THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST
#28
The night slowly came to drive away the light of day with its darkness. The sound of night animals as usual began to be heard accompanying the night trip. Their conversation which was interrupted last afternoon continued after dinner together at Mr. Sumarep's house. Before joining Sumarep, Farhan was seen helping Wati arrange the dishes used for dinner last night. Some leftovers on the mat are picked up one by one and collected in a plate. Mr. Sumarep chose to move and leaned against the fence of the hut. The lamp in front of him occasionally covered by hand if the occasional wind blew into the room. He offered Farhan concocted tobacco and Farhan began rolling it. Smoke began to billow and hover in the light of the lamp. Larons were seen beginning to gather near the lights.
"It was unexpected that Fadli killed Mistar and Miss Sarmi. What's the motive is," said Mr. Sumarep started the conversation, repeating the story Farhan last afternoon. Still in disbelief, the forgotten and estranged Fadli becomes the unexpected culprit in the murder case.
Farhan flicked his cigarette ash into the bamboo ashtray in front of him. Wati and Sumarep maam who were sitting a little far away began to listen carefully.
"He said he wanted revenge for his father's death. He also thought I had died in the house burning, he was heartbroken by the Hajj Maemun group." Farhan stopped his conversation. The water in the jug is poured into a glass and then drink it. "At first he intended to kill Haji Maemun and all his friends, but he only managed to kill Mistar and Sarmi maam only. The murderer of Haji Maemun is still being investigated by the police."
Mr. Sumarep again gave a rough sigh. He looks shaken.
"Unexpectedly, there are a lot of murders in this forest area. This is the result if we are far from religion" complained Mr. Sumarep.
"About what, according to the Father, who should be suspected of killing Haji Maemun," Sumarep fell silent, as if remembering the names and shadows of those who deserved suspicion. Back he sighed.
"If according to ba_,"
Cracks!
Unable to continue his words, it sounded like something was broken behind the house. Not long after, the sound of footsteps sounded like running on top of a bush. Mr. Sumarep swiftly grabbed his flashlight and ran out of the house. Parang tucked in the fence reached Farhan and immediately ran after Mr. Sumarep.
Sir Sumarep's flashlight managed to hit the body figure that ran away and finally disappeared behind the trees. Mr. Sumarep failed to catch him because his running was too tight.
"Meet sir" said Farhan. He pointed his flashlight towards the surrounding bushes and trees. Mr. Sumarep was still looking ahead. His breathing looks unstable.
"You should be more careful. Apparently there's someone who's been deliberately stalking your return." Mr. Sumarep grabbed Farhan's hand and invited him back home.
"We wait here. It seems like the person is still hiding behind the tree," said Mr. Sumarep upon arrival at home. He invites Farhan to hide behind a grove of cassava trees.
*
A man looks out from behind the trees. His breath down and up as a result of running from the pursuit of Mr. Sumarep. He was almost caught red-handed. Fortunately, his running power is stronger than Mr. Sumarep. He sat down listlessly. Many times he directed his gaze towards the house of Mr. Sumarep. He has to go back to that house. He felt unsafe to hide in that place. After thinking for a moment, he got up and went back to the house. This time his steps looked calm and did not try to sneak around. Mr. Sumarep and Farhan who deliberately hid behind the grass of cassava trees immediately discovered it.
The man covered his face when the flashlight hit his eyes. He raised one hand signaling for Mr. Sumarep to turn off his flashlight. Dark view. The flashlight beam that dazzled his eyes, kept him closed for a moment. Mr. Sumarep and Farhan immediately grabbed his body and brought it into the hut.
"Sapri?" Sumarep said when he saw that the person in front of him was Sapri, a new villager. Mr. Sumarep loosened his hand grip on the collar of Sapri's shirt. He then invited her into the room and sat her down. Seeing her breath gasping, Wati walked up to her and thrust a glass of water at Sapri.
"What is Sapri, why are you coming like a thief on these nights. It's almost as if this machete is hitting your neck" said Mr. Sumarep after Sapri finished his glass water . Sapri rubbed his eyes and one by one looked at the faces of the people around him.
"Sorry sir, I have something to say. I doubt it but I have to tell you this" Sapri said.
"What do you want to say Sapri," asked Sumarep. Sapri turned back around.
"At first I took refuge in the village, but Haji Maemun's family threatened me to be killed, so I fled the maghrib and wanted to seek refuge here" Sapri said. He looks scared.
"Threatening you? On what basis does he threaten you" said Mr. Sumarep with a frown in wonder.
"They accused me of killing Haji Maemun Pak, Sapri replied.
"Kill Mr Maemun?" mr. Sumarep was getting curious, so was Farhan.
"On what basis do they accuse you of that, it cannot be like that" Sumarep said, "We are used to judging people without witnesses and full proof. What would this country be if the law was not heeded." continued Mr. Sumarep look upset.
For a moment they were silent, but their attention was distracted by the sobs of Sapri that suddenly broke. Not only that, he is now resting on the lap of Mr. Sumarep. Farhan, Sumarep sir, Sumarep ma'am and Wati were astonished.
Sumarep was still waiting for Sapri to finish from his crying.
"Tell me, what is your background so that it kills Mr. Maemun, as far as I know, you have no problem with him," said Mr. Sumarep opened his conversation after seeing Sapri began to calm down.
"I'm hurt because my debt of 20 million should have jumped to 50 million. He threatened to take my land, otherwise he would imprison me. I'm taku and there's no other way but to kill him." Sapri. The crying gets louder. Mr. Sumarep let out a long breath. For a moment of silence. It only sounded as if Sapri was crying. Farhan tried to get closer and held onto Sapri's shoulder.
"Look, Mr. Sapri, we will not be able to continue to protect you here. It is better to surrender yourself to the authorities. It is more to ensure the security of the Father, we are afraid that the family of Haji Maemun come here in large numbers and judge Mr. Sapri" Farhan said trying to explain Sapri.
"This is for the good and safety of my father. You know for yourself how our brothers were killed. If you want, I'll call the police to pick you up" Farhan continued, trying to convince Sapri.
"That's what Nak Farhan said was Sapri. Your safety is more important and more assured if you're on the police side."
Sapri was silent for a moment. He looked down at his black fingers. He then looked at Farhan and nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry Farhan, because of me, people are accusing you of being the murderer of Haji Maemun" Sapri said stammered.
Farhan smiled and patted Sapri on the shoulder. After that, he got up and went out. He heard that he was talking to someone over the phone. Not long after, he came back in.
"For a while waiting for the police pack to come, Mr. Sapri here first. My estimation..," Farhan looked at the clock on his phone, "Jam 2 insyaallah will arrive here," Farhan continued. Sapri.
"Trust me, Mr. Sapri is safer at the police station. Mr. Sapri already knows for himself, twice my house was burned because of their butany."
*
The night was getting late.The cold wind was getting felt, through the cracks of the hut fence. Mr. Sumarep, Farhan and Sapri are still seen sitting inside the house. The night feels gripping. The sound of snoring bu Sumarep was heard occasionally breaking the silence adding to the tense atmosphere.
The sound of a car coming from a distance. Farhan got up and immediately went out checking. From a distance, he saw a car light heading towards him.
Three men in black jackets came out of a blue car. One of them slowly began to be known Farhan.
"Good night sir" said Farhan as he approached the man who turned out to be Hardian. Hardian smiled and hugged Farhan. Farhan then led the three into the house.
Seeing his guests coming, Wati who still could not close her eyes, immediately got up and headed for the kitchen.
"Meeting again we are Han, frankly I miss you," Hardian said as he opened his jacket. He threw a pack of cigarettes at Farhan.
"Mr is just there. Just last night." Farhan approached Hardian and sat down beside him.
"This is Farhan Pak Ari, Mr. Anwar, this is a civilian who deserves an award. He has helped us a lot in this case" Hardian told his two friends. Farhan smiled shyly. Mr. Ari gave his thumbs up to Farhan.
"This is Mr. Sapri, he claimed that it was the youth who killed Haji Maemun" said Farhan introducing Sapri. Sapri just looked down embarrassed. Hardian nodded small.
"Alhamdulillah, you have decided correctly and wisely, God willing, if you are cooperative, hopefully your punishment can be alleviated" said Hardian. Sapri just nodded. Cold sweat filled his entire body.
Their conversation stopped. Wati came with a few cups of coffee and invited his guests.
The sound of birds singing in the middle of the night signaled that the night was late. After finishing his coffee, Hardian and his two friends went to take Sapri.
"Farhan, regarding the other case, was forced to bother me again. The day after we come again, we'll follow up on your report yesterday" Hardian said in the car. Farhan nodded. The car they boarded slowly moved away from the residence of Mr. Sumarep.
