The Colorful Work World
Ch. 96 Mbah Died 2

We walked from the hearse to the tomb. We spent about 5 minutes walking to get there. When I reached the cemetery, I saw that many people had come to see the funeral procession. The grave digger is also ready to bury the body.

“Pelan-pelan put it here. Lift slowly, then.”

There was a loud voice of the grave digger and Mr. Ustad gave instructions to bring down the body. Because it's different from a normal burial. Buried with a crate makes the corpse heavier than usual. Then the grave hole is also deeper than the normal cemetery. When I look at the hole, my body gets creeped out.

Because somehow I when I look from a height feel the body shivering. It could be because I was afraid of heights, or because there was an urge to plunge down. Anyway, I have to be extra careful when I'm at altitude. Otherwise, I could lose consciousness later.

There are so many people who help to lower the casket. It could be up to 5 more. They all also each used PPE so as not to come into direct contact with the corpse. When the casket is placed slowly into the grave. All those who were in the grave orderly came out of the pit.

Since the hole was deep enough, they all needed help from the person on top to rise to the surface. After making sure everything was safe, the grave digger rhythmically reinserted the sand into the tomb. Because of the depth of the hole, they need to alternate because of fatigue when closing the hole back.

Moreover, a person who at the beginning can take care of the grave is wearing PPE. So that they feel faster and have trouble breathing. A few minutes after they closed the hole, it was finally decided that it was safe and there was no need for PPE anymore to tidy up the grave.

The excavator who was not wearing PPE directly advanced to the front row. With additional personnel. The closing procession of the last resting place was completed faster. After the tomb hole was covered by the ground, the builders tidied up the mound to indicate that there was a corpse there.

Headstones that are still in the form of wood have also been implanted along with the closing of the grave hole. Mr. Ustad immediately began to lead the prayer after seeing the artisans finished taking care of the tomb. Me and my family follow the prayer.

Some pray while standing, some pray while sitting. But either because of a mutual agreement or what. Slowly everyone who stood up began to pray by sitting on the ground. Even though there is no chair or anything, sitting directly on the ground only.

Of course I also did the same thing and again recited the prayer in accordance with the instructions of Mr. Ustad. My ass is on sandals. Instead of directly hitting the ground, I better sit on the sandals I wear.

“Aamin Yes Rabbal Alamin”

The prayers were finished being read out, then all the families alternately watered the graves with the water that had been prepared. There are approximately 3 bottles of mineral water containing 1.5 liters of water each. Of course all the water has been prayed for first before splashed into the tomb.

All family members ranging from aunt, nephew and also I was part to do the flush process. Father who seemed to have been sore had refused to do this. But thanks to the persuasion of his mother, he was finally willing to do so.

“Ngapain anyway, nyiram-nyiram grave?” Dad said that with a rather high tone.

“Pak, this is your last resting place, cook do not want to be bathed for the last time?” Said the mother to persuade the father.

After watering the tomb. Slowly one by one of the people who are here say goodbye to go home. Because it is Friday, quite a lot can come to the funeral of Mbah kakung. Many of the offices allow for half-day work on Fridays. This resulted in many people being able to attend Mbah's funeral.

“Come Ray, home. Pamit to om and aunt first.”

Mom gave me instructions to go home. Me and the others say goodbye to om and aunt one by one.

“Pamit first Om.”

“Iya Ray, thanks for coming.”

After a good night's rest, we all went back to the car to rest in our beloved home. Arriving home, I am still not happy if Mbah kakung is gone. For Mbah the princess died while I was in college. At that time I did not have time to come to his funeral, because the travel time from Jogja to home is quite far. Even though I forced her home, there was no way she would be able to attend her funeral.

Whether lucky or not, this WFH work process allows me to attend a dinner event because I work at home.But on the other hand, pandemic also causes my mother to sleep forever. I don't know when the situation will be like this, hopefully I can adapt quickly to this.

I take the time to rest as much as possible because later tonight I will do yasinan to mbah. For the next 7 days I will groom the father for jasinan at the abode every night. Just thinking about it makes my body tired. But I have to keep the spirit, because this is to pray mbah, may he get the best place on His side.

At nightfall, I made sure many times that the event began after the prayer isya finished. Probably around 19:30. For the first Yasinan, we all set out except Lamda and Yana because they were little. Inevitably me and Arip as the representative of the child must leave to accompany the father to leave Yasinan.

Getting there, the show hasn't started yet as we're still waiting for the others to come. Because some people still pray in the mosque just left for this place. But everyone who comes is given a mask because this is a protocol that must be obeyed. A few minutes waiting, finally the people are on come and the ustad is also ready to start the event.

“Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Westarakatuh. Thank you to the father and mother who took the time to study .... bin …. . May our prayers be accepted and he will be placed in the best place in heaven. Aamiin yes rabbal alamin.”

MC silent for a moment then said “Before starting the prayer, I leave it to Mr. .. as the eldest child of the deceased to give a welcome.” Mr. Ustad gave the mic to my father because he was the eldest.

I began my speech with wisdom and everyone listened well. Indeed from what he said, it does not seem that he was sad over the departure of Mbah. But I am sure, from the bottom of his heart he also felt a deep sadness.

After giving a speech, we continue the prayer procession with the reading of the letter and then equipped with prayers.

“Aamiin yes rabbal alamin”

After the prayer was over, all the organizers were busy to distribute sembako to the participants of the study. Arip and I also helped them because unexpectedly, a lot of people came to pray. Beres distributed the groceries, I went home with Arip while carrying a besek to take home.

He still lives in the study because he still wants to talk to ustadz and his other sister. I didn't realize that this moment was where my father's condition would start to deteriorate. Because there is absolutely no sign and this happens suddenly. It is like a pandemic that happens in different countries. Not many countries are ready for this new pandemic. At this time I still do not get any feeling about what will happen to my father.

*connect*