Secret Alit

Grandma's House

My name is Alit Permata, the youngest child of the Purnama family. I live with my grandmother, papa, mother, sister, and Ireng, my beloved cat. Everyday, mom and dad are busy with office business. While my brother, Luni, was busy studying in preparation to graduate High School and enter college.

A year ago, we moved into my grandmother's house. Staying at grandma's house made it easier for Luni and I to go to school, because the distance was closer. After all, grandma lived alone after grandpa died.

In the grandmother's house, there was a spacious courtyard with large trees. The atmosphere here is cool, although the sun shines brightly during the day. Grandma's yard is often a haven for wild cats. I had an extra activity with friends in the cat care community, which was feeding wild animals and also following a cat sterilization program.

The people of the house also often participate in the activity of caring for my animals. Especially since Ireng was at home, they became like cats, especially papa. Indeed, his behavior was very funny and adorable. It is impossible for people not to fall in love with seeing it.

Ireng has become part of our family. He is a clever cat. Why did I say smart? One of them, because he understands the habits of grandmothers. Every morning, Grandma always took him shopping at a stall near the house.

The shop where grandmothers shop is near the home complex park. On the park bench, grandma used to sit with the neighbors to just chat while sunbathing. Grandma often went to the park with Ireng. Moreover, grandma is often alone because papa, mama, Kak Luni, and I have their own activities outside the house.

The neighbors knew grandma as a herbalist. Many people like their herbs. Not only parents, young children also love herbal medicine made by grandmothers.

***

Everyday, my grandmother always looks good. I often see it is likening motifs and colors of bars and kebaya that will be used.

"The batik motif is full of meaning and is always made for various moments," so the words that are often spoken by grandmothers.

Slim-bodied granny. His hair is always white with two skewers on the right and left. Her face always seemed friendly, which made grandmother very liked people.

You could say, I spend more time with grandma because mom and dad are busy working. Same with Kak Luni who was two years different from me. He's on a tight schedule for his graduation exams. After all, Luni preferred to hang out with her friends. I prefer to spend time at home.

Sometimes, Brother Luni feels envious if I get closer to grandma. Moreover, grandma always defended me when I forgot to do the housework, which is watering the plants. In fact, grandma was also always mediating and being neutral when I and Kak Luni had a fight. Even so, still Kak Luni pouted and did not accept.

I feel like grandma loves everyone in the house fairly, be it papa, mama, Luni sister, and also me. Every day, my grandmother prepared food for the family.

However, only I could see the other side of the mysterious grandmother. Often I see a figure that resembles a grandmother, as I have told you before. I slammed the door at 3am and woke up the whole house. Such an incident is not only I have experienced once twice. But until now, I did not know and have never asked my grandmother about it.

***

The same day I slammed the door at 3am, my mom and dad called me to have breakfast together in the living room. There is already Kak Luni and Grandma as well.

"So gini, Alit, I heard a door slam at 3am, is that really you? Wh why? What have you finished? Anyway, what time is it not sleeping?" Kak Luni opened the chat with questions spoken in a rather high tone.

"..." - ".I just fell silent and was actually a bit upset about being asked that question.

Meanwhile, papa remained calm and asked, "Why, Alit?"

"Sorry, Pa, Alit wasn't on purpose. Alit wants to open the door for Ireng, he wants to enter the house. But the door was slammed, probably in the wind," I said lying.

"Oh, Papa thought you slammed the door because you were afraid to see something" said Papa. Papa's guess is right. I was surprised to hear it. I was silent too. I'm sure papa can see my gurgle. He obviously seemed dissatisfied with my answer, but papa did not ask in more detail.

Papa is a calm person and never scouts someone. She always values the privacy of others, including her children.

Mama came up to me and got me a glass of water to make me calmer. While Kak Luni. Maybe upset, because of me, he woke up from his slumber this morning.

My grandmother smiled at our conversation. "All will be well, don't worry" said the grandmother.

That incident did make my heart almost fall out of fear! I was curious, scared, astonished, all mixed up. Even so, I tried to stay calm, so that my mother, papa, and Kak Luni did not ask much. I had to temper this curiosity for a while, and it took patience in finding the answer.

***

Once upon a time, I saw a granny-like figure again. At that time the sun was shining. The house is quiet because papa and mama are working, while grandma is going to the stall. There was only me who was having lunch alone in the kitchen, and Kak Luni who was napping in her room.

While I was busy chewing, suddenly my gaze was fixed on the middle room. From where I sat, I could indeed see into the living room of the kitchen door that I had left open. There, I saw again a figure like a grandmother who was dancing as if to follow the rhythm. I could only stand still looking at that figure. I don't know how many seconds or minutes I spent. Until finally Kak Luni, who had just woken up, suddenly entered the kitchen.

"Heh bengong aja," said he startled me.

Brother Luni did not seem to see that figure. Sure enough, as soon as I looked again into the living room, the woman was gone.

"Superficial" I thought. I know, grandma is good at dancing. But, grandma is again in the shop. Oh, again, I throw away my curiosity.

***

Ever since I lived in Grandma's house, there have been a lot of strange things that I've been through. Just me. Mama, Papa, and Kak Luni did not experience it. While grandma.entah what kind of creature she has met. I'm sure it must be stranger than my experience.