THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
Grief News

The blue sky in the western horizon began to fade. A yellowish-red tinge began to replace the bright blue. The sun was no longer felt.

Via's house is a bit crowded. Some people gathered at the Via residence. Mr. Haris, Mr. Aisyah, Eyang Probo, Mr. Kuncoro, and Mr. Arman gathered waiting for news about Farhan. Eyang Probo who just got out of the hospital forced himself to attend in order to immediately find out the news about the first grandson who is very dear.

They sat in a large central room. The dishes served by Bu Inah are still intact. They are under tension.

Via leaning his head against the shoulder of his mother. Tears repeatedly rolled across his pale face. Ms. Aisyah constantly calmed her daughter-in-law by hugging and rubbing Via's head.

“How was the last time, Ed?” ask Eyang Probo with a restless face.

“Pak Candra hands down directly. He is now at the scene of a car accident to make sure Mas Farhan becomes a victim or not,” Edi replied.

“Car condition how?” Mr. Haris changed who asked.

“Ringsek and charred burning. The possibility of having a hard impact from hitting something, rolling into a deep trench, and burning. “

The people in the room grew increasingly tense hearing Edi's explanation. Bad guesses about Farhan's fate are reflected in their minds.

“Then, is anyone in it?” Mr. Arman is connecting the conversation.

“Still carcass cooling process. They can't know yet.”

They were silent when they heard the ringtone of the call from Edi's phone. All pay attention to Edi.zHe is the source of information at this time because every development, Mr. Candra's men contact Edi. Mr. Candra did too. He did not dare to contact Via for fear of Via shock.

“How was the last development?” Ed asked without further ado.

….

“Try showing me!” Edi gave the order. “It looks right. Does no one bring a power bank?”

….

“Connect immediately, then turn on! I look forward to the next news!” Edi closed the conversation in a cold style.

Everyone looked at Edi. They were like one goal, asking for Edi's explanation.

Edi who understands the will of everyone also spoke up, “ Found an HP. It was shown to me. From its characteristics, HP was indeed owned by Mas Farhan.

Via gasp. His chest is throbbing pain.

“What is HP in dead condition?” Kuncoro asked.

“Iya, Sir. Looks like it's out of power. Someone is bringing a power bank. We'll find out sometime later.”

People fell silent. They were so tense waiting for news. Each drowned in the daydream.

When Edi's phone rang, their eyes fell on Edi. Hopeful gazes were clearly visible in their eyes.

"Can it be turned on?" ask Edi.

....

"Show me!"

....

"How many people? How's condition?"

....

"OKs. Thank you." Thank you." Edi said the last sentence in a weak, uninspired voice.

"Hows it? Any progress?" Eyang Probo was impatient.

Edi nodded languidly. He rubbed his hair rough.

"Yes, Sir. The HP belonged to Mas Farhan although it could not open. However, from the characteristics of the screen display, I believe it really belongs to Mas Farhan," replied Edi.

Via's heart is racing. Without realizing it, his hand gripped tightly onto his thigh.

"Is there any other news?" ask Mr. Arman.

Edi nodded and replied, "Found a corpse at the wheel."

"W-what is Farhan?" asked Bu Aisyah trembling.

"The condition of the body can not be recognized because the charred gosong. It is currently in the process of evacuating the body" replied Edi, looking down.

"No. No, it can't be Mas Farhan. That's not Mas Farhan, is it?" said Via while looking at Bu Aisyah.

"We don't know yet. We just wait for the info from there while hoping your husband is safe," said Ms. Aisyah softly.

The middle-aged woman tried to remain calm in front of her daughter-in-law. In his heart he was crying worriedly.

"Mas Farhan's... Farhan was alone at that time. Oh no!" Via drowned.

Everyone looked at Via. The mother-to-be leaned against the sofa with her eyes closed.

With a swift Mr. Haris brought Via to the nearest room on the 1st floor. Miss Aisyah tailed from behind. The others got up from their seats and followed them to their rooms.

Edi gestured for the others to stay in place. He did not want Via to be more depressed. Finally, the three grown men sat back down.

"What's wrong? What tape?" ask Mr. Kuncoro.

"Vis and Mas Farhan's video call was recorded this morning. While on the way to Mr. Candra's house, Mas Farhan had called Ma'am Via," replied Edi.

"What does this have to do with the car accident?" Eyang Probo asked while staring intently.

"At that time Mas Farhan was in a tire patch repair shop because two of his car tires were flattened on nails. He told me that he was both. However, the driver precedes the fare because there is interest. So, after from the workshop Mas Farhan drove himself." Edi conveyed with a trembling voice.

"If it's a car found in the ditch right the car that Farhan drove, then the body is my son? That so?" Mr. Haris suddenly replied from behind Edi.

Edi nodded languidly. Others are silent too.

"We pray magrib first. Let's pray that Farhan is safe" Mr. Haris asked.

After the magrib prayer, they returned to their original place. Edi's phone at the table they always looked at. It was the source of the information they hoped for.

"Via's conscious, Bun?" Mr. Haris took the time to look at Via.

"It has. It was also salat even while sitting down," replied Ms. Aisyah lirih.

"Mother wait for him. Dad's monitoring the progress."

Miss Aisyah nodded. He went back to the edge of the bed.

Via remained weakly lying. His eyes were empty.

"Just think on, yeah! Everyone already has their own destiny line" whispered Ms. Aisyah.

While in the middle room the men sat uneasily. This time, Mr. Nono and Mr. Yudi joined in.

Until azan isya reverberated, Edi's phone only reads once, notification incoming messages. It was not from Mr. Candra or his men.

The night is getting late. The digital clock on the phone shows at 09:15 p.m.

"Dad, better rest in the guest room. I've only just recovered" suggested Mr. Haris.

This time, Eyang Probo according to. She remembers not being treated at the hospital.

"So soon let me know that there's some certainty about Farhan!" pinta Eyang Probo before entering the room.

Mr. Haris just nodded. He returned to the middle room.

Fifteen minutes later, Edi's phone rang. The man in his 30s immediately grabbed his phone.

"Have you heard about the body and the car?"

....

"Sir Candra is there?"

....

"Yes, fine."

Edi closed the conversation after speaking for about five minutes.

"The car that crashed was Mr. Candra's car. From the results of the autopsy the body was concluded that it was a man with a height of about 175 cm, the age of about 30 years," said Edi lethargic.

Everyone who heard Edi's explanation bowed. The characteristics of the corpse that Edi conveyed were similar to Farhan.

Shortly after, Mr. Haris' phone vibrated. The senior doctor immediately opened his phone. On the screen it says that Mr. Candra made the call. Mr. Haris also shifted the button to receive the call.

"Assalamualaik." Mr. Haris said hello first.

"Vaalaikumsalam. Sorry I just called. Did Edi tell you about the body found in the car?"

"It has. Its characteristics do lead to Farhan," replied Mr. Haris lethargic.

"But Azka said, Farhan was accompanied by a driver, his name was Tedi. He was a little older than Farhan. Supposedly, if it was Farhan, Tedi would also exist" said Mr. Candra.

"Said Edi, Farhan this morning told Via that from the tire repair shop, he himself. The driver who was with him came home because there was something important. So, most likely the corpse is indeed Farhan," said Mr. Haris in a raucous voice.

The conversation stopped for a moment.

"I'm concerned. Forgive me for not being able to take good care of Farhan. What will DNA tests be done to be sure?"

"I don't think it's necessary. The time it takes is quite long. Pity the deceased if not buried immediately."

The mood changed quietly. The conversation of Mr. Haris and Mr. Candra has ended.

Mr. Haris immediately went to the room to tell his family the news. He tried to stay strong to strengthen the hearts of those he loved.

***

Seriate

Thank you for the support Sister all 🙏

Keep supporting the author. Please love chrysanthemum in the comments for this piece of work.