COBBY

Tithing

Accompanied by the dim torch light, Lik Kani sat down on a pandan mat full of maroon red stains. A few drops of the red liquid were seen starting to dry up, but the rancid aroma still lingered in the air. Lik Kani rubbed his nape that was cold.

Lik Kani reached into his pants pocket, picking up a half-burned cigarette inside a shabby plastic. With trembling hands he lit the clove-scented cigarette. After the cigarette lit up, Lik Kani took a deep sip and exhaled slowly. His lips appeared slightly blackened, with a white crack on the outside. The air really feels cold.

Lik Kani daydreamed and remembered with Bu Sudarsih, her Madam Yu. They are two brothers, who from childhood are treated with the aroma of frankincense and seven-figure flowers. Their father was a famous shaman in the past. Without knowing where they came from, their lives were strewn with treasure and money. Every time Lik Kani asked where the Father got his wealth, he never got an answer.

Until one day, the young mother Lik Kani died suddenly. I don't know what happened that morning, the air was cold. While cooking rice in 'pawonan' the mother suddenly choked and fell unconscious. Lik Kani remembered the sight of her mother lying on the ground floor with two glasses of water splattered.

Since that day, Lik Kani promised inwardly to stay away from her Father. How many times did the Father ask Lik Kani to learn your name, inheriting his mantra, Lik Kani resolutely refused. But now, he was forced to reconnect with the practice of shamanic rituals for the sake of the nephew.

"Am I destined to be in a world like this?" muttered Lik Kani alone.

Lik Kani sighed. In this world only Bu Sudarsih is the only family. Her mother Yu's life was full of misfortune. Her husband disappeared somewhere. While raising Purbo, he was sentenced by doctors to have a cyst on his stomach.

With all the limitations possessed, Purbo managed to get money for the treatment of Bu Sudarsih. Only recently did Lik Kani realize, the money was a gift from Dini. Often Lik Kani feels that his family life is always in trouble due to the karma of his previous actions.

Lik Kani believed that in life on earth, the law of cause and effect prevailed. What man sows will be harvested by his offspring. Such a mindset is also what makes Lik Kani feel at home, reluctant to look for a life partner.

The sound of footsteps spread the daydreams of Lik Kani. From a distance are seen gallant footsteps, with a fragrant aroma that accompanies it. Mbah Kusworo came with a jug in his right hand.

"Ngembang duren, wong kok ndlongop wae. Your mlongo face is like a ketulup kebo!" mbah Kusworo snapped with his booming voice.

"Ngaturaken worship pangabekti kulo Mbah," Lik Kani hurriedly lowered his head in fear.

"Hmmm, I think you are looking bad at yourself because it comes from my descendant. Right so?" tanya Mbah Kusworo arrived. Lik Kani was startled, how could that frightening figure know the contents of her heart and daydreams.

"I am proud to have been born under the name Kusworo. If I wasn't your great-grandfather, your niece would never return" Mbah Kusworo said, staring intently at Lik Kani.

"Sorry Mbah, ngapunten. Dalem had no intention of doing so. Dalem just doesn't like the shamanic practices of the Father," Lik Kani looked down deeper and deeper.

"Yowes, ora opo. Your life is your responsibility. There is no need to follow your predecessor. But don't be ashamed, or lose your gratitude for your genealogy. There must be good in evil. Likewise the opposite thing that looks good, there is still bad in it," Mbah Kusworo said.

"Nggeh Mbah's. Continue to Purbo same Mbah Yon where Mbah?" lik Kani clamor. He could not find his nephew anywhere.

"There, but you can't see it. Get to the hospital right away. Apply the water in this jug to my great-grandson's face that guobl*k does not kelulungan it," ordered Mbah Kusworo.

"I mean Mbah?" Lik Kani scrunched her forehead.

"Of course, don't think about it. Nih bring her jug," Mbah Kusworo looks a little smile while thrusting a black pitcher.

"Lha got her Mbah Yon's?" ask Lik Kani.

"Thank you Mbah. Dalem excuse me" said Lik Kani.

"Yes. Don't come here again. Don't need my help anymore. I don't like to be bothered with your petty business" Mbah Kusworo glared and laughed loudly.

Lik Kani stayed down and sat down, until the laughter of Mbah Kusworo died down. When the laughter was gone, Lik Kani looked up slowly and it turned out Mbah Kusworo had vanished with a gust of cold wind that slashed the skin. The torch fire went out. Lik Kani hastily turned on the flashlight in HP and put on her sandals. He ran away leaving the mat and shards of broken jugs with a thick maron-red liquid that started to dry up.

After the departure of Lik Kani, in the thick darkness of the night the thickets of the bush on the edge of the forest appear to move. Several pairs of white shiny eyes walked settles the precipitate. Bowing, the figure of the figure approached the pandan mat in the middle of the field. And the next second they scrambled to lick the maroon-red viscous liquid. There was a growl and a long howl after the liquid ran out unceremoniously.

Lik Kani sped up the pace when she heard the noise in the distance. He had no intention of turning his head even though curiosity was itching in the corner of his heart.

"Gusti, is that an animal sound or what? Hyuhh, Bo Purbo if you have recovered you owe the same Mr. Lik mu this," grumbled Lik Kani continued to step his feet even though several times the tip of his thumb hit a sharp pebble.

Suddenly we saw a flashlight from the opposite direction. It turned out that Mr. Driver who came closer with his face that looked pale.

"Thank God, meet again Njenengan," shouted the driver excited.

"Where's your employer? We need to get this jug to the hospital!" ask Lik Kani dinglingukan.

"Lhoh, the car's intact again?" said the Driver in wonder.

"Bukaann's. It's a new jug. Giving Mbah Kusworo," said Lik Kani.

"Hey, where's your employer?" Lik Kani repeated her question.

"Anu, it was Non Dini already unplug first. To the hospital," Mr. Driver scratched his temple scratch.

"Wooo, belgedes! How is this going? How are we going to get Pir?" peekik Lik Kani is annoyed.

"Related Mr. Lik, one of my friends had already slid into a nearby village. We just walk along the village road there Lik," proposed the Driver.

"Yawes. The road is the road. The important thing is not to be alone" Lik Kani resigned.

"Are you afraid, Lik?" ask the driver to sneer.

"Are you not afraid?" reply Lik Kani.

"No. Not brave Liikk means. It's cold and dark. Hiiii," Mr. Driver shuddered while holding his own nape.

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