THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST

#04

Elsewhere, while forest dwellers were hiding in their quarrels, three men in their fifties were seen sitting by the fireplace. They are Haji Maemun, Pak Sukar and Pak Mistar.

News about the still life of Mr. Marwi's son has been heard in their ears. They still can't believe Mr. Marwi's son is still alive. The three of them were convinced the boy was inside the house and burned in it at the time of the incident.

"This information needs to be explored. It's not that I'm afraid of the child coming, I just can't believe the child is still alive. I'm sure only Mr. Marwi is out of the house" Haji Maemun said.

"Or maybe the child is not in the house," said Sukar chimed.

"I couldn't have done the recon that night myself. I saw for myself Mr. Marwi was feeding the child," said Mr. Mistar trying to convince his two friends.

Haji Maemun rubbed his thin beard. He nodded like he was thinking of something. He still did not want to connect his friends.

"But according to the story I heard, the child was in the house, but the brother of the misan Pak Marwi, Ahmad, saved the child," said Mr. Sukar with a tone that keeps worries.

"But how can. We have never seen Mr. Ahmad in the house, nor around the house" said Mr. Mistar curious.

"Maybe we were busy securing Mr. Marwi so we don't know what happened inside the house" replied Mr. Sukar.

"It's possible, but we need to figure this out. If it is true that it is the son of Mr. Marwi, we need to know whether the purpose is here for farming or for other purposes. Revenge perhaps," said Mr. Mistar. Hearing that, Haji Maemun looked towards Mistar sir.

"What revenge. Until now the case could never be revealed. Who wants revenge. He cannot take revenge on the masses who cannot be counted in the dark" he said in a rather loud tone.

"But the problem is now the hajj sir, friends of our officials, both in the police and the forest service have died and retired. If anyone comes forward with this case again, it will be bad for us" Mistar said.

"Now, don't think of anything that won't happen. We can solve our problems with money. If anyone tries to bring up and look around for the culprit, it means he's hungry and needs money." Haji Maemun was silent for a moment and looked at his two friends.

"Indeed, the money we used to share with Mr. Jumerin is exhausted" he added.

Mr. Sukar smiled while scratching his head.

"There's still just been moved to the ground,"

"Most like, we love the land. Our guaranteed security is worth more than the amount of money we can get back later. Take it easy, these weeks there are many projects from the government that can be handled by our group" said Haji Maemun trying to calm them.

The mistar appears to evaporate several times.

"I think I'm sleepy. Tomorrow early in the morning I have to go to the village to take the fertilizer order of the citizens. So I decided to go home first Hajj sir," said Mistar as he got up slowly from his seat. Likewise with Mr. Sukar. After saying goodbye to Haji Maemun, they moved from their place.

Haji Maemun was still sitting pensively in his seat. His gaze was fixed towards the fire burning in the fireplace. The dry wooden sticks that have been split are put again into the fireplace when the flame begins to dim. A cigarette he took out of his pack. He took a lighter and lit his cigarette. He sighed while letting out cigarette smoke from his mouth.

A riddle about Mr. Marwi's surviving son filled his mind. He should immediately send someone to go investigate. Although the news of his arrival did not worry him too much, but he thought he had to find a way if what his friends were worried about actually happened later.

But just as he was sleeping, a knocking sound was heard from outside the house. Haji Maemun grabbed the machete on the left side he lay. He was waiting for the knocking on the door to be heard again.

"Who is there" said Haji Maemun half-calling as he could hear nothing out there.

"I'm Mr. Haji, Bahram" said someone out there.

"What are the nights like Bahram. If there is anything important you come tomorrow," said Haji Maemun. He took off the machete in his hand and again took off his body lying down.

"This is very important Mr. Haji. Tomorrow I have to go to the city so I can't see the hajj sir" said a man called Bahram outside the house. Haji Maemun looked annoyed. He got up and stepped towards the door and slowly opened it. The sound of the door shaking Bahram. A short, stocky man with a thick brew smiled .

"If until the news you brought is not important, I cut your head off," Haji Maemun said looking annoyed.

Bahram looked around, and then he came closer.

"This is very important Mr. Haji. There were some people who came to the field of Hajj sir. They claim to be from the Qudwatusshalihin Foundation. He said they wanted to meet Mr. Haji to talk about the foundation's land" Bahram said. Hearing that, Haji Maimun again kicked through the door with his hand.

"The problem increases again. Anyway, if you meet again with them later, tell them that they no longer have foundation land. It's mine now. It's nice to take it after so many years it's never taken care of" said Haji Maemun beaver.

"But they just want to meet with the Hajj sir. If the Hajj sir does not want to meet, they threaten to take the matter to court" Bahram said with a raucous mane, fearing that his words would further anger Haji Maemun.

"When he said he would come back" asked Haji Maemun. Bahram is like remembering something.

"If not wrong Wednesday, Mr. Haji. That means three more days."

Haji Maemun silently rubbed his left eyebrow with his palm, hoping the uneasiness in his mind went away.

"Yes, tomorrow if you go to the city do not forget to stop by the village office. Tell this matter to BPD sir, Mr. Nurman. Tell him I'm waiting for him tomorrow Monday" Haji Maemun said. Bahram nodded.

"Yes, he's gone home. I want to sleep" said Haji Maemun. Bahram just fell silent making Haji Maemun urgently close the door.

"Lho, you're still here. What else do you want" Haji Maemun said when he saw Bahram still standing smiling scratching his head.

"Look sir, actually tomorrow to the city is still uncertain sir. If tomorrow I have a fare it means I am going to the city. If not, I wait for money" said Bahram.

Haji Maemun looked upset and went inside his room. Not long after, he came back.

"All you have in mind is money and wages. Not yet employed have asked for wages. Nih." Haji Maemun poured some money into Bahram. Shamefully Bahram took it.

Bahram then resigned and immediately stepped away from Haji Maemun's house.