Secret Alit

Dancers in the Empty Sanggar - Part 1

Today, my mom and dad came home late. Mama told me she had just come home around 8pm and was going to buy some food to take home. At home there was only me, grandma, and sister Luni. As usual, my grandmother was drowning behind her book. While Kak Luni was in his room.

Me and Ireng were sitting together on the terrace. There was a lot of wind blowing, but it didn't feel strong. Only a small amount, which even made Ireng sit closed his eyes while sleepy.

Tonight was quiet and quiet. In fact, I did not hear the sound of peddlers traveling around tek-tek noodles that used to pass in front of the house. Suddenly, Ireng who was sitting in front of me suddenly tensed up like he was paying attention to something. Apparently there are two neighboring cats that enter through the sidelines of the fence. I took cat food and gave it to both of them. Ireng let the two cats eat casually, while still keeping an eye on them.

A moment later, Ireng was seen straightening his ears. Simultaneously, I heard the rhythm of the gamelan. I looked towards the courtyard, where the gamelan sound came from, to clarify my hearing. As far as I can see, there's nothing. Everything was quiet, no one passed by.

I walked out of the fence and through the courtyard to hear more clearly. Ireng followed me to the streets of the complex. I paused for a moment when I found the origin of the sound. Gamelan grooves were heard from an empty house. The house looked dark from the outside, not a single lamp was lit.

To my knowledge, the house is a former traditional dance studio. It is not far from my grandmother's house. Exactly across the street, then turn past the second complex park from the grandmother's house. I was standing in front of an empty house without that fence. The house is indeed like a closed shophouse with a folding door made of iron.

Ireng kept following me and locked his gaze towards the closed door. I still hear the gamelan. His voice is getting clearer. I also looked for a gap to look into the room in the house. There was a small hole in the front wall of the house. I suspect, maybe the wall was deliberately given a hole for something related to the construction of the room. Ireng who was standing near me, kept looking towards that door.

I can see even one eye. The room behind the wall is bright! I did not expect, it turned out that there were lights that lit even though from the outside, the house looked very dark.

Inside, there was a beautiful and graceful middle-aged woman. Although it looks old, but he is very flexible dancing. The woman wore a kebaya with a green scarf wrapped around her waist. Her hair was so big it went to the shoulder. There were two yellow metal skewers on his left and right. There were many folds on the front of his array, so he could go wide.

The woman danced alone. He looked very gleaming while dancing to the rhythm of gamelan, but I could not see his escort.

Then, from afar came the voice of the one who was conversing. I pulled back from the hole and looked around. Turns out, there was a complex security guard and one person I didn't know. I was relieved that they didn't see me. If found out, I could be suspected of being a nutmeg! I rushed to get away from the empty house, and passed them.

"Dik, looking for Ireng?" Said the security guard greeting me with a smile. He does know my habits that like to look for Ireng to the streets near the complex park.

I answered "yes" and returned his smile. Then, I walked back home with Ireng.

When I got home, my mom and dad came home. They came home with my favorite tek-tek noodles. Incidentally, my subscription noodle brother is not passing in front of the house. Our family enjoyed dinner together. But I didn't tell anyone the incident I just experienced.

I've never met that woman. Who is he? As I recall, it had long since the place was no longer a dance studio and was left empty. In the past, when the sanggar was still active in activities, indeed the accompanying gamelan was often heard slipping from the grandmother's house.

The next morning, I almost got bad. Last night I couldn't sleep thinking about that empty house. Although it was almost too late, I took the time to stop by the former sanggar's house. It turns out that it's really not managed. Wild plants thrive around it. Last night I didn't notice any wild plants because it was dark. I saw the hole was still there. I peeked at him, but no one was there.

After school at noon, I want to tell Grandma about this. Hopefully it will not be jammed later, so I can get home quickly.

***

As soon as the school clock went off, I immediately waved to Ara and Monet. Then, I ran small towards the stop to wait for public transport. However, it turns out that there was Arlo waiting for me at the stop with his bike.

"What a coincidence! I'm gonna hurry home!" I said while riding Arlo's motorbike.

"Can I stop by? Today there are no activities, so want to play at your house" said Arlo.

I also allowed Arlo to stop by my house. Most importantly, I was able to quickly get to and meet grandma. Arriving at the complex area of the house, I asked Arlo to rotate a little around the complex garden.

"Mumpung ride a motorcycle, I want to take a walk muterin park dong," I said lying.

"The three-minute walk was tired" Arlo said with a laugh.

Yeah, I was lying. I don't want to go for a walk, but deliberately want to pass in front of the empty house again. I'm still curious about what happened last night.

"Arlo, please stop at the park for a moment, yes," I said.

"So soon, I'm gonna hurry up to your house. Thirsty, want a drink" said Arlo.

I looked at the empty house again. It's not managed. Many parts of the roof have been removed, and only the nails are left. I imagined the state of this house at night, spooky as well. Last night, I was braver because Ireng was accompanied.

When I got home, I went in to get a glass of water for Arlo. Since there is Arlo at home, grandma even fun chatting with him. My story about the empty house of the former hangar was also forced to be delayed.

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