaming
“Still kak” replied Ari youngest sister, but Rasid did not answer “Sed, still want to eat or not?” I'm waiting for an answer
“Ndak know kak” Ari is still in the living room playing mobile phone possibility he played the game online
“Hah bye, Rasid!” my emotions began to peak making me walk to see him “Still in the bathroom maybe” I was circulating the bathroom door
“Byurrr...serrr” the sound of water flowing subtly from the bathroom is heard, “Yah means still in the bathroom” I thought without hesitation
I don't want to spend time even though I know it's rude to talk in the bathroom but I have to catch up on time. “Sed still want to eat or not?” ask me while bringing my ears closer to the bathroom door
But I wait for no answer from my sister, “Yah I have prepared also for everyone” thought I quickly
I went to the living room to see Ari or I wanted to take my phone from her, but a big surprise came to me.
I saw Rasid sitting next to Ari, playing my phone, despite conflicts and minor fights.
Ari saw me from behind, “Kak see Rasid well, just disturb play” Ari complained to me
“Hah! You've been playing since!” rasid is right
Instantly they stormed back and fought each other's fists, well but not too strong in my opinion. But at that time my mind was not about my two sisters fighting over my phone but...if Rasid here means the one in the bathroom earlier?
My mind was as chaotic as lightning struck my body stiff, unable to think clearly, my feathers suddenly stood up, the spoon from the kitchen I was holding fell to the floor.
It dawned on me that if I sorted things out from the start I went into the house, the thing in front that tripped me up when I wanted to turn on the lights, the sound of a can falling from the roof and the last time someone's voice came from the madi room that I thought was Rasid.
“Bangs**, let alone this” shouts my thoughts about this strange occurrence
Lucky the stove I haven't turned on yet, my mind doesn't calm down I'm sitting on the soft sofa side by side with my sisters. Now is letting time erase tonight's events, praying that mom and dad will come home soon.
That night my intention of learning to repeat tomorrow was interrupted again, I sat in the living room with my sisters while watching television as it rained heavily. Keeping my mind off the spooky things, I don't want events like last night's search to reoccur.
“It's up to repeat tomorrow” surrender me to luck
That night ended with my parents returning home, my sister and I had fallen asleep on the sofa marked the rain had stopped. Already unable to concentrate, I went to the room while holding my sister and continued to sleep with the plan tomorrow to study in the morning after waking up the morning prayer.
“Hopefully tomorrow morning can learn even a little” I thought in the bedroom
***
(AKBAR HOUSE, 04.50 WIB)
My neck feels choked, an event I've felt before. The light blinded the eyes together by the arrival of the two ghost waiting for the school, it was clear they reached out like they wanted to take me somewhere.
I thought they wanted to take me to their world so I firmly refused, not thinking I was moving somewhere. “Home?, whose home!” ask myself
Like a slap using the hand I woke up from sleep, “Hah, huh, dream?..” I was confused because I just woke up unable to interpret the dream
My breath gathered little by little until I glanced at the clock, “Jam 5 ya” my inner
“Plak” legs youngest sister about my face, “Sick also ya” reply me by pinching Ari's legs
I got up from the bed straight to the back of the house taking ablution to perform the Fajr Prayer. I see the lights in the kitchen live, “Mother or father means I have woken” I said in my heart
Calm and safe that's how I feel.all goes well even the Fajr Prayer I did well without interruption.
In do’a I ask, “Yes Allah keep this servant of yours from the temptations and disturbances of demons, jinn and damned demons. Servant asks not to see the subtle-creatures, please lift up the ability of your servant" after berTO’a feeling of calm flow throughout the body
After the prayer I picked up the book at the study table, starting the lesson to memorize before the daily repetition began. At 05.30 WIB, Geography lessons began after the first break was completed or more precisely at 9 o'clock, even though my study time was less than two hours, today's lesson is history.
Subjects with more stories in them plus notes of one chapter are ready in copy to the book per day, there is no time to study again after school even though there is a break but only 45 minutes will not be enough.
At home, studying with a spoon against a wall with warm tea really makes my brain work. My way of learning is by memorizing, memorization is my weapon during this time in the face of lessons or exams, by memorizing the material I can remember all the answers to future questions.
One hour I went through by memorizing the material, although the material is two chapters are not too long hoping that the history lesson later there is no heavy and difficult task. I knew it was morning I put in all the textbooks, went straight to the bathroom to clean myself, then had breakfast and went to school.
***
(SMA Negeri xx Palembang, at 06.30)
(Ainur Viewing Angle)
The barrier gate between the road and the school, a place for people to study, “A place that for me is a fun place as well as a place that I hate” remembered my statements in the past
Even though school was the place I hated the most in my life, now my mindset is changing. Now that I have friends, friends, seniors and teachers who need the ability for the good of school, it also applies to me with them I feel like living in this boring place. A place to have fun with friends, where science is foremost and fun as an addition.
It was because they changed me or I could say “dia” changed me from the beginning, but lately I feel there is a separation between me and him. Though every close to him I was always calm and comfortable, but after seeing him together with other women a bad feeling appeared in the heart.
Although I knew that an embarrassing incident was just a misunderstanding but the matter continued to lengthen never ending making me think,“Does he hate me?”
“Ainur!” someone from behind called out to me with this familiar voice already stored in the ears
“Hei Nur wait!” Akbar intercepted my path “Hahh you this why the hell? called from earlier instead of stopping even continue to”
“What's up?!” I said in a high tone
Akbar looks surprised by my words just now, “Eh, it was called Mr. Taslim at the gate” post Akbar said as he pointed at the security guard post
“Iya, thanks” ketusku
I immediately walked away from Akbar trying to fulfill Mr. Taslim's call, but at every step I felt heavy making me want to cry. “Until when this misunderstanding continues, please Akbar explain to me the truth and make up with me” please myself
“Nur, wait” call Akbar finish my way
Without turning around I asked, "What's up?”
“I think we still misunderstood about yesterday, that.I want to apologize if something is wrong..I hope we can get better again lah” said Akbar while scratching his head.
Feelings of pleasure and happiness mixed with sadness struck, finally, although he was embarrassed and afraid he still apologized even though it was not his fault, that's Akbar a real man in my opinion.
“Yes already, I'm sorry too. But I still can't believe everything”
“Heemm, then do you have any business during the second break? If there is no we can meet in the perpus no?” bring
Without thinking long I took the opportunity “Iya I try” said I
(POS GATE, SMA Negeri xx Palembang)
A teacher holding a newspaper in hand stood examining the incoming students, while the students came directly to greet the teacher as a form of respect.
Mr. Taslim is one of the teachers who served as the vice principal in the field of student affairs, every business to the school students have to deal with him. If I look closely, he is an intelligent yet forgetful teacher.
“Assalamualaikum Pak” my regards to Mr. Taslim
“Wa’alaikum salam oh Ainur, good first ya” Pak Taslim take something from inside the security guard post, it seems like he wants to give it to me
I knew in my heart that this was not a gift of money or an award but merely a gift of duty, he never gave a gift to the students be it those who perfected the name of the school, he said, after Mr. Taslim troubled them with many unreasonable requests many students from the organization did not like him.
But after the students managed to win something and help the name of the fragrant school he only gave praise in the mouth.
“What's the matter sir call Ainur” my lot of hunting time before the entrance bell rings
“This father asks for help, photocopy this file Ainur, if you have please give in the room father ya” Mr. Taslim give a map containing the files of the student race to me
Emotions in my heart started to appear, “Why should I? Though there were many students who passed by, there was also no Akbar, why not ask Akbar who photocopied it?” I thought in emotion
But rejecting it means the same as refusing the orders parents need help, if at home the father and mother are parents but at school the teacher is a parent in providing knowledge. “Samely bear sin”
“Good Pak” without trivia before my anger peaked I went straight to the printing press
“Kringgg...kringgggg..kringgg” shortly the sound of the entrance bell rang.
“Hahhh” breathed my breath when I heard the doorbell ringing
***
(MASJID HIDAYAHTULLAH, 09.00 WIB)
(Akbar's Point of View)
First subjects finished, “History” is lucky not to take too many notes so I can go to the mosque to continue studying. Well, the Hidayahtullah mosque is a school mosque located inside the school near the north gate.
This mosque is my resting place during the first break, after coming to the mosque I usually pray Dhuha first because it really calms my mind.
The calm mind, concentration came to make me focus on learning even though there were some students and teachers who came to the mosque also during the first break but their goal was Dhuha Prayer and discuss the lessons so it did not bother me.
“10 Basic concepts of Geography..” I memorized all the words in the book not realizing time was passing
Almost half an hour I was in the mosque, the calm and cool atmosphere of the AC really fit as a place to rest. Although lately I have always been to the library to meet Cindi and not had time to pray Dhuha,
“Hah, finally finished” I said while closing the book, directly lying on the mosque prayer mat
Looking at the clock of the wall ticking I also glanced, At 09.28 WIB, “Gosh half ten!” knowing I'm late for class must have started
From lying down my body jumped up and directly ran to class, well even though I had memorized all the materials it was definitely a repeat this time smoothly and easily but knowing the time had passed made the mind chaotic.
“Assalamualikum” I entered the classroom with hasty breath
“Waalaikum salam” reply greetings from my teacher and classmates
“Well this is him who is late, from anywhere?” asked Mr. Apris with thick brows furrowing at me
“Exit from mosque sir Salah Dhuha” I replied honestly
“Yah already sat down, see about his repetition with my colleagues, the processing time is 1 hour if it is finished can be collected” directly
“Good pak” I took out a piece of paper from the book and started writing identity on the paper
Seeing my compatriot is Bobbi, a good cheat for sure if I look into him I will owe him a favor and I end up cheating on him.
Moreover, my relationship with him is currently not good because he often cheats with me, “I do not want to see about you” said Bobi while covering his paper
“Ya already I also do not want to see kok” see Agustina I immediately asked for her help “Tn tell you about it” asked me, lucky Agustina was kind and immediately told about tampa thank you
Five questions with answers long enough, even if only a quick look at the problem I already know the answer, “Makasih Tn”
After I got a question I put my hand in the answer, just 15 minutes I've finished working on the Geography essay replay.
My long answer and touching the core of the material with confidence must be true. I put the pen on the paper I turned so that Bobi could not see my answer,
”Well, wait where is my phone?” I groped my clothes and pants
“Wes Akbar is done, great indeed this Akbar” praise Bobi stroking so that he can ask for answers
I pretended not to hear and do not know, all I need to worry about is my phone is missing, “Oh yes in masjid” remembered me after running out of the mobile phone mosque and my book forgot to bring.
“If the finished can be directly in kumpul” said Mr. Apris was next to my desk
Without a second thought I immediately collect the paper so as not to be cheated by Bobi and can go to the mosque take my phone and book left behind, “This sir I want to collect” I give my paper replay
“Oh great too, just look he who just came already collected, the last came even collected the first” I did not think Mr. Apris directly corrected my rework paper
“Hemm” if I see it looks like my answer in the contengs only, make me deg-degan want to know the value of my daily repetition
“Wah great” Pak Apris finished correcting “100! All the answers are correct” instantly class surprised and noisier because of my actions
“Wahhh, great Ferdi instantly get together can be 100!”
“See the answer bar”
I do not want big head.Just ask permission to the mosque to take a mobile phone and book, “Pak permission to the mosque again, there are items that miss” my permission which immediately got approval from Mr. Apris
I got out of the chair and went straight to pick up my stuff in the mosque, relaxed by walking because the mind had calmed down smoothly got the perfect score.
Although there are many repetitions in the future but at this time I was thinking about the problem of the ghost waiting for school, “Solve then end” thought I
Because I haven't had time to exchange contact with Cindi, I have difficulty communicating with her to discuss the issue of the two ghosts. Even so I know where to meet Cindi, “Library” For Sure! So a break later stay there discuss the next plan by asking Ainur for help
***
(CLASS X IPS 2, 12.40 WIB)
(Ainur Viewing Angle)
Geography was completed smoothly but the most surprising was Akbar, although he was late and wasted a lot of time but he worked on it quickly even got a score of 100. Though this is the first repetition after so long in SMA but he succeeded, “I also can not lose”
“Nur, have you prayed?” I met with Akbar when I entered the classroom, it looked like he had run out of the canteen holding iced tea and some tofu chrisps
“Iya” I entered the classroom
“Oh yes this can be found in the library right? I want to ask for help, if you can now sih” ask Akbar by clenching both hands grab hold of food
I can't bear to see Akbar, “Iya can, but soon” I face the glass cabinet in front of the class to justify the powder on my face
“Okay thank you Nur, then I ate first also lah” from the reflection I saw Akbar walking towards the empty room, then I ate, but not yet entered he stopped in front of the door and faced forward like watching people
I glanced to the front of the class but no one, “He why?” after I saw Akbar he had entered the empty room
The moment a shock came towards my body, my hair was standing, my body was firmly glued on, making me feel the cold from next door.
Scroll from the glass where when I dress up now, “Hah!” a black shadow stood beside me, looking at me with sharp eyes but I quickly turned my head and my body moved to avoid the creature, until I remembered the first time that Akbar and I met, he saw a little boy in the back of the bathroom.
“Is that what he saw?” in a crowded classroom like a market but my feeling was quiet as if filled with dark air, I could not see and hear, now I was pulled by a black smoke in silence
“Hei!” a hand resuscitated me “Ngapain bengong, Nur” Akbar shock called me
“Have the makeup finished? When I go to the pus” my soul is back in the body, I take a deep breath to make sure I am alive
“Iya I put my things first” I put my things under the table and leave the table to Agustina when I go
We both walked out of the classroom to the Library, little by little I re-awakened, knowing that a big event had happened to me just now but Akbar managed to stop, “Bar, you saw.?”.
“Quiet, Already gone kok” Akbar said with a smile
CHAPTER V...MID...FINISHED