LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

FACE KUNTILANAK

Mama opened my veil behind my head and showed me a wound I didn't want to show anyone. Not just the things I feel. I'm ashamed to have a face full of scratches. After my mom opened the veil, I looked down and didn't want to look at anyone.

"Mom see my son's face! Look carefully at the results of the cruelty of the child that the mother defended. You want my mom's son's face to be like this?" challenging mama made the middle-aged woman who claimed to be Maudy's mother shrivel and shake her head.

"Imagine if the face like this is a mother's child! How's mom feel? The pain of a mother's child in prison is not worth the pain my son suffered." accused mama bravely defended me.

Mayta's mother stared out the window. I dare not look into the eyes of my mother who is full of fire. The woman began to look confused.

"Come in, Grandfather!" my grandmother invited the notary and legal counsel of our newly arrived family to enter the room.

Grandfather had a moment of shock and fear to look at me before finally giving a faint smile. I hurriedly looked for my veil and put it back on. Everyone who saw my face showed a look of horror mixed with pity. Of course, this fact made my mind worse. Sad, disappointed, and angry mixed into one.

"We are very concerned about the state of the mother's grandchildren and children. Again we apologize. We want this matter to be resolved peacefully." This time it wasn't Maudy's mother talking. But lawyer.

"We came here with a good apology."

"Sorry can't bring our daughter back, sir." responded cynical mama. The flames of anger were still burning in his eyes.

"We are willing to compensate you for the medical and recovery costs of your daughter."

"Sorry, sir! We have no problem with finances. You can ask all Bugis people who Burhanudin Syam, the owner of the Syam Corporation business group." replied the grandmother by raising her face. Self-confidence and pride are needed in this situation. I like the haughty style of a very elegant grandmother.

His opponent swallowed. Seemed distressed with Grandma's confident style of speaking. I'll learn that way to be better at negotiating.

"We understand, ma'am Arifah. Everyone knew daeng Syam the influential people in this land. Money is not a problem for your family." replied the lawyer with great caution.

"If you understand, please go home!" Grandma shook her hands and threw her face at me.

"I also understand that the Syam family is notoriously generous and forgiving. Please help our clients! Whatever the consequences will be met by our clients."

Grandma looked annoyed by the long-winded course of the conversation. He looked at me and asked, "Afifa, do you want to forgive the person who has ruined your face?"

I'm nodding. "Fifa will forgive if she truly realizes her mistake. Fifa is innocent. Maudy's brother came suddenly to the aviary accusing Fifa of being the cause of Firdaus's engagement and Maudy's mother breaking up. Though brother Jim once said, they have long been at odds and different thoughts. Fifa's relationship with Firdaus for several months is only limited to cooperation with bird conservation programs typical of Lolobata forest."

The middle-aged woman wanted to speak up, but her lawyer prevented her from speaking up.

"You heard, dear Mayta's mother. Your son's accusation against my grandson is not true. Your son has two grave faults; slandering and attacking my grandson until his face becomes disfigured. Do we need to call Firdaus and his parents so that the motive for this matter is clearer?"

Grandma breathed out violently. I know Grandma must be very tired of facing this problem. They had been driven out many times but they were still strong enough to hang on there like an ignorant beggar. Poor thing.

"I guarantee my son will definitely not commit violence again. Although I am aware that the inner wounds of Naka can not be healed, but I am willing to pay material and immaterial losses on this case. We don't want this case to drag on and be done peacefully." Now Mayta's mother is seen shedding tears. His voice slowly pleaded with a resigned face. The arrogance he had shown had faded away.

I'm sure Grandma didn't see a strong mother pleading for her child. A mother is willing to sacrifice anything for the happiness of her child. It is precisely the child who often forgets that his bad deeds hurt the mother to require her mother to crave herself to defend her.

Grandma was getting tired of this long talk. Mayta's mother and her lawyer continued to plead.

"alright. We will revoke the report on several conditions. First, there must be an open apology in the mass media as well as family forums involving our family, your family and the family of Paradise as witnesses. Second, if the violence is proven to be repeated, we will re-express the issue. Third, you must pay 3 billion for my grandson's medical and recovery costs."

"3 billion?"

"can't afford? The value is not comparable to the inner wounds suffered by my grandson. It's just the price of our generosity. Do we need to add any more with immateril loss claims?" challenge grandma with a proud and dignified face.

"No. We're willing. Whatever we're gonna do to our daughter." Ms. Mayta responded with a frightened face. Surely this negotiation is tiring also for women who fight for the freedom of their favorite child. Without a word of agreement from him. Our family must be determined to continue this case.

Maudy can't sleep all night. It is imagined how a spoiled girl who used to live luxury suddenly became a police prisoner in a remote area. It's definitely severe stress. They are confused because it turns out the police do not want to be bribed. That's why his family had to insist on us revoking the report. Anything is done so that their favorite children can be free. Bravo. Bray's strategy proved super.

No loss we are desperate to seek asylum to Makassar. At least here they can't demean me at all. My grandmother defended me.

"Sir, please draft the agreement. I didn't want to take care of this case for long. Finish everything now. I have to eat lunch, take medicine and rest. Mr. Tristan, while waiting for Mr. Agung please serve the best lunch menu."

"Good, mom."

I was silent and moved by this decision. Ms. Mayta seemed busy contacting her family and people with regards to the conditions that Grandma had put forward. While Grandma came up to me and looked at me with a wit, "I'm sorry if grandma's decision hurt your sense of justice."

"Fifa doesn't matter, Grandma."

"Prophey, Fifa! You can take cosmetic surgery to improve the condition of your face. It may not be perfect again like before. But the Lord will reward you with much patience and spaciousness for forgiving."

I nodded in understanding. The face is indeed the main jewelry that is the center of attention for a woman. But sincerity is higher in the eyes of God and the universe. I'm not afraid my face is getting bad. Right now I'm just embarrassed because people look at me with expressions of horror and pity. I still think my face is still like a pale-faced kuntilanak with a lot of red cuts. Tomorrow this wound will dry up and I will get used to my face again.

I went to the mosque and ate alone in an empty room. I'm shy. I'm not used to my face. But I try to strengthen myself that the condition of this face will not change anything in my life.