SURREPTITIOUS
The Part 24

The black motor stopped in front of the two-storied luxury house. The man took off his helmet. Apparently Xaga. He opened his jeans and entered the house.

Xaga climbed the stairs to her room.

"Xaga, are you home?" reprimand the shoulder-haired middle-aged woman with her little smile. He was standing not far from the stairs.

Xaga did not answer. Not even looking. He continued his steps towards the room.

Despite not getting a response from Xaga, the middle-aged woman still smiled motherly. "My son must be tired. He was desperately trying to obtain the title of general champion."

At night, Xaga sat at the study table. He looked serious about schoolwork.

The door to his room was half open. The middle-aged woman who was none other than her mother Xaga was standing there watching her son. A smile never left his face.

"Xaga, it's dinner time, son," said the middle-aged woman.

Xaga doesn't seem to care. He remains focused on his book.

A young woman opened the door to Xaga's room. He knocked on the door.

"Xaga, dinner's ready. Come on, let's eat together" said the young woman. Without waiting for an answer from Xaga, the young lady passed away.

At the dinner table, Xaga and the young woman _who was none other than her brother_ sat next to each other. In front of them was their mother and father.

"How's school going, Xaga?" ask Xaga's father, Mr. Bachtiar.

Xaga did not answer.

"Our son never disappoints us. He worked hard, studied every night. I always pay attention to him" said Bu Bachtiar.

"You must have achievements in order to attend the best universities abroad such as Starla, your sister," said Mr. Bachtiar.

Xaga's sister, Starla, did not respond. He focused on his food.

"I'm done." Xaga got up from the chair and passed.

"Hey! Papa's not done talking, don't leave the dining table!" gerutu Pak Bachtiar's.

Xaga doesn't care. He kept walking away from the dining room.

Bu Bachtiar looks sad.

The next day, Xaga leaves for school. He sat on the terrace wearing shoes.

Bachtiar stood behind him. "Be careful on the road, Xaga."

As usual, there was no response from Xaga. The man got on his bike and went to school.

Arriving at school, Xaga soon enters her class. However, just as he was about to pass through the door, someone called out to him.

"Xaga, wait!"

The man's steps stopped. He turned to the girl who called his name, Amadhea.

"What else is it?" ask Xaga.

Amadhea. "I want to say thank you. You helped me yesterday. Not just yesterday, you've helped me twice."

"Forgetit." Xaga passed into her class, but Amadhea pulled the man's hand.

"Why did you put garlic in my jacket pocket?" amadhea asked as she looked at Xaga with a suspicious look.

Xaga looked at Amadhea without giving an answer.

"You also followed me home, right? Why?"

👻 Flashback 👻

When the truck came close to bulldozing him, someone pulled Amadhea's jacket and carried her to the curb.

Amadhea looked up at her helper. He was surprised, it turns out that the man who had just helped him was Xaga. His body was wet with rain.

Xaga pulled Amadhea to stand in the shade. They both sat on the station.

Silent.

Both of them were silent and did not say a word. Because it feels awkward.

Xaga did not respond.

Some students pass by. They looked at Xaga and Amadhea sitting next to each other on the station bench.

"Cieee." They seem to recognize Xaga and Amadhea. That's why they tease both of them.

"Duaing mulu, dating, huh?"

"Class couple, here."

Amadhea and Xaga did not respond to them.

Xaga's gaze was fixed on Amadhea's jacket pocket. He quietly stuffed a clove of garlic into the pocket of the girl's jacket.

Amadhea getting off the bench made Xaga a little surprised.

Amadhea passed away. "I missed the last bus. I go first, yeah."

Amadhea had to walk to get to her house. Xaga followed behind.

Actually Amadhea realized that Xaga was following her, but she pretended not to know and still entered her house. He closed the door and peeked out the window. The girl saw Irma reprimanding Xaga.

The next day, Amadhea went to school. It just so happened that Irma was watering plants in the front yard.

"Morning, Auntie," said Amadhea.

"Again, Dhea."

Amadhea smiled. He kissed Irma's hand. "I'm leaving, yeah, Auntie."

"Eh, wait, Dhea!" call Irma. "Yesterday when you came home, there was a man who followed you. He wears the same uniform as you. Aunty scolded me, she was afraid she had evil intentions with you."

Amadhea smiled. "He's my friend, really. We went home together yesterday. I told him to come home, but he followed me home. Maybe he wants to make sure I get home safely."

Irma. "He's a good boy apparently."

Amadhea smiled. "I'm leaving, yeah, Auntie."

"Yes, be careful on the road."

"Yes, Aunt."

👻 End Flashback 👻

Amadhea waited for an answer from Xaga. "Why don't you answer?"

"Why should I answer your question?" Xaga brushed off Amadhea's hand.

Amadhea looked at Xaga's back with an annoyed expression. "You can see them too, right? You can also see creatures that can't be seen by ordinary humans, right?"

Xaga's steps stopped. He looked back at Amadhea. The man saw the figure of a pale-faced, long-haired, black-colored eyeball standing behind Amadhea. Even Amadhea's left eye was black overall. That's what Xaga saw.

Amadhea was still waiting for an answer from the man.

The doorbell rings.

Xaga continued his steps. Amadhea snorted in annoyance. He kicked his leg and then entered his class. The black-eyed woman continued to follow him.

When the break bell rang, Amadhea did not leave her class. He no longer copied the Chemicals. The girl seemed to be daydreaming about the various possibilities about Xaga.

Zahra, Alinda, and Greeta approach Amadhea.

"Today I brought salt powder and white sand that has been given water do'a just in case," said Alinda.

Greeta showed the rosary in her hand. "I also brought a rosary today. My mother asked, 'When have you been this religious? Waking up on Sunday morning is hard.' Yeah, I'm just saying I don't want to be possessed. My mother also told me to bring a Bible."

Zahra also showed me her prayer beads. "I only carry prayer beads as usual. My father also told me to bring the Qur'an and read it after the dzuhur prayer."

Amadhea showed a clove of garlic in her hand. "I only have this in the kitchen. I hope today there is no more possession."

...👻👻👻...

^^^17.56 | 1 September 2021^^^

^^By Ucu Irna Marhamah ^^^