ECLIPSE LUNAR

Episode 5's

SINGGASANA Pradana is one of the large housing complexes in South Bandung region. I descended on the vanguard of the complex and proceeded on foot. It was about half the way when I saw the ojek base under the lush walnut trees. Still morning. I should be strong walking, at least half complex again. But it's free to walk without knowing where I'm going. So I decided to ask the taxi driver at the base.

“Punten, Sir,” say as polite as possible.

The three motorcycle taxi drivers who were sitting around in the bale immediately smiled kindly at me. So I quickly continued my words so they would not misunderstand me. “I tea nyari my friend's house. Name's Karen. Do you know which house?”

One of the ojekers again leaned his body onto the tree trunk while answering, “Turnya really in this complex, Neng?”

“Iya, Sir,” sahutku steady. “Kalo is not wrong in O.” block

The motorcycle taxi driver who sat closest to me furrowed his eyebrows. “Oh, Kang Karen whose sister from Jogja has not returned home, huh Neng? Which son is Mr Andrean?”

“Iya Sir. Actually she. You know his house?” semringah.

“Bapak knows his home, Neng,” reply the father. “From yesterday's splash. Rame's house continues. A lot of sodaranya, yesterday the police also sped dateng. Reportedly, his sister was without a trace. Yesterday, my tea helped me to get sick. Oh, this Neng tea his girlfriend Kang Karen, yes?”

I smiled clumsyly. Quickly shakes. “I'm his schoolmate, sir. Can I get there?”

“It is not necessary, Neng.” The man shakes his head into the street behind me. I followed his gaze and was stunned to see my best friend sitting on his red CBR, smiling kindly at the taxi drivers. “Punten, Mr. ngerepotin. My temen.”

“Sok, Mango, Kang. Geulis pisan.” I don't know which motorcycle hit me, I don't care anymore.

I'll be approaching Karen soon. I scanned the change in the look of his shady eyes. Even though she smiled like the Karen I knew, her pale face could not lie to me.

I wanted to shower him with questions. Really am. But the slide off my lips is only one question, “You are okay?”

Karen did not answer. He just put a helmet on me. “Come aboard!” his orders.

“You know I'm here?”

Karen took my hand, put her helmet in my hand. “Lo was on LINE.”

“I didn't say I was already same.”

“Kan I waited lo from earlier.” His smile was again. “Kok lo instead follow bolos?”

“Partially there are no lessons. Tomorrow will take the report, continue the semester break.”

“Kalo in Jogja, has been off semester from yesterday-yesterday. That's why my sister came here.”

I put on the helmet while swallowing a bitter lump in my throat. I can feel a sadness that not even Karen is showing. A gust of wind almost helped my tears escape. Oh, goddamn. I turned my face so Karen wouldn't see it, and then immediately climbed into her motorbike without saying another word. I didn't ask any questions either when Karen drove the bike away from the compound. Only the whirring of the wind filled the entire sense of hearing. Karen mute. Not like Karen usually.

I put my face on his back. Unknowingly wrapped my hand around her body. Hoping that thus the burden he felt was slightly lifted. But why am I the one crying?

***

My hands were sweaty, when it was cold and the sky was adorned with gray clouds. Occasionally a rumble sounded. It will soon rain.

I got off the bike, rolled my eyes around. This house is far from the crowd and only surrounded by tall trees which when hit by the wind cause a soothing sound as well as creepy. The white fence that borders this house is no longer white because of rust here and there. The roof of his house that jutted down was filled with dry leaf litter, similar to his courtyard. I took off my helmet. What does Karen want to do here?

Karen doesn't care about the obvious anxiety I've been shown. He took off his helmet, revealing his expressionless face. He did not cover up his sadness this time. I just realized there was a black concave around his firm eyes and his body looked thinner.

After putting the helmet in the rearview mirror, Karen immediately held me down which felt like a compulsion. I immediately shook off his hand. That's when he just looked at me.

“This is what place?” my question is full of search. I looked directly at my best friend's eye bead.

Karen did not answer and turned around to leave me. I step by running. Before he set foot on the porch of the house, I first cut his steps by placing myself in front of him. Closing access as much as I can.

“By the way I am, Ren!” indict me. “What do you want to do exactly? What is this place? I know you're upset, Ren. But don't do something that will make you regret later!”

“Gue want to find Kinan.” Karen's voice was as flat as her facial expression. “Kalo you want to come, come on in. But if you just want to stop me, mending lo wait here. Move!”

Kinan must be his sister's name. I'm getting worried. “Why find Kinan here?” many wonder. “Says your sister hasn't met—”

“It's a paranormal house,” cut Karen fast, fill the puzzle in my head. His stern expression was like when he was competing on a basketball court. There's no doubt. However, I caught a glimmer of fear in his eyes. A combination of despair and determination. During our two years of friendship, this was the first time I've seen Karen this desperate.

“You want to know your sister ... use paranormal?” My voice's blocked. Confused, inexhaustible.

He sounded angry as he continued, “This is the only way left to meet my sister, Ser. All Kinan acquaintances in Bandung we have contacted. The police also helped. But Kinan's trail was completely unstuck! The police haven't got any results yet. How else do I have to be?! I came from Jogja. He said Kinan was missing because of me. If I had not told you about the fun of living in Bandung, Kinan would be fine. They're fucking me, Ser. I don't know where Kinan is either. There is no point in police! I can find Kinan here. Yeah, correct. Tonight too, I promise I will bring Kinan home and proof to nyokap if Kinan is more worthy to live here with me than join nyokap and her new husband.”

I approached. “I understand, Ren. I know you're sad. But you won't get anything by coming here,”. “Before you often tell me if you never believe the same things do not make sense like this.”

“Gue does not believe.” A tear ran down that guy's cheek. “But Kinan believes. He looks like lo. He likes everything that smells of the magical world. He once said, the fastest way to dance is to communicate with ghosts. He often uses astral project skills. I never believed in him. But there's no harm, am I trying? There's no harm in me trying what he does. Paranormal can help me. Move, Ser!”

“No, Ren!” I stretched out both my hands, preventing him from getting stronger. “Not like this how!”

Karen's trying to get through me. There's no other way. Without warning, I hugged her as she was about to pass through my body.

“I promise I'll help you find Kinan. But this is not the way, Ren. Please stop!” My screams sounded vibrating in my own ears. My cheeks are wet with tears.

Karen stared for a long time, saying nothing.

“Sabar, Ren. I promise you. Whatever happens, your sister will meet. I'll help you do anything, but not in a gini.” way

Slowly, Karen's body weakened until it finally fell completely into my arms. She cried on my shoulder, as loud as it sounded desperate.

The sky also spewed out its cries, bringing with it dense clouds of gray.

“Cin's definitely home, Ren. I'm sure he'll be home.” []