Secret Alit

Dancers in the Empty Sanggar - Part 5

After the creepy creature disappeared, I was able to step back. I continued on until I stopped at a vast wasteland. It's almost dark. Suddenly, I remembered a terrible event while I was in the dark wasteland and far from the settlement.

When the time is dark, though it is very dark, I can confirm that the land is covered with red soil. It was similar to what I am experiencing now. I remember very well, just finished bathing in the afternoon after returning to school. With bare feet barefoot, I just moved to the empty land with muddy red soil, making it difficult for me to step. It's just, back then I 'moved' the place for a bit. Not long after that, I was back in my bathroom.

Moments before I 'moved' to the empty land, I met a girl of my age with long hair with a cut on her face. The girl was wearing clothes like they were from the '80s.

Right now, I feel like this vacant lot is similar to the one I had been to at that time. However, it was dark at night. So I can't see clearly around me. Now, the sky was still late afternoon and the sun was almost setting.

I saw people who were passing by. In a moment, this area was suddenly crowded by humans. This location is similar to a market in general that there are buying and selling transactions. I walked while observing the things that those people were doing.

My steps came back to a halt in a long line. At the front of the line, I saw a large cage made of bamboo woven like a bird cage. The size of the cage is huge. It seems like it can be filled with two or three people in a squatting position.

I walked closer to see the contents of the cage more clearly. How shocked I was to see the contents of the cage containing the children of men. Any sane person would think of putting the little ones in the cage! I wanted to scream, but not a single sound came out. My esophagus seems clogged. The people in that market also had no voice, they were all working in silence.

Then, a middle-aged man approached the owner of the cage containing the boy. He opened the cage and pulled the three boys out of the cage. The boys stared intently at the face of the immigrant man and tightly hugged his feet. The man crouched down and hugged the three, as if to release the longing caused by not meeting. For some reason, I could feel a great sense of regret from that man.

The man was crying silently, with a face expressing deep sadness. The children's hair was shaved, and they hugged the lekaki tighter and tighter.

I was so moved to see it, despite not understanding the meaning of it all. However, the meeting did not last long. The man led them back into the cage, while his three children still extended their hands because they did not want to escape from the man.

Unfeeling, my tears flowed watching the scene. I don't understand, why would someone throw them into an unworthy place? They are left in loneliness and physical suffering. Is this human trafficking? I woke up from my daydream and went looking for the man. Far away from that place, I saw him walking in a hurry. I followed him quietly, and arrived at a very luxurious house.

But suddenly, it was like a force was pulling my body. I crashed back into my grandmother's porch, somehow. I saw Grandma who was sitting there with Ireng. It was my grandmother who pulled me out of that world.

"Sir, Alit was lost and found almost no way out of a place like a market. There are small children in captivity, it looks like human trafficking" I said.

"That's a pledge transaction, 'Nduk, to get a lot of money by subverting the most beloved humans, '" said the grandmother.

I told my grandmother about everything I saw. My grandmother smiled at my story. Maybe he already knows, he can see it for himself. However, my heart is still beating fast. I need to shed the weird experience I had earlier.

I saw the clock showing at 19:40. I was only there for 10 minutes! In fact, it feels like a long time. From the day it was still noon until the sun started to set.

"Is it possible in another world there's a time difference, Grandma," I asked.

***

Upon my return home, it was still quiet tonight. Papa, Mama, and Kak Luni have not yet returned home. Lucky too, I thought. If they find out that I'm missing, the whole house must be freaking out. Especially if I am not lost in this world, but in another world.

Without Grandma's help, I might not be able to return. Grandma is great. He could even tell where I was at the time.

My grandmother and I sat on the sofa in the middle room while still busy telling the strange incident earlier. Not long after, I heard the sound of a car. Sure enough, mom and dad are finally home! I'm so happy, finally the house is crowded again.

"Today what's going on?" Mom asked me while putting her bag on the sofa.

"Here be it, Ma. Monet, Ara, at noon, Arlo was going to play at home" I replied.

"Oh, a lot of people today" said my mom.

I only answered her with a smile while glancing at Grandma. She had no idea that her son had just come home from 'entering'.

"Good night, everybody" said Aciel, surprising us all.

"Lho don't have his voice" said papa.

"Yes, Om, the bike's parked outside. So no wonder yes," said Aciel with a laugh.

Luni and Aciel just got home. The atmosphere of the house is more crowded, I am also more happy. I'm relieved. Now, I'm no longer afraid.

Before Aciel came home, we also chatted for a moment in the living room while enjoying a fried banana snack brought by papa and mama. For some reason, fried bananas tonight are delicious. Maybe I feel really hungry because I just got home.

"Fried banana today is really good, really manissss," I said while looking at the fried banana on the table.

They all listened to my words. According to them, this fried banana is just plain to taste. Just like fried bananas in general. Only grandma looks at me laughing and understands what I mean.