Comploters Not Afraid of Ghosts

Chapter 76: Ari Meets Her Grandpa

Early in the morning at school, Ari meets Nara in the parking lot. Ari told Nara, while she will focus on studying first for the Semester Final Examination next week.

“Ah, no fun lo Ri. I'm excited, you are so,” said Nara with a disappointed face.

“Ra, after the exam later we continue our investigation again, ok?” Ari tries to persuade Nara.

“Lo does not love papa lo Ri?” ask Nara ketus.

Ari just looked at Nara. Nara's question is irrelevant to Ari.

“Ok Ri, if so it's up to you. I'll walk by myself. I still care about my family. Same with me.” Then Nara just left Ari.

Ari just let Nara do it. He already knew the nature of Nara. For Ari now, his promise to Tata to enter a favorite university is paramount. And for the rest of the week Ari really focused on learning. And Tata always calls Ari in the middle of Ari's studying. Ari's spirit was getting doubled after Tata's call. During the Final Semester Exams, Ari had no trouble working on it. Toha and Wira sometimes complain of difficulties after

get out of the exam. While Nara, often hastily left the classroom with a grumbling face. Sometimes Ari wants to talk to Nara, but it seems that Nara is deliberately avoiding her. But Ari wasn't too worried. After this test he will come to Nara. Because after all for Ari, the affairs of his father's death are still far from his reach.

The last day of the exam is over. Ari was the first to drop out of her class. Ari was relieved to have passed the exam for this week. In the depths of his heart, he was so grateful to Tata who always encouraged him. Never before during his school here, could pass the exam so smoothly. At first glance he thought of meeting Nara this afternoon as well, but he paused. He wants to go to his father's grave first. I don't know why he felt the need to go to his father's grave.

***

By late afternoon, the wind was getting stronger. The sound of dry branches began to sound. Ari was in front of his father's grave. It's been almost an hour that he's been standing there. Ari remembers when her father apologized

before death. His father apologized for not believing in Ari before. And Ari never believed his father killed himself if it wasn't for something affecting him. Something that Ari's picture keeps in her bag. A ghost with a tongue. Then Ari saw someone walking not far from him. Ari's feelings are ordinary, the sign is really a person, not a ghost. Maybe the grave keeper is here, Ari thought. But that man is approaching him now. And Ari did not expect, that person was already in front of him.

A grandfather in Javanese customary clothes. Next to his eyes was a scar. Ari remembered, he was the grandfather who had been in his dreams. Belinda said he was her grandfather.

“Don't be afraid Ari... I'm your grandfather,” the old man spoke in a calm voice.

Ari was still staring at the old man before her.

“I'm sorry about your grandfather. Grandpa can meet you now. After the day you were born, only now can grandfather see you. But it is time for grandfather to meet you.”

Ari could not say anything. Ari often heard stories about her grandfather from her mother. But seeing the old man now in front of her, made Ari a little incredulous.

“Iya Ari's. When you were born, Grandpa was there. Make sure you live. Grandpa knows, familiarity will happen that night.. That night, destiny determines you stay alive.”.

Ari just looked at the grandfathers in front of her who seemed to be remembering something that had gone before.

“Grandfather understood, if your mother does not like grandfather. Grandfather has hurt your grandmother by following grandfather's own destiny.But grandfather is grateful, your mother can be a loving and responsible man. Until something has happened.”.

Grandpa-grandfather in front of Ari his face bowed. Ari could see the sadness there.

“Pardon grandfather, Ari.. At that time grandfather could not come down here.. Grandpa could not prevent the death of your father..”.

Ari is getting serious. Because my grandfather started talking about his father's death.

“Ari doesn't believe papa killed himself. There is something that affects him.” Ari can't wait to say something.

Grandpa Ari looked at his granddaughter deeply.

“Grandfather knows, there's something inside you. More than what Grandpa had. But remember Grandpa Ri's message.. Whatever destiny you have to live, never waste your loved ones..”.

It seemed that Ari did not pay too much attention to her grandfather's words just now. Ari quickly reached into her bag. He took out his book. There is a picture of a female ghost tongue sticking out. He left it to his grandfather. Grandpa Ari looked at Ari's picture. But his view remained calm. Grandpa Ari smiled while returning Ari's book.

“You are indeed a gifted child Ari..” is just that coming out of Ari's grandfather's mouth.

“Ari wants to find the ghost..” said Ari spontaneously.

Grandpa Ari sighed. His face was seriously thinking about something.

“First grandfather ever met such a ghost.” Grandpa Ari started his story,” Grandpa had a friend who died because of this ghost. Like your father. This ghost is not a ghost like you often see. This ghost has no ambition to rule. He just wants to ally.”.

“Alyde with whom?” ari asked impatiently.

Grandpa Ari stared at his grandson for a moment.

Ari doesn't understand. His gaze was sharp to his grandfather asking for an explanation.

“This kind of ghost just wants to defeat humans..” said Ari's grandfather. His voice was still slow,”Dulu grandfather had been involved in an incident with a ghost like this. For three days, Grandpa was lost. Grandpa almost died. Until finally grandfather managed to also come out to the real world.”.

Ari did not understand. But at least, his grandfather's story made his guts shrink.

“You're not ready, Ari..”.

“Then when is Ari ready, Cake...?”

“Let's definitely grandpa tell you.. Except..”.

“Except what, Kek?”

“Then, said master grandfather, to face the ghost, it needs one more person. Grandpa teacher told grandfather to look for someone who is the same as grandfather.. But grandfather never found him.. Because of that person, his birth must be the same as grandfather.”.

Spontaneous Ari instantly remembered Tata. But something so big suddenly stuck in his heart. He who always promised to protect Tata until whenever, how could he possibly contact Tata for something that his grandfather had told him. Something beyond his reach that made his guts faint. Even the story about Tata to his grandfather was very unlikely and could not be done.

“You must be patient, Ari,” said Ari's grandfather in a wise voice,” One day, your time will surely arrive.. For now, take care of your mother.”.

Ari looked at his father's grave. As his grandfather said, it seemed like he had to be patient. Then she remembered her mother who had started to get sick. And he will always keep his promise to protect Tata. Instead of involving Tata on things that are still beyond his reach.

“But before.. Grandpa wants to take you for a walk,” pinta grandpa Ari,” That if you want.. Grandpa will not force... The decision is on you..”.

Ari looked at her grandfather. He believed completely in the old man before him. Ari nodded slowly.

“Remember the words grandfather,” says grandfather Ari. Now the tone is serious,” Later, never let go of grandfather's hand. On the way, whatever you see, never say anything. If you really can't stand it, uncomfortable or afraid, immediately tell grandpa...Ngerti Ari?”

Ari nodded. Grandpa Ari extended his hand. Ari welcomes. They both walked out of the cemetery past the gravestones. The afternoon wind was getting on Ari's face. He tried to remember his grandfather's words. He held his hand in his grandfather's hand. Ari felt they were close to the exit gate. But after passing through it, Ari saw around no longer the path Ari usually passed when heading to the tomb. Here and there Ari saw gubugs built on sandy barren land. Ari glanced at her grandfather. The old man was so calm that he took Ari to keep walking. And Ari won't say a word.

Ari tries to follow in her grandfather's footsteps. While passing through the gubug-gubug, Ari saw there were residents there. Ari saw some people and then. Some people were sitting in front of the club. There's an old man. There's kids. But they only wear cloth to cover the body. And only then did Ari realize, they were all black and their faces looked more like monkeys than humans.

After passing through the gubugs, Ari began to enter a village with wooden houses that were close together. In one place there was a lot of crowd. There is a market there. Lots of fruit and vegetables. Ari started to notice the crowd. They are like ordinary people. The woman wearing the kebaya. The guy wears a sarong. But all the women and men had their ears pointed upwards.

After that Ari and his grandfather started down the edge of the river so big. And Ari saw in the middle of the river there was a big house. It is like a palace. The building was like floating on the rushing water. To Ari's surprise, he saw a large and long object in the water. After Ari noticed that thing was whispered. Ari just realized, it was a huge snake. And at the end near the palace, Ari can see the snake's head like a dragon that Ari often sees in comic stories.

Then by the river, they reached a cliff. On the steep cliff there is a cave hole that gaping very large. Ari and her grandfather entered the cave. It was dark in the cave. Then Ari saw the light in there. After walking deeper and deeper, Ari knew that the light came from the fire that gushed from the ground. There are a lot of fires burning. And Ari began to see figures among the flames. They were like humans but their body parts were incomplete. Some are not hands, some are not legged and some are half-headed. Grandpa Ari had a glance at Ari, but Ari tried to stay calm. Until there was one mouth of the cave in front of them. It seems to be the way out. After arriving outside, Ari could see the vastness of the sky. At the end, the horizon looks reddened. Ari is now in a vast meadow. Grandpa Ari took off Ari's hand.

“You are safe here..” said Ari's grandfather with a small smile looking at his grandson.

Ari looked around. The grass to the knee. Scrolls of water fell from the sky, gently hitting Ari. Not far from there, on the sloping ground, there was a shady tree. Under the tree there is a

cots. And there were three figures sitting on the couch. Ari knows them well. They are a family of ghosts who live in a well next to Ari's house.

“Ari if you want to get out of here, just imagine you are sleeping, and you want to wake up,” said Ari's grandfather,” now wake up Ari!”

Then Ari woke up. His eyes were wide open observing around. His position is still standing. His grandfather no longer exists. Ari is now in her room. Slightly in disbelief, Ari tried to hold her bed sheet. Then he started to check the books that were on his study shelf. He was really in his room. Ari went out of the room. His mother who was sewing was shocked to see Ari who was still wearing a school uniform.

“Ari!” exclaim mother Ari,“Mama can't see you enter?”

“Mmmm... Ari was past by the side of Ma,” said Ari. She didn't want her mother to worry.

“Back in the afternoon very?” ask Ari's mother.

“Mmmm... There are extracurricular affairs at Ma.” school.

“Ya, already.. Cepetan there shower gih.”

“Iya Ma.”

Then Ari went into his room again. He began to recall the events he had with his grandfather. Ari came closer to the window. From there he could see a well beside his house. Ari saw the family. And a speck of water was seen falling from the sky that was starting to darken.