THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST
#27
Cold weather began to feel when entering the forest area. Fog began to fill as long as the eyes looked. The speed of the speeding car threw pebbles at the edge of the road, startling a collection of small birds perched on the low branches of the roadside trees. Sitting in an open car bath through large, dense trees, Farhan witnessed the desolate atmosphere of a new village that had been abandoned by its residents. There's no activity. Lonely and like and uninhabited. People are still afraid to return to the village, after the recent serial murders. Although Fadli as the perpetrator has been caught, but the killer of the late Haji Maemun is still a mystery. The new villagers did not dare to return to the settlement. Most of them believe there is another invisible killer roaming the forest.
Arriving near a gate made of bamboo and Acacia tree trunks, the car stopped. Farhan came down and waved his hand to the people sitting in front. He was still standing in front of the gate looking deep through the mist blocking his view. He had to walk a kilo more, passing the uphill road to his village. The clock on his phone has shown at 11 p.m. Departing from Jerowaru police station at about eight in the morning. About 4 hours of travel he traveled at full speed pick up car he was riding. The road in front of him looks still foggy even though it is not so thick. Returning to the forest is like returning to heaven. Calm, peaceful and soothing.
It did not feel Farhan had reached the place where his hut once stood beautifully among the vastness of the forest. The debris has been cleaned. His charred motorcycle skeleton, he saw leaning against one of the tree trunks. Farhan. His breath still sounded breathless. After being satisfied to look at the ruins of his hut, he went to his field. Farhan smiled. The strawberry plant looks fresh and well-groomed. He was sure that Mr. Sumarep had kept and cared for his fields during his departure.
There's nobody around the fields. Maybe Sumarep and Wati were in his field or at his house. For a while, that was his only stop-over goal at the moment. He could not rebuild his hut. Maybe tomorrow, if there's no other rush.
Farhan stepped up and walked towards the hut of Mr. Sumarep behind the trees in front of him.
Arriving there, he was stunned to see a young woman was busy throwing grains of corn at the crowd of chickens in front of him. Farhan smiled. She is still beautiful. Inner Farhan.
Ehemhs...
Wati. He looks for the source of Deheman's voice.
Ehemhs...
Sounded again. Wati looked back. A gentleman stood up and smiled sweetly at him. Wati. He rubbed his eyes, not believing. The man was still standing there and he was real. Wati's chest is pounding. His breathing was stifled and his heart beat faster. The man in front of him was indeed the man he had been waiting for his arrival for a long time. The man who makes his nights so bleak. A man who people think is dead, but not for him. Her...
The container containing the corn in his hand was thrown. Wati ran towards Farhan and directly hugged him tightly. Farhan returned his embrace tighter. The two began to dissolve in tears. The heartbeats of the two clashed, vaporizing the long-buried longing. Wati unceasingly looked at Farhan's face, as if to be more certain, that the true man who was now in front of him was Farhan.
"I don't care if you're a ghost or if it's real, I just miss the person in front of me" Wati said as she continued to hold Farhan's face. "And if you were a ghost, I don't care, I only know this face as the face of my lover" Wati continued. Farhan kissed her forehead and began to wipe away the tears on Wati's face. Wati's unraveled hair was tidied up.
"Thank God, God is still returning me to you" Farhan said with a happy smile. Back he kissed Wati and Wati's forehead with his panhandle in Farhan's arms.
"Where are you and mom" asked Farhan. Wati wiped the remains of tears at the end of her eyes.
"In the field. You must be happy to see Farhan. Until now I continue to blame him for the incident" said Wati. He stared at Farhan's face. Farhan sighed and kissed Wati again.
"Bitter coffee made by sister" whispered Farhan gently. Wati smiled spoiled.
"Be sure to drink water and we will coffee together with the father in the field" continued Farhan. Wati nodded happily. He immediately stepped into the kitchen.
** * * *
Mr. Sumarep's eyes looked teary when he saw Wati and Farhan standing in front of him. Bu Sumarep who first realized Farhan's arrival, soared in excitement. His call surprised Mr. Sumarep who was still busy checking his plants in the middle of the field.
Farhan approaching. After greeting Mr. Sumarep, he then hugged the body of Mr. Sumarep tightly. Both of them cried in sobs.
"Mr think you're dead, son. I feel ashamed of your late father for not being able to take care of you" said Mr. Sumarep as he continued to hug Farhan. Farhan rubbed the body of Mr. Sumarep.
"Alhamdulillah sir, all is well." Mr. Sumarep let go of his embrace and invited him to sit under a neem tree where Wati and Ms. Sumarep were sitting. The four cups of coffee that Wati had brewed were already in front of them. The aroma of coffee plus boiled cassava served Wati adds warmth to their togetherness.
"Sir, ma'am, don't be angry, the coffee that Wati brews is all bitter. This is to welcome the arrival of Kak Farhan," said Wati smilingly glancing at Farhan. Ms. Sumarep took a cup of coffee and sipped it. Sumarep's mouth grimaced and his eyes pinched. Several times he sipped water in a jug. The laughter of the three broke looking at the expression on Sumarep's face.
"I don't think mom can. The welcome is enough that yes. Now add the sugar mother," said Ms. Sumarep. He took some sugar and sucked it.
"You haven't told me your story, Nak Farhan. How did you pass through the dense forest," said Mr. Sumarep directed his gaze towards the forest in front of him.
"The whole story sir" said Farhan. He glanced at Wati and Sumarep.
"We have plenty of time to hear it. If there is not enough time, then we will connect again at home," said Mr. Sumarep in his third smile.
Farhan began to tell stories. The three listened carefully to Farhan's story. Wati's amazed expression was seen when her eyes did not blink from seeing every movement of Farhan's lips. Until not felt, azan ashar was heard reverberating from the village surau. They agreed to go home.
