Grizzled

Episode 53

I stand closest to the water. Sakti and Eagle are a few steps behind me. Snowstorms I've seen in this gray world, but it's still raining that amazes me. It's the first rain I've ever seen here. Never miss the enthusiasm about the rain, I extend my hands to feel the cold water droplets, Sakti also do the same. The fact that we were no longer confined to the room was also a pleasant thing.

“You like rain huh, Shira?” tanya Sakti's. I just nodded in response. She smiled, “I'm also happy with the rain this time, not alone. The rain here will fall two nights in a row before the third full moon. In the previous sixty-year cycle, I had always been lonely because lost souls had been killed, leaving a sad atmosphere that was unpleasant, but I was glad it didn't happen this time. You two are still by my side.”

I myself cannot help smiling. Just this time someone claimed to be happy with just my existence.

“Can we linger outside like this?” ask Eagle.

“The monsters do not hibernate, but they will not be far away from the nest when the weather is cold. Take it easy, our position is far from any monster nest,” replied Sakti.

“I hope it will keep raining until the third full moon so that our peak search for the light gap is not disturbed by those monsters,” said Eagle.

“Why don't we look for it now?” my many.

“Still rain, Shir!”

“You're afraid of rain? Rain is just water! After all you are usually the most enthusiastic about investigating the gap,” I replied. The eagle sighed for a moment then walked up to me.

“I don't like to move without a plan and I want to hear your plan. After winning that competition, you must have thought of a series of plans for me to stick to,” replied the Eagle. Heh, he won't like it.

“Wah, the Shira who won? Your quarrel is over ‘kan? I'm a little relieved!” sahut Sakti's.

“From the beginning it was not a quarrel that made things worse. Indeed that is how we find a way to be agreed,” I replied.

“Well, what path should I agree on for the search for light gaps?” asked the Eagle I responded with just a plain grin.

“What the fuck?! Don't tell me you haven't planned anything,” said the Eagle looking at me.

“If it is?”

“Really, Shir?! You really just pissed me off!” replied the Eagle clenched his hands in front of my face, “for what you desperately fight to win the competition if it turns out you just want to mess around like this?!”

“Yeah, fight again. Already, dong!” lerai Sakti's.

“Don't just grin, heh! Say what you want!”

“Iya, briefly! I did not have a guess about the disguise of the demon creator of this world let alone a hint about the gap of light!”

“Then why do you want to win so much from me?!”

“For I only want you to believe one thing! You too will live and not need to be sacrificed! That's it, Lang!” my answer.

“It was, anyway, your will from long ago. I already know.”

“But you never want to believe! That's why I want to win that competition so you don't argue with it anymore!”

“My neck is still the same, Shir. Why are you so stubbornly believing that? Though I deserve ...”

“I also deserve, Lang,” I replied cutting his words, “I also sinned and deserved to end here. That's why when you're the only one to sacrifice, it feels so untrue.”

“If that's true, Sakti should have been free long ago, Shir.”

“I'm not asking you to argue yes! How necessary do you want to hear another reason, huh?! Do you not understand my feelings?! It's too crazy to let someone who repeatedly saved me get killed in plain sight! I can't stay alive remembering all that!” my answer. The rain slowly subsided, but my desire to make the Eagle understand yet.

“Many will lose if you are gone. Your parents, teachers, friends, Brother Garuda, all of them. In addition, it is impossible if you do not have goals that you want to realize. You want to go before ...”

“Alright, Shir, yes! I understand!” the Eagle interrupted my words.

“Eh? Seriously, huh?! Time suddenly understood just like that?! What try?!”

“My ideas are you!”

I was more surprised because Sakti was gushing laughter.

“I mean, my goal is to beat you!” errata Eagle. Shall Sakti laugh, childishly so.

“Is there nothing cooler?” my many.

“Ah, no! For a while that's what I really wanted! I feel humiliated because yesterday was defeated. Papa hasn't stopped underestimating me. Shit!” the answer.

“Well, therefore, stay alive until you make your papa proud!” answer Sakti

“Iya, Sakti! Yes, I understand. Unfortunately my frustration is not reduced. How can we stay alive if Shira hasn't thought about the light gap investigation?” ask Eagle.

“Begini, for research and strategy gather clues I leave to you. I believe you have a more mature estimate,” I replied.

“Seriously, nih? I thought that when I lost I really had to be completely submissive and you didn't want to hear my plan anymore.”

“Not really, however you have tried to win the competition. Our points are not far off, so it's good that I consider one or two good plans.”

“Ah, that's because you haven't thought of anything!”

“Oh yes, what about the other books that belong to me? Maybe it will lead you closer to the disguise of the devil,” Sakti said.

“Yes, I remember the first time I got the book,” I replied.

“Wah, I'm surprised you remembered it so soon,” comments Eagle half underestimated.

“Iya, I thought about it throughout the exam. Turns out the book was the prize for a novel reviewer two months ago, Lang. You remember?”

“Really? No, ah! I knew of three of your gift books at that time, no ancient book with brown bark. Nothing, Shir. You may have forgotten.”

“True, Lang. Initially, the book was a novel in general. I took her home. The next morning I put in a bag, then upon arrival at school my novel is not there, turned into the ancient book.”

“Of course, Shira. The book has the ability of camouflage, resembling objects nearby if there is a demon around it,” answered Sakti.

“Wah, this should be easier. We just need to find out the race committee who packed the prizes,” replied the enthusiastic Eagle.

“True, the possibility of a book that should indeed be a gift is exchanged with Sekti books that are camouflaged.”

“Quietly, if you do entrust the investigation plan to me. I'm starting to think about it!” replied the Eagle enthusiastically.

 ****

“Kak, it's arrived,” said Dad made me aware. Awakening from the daydream, suddenly the car that was driving had stopped in front of the school.

“Eh? Wow, yeah yeah! Then I say goodbye, Dad!” I then kissed her hand before leaving. I was stunned when Dad hadn't taken my hand off after.

“Eh? Take it easy, from now on I will busy myself not to cry more,” replied I smiled as much as possible and left Dad who was still silent staring at the steering wheel.

I was surprised when I had breakfast this morning Dad was still at home. Obviously I fell asleep after crying and missed the moment when my two parents ended up together at home after all this time, but the meaning remains not as good as it seems. Mom whispered that I wouldn't hear my father's appeal and asked me to stay with my mom after they officially separated. It looks like there will be a custody dispute, but one more year I am not a child and may make my own choice ‘kan?

“Raa! Why didn't your dad get out of the car and greet me like yesterday? Well, how can you keep your own papa that cool and never introduce it to us?” tanya Sindi greeted me as soon as she arrived at the classroom. I just rolled my eyes.

“Please don't be too proud of your flirtatious talent!” answered the Eagle who happened to pass by the head of Sindi.

“Aduh, why, anyway?! Yeah, deh! You're cool too, las, Laang! Don't be jealous, dong!”

The eagle just frowned in disdain. I can't help laughing because of it.

One day we intend to further investigate the identity of the disguise of the devil, find out the committee of the reviewers who packed the prize, but unfortunately the preparation for the cultural festival made Eagle not have time to go anywhere. He was also asked to join a class representative dance group and had refused.

“We've agreed that representing the class is a group of men. You're a boy ‘kan, Lang?” said Marvel.

“Ak class president, let's just organize, okay?” answer the Eagle nego.

“Well, precisely the class leader, you should be in the middle of being our role model. Come on, Mr. Chairman don't have much reason!” force Rehan.

“No, I ..”

“Raa! Eagle doesn't want to join, here!” ardian.

“Ya keep why should report the same me, heh?!” my reply doesn't understand.

The eagle has no choice, obey the will of friends. During practice it is precisely he who many forget the sequence of movement of the group dance, messing with the formation. It's the first time I've seen an eagle become moons nagging friends and it's funny. I myself was asked to help prepare the property, but not for long because it was not too much. The dance practice was not completed until noon. The eagle was still seriously watching the video of his group recording during the tenth grade dance assessment first, reciting movement after movement.

Since there was no other work, I took a look at the festival preparations in the main courtyard of the terrace. My class position on the second floor allowed me to see the atmosphere of preparation from the right point of view. Bazaar stall tents began to be installed. The corridors of the classes around the main courtyard are decorated in such a way as an exhibition gallery. The dance group seems to be rehearsing for the main performance, as well as the fine arts that make the school mascot statue to be displayed at the front gate. Though the cultural festival is still two days away, but the preparation has already begun. My school never messed around with events that invited guests from outside. Well, may the unfortunate events that occur when sports leagues do not repeat themselves.

I decided to go downstairs, wanting to start my own investigation immediately. There wasn't much I could do, but there was at least a piece of information I could find. All of the reviewers must have been teachers and I was a little sad to be suspicious of my own teachers, but as Eagle said, the demon did choose the right disguise to trick me.

Unable to sneak in by chatting about asking about biological remedies to the teacher's room, Miss Listiyah kicked me out for thinking about finding out the leak of the winner of the class hygiene competition. In the end I got nothing but scolding because of my unusual biological value at UTS yesterday. I immediately left before my body that was allergic to the amy began to react.

“From anywhere?” ask the Eagle when I get back to class.

“The training is done?” askaku. He shook. Still resting apparently. I told you about my intention to visit the teacher's room earlier that didn't end well.

“I don't need to go to the teacher's room but already know one important information,” replied Eagle while playing his phone, “most to Dimas, bu Ningrum's son was a twelfth grade Indonesian teacher who was on the judging panel of the reviewer's competition. He also helped some people pack gifts ... One of them is Miss Lasmi.”

 ***

The second day of festival preparation, the busyness increases as the last limit of collection of remedies. Only once the geladi netted, all drowned with their respective remedial bills.

My plan and the Eagle to further prove the devil's disguise was delayed when the unity of friends whose math remedies held me back. At first glance all the evidence points to Ms. Lasmi, but my common sense again tries to reject the allegations. Indeed, Miss Lasmi also packed the prize, but the most responsible of the contents of the prize is still the jury. Ms. Lasmi only packs prepared gifts. I had time to find out the names of the judges of the reviewer race and once I knew .. indeed nothing seems more suspect than Miss Lasmi.

“Yes! It's done!” yasinta exclamation followed the relief of other friends who also managed to complete the mathematical remediation. Their heads were lying on the table with imaginary smoke billowing. Out of pity, I'm the one who's collecting their remedies.

“Which Indonesian remedies are all, huh? Is there anything left?” ask Eagle.

“Already, Lang!” rihana's answer represents another.

“Eh, to the teacher's room ‘kan? Titip nih...”

“No, let's go there together!” answer the Eagle Ketus. I just thought seeing him couldn't hide the worry. Everything is still blurry while tomorrow is the height of the war. The exact position of the gap of light, the disguise identity of the demon along with the Sakti note it carried, had not given a bright spot until this second. All efforts and plans are again hindered by many things. Our busyness in the real world is really shackling.

Some children also went in and out of the teacher's room to collect remedial tasks, after which they were quiet. Teachers are more busy in the yard or in the space of their respective construction. After I put the remedial sheet on Ms. Nindra's desk I placed it to help the Eagle who accidentally rolled the pile of books on Mr. Hanri's desk. I saw a novel by my idol writer among the pile of books that had fallen. The eagle did not understand why I suddenly embraced this novel like scripture and continued to babble admiring it. The novel of the same title as my lost lomba gift back then was secretly owned by Mr. Hanri while I had long wanted to have it, huhu!

Uh, briefly!

I suddenly fell silent in the wake of the terrible conjecture. No. .. is impossible. The novel that should have been my lombak gift .. was confused with Sekti's book in camouflage .. and the original novel was on Mr. Hanri's desk. That means ...

“Why suddenly silence? Already done your madness?” ask Eagle. I sat down to reject my own guess.

... It means the twins' ancient books are with Mr. Hanri, around the gift books before they will be handed over to Ms. Lasmi to be packed. How can it be like that?! How could the twins' books be with Mr. Hanri before they were switched?! My hands are too trembling. This is even more unbelievable!

“Wake, Shira! What's up?!” asked the Eagle to shake my shoulder. He also looked at the novel I had previously written.

“No, Lang! Nah! Mr. Hanri just happened to have the same novel! That doesn't mean he's the devil we've been looking for all this time! Not!”

“Wah, already caught ya!”

My father brushed for the sake of hearing that voice. Mr. Hanri's voice this time was still as clear and friendly, but what he said earlier .. Please, wake me up from this dream! It's too impossible if it's true Mr. Hanri!

A moment later the Eagle himself was surprised that the novel he was holding turned into a very familiar brown leather-bound book. This is not only the original novel that is confused with Sekti book, but instead Sakti book that is also camouflaged, the book that we are looking for this time ... as well as someone who stole it it was indeed our Indonesian teacher. The eagle himself looked stunned for a moment, not believing the book was on the desk of the teacher he respected the most. Still struck by the unusual shock of Mr. Hanri's own words, he only pecked when Mr. Hanri recaptured the book from his hands. His grin was too strange with friendly gazes that followed us one by one.

“It turns out right, you two are lost souls of my little country visitors! Hey, what's with your gazes? Aren't you also curious about my identity? Look, now we both know! Please, be a little impressed and praise my greatness in the drama! You guys still quiet?” asked Mr. Hanri then chuckled violently.

“Who among you is a black soul descended from a silver knight? Ah, shhhh! Let me guess. Possibly Eagle? I saw a dark plume of emotion in your heart. Hows it? Was wrong? Or maybe Shira? You also have the same dark problem,” replied Mr. Hanri pulled my chin, forcing my eyes parallel to the orange sparkle in his eyes, “as well as the doubts and weaknesses in you this ... absolutely perfect!”

“Do not touch Shira!” furious Eagle removed Mr. Hanri's hand from my chin, helping me stand up. Mr. Hanri smiled kindly as usual.

“Alright, I'll just touch you!” he said flicking the Eagle's forehead. As if being thrown by a huge force, the Eagle was thrown several meters down on the row of teacher desks. The situation in this room became chaotic within seconds. I couldn't help but scream in panic, walked up to the Eagle and prevented the computer monitor on the table from falling on his head.

Urung shouted for help, I realized the number of seconds the big digital clock in this room stopped rolling. The hustle and bustle of the cultural festival preparation atmosphere outside had also been quiet. The two children passing by the corridor looked petrified like mannequins with carefree expressions, as if they were talking. Time has stopped since when, making me free to scream for help.

“Lang, wakeup! You okay?” much worry. He pouted slowly while stroking his nape.

“Wah, sorry yes, I can't help myself. Too curious to deal with people who are predicted to end the entity of my club country, but it turns out you are just ordinary children. Ah, I am indeed too underestimating! Perhaps you are still surprised and too reluctant to fight against Mr. Hanri your trust,” said the person walked casually approaching us. No, Mr. Hanri is not like him!

“Hopefully in our next meeting you will not hold back, for I will do the same, there will be nothing I can endure anymore. Don't bore me like today!” said Mr. Hanri turned around. Me and the Eagle were still both sluggish.

“Pak ..” call me hesitate. The man's calm steps stopped.

“Bab one novel that you asked me to do,” I said glaringly looked into his eyes, still hoping that Mr. Hanri who used to find me working on the novel back and said all this was just a joke.

“Wah, you finally did it in earnest! That will be the first and last chapter you work on in this project. Too bad ya!” replied Mr. Hanri flicking his finger in the air then the number of seconds on the clock again rolled, the children who were walking in the corridor while chatting continued his affairs, also the chaos in this room came back neat as if there had never been a commotion.

The eagle was still flinching in place, clenching hands were getting hardened, suddenly wanting to hit the cold floor but I immediately held back. His invisible wound was already quite painful. I don't want to see him hurt any worse.

With his shoulders up and down he said softly, “Since childhood I have missed the figure of a father who can support me, appreciate my hard work, and always rely on me.. Once there, it turns out God only played me.”

.Seriate.