The Skewers House
Image and Amanda back home

"What's up, Mom? How do you look so scared?" Citra asked when she noticed Prambudi who looked confused and agitated.

Prambudi was still biting his fingernails. He was so angry and panicked. Prambudi has not answered Citra's question, his mind is distant.

"Mas?," Citra patted Prambudi's shoulder slowly. Prambudi looked like he remembered something.

"Cit, I'm going to the parlor tonight. It's really important. Emm, how about for a while you and Manda go home first," Prambudi looked at Citra so sharply. His two eyes looked slightly glared.

"What is it?" Citra asked for an explanation.

"The caretaker of the hospital," answered Prambudi quickly.

"Then I want to go with Mas" Citra clasped Prambudi's hand.

"Don't!," Prambudi forbade. He snapped a little.

"Why?," The image grew increasingly confused.

"That. .the caretaker of the hospital is not yet clear. Anyway do not come first, pity Manda later if he comes to see people who are sick like that," Prambudi gave an explanation.

"But Mas. . .," Citra was about to argue, but Prambudi immediately embraced her.

"Click Cit. Your mother also misses you. Anyway you go home first, yes" Prambudi whispered, sounding pleading for Citra to obey him. The image finally nodded slowly.

"Don't tell the first story to the mother of our current residence huh? ," Prambudi took off his embrace, staring at Citra so fixed.

"Alright. . .," Citra sighed.

"We're going to Oma's house huh Mah?" Amanda asked with her innocent face.

"Yes dear. Dad wants to go first, you're with Mamah while bobbing in Oma's house first yes," Prambudi gently stroked her daughter's black hair.

"Yeeaayyy. . .asyiikkk," Amanda jumped for joy.

"Snacks are invited too, Mah? Yes Yes?," Amanda held her beloved cat who had not known since when the cat joined in the middle of the Prambudi family chat.

"Yes son," Citra nodded, smilingly looking at her daughter's face.

* * *

At half-time, a black car entered the courtyard of Prambudi's rented house. The image and Amanda had finished packing, some change of clothes had been stuffed into a small suitcase.

"Mas?," Citra called Prambudi who looked dreamy, sitting in the living room chair.

"Yes?," Prambudi turned his head, watching his wife this time wearing a green sweater that made her look even sweeter.

"I don't want us to argue, and I don't want to ask a lot of questions this time because I believe in you. But I hope the trust I give you is not misused," Citra looked at Prambudi, her expression so solemn this time.

"Dear, I really have to go to the home this time. I'm not lying to you" Prambudi stood holding Citra's hand.

"If the caretaker has recovered, I promise I will take you there" Prambudi stroked the soft back of his wife's hand.

"Alright," Citra sighed.

"Yeah, Mamah. .ayok departs," Amanda looks angry, running a little run out the house.

Finally the Prambudi family rode in a car driven by the same driver when they first came to the rented house. The image actually wants to protest her husband, why use the driver who looks less friendly again. But Citra felt no need to argue this time.

On the way, only Amanda looked carefree and excited. The little boy was unceasingly singing and humming. While Prambudi, from earlier only mer*mas rem*s his own hands. The image looked at her husband. The new image this time saw her husband so riled up and anxious.

"The caretaker must be healed soon," Citra tried to calm Prambudi.

"Ah yes Cit," Prambudi smiled at a glance.

The next thirty minutes they reached the crossroads a few dozen meters before Mr. Doto's house. Prambudi told the driver to stop there.

"You guys just come down here. I don't want us to get caught by your father. This car can be tracked and searched. You know what your father is like" Prambudi opened his car door.

"Keep, how do you pick me up tomorrow?" Citra asked in surprise.

"Emm, not necessarily tomorrow I pick you up Cit," Prambudi stared at Citra.

"You mean Mas?" Citra asked.

"Yes it could have been me more than a day at the parlour. Anyway you take it easy, I will always call you. Yes?," Prambudi was seen trying to convince Citra.

The image hesitates. Could it be that her husband was covering something up from her? What the hell is it? Some questions arise in the mind of the image.

"I promise I'll pick you up when things get better, baby. Okay?" Prambudi again clasped Citra's hand. The image nodded slowly. Then get out of the car with Amanda.

"I will watch and wait for you to enter the house from here" Prambudi smiled.

"Dad, be careful, yes" Amanda said with her innocent face. Prambudi was a little anxious, then rubbed Amanda's bangs.

Citra and Amanda walk with a small suitcase towards a house that looks bright with the light so bright in the dark night sky. Prambudi watched over his wife and son. When they reached the gate, Prambudi immediately got into the car.

"We walk now" Prambudi gave the order. The driver smiled briefly and nodded, then stepped on the gas quite deeply. The car roared loudly and in an instant it had disappeared into the darkness.

Meanwhile Citra was greeted with joy by Madam Doto. Affectionate hugs and kisses are accepted by Citra and Amanda.

"Where is Bun?," Citra asked her mother when Mr. Doto did not see the trunk of her nose at home.

"Your father's out of town, baby. Maybe the day after I just got home," Mrs Doto looks so sparkling. The incredible taste of kangen was treated this time. Moreover, his grandson looks healthy and growing bigger. Madame Doto immediately carried Amanda in her arms.

"Oma's grandson is big. Yes aampuunn," Madame Doto was moved to kiss Amanda.

Since the baby, Amanda has always been cared for by Mrs Doto. The first-faced grandson is so similar to Citra's childhood. So when Citra arrived and left the house carrying Amanda, Madam Doto felt as if she lost her spirit and happiness in her old age.

"Where is the Prambudi?," Madam Doto turned her head, asking Citra. His daughter-in-law was not seen coming home this time.

"Mas Pram busy working Mother. He did not come this time," Citra replied preparing to get a nagging from her mother.

"Why Mother nyari Mas Pram? Want Mommy to get angry?" Citra asked when the mother was silent.

"rest. Tonight Manda will sleep with Mother yes," Mrs Doto switched the conversation. He reluctantly starts a debate with his daughter who has just returned home.

The image was finally restrained, he obeyed the wishes of Madam Doto. The image immediately moved towards his room. The image of putting a suitcase in the corner of the room, and replacing the sweater he was wearing with pulkadot-patterned pajamas available in the closet.

The image sits in the corner of his bed. He noticed the ring attached to his index finger. The first ring given by her husband. The image spread, grasping and hugging the triangular picture ring. She prayed in her heart for the safety of her beloved husband.

* * *

Right at midnight, a black car entered the courtyard of Prambudi's rented house. Prambudi got out of the car, this time he was wearing all-black clothes. The window of the car opened, someone in the car stared at Prambudi so sharply. A terrifying glint in the darkness of the night.

"Remember, two less" said the mysterious figure from inside the car. Prambudi nodded slowly.

Connect . . .