Cempaka Bride

Crushed

The house is simple but still elegant it looks quiet. As far as the eye could see, no signs of life were detected.

Zein rubbed his tired face with his hands. Stand with legs crossed on the wall of the security guard post at the front of the house.

Police officers are investigating the house, so those with no interest are not allowed to enter.

"We're late" said Irwan. He stood in front of Zein with a blank look. The brown-skinned man looked disappointed not to be able to meet with Eric and make the calculations first.

Still vividly imagined in his memory, when they met for the first time in a restaurant. At that time he was convinced that Eric had been trailing him and Rima. Not an accidental meeting, as the narrow-eyed man mentioned.

"A little more!" rama screams while hitting the post wall in annoyance. While the others just stand pecking in their respective places.

The coldness on his left arm made Zein gasp. He turned his head and looked at Rima's pair of round eyes.

The woman gave the code with her index finger to let Zein approach her, who was standing under a palm tree in the left corner of the home page.

Zein turned to Satya, giving the solicitation code with a chin. The young man hurriedly followed Zein's steps.

"Don't go there, Van. It seems that Zein and Satya are interacting with invisible creatures," prevented Rama on Ivan who was about to follow Satya's steps.

"Hopefully it was Rima," muttered Ivan. He was only able to look at the backs of his two friends who were getting further away.

Meanwhile in the boarding house, the female residents were hiding in Zein's room. Hasni, who is the only man in the house, peeked out from behind the curtains of her room, watching the courtyard for two cars with several people inside.

Four men descended and stood near the locked fence. One of them knocks on the fence and calls Triska by name.

"Triska, this is Hana and the Word. We came to pick you up" said the woman who knocked on the fence.

Triska who heard her name was called by a familiar voice, making her dare to peek out of the window.

"That's really Hana and the Word. Come on, let's get out" Triska said, taking her bag and Zein's backpack. He stepped forward and opened the room door.

Dinar, Tia and Ayu followed while carrying a few bags in hand. Hasni came out carrying a suitcase containing the clothes of herself and other male friends.

Tia lifted the portable cage belonging to Mother Chubie. The black striped ash cat meowed softly as its cage swayed.

"I must have said it was them, yes" Hasni said as she walked out of the house. He chatted for a while and opened the gate. Two men rushed in and helped the women lift bags and suitcases.

They walked quickly to the car outside the house. The four women got into the car that Hana was driving, with a man sitting next to her.

Hasni returns to the house to retrieve Zein's property, which was left to her. Then he locked the door and got into his car.

Two men who had helped lift the bag, which turned out to be Firman and Adi, two friends of Zein since they were in college, got into the car owned by Rama and Ary.

They drove and followed the two cars that had first departed for the evacuation site. Hasni got back down from the car, closed and locked the fence. Look at the house for a moment before finally entering and immediately running the car away from the place.

***

The plane, which was boarded by Eric's group, landed at Singapore's Changi Airport. After going through the immigration officers they rushed out and met some of the greeters who had been waiting for their arrival since.

"What about Rey and Kris? Should we silence them?" ask Lee to Eric.

"no need. We still need their help" Eric replied, looking out the windshield.

"They've taken the police to a hideout. How can Koko just forgive them?" asked Lee in confusion.

"They've been with me for a long time. From I was a nobody until I got to where I am now. There's no way I should kill them. Besides, I'm sure someday they'll be back in our group." Eric answered in a firm voice.

He remembers his past with his two friends. They are people of the fifth generation who grow and develop together. He must protect both. Because they had predicted this before.

Eric remembered their conversation a while ago. With Brian, they sat around a table in a pub. Talk about the details of events that might happen, according to Tasya's inner vision.

"You have a responsibility to the family out there, Kris. You have to leave the group. Same with you, Rey. Don't forget my message, to make that guy named Zein believe you. Then slaughter him and his sickening friends. It's up to you to do anything to that beautiful woman. I don't care!" firmly Eric.

Rey looked pondering. I don't know why this time it feels so heavy. Other than that his heart was beginning to turn away, he also felt that he had no hope of leading their group. That meant that for the rest of his life he would have to serve the boss. And most likely will be his own sister's errand boy.

The sweet-faced man perfectly understood his position, which was only the innate son of the wife of the number three in their syndicate. So that he can never be the boss, no matter how great his services to the syndicate.

"Boss, we've arrived" said Lee, who made Eric's daydream cut off.

The slightly shaggy-haired man got down from the car and the road entered the mansion. In the living room, his mother and father were waiting.

"Amanda and Calvin, have they arrived?" ask Eric about his father.

"Their plane just landed on the island. You just rest. No need to worry about them. It's safe there," the middle-aged man replied calmly.

Eric looked over and pulled Jessica's hand. He invited the woman to come in and rest in her room located upstairs.

***

The morning sun greeted the men who had just arrived at the hideout. Triska and the others welcomed the arrival of the hostess with a sweet smile and coffee and a variety of cakes for breakfast.

Adi and Firman took turns to embrace Zein. The look in his third eye radiated longing. They hadn't gathered together long enough. Lastly it was when Zein just moved to Bandung again. After that they never met again.

"The guests were invited in first, Pa," said Naila, wife of the Word. The woman who was pregnant looked tired to walk.

"Hello, Honey. How's our son doing?" greet Zein while embracing Naila's waist who was smiling widely.

"Good news, Om. He also asked when he would get married soon. I'm old" answered Naila.

"Hmmm. Our son came out first, so when I married my beautiful, he could take pictures also in the guarantee. Instead of crumping directly in the stomach," slurried Zein who got a laugh from his two best friends.

After the chat was over, Zein climbed the stairs to the top floor with a small smile. Given the nearly four years he had spent in this house.

This renovated building now looks prettier than it used to be. Two rooms near the stairs now occupy Hasni, Ary, Chandra and Satya. Rama and Ivan occupied the room next to the bathroom. Zein occupied his former room.

The women occupied the rooms in the main house. While Adi again filled his room on the bottom floor of this boarding house.

After taking a bath and taking a short nap, Zein joins her friends in Adi's room. They talked about the next step. Especially talk about the house they will occupy later.

"The house has only five rooms. Maybe not enough for all of us" said Rama.

"The middle room is quite large, we can partition into two rooms" said Dinar.

"Yes, right. I'm the same Tia wants in an extra room. My goods are not as much as the belongings of Madam Dinar and Ayu," said Triska who got a nod from Tia.

"I'm in the back room. The largest room can be occupied by three people. Chandra, Satya and Ary" Rama said.

"So I'm in Zein's room?" ask Ivan.

"Well, I'm in the same room as you!" firmly Zein. "We're rooming, yes, dear," Zein continued, winking at Triska.

"Beuhhh! Mode pisan!" chirped Ivan.

"The name is also a business" said Zein. "I'll just stay here. Soon it will actually move to Jakarta," he continued.

For a moment his gaze met with Triska who was looking back at Zein with a sad eye.

"Take this, we go to your house again, yes," whispered Zein gently in Triska's ear who was only able to nod in agreement.

In the afternoon, the men gathered in the living room of the house of Word. Uncle Firman who is also the father of Hana, Mr. Dani, led an impromptu meeting with a heavy voice.

They discussed many things, especially about maintaining the safety of the residents.

After the meeting was over, they continued with casual chatter to expel the tension on their shoulders and hearts.

For men, things like this provoke adrenaline. But for women, this can be frightening and traumatic.

"Today this Saturday, I plan to go to Triska's parents' house again" Zein told Adi and Firman. They are currently sitting together in Adi's room.

"You're licking?" ask Adi.

Zein nodded.

"Related?" ask the Word with a smile.

Zein nodded again with a smile.

"From a moment, octopus!" shouted the Word while hugging Zein's shoulder. He shook the body of his best friend who most awaited his marriage.

"This way, I'm coming, '" said Adi.

"Ehm. Ajat. Not necessarily accepted. I'm sorry if I brought a friend there, but the idea was rejected" said Zein.

"Will not be rejected. Sure enough," said Adi while patting his best friend's shoulder several times.

"Siapin is indeed her dowry. Once upon a time directly told to akad," between the Word.

"Tomorrow. Go home from the new office to the jewelry store" Zein replied.

"Triska know if you want to bed her?" ask Adi.

"Yet. Want to make a surprise," said Zein.

"I agree with this fat squid, yes. Mending is married, Zein. Move to Jakarta. We gather together there," said Adi while rubbing his short beard.

"Tumben this beluga whale agrees with me?" Firman looked at Adi with shiny eyes.

"Because this time your advice is correct, Squid. That's why I agree. And this seems to be the correct idea, number two after your decision to marry Naila. The rest of your way of thinking is always absurd," always Adi who makes the Word whine.

A moment Zein felt dejavu. Remembering the college days.

***

Next day.

Hana is accompanied by Firman coming to the police station to visit Rey and Kris. Both seemed healthy and calm. They were very enthusiastic about enjoying the dishes brought by Hana.

"Your mother and sister have been moved to safety. The syndicates won't find them. So you can calm down, Kris," said Hana.

Kris stopped the bribing activities and looked at Hana. "thank you. I don't know how to repay your kindness" he said.

"Enough to keep working with the police. So that Eric can be found soon. Only he was the main target. Others not" replied Hana.

"It's hard to catch Eric. He's the number five in the syndicate. There's a lot of guards" Rey said.

"But you don't know, if our people have infiltrated your place too? Even one of them has a pretty important position," between the Word that makes Rey and Kris speechless.

The two exchanged looks. Trying to guess who the Word meant.

After Hana and Firman leave, Rey and Kris are still busy thinking about the continuation of their fate.

"We won't be able to go back to the syndicate, Rey" Kris said. "I'm going to get away from here. Start a new life with my family. Maybe it's time to stop being *******, '" he continued.

"We will be sought by them" Rey said.

"No problem. I've prepared a plan so that it can go undetected. But for that we need to ask for help from others," said Kris who made Rey's forehead wrinkle.

***

A few days later.

A pair of men stopped in front of the boarding house of Wahyu. Swinging to ensure the condition of the house is quiet. Then they opened the door with a fake key. Go inside the house and put the boxes they brought in the kitchen.

After they finished they rushed out of the house and into the car driven by Danang. His hand rubbed the surface of a small black object. Then run the car slowly.

Duuuaarr!

The unpretentious explosion made the inhabitants of the complex immediately out of their respective homes. They looked at the ruined and burning boarding house.

Shortly thereafter, firefighters and police immediately secured the scene.