Secret Alit

Premonitions - Part 1

That morning, I was busy looking for Ireng who was playing in the small garden in front of the house. Under the mango tree, seen Mr. Kidung who was sitting while observing a small object that was removed from his pocket.

Mr. Kidung is a driver who comes every morning to take papa to the office. He worked for papa for years. Incidentally, the place where he lived was also not too far from the grandmother's house, maybe only about 2-3 km.

I saw him pensive to the point of being a little surprised when I greeted him. I was also curious, wanting to see the thing he was holding.

"Sir Kidung, what the hell is that?" my many.

He looked at me with a somewhat surprised face.

"Ooh, Alit apparently! You're looking for Ireng again, aren't you?" He guessed without answering my question. Then, Mr. Kidung thrust the object he saw. Apparently, it was a red gem ring.

"This is a female ring. Don't make her boyfriend's gift Mr. Kidung, will you?" I tease. "Can you see, sir?"

I took the ring. It was small, only the size of my ring finger. So I guess, there's no way this ring was given to his wife who was a bit fat. Wow, I only intend to flirt! Who would have thought that the ring would really be given to Mr. Kidung's girlfriend.

Said Mr. Kidung, the parents of his girlfriend had prepared a small ceremony for their wedding. This ring will be given to his girlfriend as a sign of fiancee before the upcoming Eid.

"I'm confused, Alit. Cannot be asked to choose between my wife or the woman" said Mr. Kidung.

Hearing Mr. Kidung's story, I became worried. My gut tells me that marriage can't happen. I don't know where that feeling came from.

***

Mr. Kidung is close to me. Moreover, he has known me since I was a child. About 20 years ago, papa knew Mr. Kidung's father who worked at the shop Om Bena, papa's sister. The shop is close to my grandmother's house. At that time, Mr. Kidung who was a teenager, and his six younger siblings, often came to play at the grandmother's house. While the mother of Mr. Kidung works to help grandmother at home.

When he graduated from High School, Mr. Kidung began working as a papa driver. Two years after working for papa, she married Ms. Judis. Despite being married, Mr. Kidung still works for papa, and his wife still lives in the village with her father.

Grandma once told me that marriage was her mother's choice. He wanted Mr. Kidung to marry the village girl. Coincidentally, there was a Judis who was the same age as Mr. Kidung at that time. Mrs Judis is the son of a rich man in the village. His father had a large fish pond, while his mother had long since died.

Ms. Judis is the second of two sisters. Her brother got married first. Actually, Mr. Kidung's in-laws told him to stay in the village and manage the fish pond. But, Mr. Kidung still wants to work and support his wife from his own salary.

After having his first child, Mr. Kidung had stopped working for papa and lived in the village with his wife. They have two children: a boy and a girl. Finally at that time, Mr. Kidung worked to take care of the fish pond owned by his father-in-law.

Things changed after Bu Judis' father died. The relationship between Mr. Kidung and his wife deteriorated. People in the village also said that Ms. Judis and her older sister became arrogant. They often frolicked, went to the city and bought expensive items. Mr. Kidung felt the change in attitude of Bu Judis towards him, so he decided to go back to work on papa. Since then, Mr. Kidung rarely went home to his wife. Only at the end of each month Mr. Kidung returned home to give some of his salary.

Since two years ago, Mr. Kidung got acquainted with a food stall guard. He was enamored with the woman who served him while eating at the stall. They confide in each other. The woman was young, she was almost 15 years old with Mr. Kidung. She was a childless widow whose husband had remarried.

Mr. Kidung is increasingly familiar because he often meets him. In fact, Mr. Kidung has come to his home in the village which is about three hours by motorbike.

Their relationship developed into a pair of lovers. Mr. Kidung promised to marry the woman and divorce her wife. Mr. Kidung's girlfriend also hopes to be married quickly to avoid skewed gossip about her relationship.

Of course, they do not agree if Mr. Kidung married again. According to the younger brother of Mr. Kidung - who is commonly called teteh - the woman was still too young. He doesn't fit in with his brother. They won't be happy.

***

That afternoon, precisely around H-2 Lebaran, Mr. Kidung pamit to go home. I heard Mr. Kidung's words about the matter to papa before he left.

"My girlfriend urged me to marry her after this Eid, sir. Even his family had prepared a dummy for my wedding. I don't want a divorce, but I promised to marry her. I'm confused, sir," said Mr. Kidung in a clear tone.

Papa then advised him to have a good discussion with his wife and think of a way to solve the family problem. Papa also reminded her to be careful on the road. The trip home to his wife took about four hours by motorbike. After saying goodbye to papa, Mr. Kidung greeted grandmother, mother, and Kak Luni. I saw his face glum. I regretted it when Mr. Kidung was in the front yard and ready to leave on his bike.

"Alit, doain Pak Kidung yes, hopefully all is well" said Mr. Kidung.

For some reason, tears just washed my cheeks.

"Lho, how about crying? Mr. Kidung is only 10 days off," said Mr. Kidung to calm me with a smile. "This afternoon, I want to go to the house first, do not go directly to the village." Apparently, all the younger sisters and also the daughter of Mr. Kidung who is married will come to the house.

***

The next night, which is Sunday night - exactly one day before Eid - the air blows cold after the rain. Everyone in the house slept in their sleep, including me. I woke up around 4 a.m. It has become a habit, I immediately check my HP when I just woke up.

Turns out, there was a phone not lifted from the tether. My feelings are not good. Why the hell is a phone call at night like this? I called back and heard a crying voice...

"Alit, Aa' Kidung died.." said teteh stammering. I was so shocked I couldn't say anything. My body feels stiff.

Teteh was in the hospital when he gave news that Mr. Kidung had an accident. He died at the scene.

The accident occurred not far from the home of the woman who is the future wife of Mr. Kidung. Residents who were at the scene of the accident found his HP, and called to the number that contacted him shortly before the incident. That number is the woman's number.

The woman then called and reported the incident. Apparently, the accident occurred when Mr. Kidung was on his way from the woman's house to the village of Bu Judis.

He was very afraid when he met Mr. Kidung's wife who would definitely go to the hospital at that time. So, he also stopped serving when Mr. Kidung will be buried.

After I finished telling the story, I went straight into my mom and dad's room crying.

"What's up, Alit?" ask mama.

I tried to tell you about the accident that happened to Mr. Kidung, but I couldn't. I kept crying, until Dad finally got me a glass of water. After that, then I can give sad news about Mr. Kidung. Turns out, teteh also called to papa and mama's number. However, they were also sleeping, so the call from the tetah was not answered.

It was a sad morning for my family. The coldness of the air outside could not treat the grief we felt. We also filled our time in silence. Mama, papa, and I sat on their bedroom bed, without words. I don't know how many minutes or how many hours have passed.