THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST

#17

Farhan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was fixed on the dimly lit sitting lamp on a table beside him lying down. He looked at the blanket that covered his body. Unlike the night before, when he woke up and found himself lying in the dark middle of the forest with a body shaking withstanding the cold. This time he felt his body warm even though he felt sore pain all over his body. But slowly he forced himself up and leaned his body. For a moment he just looked around the room which was completely covered by a bamboo woven fence. He tried to remember the recent incident. He only remembered having swam a few kilos after coming down from a high cliff and someone saved him. Maybe he was in the house of the man who had helped him.

The sound of the door creeping. Farhan. A thick-bodied man was seen standing behind the door, as if he was watching.

Hey, Farhan, you're up apparently," said the man. Farhan scrunched his forehead. It was like knowing the voice of that man. The man is seen approaching towards the lamp sitting on the table and turning it off. After that he turned on a fluorescent light hanging in the middle of the ceiling of the room. The atmosphere in the room instantly became bright.

Farhan covered his face with his palm due to the glare. After a while, he released his palm. Slowly he began to recognize the person who was now sitting next to him.

"Harjan's? Why are you here?" ask Farhan. Harjan smiled. He raised one of his legs on top of the other. He looked at Farhan.

"It is precisely I who should ask like that Han. I told you, I'm the manager here. Well, the question is, why did you suddenly drown in the middle of the sea. Already gone fishing?" harjan said while continuing to smile. Harjan holds Farhan's shoulder.

"It's a long story Jan," said Farhan. Harjan smiled again.

"Whatever it is, I'm staying here, telling you all night, its ok bro" Harjan said, patting Farhan on the shoulder. Farhan gave a long sigh. He lowered his head weakly.

" I'm getting a crush on Jan now. There's been a murder in my village, and I they're accusing me of being a suspect, just because I'm the son of the man who burned down his house a few years ago. They accused me of murder in revenge for my father's death a few years ago" Farhan said. Harjan seemed to be listening carefully. He nodded small, gesturing for Farhan to continue his story.

"The men had burned my hut and I was forced to flee into the forest. For three days I searched my way out of the woods and ended up stranded here." Harjan took the bottled water and gave it to Farhan.

"Maybe the police are also chasing me right now, and I'm still confused as to how to get out of this matter." Farhan opened a bottle of water and drank it. From the look on his face, he looked troubled and anxious.

Back Harjan nodded his head.

"Swimming Han. This is what friends are for. I'll help you as much as I can. I know Wakapolres well. God willing, I will ask him about this case. You just calm down. For a while you rest in peace here until your body is healthy again, and of course after your case is over." Harjan then got up and stepped out. He gestured with his hand to the two women in the kitchen to deliver Farhan some food.

*

*

Farhan looks so good eating the food that the company kitchen attendant brought him. After three days and three nights he ate only leaves and fruits in the forest, this time his stomach really longed to spend all the food in front of him. Whole roasted chicken with pearl shell sauce was devoured. The dirty plate is now full of chicken bones and shell skin.

"Ok, well, well, thank you sir for the information." Harjan's voice came from outside. Farhan. From earlier he tried to eavesdrop on Harjan's conversation with someone over the phone. Not long after, Harjan went in and sat down near Farhan. For a moment he watched the almost unceremonious meal in front of Farhan. Harjan smiled. Seeing Harjan watching the rest of the food in front of him, he smiled with a shy smile.

"Would I get you some more food?" said Harjan.

"I'm sorry, I don't leave for you" Farhan continued in a soft voice. Harjan laughed while patting Farhan on the shoulder.

"You're really hungry, Han. It's okay, if you want, I can have the kitchen attendant grill for you one more chicken, uh, three more is okay, too" Harjan said. His laughter sounded again. Farhan rubbed his face with a smile.

"I've discussed your case with Mr. Wakapolres. He said your name" said Harjan after his laughter subsided.

Farhan looked at Harjan. His eyes showed his worry. Harjan smiled.

"Calm down, you're not a suspect yet. They just need your evidence. Now there's already intel that's been parachuted to the location." Harjan took out a pack of cigarettes and a flamethrower from his pocket. He took a stick and then lit it. Cigarette smoke filled the room. He handed Farhan a pack of cigarettes in his hand. Farhan picked it up and directly ignited it.

"Just calm down Han, you're safe. Mr. Waka has guaranteed that. Tomorrow if you want, you can go home. There's a police station in that place. Your safety is assured until the real culprit is caught" Harjan said. He came back to smoke his cigarettes.

"O yes Han." Harjan checks his phone, "Silver sir and.., briefly,...,mmmh.., intermittently..., Mr. Mistar...,"

Farhan scrunched his forehead upon hearing the names of the people he had trouble with.

"Why with them Jan," said Farhan was curious when he heard the names of Pak Sukar and Mistar.

"One day ago, they were found dead in their field in a very bad condition, srek," Harjan said, demonstrating his neck with his palm cut off.

Farhan. That means four people have been killed. The mysterious killer, Inner Farhan.

The sound of hp rang in Harjan's pocket. Harjan grabbed his phone and lifted it.

"Oh right sir, myself," Harjan fell silent listening intently to the voice from across.

"Okay sir, I'll wait." Harjan shut his phone. He looked at Farhan.

"One of the officers will come here. Mr. Waka called him right away. Well, let's have a chat here" said Harjan. "Relax, he won't catch you" Harjan continued as he watched Farhan stare at him.

Farhan returned to his body. A cigarette offered by Harjan began to be ignited. Cigarette smoke began to billow into the room.

The sound of the wind is still sounding strong, occasionally interspersed with the thump of tidal waves. After finishing a cigarette in his hand, he laid his body. He tried to close his eyes for a moment while waiting for the arrival of the envoy from the police.