NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#48
Time keeps passing. The rustling sound of water and the leaves of the trees being buffeted by the wind was like a heartbreaking rhythm, which accompanied the desperate gazes of Sulastri and Rahima who were still leaning against the fence of the cottage. Their hands held each other tightly, as if to strengthen each other.
The sound of the dawn was heard far away. The plumb gives a little peace in the hearts of both.
* * *
The black Camry toyota sedan was speeding on the paved road. The dangdut music playing in the car made the heads inside unconsciously sway to the beat of the music. The sun has been seen rising in the eastern horizon.
Mr. Sahril turned down the volume of music when the phone in his pocket rang.
"Wa alaikum salam" replied Mr. Sahril when he heard greetings from across the street. Since the music still sounded loud, he ordered Hasbi to turn off the music.
"Sorry, Mr. Pratama, I was too tired, I overslept so I did not know that Mr. Pratama called me, so at dawn I tried to miss Mr., about what is it, sir," mr. Sahril said while raising the windshield.
"Obviously, sir, it's Castella's mom" Pratama replied from across the street.
"What's wrong with Castella, sir."Mr. Sahril looked back. The sound of the wind coming through the open glass behind, making Mr. Sahril still difficult to hear the sound across.
"Shortly, sir," said Mr. Sahril.
"Mom, the glass is closed for a while, the AC is turned on for a while," said Mr. Sahril to bu Trianti.
"No need, Pa, Mama can't," said Ms. Trianti as she lifted the windshield.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Pratama, please continue," said Mr. Sahril again pasted the phone in his ear.
"So after I was, he called me, he said, he wanted to put together the entire board this morning. He also threatened, if anyone does not come, then he will replace it with a believer,"
Mr. Sahril was silent for a moment. He tried to think of the right answer to answer Mr. Pratama. Mrs Trianti sitting in the back looked on.
"Look, sir, please contact the entire board and inform them to give up, just today. God willing, we will have another meeting the next day. For a while, just let it go."
"What you can not attend today" said Mr. Pratama after a moment of silence.
Mr. Sahril sighed as he set his gaze outside the windshield.
"I'm sorry, sir, I'm currently on my way, once again, I'm sorry. Today I have an appointment with the landowner in the Doyan Medaran road area, to follow up the conversation between the late Mr. Yulian Wibowo and the landowner,"
"Good, sir,"
"I may be there until noon, because before going to the location, I have to attend an invitation of one of my relatives" said Mr. Sahril.
"If the meeting is over, I wait for you there" continued Mr. Sahril.
"Good, sir."
Mr. Sahril hung up his phone and put it on the dashboard of the car. He returned to playing music.
"For what Mr. Yulian bought land again Pa, is not he dead," asked Bu Trianti who had looked curious to hear the conversation of her husband.
Mr. Sahril again shrank the volume of the music.
"Yesterday, about a day before his second marriage, he had an agreement with the landowner to free the land,"
"What do you do, Pa, do you want to make another company?" said bu Trianti. Slowly the car glass is lowered back. The wind that broke through the windshield of the car hit the hard hijab she was wearing.
"Pak Yulian wants to sell black casinos in the Senggigi area, he wants to replace it with a more halal business,"
Ms. Trianti smiled.
"Sir Yulian changed yes, Pa,"
Mr. Sahril nodded his head.
"Since he became acquainted with Sulastri's mother." Mr. Sahril looked sighed.
"Have known the whereabouts of Sulastri's mother, Pa," asked Bu Trianti curiously.
The speed of the car is getting slower when entering the bridge over the river that flows under it. Mr. Sahril pointed towards a small turn at the end of the bridge. Arriving at the turn, the car slowly went down a pebbled road and stopped at a small cottage by the river. From inside the cottage, a man was seen coming out.
"Pa, Mama go first yes, " said Mrs Trianti from behind the window of the car.
"Oh yes, Ma, greetings to Mr. Memey, saying Papa is having business" said Mr. Sahril. He immediately stepped towards the man who was still waiting in front of the hut. While the car was boarded Trianti bu turned back to the main road.
"Good morning, Mr. Suma," said Mr. Sahril as he shook the hand of the man in front of him. The man called Mr. Suma smiled. He invited Mr. Sahril to sit on a small bench made of bamboo facing the river.
"We look around the location first, sir, incidentally, I only get a little explanation from Mr. Yulian regarding the land to be purchased. I want to see the land as a whole" Mr. Sahril said.
"Good, sir,"
Mr. Suma took Mr. Sahril down a small road that was almost covered with weeds. Mr. Suma who was at the front started clearing the weeds with a scythe in his hand.
"I think we're here, sir," said Mr. Sahril. He took out a pair of binoculars from behind his shirt. He began to point his binoculars in the direction indicated by Mr. Suma.
Mr. Sahril took off his binoculars and took Mr. Suma back to the cottage.
"Copy first, sir," said Mr. Suma after leaving Mr. Sahril for a while into the hut. Mr. Sahril who was still directing his binoculars towards the front, shifted his body as Mr. Suma put two coffee cups beside him sitting down.
"Overall, I personally really like this place. Good and indeed suitable for tourist attractions," Mr. Sahril turned his gaze towards Mr. Suma.
"But, with the price offered by Mr. Suma per area, we have to think again. Especially the land across the river. Because it is behind other people's land, then with a price of 25 million acres, it is too expensive for us" said Mr. Sahril. He again lifted his binoculars and pointed them long towards the front.
"Which way ahead, what plantation, sir," said Mr. Sahril as he pointed across the river that looked lush with banana trees.
"I don't know, either, sir. But it looks like a banana plantation. According to what I heard, if not mistaken, the owner is a woman, sir," said Mr. Suma. His head was scratched many times.
"If the landowner wants to sell his land, we are ready to buy the entire father's land, at the price offered by Mr" said Mr. Sahril. He started to sip coffee next to her.
"Alright, sir, God willing, later I will tell someone to find out the whereabouts of the landowner" said Mr. Suma. He let Mr. Sahril drink his coffee again.
Time keeps passing. The sun was not in the middle of the sky. The sound of thatch whirling in the wind, combined with the sound of flowing river water, beat out the scorching sunlight.
Sulastri with slow steps walked towards the large stilt house in front of him. Mami Zelayin had just seen her enter the house. He wanted to meet him to hand over the one million rupiah that his guest gave him last night. The residents of the stilt house looked deserted. Only cigarette smoke was seen billowing in the small guard post behind the grove of banana trees. He waited for Rahima to come home from the market to accompany him to meet Mami Zelayin, but he was afraid Mami Zelayin came out again, while to meet him was very difficult.
"Hey! why are you standing there" cried Mami Zelayin when she saw Sulastri just standing in front of the house. Sulastri looked up. Mami Zelayin was standing around her waist in front of the door.
"There's something I need to talk about" Sulastri said.
"I'm dizzy again, I don't want to hear unimportant talk." Mami Zelayin turned her body and was about to enter her room.
"I want to repay my debt" cried Sulastri. Mami Zelayin turned her body and looked at Sulastri with a sneering smile.
"Debt-seeking?" Mami Zelayin laughed. Sulastri was not happy.
"Where do you get the money if there are no guests, Lastri. Guests must deposit first to me,"
Sulastri shows the one million in his hand to Mami Zelayin. Mami Zelayin silently frowned. Slowly he started down the stairs.
The money in Sulastri's hands was about to be confiscated, but Sulastri's handrails were too strong that his attempt failed.
"You know first, how much I owe," Sulastri stressed. Mami Zelayin smiled and stepped closer.
"Your house last night was only a million and a half, you still have three and a half million left over,"
"This, a million, count it out. If you dare to lie to me, I will look for a loophole to kill you one day" Sulastri threatened. He threw the money in his hand towards the chest of Zelayin's mother. After that he turned his body and left Mami Zelayin.
"Remember, your meal here is not free. It was also recorded as your debt" said Mami Zelayin. He smiled as he moved one of his legs.
Sulastri stopped his steps. His face flushed and his eyes glared sharply. He sighed violently and turned his body. He walked quickly towards Mami Zelayin. Seeing Sulastri approaching with his sharp gaze. Mami Zelayin withdraws. He was seen putting his fingers and thumb into his mouth. A long whistle sounded from his mouth. Not long after, a tall man with a rogue face came out from the grove of banana trees. He approached Mami Zelayin and stood in front of her.
"Your bastard, you blackmailer," cried Sulastri. His mounting and stifled anger turned into tears. She felt really hurt to see Mami Zelayin smiling innocently behind the man.