Canticles

2. Singers without being

Rex is seen standing behind a closet to listen to Lilian's story about the singer without the form.

" Where did you hear that story, sister...?" ask Lanni while tidying the dining table.

" From my friend Ma'am.," Lilian said, bringing the dirty dishes to the kitchen.

" When and where did Li...?" ask Rusminah.

The Rusminah question made Ramon, Lanni and Lilian surprised. Because usually Rusminah does not like if there is a family talking about mystical things.

" Why do you think I'm rich...?" rusminah asked as she looked at Ramon, Lanni and Lilian alternately.

" Mmm. Usually Mamak will not like if there is a story about the relationship..," said Lanni carefully.

Rusminah let out a long sigh hearing her daughter-in-law's words.

" Mamak doesn't like Lanni. Mamak just do not want our family to overdo it and associate all the events with mystical things like Mamak's neighbors first. That is not healthy name. Mamak wants our family to believe more in God who indeed controls life in this world. Be glad or hard, then give it back to Allah and ask Allah for guidance. Not even run to the shaman to find a solution..," said Rusminah.

Lanni nodded with a smile in admiration for the principle of the in-law.

" You haven't answered Grandma Li's question yet" Rusminah told Lilian.

" Oh yeah. Rina said it happened last week, Grandma. Exactly after people finish praying Maghrib congregate in musholla. There are voices of people singing but the lyrics are unclear. Just look for where the sound comes from, uh know-tau missing. Now as they move away, the sound is there again. Keep going a few times. Hence the people thought that they were being possessed by ghosts..," said Lilian while sitting beside Rusminah.

" Who knows those people are not careful and run away in fear.", said Rusminah.

" Gimana is not afraid of his voice but there is no one Nek..," said Rex quickly to make everyone turn to him.

" Are you sure there's no one...?" ask Ramon.

" I also said Bara Yah..," said Rex.

" What is it that makes you come home late again today...?" lanni asked while looking intently at Rex.

" Yes Ma'am, sorry..," said Rex timidly.

" To be honest, I don't believe this story. In the musholla also there were some people who talked about the ghost, but I just went home instead of talking about something that is not important." said Ramon.

Everyone stared at each other then nodded in agreement with Ramon's opinion.

" We'll discuss something else if it's Yah..," Lanni said.

" Agreed Ma'am. What about Lian and Rex's school...?" ask Ramon.

" Why is the same school I'm Dad...?" lillian did not understand.

" You are already second grade High School, you have no ideals or desire to continue college where it is..," said Ramon.

" Oh that. Yes, but it's still a year and a half away. It's still a long time Well.," said Lilian.

" Education plans should be carefully thought out. Dad does not want to spend money in vain just because you do not fit the campus or because you want to move majors. It was redundant of his name.., " said Ramon firmly.

" Yes Well. I'll figure everything out from now on let Daddy's money go wastey..," said Lilian.

" Good..," said Ramon with a smile.

" Kok Rex ain't asked anyway Well...?" lillian Protest.

" Daddy already know how I want to go to school where after graduating Junior High..," said Rex quickly.

" Oh yeah. Where's...?" ask Lilian.

" SMK in Jakarta Pusat Kak area. That Abis I want to go to college in Jogja. Well while in college I can work part-time to earn pocket money. The same father I have agreed you know the same choice I..," said Rex with a proud smile.

" It's all easy and it takes a struggle. God willing can be realized with your hard work Rex. And you Li, it's not too late to think about your education plan anyway. As long as your promise is serious about keeping it, God willing, you and your mother will support and bless you" said Lanni sage.

" Yes Ma'am.," Lilian said with a smile.

Rusminah smiled at the Ramon family talk. Rusminah was amazed by the way of communication that applied Ramon in his small family. Rusminah also remembered her other son who was Ramon's sister named Ramzi.

Ramzi's life is still concerning. After failing in business, Ramzi is now plunged into alcohol. Ramzi harbored his own disappointment without willing to share it with others including his family and chose alcohol as an escape.

Ramzi's days are dotted with quarrels with his wife who doesn't like to see Ramzi consume liquor. And finally Ramzi's wife left the house while carrying their only child. After that Ramzi's wife filed for divorce and went somewhere.

Rusminah and her late husband could do nothing because Ramzi never told her anything. They knew Ramzi was divorced and abandoned by his family after several months of divorce.

" If your communication with your family were this open. Mamak is sure you will not be alone, son," Rusminah said in her heart while smiling wryly.

\=\=\=\=\=

Rex and Gama meet at a crossroads leading to Junior High School Darma Jaya. The two greeted each other and embraced as if nothing had ever happened between them.

" Ntar went home from school We went to the ball field yuk..," asked Rex.

" Why go there. The training schedule will be the day after tomorrow..," said Gama.

" I want to investigate the ghost of the singer without the form Gam. How, you want to follow me...?" ask Rex.

" Are we both...?" ask Gama.

" Yes is. Who else would you like to talk to...?" ask Rex.

" Bara or Fatir may..," said Gama.

" It wants to. But you know if they're good buckets. Ntar has nothing yet to tell the same story and our plan failed.", said Rex.

" That's yes. Okay, go home to school. Wait for me in the usual place, ., '" said Gama as he stepped towards the class.

Rex nodded then stepped into his class which was opposite the Gama class.

\=\=\=\=\=

That afternoon, two teenage boys were standing on the sidelines of the ball. Both are closely watching the ball field.

" We got it wrong on Rex. It is still daytime, while the voice is heard at night after the Maghrib." Gama said.

" If the sound is not a ghostly voice will certainly be heard at any time, including the rich daytime gini Gam..," said Rex.

Rex had not finished his sentence when the strange voice sounded. Gama and Rex stared at each other with stiffened bodies.

" The voice is Rex..," said Gama lirih, who is a Rex.

Rex turned his head towards the middle of the field and hurried to step there followed by Gama. Both stopped in the middle of the field.

" Right here. The voice came from here...!" said Rex while pointing at the ground under his feet.

" yes. How's Rex going...?" ask Gama confused.

Rex ignored Gama's question. He took out an iron ruler from inside the bag and began to grind the ground under his feet.

" Why is Rex...?!" ask Gama while looking to the right and left because there are other people who see their actions.

But Rex didn't care and kept digging. After a while, Rex stopped his actions. Rex's breath seemed to be wheezing and his eyes were rounded when he saw what he found.

seriated