COBBY

Seket Songo

Is there a time more frightening than midnight? The answer is surup. The time when the sun had just disappeared from view, day changed with night. Although this time was only an instant, but his silence was gripping.

The sound of crying babies resounded in the sky surup Ebuh village. No other sound is caught by the senses of the listener, even the crow that usually perches in the forest trees, is now silenced by the loudness of the cry of the baby. The residents were holding torches, standing in the courtyard of the village chief's house blankly.

Baby boy, looks healthy carried by Mbok Yem. Her skin was reddish under the dim light of the room. Nothing strange, the baby's face is so handsome with a tiny nose that looks sharp and pointed.

"Your son was born safe. Handsome and healthy" Purbo said, shedding tears. This time he saw the birth. Even though he had been deceived by the woman before him, Purbo still felt relieved, haru, and happy that were mixed into one at this time.

"Mas, let me introduce myself in the right way. My name is Sekar," whispered the woman who had been Purbo thought to be called Dini. A thread of sweat still soaked his entire body wrapped in dark brown jarit cloth. The body that previously looked very thin, now looks normal again after giving birth.

The baby has been swaddled by Mbok Yem, and taken out of the room. While Mak Nah was still standing in the doorway of the room, paying attention to the couple he met a while ago.

"Why did you trick me Din? ah Sekar I mean," asked Purbo with a very sad face. His eyes twitched hinting at a deep disappointment.

"I never fooled you. Think back to the day we first met. You have come to call me Dini," replied Sekar Lirih.

Pensive purbo. What the woman in front of him said was true. Purbo turned to look at Mak Nah asking for an explanation.

"Is this all you're doing, Mom?" accuse Purbo of holding back anger. Mak Nah shook his head slowly.

"I found Njenengan walking aimlessly. Njenengan is a tribe that Kobeng, lost. Mbah Modo is just trying to help, to give Njengan a purpose, a peaceful life, to be a peaceful resident of Ebuh village" explained Mak Nah later.

"By making myself forget? Aren't you the ones who got me lost? So I can't go back to the body?" argue Purbo.

"That's not true. Your own master is trying to forget the life that has been passed. A lost soul is the result of a mind that refuses to go back to living a life that has been running," Mak Nah denied.

"Huh? What other lies are you trying to put together Mak! As bad as what is my life out there, so I try to forget it? I have a beautiful wife. Look at this locket. This is the real Dini!" Purbo reached into his pants pocket, showing a pendant with a female image that he believed to be Dini.

"I don't know Sir. I don't know Njenengan out there. For me Njenengan is the employer, which must be served," replied Mak Nah kalem.

"lik! I was told not to trust you, Mom! Tell me, tell me everything without a lie!" bentak Purbo's.

"Who told Njenengan like that? Jasman's? He only uses Njenengan," refuted Mak Nah.

"I trust him more than you. You're the one who choked me with the parem. Wasn't it because of that drink I forgot all about my life?" Purbo continued to raise his tone.

"Mas, relax. What you think is bad, is not in fact like that. We may have lied to you, but Mak Nah and I have never had any malicious intentions towards you" Sekar tried to calm you down.

"If you have no evil intentions towards me, then why not let me go?" ask Purbo. This time his voice sounded more calm.

"It's my fault. I want you to accompany me, "Some bowed sadly.

"Mistress Sekar is like you, Mr. Purbo. He is not a native of Ebuh village," Mak Nah sighed.

"When I lived, I spent time just having fun. All things are. Many men tried to approach me. Until I finally chose the one I thought was the best among the good. But in fact I only became a trophy for irresponsible men. I was left in a two-bodied state" Sekar was seen shedding tears.

"Do you take a shortcut and have to get stuck in this village? Same as me?" Purbo looked at Sekar who was still down, sobbing.

...****************...

Meanwhile Mbok Yem brought the reddish-skinned baby Sekar in front of Mbah Modo who was resting in the middle of the living room. The smell of burning incense mixed with the fragrance of the seven-figure flowers danced in the air. Mbah Modo smiled as he looked at the baby in Mbok Yem's arms.

"Finally Japra, finally," Mbah Modo patted Japra on the shoulder sitting behind him.

"My successor, the new leader from the village of Ebuh finally came tonight. Ha ha ha ha," Mbah Modo chuckled, wide-eyed. So happy, the old face looks blushing and in the corner of the eye the grains of clear water fell onto the cheek.

"Let's Mbok we take this Baby Jabang forward. All the people are waiting. Let this night be a great celebration. Everyone had to dance last night until morning. This village will be stronger and more prosperous," Mbah Modo said in a fire.

Mbah Modo walked first leaving incense on top of the shards of tile that was still smoky white thin. Mbok Yem follows behind Mbah Modo, and lastly Japra walks with his wide footsteps.

As Mbah Modo opened his door, all the residents were seen standing in the front yard. They were dressed in all-black clothes and held torches in their right hands. A pale face with a blank look under the dim torchlight lined up to welcome the village chief.

"My wargaku! Tonight, tonight, on this very good day, at the end of Wednesday's Wage Manahil, a baby boy has been born. Bajang baby who will become the leader of the village of Ebuh, bringing the village stronger and superior to other regions" cried Mbah Modo with a look of terrible eyes. His eyes glared reddishly with the reflection of the flames within.

After the shout from the village chief ended, all the residents seemed to smile at the same time. They showed her rows of jet-black teeth. Some of them were heard laughing neighingly, screeching deafeningly.

"Tonight, we're partying!" shouted Mbah Modo who was immediately greeted by the earthquake of his citizens.

"Japra, get the gamelan ready!" mbah Modo's orders to Japra. The ruthless-faced Mbah Modo's men nodded in agreement and immediately inched back.

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