The Monster In Me

Greeting Joyfully

“Wah! This place is also big!” firda exclaimed shortly after he stepped out of the bus. The girl jumped up and down a little, seeing how wide the parking lot that is specifically provided by the Playground.

Adira who came down right after Firda then circulated the view. His eyes narrowed, fighting with the scorching rays of the sun that shone on them with vigor. For a few seconds he looked only at the large gate they had just passed by bus, and the gate they were about to enter.

The first gate has a more festive decoration, with sunflower decoration as well as a striking colored rainbow. There are even pictures of each vehicle and children on the towering, long walls on either side of the iron gate with the pointed end at the top.

Meanwhile, the second gate looked even simpler. With a dark green color dominating, the gate connects two small buildings inhabited by sellers and ticket inspectors. Security guards appear more, because the gate is what limits the area that is freely entered by many people with the area devoted to Playground visitors.

“Dir! Don't daydream!” reprimand Firda who made Adira slightly jerked. “Bu Danita asks us to line up before entering.”

“Iya,” Adira replied briefly. He really felt underpowered after having a bad dream while falling asleep for a while on the trip. Doldrumsily he followed Firda's steps towards where the teacher and his friends had gathered.

While marching, he could see the students from the other classes also receiving a briefing from their respective teachers. Especially the 10-2 class, which lined up right next to him.

“Ngapain you come here again? Just stay there!” One of the teary-eyed students seemed to snort loudly while pointing at Trisha.

The girl who was forced to line up after being expelled by Karsa then turned the eyeball lazily. “I want it to, too, Van. Do I need to be moved to class 10-1 permanently?”

Trisha's indifferent attitude then makes Evan more angry. The young man no longer cared about the existence of their homeroom teacher who was trying to bring order to the students of class 10-2, and then shouted, pointing his chin towards Karsa. The young man was standing quietly in his own row. “This is all because men who like to spread charm do not know the time and place! He should have taken the time to fill his empty brain!”

“What else, anyway?” ask Karsa while massaging the base of her nose. “Can we not argue for today alone? I came here to have fun!”

“Who is arguing? I just grumbled a little because our class had trouble thinking Trisha was late!”

“Then just rebuke him! Don't expand the problem by dragging me!”

“Muethyu?”

Adira watched the two young men with a flat look. Little sympathy for Danita and her 10-2 homeroom guardians trying to control the situation. The girl clucked softly while stomping her feet. “Actually, what's the problem between them?”

Firda who heard the question then turned to face Adira. “Entahlah. Though I heard, they used to be friends.”

“What? Impossible!”

“True, kok.”

“Alright, kids! Now we go in turns, yeah. Mr. Gunawan has taken care of tickets for all of us,” said Danita after successfully making the students calm again. “Later before entering you will be given a paper bracelet, not to be lost!”

“Good, Mom!” answer Adira and friends with enthusiasm.

It did not take long for them to enter the main area of the Cakrabuana Playground. They were greeted by a large sunflower-shaped mascot with a smiling and radiant face. The combination of orange and yellow colors on the cocoon, as well as the green color on the leaves and stems look so refreshing to the eye. Many booths lined up, displaying a variety of typical Playground accessories. In an instant the line of students split apart, especially the girls who excitedly approached each booth one by one.

“It's okay. Suitable for you,” Adira replied quickly. He bit his lower lip to hold back the laughter. He rejected every bando that Firda had extended to him. Absolutely do not want his long hair that has been tied neatly to form a ponytail to be messy just because trying items that are not necessarily bought. “Will it not be lost if you buy it now? Can-can bando it falls when we ride Roller Coaster.”

“Ah, true also.” Firda pursed disappointed lips. He returned each bando to its place. Including the black glasses he just picked up. “Then, later. We'll be through here again to go home later, right?”

“Iya.”

“OK. Now so what should we do?” firda asked while tapping her own chin.

Not yet had Adira to say anything, Firda looked wide and immediately withdrew his hand. Inviting him to run to the back of the group who are still gathered near the mascot statue.

“Everything stay here until you are allowed to split up, yes.” Sounds like Danita's giving orders. “We just need to wait until Mr. Gunawan gets back here.”

The focus of the students began to break down. Seen from the few students who answered Danita's words. How else would you like? The energy radiated from the Cakrabuana Playground makes them want to immediately explore the tourist destination that has not been operating for long.

The clock still shows at nine in the morning, but already many visitors who enliven the place. Adira thinks her friends are starting to fear having to queue if until they keep delaying for longer.

Most of the students seemed to fill the time by taking selfies lined with flower gardens and mascot statues. Showing various styles that might make them embarrassed when they see the results of the photo later. Adira simply watched as she crept the backpack strap on her shoulder tightly. The books he was carrying began to weigh heavily on his back.

“Abian! Whatan, anyway?” Some students screamed loudly.

Adira turned to the source of the voice. Instantly his expression turned even more sour after seeing the scene that began to feel familiar.

Abian, the mischievous student, wears a hideous mask back. This time it was equipped with a bando decorated with red devil horns. Adira think his friend should always be kept away with things that smell of monsters, because his ignorant nature has begun to feel annoying.

“Are you not bored?” adira is upset. “You really wasted money on that useless thing? Hard to believe!”

“Sorry, sorry,” Abian said later while removing horrific objects from her face and head. The ignorant smile on his lips did not seem to diminish at all. “I can't stand it. The quality of this mask is much better than I've ever bought before. Lookie! Even this zombie face mask skin looks real!”

Firda who was beside Adira then shouted loudly when Abian approached to show off his mask. Unlike Adira who only sees everything lazily.

“Keep that thing away from me!” yell Firda again.

Abian ended up laughing complacently. Think of his friends' fears as an achievement. Not at all aware of how his actions give different effects to each person.

Not far from there, Karsa stood glued to the spot. His face looked pale with lips that were reddened from being continuously bitten hard. The young man trembled at the things in Abian's hands, but he tried hard to cover them up.

***