The River House

58. Redemptive

"Target Mella is Dipta. The liquid was indeed prepared by him to harm Dipta. However, what Mella does not know is that three days before the performance, you use the liquid to train with Zainul," Bayu said among the blazing wildfire.

"So who do you think is guilty of the burns Zainul sustained? The answer is you!" Bayu grinned with glaring eyes.

"You lied! You're bragging!" Shouted Hendra. He tried to deny Bayu's words.

"There's no point in me lying" Bayu said.

"Bullsh*t! Why did Mella try to harm Dipta?" Hendra asked for an explanation.

"Because Mella was once rejected by Dipta. The chemical girl felt hurt. Plus his curiosity and knowledge of the chemical liquid that was only a fingertip, he concocted the liquid. He did not expect that the chemicals he made were able to cause permanent burns. Especially it turns out through your hand he was the wrong target. Zainul who finally had to be the victim of the wrong target," Bayu shook his head slowly.

"lik! Know where you're from?" Hendra continued to deny.

"I investigated everything. Just so you know, I'm monitoring all of you. I was friends with Mella and she told me everything" Bayu smiled at a glance.

"That means this book is a lie? Zainul lied to me?" Hendra glares. Highlight his eyes still look hesitant to believe Bayu's words.

"The book is the final drama scenario of the Maestro. He's not lying, just writing a story based on your point of view, Hendra. The main antagonist's point of view."

"However, what a pity. You cannot execute it perfectly," Bayu put on a face as if he was sad.

"Damn it! You framed me! You guys are not sane!" Hendra yells. His face was red.

"I and Zainul were lovers of drama. Zainul's goal is to be a screenwriter. And I think now, he's made it. With his book he became rich. Then her masterpiece drama screenplay she handed it to you. And the big stage is this riverfront house," Bayu looked at the fire before him. There was a sense of amazement and pride from his facial expression.

Hendra. He recalls giving Zainul the heavy rain on his social foundation. A red-coated book, a savings book and land certificate, and Zainul's identity card. Everything was arranged so that Hendra would take the role of replacing Zainul in everyday life.

A few days later, Hendra visited a large land in a forest area written on the land certificate. At that time he found Zainul hanging lifelessly in the old cabin in the middle of the forest.

With pain in his heart, endless guilt, Hendra swears before Zainul's corpse to carry out his revenge. He built Zainul's dream house, a cool riverside house, away from the crowds. And finally carry out the scenario that has been written by Zainul Rikhman.

But now, Hendra feels used. He has sinned, his hands are covered in innocent blood. Fadlan, Wignyo, Mella and Mardoyo. The faces of their faces were reflected in Hendra's eyes. An innocent face must be taken away from her human right to life.

"Damn you Bayuu!" Hendra shouted furiously. But he can't move. Before him, a small gun muzzle pointed right at the center of his forehead.

"The book that you read is the same as the book read by Ms. Ami before she ended her life" said Bayu casually.

"And it turns out that Bu Ami has a considerable guilt towards Zainul. After reading the same book that you brought, Ms. Ami ended her life. Ahh, pleased . . . I don't have to dirty my hands?" Bayu held back the laughter.

"You're crazy!" Screeched Hendra.

"Who's crazy? Me or you? Remember, you're the one who killed your friend, not me! You committed murder based on a book you read. That's crazy meenn. You're Crazy!" Bayu spoke with a mocking tone of voice.

"If you want to do penance, you should do what Bu Ami did" Bayu continued.

"Remember, had you not forced Zainul to practice dialogue, Zainul should be alive today with his masterpiece. He didn't need to get any burns on his body. Also, you don't have to kill a friend from a drama club. They can all live quietly with their own worldly activities. All this commotion was Hendra Asmara's fault," Bayu sat crouching before Hendra.

Hendra seemed really shaken. Bayu's words, affecting his heart. The guilt, which disappeared a while ago, has now resurfaced. It even feels bigger and stifling.

"You know what you should have done before Hendra" Whispered Bayu as he placed his small pistol in front of Hendra.

"Don't live with regrets. Do what you have to do. The stage play of the maestro Zainul Rikhman needs an epic cover to make it a masterpiece."

"I go first Hendra Asmara," said Bayu turned body. He took off his gloves and left, leaving Hendra sitting alone.

After Bayu died, Hendra was still silent. A few droplets of tears dripped down his cheeks. Hendra still does not know what decision should be taken. While at the top of the hill, there are a lot of flashlights owned by residents. 

"HHAAAAAAAAAAHHH"

Hendra shouted as strongly as he could. His mind was destroyed, the moral values in his mind were chaotic. He really felt dirty and guilty. Hendra looked at both of his hands. He seemed to see blackened and dried blood on both of his palms.

Hendra grabbed a small gun in front of him. She cried sobbing. He looked up, staring at the dark sky. He asked inwardly, how to get rid of the guilt that made his chest tight. The guilt that had disappeared now came with more pain.

"Why am I trying to fix something so badly damaged? Shouldn't I just end this from the beginning?" Hendra muttered to himself.

With trembling hands, Hendra placed the tip of the gun on his chin. He was crying, his eyes were looking up at the sky. There are no stars, only darkness. The bottomless darkness, just as his heart had swallowed all good.

Doorrrrr

The third gunshot today. A voice that is foreign to the forest dwellers. A voice that made the villagers accelerate their steps. Curiosity, horror and was mixed in the hearts of each person who ran towards the center of the fire.

Connect ___