A Bunch of Horror Stories

episode 85 (white ribbon on a pine tree)

Thief!” my yelling.

The parking lot guy chased him, sprinkled his body at the thief. The thief fell, stood up, and continued to flee. My heart was pounding when the parking attendant returned my motorcycle.

“Neng ..., be careful, I am Juna, Arjuna,” he said as he reached out.

“Thank you, I'm Euis, Euis Jayanti, ” I said.

Since then, my relationship with Arjuna has grown stronger. Arjuna and I often do recreation in the pine forest with the distinctive aroma of pine around Cikole. The most exciting outbound activities, walking hand in hand, chasing, sitting on the edge of a small river, staring at a waterfall that is not how big and other activities. The stretch of pine forest that is not too dense makes it easy to run. In addition, the shrubs underneath were quite dense to hide.

“Juna, chase me. Juna find me!” I shouted with his excitement.

We ran, we ran. I hid. Arjuna caught me from behind.

“Capture!” shouted Arjuna.

Arjuna clutched me, looking at my eyes sharply. I looked down, unable to look at him.

Suddenly something warm stuck to my lips. My eyes closed, my body shaking, limp. I fainted for a moment like I was stung by a 15-watt stun. Arjuna has kissed me. The first kiss I will always remember.

“Juna, you have to come home, ask my father, you will marry me.”

“But..., Euis, I still don't have a job.”

“Just you have to propose to me!” I said in a loud voice.

Arjuna with forced courage came to my house.

“Father, I proposed to Euis to be my wife,” said Arjuna.

Actually I'm not happy with Arjuna. Village goons, a lot of tattoos on his body. But my father also realized that my age was growing. I'm eighteen years old.

“Euis is a spinster, no sellout, no man comes near her.” I've always been a gossip material. In my village, my 15-year-old friend is married, has two children. Many are also widows.

“Alright Arjuna, I accept your application.”

I was relieved by my father's reply. The title of spinster was very scary for my parents as well as for me. The wedding celebration was very lively. Father and mother sumringah, smiles are spread to every guest who comes.

“Happy Mr. Haji, congratulations to Hajjah's mother hopefully quickly have a grandson,” said the guests.

“Congratulations Euis, congratulations Arjuna,” said my friends, and also friends Arjuna.

The first night, a very beautiful night. My soul flew into the sky, towering high enjoying the warm clouds. The moon and stars are peering out of the window slit. Jangkerik, toads, owls and other night animals were churning with their roaring merriment of my first night.

Crick…

Wrebekk – wrebekk –,

Kung kong – kung kong – kung kong,

Huuuhk.., huuhk…

The night of the beginning of a new life, the wife must serve the husband.

Dad bought Arjuna a pick up car to send vegetables to the market or for other purposes. I was given the capital to open a sembako stall. By the age of three, my son was two. Everyone, Wawan and Maman. Arjuna's income is good. A semi-permanent home has become permanent. Even Arjuna has also been able to buy a used minibus car.

Until the end…

When Arjuna was washing the car, five policemen suddenly raided my village. Arjuna was arrested, handcuffed. House ransacked. The obrak abrik. Found white powder, nark*ba!

“Dad, dad, dad!” wawan shouted while crying.

Gumpang village. My father and mother were victims, ostracized by society.

Arjuna, why are you so evil. Isn't narc*ba a haram? Didn't I demand nothing, the sustenance we receive is more than enough. Arjuna, I also could not answer when Wawan asked. “Mother..., why was dad arrested by the police?” Mom when are you coming home? Arjuna, the cold of the night always covers me. No more warmth from you. I don't know until when. Arjuna. I hate. I cry in solitude.

PoV

“Arjuna in two weeks you are free, where are your plans to go?” ask the prison guard.

“I also don't know Sir, I no longer have a family.”

I just shut up.

“Pak Warden, can I have one piece of paper and borrow a pen?” my many.

The warden was very kind, in addition to giving me the paper, lending me the pen also gave me money. For the journey, he said.

“Euis, two more weeks I'm free from Nusakambangan. I ventured to write you a letter. For more than seven years I've been tormenting you and the children. I still dare to face the cruelty of Nusakambangan. But.., with you, Euis, my stupidity has not been redeemed. I don't know how to make it up to you. Whatever I do to atone for my sins. I still love you. I love our children, Wawan and Maman. Of course they're big. Ma’af me.”

“Euis, I still hope to be given a chance to love you for the second time. I also wish I could play with the kids. I am fully aware that my actions have deeply hurt your heart, greatly humiliating my father and mother.”

“Euis, is my ma’afku request too late? Euis...., if you consider’ me, will you give a sign? Tie A WHITE RIBBON TO THE PINE TREE in front of our entrance. When I don't see it, I realize and I understand. I'll continue on my way somewhere my feet go. I pray that you can live in peace with Wawan and Maman. I also pray that you will have a better husband. My prayers are also for Father and Mother.”

Junas.

Finally, the day of liberation arrived.

Euis' reply did not come. Has my letter arrived? Why won't Euis retaliate? Does Euis not forgive me? There are a lot of questions in my head

The prison gate opened. So happy are my friends. They walked fast, half ran. The wives, with their children ran to greet her husband with joy. Hugging. I stood alone, looking with envy. Euis and the children are invisible. With a hollow soul, my feet stepped towards the bus terminal. Cikole. The journey is quite far, just to see the winding of a white ribbon on a pine tree.

When the bus entered the terminal Lembang, the sun had already started to set. The light starts to dim. A day of shining on the earth seems to be quite tiring. The star and the moon that should have replaced it did not appear. A thick cloud hung in the sky, covering it. Sayup sayup sound adzan magrib.

After a short break Mr. Driver continued on his way to Cikole. The rain started to fall quite hard. The streets were dark, no streetlights illuminated them. The only car light that lights the road. Although quiet, the car runs slowly. In addition to the rain, the road is uphill and continues to climb. On the right left is seen a stretch of pine forest that indicates Cikole is near.

My heart started to get nervous, tense. Cold sweat drenched my clothes. Just a minute until Cikole.

“Bapak why? Does it hurt?” the man sitting next to me was surprised to see me.

My eyes started to look glassy. I told you my story briefly. The bus was moved.

“Pak Driver, slow down. We will see if there is a white ribbon on the pine tree,” said the passenger next to me.

My heart is beating pretty fast. I looked down and closed my eyes. Afraid to see the truth.

“See, in front visible white ribbon on pine tree!” shouted a passenger.

“Ya.., right. White tape..., white tape on pine tree.” Shouted some other bus passengers. I heard the screams of the passengers. Right..., yeah. I saw a white ribbon, wrapped around every pine tree. The highlight of the bus light clearly illuminated the white ribbon wrapped around the pine tree. I pinched my hand, it hurts. Not dreaming. My eyes glazed. Without feeling it, my tears flowed. Tears of happiness.

White ribbons are not just one, there are dozens. Not only are the white ribbons wrapped around the pine tree, but also the white ribbons hanging on the pine tree. The pine tree has changed its color, the green leaves of the needle are combined with the white ribbon. Very lovely.

“Stop Sir Driver,” I said.

Half-run, I headed home. In front of the house has stood Euis, Wawan, Maman, father and mother. They are angels to me. Back, my eyes are glassy.

“Dad,” shouted Wawan and Maman simultaneously. They ran to greet me, hugging me. Euis approached me, hugging me. I walked over to my mom and dad, prostrating to kiss my mom and dad's feet.

In-room…,

“Euis....,” is not finished I said, Euis has covered my mouth with his hands.

“Juna, I've forgiven you. You have returned, I do not want you to go for both. Hug me Juna, hug me tight,” pinta Euis.

Cryic…,

Wrebekk – wrebekk –…,

Kung kong – kung kong – kung kong…,

Huuuhk.., huuuhk.., huuhk…,

The same voice on the first night the newlyweds sang back …

PoV

The next day, the people of Cikole Geger when she was cut down Cikole found the body of a bare-chested man hugging the tomb board Euis. Residents know the man very well is Arjuna, Euis' husband who was newly released from Nusakambangan prison.

Two days ago, Euis and his entire family including his father and mother died in an accident. The car that was driven into the ravine after putting a white ribbon on the pine tree.

Now, hundreds of white ribbons that bear silent witness to the meeting of the two men are still wrapped around the pine tree.