NIGHT BUTTERFLY
#67
"Assalamula."
Greetings from the gate. People look. The mood became quiet. Under the dim lights of the gate, we see the frail body of Mr. Ahmad walking slowly with a half bent, following the bright jumbo LED flashlight that illuminates the surrounding. People's views were on him. Anxious and hopeful. The sound of his sandal lambs adds to the tense atmosphere of the night.
"Assalamualaik." The voice of greeting Ahmad was heard again. This time it sounded louder. He looked back and forth when he got in front of the house.
Ahmad stared at the open door. He slowly entered. Mr. Ahmad looked back and forth when he got inside the house. The atmosphere in the house looks quiet, as well as in the living room. Mr. Ahmad scratched his forehead. Wonder.
Mr. Ahmad came back out of the house with unbalanced steps. He stood for a long time staring towards the gate. The flashlight that was still on was turned off. Mr. Ahmad nodded. Because he was tired, he chose to sit on the stairs of the terrace of the house.
People who are still glued to look at him, no one has taken the initiative to call Mr. Ahmad who looks confused. They were afraid that there would be a sudden movement from Rianti that would endanger Farida.
Mr. Ahmad looked over. He scrunched his forehead when he saw people standing beside the house. The lush tabebuya tree blocks the light of the lamp, so Mr. Ahmad's eyes are not too clear to see it. Mr. Ahmad is rising.
"Sir Sahril?" call him. He again scrunched his forehead. He was astonished at those who did not respond. That was his loudest voice.
"What are people doing again? how about silence? In the dark again." Murmured pak Ahmad was curious while continuing to walk slowly towards them. He lifted his flashlight and turned it back on. A bright flashlight shone far away until it was not aware of Rianti's eyes. Spontaneous Rianti closed her eyes. The flashlight dazzled his eyes. Even when he opened his eyes, he still could not see anything. Seeing that, Mr. Bayan immediately snatched the flashlight from the hand of Mr. Ahmad. The flashlight then he pointed again at Rianti's face.
Rianti's control over Farida was lost. Farida managed to escape. But unfortunately, the movement of Rianti's body to and fro avoid the flashlight that continues to be directed to his face, making the knife in his hand hit Farida's hand to tear. He screams in pain. Sulastri, bi Aisyah, bu Trianti and pak pratama's wife, simultaneously ran to snatch Farida's body and took her away from Rianti.
Rianti's body crashed hard in the paving block. The flashlight that continues to be directed by Mr. Bayan makes his eyes sore. All he saw when he tried to open his eyes were flashes of light that made him no longer able to see his surroundings. He rolled over while covering his face until near the grave of Yulian Wibowo. Pratama immediately ran and caught Rianti's body.
"That's it, Enough, Mr. Bayan. Turn off the flashlight" shouted Mr. Sahril when Mr. Pratama had managed to subdue Rianti. Mr. Bayan immediately turned off the flashlight and handed it to Mr. Ahmad. After that he ran to help Mr. Pratama secure Rianti. Mr. Ahmad was still standing stunned watching what was happening in front of him.
"Mom, call Doctor Iskandar. Farida should get help immediately" Sahril told Trianti.
"Come, Mr. Bayan. We take the woman to the guard station while waiting for the police to arrive" Sahril ordered. Mr. Bayan immediately dragged Rianti's body towards the guard post. Rianti thrashed about to release himself while continuing to shout cussing. But Mr. Bayan's burly body is too strong for him.
* * *
"How is Farida, ma'am," said Mr. Sahril as he entered Sulastri's room. Sulastri, who still calmed Farida on her lap, showed Farida's arm wrapped in bandages. To his left and right, Mrs Trianti and Ms Pratama sat flanking.
"My children are getting traumatized, sir. I hope this time Rianti should be imprisoned," Sulastri said expectantly looking at Mr. Sahril.
The sound of police car sirens was getting closer to the house. Mr. Sahril got up and got out. In the yard, already parked two police cars with sirens still spinning. Two police officers appeared to come out. Mr. Bayan who was still holding both hands Rianti, assisted by Mr. Pratama immediately shook the body of Rianti and handed it to the two police officers. After handcuffing Rianti's hand, the two officers immediately put Rianti in the car. Through the windshield, Rianti again shouted out his mouth from the car window.
"Devil you, Sulastri. Until I die, I will never forgive you. One day, I will come back for revenge. Cursed be you Sulastri. Dogs!" sulastri shouted loudly. His teeth were grinding furiously.
After a short conversation with Mr. Sahril, the two police officers immediately entered the car and shortly after, the two cars drove slowly away from the house.
* * *
The night was late. The sound of the rooster crowing broke the silence of the night along with the clang of the wall clock that echoed in the living room.
The atmosphere still looks gripping. Sulastri, who was still holding Farida in her lap, was still leaning on the sofa. Farida was already sound asleep, but occasionally heard delirious asking for help.
Unable to leave Sulastri with such circumstances, bu Trianti and bu Pratama decided to stay overnight.
"Sir Bayan, please tomorrow the fig tree that is behind the house is cut down. The trees that were too close to the wall were cut down. God willing, tomorrow we will put barbed wire along the wall" Mr. Sahril said to Mr. Bayan. Mr. Bayan nodded.
"Mom, I and Mr. Pratama are going home. If indeed tomorrow mother is not ready to survey the location of the land, let me and Mr. Pratama who represent, I just rest first" said Mr. Sahril. Sulastri.
"No, Sir. I have to come. I'm fine" Sulastri said. He let out a smile to reassure Mr. Sahril that he is fine.
Mr. Sahril sighed and smiled.
"Good, Mom. See you tomorrow" said Mr. Sahril. He then brought Mr. Pratama home.
* * *
The night is getting late. The clock has shown at 3 am. In a large two-story house. Ambiance deserted. The grunting sound of the housekeeper could be heard filling the silence of the night.
"Where are you, Rianti. Why would you let your mom alone in this house. What kind of child do you let your mama do without a talking partner." Castella's sad voice came from inside her room. From then on he could not sleep and paced on the balcony waiting for Rianti to come home. Scattered glass shards and bottles were still visible on the floor of his room. He began to feel frightened by the atmosphere of the house that was quiet and felt scary.