Murder In The Old Castle
167. Hand Clap

Adinda and Ferdy kill boredom by sitting on the balcony looking at everything from above. The morning sky looks bright, with sunlight that stings the skin. Fortunately the heat was balanced with the wind that rippled from the direction of the cooling plantation. The sound of birds dabbling in the branches of trees, adding to the atmosphere. Adinda took a deep breath.

“At least, we can breathe fresh air here,” murmured Adinda.

“Yes, here feels cool huh. It might be nice to sit around in a gini, have tea. The atmosphere fits. You see in the distance. The highway looks small from here. This Dutch house is perfect to be a resting place,” Ferdy said as he pointed towards the winding highway splitting the hill.

“You want tea? I'll make some tea. You wait here huh?”

A moment later, Adinda got up from her seat. He stared at Ferdy's dazzling look that morning. In his heart, he felt the flowery. He had rarely felt this feeling before. According to him, Ferdy's figure looks perfect in his eyes.

“You want to help me, Princess?” bargain Ferdy while smiling sweetly.

“Neither! You just wait here. I'll make you some special tea. I know, surely you like a slightly bitter tea, with a jasmine scent. Really not?” guess Adinda.

“You know what I want, Din!”

Adinda blushed in shame. He went down to the kitchen to make tea. In the kitchen, he saw no one. In fact, he wanted to ask Bu Mariyati for help to make tea. Forced, he searched for himself where Ms. Mariyati used to store tea and sugar. He opened the closet there to find. Fortunately, he was able to find tea and sugar jars.

Then, Adinda takes the water to heat for a while. While concocting the tea, Adinda's gaze twisted around. This kitchen feels quiet and quiet. The atmosphere was rather horrible being alone in this place, like someone else was watching. However, in a hurry Adinda dispelled her bad shadow. He takes away the fear by singing small songs.

Plaque!

Suddenly he heard applause from nowhere. The clapping was clearly heard so close. She turned her face in all directions, but there was no one there.

“Ferdy? The tea is not ready. Wait just above!” adinda.

Adinda's words were unpretentious. He thought Ferdy was pranking himself. She turned her head in all directions, but the kitchen looked quiet.

“Fer? Don't mess around ah! I know it's you. Not funny to know!”

Adinda's words remain unpretentious. Suddenly he shakes. He hoped that the water in the teapot would immediately boil so that he could immediately concoct tea and leave from there. I feel uncomfortable in the kitchen alone. He just stayed quiet and was alert.

Plaque ... plaque!

This time I heard a double clap. Sontak Adinda jumped from her seat. Now he no longer cares about the tea he will make. He rushed out of the kitchen while half-running, so he almost hit Bu Mariyati who was just about to enter the kitchen. Paras Adinda looks pale from fear.

“Neng? Neng Dinda is okay?” ask Ms. Mariyati.

The middle-aged woman looked astonished to see Adinda's frightened face. His eyes swept around.

“Bu .. bu Mariyati. Uh . anu .. sa-I asked for two teas please ma'am. Later please be escorted to the balcony,” said Adinda nervously.

Soon he took a thousand steps leaving the kitchen. He still looked scared, rushed to the balcony, met Ferdy who was still sitting there relaxing while enjoying the breeze of the hair stroking.

Ferdy looked at the arrival of Adinda. The young man scrunched his forehead, looking at the look of Adinda who looked scared.

“Why you? How is it like being chased by a demon?” ask Ferdy.

“Don't say about demons!” reply Adinda.

“Why? Are you really being chased by demons?”

Ferdy laughed at the words of Adinda.

My sister still looks worried. He did not answer, only a small nod. Ferdy's getting a big laugh.

“You're serious? Gini day loh. Satan is only in Indonesian films. Unreal. Hallucinations only once, Din!”

“Ah, stop! I'm serious. I'm lazy to talk about that. I'm going to go to my room!”

Adinda looked riled up. He got back up from his seat, then rushed out of the balcony leaving Ferdy alone. The young man was amused.

“Dinda wait!”

Adinda doesn't make Ferdy calls. It soon disappeared from view.

***

Ngiiikk!

The kettle to cook the water has sounded, a sign that the water in the teapot is boiling. Ms. Mariyati turned off the stove and poured water into two cups that had been prepared with tea bags inside. He added a spoonful of sugar, then stirred slowly.

Before long, Mr. Paiman entered the kitchen carrying several plastic bags containing foodstuffs. Apparently he just returned from the market to buy a variety of kitchen needs. He put the plastic bags and their contents on the table. A bag full of vegetables, fruit, and various animal proteins.

“The market is crowded today. Prices are rising quickly. So there are some materials that are not bought today,” said Mr. Paiman while sitting in a chair.

“Create tea for whom?” asked Mr. Paiman while chugging the water that his wife had served.

“This Sir. Non Adinda asked to make tea, but kok suddenly left. His face looked scared. I'm worried, don't-don't ..”

Ms. Mariyati did not continue her words, but her face turned anxious. Mr. Paiman snorted, trying to calm his wife's feelings.

“Ah, time anyway! Never mind, don't discuss. Do not let the children hear, later on fear all! Such things are common in homes that have not been lived in for a long time. If you are not disturbing, let it be. Maybe they want to show themselves,” said Mr. Paiman wisely.

“Iya Sir. That's why I pretended not to know and acted normally,” explained Ms. Mariyati.

“Oya, do you know the gloves I used to wear for gardening? Because I'm looking for nothing in the barn. There is also no black coat in the barn. Looks like someone ruffled the contents of the warehouse, because it was a mess. I want to wear gloves to plant some ornamental plants on the front page” said Mr. Paiman.

“Tick times ruffled sir!”

“Yes is impossible! When the rats take the gloves? This is a really bad mess. Like someone deliberately looking for something in the warehouse.” Mr. Paiman explained.

“Set where ya sir? Those kids who took his gloves? But make what?”

“I wouldn't if I knew,” said Mr. Paiman lightly.

Ms. Mariyati just sighed. After the tea was ready to be served, he put the tea cup into an aluminum tray, and then on to the balcony. The smell of fragrant tea filled the kitchen, making Mr. Paiman want to also sip hot tea.

“Let's make me one ya!”

“Iya Sir!”

***

Adinda immediately went into the room to relieve the fear. From the window of the room, he could see a side garden that was overgrown with flowers. From there, he could see Rasty who was having a serious conversation with Rudi.

For a moment Adinda felt curious, what were the two of them talking about, because it looked so serious? Adinda feels since Miranti's death, all so look more alert. He was worried that there was a hidden plan devised by his friends without involving him.

Tok .. tok .. tok!

The door to his room was knocked. Adinda opened, finding Lena who was standing at the door. The girl looked sullen, like she was upset.

“Why Len?” ask Adinda.

“I'm so bosen Din. The vow. Why since Miranti's death is all at a distance huh? They are all not fun. I'm confused about what to do. And the bad news is, we're going to rot in this house of isolation for an indefinite amount of time. I'm going crazy here, Din!” lena complained.

“So we have to do what, Len? It would be natural that we all suspect each other,” said Dinda.

“Jalan aja yuk!”

“Street? Whither? Can we go to the Mall? We are not allowed to get out of this house. Anyway, it seems like in this house I feel unsafe. I think someone is watching.”

“Perhaps if the road alone can not be Din. If both may be because it is safer,” said Lena.

“Where to go, Len? If you take the road to the grave. There are many old wells. Mending in the room to rest. It's very hot outside. Let's just talk in my room!” tawar Adinda's.

“Iya is confused where to go too. Try walking to the Mall. What do we want to talk about?”

Adinda suddenly pulled Lena's arm to get inside the room. Adinda shows a scene below that shows Rasty talking seriously with Rudi. The couple did not realize that it was visible from the window of Adinda's room located on the second floor.

“What do you think they do?” ask Adinda.

“How do I know! What's the deal with me anyway? Well, you picked up the gossip early in the morning,” said Lena while staring at the scenery below.

“I'm worried about planning something without involving us. Honestly, I'm getting scared here, Len. I'm starting to feel unsafe. My feeling is not good,” said Adinda.

“Well, right? Feel too, right? Anyone would not feel at home locked up like this. Without any entertainment. It's worse than prison. What if we protest with Mr Dimas? I think he's wiser than Mr. Reno. Maybe he has a solution to overcome the boredom we experience,” suggested Lena.

“Where to say Len? We ask to be taken for a walk, is that?” ask Adinda.

“Yes, anyway how to not be bored in this house. I swear I'll go crazy if I stay here!”

Adinda understood what Lena was feeling. Honestly, he felt the same. Moreover, coupled with the strange events that had just happened, made him a little takit.

“Yes, we meet Mr. Dimas. You know where he is?” ask Adinda.

“I know where he is, because I saw him in the living room. Let's get samperin!”

***