BUNCHES

TIGA

A glass of coffee coupled with casual chat with new people becomes a new routine in Bastian's daily schedule. Usually after drinking coffee made by his mother in the morning, Bastian immediately move in the coffee garden owned by his family. Now with the KKN Students in his village, Bastian has a new activity that is a little different, even though it is just sharing information about his village and exchanging knowledge with these students.

Today is the fifth day the students are in Bastian Village, the students have also started to get familiar with Bastian and his friends, especially the residents of Kampung. Likewise, Bastian and his friends have also started to get close to the students. The beautiful faces of the students make Bastian's friends so at home and more eager to sit for long at the patrol post to accompany them to work on their practical tasks.

Heranya, the students are even the most kepo with Bastian. Maybe because the level of education is different from other young people, so often the students actually feel very helped by fresh ideas Bastian that makes it easier for them to apply their program during field practice there. Thus, Bastian was always a byword when the students were gathering, especially among the women. But Rahma seemed to have its own advantages, because besides she was also part of a group of students who were KKN, the girl also came from this village and of course knew Bastian more closely than others, no doubt Rahma was often asked by the girls about Bastian.

"Kok Uda Bas can know a lot about field management science ?" asked Herman one of the students, as they were gathering casually inside the patrol post. There was Bastian with two friends, Joko and Deki who happened to be no activity in their fields. The male students themselves fully gathered there, except for the women who were discussing the activity program in the house of the head of the village. They themselves are divided into two groups, the women stay at Rahma's house and the male students stay at Hanung's house, only when starting activities will they rejoin according to the activity program they have created previously.

The eight young men are also flexible and can quickly familiarize themselves with the residents, especially the young people there.

"Hahaha, you're wrong to ask her that." Joko's laughter answered Herman's question.

"Kok so Da ?" ask Herman in wonder.

"That's it. He's an overseas graduate, his brain keeps learning it's Mah Bastian. If you learn from Him, that's a good fit." Joko praised his best friend.

"Eh, isn't it Uda ? What graduate is Uda ?" Tanya Bekti amazed.

"Hahaha, don't be horrified by Joko's words. Ordinary, I'm just a young man here Kampung." Bastian replied.

"But, Ambo really believes that Uda Bas is not an ordinary person. During this time, it was even We who helped a lot in making new programs, and it was thanks to input from Uda Bas." Said Kalek, other students also confirmed the words of his friends.

"Seharusnyo, you don't just ask about the lecture. Asking about women, Bastian was also ahlinyo. Luckily, Bastian is not a playboy. If not, it's over one Kampuang ko girl in her boyfriend, hahaha." Canda Joko who makes everyone laugh because of his joke.

"Eh, that's right, Uda Joko. Our girl friends if again discussing activities, must always call the name Uda Bas." Zai one of the students even helped guarantee what Joko said.

Bastian himself who became the object of jokes instead looks relaxed while occasionally sipping coffee.

"Well, the guy's ayem like people don't hear what we're talking about." Sindir Joko while shaking her head.

"Well, what do I have to answer ? You guys gotipin me in front of the guy directly about it." Answer Bastian casually.

"Asem, instead said we were gossiping. Tuman is a child. Haha."

"Hahaha, um cool Uda Bas. Teach us all the science of getting the heart of a Uda woman." Seloroh Andi, one of the students.

"I also want to study with Uda Bas." Said Gandi excitedly.

"Hoi hoi, you guys already have a boyfriend, want to add how else ? Andi, didn't report Gina po ? or, Ang Gandi, you don't call Beti ?" Said Naldi vice chairman of the KKN Student group.

"Ah, no fun Ang, Naldi." Say both compact with a sour face.

"Haha. Therefore, if you already have a girlfriend, do not still see the others, unless you are already mentally prepared to be oppressed by the wives." Ledek Pitro laughed at the agony of his two friends who had a girlfriend in their KKN group. Actually, there are also among students, especially the guys who make girl friends in their KKN group as targets. But, maybe because of shame or even been rejected before, so that their feelings hang and are harbored in the heart. Therefore, just when the group of men gather like this, their topic is not separated from the name of a woman.

There are two students who are quite prominent from the KKN group. First, Vienna, the leader of the group, probably because of her assertive character and also because one of the smartest students in her class makes her one of the women who are targeted by male students, at once respected for his character. One more name is Rahma, the only girl who came from the village. His friendly character and beautiful and shady face, make the students in his group many who want Rahma to be their lover, not only in the group, even in his Village. But Rahma, who has long loved Bastian in her simplicity, made the boys bite their fingers.

"But, if the rival Uda Bastian, it is difficult to compete with us who are still students. I lost handsome first, hahaha." Said Adam, The other students chimed in.

"Let's be right." The words of his friends compactly guarantee the words of Adam.

"It's wrong that you consider physicality to be the only reason a girl chooses a partner." Bastian kalem.

"Well this! We these juniors are ready to make a mockery of Temperature." Adam said excitedly while slightly bowing his body, be Bastian as an impromptu teacher in the affairs of romance at that time.

"That's the temperature, we're ready to hear from you." Said his other friend compactly.

Bastian laughed at the students' silliness, but still he complied with their request. Think of it as a joke to fill empty time, let it be more familiar, thought Bastian.

"If you are this age, the age of 10-20 years is usually a girl to see who you are, good looks, popularity or not her tajir you guys." The students including Bastian's two friends looked very seriously listening.

"Well, if you're 20 to 30 years old, usually the girl sees your character and personality." Bastian glanced at his two friends, looking as Joko and Deki nodded seriously while listening to an explanation from him. Though Bastian just talk, but they respond to him very seriously, which makes Bastian hold a laugh in his heart.

"Well, if you're over 30 years old.." Bastian deliberately hung his words while putting on a serious face.

"Why are you over 30 years old ?" Asked Rendi kepo, he and his other colleagues seemed more enthusiastic about hearing Bastian's explanation.

"Over that age, it's hard." Said Bastian while sighing deeply, so that the one who heard became increasingly curious.

"Why Bus ? Don't be curious about Ang." Ask Joko impatiently.

Bastian glanced at Joko for a moment, "If it is above that age, anyone boleeh, have not used the condition neko-neko, anyone can enter. I'm getting close to the point, enter Mr. Jokooo. hahaha.."

"Ondeehhhh, it's serious pulo We heard it." Gerrutu one of the students.

"Eh, but it's true what Bastian said." Sela Deki with her serious face, but the difference while glancing towards Joko.

"Ambo's feelings are starting to get bad." Sudang.

"That means, you have to propose to Yeni right away, Jo. Do not wait until the age of 30 first, if you can not get Tek Ros, Ang Nantinyo." Continue Deki, who suddenly made Bastian laugh. But not with Joko who even added sour face.

"Chalera Ang, Deck! Tek Ros lah 40 more umurnyo. Can gout every night if Ambo samo tek Ros. Don't swear by it." Joko said scowling.

"Haha." Deki and Bastian laughed compactly.

"Where is Tek Ros Uda ?" ask Rendi kepo.

"Don't Ang tanyokan ituu. Focus on your studies here." Said Joko sewot, even making the students laugh amusedly looking at him, just because of reluctance so they did not dare to laugh at Joko, as did Bastian and Deki.

"It's very interesting ceritanyo. Let it get better, add fried bananas, Uda-uda." Said Gina while serving fried bananas in the middle of the patrol post where the young men were gathering.

"That's a damn good fit." Joko girang.

"Who used to be, Ambo girl and Uda." Said Andi patted his chest proudly, Gina herself just smiled shyly because of the spontaneous speech of her lover.

"Now say lover, when it was sajo want to ask tamb. hmphhh.." Adam's mouth is directly chopped by hand by Andi.

"Haha.." Gandi laughed at the behavior of the friend sitting next to him because it was almost opened by Adam.

"Don't laugh, Ang Gan. Ang was also a bag.. hmphhh.." Zai had not had time to finish his words, Gandi's turn to follow him closed his mouth forcibly.

"Ohh, so you guys are!" Said Gina and Bety while nodding and narrowing her eyes looking towards Gandi and Andi.

"Hahaha, modar you two." Ledek Joko laughed happily.

"Don't laugh Jo's sajo. Remember that Bastian's message, don't let Ang age past 30." Deki reminded while laughing.

"Asem, even Ambo baliak (back) the kanai (kena) ." Joko said scowling.

"What if you're 30 Uda Deki ?" tanya Vienna who just joined among them, followed by several other students who helped serve fried food. Because the patrol post is quite large, so it can be used to gather students and some young people or village officials there to discuss their activity programs during there.

"Hahaha, there's no Vienna Deck. Just a joke we were." Deki's speech was wrong.

"Ooh." Brief Viennese speech.

That's Vienna, the girl who became the leader of the KKN student group. The person is beautiful but because of his more serious character and assertiveness of his attitude makes people so reluctant to joke with him, not least the young people in the village. Thus, the atmosphere of the moment instantly changed, his aura became serious and no one else dared to joke around.

"Oh yes, is there anything we can help you with your activity program ?" bastian asked pleasantries when he saw that all the student groups had gathered there.

"Yes, Uda Bas. We have formed a separate group that will later go to Tuo Village. Can Uda or Uda's friends accompany and guide Us to the Village ?" Ask Vienna.

Bastian was somewhat speechless at Vienna's request of him, then glanced at his two best friends.

"But if Uda can't be okay. Later let us go there or ask for help from Mr. Abdul, the head of the village here." Viennese said seeing the long-held doubts of Bastian answering his question.

"It's not so Deck." Bastian glanced at Rahma for a moment. It seems that Rahma has not told about the village asked by Vienna earlier. Or maybe Rahma wants Bastian himself who explains directly about the village they will go to.

"Rahma hasn't told me about the village yet ?"

"Eh, ma.maaf has not had time to tell Rahma to friends, Uda. Rahma thought Vienna wasn't going there." Rahma said looking down embarrassed, still not daring to look at the face of the young man she loved.

"Oh yes, Vienna has not had time to discuss with other friends. Because that will be there later the Vienna Group, later assisted by 7 others. What's up there Uda ?" Ask Vienna curiously.

"Assalamu'alaikum." Said Hanung who had just arrived.

"Wa'alaikusalam."

"Maybe Uda Hanung sajo is more precise in telling the story." Said Bastian while giving an opportunity to senior and his cousin Rahma's brother to get used to talking in front of the students.

"What's up ?" Hanung asked in shock because he was suddenly asked to speak by Bastian.

Bastian explained a little about what Vienna and his colleagues were asking.

"Oh that." Hanung also looks a bit nervous and hesitant for a moment so he knows that the students also want to visit Tuo Village which is a bit remote place and is at the very end of the area.

"Look, the distance from here to Kampung tuo there is about 6-8 kilos, there is only a path to get there and can not be passed by vehicles."

"But, it can be passed by people right Uda ?" Viennese asked in curiosity, as if he were the type of person who, if he had set a goal and would insist on achieving it. But, his attitude that actually makes Hanung even hesitant to explain the situation there, which may be difficult to be accepted by the people of the city and educated like them.

"It could be, but.." Hanung was confused to explain.

"Then that means we can go there, right Uda ? or if Uda and the other brothers do not have time to accompany Us later, just show the way, later so that We will be there. Because the additional data there will be very helpful for making our KKN report while here." Vienna was adamant and sounded a little pushy.

"It's not a matter of time. But, there's a condition that you have to obey if you force yourself to go there too." Hanung said at last, although there was still great doubt in him to allow the students to go there, but saw the strong desire of Vienna and his friends who insisted on leaving, so Hanung also gave a solution and explained all the risks that they might face if they were desperate to go to the village.

"What does Uda mean ?" Tanya Vienna and her colleagues were full of questions.

"So here! Because you have been in this village for 5 days. So, there is no harm if I explain to you about this Village and its surroundings. Maybe you've heard of this society before."

"I mean Uda ?"

"If you guys later we will take you to Tuo Village. Then the condition is, before sunset you all must have returned to this Village." Said Hanung with a serious face.

"Emang should be like that huh Uda ?" Ask Silvi in wonder.

"If only we'd gone home last night how would Uda ?" Tanya Zainab chimed in because she was curious.

Hanung sighed for a moment, "Because when it's past sunset, you may never return to this Village again."

There was shock and curiosity on the faces of Vienna and her friends.

"We can get off Uda's point ? Isn't Uda native to this area, why should we worry we can stray ?" Vienna asked as she frowned because she felt strange for the reason stated by Hanung.

"Ha.ghost means Uda ?" Zai asked with a tense face.

Hanung nodded slowly, but of all who heard his explanation, there were also some who doubted him. Like Vienna, because he is typical of people thinking by putting forward logic, so do not believe things that smell mystical like the description of Hanung.

"What is the reason why we never find a vehicle that enters or exits this Village at night Uda ?" Tanya Kalek was curious.

"Yes. And if you've ever heard the voice of a woman crying or asking for help at night. Then, my advice is never to come to him."

"Emang, why was Uda coming ?" asked Zainab again who was sitting on her right side of Vienna.

"Because of that weeping thing, the subtle creature. We call him God or Bunian." Hanung replied in a slightly quiet voice, like he was worried that someone 'other' would come to hear him at that moment.

There was a tense face among the students, "My romp was standing like this yo." Whisper one of them while holding his nape.

"Yes, yesterday I was like hearing a woman's cry. His voice sounded very distant and faint, like it came from within the forest there." Sela Bety also shuddered to imagine the previous night's incident, in fact some of her other friends also heard the sound, but they prefer to be quiet and listen to Hanung's explanation.

The conversation was even discussed with each other about mystical stories.

"Already, already.. We should focus on our activity program first. We only have 2 months here." Viennese speech is trying to take over the conversation and he does not want the talk of subtle creatures and such to drag on and make their focus diverted.

"Yes, if you still want to go to Tuo Village as well. Departure during the day, because the trip there is approximately 60 minutes, if not accustomed to it can take longer. So we can go straight home before the sun goes down." Bastian mediates.

"I mean Uda Hanung earlier, so we can safely go home. Because if it's dark, we like a lot of wild animals and might endanger us on our way back here later." Bastian gives answers that are more acceptable to logic.

Sure enough, Vienna did not ask much more questions afterwards.

Finally it was agreed, if they would leave for Tuo Village accompanied by Bastian and Joko who were not working at the time. If the other young man was busy in the fields and under the fields during the day, so he could not accompany Vienna and his friends.

The total group of students who left there are 8 people led by Vienna for field programs to Kampung Tuo. Zai, Rinto, Gandi, Andi, Bety, Gina, Zainab and Vienna alone, outside of Bastian and Joko.

"There's a bus.." Call Rahma before Bastian and his friends leave.

"Yes Rahma ?"

"Be careful, Uda.." Rahma said in embarrassment.

"Yes, pray for us. Uda left first. Assalamu'alaikum."

"Wa.walaikumsalam." Rahma replied releasing Bastian's departure, while daring to look at the young man's departure.

Exactly at 10 noon with guided by Joko as a guide in the front, and Bastian in the back to ensure that none of them are left behind or strayed. They set off on foot towards Tuo Village. The journey itself passes through rice fields ledges, trails and hillsides. Then in the middle of the road, they had to pass a suspension bridge that was a bit old, crossing the river that was quite swift current at the bottom.

After the bridge, there is only a path in the forest that is usually only passed by people who want to go to the fields (garden) or from and to Kampung Tuo. The atmosphere was very quiet and there were only sounds of forest beasts.

Remembering Hanung's words before leaving earlier, made them not dare to carelessly talk in the woods are very obvious with mystical nuances. Moreover, fog has been seen throughout their journey when entering this forest, even though it is still not entered at noon.

Another case with Vienna, He who had been silent, not because of fear because of the mystical nuances of the forest, but because of the fatigue and appearance of sweat grains that had begun to wet his body. Sometimes he wiped the sweat off his face.

"Rest for a second. Please drink first and take care of the energy, if anyone tells me or Bastian yah!" Said Joko gave instructions to see so many among the group exhausted because they were not used to the terrain is quite heavy like that. Unlike Joko or Bastian who still look fit.

Not long after, they continued their journey. True what was said by Bastian before, after taking 80 minutes of travel, an excess of 20 minutes from the previous estimate, they finally arrived at Kampung Tuo, that is because many of them are exhausted and have to rest a few times so it is a little late than the previous time estimate.

They are all fascinated by the beauty of the village, a village that is still thick with local customs and wisdom. Life there is very simple but the community is very friendly and welcomes them all warmly like their own family.

After being introduced by Bastian to the officials of the village, Vienna and his friends began to record the population there. Although not much population, about 30 Heads of the Family, but enough time to record them one by one. And just to record it, even though it has been divided into several groups, they have spent up to 5 pm.

"Have you finished ?" Ask Bastian about Vienna.

"Newly finished listing the inhabitants of Uda. Stay extension and implement some programs from the Campus." Vienna answered with a smile, although it still looks tired on his face because he had to go to the houses of the people one by one.

"Yes, we continue tomorrow then. It's late afternoon, let's not stay on the road." Bastian's advice.

"Good uda." Vienna just agrees. Though earlier when talking to Hanung he had disagreed, but so Bastian who invited even directly agreed. Zainab and Gina who were nearby just smiled amusedly at the attitude of their group leader.

Although only managed to get population data, it has made Vienna and his friends very happy. Moreover, Vienna seems to deliberately make Kampung Tuo as the goal of his group to implement his work program. As he had expected from the beginning, if Bastian would accompany them there, it means that the two Vienna missions are going well.

After saying goodbye to the head of Kampumg there, Bastian and the others continued their steps to return home. Along the way home, Vienna seemed to deliberately slow down his steps in order to get closer to Bastian.

"Why Win ? Tired ?" Bastian asked because he saw Vienna's road slower than his other friends.

Bastian POV.

"BASE, AMAN ?" joko asked half-screaming from the front, We were left quite far from the group.

I lifted my thumb and gave the code that everything was fine, Joko looked smilingly at me, "Save the Bus!" Maybe that's what Joko's smile means by the way she looks at me.

"Little Uda. Maybe because I'm not used to walking this far." Viennese said while cleaning the sweat on his face.

"Oh yeah, let's take a break then." I said give advice. Maybe because the road we take is a little uphill, for people who are not used to it like Vienna and his friends may feel very draining stamina.

At a glance I saw my watch, another 10 minutes is 6 while We have not reached half the journey. There was a little bit of anxiety infiltrating me.

"Why is it ? how restless is that ?"

"It's okay. We must continue Win's journey immediately. It's dark soon." Reasoned.

"Yes, Uda. Uda thirsty ? Just drink, yeah." Said Vienna thrusting his canister towards me, but unfortunate because of his footing close to the lips lurah (gulf) makes Vienna step so ozeng, his feet mired to the edge of the cliff.

"Yetoo."

Taappp

Bruckkh

I gripped his hand, so that Vienna would not fall into the abyss. But, the canister I could not catch and slid down into the abyss.

"Hahh hahhh..." Vienna looked pale and her body felt trembling. I pulled his body slowly and sat him a bit away from the edge of the abyss.

"Are you okay ?"

"It's okay Uda. But, the drinking tube ?" vienna was still a little shocked by the incident just now.

"Why Win ?" asked Gandi who was standing behind Vienna, apparently He was asked by Joko because he saw Kami who was left behind them.

"Nothing Gan. Vienna almost fell into the abyss just now."

"Really Win ? You okay ? Can you continue, right ?" ask Gandi who was worried about his partner.

"Yes, it's okay. Good thing there was a Uda Bas who saved, only the drinking tube fell down."

"Yes, already. You wait here Win. Let Uda take the drinking canister down there." I said as I walked down the slope of the ravine slowly.

"No need, danger!" Viennese remarks remind.

"It's okay, baby if the drinking tube is left here."

"Gan, take care of your friend first. Uda go down first." I said again before continuing my steps down the slope of the ravine the direction of the Vienna beverage tube fell earlier.

Holding on to the small trees and rocks along the brink, I descended further and further down. Finally, I saw the Viennese drinking tube lying not far from the bottom of the ravine near the river.

The Vienna drink tube lies between the roots of a large banyan tree, slightly dirty from the fall but still usable. I rinsed it a little with river water to clean the soil attached.

While rinsing the canister, my tail caught a movement from within the bush across the river.

Sreegg.

I gasped in shock and quickly took a vigilant position, because I was in the forest, there could be wild animals that could be dangerous.

Not long after, from the thickets across the river, a long-tailed animal jumped into the river.

"Gosh, it's just a lizard. Just a surprise." Lirihku.

When I was about to turn around, a scene not far from where the monitor lizard came out earlier, made me stupefied.

There was a woman walking out of the river. Because distracted by the movement of the monitor lizard, it makes me not realize if not far from there, there is a lake near the waterfall that is usually used for bathing. Besides, there was also a large stone blocking my view, so I did not see before if anyone was there. The woman was wearing a long white dress, without looking at me She walked out, further back to the direction I was standing at.

"Pretty." Unknowingly my lips muttered softly admiring the charm of her beauty.

Our position bounded by the river makes it impossible to clearly capture her beauty coupled with a dark and foggy day, but I can confirm that the woman is very beautiful and very graceful.

Time seemed to stop spinning for a while, I was completely fascinated with it. Who is that girl ? Is he a resident of Tuo Village too ? But, I never saw her during my time in Tuo Village. So, what was he doing in the river this afternoon?

For some reason, my heart seemed to be beating faster. I'm really fascinated with him. My world seemed to be distracted because all my senses seemed fixated on staring at her beauty and beauty.

Unknowingly, my foot stepped by itself to catch up with the girl.

"YOU'RE BASSS.." The shouts of Vienna calling my name from the top of the cliff awakened me.

"Astagfirefull!" I was shocked. Especially when looking next to my feet that have entered the river bank, even though the river flow is quite heavy at that time.

Quickly, I took a few steps back.

I looked across the river again, but I could no longer find any trace of the mysterious girl's shadow, only the forest began to darken and the fog began to thicken.

For some reason, without feeling like I feel very lost and a strong sense and desire to be able to meet the girl again. Weird ?

Have I fallen in love with her ?

No way, I don't even know him yet. How could it be this easy to feel that I'm attached to her ?

***

Who is that beautiful woman ? pantengin continues this story..

Stay HEALTHY and EXCITED! May we all go through this trial well.

Welcome to the Holy month of Ramadan.

Hail Brotherhood and Greetings Rendang, Caayoooo:)