Secret Alit

Grandma's Story 3: The Childhood Home

My grandmother used to tell me her childhood stories. Grandma's childhood was very different from mine. That's why I'm so happy to hear his stories. I have a new perspective that I cannot find in my current generation.

In addition to fun and funny stories, the story of the childhood of the grandmother is also not separated from the horror story she experienced. One of them is the childhood home of the grandmother who - supposedly he said - is famous for being haunted.

The house that was occupied by the grandmother as a child does hold many mystical stories. However, the house is still comfortable to be used as a place to live. The front of the house is often used by children to play. Moreover, there was a very large and shady asem tree there. So, the atmosphere of the house is always crowded during the afternoon until late afternoon.

The house has an area of about 250 square meters, with green trees that adorn around the house. The walls are a bit weathered, so impressed that the house is old. In the interior of the house, there are five main rooms: the living room as well as the dining room, three bedrooms, and also the kitchen. On the side of the house, there is an old well and tub to hold the water. While in the back, there is a bathroom and one small room to put unused items. In the room there is also a wooden table measuring 100x70 cm which is a relic from Bu Suwurih, the old owner of the house.

The back room was deliberately left empty because it was stuffy, dark, and damp. Although the sunlight could enter a bit during the day, the room still felt dim. Rarely do people linger there.

***

To get to the nearest house, it takes about five minutes walk. However, there are people around who stop by to just chat, sit around, or accompany their children to play under the asem tree. One of the people who most often come to the house is Siwo.

Siwo is another word for Uak. Seeing people calling him 'Siwo', Grandma and Yurah also called him that. His home is not far from home. In fact, he once worked for Mother Suwarni in that house. Since he had lived in the area for a long time, and even worked at grandmother's childhood home, there were many mystical stories that came from him.

"The mother who used to lay offerings and perform rituals to summon subtle creatures" he told Simbok while pointing towards the empty back room. "In the back room that is often used, continue in the well area there as well."

According to him, in addition to the tub near the well, the wooden table is also a place that is often used to put offerings. Sesajen from Bu Suwurih is simple, only contains roses, cantilever, and melang. The purpose of the meeting was to ask for safety. However, ritual offerings can also bring in unwanted subtle creatures. So, many say that the atmosphere of this house seems haunted even though viewed from the outside.

Although many horror stories about this house, Siwo initially did not want to bother. He does not believe in ghosts or other invisible creatures, because Siwo has never experienced or seen it himself.

***

One day, Bu Suwurih asked Siwo for help to deliver a pair of diamond gifts to his friend's house. Before leaving, the gift has been checked first. There was a pair of giwangs in the box.

"It's so pretty" said Siwo who was amazed to see it.

Siwo then brought the gift along with his jewelry box on foot. Arriving in front of the house of the friend Ibu Suwu, Siwo opened the jewelry box to make sure he returned. Apparently, there was only one giwang.

Seeing that there was only one pot in the box, Siwo panicked. He walked the path while looking for her. That giwang is nowhere. Siwo felt sad and afraid, because the diamond stud must be very expensive.

Still in a state of panic, Siwo returned home to Mother Suwarni. He thought, perhaps his gift fell or was left at home. He searched the corners of the house carefully, but still there was none. Feeling desperate, Siwo was sitting limp on the floor of the back room and sobbing.

"Bu Suwurih, I'm sorry because the gift is only the rest of one. I don't know which one is missing to where. Daritadi I have been looking for it, but there is no result," said Siwo while crying as he pleased.

Ibu Suwarni just kept quiet knowing the gift was missing. He was not angry, not smiling, just silent. Then, he asked Siwo to prepare the offerings and put them on the back room wooden table.

After everything was ready, Siwo and Bu Suorih sat near the table. Siwo only watched Bu Suwarni who was seen closing his eyes while clenching his hands. He did something before he finally came out of the room.

"Here, don't think about it. Later also met," said Bu Suwurih.

Siwo who was confused to hear Bu Suwurih's words just nodded resignedly. He could not sleep that night, thinking of his uncertain fate if his gift was completely lost.

"What if the gift doesn't meet again? Am I going to get fired? I must have been fired. What if I get asked to compensate? How do I pay for it?" More or less, that was what was on Siwo's mind that night.

The next morning, Siwo returned to his daily duties, namely cleaning the house. In a state still sleepy and repeatedly yawned, Siwo still swept the house aloud. In addition, because he was too tired, he also slightly forgot about the missing cash. Suddenly, he saw a sparkle from the floor. Siwo crouched down to be able to pay attention to the object more clearly.

"Giwang! Giwangunya meet!!" Shouted Siwo glee.

He carefully grasped the gift, then put it in a jewelry box. Complete is a pair of diamonds! Siwo girang not playing, feeling the burden of his mind is gone. Seeing Siwo who was sumringah, Bu Suwih also smiled.

***

This story was obtained by the grandmother directly from Siwo, and is now told to me. Said grandmother, Siwo believes very well that the gift can appear suddenly thanks to offerings and offerings made by Bu Suwuruh.

According to Siwo, he has traced the entire house in detail and carefully. Moreover, the giwang was clearly found to be in the middle of the floor. It can't be missed by him. Was it just a coincidence, or was it the house-dwelling creature that helped him find the giwang? No one knows for sure the answer.