pancason
Part 29 Forest
The sun has not yet revealed its light. Me and Aunt Jean had packed up with a few pieces of clothing and food. Lucky I brought a Carrier bag, making it easier for us to travel later. Since then, I and Aunt Jean have been quieter. We are busy with our own thoughts. Honestly, this time was very worried about Papa. I've never been this hot. Many times Aunt Jean and Aunt Rani always calmed me down, but it wasn't enough.
"Hows it? Ready, Bil?" ask Aunt Jean. I nodded and carried the bag out of the room. The situation in this big house is still quiet, only the activities in the kitchen sound a little boisterous. Most people are still sleeping in their dreams. Arriving in the middle room, Om Opon is ready with his backpack. A little smaller, as he would just give a hint towards Papa and the others leaving. The Om Opon I just found out is called Septian, it's still quite young. At least our age is not far away, and I just found out that Opon is a family call given by grandfather. Because Om Septian is his grandson.
There is a grandfather who will also let go of us. His face looked lethargic, there was a gurgle of anxiety there. He is the oldest person in this place. It looked fierce at the beginning, but he was actually kind.
"You guys be careful. I'm sorry but Opon can't get to that place. There is a territory that we cannot enter" Grandpa explained.
"Good, Cake. Grandpa shouldn't worry. We will continue our own journey. We can do it" said Aunt Jean. But suddenly Aunt Rani appeared from her room in neat clothes even carrying the same bag as us. Of course everyone was surprised.
"Ran's? You?" aunty Jean asked no further questions, although everyone also wanted to ask the same thing, and also thought the same. "Come?" connect Aunt Jean. Aunt Rani nodded confidently, although she looked heavy while occasionally staring at her family members.
"They're also my friends, Jean. Do not let them experience things like gods. Don't make it!" cetus Aunt Rani. The situation was a little tense, especially when Aunt Jean glanced at grandfather.
Grandfather who seemed to be conscious, then took a deep breath before approaching to aunt Rani. "You be careful, Nantun." Grandpa held Aunt Rani's hand and gave her the necklace around her neck. "Hopefully this can take care of you later." Aunt Rani hesitated.
We will be going four now. Om Opon, that's what I call it, even though the concept is very wrong. "How far is it, Om?" I asked when we started leaving the village. Entering a forest area that is still quite dark. Sunlight that has not appeared coupled with the condition of lush trees adds to the impression of darkness in this forest.
"It's still a few kilometers away, Bill. Anyway, if we have met the river, we will cross and there it is located. But sorry, I can only go to the river. Our tribe is forbidden to enter the area" explained Om Opon.
"Casual, Om. We can continue on our own, as long as we know the direction to go. Yeah, right, auntie?" I looked over and asked for approval on the two women behind us. Those who were discussing nodded.
"If you're confused, I have the MAP." He picked up a piece of paper from behind his backpack. "Now, you've got a compass, right?" ask her and end with a nod of the head.
We stopped to check the MAP. Aunt Rani who said she had been there was also a little confused, because all the places were trees. If someone who has been here a few times, they will get lost. Especially me and Aunt Jean who just came here for the first time. We were completely blind to the terrain that would pass later.
"After passing through the river, you walk straight north. Later there you will find a cliff. But look around this" point it to the east and west of PETA. "Here there will be many obstacles, some tribes inland live there. Not only that, there were some beasts as well. Hm, honestly, I hope you guys undo the intention to go there. If you're reckless, it's the same as depositing lives." That sentence sounded terrible, with deep hopes, for us to just go back home. The three of us were silent.
"It's okay, Om. I won't be back before I see Papa" I explained.
Om Opon took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes, if your resolve is already round. Let's continue the journey." Om Opon again led the line, I kept trying to keep his steps. Various questions I asked to fill the time and so that our trip was not too boring. I'm still a stranger to this place anyway.
"What's? Grandma Sanja?" tanya Om Opon immediately stopped his steps, and looked at me deeply, as if not believing in all the stories that came out of my mouth.
"Why really? Om Opon knows Grandma Sanja?" manyaku. His reaction was very suspicious, because if he did not know her, then he would definitely not be this surprised.
"Saving what does that mean?" I ask who does not understand.
"He's not a random person, Bil. It could be said that Grandma Sanja was the one who protected our tribe."
"Wow. Aye, huh? But why did he show up to me?"
"Hm, maybe he'll protect you. Rarely can anyone see Grandma Sanja. Even all this time it was just grandfather, and the other elders before."
Our journey began to find the end point. The sound of water ripples rang out loud in the ears. I cheered happily and walked faster to the source of the voice. Now a clear stretch of water is visible in front of us.
"This is the river, Tiam?" aunty Rani asked to clarify our situation.
"Yes, this is the river." Om Opon looked around with a gaze I could not guess.
"How do we go through this river and get there?" ask Aunt Jean.
"Yes you must swim there" replied Om Opon lightly.
"Oh, that's right!" aunt Jean's screeches made Om Opon slightly pull the corner of her lips. Although only a little. I feel like he's worried about something.
It was already evening, even this trip took all day, surely because we had a lot of rest earlier. Understandably, we rarely walked far this long. While the car cannot enter this forest area. The line of trees close enough to make the vehicle difficult to pass, and also there is no special lane for vehicles here. This place is still very rarely touched by humans.
"We'd better camp here, and you can continue tomorrow morning, when it's light."
"Why not, Om? This river is not too wide and deep as well as the taste," I said.
"I said tomorrow, yes tomorrow. Too dangerous. You don't know who lives in that area!" sergeant Om Opon with a serious face. Aunt Jean hissed slowly, then shook her head faintly at me.
"Okay, we make a tent here" said Aunt Jean.
We finally started to prepare everything. Our tents were set up on the riverbank. Waiting for the night to come, and preparing everything for tomorrow. It's gonna be heavy. Papa, wait for Nabila.