Droplets of Night Creatures

42. Ghost Janson

The train that Aruna was traveling on stopped at a station to pick up passengers. The carriage in which Aruna sat was far from the station and was on the edge of the rice field. The atmosphere outside is so dark and quiet that some passengers choose to close the window curtains because they feel uncomfortable. While Aruna who is still reminded of both parents and two friends seems undisturbed by the atmosphere outside the train.

“ God willing I will come back with something that makes you proud.” muttered Aruna with a smile.

But Aruna's smile faded when she saw the figure of a man dressed in a shabby uniform leaning outside the window of the carriage. His tall figure makes Aruna slightly straighten his body in order to see the figure of the man as a whole.

Aruna was stunned as the man turned his head. The face of a Caucasian with pale skin typical of Europeans is a sign if he is not a native of the place. There were wounds on the head and abdomen that were spitting out blackish-colored blood, in stark contrast to the uniform he was wearing. Aruna believes that the man is the ghost of a Dutch soldier who once colonized Indonesia.

“ To... looonngg...,” said the man in a soft voice while putting his palm on the window.

At the same time the car began to move and drove slowly away from the place. The Dutch soldier's hand appeared to be released leaving traces of blood on the window. Aruna continued to look at the man who looked further and further away. As Aruna blinked her eyes, the ghostly figure of the uniformly dressed man disappeared as well with blood spots on the window.

Aruna let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. A moment later, Aruna fell asleep and began to dream.

In his dream Aruna saw a bule man dressed in uniform being tied up on a bamboo pole. It appears that the man was caught by the fighters and is being interrogated. The man was silent even though various tortures were hitting his body.

“ By the way bang*at. Where is your army hiding...?!” asked one of the fighters while hitting the man's head with a stone to make the man's head hurt.

“ Sa... I don't know. I am not a soldier...,” sahut guy bule it with Indonesian stammering.

“ Kowe lied yes. If you are not a soldier, wear a uniform.!” hardik another fighter while pulling the collar of the bule man's shirt.

“ Sa... yes me...nya... mar so you can meet Sarti..,” said the man bule.

The Dutchman's answer surprised everyone. They looked at a woman standing among the crowd. One of the men approached Sarti and slapped him so hard that the girl slammed onto the ground.

“ Crazy boy, make shy parents. You know him Sarti ?. Or maybe you are a traitor who tells the Netherlands where our troops are.?!” asked the man who was none other than Sarti's father angrily.

“ Ampuunn Pak, ampuunn...,” said Sarti while crying in fear.

“ Don't cry, answer now Sarti...!” said Sarti's father while pointing the rifle he was carrying towards Sarti.

“ Patience Sir, don't be rash. Later you regret...” said a young man while grabbing a rifle from the hands of Sarti's father.

“ It's better I kill this kid than anyone else did. I do not want to have a traitorous son of the country Mas..,” said Sarti's father while shedding tears.

“ I'm not a traitor Sir..!” sarti said loudly while wiping the blood flowing from between his lips.

“ If you are not a traitor, explain what your relationship with Londo is..!” said Sarti's father did not lose out loud.

“ I'm with Janson just friends. Precisely he who has been giving important information to us sir. He's an officer in a Dutch army camp. His task was to record everything related to the movement of Dutch troops every day. Starting from weapons, fuel and even food for the soldiers. Janson also did not like his people to colonize Kita Pak. He escaped undercover as a soldier because only soldiers were free to enter the camp. I promise to pick him up but go first with the others.” Sarti explained.

Sarti's explanation made the atmosphere tense. Some believe in Sarti's story, the rest do not respond. The leader of the fighters also tried to mediate.

“ Good is Sarti. If he can indeed give us important information, we will give him the opportunity to stay here with us. But if one day he proves to be a Dutch spy, you two will die in my hands.” said the leader as he looked at Sarti with a sharp gaze.

“ Ready Sir...,” sahut Sarti steady.

“ Ga can be rich sir. Too dangerous for us...,” said one of the fighters.

“ Right Sir..!” sahut everyone.

“ I understand, but Sarti deserves a chance. You do not forget that Sarti always gave the right information and we always managed to hit the Netherlands in unexpected places. Apparently the information Sarti gave him was from him. So we give him a chance. You can keep an eye on his every move and don't let him leave without an escort.!” said the leader while pointing towards the bule man who was still tied up.

“ Ready Sir..!” the fighters said in a disappointed tone.

After giving the order, the warrior leader left the place followed by everyone. Sarti approaches Janson and breaks her bond. Then Sarti gave a glass of water to Janson who immediately gulped it down to the toilet.

“ Thanks Sarti...,” says Janson with a smile.

“ Equally. Forgive them yes..,” ask Sarti.

“ Sure. They are also my family..,” Janson said.

“ Where can it be so. We and you are different Janson...,” said Sarti.

“ Only our skin color is different Sarti, but We are both peace-loving humans.” Janson said with a meaningful smile.

Sarti smiled too. He understood if his relationship with Janson would be hindered by the blessing of many parties later. But Janson's tenacity proves her sincerity keeps Sarti touched.

The closeness of Sarti and Janson who were indeed more than friends was envious, especially when the two were married. Many young men who put their hearts on Sarti must swallow disappointed because Sarti prefers Janson to be his life companion. While girls like Sarti do not like to see the happiness of Sarti who managed to captivate Janson.

But all that means nothing when they have to face the invaders. They all united against the Dutch troops who tried to break into the village. Everyone watched how enthusiastic Janson faced the enemy troops who incidentally were his compatriots. Wearing a T-shirt, trousers and a ninja-wrapped sarong, Janson would stand in the front row holding a rifle aimed at enemy troops who ran off against the resistance of the fighters.

Until one day Janson had to leave with the important task of the leader of the fighters. Sarti who is pregnant young can only take the husband to the edge of the forest where there is a train track. Although the middle of ‘mabuk’ due to the effects of pregnancy, Sarti still struggled to find news.

“ If dizzy you should be at home aja Darling..,” said Janson at that time while rubbing Sarti's stomach gently.

“ I'm not good with others Mas..,” says Sarti.

“ They also understand, do not need to maxain themselves. Kasian kita son...,” said Janson.

“ This is the last Mas. After this mission is completed I will step down and become an ordinary housewife just rich other women..,” promises Sarti to make Janson smile.

“ That's good. I can't wait to see Indonesia independent so we can live a normal life and don't have to fear rich gini..,” said Janson while hugging Sarti tightly.

“ Aamiin..,” says Sarti.

“ The train is coming, I'm going first huh Darling. Please take good care of our children. Tell him, Papa loves him..” said Janson with teary eyes.

“ Yes Dear, be careful yes..,” said Sarti while waving his hand.

Together with some Janson fighters get on the train. Sarti's hand and smile were the last things Janson saw. After that day Janson no longer returned to the village. Not because Janson ran away from his responsibilities but because Janson was caught by Japanese troops who came to colonize Indonesia.

When caught Janson was wearing her stolen uniform and it made her undergo heavy torture. The Japanese army forced Janson to tell him where the armory belonged to the Dutch troops while continuing to beat Janson's head with a rifle butt until wounded. Blood soaked the side of his pale face.

Before the dream was over, Aruna saw that Janson's stomach was pierced with bayonets many times and then inserted a bamboo stick to Janson's stomach was hollow with blood that flooded the floor.

“ Astaghfirullah aladzim.., what a pity your fate Janson...,” muttered Aruna while rubbing her sweaty face.

Aruna grabbed a bottle of mineral water and gulped it down while glancing towards the window of the carriage. Again Aruna saw the ghost figure of Janson standing attached to the window of the train while staring expectantly at him.

“ Toloonnggg Akuu...,” said ghost Janson to make Aruna pitya.

“ Well, We talk when I get to later yes..,” said Aruna shriek.

Janson's ghost seemed to smile and then simply vanished. Aruna blinked her eyes while leaning against her body. He stared at the vast expanse of rice fields along the side of the railway tracks while remembering his short dream.

Seriate