Droplets of Night Creatures

22. Mysterious Creature

Aruna lived her first month with anxiety because she felt always followed by a mysterious figure. Not wanting to bear it alone, Aruna also expressed her anxiety to Umm Syarifah, wife of Ustadz Zaid who is his spiritual teacher.

“ Since when do you feel followed Nak..?” tanya ummi Sharifah's.

“ Mmm..., since I menstruated on the first day of Ummi..,” said Aruna.

“ You've seen how it looks..?” tanya ummi Sharifah's.

“ Not yet Ummi. I only saw a pair of eyes and sometimes the sound of a growl like the sound of an angry animal.” said Aruna.

“ Ummi thinks he ain't mean to be mean to you son. If he intends to hurt you should have done since he first started stalking you right.?” tanya ummi Sharifah's.

“ Don't-don't he wait for the right time Ummi...,” said Aruna anxiously.

“ He is waiting for the right time. Not to hurt you but instead he wants to talk to you son. There was something he wanted to say. You remember the ghost that followed Oma you used to, right ?. He also followed Oma You for some time. Finally he conveyed what he wanted after meeting people who could understand him, namely You.” sahut ummi Syarifah, who was embraced by Aruna.

“ So I should what Ummi..?” ask Aruna.

“ Waiting, that's all. Do not forget to keep your dzikir ya Aruna..,” sahut ummi Syarifah.

“ God willing, thanks Ummi. Now I go home first yes..,” said Aruna then kissed the back of the hands of ummi Syarifah with reverence.

Umm Syarifah released Aruna's departure with a little restless. He knew something was lurking around Aruna. Although it does not contain a negative aura, ummi Syarifah still feel worried about the safety of Aruna.

“ Why Mi, kok bengong aja. Sampe greetings Abi aja ga reply..?” ustadz Zaid surprised his wife.

“ Uh, wa alaikumsalam. Sorry Abi, Ummi again ngeliatin Aruna..,” sahut ummi Syarifah.

“ Mana Aruna, no one here..,” says ustadz Zaid.

“ He was here Bi, now he's home..,” sahut ummi Syarifah while stepping into the house.

“ What is Aruna here, is there a problem ?. Today Aruna has no study schedule with you Mi..?” ask ustadz Zaid.

“ Aruna said again followed by the mysterious figure Bi. He does not know what it is, so it is the same Ummi how to deal with it. Ummi knew that the figure was not evil so Ummi told Aruna to wait what he wanted the mysterious figure. God willing, there is no danger. According to Abi how...?” tanya ummi Sharifah's.

“ It is not dangerous for Aruna but can be dangerous for people around Aruna.

“ What does Abi mean..?” tanya ummi Syarifah for fear of giving a wrong answer to Aruna earlier.

“ Same rich Ummi told Aruna earlier. We can only wait for the mysterious figure to appear..,” said ustadz Zaid with a smile.

Hearing her husband's answer made Umm Syarifah speechless while staring at the back of her husband who walked towards the room.

\=====

The class exam is over. All the students were just waiting for the results of the exam with hearts pounding. To fill the time the school held a three-day camping activity coordinated directly by the teachers.

Students are given the freedom of choice, want to join or not. Aruna was among the students who chose to join. Arka and Diana allowed Aruna to participate because they considered the activity to be of positive value, one of which could train students' independence later.

Arka and Diana take Aruna to the school which is the departure point of the group.

“ Do not miss from the group Yes son, follow all the commands of the teacher. And remember, don't worry about anything you see and hear later. Stay focused and keep praying..”, said Diana reminded.

“ Yes Ma...,” says Aruna.

“ His phone is active continue yes Nak..,” said Arka.

“ Ok Papa. But if I don't answer the call don't keep calling. Maybe I was busy following the material from the teacher.” said Aruna.

“ Yes Dear, Papa knows. Papa will call at rest and just before bed, how about.?” tanya Arka who is possessed by Aruna.

Arka and Diana smiled. Shortly after, they arrived in front of the school. After saying goodbye, Aruna ran into the school to join her friends.

Arka and Diana were still standing in front of the school until the bus carrying the group drove away from the school.

“ Aruna looks really good yes Pa..,” said Diana while opening the car door.

“ Yes Ma. Aruna is happy because we believe she can take good care of herself later. Moreover, going with friends will be an unforgettable experience for life.” said Arka.

“ Although go without Us..” said Diana sadly.

“ Come on Ma. Aruna is big, don't keep getting pushed around. Ga good. Let her enjoy her teenage years, We can watch her from afar right.” Arka said.

“ Yes Yes. Papa Sama Aruna is compact about this..,” said Diana while clucking.

Diana's words made Arka laugh. A moment later Arka drove her car away from the place.

\=====

Camp sites look crowded. Tents lined up neatly on that vast land. Aruna and his three female friends occupied a tent numbered eleven. Behind the tent looks lush rambutan trees and shrubs typical of the open nature.

Aruna's three friends named Noni, Mika and Sheila. They are from different classes but are close friends because they are always together. Only Aruna never came home with them. Even so, the four of them immediately clicked when combined by their teacher.

“ Why We got this tent anyway, not good tau..,” complained Noni while pouting.

“ Accept Non. Do you want what number tent, it's all the same. The color and shape are also the same..,” Sheila said.

“ But the place is different. It's far from the campfire. Keep looking, behind the tent we have a very rich rambutan tree. Serem tau ga..,” says Noni.

“ Lo talking what the hell Mik. Don't nakutin I dong..!” noni was angry.

“ Who nakutin Lo, I'm just saying that bamboo groves are more lemongrass than rambutan trees..,” said Mika would not lose.

“ Ssttt. All tents are the same. Rambutan tree or bamboo tree will not be put. If our hearts are sincere and do not have evil intentions here, God willing the tree-dwelling creature will not disturb us.” said Aruna mediate.

“ Right Aruna, I agree with Lo...,” Sheila said while giving her thumbs up.

While Mika and Noni looked at each other then nodded. A moment later the four of them came out of the tent to gather near the bonfire as per their teacher's instructions.

From where she stood Aruna observed her surroundings calmly. But when looking at tent number eleven, Aruna looked surprised. Behind the tent precisely behind the lush leaves of the rambutan tree, Aruna saw a very large dog perched on the branch of the rambutan tree.

“ Aruna, You heard I ga...?!” ask a teacher loudly to surprise Aruna.

“ Listen sir..,” say Aruna fast.

“ Try to repeat what I said earlier..!” said the teacher.

Mika, Noni and Sheila seem worried but then they smile with relief when Aruna is able to repeat the sentence spoken by the teacher clearly and completely.

“ Ok, now get ready for Maghrib prayer huh. Non-Muslims can rest in the tent and do not make noise.!” said the teacher.

“ Good Sir..!” the students then dispersed themselves.

Aruna and his three friends stepped into the tent while discussing Aruna's magical behavior earlier.

“ Almost dislodged my heart when Aruna was yelled at by Mr. Ahmad earlier.”, said Noni while wiping her chest to neutralize her heartbeat.

“ I also...,” says Sheila.

“ Good thing Aruna pinter and can copy all the words of Mr. Ahmad earlier. If you can't find dong. The four of us will carry the punishment..,” said Mika.

“ Is the rule. One person who makes trouble, a friend of the tent must join the punishment.” said Noni.

“ Sorry yes have not you deg-degan earlier..,” said Aruna is not happy.

“ Gapapa Run, relax aja..,” Sheila said with a smile.

“ Yes Run. But if I can be honest I am not ready if today punished, still tired, sleepy. Maybe if tomorrow is Ok...,” said Mika while grinning.

“ Uh, good. So Lo intentions want to make a move yes let the four of us be punished..?” sheila asked fiercely.

“ Doesn't mean I Shei..,” said Mika is not happy.

The debate between Mika, Noni and Sheila continues. Aruna smiled as she shook her head. He felt that his three friends this time were very unique. Fighting then getting along, fighting again and getting along again. It is almost difficult to distinguish they are joking or angry, because what is seen is only endless debate. Finally Aruna could only laugh at the behavior of his three friends.

“ Kok Lo laughs the hell Run, seneng ya wriggly We fight.?” ask Noni sewot.

“ Tau nih Aruna's. Sepahin kek, even mengkawain. Strange basis...,” grumbled Sheila while grumbling.

“ Abis You guys are so funny know hell. It's choppy but it's not obvious what the fuck. And finally you laugh at the rich crazy. Instead of waiting for you to laugh, I better laugh first.

Aruna's reply upset the three friends. Aruna ran out of the tent followed by her three friends. Finally the four of them ran around the tent laughing.

“ Aruna stop..!” call Noni, Mika and Sheila together.

“ Ga want...!” sahut Aruna's.

But Aruna's steps were stopped because her body hit the body of the homeroom teacher. Back there Mika, Sheila and Noni stopped running while looking anxiously at Aruna.

“ Why do you run. It's almost Maghrib you know.” said Ms. Husna as she looked at Aruna and her three friends alternately.

“ Yes Mom, sorry..,” says Aruna.

“ I give you five minutes to get ready. Quick...!” said Ms. Husna.

“ Ready to Bu..!” sahut Aruna and his three friends then rushed into the tent to pick up prayer equipment.

Shortly thereafter, the Maghrib reverberated. Five minutes later, the fourth

also rushed to the field to perform Maghrib prayer congregation.

At night when all the students were asleep in the tent, Aruna actually came out of the tent. Then Aruna turned towards the campfire. There were some teachers talking to locals known as community leaders.

Aruna frowned as she heard the rustling sound of leaves behind the rambutan tree. He looked at the tree and again saw a big dog there. Without fear Aruna approached the rambutan tree and stood there, raising her head.

The large dog perched on the branch then went down and approached Aruna. Now Aruna faced the big dog within two meters.

From such a close distance Aruna could clearly see what kind of creature she kept on loving lately. Aruna felt that the big dog in front of her looked more like a wolf than a dog. The wolf was very large in stature, its height reaching the head of Aruna, the fur on its body was black and white, with a mouth filled with fangs and sharp eyes.

Aruna did not feel the slightest trepidation when faced with the big wolf. But Aruna was stunned when she heard the creature speak human language.

“ How is Aruna...,” greet the creature while grinning until its fangs are clearly visible.

For a moment Aruna was silent in amazement at the abilities possessed by the creature in front of her.

Seriate