THE MYSTERY OF THE FOREST
#07
The atmosphere in a public cemetery was solemn that afternoon. Fog is still seen filling half the surface of the pine trees at the foot of the hill. Make it like a black fortress from a distance.
The funeral procession of Ms. Sarmi has been completed. Mr. Sumarep and Farhan sitting in the corner of the cemetery wall are seen following people who one by one began to disperse. There were about thirty people present at the funeral.
Farhan was still sitting in his motorcycle seat, waiting for Mr. Sumarep who was still seen chatting with the people he met.
Farhan felt something strange at the funeral. That was how he had felt since he arrived at that place. He always felt cared for by the people at the funeral. Their eyes were as if fixed on him. Even when he sat on his bike while waiting for Mr. Sumarep to come, people still saw him with a look that he did not understand. There were even some people who deliberately looked for a seat just to see it. They whispered to each other like they were talking about it. Farhan began to feel uncomfortable with the situation. Earlier, when he had just arrived at the parking lot, there was a Hajj man and two people who were with him looking at him with strange looks. It confused and wondered.
"Sorry Nak Farhan, it's been a long time. Usually, events like this can only meet old friends. Understandably their days were spent in the fields," said Mr. Sumarep upon arriving in front of Farhan. He was seen waving to three people sitting on the opposite street.
"It's okay, sir" Farhan smiled,"Go home, sir," Farhan continued. Mr. Sumarep nodded. Farhan then turned on his motor and slowly left the place.
"I'm just as weird as the people at the funeral sir, it looks like they're all watching me." Farhan opened the conversation on a slow-moving vehicle. Mr. Sumarep smiled.
"They were surprised that you were probably the most handsome alone at the funeral" joked Mr. Sumarep. Hearing that Farhan smiled,"So, when meeting your friends, everyone also asked about you. They were shocked when the father told me that you were Marwi's son, they thought you were dead" Sumarep said. Farhan nodded beginning to understand.
"O yes, maybe you had time to pay attention to the man in white with two people at the funeral door," continued Mr. Sumarep. Farhan nodded back.
"That's the name of Mr. Maemun, the other two names are Pak Sukar and Mistar. Those are the people who messed up in this region. They're the actors behind your father's murder."Farhan nodded back.
It did not feel like they had arrived in front of Farhan's hut. Wati along with Sumarep bu was seen cleaning the cassava beside the hut. Seeing Farhan and Sumarep sir arrive, Wati hurriedly cooked the water. The wood yam he boiled a few minutes ago was transferred into a plate. Farhan and Sumarep agreed to choose to sit on the edge of the lake while waiting for Wati to deliver them coffee.
A stocky male figure was seen hiding behind a tree, not far from where Farhan and Sumarep were sitting. It was like watching both. The man's gaze was sidetracked when he saw Wati approaching the two. He seemed to be shaking his head, he seemed to be amazed to see the beauty of Wati.
Slowly the stocky man retreated, remaining in a lowered position, afraid that the people in his heart would look into his hiding place. A moment later he had disappeared behind the trees.
The fog seems to be starting to cover the forest area. Like a cotton painting attached to the surface of a hill. Darkness began to spread its wings, making the forest atmosphere quiet. Farhan is still waiting for Sumarep sir after praying isya. Tonight they plan to join the first night of remembrance at Sarmi's place. But Mr. Sumarep urung follow because suddenly he felt unwell. Farhan continued on his own journey.
Farhan parked his motorcycle across the street. Looks like people have been seen cross-legged meet the side of the road near the hut bu Sarmi. Farhan was silent for a moment. He thought he would be the center of attention when he approached and sat down near those people. Like he did at the funeral this afternoon.
Farhan said hello. People sitting on the side of the road allow themselves to fill the mat that is still empty. When he was about to take a sitting position to the indicated place, Farhan's foot accidentally stepped on Haji Maemun's left hand. Haji Maemun grimaced in pain while holding his left hand. A swearing oath was heard among the sounds of his ringing. The gazes of the people present were directed towards Haji Maemun. Seeing Haji Maemun grimacing in pain, Farhan immediately held the hand of Haji Maemun. Several times I heard Farhan apologizing.
Haji Maemun's eyes were sharp. Face reddened. A loud slap pointed at Farhan's face. Farhan held his face. The ones who saw soon came to mediate.
Haji Maemun stood up and was about to pull Farhan's body, but the people immediately held him back.
"Your dog, has eyes to wear." Haji Maemun pointed towards Farhan's face. Farhan was silent. He admitted wrong and apologized again.
"You're Marwi's son yes, dog! You're as goddamn a bitch as your father."
For the sake of hearing Haji Maemun's words, Farhan's blood instantly boiled. His fist broke through the bodies of the people in front of him and heavily hit the left temple of Haji Maemun. Hajji Maemun oleng. He almost fell on the ground before the people held him.
The mood is getting boisterous. Bahram and Mistar, out of nowhere, took turns to throw their punches at Farhan. But the large number of people who gathered made the atmosphere can be immediately overcome.
"Remember, Mr. Maemun, I wasn't angry when you hit me, because I felt wrong. But if you say nothing about my father, I will not hesitate to cut off your head" Farhan said in a threatening tone to Haji Maemun. Haji Maemun did not reply, he still grimaced in pain holding his bleeding temple.
One pulled Farhan's body a little away from the scene. The man suggested that Farhan go home to avoid unwanted things. Farhan also agreed and not long after, his motorbike was speeding through the dark forest.
A black shadow was seen behind a large tree not far from the scene. He noticed the commotion between Farhan and Haji Maemun. Shortly thereafter the figure was lost behind a lush bush.
*
Farhan was still holding his left cheek which still felt sore. He could not dodge a blow that landed on his face earlier in the day. He didn't know who hit him. What is clear is not Haji Maemun because at that time he looked still ugly due to his punch. It was probably a blow to one of Haji Maemun's men. Because it still feels sore, he took a small towel in the clothesline and then immersed it in water. Then he put it on his face.
The atmosphere around looks quiet. The sound of birds tekukur sounding melodious splitting the silence of the night between the sound of the night. Farhan went into his hut and laid down his body. The silence of the night led him slowly into his sleep.
