COBBY

Telu Sewidak

The old face that looked calm, as well as the friendly smile that was mellowing it had disappeared. The figure of the old maid who always looked patient, now turned into a creepy figure. Her tangled white hair was unraveling touching the dusty cement floor. His eyes were round flushed with black hollows and full of wrinkles.

Mak Nah shows its original form which was also seen by Hasan a few days ago. Now Purbo can only stand glued to pay attention to the neck of Mak Nah with his skin that is sagging has a large rope hook. The smile from the old woman showed a row of jet-black teeth.

"If when Njenengan woke up to see my figure like this, would Njenengan be willing to stay with Madam?" Mak Nah grinned.

"We, residents of the village of Ebuh have long been waiting for the presence of baby Bajang," said Mak Nah. His gaze was distant. Purbo still can't make a sound. He was stunned, feeling a sweaty globule running down his forehead.

"Mrs Sekar was in an accident while pregnant. Two lives were not helped at one time. The fetus in his innocent stomach became a victim. He came to this village full of disappointment, and anger. But when he saw Njenengan, Madam calmed down. Finally the Madam found her happiness," said Mak Nah with a terrible look on her face.

"Then, what is a baby shirt?" purbo asked after mastering his fear. His voice still sounded trembling.

"The baby who crossed over from the world there, into our world. Baby Bajang will be the leader of the village later," replied Mak Nah.

"That means you're using Sekar to get his son?" Purbo gulped, soaking his arid throat.

"Mistake the mistake, sir. Mrs Sekar himself who wants to live in this village. Maybe even Genengan is what we use to make the Madam happy until the time of delivery arrives. Genenengan is very valuable for Mrs Sekar and her child. That's what makes Njenengan so valuable to us, too" continued Mak Nah.

"Therefore you punish Ceking, for trying to resuscitate me with a strange drink at that time," said Purbo growled.

"Bitter coffee sajen name. For the natives of Ebuh village coffee is delicious. But for the newcomers, it will be different. Checking broke the rules, and it was fatal for us. That's why he was punished," continued Mak Nah glared.

"Ceking is not as good as Njengan thought. Never mind sir, what Njengan thought about us is not entirely true. Believe me, Njenengan life is more noble in the village of Ebuh than out there," continued Mak Nah.

"I wouldn't believe it. You're punishing people who want to tell me the truth about me, about this place. By punishing the Ceking, torturing Jasman. And show your true form when I'm about to leave. You think I'm gonna be scared, Mom? No. gabe. My resolve is round. I don't want to be in this damned village!" Purbo raised his tone. There was no more fear in his heart.

"So talk, sir! What Njenengan considers bad is not necessarily the truth. We did punish Ceking for his actions that violated village rules. But we never tortured Jasman" Mak Nah argued. His eyes bulged, as if about to get out of place.

"I met Jasman back then, his face was full of scratches. Must be you guys who tortured Jasman? because the man was trying to tell me the true state of the village," Purbo continued to argue Mak Nah.

"The agent was deceived by him. Why is there a scar on Jasman's face? Yes, because it is like that. Just like me with this neck wound, sir. Jasman deliberately asked Njenengan not to drink wedang parem so that he could show his true form. Making Njenengan who from the beginning prejudiced me more and more becomes so. Like embers that are deliberately ignited using kerosene," explained Mak Nah.

Purbo was silent for a moment, trying to digest every word that came out of the mouth of the monstrous old woman.

"Why did Jasman do all that?" ask Purbo. His tone sounded more calm among the blaring gamelan outside the village chief's house.

"Why?" sahut Purbo fast. His mind was filled with questions and curiosity.

"Baby Bajang is a special baby, who will continue the leadership of Mbah Modo. By knowing what if Bajang's baby is never found? Will Mbah Modo continue to be the leader of the village?" Mak asked back. Purbo shook his head slowly.

"The answer's no. Once every hundred years, the village chief had to change. And the most powerful candidate to succeed Mbah Modo is Jasman. Ceking was one of Jasman's followers and supporters. With the birth of Bajang's baby, it could be said that it was impossible for Jasman to become the leader of the village. He tried to use Njenengan to hurt Madam so that Bajang baby was never born in this village," explained Mak Nah slightly chuckled.

"Jasman is not as good as Njengan thought. He's not a friend!" mak Nah asserted.

Purbo scratched his non-itchy scratching head. He was confused, an inner upheaval occurred. There are some of him who believe in the words of Mak Nah. He also recalled Jasman's remark the other day, to not trust anyone. Does that mean Jasman can't be trusted? Who is a friend and who is the opponent, Purbo can not distinguish it.

"Whatever it is my decision has been unanimous Mak. I'm gonna get out of here. I'm not your nation!" Purbo stepped away.

Purbo leg muscle muscles are stiff because of the fear of seeing the figure of the creepy Mak Nah. Purbo forced, dragging a step away from the old woman who was still glaring at him. But just a few jengkal he walked Mak Nah back to call him.

"Master!" Call Mak Nah. Purbo stopped without looking. There was the sound of Mak Nah walking closer.

"If there is no happiness out there, we accept Njenengan with open arms. Go back to the village of Ebuh" whispered Mak Nah standing beside Purbo. Her figure changed back, an old woman with a friendly face.

"The general should not be confused, there is always a way to get back here. There is always a reason to meet us" Mak Nah continued with a neighing laugh that made Purbo goosebumps great.

Without responding to Mak Nah's remarks, Purbo walked back. The shrill laughter of Mak Nah was still heard behind him. Purbo continued to step through the living room smelling of incense that was being burned. And finally arrived at the terrace of the house.

A lively party in the front yard, the sound of gamelan played melodiously, instantly stopped. All residents are now staring at Purbo who is standing alone on the terrace of Mbah Modo's house. They glared at Purbo with shiny eyes in the reddish torch light.

Purbo is not backing down. He kept his feet without a doubt. The crowd pulled over, opening a path for Purbo. That deathly pale face was simply observing Purbo without making a sound.

Although his knees were limp and wavy, Purbo tried to walk as quietly as possible. He believes his real family is waiting for his return.

Purbo managed to get out of the yard of Mbah Modo's house. The people of the village of Ebuh returned to party. The drum and gamelan are rhymed back. Purbo looked over and found the shape of the villagers were terrible. The face was broken, the back was full of maggots, as well as the black fingernails dancing nari under the torchlight beam.

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