Nyai Ronggeng Tumbal

Humpback

News about Ki Larang who lost his sanity has reached Nyai Sekar Asih. Of course that didn't surprise him at all. He believes his behavior will not be sniffed.

“After you returned from Curug Village, there was a clue you got?”

“Why am I always dead-end to get a hint, Mbah?” Sekar Asih who was standing in front of the window, his gaze looked straight forward where there was a stretch of teak trees covering their residence.

The simple wooden hut was deliberately built in the middle of the forest. The hut that has been inhabited by Mbah Warsih for a long time. A place where he alienates himself from the outside world. In the hut was also Sekar Asih cared for by him until the dancer ronggeng it has the ability of black magic.

Although the existence of the hut is already known by the surrounding residents, but no one is suspicious about their activities. Residents only know there lived a beautiful ronggeng dancer with her grandmother. The residents did not dare to enter the area. So one way to be able to contact Nyai Sekar Asih if there is a call to appear loosening is to convey a message to a hunchback man who lives on the edge of the village. Strong name, he is a confidant Mbah Warsih. Because of his stature, he is more often called the hunchback.

The Hunchback is a child who was nurtured by Mbah Warsih as a baby. The old woman found him lying on the grass in the forest. The red baby that was still complete with his ari looked pitiful. His entire body was covered with red ants.

At that time Mbah Warsih thought the baby boy was dead, because not a single cry was heard coming from his mouth. But when investigated more closely it turns out that the baby's chest that is only covered with worn cloth is seen down and up.

“That's your fate, Lek,” Mbah Warsih said. Carrying the innocent baby, while cleaning the ants attached to several parts of his body.

He took the baby home to his hut. Then cleaned his entire body from the remnants of blood that is still attached.

“Cube your name, Strong, in the hope that one day you will grow into a strong man in living all the obstacles of life.”

With affection Mbah Warsih take care of Strong. Unfortunately Strong grows up with imperfect physique. His body bent with a minimal height aka dwarf. Even so, the hope of Mbah Warsih was granted. Strong can be relied upon to help with work. The movement is agile and strong even with its limitations. He doesn't talk much, he never argues. Everything that Mbah Warsih ordered was always done well. It's only natural that Mbah Warsih always believed him. Moreover, Strong already knows all the rituals that are often done by Mbah Warsih. Even Strong is also often help Mbah Warsih prepare anything needed in performing the ritual.

The villagers knew the Strong, because the Strong often went out of the forest to buy some necessities and sell firewood in the village. The villagers called him the hunchback. The aura of his fierce face and his dinginging bearer made not one of the villagers bother him let alone denounce his limitations. In fact, they tend to be afraid of the personality of the Hunchback who they consider mysterious and strange.

Although often meet villagers, do not make the Hunchback familiar with them. He was a quiet man, speaking only as necessary. No ragged greeting or smiling when meeting someone, until the villagers were indifferent to him. Even so, the mature man never made trouble or did evil in the village.

Since the presence of Nyai Sekar Asih. Strong ordered Mbah Warsih to make a dwelling on the outskirts of the forest near the settlement. He becomes a liaison between outsiders when in need of Nyai Sekar Asih.

At first the villagers did not accept the Hunchback present in their midst, with the physical reason that the abnormal Hunchback would make the children afraid. They are also a little suspicious of the intention of the Hunchback who suddenly wants to make a residence near the settlement of residents. Although rarely Si Bungkuk hut and other residential residents are very far apart.

Nyai Sekar Asih finally intervened to solve this problem. With the charm of her beauty that is able to hypnotize everyone who sees it finally the hearts of the villagers are melted and allow the Hunchback to live there. Nyai Sekar Asih told the people of the Hunchback is a believer and he who guarantees the existence of the Hunchback is not a problem.

~~

"Bend down!" Someone shouted while knocking on the wooden door of the hut from outside.

A man about thirty years old was standing straight in front of the Hunchback.

"What's wrong?" ask the Hunchback

"I'm Ki Demang Atmojo's messenger from Cibening village about to deliver a message. Demang Kami will hold his son's wedding celebration and will invite Nyai Sekar Asih to dance there." replied the burly man.

"When exactly will it be made?"

"A week away."

"Well I'll pass on Ki Demang's message to Nyai Ronggeng."

"Then where can I pick up Nyai Ronggeng?"

"Here, in my house."

After the conversation was finished the messenger man Ki Demang Atmojo using a pedati pulled by one horse left the residence of the Humpback.

The hunchback went back into his dwelling. Then he put some of the things he would carry into the forest into a cloth. After feeling everything was done he went out and locked the hut tightly.

the journey into the forest is not an easy thing.the road is uneven and many in the sprouted thorny grass, not to mention the farther into the forest then the road will be uphill. fortunately, the Hunchback is used to this road, although with the limitations he has the journey he can pass easily.

for a moment the Hunchback stopped his steps, then he quickly turned his body back. Silent.

The hunchback continued his journey. Suddenly the tail of his eyes caught a shadow. He stopped his steps back.

Arakk...

It sounded like the sound of a broken branch and then it was quiet again. A scary grin was drawn on the lips of the Humpback. He also accelerated his steps. In my heart I want to quickly reach Mbah Warsih hut. He doesn't want to get to the night.

"It's time they had to eat. His name is windfall takan run where. Let alone the windfall that comes alone." said the Humpback in heart.