MARANTI (FOOD OF THE DEAD)
Episode 2: Death
Ten days before ...
Madam Dewi was busy calming the baby in her carrier which since last night was fussy. The baby is not actually his own flesh and blood. A month ago, Laras gave the little baby to her. Laras is a girl who lives hitchhiking in one of her other houses. His late mother Laras was a person who worked as a maid in the house of Bu Dewi. After his mother died, Bu Dewi invited Laras to
stay in that house.
Actually, many neighbors protested to Bu Dewi about Laras. They said, Laras who lived alone in the house made mothers fret because Laras often used a pretty sexy shirt. They were afraid that their husbands might be tempted by Laras. In fact, there are those who dare to ask Bu Dewi to expel Laras from his home.
Miss Dewi who pity Laras also tried to advise Laras to be more polite in dress. Laras who heard rumors about himself from the Goddess Mother also apologized to the Goddess Mother and promised to improve herself.
About two months from the incident Laras told Bu Dewi to work in the city. Ms. Dewi had tried to get Laras to really consider her decision, but the girl insisted on leaving. Miss Dewi could not prohibit the departure of Laras who he thought was sudden. And, after that Laras did not appear again in the hamlet of Pomegranate.
Miss Dewi had heard rumors about Laras from her neighbors. Some claim to have seen Laras around the prostitution complex near the beach which is quite famous in the city. But, Miss Dewi did not believe the rumors. Bu Dewi thought it was all just slander because they already did not like Laras.
A month ago when Miss Dewi was alone at home because Mr. Herman, her husband went to the city to work, suddenly Laras came with a baby. To Ms. Dewi Laras admitted that she had married betih with the baby's father, but she was divorced from her husband. Bu Dewi was actually a bit hesitant with Laras's confession, but his affection for Laras covered everything up.
"Why are you so skinny like this, Laras?" asked Bu Dewi who was quite surprised to see the physical changes Laras.
The barrel body used to be very nice and ideal, but now it is very thin.
"I'm sick, Bude," Laras replied.
"What are you sick with, Nduk?" ask Miss Dewi worriedly.
"Lungs, Bude," replied Laras.
"Have you been on routine medication yet to Puskesmas? Free, like Bu Nina who lives at the end of the village, first
he is skinny like you, now he is healed and fat again," said Miss Dewi.
"I had lung cancer, Bude," Laras replied with a sob.
"Oh Allah, Laraaaaas!!!" pekik Bu Dewi could not bear the fate that befell the son of his former maid.
Mom Dewi spontaneously hugged Laras. He was not thinking whether the disease suffered by Laras can be contagious or
not to himself.
"The doctor said at least six months away, Bude, I can survive" said Laras lirih.
"You can't say that, Nduk. Mate .. death is God's business ... The spirit, Nduk. For your son's sake
this," said Miss Dewi while pointing to the baby held by Laras. The handsome baby smiled sweetly.
"Hopefully, Bude," Laras replied as he stroked his son's thin cheek.
For a few seconds Laras kept the baby by being witnessed by the Goddess Bu who was also smitten with
the innocence of the baby boy.
"Yes, Baras. But you are often stingy. Poor your son" replied Miss Dewi.
"If I die, I take the Panji, Bude. Think of him as Bude's own son" Laras said with tears in his eyes.
"Brachaaas!! You don't say that anymore" replied Miss Dewi with tears.
Laras handed over the Panji to Bude. As already his soul mate, Panji remained calm in the sling Bu Dewi who did not have the child.
Laras went to his old house to rest. Bu Dewi brought a bushel of food to Laras. Laras gladly accepted the gift of the Goddess Mother.
The daily life of Bu Dewi is now occupied with caring for Panji. Mr. Herman, her husband doesn't mind his wife
caring for the child Laras. Even Mr. Herman was also happy with the presence of Panji in the house. The happiness of the Bu Dewi family is finally complete with the presence of Panji in their midst.
Laras usually come to the house of Miss Dewi around nine in the morning. But, he limited his contact with the Panji
because he felt his lung condition was getting worse. He is worried that there is a virus that accompanies his cancer so that it can infect his son who is still very vulnerable to the disease.
The neighbors who used to not like Laras did not pay any pity to see the condition of Laras who was already concerned. They even influenced Bu Dewi by saying that Laras was a real woman and Panji was the result of his illegal work. Madam Dewi was angry at the person who said Panji was an illegitimate child.
"This banner is my son! Never vilify this child," the Lady of the Goddess snapped at Ms. Nisa.
"Sorry, Miss Dewi," said Bu Nisa as she passed away.
In contrast to Laras, Bu Dewi is a very respected figure in the hamlet of Pomegranate. In addition to philanthropy, Miss Dewi is famous for being patient. The anger of Bu Dewi to defend Panji is feared by its neighbors. They no longer dared to talk about Panji in front of Bu Dewi. However, behind the Goddess Mother they even thought the Goddess Mother was stupid and willingly told to take care of the child of illicit relations.Well, even though they also understood because the Goddess Mother had long wanted a baby.
A month too. In addition to caring for Panji, Bu Dewi also routinely brings Laras to the Doctor and place
alternative medicine. However, already this biweekly Laras do not want to be invited to treatment. His physical condition has declined drastically.
"Brauuuu!" Miss Dewi yells calling her mother Panji's name.
There is no law from inside the house of Laras. Bu Dewi came by carrying Panji and carrying a bushel containing food. Bu Dewi worried about the condition of Laras. It is not usual until eleven o'clock in the afternoon Baras did not come to visit Panji.
Because there was no answer, Miss Dewi also tried to open the door that turned out to be unlocked.
"Laraaaaas!!" shouted the Goddess Mother again while walking towards the main room.
Arriving at the room, Miss Dewi was surprised to see Laras lying down with her eyes straight up.
"Yes Allaaaaaaaaah!!!!" shouted Miss Dewi hysterically while trying to check her pulse and signs
other life.
"Innalillahi wainnailaihi rojiuuuun," said Bu Dewi with a soft look while trying to close the barrel eyes that remain open.
SERIATE