The River House

XXVS. Past Times

The main road to the new house area Anggun has indeed been built, and widened. But the path that used to be a rat path and closer to the residential area so not maintained. The grass is as tall as an adult's chest, as well as a thorny bush, growing wild and closing the path.

The thick fog remained an inseparable part of the morning air in Zainul Rich Man's forest. On the hillside, an old hut with some parts of its wooden pole that began to weathered was gnawed by termites. The cottage is still standing even though it is not worth a visit.

Bayu Khairil, a cop with a mysterious past, stands firmly in front of the cottage. His eyes look out for the last place he was with his best friend, Zainul Rich Man.

The wooden hut where Zainul was secluded, looking for inspiration to write a cruel dark novel. While Bayu has always been the first to read the work of the Maestro before it was printed and became a best seller in the market.

After being satisfied to look at the rickety cottage, Bayu again stepped his feet. Down the slightly slippery cobbled streets with the typical loose soil of the mountains that is sticky on the footing of shoes. Several times Bayu almost slipped. Reflexes, his hands trying to grab the plants around as a handle so as not to fall off. Naas, what he reached for was a wild rose full of thorns.

"Ha ha ha," Bayu suddenly laughed. Fresh blood poured out from his pure white palm.

Bayu sucked his bloody thumb. A rancid aroma and a strange taste like rusty iron filled his mouth cavity. Bayu continued his journey.

After some steep derivatives passed, Bayu arrived in a field. In the middle of the lush elephant grass, there is a red earth mound. With a stone full of moss laid on it as a marker.

A brownish-white tombstone, with some of the clinging mud still firmly stuck next to the stone. Although faint, it can still be read a sculpture that reads Zainul Rikhman.

Bayu crouched down, looking at the navel of his best friend. There was a sense of tightness in his chest, a sense of sadness, as well as longing for the unspoken. He gently stroked Zainul Rikhman's headstone.

"Hey, I came my friend," Bayu said with a voice that sounded stuck in the esophagus. The corner of his eyes was wet watering.

"You saw it from there? Your extraordinary work inspires lost hearts. Offering a solution to the angry soul soul," Bayu rubbed his poignant eyes.

Bayu daydreamed, his memory dragged on the events that had passed. Memories of the past that made him the person he is today.

Both Bayu's parents were successful entrepreneurs of his time. Always busy with their work and activities. Despite having a lot of money, and whatever he wants to fulfill, Bayu feels that there is something empty of his life.

Little Bayu once prayed in his heart, so that his parents would have more time with him. In fact, that prayer quickly came. My father became more frequent at home. But not as imagined by Bayu. His father spent a lot of time at home bringing hell to his life.

The company managed by Ayah Bayu has been bankrupt. The feeling of falling down and the inner pressure changes the war. When the wife's business went well, her pride as a man was hurt. The feeling of defeat did not make him want to get up, but instead made him run into a booze puddle.

The influence of alcohol made the father a morally corrupted person. Every morning Bayu watched his father drunk. The day became. Often Bayu also get violence both verbally and physically.

Bayu once complained to his mother. There was no response from the workaholic. His mother simply replied and advised Bayu not to be naughty. No attention, no care. Even the bruises on her cheeks that felt throbbing were ignored by the mother. Her mother was too busy taking care of business, her entire energy and mind had been drained. No more love for Bayu.

Bayu begins to get acquainted with Zainul. For Bayu, Zainul is a maestro. The author of a story with a story similar to his life. The story is in accordance with the reality that a misery does not necessarily bring happiness at the end of the story. That good does not necessarily win against evil. Because that is life, that is the world.

Bayu awoke from the reverie. Without feeling any tears dripping down his cheeks. He then embraced Zainul's headstone. Bayu has promised in his heart to become Zainul Rikhman's number one supporter. The connoisseur of the work of friends and the shining sun in his life full of black fog.

"I've sown the seeds of your story to the right people. They are the chosen ones to stage your scenario into a real-world masterpiece. I'll enjoy it Nul. Enjoy everything in your book. Enjoying every semicolon of the idea engraved from the host," Bayu rubbed Zainul's gravestone.

Bayu rubbed and wiped the tears that soaked his cheeks. Then he stood up, scattering the cantile blossoms he had stored behind his jacket. A fragrant aroma rippled through the air. So sharp and so intoxicating.

Bayu turned his body, and walked unsteadily leaving the navel of the Richman. A tomb at the foot of the hill, hidden behind a grove of trees. Darkness and solitude are eternal in areas that have never been touched by sunlight.

No more than two hours, Bayu is back. He has arrived at the court of Anggun's new house. The men sat outside the house with faces that were hard to describe. Face full of fear. Only Damar looks calm with a flat face.

"What's this about? Your faces all look so gloomy," said Bayu casually. No one answered, everyone was silent.

"The room? What's up?" Bayu looked at Damar asking for an explanation.

"We found Ali sir" Damar replied briefly.

"Oh yeah? So where is that man now?" Bayu asked back.

"Ali is dead sir. We found Ali's body hanging in Mr. Erwin's room, "Damar remains flat-faced with no expression.

Bayu was a little surprised to hear that. He did not expect the tragedy this time to roll quickly.

"Damar, we need to speak four eyes. Show me where Ali's body is, and explain the chronology of his discovery!" Bayu gave the order.

"Ready sir" said Damar sprightly. He immediately stood up to show where Ali's body was.

"Master everyone please remain calm. Give us time to check it out" Bayu told Ferry, Erwin and Mr Nyoto. A smile on his lips. Smiles that seem friendly and soothing.

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