ALPENIA (The Cruel Small Town)

Birthday of the Alpene

Alpenia is known as a dark city, a deserted city, and again will turn into a frenetic city. Because the entire population is compactly celebrating the 115th anniversary of the city. There will be a massive event over the next three days. The opportunity is used to enliven, entertain and arouse the spirit of the city from the things that make the city slump lately.

Naya and her mother sat on a bench, looking at the colorful sky that was caused by the explosion of various fireworks. Rumblings rang out loud in the ears, making the atmosphere more crowded.

Renaldi suddenly came towards the two of them, making Naya look up.

"This week my aunt rarely sees you play at home, Rey," said Vienna kindly.

Obviously not, because Naya's attitude changed completely to be very awkward after expressing her heart a week ago. What an irony, Naya who wants to maintain a friendly relationship with Renaldi, but herself who actually stretches the distance.

Vienna got up from the long bench, "my friend Naya yes, auntie wants to meet auntie friends there," he asked as he moved towards the crowd. There are friends who used to be invited to gossip by him when working on the vineyard owned by the Wijaya family.

Renaldi stepped without hesitation, and sat down beside the girl whose heartbeat was racing fast. It was very unfriendly for Naya.

"You don't have to be cold. We will remain in office." Renaldi unceremoniously said words that deeply struck Naya's heart.

The girl felt, in this case, her guilty self. Because it is too close when it gets a rejection that is not at all expected. He should not have to behave like that. For even Renaldi cannot be blamed, for the heart of man cannot be forced.

Naya commented on the bland smile, "lo know, I also felt we would be able to act as if nothing had happened. But feelings also need space and time to recover. I asked you to understand my position now. Later if I'm ready, our situation will be the same as before."

Renaldi swallowed those words wisely. He understood if Naya felt pain. Finally, his hand placed the head of the girl who had just dropped those tears on his shoulder. If only he knew how to lighten the invisible wounds Naya was feeling.

"Hi guys!" The sound of a loud cry from behind made the two young men stunned. Intan who suddenly came with Amora and Rima beside him sat down with Renaldi and Naya..

Why are you crying?" intan asked as he glanced at Naya in an ambiguous tone. Worrying but mocking. Understandably, congenital from birth.

Naya who had been khatam with Intan's attitude just shook her head arrogantly, meaning to be joking.

"OK if you don't want to tell me. Besides, I'm not really curious either. It's none of my business, is it?" because I got no answer. Naya replied by turning the eyeball.

"Hi y'all!" Annisa who had just arrived with Ulfa after touring and trying the snacks available at this party, greeted excitedly.

"I am so full" Ulfa said, holding her distended stomach.

"Well, if you're not full, bad. I bought almost all the food too!" annisa replied with a laugh.

"You don't forget, yeah! My birthday party is a month away" Intan excitedly reminded me of what everyone seems to know. He had already spread out his invitation from a month ago.

Everyone involved in the conversation did not respond, except Renaldi who immediately replied, "yes dear, what do you want my gift?"

"Hey. Finally meeting you guys, I've been muter-muter nyariin tau," with a face like fatigue, Iswanti who just arrived took a sitting position next to Naya.

"Gue chat earlier, he said you did not want to come here," replied Annisa while folding her hands in front of the stomach.

Iswanti did not answer, in her spirit she spoke of something else, "just finished reading this book." He lifted a book he held. Titled, "The Mystery of the Black City."

"OKAY. It's not important," Intan replied.

"Dengerin. According to the author, the book is inspired by a true story. Here is written about the abduction of children that often occur in this city. And most strangely, strange events that befall us in the forest are also experienced by a group of characters in this story," said Iswanti seriously.

"Continue, how?" tanya Ulfa was immediately excited.

"Abducted children are depicted as being in another world, created by a black or evil magic spell. The children were kept for a ritual offering to the devil. I know for some people this is making it up. But for us it's not, we'll see for ourselves that Ulfa and her mother have magical powers too, right?" iswanti. He did not heed his tone, even though there were many people there.

The problem is, Ulfa and her family keep the secret tight so that it is not known to the crowd. He just told his friends.

All who listen understand, and believe things that cannot even be ascertained. However, Ulfa rebukes Iswanti so as not to be too excited, so that without realizing it will unlock the secret later.

Ikbal and Faisal have just joined, but the center of Iswanti's attention is Salman who takes a girl in a friendly manner.

At the time, when Salman expressed his feelings, Iswanti had learned that Salman was just trying to mess with him. The proof now, the guy was even with someone else. In fact, he likes Salman actually, it's a pity that Salman's unpredictable attitude makes him afraid to try to open his heart.

"What are you doing here? Let's go to the torch parade!" Faisal excitedly invited those who were sitting relaxed, not forgetting by playing eyes to Naya.

"What the hell, don't want ah, I'll seal my legs. Urge, keep hot, not really," said Intan as usual.

Those who sat on the long bench began to rise from standing, ready to follow events that seemed to be very interesting and fun.

"Yes if you don't want to come," Naya sneered at Intan.

Intan replies to Naya with a wink, but eventually rises as well, after Amora and Rima choose to participate.

The dark city was now filled with orange light almost along the highway. Hustle and warmth are created on this cold night.

"Where's diamond? Not nyesel coming?" Annisa turned her body to mock Intan who was walking behind her while complaining because her heels were too high.

However, Annisa's attention is distracted when she finds a man she's been looking for. The man who passed him the other day in front of the elevator, holding Desi who was sleeping. Finally, one of the kidnappers was seen too!