The House in the Middle of Sawah

Message from Bu Sumini

I lay on the front sofa of the broadcast room. My body is shivering, my body temperature is quite hot. After sleeping at the SPBU mosque this morning, at seven in the morning I glided into the studio. I didn't go back to the store first, because my whole body was scuffed and there were some bruises on my face that still looked blue. I don't want to make Ibuk worry and think macem-macem. The boy who from the Kindergarten had never fought, suddenly came like he had finished fighting with Jackie Chan, would certainly make Ibuk shocked. I better rest on the radio, I thought.

Right now who is babbling in front of the microphone of the Krishna. He had panicked to see me come in a wet, dirty shirt and full of blisters. Fortunately, in my locker there was a change of clothes, so I changed clothes, fell asleep in a clean state. When Krisna played the commercial, I asked her to buy paracetamol at the pharmacy in front of the studio.

"Oh Broohh, why else? Every time I met each other, I always felt like I was a gini", Krishna sat in front of me, proffering my paracetamol.

"This . .this morning I fell from the motor, nyemplung rice field", I answered ngasal.

"Your dorms don't see the clean-up, there are no traces of what mud paddy fields are like", Krisna nyerocos asked with a soft tone nan lemes.

"Those who plunge into the paddy fields I tok. The motor is safe. Au ah don't ask a lot, my body feels really cold", I ended the interview Krisna, took a paracetamol bottle and chugged it using a bottle cap.

"You haven't eaten broo yet, you've taken your medicine" Krishna shook his head.

I didn't rub it, and tried to close my eyes. Hopefully my body condition will improve soon. Later in the afternoon I plan to visit Erni. I haven't seen him from yesterday.

* * *

At four o'clock in the afternoon, I was cleaning, combing my hair in front of the mirror in the broadcast room. I feel better already. My body temperature is normal, like any other human being. Leave my nose that feels stuck, maybe want a cold. It's natural to sleep all night on the mud of the rice field.

"The more days like kowe kok looks more unhealthy to Dan", Mas Henri who is currently on duty broadcast attention to me.

"Not sane do you mean mas?", I smiled, grinned.

"Yes that too, but you are today really like opo ya, kale foreskin, ijo ijo lemeess", Mas Henri mangosteen.

"He he. .kasih sambel pecel tuh" I chuckled at the parable of Mas Henri.

"Jaudah Mas I first, want to go to the hospital. Uh, who will broadcast the malem Mas?", I asked Mas Henri who seemed fun arranging the song to be played.

"Emm, I think Mas Iyon will fit a nostalgic frame" Mas Henri looked through the schedule book.

"Please be on the pesen yes, the door is not locked, ntar malem I came back here again", I grinned.

"Huh? Nginep here again?", Mas Henri frowned, I nodded, grinned again and immediately left. I went to the Hospital and prayed that Erni would wake up again.

...* * *...

Arriving at the Hospital, it turns out my hope was not realized. Erni is still in treatment. Although the doctor said his condition had improved, he was still unconscious. I leaned against a bench at one end of the Hospital hallway. A few people passed by, carrying their own expressions. Some look anxious, some cry, some look happy because of the recovery of family members.

"Son Dani? This is Dani's son, right?", a woman greeted me. Apparently, Ms. Sumini is Lik Wo's wife.

"Hoh, Miss Sumini? How are you here?", I'm surprised to see Ms. Sumini.

Oiya, why can I forget about Lik Wo. The man who had helped me, gave me a "signature" and he had to have an accident when he came to my house. How could I forget never seeing him or asking him how he was doing. How guilty I am.

"Yes, it's another medicine for bojoku", Ms. Sumini looks friendly, different from the last time we met. Ms. Sumini looked angry at me at that time.

"Lik Wo how are you, ma'am? I'm sorry for the Lik Wo accident. And forgive me for never coming to see", I'm downcast in regret.

"Lhoo, it's not your fault. His name is also bad, no one knows. Lik Wo had gone home a few days ago, was quite healthy, but still had trouble speaking, the doctor said there was damage to the vocal cords due to a bump in the neck. But no pa pa, bojoku is the spirit of the person, sure will be able to recover", Ms. Sumini patted my shoulder.

"I'm sorry that maybe that time seemed to blame you for the accident e bojoku yo Nak. .", Ms. Sumini said sincerely, sincerely. I nodded and understood what Bu Sumini had said.

"Son, I want to sign with you", Ms. Sumini turned right and left. I followed right and left, confused as to what Ms. Sumini meant.

"You better not get too close to Febi", Ms. Sumini spoke half in whisper.

"What's the matter, Mom?", I'm a little surprised by what Ms. Sumini said this time.

"Yes, the child has the ability to see and even communicate with the "other" world". It's good you don't get too close to him. It is not proper for a body that is still alive to be too deeply involved with that world. As for son Febi as far as I know every day communicating with such things. I was worried that he was wondering why and it could also affect the people around him", Ms. Sumini still remained in a whispering voice.

"I'm always eling with my bojoku pesene, don't be too trusting of everything you hear and get from "that world" because it could be a ruse to trap you", Ms. Sumini looked at me, serious. My skull felt cold, I gulped, slowly.

"By the way Nak Dani was here doing what?", Ms. Sumini switched the conversation.

"Emm annu, look at the sick woman", I stammered a little.

"Oh, may the spit be healed yes temen e. I want to go back first, pity my bojoku if it does not stay long", Ms. Sumini said goodbye, smiling at me.

"Sign Ma'am, be careful on the road", I shook Bu Sumini's hand.

Ms. Sumini stepped away leaving me. I again sipped a canned drink that still feels bland. The sky slowly dimmed indicating the night was coming soon. I rushed to throw the empty drink cans into the trash. I'm a little horrified too if I have to sit alone in the hallway of this Hospital.

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