The Old Tree Dwellers

Enemy In Blanket

 Madi left the building behind the cottage, where they used to gather while still a santri. The unpleasant feeling that had attacked earlier, just harbored it. Madi tried to stay calm. The burden was already plenty at the moment and he did not want to be rash in taking action.

‘I have to ask Kyai Sarwa for an opinion,’ Madi whispered. Maybe by discussing with him can get the best solution to this problem.

When I went home, Madi got

an explanation of some of the santri he met on the street that Kyai Sarwa had

finished teaching santri and has returned home. Madi rushed home.

“Assalammualaikum ..” Madi said his greetings in a voice not too loud. Usually Kyai Sarwa often sits in the living room, resting while reading some books.

“Waalaikumsalam ..” Kyai Sarwa's voice was heard answering Madi's greeting.

Madi slowly entered, taking a seat in front of Kyai Sarwa. The face of the leader of the boarding house was seen to remain calm and shady. There was no feeling of anxiety or worry present there.

“Where to, Madi? “ That was the first question Kyai Sarwa said. Maybe because Madi was not home when she came home.

“So the streets around the pesantren, after the exercise, Kyai,” replied Madi lowered her head.Didn't dare to look into the eyes of Kyai Sarwa. Old Netra belonging to Kyai Sarwa was looking intently at him. Like something to be told but blocked by something.

“Hm ..., where did your training go? Is there any trouble, Madi?”  Madi took a breath just before answering Kyai Sarwa's question.

“Alhamdulillah, no trouble, Kyai. Earlier, Madi also repeated an old practice.” Kyai Sarwa's water remains calm. Not affected by Madi's words. I feel confident that Madi will train hard.

Then Madi and Kyai Sarwa engage in a serious conversation. Madi also told of his meeting with Jaka earlier. Also his experience in the building behind the cottage. Then ask for Kyai Sarwa's response about all those events.

Kyai Sarwa finally told why Jaka was finally accepted into one of the teaching staff in the pesantren.  His personal Jaka is a little closed, but he is one of the smart santri. Jaka and Madi used to always alternate being the best santri. That is why after finishing his education in one of the universities, Jaka was accepted to be

ustad in this cabin.

Madi nodded, feeling relieved, because there was nothing to suspect from Jaka's attitude. However, Kyai Sarwa's subsequent narration made Madi surprised. It turned out that Jaka had been eager to replace the position of Kyai Sarwa to be the leader of this boarding school. Indeed, Kyai Sarwa has not received evidence, but from the rumors circulating, Jaka is indeed ambitious to shift the kyai Sarwa.

“So not expecting, Kyai. What made Jaka behave like that? Was Jaka also spying on Madi earlier?” Madi also strafed Kyai Sarwa with questions.

Kyai Sarwa's face has changed a little. A look of regret was clearly plastered on his old face. Apparently it has been Kyai Sarwa harboring about Jaka. It's just that, it has not dared to express it blatantly.

“Actually Kyai has been observing Jaka's behavior for a long time. Although closed, but, it is clear that Jaka is very ambitious to lead this pesantren. Various ways he used in order to replace Kyai in carrying out routine tasks at pesantren.”

I'm nodding. Confused, because they are not aware of the true nature of Jaka. In the past, although they often compete, but, Jaka did not show his ambitious nature. Even impressed he often relented and wanted to help them while memorizing.

“During this Jaka covered the nature of his ambition, in order to achieve his wish. He is willing to give up for cementara so that masudnya reached.” Madi was even more astonished to hear the explanation of Kyai Sarwa. Apparently, this is the nature and attitude of Jaka. It's totally beyond belief.

 “Yes, already, Madi! Don't need to be extended for a while. Just stay alert. Kyai will also keep an eye on Jaka's movements. Fears, there is someone who uses the dark side.”

Madi just fell silent. Actually he wanted to ask more details but Kyai Sarwa's statement just silenced his curiosity. He finally chose silence while looking for a way to extract information about Jaka. What exactly made him change?

“Iya, Kyai. In that case, Madi, ask permission to rest first, while waiting for the prayer time lohor.”

Finally Madi pampit and throw away

while all the question marks that filled his head. Feeling tired because

training and walking around the pesantren made him want to rest immediately. Rest for a while.

In the other part of the pesantren, Jaka seemed to walk a little in a hurry. As if to meet someone, his steps were long. Every now and then, he looked around, as if afraid of meeting someone.

Jaka then left the pesantren area and headed for the gate. Outside the gate, it turned out that there was someone who had been waiting in a slightly sheltered place. There was a big tree there.  Jaka walked as fast as he could, not wanting to be caught.

At this kind of hour, the students were studying, so no one was walking around this place. A hunchback grandmother had been waiting for Jaka's arrival. Nang, come too

with her.

“Sorry, Ni! I'm a little late. Earlier, not able to immediately exit pesantren.”

Nini, the hunchback granny smiled. His sneaky eyes were like harboring a heinous plan. One of the subordinates of Kyai Sarwa has been successfully influenced by him. Surely his efforts to defeat this enemy will be easier.

“It's okay. Nini has just arrived. There was also a business,’ said the hunchback grandmother pretended to be wise. Don't want to rashly vent anger. Fear Jaka will feel uncomfortable, and cancel the agreement they will agree.

“So, how next, Ni? What should we talk about now?” Jaka looked excited and was eager to find out his next move.

The rarity of laughter sounded from the hunchback grandmother, also from Nang, the granddaughter of sinenek. It seemed like the two of them were very happy that their bait had been eaten by Jaka.

“You must be able to supervise the actions of Sarwa and Madi his favorite student. Find the weak point. Then influence some santri and ustad who do not agree with the leadership of kyai Sarwa!” The hunchback grandmother also began to talk about some devious ways to defeat Kyai Sarwa.

“Good, Ni. I will try to keep an eye on them. After that, it only influenced others to rebel on cottage regulations so far.”

The laughter of the hunchback grandmother was getting louder, feeling very happy because Jaka was really very impressionable. The ugliness of Jaka's habits slowly began to unfold.