The House 1937's
76. Crawl and Smile

The old motor continued to drive cautiously over the uneven, rocky road surface. If Giman is careless, he can fall from the top of his bike because the road terrain is arguably still quite dangerous for two-wheeled motor vehicles. Not only that, the minimal lighting along the road also makes it difficult for Giman to ride his old motorcycle. Giman also had time to look at the condition of the headlights of his motorbike that turned out not to function properly. Last afternoon when departing from Giman's house did not ask about the condition of the old motorbike to Mr. Tani, because this old motorbike is almost never used when driving at night.

This afternoon Giman went suddenly to one of his relatives' houses in the village next door because there are relatives who have died. Mr. Tani's unwell condition made him stop to come, his own mother must be at home to take care of her husband, while Najim who was not at home, finally made Giman alone who went there. He remembered that this morning the relatives of Mr. Tani who came directly to his house informed his family of this. Soon after knowing this information, Pak Tani told his eldest son to serve in the village next door.

Actually Giman himself does not matter if he has to serve alone to the village next door as a form of condolence to his relatives. Only, he knew for himself if he went there in the afternoon like today, automatically on the way home he had to penetrate this dark night. Actually, when he was still at his relatives' house, one of his aunt advised Giman to go home tomorrow, Giman was invited to stay at his relative's house, because he knew the distance that Giman traveled from his home to the village next door was quite far, about two hours more. But Giman refused subtly on the grounds that he had to go home immediately because of the situation of Pak Tani who was not well, in addition there was only his mother who stood guard at home. Giman chose to go home in case of emergency over his father.

"Is it alright Man you go straight home?", his aunt again asked Giman in a slightly worried tone, saying, he knew that the streets in this village were still poorly lit and very risky if Giman went home alone at night.

"Yes Bi, I'm fine if I have to go straight home after this. After all, you are also sick at home, pity you are guarding alone at home.", replied Giman as usual, and indeed that is what is happening in his house.

"Is that so, man?, is it okay if you want to go home tonight. Be careful on the road, do not be fast with his motorbike.., greetings to your Father's Mother.", That's all his aunt can say before Giman went home.

Currently, Giman was halfway to his home with many packages of besek containing various cakes and food from his relatives. Besek consists of one besek containing a variety of colorful wet cakes and the remaining three contain various cooked side dishes. Well, at least all this food she brought was enough to stock up on the house for a full day, so her mother didn't have to cook any more at home.

After a long walk, finally Giman's old motorbike passed on the side of Grandma's house which is usually used to sunbathe the grain of the harvest. Giman remembered, yesterday he had to supervise the builders who worked to work on the renovation process of the old warehouse next to the rice warehouse on Papa's own orders because papa had to return to take care of his shop in the market. Giman had heard the story from his own father about the terrible events in the warehouse and about Sukarsih, but Papa warned Giman to be careful when retelling this story to Pak Tani and Najim. Papa never felt troubled when three of his confidants knew of the event. Giman who already felt mandated like that also said that Papa did not have to worry about this.

"Gua hope you're careful fitting the story to Father or to Najim, Man. Outside of that, you don't talk about anything. The foreman and the builder had also told all.", Giman remembered Papa's expression that looked tired and had many thoughts. Maybe it was because of that event that made it this way.

Giman who had daydreamed made him become unfocused driving and finally the old motorcycle tire was even stepped towards a large enough stone on the road and immediately Giman stopped the speed of the bike. Giman was stunned to see the stone in front of his motorcycle tire, fortunately he immediately braked the motorcycle, if not, then he could not, maybe he has fallen along with the bike and maybe also the bike will suffer damage and must get repairs because of his negligence.

"Oh Allah. Otherwise, it can be angry Father if the motor is damaged.", Giman muttered while gently rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.

Giman had stopped his motorbike for a moment and glanced at Grandma's house which was only the front and side lights of the house that lit up dimly. Obviously, at this hour maybe Papa and his family have rested. Regarding the matter of rest, Giman must survive to continue to advance this old motorcycle to the house. He who has arrived in front of Grandma's house, meaning a little more he reached his house.

Giman who had turned his old motorbike back on was able to glance once again towards Grandma's house. And somehow Giman seemed to see something on the side wall of the house, like something black in contrast to the whitewashed walls that already look dull. Giman was shocked to see the scene in front of him. It looks like a strange, long-haired figure that is stuck on the wall of the house like a lizard, just that the figure is more like a human being who is stuck on the wall!!!.

Giman who was still there was even made more creepy with the creature that was seen crawling from the wall to the side porch of the house slowly with a terrible grinning smile, his mouth wide with a terrible streak. The figure instantly disappeared just like that when its steps touched the ground. Which makes Giman immediately run the motor back without looking left or right.

Why did Engkoh stay in that house?,

Inner Giman is both afraid and astonished.