Biohazard's Catastrophe: Death's Hallway

The Silently Anxious

Puskesmas Cikembang Village

Next day

Ardana and Ilham made it out of the Sirnasurya Forest. But with a much harder fight. The bad luck must be experienced Ardana again. He fell six times while running after Ilham. True what the middle-aged man said, terrifying strange creatures sprung up from all directions, all over the place, even from the ground though only the red-skinned hands of charred flesh tried to grab the legs of both. That condition forced Ilham to take him immediately to the health center as soon as morning arrived. Because to go to the hospital is very far away and Ardana himself refused it.

Odang suggested that they were already in the Cikembang Village Puskesmas earlier than nonya hours. Both of them did not have time to eat breakfast because there are many rice traders around there to the chicken porridge. And the most important thing is the surabi seller who was visited by Ardana yesterday. Together with Ilham, he returns there while waiting for a call based on his long queue number. In exchange for surabi that was not eaten by Ilham yesterday, Ardana was willing to practice it but rejected subtly.

“I told Paramitha about your situation now. From the tone of his voice he looked surprised then asked your situation,” said Ilham as he poured fresh warm tea into a small glass, while waiting for the surabi that was being roasted.

Ardana looked quickly. “Pak, why tell him too? Let it be, he doesn't know first,”.

“I just want to know how to respond. Didn't expect him to be that hot. In fact say want to follow later with Nina,” reply Ilham while taking a piece of surabi that has been covered with brown sugar sauce in a spoon. Ignoring Ardana's astonished expression, she enjoys the steady taste of roasted surabi and the natural sweet sensation of brown sugar.

Ardana shook her head, not thinking about what Ilham did. “If only Paramitha is no problem, sir. But if Bu Nina comes along, it's called troublesome.”

Inspiration patted the young man's shoulder slowly.

“Calm down,” said, “your queue number is still long and if you wait from earlier in the lobby later we run out of this surabi. Original, it's so delicious.”

The words of Inspiration have a point. Puskesmas Desa Cikembang has been crowded by residents who will check their health and treatment. Various people and ages have swarmed the main door. Once opened, they are so orderly. No one precedes each other to get the first number. The awareness of the people there in terms of upholding order is a sight that may not be found much more in big cities.

Semi hospital, once the residents of Cikembang Village proud of it. The area of puskesmas is indeed more similar called a mini hospital. Three two-storey buildings painted in white and light green in the formation of the letter U stand on an area of 5000 square meters. There is a green garden with four shady red guava fruit trees as well as a playground for children. Simple fitness facilities are also available there. Sometime after the puskesmas opened, there were elderly who walked on the path of reflection stones that surround the park. The building on the right serves as a place of hospitalization for patients who really need quick treatment if they do not have time to take him to a large hospital in the city of Ciamis.

The cafeteria area is behind the main building flanked by two other buildings. Regarding the guarantee of cleanliness, this health center has received awards so that patients and their hungry families can come there. Of course without ruling out the traders outside the health center who also maintain cleanliness. The latter is often where people fill their stomachs if the canteen inside is full.

Finished eating surabi and paying, Ardana and Ilham enter the lobby which also serves as a waiting room. It was so crowded inside that the two barely found a seat. Two empty seats that were at the front end, far away from the entrance could finally be obtained.

“Then the queue number is called, let me just go,” said Ilham.

Ardana. Like all the other patients, he sat quietly. To drive away boredom, nearby are available reading bookshelves provided by the local health service. This young man squinted his eyes, looking for details of the title of the book that was considered interesting. The average book in a row of shelving cabinets that are almost three meters high is themed children, tourism, history, culture, religion, health and culinary.

“Hm... no horror novels like Bloody Pool Demon, yes?” Ardana, who recalled one of the best-selling novels earlier in the year, was moved closer to the shelf closet, hoping she would find it tucked away. According to news in the media, the novel by the famous author Anton Fahmi ‘The Ributman’ will be appointed as a feature film and the filming process is already underway.

The book she was looking for didn't exist. Ardana gave up and chose one of the West Java culinary-themed reading books. For some reason he was suddenly interested in cookbooks even though he was not a person who was good at cooking. The book was taken and then sat back in its original place. Every explanation of the material and the tricks in it try to be understood well.

“Princess, queue number 235!”

After nearly two hours of waiting, his turn arrived. Ardana who realized returning the book she had read, while looking at Ilham who rushed towards the receptionist. Not long after that the middle-aged man had already returned.

“On the second floor,” he said while helping Ardana stand up. “Doctor will check if there are broken ribs or deep wounds in your body.”

Ilham helped Ardana who walked slowly across the left aisle. Not far from there was a staircase leading to the second floor. They went up and found the atmosphere of the second floor was not as crowded below. Some seats are empty. Several doctors, nurses and interns were chatting or doing their respective duties. Not only himself, that morning there were also three other patients with the same doctor. Unlike him, they suffered fractures due to traffic accidents or while working. Two adults in their thirties and one teenager in high school uniform. Ardana was the last patient because after the three people had finished, only he himself was waiting to be called.

The inspection went well. Luckily, Ardana was not obliged to rest completely because the condition of the ribs and the inside of his body did not suffer damage or severe injuries. Inwardly, this young man was very happy. He had fallen hard six times a night to save himself. The examining doctor only appealed to him to reduce activities outside the home and avoid strenuous activities. After receiving the recipe, Ardana came out with a happy face. The inspiration waiting on the chair only raised both eyebrows.

“How, Dan? You're being let go?” ask him while he got up.

Ardana shook her head in satisfaction. “Reduce outside activities and avoid strenuous activities. Just that,” the answer is relaxing.

“Even if I leave it, I choose not to obey it. Our task is not yet completed,” he added.

* * * * *

Paramitha and Nina did not come to the health center because Ilham told her that she and Ardana had gone home sooner. Instead, the two were willing to come for coffee as well as lunch together at the Nina family home. When they arrived at the front yard, they saw Nina and Paramitha who were busy arranging ornamental plants while occasionally spraying natural stimulant liquid. Realizing that someone was coming, Nina and Paramitha ended their activities.

“Well, these guests have arrived,” welcome Nina while removing her rubber gloves.

Paramitha took off the dark green bandana she was wearing. When his eyes looked directly at Ardana, these two young men let off smiles. But the girl's expression turned a little anxious to see Ardana suddenly holding her left ribs while grimacing.

“How, doctor said what?” asked Nina while glancing at Ardana.

Inspiration shrugged both of his shoulders. “Yah... fortunately there are no severe injuries or rib fractures. Although only encouraged to reduce activity outside but if you leave Ardana alone in the house Odang, he is less at home,” he replied representing Ardana.

“We go inside first. Well, Paramitha.. eta si A’a.” Nina walked first into the house while carrying her ornamental plant care equipment.

Paramitha turned to Ardana. With great care, he helped Ardana up the stairs to the veranda. While Ilham followed from behind. The young man was seated on the porch.

“You lied, huh?” tanya Paramitha investigated. His gaze of red-and-black eyes turned sharper.

“You didn't fall from a tree, did you?” Paramitha is investigating.

Ardana looked at Ilham. But the middle-aged man smiled wryly and pretended not to look, like deliberately allowing Ardana to answer him herself. This young man sure must be Ilham who said he fell from a tree so suffered a serious injury on the left rib.

“Wah, fucked this one father,” grunts in heart.

After sighing, Ardana finally wanted to answer.

“Yes, I didn't fall from the tree. If you want to know why, later the story, yes?” Although somewhat frightened by Paramitha's sharp gaze, he ventured to look at her.

That answer made Paramitha sigh in annoyance. That was not what he wanted to hear from Ardana. He had trouble sleeping overnight because he was having a very disturbing nervousness. His heart is beating fast. His hunch said something was going on but I don't know what or who. As a result, this girl can just fall asleep at one time. Then in the morning he got word something bad happened to Ardana.

Paramitha herself did not understand why she was so worried about Ardana. His heart rate increased rapidly when the news was received. But when his reason fell from the tree, he did not immediately believe it considering his unease last night was so intense.

Ardana turned his face away from Paramitha.

“Already, I'll be fine in no time. After all, there is no fracture let alone rib fracture. Inner wound is also absent,” he said.

There was no reply from Paramitha. From her expression, the girl still had not received Ardana's excuse.

The inspiration that did not come into the conversation was just smiling. The two young people nearby were like a couple fighting. Especially in the Ardana section almost made dead fleas by the sharp gaze of Paramitha.

“Ilham, let's go inside! Geura kadieu, geus wayahna dahar.”

Moments later, Nina appeared from the direction of the front room. He took Ardana and Ilham inside to go to the kitchen room, where lunch was prepared. When he saw the menu on the dining table, Ardana was stunned. Timbel rice in a bundle of banana leaves, fried chicken, red rice sauce and fresh vegetables made him remember something.

“It...” Ardana looked at Nina.

“This is all Paramitha that makes. He said this afternoon he wanted to cook the menu that is usually served at his workplace restaurant,” said Nina.

Ardana smiled faintly hearing that. He still remembers clearly when he stopped by the restaurant in the Cicaheum Terminal area and for the first time met with Paramitha. The menu in front of him was the one he was also ordering at that time. The one who recorded his order was also the person who was now next to Nina.

“Waduh, so troublesome like this. Though the asem vegetable plus crispy fried salted fish is also already amazing, Nin,” said Ilham a little unpleasant.

Unbeknownst to Ardana and Ilham, from behind appeared another middle-aged man in a white T-shirt and black pants. His height was not much different from the two of them. The short-haired and gray-headed man with a shady face threw a smile at everyone gathered in the kitchen room that also became the dining room.

“Eh, Inspiration? Geus lila... kamana wae maneh?” The man came to Inspiration and spread his hands slightly.

Inspiration looks back. His eyes twinkled as soon as he knew who was behind him.

“Eh... Hadith. Yesterday I was here too. Turns out you still haven't come home,” replied as he reached out to shake.

Hadi Kusuma, Nina's husband chuckled while patting Ilham's shoulder. These two men with close age ranges show a familiarity that has been established for a long time. Ardana who was the first to see Hadi just smiled with a little bowing in honor.

“Have you got another new guy, Ham? Awesome euy, dashing lah!” puji Hadi looked at Ardana's appearance.

Nina tapped on the teaspoon on the table, as if making it a sign for them all to have lunch soon.

“Eh, yes, yes. Let's have lunch first. Please, please,” said Hadi while allowing Ardana and Ilham to take place.

Initially Ardana wanted to take a place between Ilham and Hadi. But the two middle-aged men were sitting next to Nina. All that remains is an empty spot next to Paramitha. Although it was a bit clumsy to have to sit next to the girl again, Ardana gave up.

“Bby?” ask Ardana.

Paramitha. “Sit, this is all that remains,” the answer allows.

Ardana occupies the remaining place with a polite and careful attitude.

“Thank you,” said.

There was no reply from the girl for a while. It was only when Ardana was about to pick up a piece of fried chicken that she elbowed him.

“I purposely cooked all this for you too, so it should be spent,” he whispered.

Ardana nodded, “Iya, I will spend. Thank you, for bothering to cook this for me.”

* * * * *