Tarnished Before Accident
Chapters 37. Gratitude

The house is quite spacious, although it looks less well maintained. Maybe because the old Mbok Narti living alone makes this building seem a little dirty, even seedy. The neighbors willingly helped clean the house these nights.

I also helped, and stayed here overnight. There were two teenagers and one adult who volunteered to accompany me.

Call them, Aini, Finda, and Pak Raka. Aini and Finda just graduated high school, coincidentally her house is near here. While Mr. Raka, his age I estimate about forties is known to often volunteer if there are residents affected by the disaster.

Me and the girls cleaned Mbok Narti's room where he died. Because according to the testimony of residents Mbok Narti died when smelled bad, it can be imagined if this room is a bit smelly and has a cringe. However, since we cleaned simultaneously, so the fear was not too pronounced at all.

"Where will we sleep?" ask me while wiping the dusty table.

"In the living room, ma'am. Sleeping more fun. On my own, I'm afraid" said Finda.

"Heem, okay!" We speed up the cleaning process because the day is getting late.

A large pandan leaf mat was removed and held in the living room. The distinctive smell from the mat felt like it was piercing my nose. I don't know why I feel like throwing up. I clenched my nose, then ran back without remembering the silence of the night in the former house of the dead.

I put my stomach in the bathroom. I haven't felt sick for a long time. However, this time the nausea returned to torture. My head was dizzy countless times, until I laid my head on the mossy bathroom wall.

My view leads to the ceiling of the bathroom made of zinc which also looks rusty. I cooled my mind while calming the taste buds that were in my stomach. The feeling began to improve, not wanting to vomit again so I moved from my position to stand up, out of the bathroom.

However, just when I wanted to open the slightly weathered wooden door, my eyes bought with surprise at the sight of an eye staring at me from behind the hole.

"Aaaarghhhh!" Suddenly I screamed loudly while closing my eyes because I was so shocked at what was just seen. Is that a ghost?

My eyes slowly opened little by little, making sure the eyes that had been peeping on me were gone. However, it seemed that the ghost was stubborn. I still see him there staring at me.

I screamed again, trying to ask for help. I am not, after all, a brave woman who can stand in the way of astral beings who may be around me.

"Please! Aini, Finda, Mr Raka!"

Mbok Narti's bathroom is located in the back apart from the house so I have to shout loudly so that those who are still in the living room hear my screams.

"Tolooong!"

The sound of a break in the bathroom door made me retreat backwards. There were Mr. Raka, Aini, and Finda looking at me anxiously. Mr. Raka approached, helping me stand up from my crouching position. My breath was still severed with terrified eyes.

"What's wrong?" ask Mr. Raka to me.

I could only catch my breath to normal again after finally answering, "There's a bad breath, sir."

Aini and Finda goosebumps, rubbing her arms with their palms. "Get in, yuk, Ma'am!" bring me.

Mr. Raka handed my hand to Aini and Finda. The man walked behind us without any fear. We went back to the living room, getting ready for bed because it was so late.

As expected, I can't sleep tonight. I repeatedly turned my body to find the most comfortable position. However, still these eyes can not close.

I finally turned my position into sitting, hugging both knees while leaning against the wall. My eyes were fixed on the old teak sideboard that stood firmly in the living room. There is a photo of two women of different ages attached to a small patterned batik frame.

When I saw the girl's face, there was something strange that I felt. It was as if that face was already very familiar in my memory. His eyes, eyebrows, and also his lips.

What does all this mean?

"Alea!"

I was stunned when I heard my name being called by someone. I'll turn it to the sound source immediately. It turned out that Mr. Raka was there standing looking at me.

"Yes, sir."

"Why not sleep? Almost morning. Go sleep!"

I'm nodding. The man looked resolute and scary. If said by local residents, he often volunteers if there are neighbors who are affected by disaster. Yeah, looks like he's a good guy. The proof was that he wanted to accompany me and give me two friends so I wouldn't sleep alone at Ms. Narti's house.

Immediately I put the frame back in place, and then lie down next to two teenagers who had fallen asleep in the dream cradle.

***

In the morning, I took a walk around the village. Two teenagers who accompanied me last night have returned to their homes. They work in a clothing store that is on the main road so that they go home early in the morning to prepare themselves.

Kampung Mbok Narti is located at the foot of the mountain so that the air in the morning feels cool with a beautiful view spoil the eyes. I sat under a tree looking at the expanse of the rice fields where many farmers have been working since morning.

In the rainy season like this is very suitable for planting. They started working from dawn until now so that the rice is planted quite a lot. The watery soil was almost all over its surface covered in rice seeds that looked like a green rug when viewed from above here.

The breeze hit my face, moving the fine hairs on my forehead. I covered my head with a gray hoodie until I saw only my face. Some interesting things in this village at least make me entertained and forget for a moment my problems. About Mom, somehow I found her. Does the woman in the picture have anything to do with me?

I don't feel like I've been out on the edge of the fields for too long. All the farmers, both male and female, seemed to be enjoying their lunch. Tired faces are clearly visible, but a shady smile with each other throwing jokes makes their day heavy not a burden.

Maybe this is the reason why villagers are healthier and not easily sickly. They work hard, wake up early, and always smile happily. I was embarrassed because I cried so often. If I were more grateful, I would be happier than them.

After being satisfied alone, I rushed back to Mbok Narti's house. Maybe, I should go back to town and meet Mama to ask her about my mother. Although I know it is difficult to get information from the Hinata family, but I will still try to find out the truth.

Excited I swung a step, back to Mbok Narti's house to pack my things. I've set myself up to go home today. It only took me ten minutes on a leisurely walk I was already in that closed house.

"Assalamualaik."

Even though I knew the house was uninhabited, I still said my greetings. I opened the door of the house wide, letting the sunlight in illuminate the house. A backpack containing my clothes, stuffing the things I had taken out. Just when my hands were busy with arranging my personal equipment, I heard the front door was closed by someone.

The deg!

My heart suddenly beats hard. Between fear and horror. The room that was originally bright by the sunlight suddenly darkened because the door was closed. Until I was about to get out of my place, wanting to open the door again, a hand pulled and clasped my mouth.

My eyes widened with pupils sharpened. Even though the room was dark, I could clearly and ascertain who the figure that had clenched my mouth was.

"Sir Raka!" I murmured in my heart by showing a frightened face.