Canticles

131. Smiling Men

At exactly nine in the morning, Ramon, Lanni and Rex left for Cirebon. They deliberately use travel services because of Rex and Ramon conditions that do not allow to drive for long periods of time and travel long distances. If Rex is still too tired because he has just completed a humanitarian mission in Africa, then Ramon is in an unstable emotional state.

Inside the mini bus, Lanni tries to calm Ramon, who is sitting next to her. Rex sat behind his parents with a man.

" Pray for Mamak gapapa Yah. Dzikir dong, usually you who ngingetin I really now even upside down anyway..," joked Lanni trying to comfort her husband.

" Yes Ma'am. I'm just worried about Mamak. I also feel very guilty because I can't take care of Mamak. If Mamak wanted to stay the same We might be I..," Ramon's speech was interrupted as Lanni cut off quickly.

" Don't keep blaming yourself. Sorry for the sassy. Both of you are stubborn, no one wants to give up. Your selfish mother too. So if there is a rich event, consider this a risk from the decision you take..," said Lanni upset.

" Why did I say that anyway...?" ask Ramon.

" When Mamak keukeuh want to go home to Cirebon, I will have told you to resign from the office so that you can join Mamak. But you don't want to. Though I'm the same Children have agreed at that time," said Lanni reminded.

" That's because I can't be the same you guys if you have to live in the village. You were born and raised in the city, different from me. Instead of making you uncomfortable, I decided so. I also think Mamak ga himself, there will be Tini and Her Husband who will take care of her. Besides Mamak I've been used to dying since I was in college in Jakarta. So it's no problem if I stay in Jakarta with my son and wife." said Ramon defend himself.

" Well, if you already know the answer, why still blame yourself ?. Now you and Ramzi better mentally prepare for something bad Well. Given the age of Mamak sepuh, I'm worried that the age of Mamak is not long anymore. You should also be able to persuade Ramzi to come home. Maybe if you squirm Ramzi, the spirit of Mamak to survive can rise. Hopefully it can make Mamak live longer" Lanni said, rubbing the back of her husband's hand.

Lanni's words touched Ramon's heart. He grabbed Lanni and hugged her tightly while whispering something.

" Thank you for ngingetin I am, my dear.", whispered Ramon while peeping his wife's forehead for a moment.

" Together Well..," said Lanni with a smile.

In the back seat looks Rex smiling knots see her parents debate ended sweetly.

Then Rex leaned back his body while closing his eyes intending to sleep in order to gather energy. But again Rex was disturbed by the scent coming from the body of the man sitting next to him. The man did not give off the typical unpleasant smell of men he used to meet. Precisely the body of the man gave off the fragrant aroma of flowers that are usually sown on the tomb during the grave pilgrimage. Remembering that makes Rex a little riled up.

" Why this guy's perfume rich in cemetery flowers anyway. Realize he did if it made everyone think of him. Let's not say he doesn't know if it's someone who's watching and talking to him." Rex's mind.

Because it felt more uncomfortable Rex also opened his eyes and turned to look at the man. It seems that the man realized that he was the center of attention of the passengers. Then the man got up and got out of the car when the car stopped picking up another passenger.

Before it passed, the man turned to Rex and smiled thinly to make Rex confused.

" Bas a freak..," muttered Rex while grumbling.

A moment later, the mini bus returned to continue its journey. Rex was able to close his eyes and sleep until he arrived at the Hospital where the grandmother was treated.

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Rex and her parents are in the waiting room with Tini and her husband. At that time Tini was telling the chronology of the fall of the mother.

" It's a good thing that you can immediately take him to the Hospital.", Lanni said while rubbing Tini's shoulder.

" Yes Ma'am..," said Tini quickly.

" What does the doctor say...?" ask Ramon impatiently.

" Momak has low blood. Dizziness and falling in the bathroom. Because the impact was hard, Mamak until fainted earlier. But the doctor said Mamak also lack fluids, apparently Mamak rarely drink.

" It must be because Mamak did not want to drink even though you were ready Tin..," said Ramon quickly who knew his mother's habits.

" Yes Mas..," said Tini relieved because not to blame had neglected to look after the mother.

" Don't talk rich like that Mas, Mamak is also My Mother. It's our duty to take care of him and I'm happy to do it.., '" said Tini with teary eyes.

Ramon was moved and hugged Tini tightly like a big brother's hug to his sister. His attitude moved Lanni, Rex and David along.

Suddenly the door to Rusminah's room opened and a nurse called the patient's family. Ramon and Tini hurried to break their arms and entered the room, followed by Lanni and David. Rex accidentally did not enter the inpatient room of the grandmother because she was interested in something.

Rex saw a gurney being pushed by two nurses into the room next to Rusminah's. As the gurney flashed in front of him Rex was shocked. The patient on top of the gurney was the same man sitting next to him on the mini bus.

Rex waited at the door hoping to ask one of the nurses pushing the gurney.

" I'm sorry Sister.." said Rex as a nurse walked out of the inpatient room.

" Yes Mas..," said the nurse while stopping her steps.

" When can you tell the man why...?" ask Rex carefully.

" What is his family...?" ask the nurse.

" Oh no. I just feel like I know him and his family..," Rex said quickly.

" Oh that. His name is Fandi Mas, he's an old patient at this Hospital. He just finished a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, during the operation, none of his family accompanied him. Kasian she..," said the nurse.

" When is Sus...?" ask Rex.

" Three hours ago, Mama. When taken to the operating room Fandi in a state of unconsciousness. Luckily Fandi had signed the approval document of the previous operation, so that the doctor could take action immediately.

" How did Sus...?" ask Rex curiously.

" The patient is still critical. So there is a nurse who will continue to monitor his condition until he is stable and awake later.", said the nurse.

" That's yes. Thanks for the info Sus..," said Rex.

" The Same Mas. Then I go first because I still have to continue my work..," said the nurse.

" Please Sister..," Rex said with a smile.

Rex seemed to frown as if trying to remember when he met a man who looked like Fandi.

" But I'm sure it's him. If the nurse said she entered the operating room three hours ago, who was the guy on the mini bus. Fandi's ghost, it looks so similar. Or maybe it was the spirit of Fandi who wandered around for help...?" muttered Rex gusar.

A moment later another nurse in Fandi's inpatient room came out in a hurry. Rex accidentally saw the condition of Fandi who looked lying was covered with a white blanket all over his body and head.

" Did the patient die Sister...?!" ask Rex curiously.

" Just right. The patient died a minute ago. Now I have to tell the doctor and relatives of the patient..," said the nurse as she passed.

Rex stands while reciting a prayer for the deceased Fandi. After Rex finished his reading, he was surprised to see the spirit of Fandi standing in front of the room door with a smile. And what makes Rex creepy is because Fandi's smile is similar to the smile that Fandi gave when Fandi got off the mini bus earlier.

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