Mystery of Grandma's House
Don't Ruin the Surprise

The sun was still timid to reveal its might in this slightly overcast morning. The blackish spray appears to cover the warm rays of the Surya even though the rainy season has almost finished fulfilling its duties. This withered body of mine continued to wander down the dominant path made up of stacked stones. Sometimes I cross paths with some residents who want to find grass for animal feed. A familiar voice surprised me enough.

"Mas?!" Shouted Wulan from behind which was quite a shock to me.

"Wulans?" My eyes were round when I saw the woman standing not far from me. All my tiredness seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye changed with happiness. Not much to answer Wulan just rushed in hugging regardless of the existence of the surrounding residents who looked at us with a cynical look.

"Hiks.hiks...hiks.." Wulan's cries suddenly just broke.

"You go where the hell. I'm worried about you Why-Why. I thought you already... Hiks.. hiks... hiks.." said Wulan still a little bit as much as he pleased.

"Udah yok we go home first. Shame on seeing those people" I whispered softly. Stopping the scene of a soap opera-style meeting that was looked at strangely by residents who were accidentally passing by us.

Finally after a ten minute walk together, we also arrived at the Wulan residence which is still a pile of green plastic chairs that lean on the corner of the terrace and tents that are still gallant standing guarding the residents who want to know at night. Today is even, three days ago Mr. Mardi left this mortal world in a pretty shrewd way.

This time I was really warmly welcomed. I didn't think my father was here too with a happy look at me. Even if it turns into a face full of anger.

"You'd better take a break, son. We'll be back at your hostel. I'll tell you something important later after you've had enough rest." Father's words put me on the edge of a bad taste.

"Well yeah," I said resigned because I felt very tired.

"Oh yes mas, Mr. Adi was met by residents on the edge of the river near his garden father first. Now it has been taken to polindes for treatment. He always called you by name." Tukas Wulan while offering me a glass of hot tea.

"Wul then? Mercifully. Maybe I'll see him later." My words felt relief at the news of the congratulations of one of my colleagues. Even though I know this mission isn't over.

"What are you doing, actually? I already know everything from dad, but I want to hear it directly from you." Wulan demanded an explanation from me.

"Let me tell you yes. Now I'm tired of Wulan." I answered honestly. Making Wulan bend her sweet face because she did not get a satisfactory answer.

"Yes to Wulan. We will come here again. Talk about it yesterday." Said my father.

"What are you talking about?" My reply was that I did not understand the codes between my father and Wulan in front of me. While Wulan's mother who had just entered was just a small smile looking at me in confusion.

Time has shown at one noon. My father and I went back to my house. Unlike my shadow, it turns out I can not immediately lie down just like that. inevitably, I have to clean the dust that is still piled thick in some corners first. I do not know how long I left the room that became my complaint a few weeks ago until it could be this dirty.

After finishing cleaning the two were helped with dad. I just lie down. Ignoring the father who had earlier helped sweep my boarding room. It didn't take me long to get into a dreamland that I hadn't felt for two nights. Ah enjoy..

*****

"Hey wake. Already want Maghrib bro. Take a shower your body smells so rich." A man tried to shake my body that felt all crumpled.

"Emmmmmhhhh what is Wulan dear."

"Wulans?! your bald darling?! hahaa... Hey bro! Aware of hei, you desert lizard! This is me Didik not Wulan dear you!." I grunt mas Didik and father who saw me from beside mas Didik heard laughing loudly.

"Well!" I was shocked to see two men close to me now here.

"What are you doing, bro? Hahaha" dikak mas Didik saw me with a face half reddened.

"That's the proof. Do you dream of being the same as Wulan? Hooh hooh huh? Hahahaha" now dikak mas gelak getting louder.

"Basar etawa goat! his mouth has no filter!" my teasing replied that Dad only shook his head to see how we both behaved like Tom & Jerry.

"The splinter old nak bathe was coming to the house bi Lastri. Follow mardi sir's doain later there are important things that we have to say there together." Tell dad to end my fight with mas Didik.

I hurried to the bathroom to clean up and follow my father's current directions. Even though my body still wants to be pampered on the bed. I quickly took a shower and immediately changed into polite clothes to join me with my father and a friend.The three of us went there using my father's car.

"What is the pakde sure of the decision pakde willing.." asked Didik to my father.

"Ssssttttt. don't spoil the surprise. Hehehe" said my father, looking chuckling.

"I don't need to tell you. He will know sir. Hehehehe" seloroh mas Didik's.

"Hey what are you talking about?! Daritadi whispers of neighbors. Whoa danger!" I heard the conversation between the two of them in my father's little car we were riding in.

No one answered my question. And the Didik who was sitting in the back just silently threw his gaze out the window. While father was silent a thousand languages made me even more curious about the strange plans of the two of them.

"You don't want to answer me while I'm down..." I'm not done yet.

"Well, come down!" Dad's words cut me off.

"Haha. Let's read the tahlilan first. We'll discuss it again at the boarding house. It's more private." There." Said Didik mas who gawked away and chose one of the neatly lined plastic chairs.

Tahlilan was finally started by one of the religious leaders who was raised in this S village. All went on a solemn walk with quite a number of people coming. All the events ended perfectly. Now leave some fathers who still enjoy snacks and hot tea provided. Cigarette smoke billowed from the fathers while chatting leisurely on this brightly lit night.

I helped Wulan and Didik mas who were handling some dishes and glasses that had been left by their owners to go home and rest. Seen some neighboring women Bu Lastri also helped sweep the yard filled with candy wrappers and oven nut shells provided earlier by the Miss Lastri family...

My eyes suddenly rounded when I saw a grandmother who seemed foreign to me. He was just standing in the corner of the terrace yard earlier. Although I didn't notice much. Even as I recall he stood there long enough. Look at the people who are carrying out activities to completion.

His gaze immediately downed me who was looking at him making us look at each other from a distance. My hair briefly bristled when his old mouth grinned showing reddish black teeth due to chewing betel. That strange smile was enough to leave me silent for a moment. Who exactly is he? Is he a citizen here too? Why is he just standing there? And... Is he a human?

.

.

.

.

.

.

. connect...