The Dark World
A Request

...A WISH...

...Author by: David Khanz...

The blind thick accompanied our steps, down the steep and winding paths. Following Mbah Jarok's foot swing, the long-haired old shaman and white beard, headed for an undisclosed place. Armed with a bamboo torch in the hand, this eye bias observes the surrounding conditions that are within sight of only a few fathoms. Occasionally hit the tip of this foot, hitting the stump hidden among the grass.

In the back row, two middle-aged men limped along with a sigh of fatigue. How not, from the first step on the land of hills, only climb by climb that welcome. Understandably, because the place to go is at the foot of the mountain. No conversation at all. All were silent to spare a little energy.

Some time traveling, we finally stopped as soon as Mbah Jarok spoke. "You guys wait here. Don't go in until I give you the order" exclaimed the old man without looking at him one bit. It then enters a small, narrow niche among a thicket of large, tall trees.

The three of us took a deep breath, to simply loosen the stifling lungs. One was sitting on a bed of weeds, the rest were crouching, while I myself preferred to remain standing. With the help of flickering torches in hand, sweeping views on the surrounding state of nature.

"O, yes. Where are you from, sir?" asked one of the men on a crouching figure. "Meet me, I am Suwito from Begalrejo Village." They shake. He answered the man next to him, "I am Anjar, from Kedawung Hamlet."

Inevitably, I was forced to join. Approach them and introduce yourself. "I Galuh. The Galuh Purmana. From Dayeuh Bagendit." Shake hands with both, accompanied by a smile. Lastly, sit with knees bent and the body leaning backward hugging both arms.

"Faraway too, huh?" said the man named Suwito while throwing a glance. "I think, it's still around here."

Anjar. "Yes, that's it. I came here myself, because of a clue from one of my friends. Now he's downstairs, at Mbah Jarok's house, waiting for me until we get back together" he said, lighting a cigarette. Don't forget to offer it to Suwito and me. Then we were immersed in the pleasure of the sensation of tobacco opium.

"By the way ... come here, we have the same intention, right?" tanya Suwito broke the stiffness.

Anjar. "Yes, sure. They both have one desire. Especially?" He glanced at me for a moment. Then he looked back at Suwito.

"Hehehe. The name is also a business, sir," Suwito added with a distinctive accent and a heavy voice. "The competition in my place is pretty tight. If it's not like this, it's very likely that you won't win, sir."

"Just the same, sir. In my area too. Especially for those of us who are old. The treasure has been drained a lot, the energy is just left over. One option, yes. Right, right?" Anjar glanced back at me, then the two laughed. I can only respond with a mesem.

"What about you yourself, Young man?" ask Suwito to me. Among the three of us, it was only me who looked young bestari. "From the time you were at Mbah Jarok's house, you didn't seem to talk much."

I smile. "I'm sorry, gentlemen. I am this way. I don't know what to say myself. However, at least I also have the same purpose and purpose as Pak Suwita and Pak Anjar. More or less like that" I said as I held both hands together in front of my chest.

Suwito watched my countenance closely. His forehead is crinkled with squinting eyes. "I see, you're young. From the words you say also signifies that you are an educated person. Then, what obstacles are faced, until you have to come to a place like this?"

I didn't answer right away. The flickering flames on the torch were more interesting, than answering the elder's question. However, their conversation had drawn a flashback in this mind, to the story some time ago. Exactly when the echoes of the county chief election in my place began to echo.

Starting at the request of some villagers to me, to compete to become the highest candidate leader in the village. Kurds are one of the influential youth figures, deliberately came to bridge their wishes.

"Come, Pur. You are still young, broad insight, higher education, from an affluent family, also known to the community. Try to use your ability to contribute to building our area. If not you, who else?" kurdish said begging. "Our village has long been led by the elders, the result. Stagnations. There's no progress. At best also .. the welfare of one-sided, certain groups, or even individualistic. Till when? It is time for the young to perform. Moving forward with a myriad of fresh and revolutionary ideas. So, Pur!"

I just smiled hearing the Kurds diplomacy. "If you think so, why don't you go forward, Di? You also have sufficient requirements to become a candidate leader. Even known to the public than me. Less especially?"

Kurds sneering. "Here, you are. Indira? I'm just not finished SD. I want to be a scholar, let it look cool. I can just hold the hoe. To be a leader? What will be our birthplace. What is even more destroyed melted," said the Kurds accompanied by a flutter. As the name implies, Kurdish. That means less education. His real name is Panakol Kapalu. Similar to Thai and Filipino names.

"You could have, Di," I said. "But not so much. I'm self-conscious, really. Not necessarily able to meet the expectations of all citizens. I also still have a lot to learn and gain experience."

Kurds patted my arm. "Pur, I'm sure that if you run, your potential victory is much greater. Other candidates are just old and old faces. An ability? Not equal to what you have. Believe it, deh."

I took a breath. Confused what to say. On the one hand it is sad to see the development of the region itself, but to advance in that direction still have to think a thousand times. Moreover, there are famous public figures among the row of candidates. They must have their own chances too.

"Think what else, anyway, Pur? I will help you completely. Fighting with all my might with all my abilities. When need—"

"Ssttt. Do not be grandiose, let alone make promises. The trust you give, that's enough. I .... "

"So you're going forward, aren't you, Pur?" Kurds looked at me. Weld. I answered with a wry smile.

I was finally ready to fulfill their request. Working together to convey the mission and vision to the wider community. Time, energy, thought, and money have been given away. Until then, the Kurds filled something beyond estimates so far. "The next candidate uses another way, Pur. If we keep quiet, we'll lose by a landslide."

Honestly, I totally disagree. This isn't my style. Even understand the rule of law. But the Kurdish urge is becoming. The ambition of playmates since childhood to make me a leader is enormous. Until then, we were stranded where we are today. The Mbah Jarok.

"Young man!"

I'm aghast. I got an old man calling just now. "Eh .. yes, sir. Sorry," I said stuttering.

"You're asked to daydream. What's up?" suwito asked, looking at me sharply.

"S-me .. s-me .. "unfinished I said, Mbah Jarok emerged from the niche accompanied by coughing.

"Eh, Mbah." Anjar greeted the old shaman. "Hows it? Can it start now?"

"Come in the three of you!" mbah Jarok said asking us to follow him.

Suwito and Anjar, sitting flanking the figure of a man with long hair and beard. While I myself, choose near the censer. The smoke filled the place with a special fragrance. Slightly makes breath tight and sore in the eyes.

"You already know the consequences, what are you doing here, right?" mbah Jarok asked with a shivering eye. Suwito and Anjar nodded. "There is still a chance to retreat from here, before my special ritual begins."

Everyone looked at each other, like trying to figure out who would get up and go home first. Mbah Jarok looked at me, long time ago. And then you say, "Here, there are only three choices you have to make. Treasure, throne, or life. Everything has its own advantages. Or choose all three? Hehe. It has its own price."

Anjar raised his hand, about to ask, "Will Mbah explain the meaning of the three choices? I'm sorry if I'm presumptuous, Mbah."

Mbah Jarok laughed. Showing his dark colored teeth. "Good question. Of course, I'll explain it," he said back to glancing sharply at me. "Harta .. means you must be able to sacrifice the wealth you have. The number is uncertain. It will be tailored to how big your ambition is, to achieve what you want. If I ask for all the wealth, then you must hand it over. If it is not fulfilled, slowly but surely .. you will suffer bad luck all the time."

Suwito and Anjar looked at each other. Then a sign of understanding.

Mbah Jarok. "The throne is the power that you will hold within a certain time. The greater the sacrifice you give, the longer the office is on my lap. All have a price and a price. If it retreated in the middle of the road, the destruction would soon be felt. Either you lose your job, your wealth, your loved ones, or even your own life. Hehe."

My tongue suddenly stifled. Bitter feels ragged along the throat.

"The last is life. This is a collision of what you get later" Mbah Jarok said, looking at us one by one. "If this agreement is not fulfilled, be prepared to end in pain. You or your own family. Hows it? Understand all of you?!"

Anjar and Suwito nodded.

"What about you, Young man?" ask Mbah Jarok to me. His eyes are getting more horrible.

Suddenly my body trembled. It's hard to talk. But in my heart, I remember God and family. As much as possible to strengthen themselves, in order to recite a number of holy verses, until finally this head is able to roll to the right-left.

Suwito and Anjar were stunned. "You back out of here, young man?" ask Suwito wonder.

My tears are spilling. Slowly melt down the cheek. Then the sobs echoed in the dark and stuffy place.

"No. "" I said half a whisper. "I can't continue it. S-I t-fear .. on God. Astaghfirullahal .... "

Mbah Jarok slung backwards with a paled face. "Come out of here right now, young man! Don't say that word again!"

"Astaghfirullah .... "

"out! Go you!"

Like gaining new strength, I inched away from the puff of incense smoke. Then get up and walk along the road. The dark forced itself to swing its legs full of caution. With lips incessantly reciting the divine kalam.

Not an easy journey. Because the real obstacle is not from the steep road. But rather the greatness of the astral figures who tried to block my return, towards the direction of the Lord.

...DONE IT...