Canticles

144. Greet Karsih

After a light argument with her father, Rex decides to go to the grandmother's house to say goodbye.

When she arrives at her grandmother's house, Rex meets David and Tini.

" It just so happens that Uncle's with Aunt here. I want to say goodbye, '" said Rex.

" Kok came home anyway.", said Tini disappointed.

" Mas Rex will have to work, ma'am" David recalled.

" Oh yeah. I forgot that Mas Rex is an adult and a soldier. Same thing first. Surely the Command has called yes Mas..," said Tini with a smile to make everyone smile.

" Yes Bi..," said Rex quickly.

" What time are you coming home, son...?" ask Rusminah.

" Bada Dzuhur later Nek. Now I'd like to ask Uncle Nemenin for help, I'm going around the village for a while" Rex said, glancing at the Uncle.

" Well Ready for Rex. Now just yuk..," take David who is called Rex.

" It's not a break to even walk again Rex..," said the mother.

" His rest is on the bus. I'll sleep the whole way through.." Rex said from the doorstep.

Lanni, Tini and Rusminah just shook their heads at Rex's reply.

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David did take Rex around on his bike. Along the way David and Rex talked about many things. David explained the changes that had taken place in their village. Rex seemed to be closely watching all the roads they were going through.

" Can we pass by the house of his adoptive mother Zada Om..," pinta Rex.

" Could Mas..," said Daud quickly while driving his motorbike to the house of Karsih.

" Who is Uncle...?" rex asked when he saw a woman sitting in front of the house.

" That is Karsih Mas, his adoptive mother Zada..," said David, parking his motorbike not far from Karsih's house.

" Why is he here ?. Isn't he in jail...?" ask Rex confused.

" It's free. They can either waive or pay that fine. I also do not know for sure..," said David while shaking his shoulder.

" Why look rich people are not sane Uncle...?" ask Rex.

At that time the condition of Karsih was very sad. His whole body, face and clothes were dirty, his hair was tangled. The clothes he was wearing were also torn here and there. Karsih just sat outside the house staring at her house with a pushy look. Sometimes he walked around in front of the house while talking alone.

" Why didn't I take him to the Mental Hospital by my Uncle. Not if it's rich it's disturbing, huh...?" ask Rex.

" Karsih has never raped Mas. He was just pacing around in front of his house. She was so afraid to go into the house. He said he was writhing a demon or a female ghost in the house who told him to leave." David said.

" How do you keep eating...?" ask Rex.

" The people around who feed alternately. But even if it seems crazy, Karsih still knows the same money, you know Mas.," said David.

" The hell...?" ask Rex in disbelief.

" Yes Mas. He likes to give money to people who eat. The number is also many..," said David.

" When you have a lot of money, why don't you take care of yourself. Shower and change the cake, let's not look like a rich shabby..," said Rex did not like.

" That's weird, Mas. It is natural that the people say he is not sane..," said David with a laugh.

" If everyone knows that Ms. Karsih has a lot of money, does anyone try to steal at Uncle...?" ask Rex curiously.

David's answer made Rex curious. He stepped closer to Karsih who was then seen rising and began to walk pacing in front of his house.

David stayed on the bike and just watched Rex from afar.

" Assalamualaikum Bu Karsih..," said Rex politely.

" Wa aleikumsalam.., who is it...?" asked Karsih while looking fixedly at Rex.

" I'm Rex Bu..," Rex said with a smile.

" Rex ?. Rex who...?" ask Karsih while trying to remember.

Just then Rex stood up while observing his surroundings. He looked towards the House of Karsih. For some reason, suddenly all the windows and doors of Karsih's house opened together to surprise Rex and Karsih. The two stared into the house through the open door.

Rex even felt dejavu. He remembered that not long ago he had experienced a similar incident in an old house that had nowhere to go.

Suddenly Karsih screamed hysterically while pointing inside the house.

" Him !. He's a-comin. Jangaaann.., don't get close !. Stay there, let me be here !. Ampuunn.., don't bother Akuuu...!" karsih said loudly to make Rex panic.

At that time Rex did not want to be blamed by the residents for making Karsih afraid. But Rex's panic did not last long. Because even though Karsih screamed hysterically, none of the residents came to help. And that confused Rex.

David looks up to Rex and Karsih. He took Rex away from the place.

" It's Mas Rex, don't stay here long. Let's go now yuk...!" take David by the hand of Rex and take him to walk away from Karsih who is still screaming hysterically.

" Can't be Uncle. Kasian Bu Karsih's...!" rex said while repeatedly turning towards Karsih.

" Gapapa Mas's. Karsih is so ordinary. Karsih will scream for a long time and stop if you are tired. People are used to the same strange behavior Karsih. That's why no people came. Never mind helping, squirming aja ga want..," said Daud riled while starting his motorbike.

Rex was silent at David's words. When David props his motorbike, Rex turns to the House of Karsih. And there Rex saw the apparition of the Nyai, the woman who claimed to be Zada, standing by the window smiling at him.

And at the same time Karsih seemed to be walking back and forth while talking many things that basically ask for forgiveness for all the mistakes he made. Every now and then Karsih looked inside the house and covered his face with both palms as if afraid of something inside the house.

" Please stop for a second, Uncle...!" pinta Rex patting David on the shoulder.

" What else is it...?" ask David and stop the bike.

" A moment Uncle, just a moment," Rex said as he continued to stare at Karsih's house.

David looked at the direction Rex was looking at. At that time David frowned because he did not understand what was being seen by Rex until the man seemed to stare unblinkingly.

" What the hell is looked at until ga blinked it...?" inner David.

A moment later Rex again patted David on the shoulder and asked him to leave the place. David nodded and drove his motorbike towards the house of Rusminah.

Unlike the time they left earlier, this time Rex was only silent until they arrived in front of the grandmother's house.

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Rex seemed to be sitting leaning back while closing his eyes. At that time he was on a mini bus that took him to Jakarta.

Rex opens his eyes as the mini bus enters the SPBU to refuel. When the mini bus was in the queue, Rex looked out the window and was surprised when he saw the appearance of Nyai again.

This time the Nyai waved his hand violently as if asking Rex to leave the place immediately.

Rex who understood the gesture given by the woman got up and rushed down from the mini bus with several other passengers. But not to mention Rex's feet stepping on the SPBU floor, the mini bus that Rex boarded exploded.

seriated