THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST

#10

Halimah, the daughter of Haji Maemun, was seen pacing the street. His face was pouting because early in the morning his mother had told him to go to Bahram's house. Haji Maemun since yesterday afternoon has not returned home. He was told to meet Bahram to find his father in the fields. He was angry because his father had often spent the night in the fields before. So he thinks not to be sought, because later he can go home alone.

Halimah gets upset when she doesn't find Bahram at her house. Said the person near his house, Bahram also has not been home since zikiran last night. Some of the people he met on the street also he asked for help to tell his father to come home if he happened to meet.

"Please." The cry for help sounded loud splitting the silence of the morning. Several people on the street, including Halimah, began to listen to the cry for help.

Someone is seen running from the direction of the path next to the house of the deceased bu Sarmi. It got closer, and people started to get to know him.

"What is Bahram, why are you shouting for help" asked someone. Bahram lowered his body. He looks so tired. Breaths gnawing. He could not answer the questions of the people in front of him.

"Halima, father," said Bahram when he saw Halima among the people.

"Mother why Bahram, where's father?"

Bahram holds the shoulder of a man in front of him.

"Please, take the crowd and pick up Mr. Haji there" Bahram said as he pointed towards the path near Sarmi's house. Halimah is more curious and upset Bahram makes her more anxious. He tugged on Bahram's sleeve.

"Tell Bahram plainly, why father," cried Halimah.

"Sir Haji Halimah's dead." For the sake of hearing Bahram's answer, Halimah's body became limp. People who heard Bahram's story immediately scattered to the location indicated by Bahram.

People dumbfounded. There was a body drenched in blood that had started to dry up, without a head. The ants swarming over the body. On his chest, the left and right sides, were still stuck with two knives. People's gazes were fixed on the severed necks of corpses. There was no sign of the corpse's head around him. Bahram who arrived later, invited some people to follow him. About fifty meters from the body of the corpse, the head they recognized as the head of the Hajj Maemun, was sandwiched between bushes. His eyes bulged as if about to come out and his tongue slightly stuck out.

For a moment the people who saw him could only look at each other. One of them put Haji Maemun's head in a sack and immediately took him.

The sound of crying from inside the house of Haji Maemun was heard breaking when the corpse of Haji Maemun arrived at his house. Some of the female neighbors who came to mourn, heard screaming hysteria saw the headless body of Haji Maemun. Some of them even look faint.

Hours later, a car and several motorcycles arrived at Haji Maemun's house. Some of them were immediately taken by Bahram to the scene of the crime. Several others appeared to be questioned by police. The deserted forest area, instantly turned into a crowd of mobs that started to arrive to witness the incident. Each other whispered, guessing who and what caused the tragic death of Haji Maemun. Everywhere, people formed groups discussing the death of Haji Maemun.

The news of Haji Maemun's death was heard in Farhan's and Sumarep's ears. They immediately rushed over and immediately mingled with the crowd of people who witnessed the incident.

Bahram looked at him, as well as the people gathered. Also seen Mistar sir and Sukar sir. They both looked like commanding people to set their sights on him.

Before leaving to see the incident, Farhan had indeed predicted it would happen. Moreover, with the events of his quarrel with Haji Maemun a few days ago. Likewise with the threat that is in accordance with what is now witnessed by people. For a time, people's accusations will lead to him.

Mr. Sumarep realized Farhan was starting to get uncomfortable with the situation. He paused his intention to more closely watch the corpse of Haji Maemun. After getting information about the funeral, Mr. Sumarep took Farhan home.

Bahram, Halimah and Halimah approached Farhan and Sumarep. Mr. Sumarep patted Farhan on the shoulder, signalling their arrival.

Two policemen ran towards them.

"This is my husband's killer sir, I don't want him to just go to jail, cut off his head, too sir." Maemun was seen starting to cry. Halimah tried to calm her mother, but her sharp eyes did not turn away from seeing Farhan.

"Do not accuse Ma, there must be witnesses and complete evidence. Leave everything to the police,"

"But he has clearly threatened Haji Maemun with the beheading of Pak" Bahram said. The two police officers smiled.

"Father leave it to us, the culprit must be caught" the officer said. "Now Father, Mother all return to their respective places, do not let there be a commotion," continued the officer.

They disperse. While some people were still clustered to make groups by the road, not wanting any commotion, Farhan and Mr. Sumarep decided to return home.

...----------------...

""For a while, Brother Farhan doesn't have to go anywhere first. Because of yesterday's incident, Brother is suspected of being the perpetrator of the murder of Haji Maemun. Not only that, you also told me that people near Haji Maemun also accused my brother of killing Sarmi's mother" said Wati who accompanied Farhan to enjoy his afternoon coffee.

"As long as they don't have any evidence, they won't be able to do anything" Farhan said. His hand reached for Wati's hand. Wati looks worried.

"But Wati is worried, they will be vigilant if the police are not quick to reveal the case," said Wati more tightly holding Farhan's hand.

Wati suddenly pulls Farhan's hand and invites him to hide behind a yam tree. Wati pointed through the leaves of the yam that he sibak. A thick-bodied man in white clothes was seen walking hastily among the thicket of bushes and entering further into the forest. Several times he was seen looking towards Farhan's hut.

"That's Bahram, Haji Maemun's men" whispered Farhan.

"Wati had also seen him two days ago passing in the same place," Wati tightened her hand grip."Don't-don't he wants to spy on Big Brother, Wati's afraid Kak."

"Lho, why are you guys crouching here." Wati and Farhan were shocked, they simultaneously held their chests. Behind them, it appeared that Mr. Sumarep stood astonishedly staring at them. Farhan returned to rub the leaves of the cassava in front of him. After making sure Bahram's figure had really left, he woke up and took Mr. Sumarep into the hut.

"So we saw Bahram passing by in the thicket of the bushes, sir," Farhan pointed towards the bushes. Mr. Sumarep tilted his head, looking in the direction Farhan pointed out. Mr. Sumarep scrunched his forehead.

"What you see is Bahram" asked Mr. Sumarep. Farhan nodded. "What's the Bahram there. There it really is an area that is rarely entered. No one can plant there. It was a pure forest area there. My dad never went there,"

"It's been two times that Wati saw that person passing by there. If Wati is more suspicious he wants to peg Kak Farhan," said Wati.

"Well, that's what you want to tell Nak Farhan, from today we have to be careful. The family of Haji Maemun still considers Nak Farhan to be the person who deserves responsibility for the death of Haji Maemun" Sumarep said. Farhan let out a long sigh and turned his head towards Wati. Wati looked increasingly anxious.

"The point remains vigilant. We are in a forest that can disappear at any time. Many people were killed but rumored to be lost in the forest. Moreover, the horde of Haji Maemun was notoriously ruthless and cunning." Mr. Sumarep closes his words with ****** length.