Biohazard's Catastrophe: Death's Hallway

The Return of the Catranata Girl

Nina Sunani, the middle-aged woman was surprised instead of playing. The girl in front of him claimed to be Paramitha, the little girl from the Catranata family he had treated several years ago. As if in disbelief he immediately held both shoulders of Paramitha while staring fixedly at his two eyes. The blackish-red color of that pair of beautiful eyes finally made Nina believe.

“This eye... turns out this is really you, Mitha!” The two eyes of the middle-aged woman were glazed as well as sparkling.

Paramitha placed her index finger in front of her mouth while closing her eyes for a moment. “Don't hard, Mom. Yes, it is me. All the citizens here no one recognizes me,” he said.

Nina looked left and right. Luckily the atmosphere of the settlement is not crowded. The homes of some of the closest neighbors are also empty because they are left behind by residents who act in and out of the village. Without saying anything, he took Paramitha's hand and returned home.

The middle-aged woman then made a warm sweet tea and brought it with her a variety of crunchy small meals of salted and deblo-spiced banana chips (a round fry made of yam that is given yellow color from turmeric). Both of these snacks are one that is often served and favored by members of the Catranata family when visiting it.

While enjoying the treats, the two sat in the kitchen room which also became the dining room. Nina deliberately chose the place so she could freely talk about many things with the girl she had been raised. This middle-aged woman barely let go of her gaze from Paramitha. The girl made him almost in disbelief, were it not for his two blackish-red eyes that could still be recognized.

The dining room they were in was the only one that had not changed since he was a child. Although already using ceramic floors, but bamboo woven walls are still used. Only the look looks new. The wooden rattan chairs and tables where they relax still survive. Paramitha knew the history of those things. Since she and Sumita had not been born, various household appliances came from her hereditary heritage and remained in the large wooden house until she returned today.

The back of the house that has never been touched by change although most others have experienced it several times.

“Mother really doesn't recognize you in looks like this,” says Nina, “and again Sumita never sends your photos to Mom.”

Paramitha gave a sweet smile. “Me and Sumita have agreed not to send a photo of me, Mom. Let there be surprises later he said.”

“Naha kudu aya nu kitu sagala atuh? Ibu mah can see your development in Bandung is very happy,” said Nina while frowning. “Now you look like Sumita, both geulis. Your body is also a little taller than him, so be a model photo alus pisan!"

Praised by her foster mother in childhood Paramitha certainly felt happy, even though she kept it in her heart. At least not just one time he was praised by family and others. However the Sumita family was different from the others. To this day, it is only the family that has contributed greatly to him in the difficult times before. They also received his presence with open arms, while almost all residents of Cikembang Village shunned him and did bad deeds against him. Both of Sumita's parents knew the Catranata family and became one of the parties who were often assisted by Rakean Wijaya Catranata, Paramitha's grandfather. And so did his parents.

“This village seems to have changed a lot, huh, Mom? I see a lot of progress. In short, everything is not like the Cikembang Village that I know, although the kitchen is still like that - that's the situation.” Paramitha turned her gaze to the slightly open kitchen window, glaring away towards the outside.

“True. Everything has changed a lot and is more modern. But traditional values are still sustainable here. It's just..” Nina showed a happy face then suddenly seemed a little disappointed.

Paramitha was made curious to see Nina's expression. “What's up, Mom?” tanyanya.

Nina took a deep breath once before continuing her sentence, then looked at Paramitha so deeply. A speech that almost just tossed out that might hurt the young girl, although not something new.

“Bu, why?” Paramitha held Nina's shoulder.

“Your family... is still considered the bringer of evil in this village. They often blame Catranata for the missing people in Sirnasurya, the artificial forest. He said your parents wanted to drag the villagers into the darkness of death just like the two of them died first. Gusti Nu Ageung. Every one accidentally heard their slanted chatter in the market, or in the stall it felt very crowded. Your family is a respectable family, it doesn't deserve to be treated that way. I am afraid that the surviving and remaining members of your family will actually retaliate for not accepting. Precisely it will only add to the bad name of the Catranata family which is a big contribution to Tatar Sunda and especially this village since the past,” explained Nina with a tone that sounded a little sad.

Nina who felt guilty for offending the matter hurriedly switched the topic of the chat.

“Duh, hampura pisan Mom mah, geulis. Sorry to make you remember that incident again. Already, huh? Just let them until the truth is revealed,” he said sincerely. Both of his hands caressed Paramitha's head, making the girl raise her face again.

“You want to be here how many days? If you can not quickly return to Bandung, yes?” Nina was still staring at Paramitha.

Paramitha. He did not immediately accept Nina's request. Hearing the story almost made him want to return to Bandung in a fast time. But his deepest desire to be able to remove all the remaining slander that made his big family name fall still exists. Seeing Nina's gaze so deep and sincere, this girl was devastated. If he came home quickly he certainly did not have much time to recognize the situation of the village and look for many things that he thought could be used to help him. He knows where to find it all.

Once a nod from the Catranata girl made sure an empty room in Sumita's house to be used for rest. Nina escorted Paramitha to the room in question. The position is located on the right wing of the front end directly opposite the yard. The windows are left open so that air circulation remains smooth. The bed of teak wood in it was also still new, including a cotton mattress and dark green sheets on it.

“During here you can sleep in this room. Sumita has been asked to move here but does not want to and prefers to stay in the old room,” said Nina while tidying up the items in front of the dressing table.

Paramitha placed all her luggage in the left corner near the head of the bed. His eyes turned to the window. From there he could see another neighboring house with a blue sky background decorated with white clouds that spread far apart. Such a sight these few days is a bit rare to find in Bandung.

“Si dad wants Mom to cook vegetables asem, dried salted fish, sambal and crackers flat village anu tilu tera color. But we'll have lunch first, okay? I want to cook the menu but too long if you have to wait for father, he came home in the afternoon.” Nina turned her head as soon as she finished tidying the dressing table.

Hearing that, Paramitha immediately approached Nina. “I help, yes, Mom? I myself have never cooked the menu before because in Bandung rarely touch the ingredients.”

“Ish, no need! I cook alone, you will just come from Bandung,” argued Nina.

“It's okay, Mom. Mitha wants to cook too, so later if you are on vacation no less quickly than Sumita at the boarding house,” Paramitha replied while putting on a shy smile.

Nina thought for a moment then nodded. “Hmmm, true too. Sumita said you almost never cook vegetables because you lose to her. Alright, you can help Mom cook everything,” he said while passing from Paramitha.

Paramitha heaved a sigh of relief after Nani returned to the kitchen. He was the one who was in that room. After removing the jacket and placing it on the hook behind the door, he again enjoyed the view at the window. Of course there is happiness where he can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of his birth village despite having to come up with an appearance that makes him unrecognizable. It's just that he will not be free to walk, except choosing certain times, especially in the afternoon or evening.

Suddenly he remembered someone. Middle-aged man who also considered like his own father who lives in Bandung. The man repeatedly advised him not to go back to Cikembang Village because of his safety. But Paramitha refused. He did not want to lose and convinced the old man that he would be fine.

“Kira... Sir Ilham was angry or not, huh? I still go home even though he won't let me,” muttered as he glared into the blue sky.

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