The River House

LII. The Rich Man's land

The sound of a black crow broke the silence of the wilderness. Two old friends were struggling on the wild growing thorny grass. Mella, the woman who survived the Rich Man house fire last year. Now demanding revenge on Bayu who is considered one of the masterminds of the slaughter of the river house.

"Come Mella! Why hesitate? Every human being has the right to fight for justice. If justice is for you to see that I'm no longer breathing, then do it now!" Bayu grinned. His white teeth glowed in the darkness.

Mella hissing annoyed. Her facial skin is broken, wrinkled and peeled with a bright pink color makes Mella look really terrible. All the suffering during this time the cause was the man who was currently lying before him.

"I'm not a killer like you!" mella snapped while growling.

"lik! You just lost an innocent man's life. A five-year-old boy has to lose his father because of you Mella. Your hands are covered in blood and sin" said Bayu as he stared intently at Mella.

"I had to do it Bayu. The only villain here is you!" mella denied.

"Oh yeah? Now tell me what my crime is?" Bayu plays both eyebrows.

"You planned the massacre of a drama club friend. You're the one who let me roast on the second floor of the burning house! You didn't help me on purpose Bayu!" mella's eyes were full of anger.

"Hmmm, I didn't plan anything for Mella. Zainul wrote the tragedy of his life. Hendra, who harbored guilt, made Zainul's writing a reality. I'm just a Mell spectator. I'm just a guy who enjoys the show. Where's wrong?" Bayu smile.

"Okay, about me not helping you, let's just say I'm guilty. But didn't I make it up to you? I supply medicines for you so that you can be treated by Mak Ijah in this place. You can live thanks to me. Did you forget?" continued Bayu.

"Is my situation like this what you can call life? I'd rather die than live to be a forest demon!" Mella growled, her saliva dripping through the shrunken burn marks on the lip area.

"You speak the truth that you believe. It is free for me to explain. If so, just do what you want to do. Revenge needs vengeance. And make me your target, Mella," Bayu spread out his hands.

"I don't want everything to end this easily!" mella's snapped angry.

"Then, what do you want?"

"I want you to beg for mercy. I want you to be scared. I want you to feel the same horror of the people who have suffered the consequences of your actions Bayu!" Mella slightly lifted Bayu's body and dropped him to the ground.

"Huh? Ha ha ha ha ha. .I? Afraid? My past is full of horrors! In my childhood, every night before I went to sleep, there were only two questions on my mind. Which part of my body will the man I call my father hit tomorrow? What else will come out of a dirty mouth full of alcohol? My life is only to support Zainul embracing people of such misfortune as me!" Bayu chuckled, his laughter broke. A long laugh that sounded loose freed the heart of Bayu who had been covered in masks of kindness and achievement.

"You're not sane! A person like you cannot exist in this world! My life would be peaceful if I didn't meet someone like you!" mella's snapping is no less loud.

"Then do Mella. I've spread the seed. Just wait for the harvest," Bayu smirked with satisfaction.

Mella's not budging. Silence, confused what to do. At the same time, the sound of footsteps approaching broke the silence. An old woman with white hair like fishing line shone between the darkness of the night.

"Ohh, how are you Mak Ijah?" tanya Bayu still with the supine position overcame Mella.

"What are you doing?" ask Mak Ijah to Mella.

"This person is the root of all the problems we've been facing all along, Mom!" answer Mella.

"Yes, and he is also the one who has helped you survive until now" said Mak Ijah.

"Do you consider this kind of situation to be your life?" Mella shakes. Her tears were unstoppable.

"After the river house fire, you took care of me in the cave. We survive on minimal food supplies. Even for a few weeks before this land changes ownership, we eat potluck. Mosses, river fish, grasshoppers, catching wild animals and birds. Even so hungry we once ate 'gendon', a caterpillar in a weathered tree trunk. Only then can we eat properly when the new house begins to be built. We stole the artisans' supplies. What could that be called life?" mella asked while crying. He imagined his life for a year being in misery.

"For me it is life," replied Mak Ijah flatly.

"I have no one. In the end, you have a goal and an obligation in life. Caring for Mr. Hendra in this forest until he managed to carry out his life goals. Then Mr. Bayu gave me a new obligation, which is to take care of you so that you can be healthy like now. For me, this is my life. I exist to serve," Mak Ijah replied expressionlessly.

"Then do you think Mak, what are my obligations in this life?" ask Mella again.

"Being a forest dweller belongs to the Rich Man. As atonement for your past bad deeds" Mak Ijah replied.

Hearing Mak's words, Mella releases her hand grip on Bayu's body. He sat down crying. Bayu stood up and patted his dusty body.

"Why is your heart so weak Mella? Why did you let me go?" asked Bayu while reaching into the back pocket of his pants.

"I can't live my life like you. I'm turning insane like you Bayu!" mella's cry between her cries.

"If so, is there no point in living?" said Bayu cynically.

Mella is silent. His life was completely destroyed. The desire to be able to return to the way he was with his family can no longer be realized. The money that was about to be used to treat his terrible burn scars was lost stolen. Even his hatred and resentment towards Bayu had also disappeared. Appearance can be damaged, but Mella does not want her heart to be destroyed along with the crazy people who surround her.

"I think tonight is the time for me to catch up with Zainul. But apparently, the enemy I created was unable to carry out his duties. I'm disappointed Mella, very disappointed. Your heart is too soft and forgiving for me," Bayu pointed a gun at Mella.

Doorrrrr

The sound of gunfire boomed, driving away the herd of crows perched on the branches of acacia trees. For the most part, the Rich Man's estate took away a precious life.

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