The Story on the Slope of Mount Merapi

5

It rained then it fell down hard. Ivory is still unable to step. He doesn't know where to go. If he comes home battered like that will definitely be questioned by his uncle and worse he will be chastised as well. But if he doesn't go home, where does he go? Following Sukmo Aji in Pajang? Of course it was very far away and he also did not know which path led to Pajang.

Whatever will happen, Gading finally decided to return to his uncle's house where he lived entrusted by Sukmo Aji since the age of five years since his mother and father died. Every month Sukmo AJi always took the time to visit him, giving just the cost of living for his only – sister.

"Ah, why is my luck bad...?" batin pilu Ivory. "Why do I have to experience this kind of pain. Almost a few years later, my uncle's temper has changed. He was always angry – angry at me, not infrequently hit with rattan against something he judged was wrong. It's better when Sukmo's brother comes here I'll come to Pajang "

The rain was still pouring heavily when Ivory entered the courtyard of the house. From the courtyard he could see a man sitting on a wooden chair near the front door drinking a roof of cereal water with palm sugar. A thin puff of smoke from the roof indicates that the drink is still hot. That's Ki Dadap the uncle. Ivory already has a feeling will experience something. But he kept moving. Not to mention that he reached under the roof, Ki Dadap kicked the table in front of him and then heard his voice.

"Demit boy! You remember coming home apparently!"

"Uncle, forgive me. I was hindered by the rain." said Ivory then stepped into the porch of the house. At the same time the uncle had already stood up from his seat. His eyes glared sharply.

"Hemm... Are you stymied by the rain you said?!" The man was almost half a century old. "But why do I see your clothes are so dirty and muddy and something is ripped. Your body is battered and your lips are bleeding!"

Ivory just keep quiet while bowing his head.

"You're not deaf! Quickly tell me what you've done?!" ki Dadap.

"I was mobbed by the boys, uncle.." replied Ivory finally told him.

"You're ganged! Goody! Then you're back in a fight! How many times have I told you not to fight!"

"I had to do it uncle. Those who start first. I was just defending myself. But they're a lot. I was thrown into a kedung on the edge of the academy there...!"

"Is that all that's going on?!" Ivory was silent, difficult to answer. "Demit boy! Reply quickly. Is that all you've been through?!" ki Dadap.

"No uncle... I also got a penalty from Demang Wiryoboga and Ki Lampitan." told Gading.

Surprised Ki Dadap heard the words Ivory. "You only caused trouble among us old people! Tell me what happened!"

"I was in Kedung. Then came Sulastri the daughter of Demang Wiryoboga. At the same time Ki Demang appeared there. I was accused of violating the paugeran against his son. I was slapped by him. Ki Jagabaya then kicked me...."

"It would have been better if they had just killed you back then!" ki Dadap.

Just then from inside the house appeared a middle-aged woman. The woman is Ki Dadap's wife named Nyai Rukmi. Ivory just bow your head. In his heart he also wanted why Demang Wiryoboga and Lampitan did not kill him at that time until the end of his history and also ended the suffering of his life.

"Five years with us you've only caused trouble! It's true I admit, your brother always gives a kepeng to finance your life. But it's not enough, I always just reach out to my own skills. You better get your feet out of here Ivory...!"

"Kangs..." Ki Dadap's wife was about to say something but was immediately yelled at and ordered in by her husband. The late sister of Ivory's mother who was very afraid of her husband immediately entered the house with – goboh and pale face.

"I'm sorry uncle. I didn't mean to trouble uncle." Ivory's words sounded.

"don't mean... Didn't mean! You always give trouble. And now my patience has reached the peak of the demit boy! You have ignited the flames of trouble with Demang Wiryoboga! A good relationship with me will be decided soon. All debts will be collected soon! If I could use this head of yours to finish all that business, I'd break your neck right now!"

"Uncle, if indeed my death can help you, I would kill uncle.." said Ivory with trembling lips.

Ki Dadap who was stepping back - mandir held back his anger now so exploded hearing the words of his wife's nephew.

"Fuckin' son! Gather your clothes! Get the fuck out of here! Don't you dare go back!" yell Ki Dadap.

"Deaf to the devil where are you going!" jakak Ki Dadap's. He grabbed Ivory hair and the boy threw it out of the porch.

"Uncle. I apologize to you. But don't drive me out of here..."

"Demit boy! Really fuckers! Once I told you to go you have to go, follow your brother to Pajang!" yell Ki Dadap.

Now his feet are moving. His kick landed on the Ivory hip. This kid was thrown away and fell on the muddy lawn. For Ivory the pain suffered by his body is nothing compared to the heartache treated like that. Fear of not knowing where to go. The only – road follows Sukmo Aji to Pajang. If people are no longer willing to keep it anymore how could he force to stay in that house.

Without taking his clothes inside the house with a staggering Ivory stepped towards the fence of the yard. The rain still falls. Ivory goes wherever his feet go. His clothes were soaked, his whole body cold and sick. Above the sky is a sign that soon night will come down. Under a large gayam tree Ivory finally stopped its steps and looked around. It was then that he realized that in front of him was a muddy muddy path. Then across this small road lies the cemetery of Lemah Cengkar. The cemetery where his parents' graves are located.

Ivory thought for a moment. Finally this child decided, before going to Pajang, he should visit the navel of his parents first to just say goodbye and ask for blessing. And so Ivory stepped across the small road. Although heavy rain and weather began to darken it was not difficult for Ivory to find the tomb of his mother and father because he often came there, especially if his heart was depressed and sad to face the suffering of life. Not infrequently he woke up early and went to the tomb, talking alone as if complaining about his unfortunate fate to his parents who were in another realm. Realm immortality.

Lightning snatching. The cemetery instantly became bright. Ivory rests beside the tomb of his mother and father, which are located side by side. The tomb wood has been damaged by weathered and the soil began to be overgrown with weeds.

"Mothers...Father I am your son come to rest in front of you. Maybe this is the last time I'm gonna be floating you. I don't know when I'll be back here. I have to go parents. I'm going to Pajang following Sukmo Aji's brother. If you and your father are still alive, my fate is not like this..."

Ivory was silent for a moment. He bit his lips hard. No matter how much pain he faced at that time, he did not want to be swept away by feelings, challenged to shed tears let alone cry! Until here the boy again stopped voicing his inner voice. "Father's mother, I have to go now. Your son begs your blessing..."

Ivory stood up slowly. Suddenly he felt someone standing behind him. For a moment his neck felt cold. She turned.

"Sulasthri! Are you that?" exciting Ivory. Half couldn't believe what he saw.

"How did you get here?!"

"I. I slipped out of the house. I'm so worried about you Ivory. Father and Ki Lampitan must have hurt you..."

Ivory shakes. "No, they didn't do anything. They left after you passed”, replied Ivory deliberately lying.

"Until home I went straight into the room and quietly slipped through the window. I went to kedung. But you're not there anymore, I'm sneaking into your house. Some close neighbors said you expelled your uncle. He doesn't know where you're going. But I kind of figured you'd come here. Didn't you ever tell me that you go to your parents' tomb often when you're sad... It turns out you're here."

"Sulastri you're so good to me. I really appreciate you. But Sulastri has to go home. Quick. Later if Ki Demang or Lampitan find out you're not home, then they find you and meet us both here again, you'll get angry. Go home Sulastri, hurry up..."

"I just want to know, where are you going Ivory...?" ask the girl.

"I'm going to Pajang after my brother." replied Ivory.

"You can't go Ivory. You have to stay in this town. The display is very far from here. I'm afraid you're having a disaster halfway through..."

"But nobody here likes me Sulastri. No one wants to accept me. Even my uncle kicked me out..."

"Not everyone hates you Ivory. They're crazy people just looking for excuses to hate you. L like you. L like you. I'm your friend..."

Ivory held both hands of Sulastri tightly. "You're a very good friend of mine I've ever had. I will never forget all your kindness, all your words. If I go back to this town one day, you're the one I'm gonna find..."

Sulastri could only remain silent. This kid realized that he couldn't possibly hold Ivory back from leaving. Slowly the boy let go of his grip. Under the rain that is still pouring down with heavy Ivory body lost swallowed by the grass at the cemetery gate.