Red Threads
Crumbed
The date will be 23rd again. Since morning, Mika had not seen her mother at home. There's only her father cleaning the backyard.
Unlike usual, this time his father stayed at home longer. Every time Mika asked, her papa just said that there was some business to be done. He also did not see any birthday cake in the fridge. So, he assumed that his papa ate the cake.
The rumors about Nagra circulating in the school yesterday, still filled Mika's mind. Was Nagra really murdered? But who killed that guy? He never even knew Nagra had a problem with anyone else.
Mika approached her papa who was cleaning the grass in the backyard. He has to make sure of one thing.
“Pa,” call Mika. Martin looked over, and smiled slightly.
“You're not leaving yet?” tanyanya, which Mika replied with a heavy sigh.
“Friends at school Mika again talking about Nagra.” Mika's remarks stopped Martin's activities. The man approached Mika who was sitting on a wooden chair. “They said, Nagra died of murder. But, says polis—”
“Papa had guessed from the beginning. There was an awkwardness in the case of Nagra.”'s death Martin was silent for a moment. Seemed to think of something. “Several days, Papa has asked the police to re-investigate the Nagra case. Can you help papa?”
Mika's forehead wrinkled faintly. “Mika can help what?”
“You are looking for everything related to Nagra. Who are the friends who have been close to him. Don't forget, find out about Alana. Maybe, he could be the key to the case.”
“Alana?” ask Mika. He never thought that far. Perhaps his father was right, Alana had something to do with Nagra's death. Didn't Nagra die a few minutes after he told the guy that Alana was having an affair? But if it's Alana who did it, it means the murder was long planned. Considering Nagra's death case is so neat. Not leaving a single trace. And, made as if the guy committed suicide. It seems, Mika must clap for the efforts of the very totality of the perpetrators.
“You remember, four months after they dated, Nagra decided to move into an apartment. Why do you think that's why?”
Mika didn't get a single idea to answer her papa's question. After Nagra's death, Alana disappeared. The girl was also not found on the day of Nagra's funeral.
“Mika will find out. Now, Mika wants to leave first.”
“Be careful,” exclaims Martin, after Mika says goodbye.
“Oh yes, Pa. Who eats cake in the fridge, huh?”
Martin only let out a small response to Mika's question.
♥
Kai sat inside the ordinance room feeling uneasy. She had been there ten minutes ago to seduce a mother who was taking care of a list of student information, just to get Mika's mobile number.
“By yes, mom. I'll do anything. But, please give me Mika's phone number,” Kai said in a pleading tone, and the face was made as transparent as possible.
Ms. Dara exhaled in annoyance. “I still can't give a list of student information to others. Why don't you try to ask her directly?”
Kai clucked slowly. “Mika will not give me her phone number, Bu.”
“Yes then, you no longer have to try to find her phone number. He just doesn't want to give to you.”
“Well, mom,” Kai moaning. “Please me, yes. I help to clean the space TU deh.”
Ms. Dara shook her head. Not out of thought with Kai's stubbornness. “Why do you insist on asking for her phone number?”
“Because, I like her equally.” Kai answered spontaneously, thus making Bu Dara laugh.
Kai almost squealed happily, when finally Bu Dara moved from his place and walked to pick up a book containing a list of student information. Moments later, Bu Dara handed Kai a small piece of paper. “It. I pity me you.”
“Finally!” Kai could not cover the relief, as well as the happiness on his face. He even kissed the back of Bu Dara's hand some. “Thank you, Ma.”
“Eh, don't forget. You promised to help clean the TU room. I wait, later after school.”
Kai could only nod in resignation, scratching his non-itchy nape. What can I do? He continued saying that. At least he got Mika's phone number.
♥
“You've heard from Nagra?” ask Raga. Then, Mika responded with a nod.
“Why did it just show up now? Hasn't this been almost a year Nagra died?” Mika nodded back.
“How do you think I found out who killed Nagra?”
Raga seemed to think. “Try you remember, who ever came to Nagra's house? Or, who often goes with Nagra?”
Raga's two questions only culminate in one name, Alana. I don't know, today too many names Alana popped into her head. That led him to come to a tentative conclusion, if Alana did play a role in Nagra's death. But he did not know what kind of role the girl was holding.
“To my knowledge, she often goes with Alana. That's because they're dating. Nagra is not a sociable guy. I don't even know who her close friends are.”
Mangosteen raga. “Then, you should find out about Alana. Do you remember the key to Nagra's apartment? You can find something there. It's possible, you found a clue.”
Exactly it. Why did he never think of ransacking Nagra's room after the man died? Stupidly, he was just silent despite disagreeing with the alleged politics. Without even thinking of looking for clues in the guy's apartment. Isn't it as clever as a squirrel jumping, once falling too? If the murderer had lost track, there would have been something left behind.
“You said, today you want to go to Nagra's tomb? I guess I can't take you.”
“Why?”
“I have business. Just now Papa told me.”
Mika had to nod. I forgot it was Thursday. Raga could never drive him home that day. The guy always reasoned to help his papa. So inevitably, he had to go to Nagra's own tomb.
♥
It had been fifteen minutes that Mika stood at the school gate, but Mr. Rudy had not yet come. He sent a message to the man. However, there is no reply.
Mika sighed in annoyance. Transportation that usually passes in front of the school, also does not bring up its existence. He even thought, whether now the drivers are on a mass strike.
The roar of the motorbike engine made Mika turn towards the school gate. Kai was there, with his beloved black duck bike.
“Lo who to wait for?” ask Kai.
“Against Mr. Rudy. Don't know, when to come.” Mika could not hide the annoyed look on her face. “So why not go home?”
Kai chuckled, scratching his neck. He threw a glance around Mika. “Raga where?”
“Go home. No business.”
Kai mangosteen. “Lo with me then.”
“Bby?” Mika's question, instantly answered an excited nod by Kai.
Kai held out his helmet at Mika who greeted the girl with a slight hesitant gesture. “Come up,” said Kai, when Mika did not move.
Mika's wearing a helmet. Then, take a step closer to Kai. He got on the duck bike with his hands resting on the boy's shoulder. The skirt he was wearing, made it a little difficult when riding in the piggy bank.
Kai took off the jacket he was wearing, then handed it to Mika. “Wear! Make skirt cover lo.”
Kai props up the bike, after making sure Mika uses the jacket as directed. Unknowingly, Kai smiled. He never imagined he would bring Mika into the old motorbike owned by his father. The girl seemed to have no objection, despite riding a motorbike that could not walk above the speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
“We go straight home?” ask Kai.
“We stopped by the funeral first can?” Kai nodded. Mika shows directions to Nagra's funeral.
The distance to Nagra's funeral is not too far away. Only half the distance from Mika's house to school. It only takes less than forty-five minutes—with caterpillar speed motor— to get to that place.
Although it is still daytime, the atmosphere of the funeral is always gripping. The breeze made the unattached Mika's hair children fall apart. Mika passed through one tombstone after another, followed by Kai behind her back. They stopped at a tomb located in the middle of the burial area.
Mika crouched beside Nagra's grave. His hand rubbed the still-new-looking tombstone gently. There was a longing-laden look that Kai caught from the girl's eyes. For a few minutes, they chose silence. Letting the birds chirp and the sound of friction of the leaves being blown by the wind break the silence.
“Kak Nagra, how are you? Kangen is not like me, same Mama, same Papa?” Mika broke the silence that had happened. “No feeling yes, six months more Brother left. How's it there, brother? Happy no?”
Mika then laughed blandly. “Until now, I haven't improved with Mama. Mama still often recriminates that I made Nagra's sister die. Brother remember when we had a fight that day? I actually wanted to apologize, because I was angry. But, Nagra's sister went to bed first. I was trying to wake up. But my brother still did not want to wake up.
Until now, I still don't know. Is it because my brother died that day? Is it because I told you Alana was cheating? Is it possible that if I shut up that day, Brother Nagra will not die? Excuse me. I shouldn't have told Brother about Alana. We should not have had to fight that night. Sorry.” Mika lowered her head. Saying sorry a few times. The tears that he had been holding back from earlier, slid free from the corner of his eye. Kai tried to calm Mika down, gently rubbing the girl's back.
“What if I had made Nagra's sister die? What if I did make Nagra's brother kill himself? How else should I apologize?” ask Mika to Kai. The one being asked could only be silent. Not spitting out a word, because indeed his brain refused to be invited to cooperate at this time.
Secretly, Kai smiled slightly. At least, he got one fact about Nagra's death. Although still gray.
♥
*School corridors look quieter today. There was a frightening and cold impression that Mika caught. As long as his eyes looked, none of his companions were used to standing around the corridor. He was even surprised, was he the one who came too early? Or, does the school entertain its students without notice?
Mika's astonishment ended, as her eyes caught the crowd near her classroom. Mika sped up a step, wanting to find out what was in the middle of that circle. However, instantly his body stiffened. Nagra was in the middle of that crowd. The guy's face was pale. Sayu's view. Nagra did not respond to any of the questions his friends asked.
Even so, Mika remained happy. He hoped that this was not just a dream. However, just as he was about to run over to Nagra, the guy looked at him sharply. Nagra's pair of eyes were flushed red, making Mika's legs fixated on the spot. Without Mika understanding, Nagra suddenly pointed at her. Then, followed by the entire pair of eyes.
Mika tried to retreat slowly, as one by one the students in the circle approached her. Their eyes were not friendly at all. Stabbed him, as if to get rid of him. Mika wanted to scream for an explanation, but Nagra was already nowhere in place.
“Killer!” Mika jerks. Raga stood beside him. His eyes seemed to contain a sword capable of drawing out Mika's heart.
“A—aku is not a killer,” elak Mika. He brushed off the hands that were beginning to try to pull him off.
“A killer deserves to die!” Shouted one of the students from the crowd.
“Lo does not deserve to be here!”
“Lo must die!”
Mika was about to take a step to escape, but someone's hand blocked her wrist. His face grew pale when he found out that someone was Nagra. Nagra's face was stiff. Mika closed her eyes. But when he opened his eyes, Nagra's face changed. The face was covered in scratches of sharp, pale objects, and there was blood dripping from some wounds.
Mika screamed in fear. But there was no sound. Nagra moved her lips, slowly. In a heavy voice, the guy said, “Please me.”
Momentarily Mika was short of breath. He could only sculpt, as he watched Nagra's body slowly refract. The figure was lost engulfed in a dazzling white light. Mika did not realize what was happening, suddenly her body was pushed. He fell into an endless dark hole. The screams and accusations were still heard clearly, though he was no longer able to see the light.*
♥
Not only in a dream, Mika really fell. He grimaced as his body fell to the floor. He rubbed his back which had landed hard. Mika justifies the location of the chair that rolled because of her actions. Then, he sat back on the thing.
He was silent for a moment. So, it was just a dream? Why does it feel so real? Why is it as if Nagra is asking her for help?
He dropped a glance at Kai's red-styled bracelet he found a few days ago. Apparently last night he fell asleep while trying to remember, where he had seen such a bracelet.
Mika put away the blanket that covered her back. It's almost 6 in the morning. He should get ready for school.
♥
Mika can breathe a sigh of relief, because the events in her dream last night did not really happen in the real world. The corridor remains crowded. Some friends greeted him. Anggita and Raya even exclaimed in excitement as she walked into the classroom.
“Ka, you should see this.” Raya pushes a plastic bag on Mika.
Mika opened the plastic bag with a frown. His hand picked up a chocolate bar, complete with a small piece of paper that had been accidentally stamped on it.
“He said, chocolate can improve mood. Hopefully this can make lo seneng.” –Kai.
“Such sweet! I also want to dong dikasih chocolate!” The member exclaimed, making a few eyes turn towards them.
Raya took the paper from Mika's hand. “As it is, Brother Kai really likes lo.”
“So, now you've taken two cool guys? Jesus, Ka. When can I like lo?” Again Anggita screamed frenzy.
Mika rolled her eyeballs. “Do not want. Ribet.”
Anggita laughed, then took the chocolate from Mika's hand. Open the package, and take one piece.
“Eh, Ka. Sis Kai said, he said from today you have to be careful. What's wrong?” tanya Raya with a mouth filled with chocolate.
One eyebrow Mika rose. Then, he shook slowly. “Be careful about what?”
Anggita raises shoulders. “He just gave that anyway. But from his expression, I guess he's not kidding.”
Mika was still stuck in her own mind, when suddenly all the students in her class scattered out. They ran, as if to see something very interesting outside the room.
“What the hell is it? Look yuk!” Aggita moved from his place, and ran outside the classroom. Raya followed behind. Meanwhile, Mika was still silent on the spot. There was a sudden fear infiltrating his chest. His heart is beating fast. In fact, cold sweat had already drenched his forehead before he could even see something. Inwardly, he continued to hope that it was not something that was present in his dream last night.
“Ka, come!” exclaim Raya from the classroom doorway. With a gontai step, Mika followed her two friends.
Mika doesn't know what happened. The more he approached the school, the more pairs of eyes stared intently at him. He swallowed with difficulty. Trying to shake off the bad thoughts that ran through his head.
He broke through the crowd of students who were still standing in front of the mading. In that instant, his entire body went numb. His heart stopped beating, for a while. It almost died in the true sense. The gaze of his eyes that were fixed on a piece of paper on the mading, slowly blurred. Cold sweat had washed all over his body. Body shaking. Resisting crying, fear, and anger.
There were a few sentences on the paper that made Mika lose control of herself. A few sentences, complete with his picture and Nagra.
"Still remember Nagra—a former vice chairman of OSIS last year? Nagra, who was rumored to have died by suicide, did not actually commit suicide. Someone was the cause of his death. And that man is his own sister. Mika Arestya.”
An arrow pointing upwards is located right at the end of the paragraph. Pointing towards the photo of Mika who was plastered large. Bigger than Nagra's.
*What the fuck is this?
I'm not a killer.
It wasn't me who made Nagra die.*
Mika wished she could say those words. But what happened, he just kept quiet. Sculpting in front of that piece of paper.
He bit his lips hard, until his tongue felt a flowing salty taste. With trembling hands, he tore the paper from the mading.
“So, Mika's sister Nagra?”
“Not expecting yes. Very tight.”
“Nagra got wrong what's the same she?”
The whispers began to sound, accompanied by a piercingly sharp eye gaze.
“So, you cause Nagra to die? Why did you pretend you didn't know him that day? Pretend you don't know?” Aggita laughed blandly, clapping his hands. “Lo is great, yes. Didn't know I've been friends with a killer all this time!”
“This is not what you think.” Mika said slowly. For some reason, his voice suddenly disappeared.
“Lo want to avoid what else? We know the truth. If you hide the carcass, you will surely kiss too. The killer shouldn't be here!” imbuh Raya's. The shock of anger was clearly reflected in his pair of eyeballs. Raya, which has been known to be calm compared to Mika and Anggita, actually turned into someone who is scary in certain situations, like today. Roughly, Raya pushed Mika's body down against the wall.
“A killer deserves to die!” shouted one of Mika's other friends.
“Lo must be responsible for the death of Nagra!”
“You should be punished severely!”
“Nagra is a good man. Why do you want to?”
“Neither wonder, Nagra has a younger brother of a murderer!”
Mika closed her ears. Seek to heed the ear of the accusation and judgment. But no matter how hard he tried, the sounds were still able to penetrate his hearing. Mika cried without a sound. Without stuffing. And, without tears.
Everything that happened was almost the same as what was in his dream. This time there was no Nagra.
Mika could hear the sound of her own heart cracking. Removes are formless. His eyes stared at the backs of his friends. No one cares about it. They just left.
If he could, he wanted to die that very second. At the very least, dying would make him free from these feelings. Death made him not have to think about what would happen next. Nonsense with the confidence to endure. It has been destroyed. Brim into small pieces that are scattered.
As her friends move further away, Mika can catch the figure of Kai and Raga who are standing in opposite directions. They were looking at him with an illegible look.
No one approached, even though Mika had already shouted for help through the eyes. They remained unmoved, as if watching a sickening drama show, but were reluctant to leave.
