Mute Witness

The Story of a Paper

Ari took a heavy breath. Today, this day,

he had gone through a long day when he met with Tito’ at the Judge's place.

He looks so tired. He just glanced at my paper.

I don't care if he doesn't

write for me tonight. Tito’ has done it. Tito’ Information already

more than enough for me to know his activities today.

Yet..

Before going to bed, Ari

take myself, Generation XII and slip a piece of paper at me. Informational

that piece of paper had quite dispelled my curiosity about Ari's strangeness

and Ali for the last two days..

*

December 7th, 2019

Author: Ari

At 11:00 WIB, I decided to get out of the room after an hour

rolled on the bed and could not close his eyes in the slightest. Ali

must be sleeping, I thought. Finally, I took my steps to search for air

freshest. My goal is the terrace of the house.

“Ali.. I want you to defend the mine. Let the family

who manages the mine.”

A soft voice was clearly heard in my ear which came from someone who

I've had so much respect all this time that I kept freezing in the doorway. I

very surprised by what I just heard. I really hope that

it's just a dream.

After a while, I was finally able to control myself. I

I decided to stand behind the door and listen to everything. I

sure enough, that sentence was just the beginning of their long discussion this time.

Ali was heard breathing heavily.

“Do I need to wake Ari for our discussion together, sir?”

Ali's words involuntarily made me publish a smile on my face. Ali

trust me so much, it's not bullshit! He even gave some

special to me since I took office.

However, to my astonishment, Ali changed the call to the one who

we both respect this. This time, Ali was heard treating him like

other family and government officials. There is no more privilege within

the call was as usual.

What the hell is going on??

I wanted to put my feet up to both of them. However,

the words of that person held me back, even making me establish myself to

never gonna see him again.

“Don't involve him this time, Ali. You've given a lot

speciality him. Aren't you afraid that someday he'll

against you? The privilege of the position you gave her has the potential to

against you someday!”

“I believe him! In fact, if he wants to replace me

as the current leader as well, then I'll make sure to give you that position

on him!” Ali sounded out holding back the anger.

“Good.” That guy sounds like he's giving up. “But.. This time, talk,

better not get involved!” He said back with emphasis, firmly.

Why why anyway? Me why? I'm rattled.

I just realized, if all the compliments to me all this time were

falsehood. This time, he proved it. He doesn't want me involved with

something I don't know, what is it?

“Why with Ari, Sir? Why can't he get involved? He's a deputy

the leader who now has the same position as me in the discussion and

decision making!” Ali again sounded suppressing anger.

“That was your fatal mistake, Ali! Why do you give it privilege

like that?!” The man protested. It was clear in his voice, that he

blame and disappointment for Ali.

“He deserves that privilege, sir! Nothing in the family

who attach great importance to the people above their own interests

himself!”

Ali was overrated in praising me. He is the most important

populace. I'm just a supporter trying to stand firmly behind him. If

only I have the chance, I really want to protest in front of him at this moment.

“I'll wake him!” Ali said firmly and started to step up.

“If you want him safe, then don't do it!” The man said

assertive but with as slow intonation as possible.

It seemed like he was trying so hard that I wouldn't wake up and listen

everything is. But.. The current situation clearly does not support it. I heard

everybody!

Ali seemed to undo his intentions, “What would happen to Ari if

I told him about the talk here?”

Ali was obviously angry at the threat. However, tucked a tone of worry within

her voice.

“He will end up like a Judge!”

“What?!”

“You know, right? Your position and Ari in front of the Advisory Board is very vulnerable.

In fact, many are against the privileges that Ari gets. They can

just drag it around without you preventing it. Remember, even if your position is leader

even with the privilege of the position you have, you can still

dethroned!”

“Why can't you trust Ari?” Tanya Ali bitter. Him

“He's someone who isn't easily persuaded. His behavior can be harmful

anyone including the people who are very concerned about it. He always does

what he wants to do, even without knowing the purpose.” Breathe in

heavy. “He's like a Judge!”

“Ari never does anything without consideration. He's even a lot

help me make a tough decision. He has always supported and encouraged me.”

Ali said weakly.

“For that reason, you are like losing face in front of the Advisory Board.”

Ali chose silence.

“Preserve mine in the family, Ali. Abuse related

mine, you can monitor it yourself. You have that position

allow to eliminate that abuse.”

Ali quiet.

To be honest, I was very curious as to why that person wanted so badly to defend

the quarry? Not every time we met, he stood firmly in front

we are in support of the decision to hand over the mine to the government? But these?

I wanted to step up to her and ask her why, because

Ali didn't ask about it. Well.. I'm sure Ali would have known

the answer was, even before he was told. I am very proud to have

cousin and friend like him. Moreover, he trusted me to

helped him all this time.

“Hh.. You must be wondering why I want you so much

defending mine.” Sighs. “You know, a lot of investors

foreigners who want to control the mine. They just wait until the family

Husain returns mine to government.”

“..If the mine goes back to the government, you'll know what it will be

happened right?”

Ali remained silent.

“They will get the chance to rule the people's property. They

only concerned with profits, they would definitely take everything in a way

slowly. No more parts for the people.”

Unexpectedly, he explained his own reason. I don't need any more

to ask him and show me.

However, the reaction from Ali sounded odd. He laughed after hearing

that reason. That laugh contained ridicule.

Eh.. why? Thought.

If I were the one talking to that person, then I would definitely agree

just like that. But Ali? What does he know?!!

Ali always kept a mystery. It always pisses me off, because of him

too smart. I like pungguk misses the moon when I want to reach it.

“Ali..?”

Unexpectedly, that person was precisely the one who now sounded anxious.

“Good.. If that's what you want. I'm gonna do it. Give

I got the chance, how do I make excuses for Ari and also to the Council

Counselors. It seems like the Advisory Board will be suspicious if I suddenly follow

their wishes.” Ali said with a heavy voice.

“Baaikk.” That guy's nervous.

I almost laughed. However, given my current position

hiding makes me hold him as hard as I can.

Ali indeed ‘creepy’. He can even make someone who we

always bowed before him all this time, now acting silly.

“Remember Sir.” His voice is full of emphasis. “If anything happens to Ari,

then I will do something for sure, you will not like it.”

“I.. Better destroy my career and myself than

saw it destroyed!” Resolutely continues.

“Good, Mr. excuse me.”

The man was in a hurry.

The tense conversation was finally over. I was in a hurry to get out

from my hiding place before Ali realized my whereabouts.

However, my steps came back to a halt when I heard a stifled cry

followed by a vibration on the wall. I went back to the doorway and saw the source

the sound. I gawked at it.

Ali punched the wall hard. He even did it a few times,

no matter what hands started bleeding. His movements are occasionally accompanied

with a cry of anger. He must have thought that I was sleeping so

no need to worry about being caught by me.

Yep.. One of Ali's nicknames to me is ‘seonggok corpse during sleep’.

While sleeping, I will not be bothered by loud noises though. Ali which

being irritated when I wake up sometimes has to push me from the bed

to fall on the floor so that I always succeed in waking up. Although I

would grunt resentfully after that, but he always responded with

loud laughter.

Seeing such a frustrated Ali made me determined to do

something's. I don't want Ali to make a decision he doesn't like.

Especially if I was her consideration.

Despite my pity, I chose to leave Ali in that condition. If I

appearing at this moment, I was sure that I would burden him even further.

*

I was upset when I got back to

tip information.

Ari kept it a secret, who

‘people it’.