THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST
#19
The alarm rings when the time has shown three o'clock in the morning. Farhan soon woke up from his sleep. Harjan who woke up because of the sound of the alarm, immediately got up. Seeing Farhan standing beside him, he stepped into the closet near his desk and pulled out a few pieces of clothing for Farhan.
"Wear it, you'll be cold out there, this too, you'll need it later" Harjan said as he handed Farhan a thick wool jacket and two packs of cigarettes.
"If it wasn't for my duties here, I would've been there" he continued.
Farhan smiled.
"Thank you Jan, all your help will always be remembered." Farhan hugged Harjan. After shaking hands, Farhan immediately stepped out.
"Wait for Han." Farhan stopped his steps. He saw Harjan again take something out of the closet. Harjan approached her.
"If you need anything, call me right away. My number and yours I've recorded there" said Harjan, handing Farhan a hp. Farhan looked at Harjan. There is a wish to restore hp but Harjan immediately prevents it.
"There's no time, hurry up, Mr. Hardian is waiting" Harjan said.
Farhan hugged Harjan's body. He immediately came out and found Hardian was already outside waiting for him.
Both also leave. The motorbike ridden both began to drive on the gravel roads.
The wind blowing from the sea sounded fierce. Motorcycles mounted both continue to go through the thick of the wilderness night. After an hour on the vehicle, Hardian decided to stop on a narrowed road, because on the left his right was filled with bushes. Hardian came down and gestured for Farhan to wait for him for a moment. He is seen bending over examining the bushes in front of him. He gestured for Farhan to come closer.
"I think it's a shortcut to a new village, help me pave this way" Hardian said as Farhan was nearby. Both are seen starting to get rid of the bushes that block the road. The road in front of them was only a hidden path. An unkempt man will not see that road. The road is somewhat downhill because where they stand are higher hills.
After several barrier bushes were removed, the two went back on their way. The path they passed in front of them was really narrow and difficult. Several times the motorcycles they ride are slipped due to slippery roads, as well as tree branches that block in the middle of the road. Sometimes, they go down and ride a motorcycle, if the road they meet is difficult to pass by motorcycle.
After an hour of walking down a dark and narrow road, they finally reached the forest guard post, which was located at the fork in the road. At the post was waiting for two officers from the forestry police.
"It seems that you can't walk, sir" said one of the guards who was warming himself in front of the blazing bonfire, as Hardian intended to leave his motorcycle at the guard post.
"True sir, from the data collection, the last field in the northern forest is about three kilos away" said another officer. He turned his head towards his friend and signaled with his head to pick up something inside the post. Not long after, he came out with a map and held it in front.
"Here is the approximate location. If we use a motorbike, then we will leave it here and then it must be on foot" Hardian said, pointing to the map.
"Let's Han, we're leaving" he continued staring at Farhan. Farhan nodded. A black parcel was handed over to Farhan.
"This is for breakfast sir,"
"Oh yes, thank you," said Hardian. They both decided to leave and started their journey.
"I beg you to let me go. I promise I won't tell all this to the villagers" a woman's moan sounded when she realized someone was putting a plate of food in front of her. His two hands were tied to the rope, holding his weak body from falling down.
The man in a black jacket with shabby hair in front of him thrust out the food with his feet. He then stepped towards the mouth of the cave and came out. The man stood in the darkness, looking at the still dark surroundings. The flashlight in his hand was pointed at the mouth of the cave which was entirely covered in vines and ferns. Almost invisible. People who happen to pass by will not know, under the grip of the roots of the big tree there is a cave relic of the Japanese colonial era hidden. After making sure the surroundings were safe, the man stepped out of the place.
Slowly the sky in the eastern horizon showed its golden color splitting the cold forest. Fog is seen covering some parts of the forest. The sounds of birds chirping are like waking forest dwellers from their long mutes.
Farhan and Hardian decided to stop near a large banyan tree on the side of the trail. They began to examine the feet and hands of those injured by the scratches of bushes and tree branches that blocked during the journey. After checking the conditions around the tree, Hardian pushed his motorcycle and hid it behind the dense roots of the banyan tree.
The morning sunlight that pierced through the rows of trees, revealed the path in front of those who climbed. After careful inspection, they both agreed to make sure that the uphill road was the last hill in the northern forest area.
"I'm sure the last field is behind that hill, unless there's a dark field, illegally clearing the forest" Hardian said. He invited Farhan to sit under a banyan tree. Farhan gave a plastic rice wrap to Hardian.
"This forest is so vast, in the future, the forest service must add its personnel so that all locations can be fully affordable" said Farhan while starting to eat his food. Hardian nodded. He looked so good eating his breakfast the next morning.
"We must be patient in this place until nightfall. If today we find nothing, we'll go home for a little while and come back again until we find something important about this case."Hardian got up and patted Farhan on the shoulder. Farhan nodded in agreement. They continued their journey on foot. Occasionally Farhan filled the plastic bag in his hand with the bery fruit he found on the way. His experience during the escape, taught him that even the smallest fruits were very valuable in the forest.
Sunlight is no longer visible, due to thick cucumbers that almost fill the entire surface of the forest. The dark atmosphere in the forests and shrubs and vines that are often encountered on the way, somewhat slows down their movement. Plus the difficult terrain because it is getting sharper.
Hardian glanced at his watch. It's 9 in the morning. He picked up a bottle of drink tied to his waist. After drinking a sip, he gave it to Farhan. There were no signs of any areas of the plantation in front of or on their left and right sides. The forest is still thick. The two begin to despair and begin to doubt that their path is the wrong one.
"We rest first Han, it's been three hours we've been walking, but there's no sign of any fields around us yet" Hardian said with an unstable breath.
Farhan sighed and sat down near Hardian.
"We've gone too far sir. My proposal, let's just continue our journey. The road is still uphill, and we haven't found a way down. That means there's still hope of finding that last field" Farhan said. Hardian nodded, still trying to stabilize his breathing.
Suddenly a voice rumbled. Farhan and Hardian looked at each other. The sound is getting closer. Farhan. A few drops of water fell on his face. The dry leaves of the trees fall in the wind with the rain that begins to fall.
"Rain sir," said Farhan as he ran towards the collection of taro plants not far from where he stood. Hardian followed and took shelter under the taro leaves.
"It seems our journey has become more difficult" Farhan said. Hardian smiled.
"Don't let the cigarettes and matches run out. It's better not to eat than not to smoke" Hardian whispered. Quickly, Farhan checked his jacket pocket.
"Sir, sir" he said with a smile.
