The Eternal Fragments of Moonlight
Chapter 21: Predestination

I was still glued to look at Miss Mustika who was sitting in the steering chair in front of me. His words continued to echo in my mind, leaving behind a trace of bitter taste every time it flashed. Why is he talking like that? What does she want?

After the time passed, we just stared at each other without anyone talking. Until I finally saw Bu Mustika breathing and closed, then continued.

"Do you believe in destiny?" He asked back.

I'm woken. Soon I began to understand where this conversation was going. I began to get a picture, why did Miss Mustika call our eyes the eyes that only someone who has seen so much death has.

"Yes, I don't think it's possible that you don't believe in destiny. Even you, supposedly, are the one who believes the most in destiny."

"Mother is, too," he continued, looking up at the sky from the car window. "Because the entire universe is already there is a role and path of each, Aji. Every leaf that falls, every froth that rises in the ocean, everything goes according to its destiny."

He also approached. So close that I can smell the parfumenya.

"So was your meeting with Mom today. I feel like all of this has been outlined. Isn't that right, Aji?"

"Yes. Of course." Answer's short.

"Nah Aji, you're a smart kid. I don't think I need to explain where this conversation is going, right?"

I looked at Ronny whose face was now wrinkled. I think he's really confused by the current situation.

But myself, of course I understand very well what Miss Mustika is talking about and therefore, right now, I feel an emotional incision inside. Make the cavity of my heart open and spill all the contents in it. Bemoan. Hollowly.

"Mom really wants to help you, Aji, believe me. But before that, I ask you to tell all your stories first until they are finished. So that you can be completely sure, who you should help. You or Barrel."

I was just shocked to hear him talk like that.

"Actually, what have you been doing all this time? Seven times the timeline repeats itself, that's a lot, Aji. What causes you to keep repeating the flow of time?"

Again. I felt that too, sadness. Instantly I felt a change in my form. I don't know what I look like now. Am I back crying blood like I was in front of the Physics Lab before? I don't know, maybe.

"I guess..." I heard my voice change. "Mom knows the answer."

"Mira?" Legally.

At that moment also all the objects in the car began to vibrate, slowly and then tight. The three wipers on the car glass so stiffened, even one of them until it crashed far. There was a rumbling, squeaking, and cracking sound here and there. The whole car door was open and now the sedan Bu Mustika has been shaking very violently uncontrollably.

Ronny fell out of the car, and then quickly ran into the house.

However, I saw that Miss Mustika was still in her place. Looking at me with a calm face and a slight smile at the corner of her lips. Amidst the chaos that occurred at that time, I saw his face did not show the slightest impression of fear. He didn't even seem to hesitate one bit.

While still smiling at me, he reached out his hand to reach me. But of course, just translucent.

"It's okay, get it out, everybody."

This time I saw him begin to shed tears.

"Cry, Aji. Cry as much as you want."

***

Now I'm on Ronny's porch. Notice a pair of lizards on the wall that are chasing. The terrace of Ronny's house is arguably quite spacious with one long wooden chair and three other wooden chairs for one person. I sat in the long chair with Bu Mustika while Ronny in a different chair, which was located next to Bu Mustika.

Before, it was Miss Mustika who brought me here. After everything died down and I was able to control myself, finally Miss Mustika led me in here.

Of course he was surprised at first for having managed to touch my hand. Especially me! You know not how surprised I was then. For the first time I can feel the touch of something or someone in my form. At that time I really felt that I actually did have a shape like a human body in general. Well, at least I can feel that I have hands.

"Well," Mustika stared at her own palm. "Mom really didn't know, Ji. That's when we really touched. Try this here Mother hold it again!"

He put out his hand asking for my hand. Then I gave it to him.

"Die!" He also shuddered when he touched it. But his eyes showed how tight he was watching my hand.

Seeing him strangely playing with my hand, I was tempted to scare him by shouting. But my feelings are not supportive right now. I still feel the gamang and restless the rest of the emotional overflow that I just released earlier.

"Hey, Ronny you try to also hold the ladder Si Aji. It's freezing!"

"Yeah... Ronny looks like he's doing nothing, aunt. Haha."

Ronny curled up on a wooden chair beside Bu Mustika. Ever since he opened the door when Miss Mustika and I came, Ronny still looks cute. It seems she's keeping her distance from me.

"Udah here! Where are your hands!" Miss Mustika also pulled Ronny's hand. He had a chance to rebel but finally gave up because he continued to be forced.

"Oh."

When Miss Mustika put Ronny's hand on my hand, it turned out that she had just penetrated.

"Why can't you?" Ask Miss Mustika.

"Well..." Ronny grimacing.

"Maybe because you're afraid of Si Aji times, you can't touch him."

"Huh, auntie what the hell? No way Ronny's afraid of the same... Haha!  We're friends, aren't we, Ji?"

I gave him the best smile I could. Considering he just called me his friend.

"Hmm, if it's not because you're afraid, it means that because you don't believe in Si Aji completely, then you can't touch him."

"O, ooh..." Ronny glanced half pity at me.

"But it might be, after Aji continues the story now. You'll be able to touch it too." Continue Miss Mustika with a friendly smile towards me. "You can take your time, Aji. If you still can't tell me now, there's tomorrow or the day after."

Look at the round table in front of me. There are three syrup drinks. Stupid Boy Ronny still gave me treats even though obviously I wouldn't be able to drink them.

Ah, this kind of warm feeling I haven't had for long. The last three time trips, I've been in my condition like this. By ourselves. It makes me forget how happy it is to get the attention of others. And it seems that now, fate has brought me to both of them to remind me of this warm feeling.

"Destiny is the most terrible thing." Mumbles. "Okay, I'll continue the story. This time Mom wanted to hear me tell me my reason and Laras just kept repeating the timeline, right?"

"Yes, only if you're ready." The answer.

"I'm ready. Sooner or later I have to tell you this..."

I looked at their faces one by one before continuing.

"Okay, the story this time is quite long. I hope you're ready."

Looking up at the cloudy afternoon sky, I thought about everything that had happened on my first four trips.

"This time I'm titled..."