Sibungsu (Samurai stabbed)
The babah (I)

That night was the light of the moon. True – true full moon. Payakumbuh city looks crowded by people – people who come out. But in one corner of the city, in the house of a Chinese man in the back room, there were three men. They sit cross-legged on rattan mats. The air in the room was filled with the smell of sake and opium. Among the men were three women. One is of Chinese descent, the other two are of Indian descent. They sat leaning or hugged by the Japanese sitting on the rattan mat.

A bald-headed, fat Chinese man came to the group of males and females. He came up with a bamboo tube that was as long as it was. As he sat down immediately the Japanese – Japanese was sitting around him. Money was spent, and they started playing dice. The fat Chinese are the owners of the house where they are now.

Now he acts as a bookie in the dice gambling held. This Chinese house is known to the inhabitants as the yellow house. It's a covert brothel. Who came here specifically the officers only. Because here also provided women – women choice. One of those women was the bald Chinese girl herself.

His daughter is famous for being beautiful and solid. Any officer can wear it for an unmitigated fee – his high responsibility. In addition to prostitutes and gambling places, fighters – Indonesian fighters have also long suspected the house as a spy center for the Japanese side. China has been living in that house for a long time. When the Dutch colonial era, he has become a kind of Dutch belief as well. Now when Japan is in power, he is also a Japanese belief.

Fighters – Indonesian fighters have long stalked the house. But despite having some evidence, they can't do anything. He now has Japanese protection. So the effort of – Indonesian fighters to capture China was never successful. Though some of the fighters who were caught, including Major M's men who were based in Piobang, were caused by this fat Chinese. She spread her intel among the natives and the – prostitute women. Even caught some fighters who stole weapons in Kubu Gadang four months ago also on this Chinese clue.

"Have he come ?" a Japanese officer of the rank of Lettu (Chu – I), asked while adding to his betting money.

"Not yet, maybe in a moment" replied the fat Babah.

They continue playing dice. Arrived – arrived Chu – I it upright. Look at the three women in the room.

"Hey, where's Amoy ..?" tanyakanya.

The three women stared at the clapping babah[1] who was sitting playing dice. The playful clap continued, grabbing money on the mat he won.

"Where's Amoy, plump?" ask Chu-I.

The clap signaled by moving his head towards the room. But when Japan was about to stand up, the plump signaled asking for money first by putting his hand. Chu-I reached into the bag and handed over some money, then stepped into the room in question babah gapuk.

When he reached the door, the door opened, a Japanese lieutenant walked out wiping the sweat around his neck. They say a word of two. Arriving in Japan it saw Amoy fat babah child was tidying up the bed. His bent position turned his back to the door with a towel wrapped around his body, revealing his groin from behind. The Japanese heart is beating. Like a possessed person he butted to the plump-bodied girl.

Outside the Chinese house, a man has since looked upright. It was like he was waiting for something. And after more than two hours he stood there, then he saw two men approaching the house. He quickly – quickly stepped closer to the two men.

" Hey. See you again ..! " he said to the two men. And the two men stopped.

Stare at him. In the moonlight, they immediately recognized the person who was reprimanding them.

" Hm. You're Bungsu ..!"

" yes. I'm the Bungsu. We haven't seen Baribeh in over two years ?"

Baribeh, who had once molested his body when they lost a gamble in the former Surau in his village, laughed grimly.

" But I heard you got hit by Saburo's samurai." Baribeh said.

The body of the Bungsu like so stiff heard the name Saburo called. Fortunately, at night, until the change of his facial water was not visible to Baribeh.

" Ah, that's a bird story. The proof is I am still alive. What is the need for Japan to kill me. Hmm, is this Jul?" The Bungsu smiled at the squint man he called Jul.

" Calera!!. Do not follow – follow waang call me by the name buyung. Kuremas mouth waang with shirk later ..!" jul is offended. For he who is bold and who may call him Jul is only his leader, Baribeh.

" Calm Jul. Maybe he has as much money as he used to. Hey Bungsu, do waang still like to gamble ?"

" The end of this final – is no longer. No one wants to bet big. It's just free to play. Just take the time".

Baribeh elbowed Jul slowly. Jul knows what he means, that this young man will be victimized again.

"Ah, I'm playing with you guys. Win you want to accept, lose not pay. If you just don't pay it is okay. It's me you lanyau. It makes me cringe .." said Bungsu.

Baribeh laughed, revealing his red teeth from betel and pointed – pointed like mouse teeth.

" Ahaaa .. don't be afraid. Don'tbeafraid. It's safe in this place. There are Japanese and Chinese as judges. Be safe believe me. Come onl. Ayooo ..!"

The Bungsu was hesitant and afraid. But because his hand was pulled by Baribeh, he finally complied as well. He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

Didn't he, when he came to his senses after Baribeh and two of his friends, after all the money they brushed in the old manau he, swore to demand revenge? Now the opportunity comes. He slowly followed Baribeh. Behind him walked Juling. They entered Babah's fat house. Babah who is now busy playing dice with two Japanese soldiers whose daughters are being drugged by the Japanese army rank Chu – i. They step straight inside.

Baribeh and Jul seem to be too common in this house. They knew every resident and corner of the house. When they appeared in the place of the man who was gambling the dice, Babah whispered to one of the Japanese officers in front of him :

" This they came," then he cried out to Baribeh

" Hi Baribeh. Long time no longer coming. Where have you been pigi ?"

"We pigi far. We have good news, and we have good friends. This fella wants to play dice the same babah ".

Baribeh replied while mimicking the fat babah's speech style. The fat Babah looked at the Bungsu. The two Japanese soldiers. The two Japanese looked at him carefully.

While the fat Babah was just staring for a while. But the Bungsu, who lived almost three years at the waist of Mount Sago, hung out and studied the life of the creatures that were there, especially wild animals so as not to die in the field[2], can catch a strange view of its meaning from the gaze of the Babah's fleeting eyes. He could not know for sure what he should suspect from the stare of the fat man. But his sharp premonition, which he brought from a life experience of about two years on Mount Sago, warns that if anything happens what –, what, so the dangerous and must be monitored is the fat Babah who looks lackluster.

With such an instinctual message, he then nodded to them. Then sit a little distance from the two Japanese earlier. Baribeh and his friend Juling also took a seat facing the Babah.

The three of them who just came were not immediately bet. They just sit watching the game in progress.

The Baribeh reached into the bag. Take out a package. Then it took out some kind of tobacco, but it was a bit rough. Roll it big – big, then inhale it like sucking a cigar. The two Japanese officers who were gambling raised their heads to smell the smoke exhaled by Baribeh.

" Hm. Opium. Opium number one "said that one of them then grabbed the parcel of Baribeh. Roll it big–big. And sucking. His friend imitated too. Then the Juling. They suck that opium with his ni'mat.

"Read ..?" The fat Babah asked the two Japanese who were in the middle of the consciousness while lifting the bamboo in his hand.

"Let's play" said a Japanese man to Baribeh who then menggamit si Jul and Bungsu to join the bet

"Start .."

The bald-headed and thin-bodied Japanese said while still sucking the candle. The Bungsu saw the fat Babah pick up three dice from a plate that was lying on the mat. Then put into the bamboo that is more than that length.

The Bungsu noticed Babah's finger –. Strange, the Chinese are fat with a distended stomach. But the – fingers of his hand were out of sync with his lush body.

Usually people – fat people finger fingers jemarinya must be round – round fat anyway. But the fingers of this Babah look slim and long – long. Unlike the other old Chinese –, which usually leaves its nails unkempt, Babah's nails look cleanly packed.

Now he was shaking the bamboo that contained the dice. There was the sound of dice spinning and clashing in the bamboo. Four times quick round, arrived – arrived bamboo was laid on a plate. In a very short time, it was heard that the three dice fell onto the plate. The man took his hand off the bamboo. And the bamboo was stuck on a plate covering the three dice inside.

Baribeh placed his bet on the – numbers two, three and four. He bet that. Play guess in many numbers. Usually one must be. While the Bungsu only put on one number.

And in the four times he placed the bet, he still stayed put on one number only. He meant that, taking the money out of his pocket. Then put it on number one. Si Juling put number four, which is the number of Baribeh couples. The fat babah raised the bamboo that covered the dice.

One !

Yes, all three dice show the number one on it. Baribeh. Juling dumbfounded. The Japanese officer, who did not place the bet this time, was also stunned. The Bungsu turned out to guess correctly and won the bet. The fat man smiled. Then pay on the Bungsu as much as six times the bet placed. Slow – slow she put again the fruit of her chest. Then roll the dice in the bamboo. After five quick turns, the bamboo containing the dice was quickly knocked down.

The Bungsu put up his teliga. If before he "fleeved" for two years to the mountain he always won playing dice is thanks to if he cheated, then now another case. He was the one who held the dice. And always his chest is just one.

He can play the dice. Now with three dice, he relied on his hearing. If only he had never trained at Mount Sago, he might have lost. Because the fat babah is not playing anyway. But now he's equipped with hearing as sharp as a leopard. He clearly heard the fall of the dice. He can also distinguish the sound of a depressed wind, depending on the many or at least holes in the dice facing down.

The loud dice sound of the fall, must be a little hole facing down. Because in the hole – hole was a little wind that was held back. If the six holes are facing down, then the sound will be softer compared to the number one. Because in the hole – dice that six pieces wind a lot restrained and make the fall more slowly.

Only now it takes intelligence guess right between the six hole and the five hole.

To distinguish it takes expertise for many – years. But for the Bungsu it is already a downhill review. He was a gambler before.

Now with his sharp hearing, he was immediately able to guess. If the previous four bets he only wants to try – try, then now he bets with confidence. All his winning money was placed in numbers one, four and six. Baribeh put his money on the numbers three and five. The Japanese officer put his bet on the number six, Juling put on the number one.

"Have ..?" babah asked.

No one's saying. They all stared silently at the plate. The fat man raised the bamboo. And back they were surprised. The three dice show numbers exactly like the Bungsu bet.

What appears above are the eyes one, four and six. He then wins the bet again. The Japanese officer who posted in number six cheered happily. Similarly, Juling who put his money in number one. They accept the payment of the bet.

The Babah paid quietly. His eyes occasionally stared at the Bungsu. And the fur on the nape of the Bungsu goosebumps saw the glint of Babah's fat eyes. But he sat still in his place. His samurai stick he put it on his thigh. Ready to wait for all possibilities. What should she be afraid of anyway ? Isn't this bet honest ? He is not the city. He's just a bookmaker. In gambling, usually the one who always cheats is the city. And if there will be riots, then it is only because of two problems.

First because the city is cheating, and this does not appear – sign. And secondly because the city or one of the parties is not willing to lose. And even this is not there or there is no sign of –. Although it had paid quite a lot in these two bets, but the fat Babah was paying still with a smile. He seems to be a baron ready to gamble with anyone and in any bet. Now the finger – his long and thin finger began to take the dice. Put it in a piece of bamboo and lift it high. The Bungsu happened to be staring at him anyway. They look at each other. Babah was smiling. And back veins – veins in the body of the Bungsu tightened looking at the eyes and smile Babah this fat.

Slow – slow hand Babah started twisting bamboo filled dice. The sound of the dice was heard touching and spinning on the wall of the short bamboo tube. The fat Babah's eyes took turns staring at the Bungsu, Baribeh, the Japanese officer and Juling.

Staring while his hand still turned the bamboo tube containing the dice. The Bungsu no longer looked at Babah. Although she knew Babah was looking at her several times during the dice shake. But now he's down. Her ears she plugs good – well. His hearing was centered on the spinning ore of the dice. And arrived – arrived Babah was stopping his round. Unlike the previous way, this time he did not directly lay the tube on the plate. Except hold it first. The dice were gathered at the base of the tube. A few seconds passed. Then suddenly, very quickly the bamboo tube was lying on the plate in front of him. No dice touching the plate. Slender. The Japanese officer, Baribeh and Juling were surprised, because none of the dice fell flat. None of it.

Babah's cleverness is not playing. Baribeh was amazed because Babah had never done that. Now the dice touch the plate without sounding a single sound.

" Pair up" said the Babah slowly.

His hand was still holding the tube that was bent down. The Japanese officer looked at the Bungsu for a moment. But since the Bungsu was still silent, he immediately placed his bet on the number four. Baribeh hesitantly placed his bet on the numbers five and one. The juling put in number two. The Bungsu was still silent. The fat man looked at her.

" Don't come with the install ?" ask the babah.

The Bungsu looked at the Chinese. They look at each other.

" Not to bet ..?" babah asked back.

While others, including three beautiful women who were now sitting near Baribeh, Juling and the Japanese officer, stared at him silently.

" Just put the bet on ". Babah said again.

" New bet I put if the chest has fallen on the plate "the youngest said slowly.

Japanese officers and Baribeh looked at each other. They were doubtful of the young man's words. Has the dice not fallen on the plate yet ? Cuisine yet. Where can the dice hang or stuck on top in the bamboo tube. Impossible.

"Drop the dice on the plate, and I place a bet ". Bungsu. Babah was smiling. Inevitably he was forced to praise the superior hearing of this young man. An amazing young man, he thought. It's amazing to gamble.

A fine clatter rang out inside the tube. A dice fell. Quiet after that. The Bungsu still kept his head down. Prick up ones ears. A twang again. And deserted. The man raised his hand from the bamboo. The Japanese officer and Baribeh looked at each other again.

" Only two fell down" the officer said.

Babah smiled as he looked at the Bungsu. The Bungsu took all the money he won in the bet earlier. Then put it all down on the numbers three and five. Then deserted.

" Nobody's going to change the location of the bet ?" Babah asked.

No one's telling. The baby then lifted the bamboo tube. And arrived – arrived everyone, except the Bungsu, so stunned.

Two of the three dice did show the number – numbers as predicted by the Bungsu. The dice that appear above are eyes one, five and three. Means the two bets are guessing right and right. He did not place a bet on number one, but it did not affect his win.

Babah started sweating. He had to stand up and walk towards his room. Before long he appeared carrying a large bag. Then sit down again in the place before and open the bag that he had brought. Staring at the money bet the youngest for a while. Then start counting the money he took out of the bag. And put it on the Bungsu's bet money. The Bungsu just stared silently. He knew, even though Babah did not calculate the bet, but Babah knew exactly how to pay. A skill that rarely comes. Counting money from a certain distance without touching it.

Of the hundred shrewd gamblers, perhaps this knowledge is only found in one or at most two gamblers. Thus, the Babah has shown two of his mistresses. First the energy demonstration in. That is when he held the three dice at the top of the bamboo tube.

Japanese officers and Baribeh thought the dice were on a plate. But it turned out that he was still resistant through channeling his internal energy on the walls of the bamboo tube. And this knowledge turned out to be known by the Bungsu. The second is the science of counting without touching this money for a moment. And the Bungsu knew it too. Therefore he did not want to count the payment given by Babah. The money is he's tied up[3] and he puts it in front of him. The lucky one is Baribeh.

The bet on the number five also hit. While the officer's bet and Jul's bet are drawn by Babah. Babah is still smiling. Then pick up the dice ore on a plate, then put it in the bamboo tube. He twisted. Then cough.

That was when suddenly into the room jumped six Kempetai with unsheathed weapons. They're locked in the middle. The Bungsu reflexively immediately grabbed his samurai located on the thigh. But somehow, knew the samurai was bounced far back hit by the Babah kick. Before the youngest realized what happened, Babah's kick landed on his chest. He rolled over and immediately vomited blood. Head cackling. When he tried to get up, his hair was pulled hard. He's sitting. And soon the four unsheathed trumpets were pressed against his chest and neck.

"If you fight, you we kill here ".

The campaign that led this ambush hissed sharply. The Bungsu could not move a bit. He saw Babah sitting quietly. So did Baribeh and Juling. Initially he thought that this raid was a Campaign raid on gambling venues. Because he had heard that Japanese soldiers were forbidden from gambling. But this time it seems the raid was already planned. The Bungsu did not realize in the slightest, that he was in a trap.

For three days he had been watching Babah's house. He was informed that Babah's house included a gathering place for officers to gamble and have fun with high-class prostitutes.

He watches over this house to find out Saburo's trail. He hoped to meet the Captain who had slaughtered his family.

Unconsciously as long as he watched this house from a distance there were also others who were also watching him. That man was none other than Babah himself. Babah has to be careful. He didn't want to die silly. Therefore he watches the lashing set of people passing in front of his house.

So it is not surprising that the presence of the Bungsu three days in a row not far from his home attracted his attention. The Bungsu who spied on the house is now spied on.

One day Babah met Baribeh at the market. He took Baribeh to a place where he could see the Bungsu safely. Of course Baribeh and Juling knew the young man well. But they don't know what the Bungsu is up there for. They only learned that the Bungsu had already died by Saburo and his men about two years ago. Did the Bungsu think that the leak of the secret hiding Datuk Berbangsa used to be a part of this fat Babah

The fat babah was so worried. Because the secret that in Situjuh Laweh Field there are people who make up the strength to fight the Japanese, Babah is indeed the one who told Kempetai. It was the Babah who paid some Minang people a high fee, to extract the secret that led the movement was Datuk Berbangsa and Datuk Sati.

This Babah is indeed a kind of information center for the Japanese army. He's been in Payakumbuh's for decades. When the Dutch came to power he became an accomplice of the Dutch. And when the Japanese came he became a Japanese gibber anyway. To find out what this young man meant, Babah then set a trap. The Baribeh and the Juling were made to pretend to be surprised to meet him. Then persuade him to enter the gamble inside. Inside they will catch him. As soon as he entered, a courier posted not far from the house immediately reported to Kempetai the existence of a spy in the house of the Babah. And the Bungsu got into that trap set. He actually entered with the intention of wanting to find information about Saburo. Now it turns out he was snatched.

The boy smiled at him. His smile was exactly like a smile when paying the bet earlier. Back the Bungsu felt shudder looking at that smile.

"Young man, try to explain what you mean by spying on my house" the Babah asked.

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[1] plump \= fat

[2] spilt \= devoured/eaten

[3] you \= raup