The Eternal Fragments of Moonlight
Chapter 12: The Infinite Loop

This is what happened on Wiwitan Day. A sacred day where it all began. Because that day was the starting point for my journey back in time with Laras.

Still vividly remembered in my memory when I woke up in my bedroom feeling uncertain. The sound of the weaker clock beside the mattress made my room rowdy and uncomfortable. I immediately turned it off and curled back into the blanket. But then emblazoned with the figure of Laras whose skin was shiny under the moonlight last night. My eyes opened and my body woke up. This time I really woke up. I stood next to my bed with breaths breathing like a dazed person.

“Is it all just a dream?” Thought.

I saw my reflection in the mirror next to the bed. The clothes I was wearing were clearly different from what I was wearing before. Even the length of my hair is different. Then I quickly picked up my phone on the study table and noticed the date on it. 31 January.

Have I really gone back in time? I ran out of the room to make sure. Then I found my sister having breakfast at the dinner table greeting me warmly.

“Oi kebluk! Finally wake up too.”

That's what my sister is, cute and adorable. He is currently in the 3rd grade of SD. Maybe you remember, Laras once said his name. Yeah, exactly right! Name's Ami.

I turned my gaze toward the television that was lit in the living room. There is a morning news broadcast from nasinoal TV discussing the phenomenon of a lunar eclipse that occurred last night. He said that last night's lunar eclipse was a rare total lunar eclipse and only happened again since its appearance 38 years ago. The moon was called the phenomenon “Super Blue Blood Moon”.

Wait, I've heard the term before —of course from a morning newscast like this. —The broadcast continued its explanation, there it was said that later on July 28th, it was said that, there will also be a phenomenon of lunar eclipses that are no less rare and special than those that occur overnight. It is even mentioned that the eclipse on July 28 will be the most special eclipse of the century. Because the process of lunar eclipses takes place simultaneously with the parihelic position of Mars, an event that occurs once every 25,000 years.

If you have experienced something that has been experienced before, of course you will be able to, “Ah Deja vu”. But in my case at the time, I couldn't even think that what was happening before me was a reality. Because with all the things I had with Laras that night, I felt like the whole world was playing a big show and trying to fool me.

I was stunned, watching the morning news that the narrative and the voice I had witnessed before. But even though a strong proof had been laid before my eyes, I needed something else that could convince me for sure.

Soon I ran to the roof of my house. Then, while scattering open the roof door, I was surprised by what I found. There I saw Ami playing fireworks.

Nothing strange, if only I hadn't bought the fireworks myself before. Nothing strange, if only I had forgotten that Mira, Dian, Laras and Ronny had been there looking at the super blue moon with me. There's nothing strange, if only I'd never witnessed something as exciting as this before.

Not believing what I saw, I brought myself closer to touching Ami and making sure she was real.

“Stop! Don't come near the smell! Hush hush!”

Ami stopped my steps that were getting closer to him like a cat to be taken food.

At the same time I heard my phone that I was holding now ringing. There's an incoming call from Laras over there. I hurriedly picked up my phone and spoke.

“Laras! It... it...!”

“Udah, I know what you want to say, Aji.”

Incredible indeed the Pigtail Two, even though I myself did not know what to say at that time.

“Now your hunt is here! I'll wait for you in front of sekre.”

What is meant by Laras is the Club IT Secretariat Room which is located right above the stairs that are rarely used by students. We are both members of the IT Club.

“And inget, never think to talk to anyone.” Added.

I immediately changed into a school uniform and brushed my teeth quickly and then combed my messy hair. I had never been this obedient to Laras' orders before to the point that I missed my morning shower so that I could meet him as soon as possible.

When I got to school, I immediately parked my matic in the parking lot. Then quickly I immediately ran towards the entrance gate past Pak Paryo's post. Because it was January, it should rain every day whether it was day or night. At the school gate where I was running at the time, there were a few puddles on the uneven pavement.

I did not pay attention to the road because I was in a hurry and my eyes were closed by students who were busy walking in. Finally I accidentally stepped on the puddle in front of me after I passed a student. The water splashed up to the student's waist and left a spot of stains there.

“Ah sorry-sorry, I accidentally.” I said that right then.

What I did would make him angry. But not only that, because from what I feel, I not only make my victims angry. But everyone around me is unpleasant. I felt terror from the view around me, judging me as a public enemy. Wh why? Of course, because my victim at that time was none other than the school idol. Miras!

“Woi shucks! Look around dong if jalan.” Dian next to Mira scolded me.

I didn't care about it and was only stunned at my victim who was wiping her dirty uniform with tissue. He was there, standing in front of me, without missing anything. He's alive!

Without me noticing my body approaching slowly while looking at him fixedly. Then I just held both of his shoulders. I saw him strangled at the time. But then, regardless of the circumstances, I hugged her body. Close-fitting.

“Gyaaaah!”

Instantly Dian shouted hysterically, then immediately after that she pushed me firmly while separating me from Mira. I fell backwards and someone grabbed my body from there. Her voice gripped my shoulder so hard that I felt lax.

“Heh Aji, lo bosen ive ya?”

I know who he is. A student with a body filled with large muscles. His eyes always looked like they were going out. Glowered.

“Bentot?!” Ronny cut my story when he got here.

That's right, he's the Bentot. Beni-ootot.

On the right and left side of Bentot there are two other students who are no less creepy. They are Bentot's roaches. I saw the two kerocososes stretching their backs and culling their fingers.

“Wait!” Suddenly I heard Mira calling. “She... she temenku.”

Hearing that, Bentot finally removed his grip from my shoulder and let my body slip on the asphalt. After crying to Mira, she and her two coffers left while giving me a glaring look as a warning.

Doubtfully Mira approached me who was sitting on the street. Step back and forth between going or not. Maybe she got scared because I was hugging her.

“You should have just said that, Mir.” Dian speaking.

“Ayok Mir, we whistle first your uniform.” Eventually, they both left me.

I wanted to chase Mira back then and question her with all kinds of questions that came to my mind. But I remembered Laras' orders and immediately ran again to meet him in front of the IT Sekre Club.

Arriving on the second floor, Laras was waiting for me there. He was sitting on a long bench in front of the school. And when he realized my presence, he moved his index finger and told me to sit next to him.

“What do you talk to others before you get here?” She asked.

“Nggak.”

And plaque! He also slapped me with the back of his hand. Very slowly actually, I didn't even feel the slightest pain. But what made me shudder was the cold glare of the eyes he was pouring on me.

“The first rule; Never once did you lie to me.”

I'm still surprised to see in his direction. While he now climbed on a long chair and rested on the balcony wall. While looking at the students walking in the middle of the school field, he began to argue about other rules that I should follow.

We talked there until the bell rang. During the conversation, Laras always emphasized that my duty here is to settle my affairs with Mira and make my relationship with her better.

In addition, he also claimed that it was only the two of us who brought back memories from the previous period. But someone other than us can also bring his memory of something, if it is an experience that is very influential on his emotions, so firmly embedded in his subconscious. So if I ever find someone who looks like “realizes” about the recurrence of the timeline, I should calm down and keep it a secret.

Lastly, he told me to always report whatever happened to him —of course without lying— and always follow his orders when we go through time travel.

Before we finished our conversation and headed to class, I asked him about the most disturbing thing in my mind at the time. About Mira's death. Can it really not be changed? I mean, we can turn back the flow of time now. Is there anything we can do to change it?

The barrel stopped the scale. And standing behind me, he said.

“Gue thought you knew our purpose, Aji. How many times do I have to re-explain my explanation to let you understand, huh?”

I couldn't see his expression because he was behind me.

“If with a span of time for the next six months you feel not enough time for you to spend with Mira, I can repeat it again as much as you want. Tens of times, hundreds, even thousands of times I will love you. Until you are satisfied!”

Barrel turned around and looked at me coldly.

“So, focus is the same goal here and do not waste your time with free things like thinking of ways to save Mira.”

I really wanted to argue with him at that time. But I knew him too well. If he had been like that, I would rather have obeyed him than end up with an outburst of anger that could have come out later.

“Paham, Aji?”

“Ya.” This time I have to answer. Sure oes.

***

In the beginning I had mentioned that Wiwitan Day is the day where everything starts and here, I can also say that Wiwitan Day is the day where it all ends.

Because actually, until now the flow of time has never really returned to rolling after that day. I have never met “the next day” after a night of gernaha month on July 28. Me and Laras always repeat the timeline back if we get there. Trapping ourselves in the endless wheel of time.

“What the fa...” Feed Ronny when I'm done with my story. I saw that he was already pecking with both of his hands holding his head.

“So, until now the flow of time is still repeated?!”

“Ya.”

“Fak! So that's why Laras can carry three umbrellas at once when Alan and Mira walk last week. Because he already knows everything that will happen?!”

Wow I'm impressed because this kid can deduce it himself without having to. I seem to have underestimated it all along.

“But wait.” Further. “That has not clarified the condition of lo that coma now. Keep talking about the strange message that Laras sent to Mira, what does that mean? What is his real purpose?”

I turned my gaze to the streets that were still quite crowded with various vehicles passing by. I've been staring into my memories of everything that's happened to this day. Thinking about the answer to Ronny's question.

“Why if only later I continue the story.” My answer. “Now it's been kemaleman Ron, mendingan lo go home first deh.”

“Eh why? Still nine o'clock, not too lazy.”

I did not answer him and just quietly observed the vehicle passing by. It didn't feel like I was telling him three hours.

“Yaudah when we meet again later, you have to tell me the continuation.” He also moved.

Ronny was already standing on the sidewalk waiting for the next bus to come. Several times he looked at me who was still at the stop. It seems like he still really wants to continue the conversation with me.

“Bro, before I go, there are things I want to ask.” His word. “Until now, how many times has the timeline been repeated?”

Again, the boy impressed me with his question. I was curious as to how far he had processed the information I had given from my story.

“Seven times.” My answer. “Eh, hmm. yes deng. Seven times.”

Ronny was flabbergasted, but he turned back to face the stop. But by then I was no longer there.