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Mother's Help

Nanda moved uneasily. He's waiting for Manda to get out of Arlan's house. Three hours ago, Nanda received a short message from Manda, who said that she was at Arlan's house. Just dragged there. Without a second thought, Nanda immediately slid into Arlan's house, not caring about the basketball experience he really likes.

Nanda glanced at the clock on her phone screen. Soon, the sky will turn dark. Earlier, Nanda had seen Arlan's parents' car enter his car garage, making Nanda more agitated. He was reminded of the black aura that enveloped Arlan's parents' room.

"It is like that, such a great power, it must be asking for something big as well" Nanda murmured. His eyes continued to be fixed on the five-acre house with two clean white painted floors.

"Mom finally found you" a soft voice made Nanda aghast from her daydream. A familiar voice that has been with him for sixteen years.

"Mother!?" nanda great-grandson. He rubbed his eyes, as if not believing the presence of his mother in that place. "Why can you be here!?" tanyakanya.

Gina showed her palm to Nanda. "Mom knows everything" she replied in a soft voice. He did not want to put a burden on his son. Gina chose to respect her children's choice not to tell stories. But, this time, he wanted to be present next to his son. She felt, this was not something that her children could overcome with their own strength.

"I'm sorry, ma'am." said Nanda. His voice became very slow.

"You're going to ask your uncle for help, huh?" ask Gina.

Nanda nodded. His gaze lowered down, looking at his slightly shabby shoes. "We don't want to take care of Mom."

Gina stroked her son's head affectionately. "You never made me bother" he replied. "So... Do you want a story?"

Nanda nodded excitedly. "We want to help his friend Manda, Mom," Nanda began without a second thought. "Name Arlan. She was the only child of the family who lived in the house," Nanda pointed to Arlan's house.

"OK, then?"

"At first, he accidentally met Manda who could see there was something wrong with the boy. But, it turns out the problem is bigger than we thought. Starting from the curse that will make him die at the age of seventeen, his parents who wear jinn and tumbangal, then the fact that his own best friend is an accomplice of the sworn enemy of his family."

"So, you fainted the other day, not because of tiredness, but because you saw the past?" Gina ensure.

Nanda laughed awkwardly, embarrassed that in the end he was caught lying as well. "Sorry, Mom. If I tell you the truth, I'm afraid you're angry."

"Hhh... Rice has become porridge. How else," said Gina understand. "Mother is still curious about the meaning of 'feet'. What do you see?"

"Arlan has a friend named Dimas. From Arlan's story, they've been friends for a long time" Nanda begins. "But Manda was suspicious of Dimas. So, I volunteered to use the shortcut and look at Dimas' past. Apparently, Dimas was his son Larasati, who had a grudge against his family Arlan. You could say, Dimas and Arlan were actually blood, because Arlan's grandfather was Dimas' real father."

Gina rubbed the back of her hand restlessly. "If the grudge is as severe as it is, it means that this person named Larasati is quite a powerful creature" Gina commented.

"Larasati wants to kill all the descendants of Arlan's grandfather's family." Nanda clapped his hands, remembering what he saw yesterday. "Arlan's grandfather also tried to kill Arlan."

"That means, Arlan is the one who doesn't know anything, even though he is the main character here?" ask Gina.

"How is it?"

"Skin' muscle!"

Gina laughed hearing Nanda reply excitedly. "If you're playing muscle, you're number one, yes!" gina's comments while rubbing her son's head. "Do you have any more value?"

"You mean to fight the larasati?" nanda asked who was answered with a nod of Gina. "Arlan has an immune science. He survived death several times. Manda made sure of it herself."

"Mom will train Arlan. Take Arlan home," said Gina. Nanda, who got her mother's approval, became very happy. At least, there are adults among them who understand this. "Now," Gina added, "wake up!"

Nanda jerks. Bummer. Within seconds, he had no idea what was happening. Her body felt warm, like it was being hugged. But his head feels dizzy, typical of people who just woke up.

"Dik, overslept? Gee whiz... This afternoon is not good for sleep, you know! Especially outside like this!"

Nanda looked up, seeing who was talking to him. An old man pushing a meatball cart was standing before him. He wagged the peci towards the neck. Sweat pours from his wrinkled skin. Then, Nanda spread her gaze around. Her mother does not exist. "Dreams?" muttered.

"Ouch, Brother... It's conscious, right? You're not a sinking, are you?" asked the father of the meatball seller, worried about Nanda's condition that looked dazed. "Where is your house? Know the way home? Should I call people around?"

"Ah, no need, sir!" Nanda hurriedly stood up. "I'm waiting for my brother to come home. I fell asleep because I was tired. In a moment, my brother will be out too!"

The meatball seller turned to look at Nanda's index finger. "Oooh, Mas Arlan's house" he replied. "In that case, I say yes, Brother! His sister don't sleep anymore. Mending time is used to pray instead of dumbstruck and finally sleeping again."

"Yes, Sir! Thanks for worrying about me" Nanda said.

The meatball seller finally left. Nanda sat back in his place. "What was a dream?" mumbling again. He pulled out his phone. "Ah, fuck! Batrenya out!" When he said that, then Nanda realized that the incident was not just a dream. Her mother may not be able to contact her or Manda, but she is present in other ways.

Nanda's risen. He knew he had to pick up his brother. He had to tell Manda that their mother would help. Nanda feels there is hope to save Arlan.

Apparently, there is no need to get into the house Arlan, Manda had gone out alone upon Nanda's arrival in front of the gate. However, the expression that Manda showed, was not an expression that Nanda could interpret as something good.

Manda who saw Nanda not far from him, immediately ran over. "We're home" whispered Manda.

Nanda simply replied with a nod. He let Manda embrace his arm. Although a little, Nanda could feel Manda's hand shaking and feeling cold. "What makes you look like this?" Nanda asked in a voice as slow as possible.

Manda glanced behind him, where the Arlan family home stood firmly. Looks magnificent and beautiful. But that made Manda shudder. "Arlan's parents had already subverted many girls for the protective demon in their home."

***