They're Here

Chapter 4: Riding Citiis

Doubt reigns in the head. I know there's something unusual in this car. However, I also could not immediately believe the mother who seemed to be following me.

“Lick! Quickly jump!” she shouted while running after the car.

Meanwhile, I still felt a strong grip pulling my backpack.

What the hell is going on? Curiosity soared, but I was advised not to check the conditions behind me.

I open and close my eyes several times – trying to make sure this event is dream or original. Suddenly a hand floated on my back and forward over my shoulder. Dry hands are like just bones wrapped in skin.

[Audzubillah himinas sayitoon nirrojim (I take refuge in Allah from the temptation of the damned devil).] I memorize it in my heart.

Bruuuk!!! I jumped after seeing there was a roomy place to roll. After all, there was a laptop in my bag that contained important data.

I rolled on the grass by tightly clutching my backpack. My body shudders and my breath stings.

My mother helped me get up. “You're okay, right?” tanyakanya.

“Yes. I am doing well. Thanks for the help,” I said braced myself.

Then, my eyes were fixed on the trail of the elf car I had. I put all my focus on reaching him on the long straight road.

Not likely. The car disappeared. Did the driver push him faster? Or is it true that the mother said that the car was unusual?

“Thank you get out of that car immediately. Otherwise, you might get carried away to their dimension,” said the Mother who made my mind more jerked.

Their dimensions? What does Mother mean?” ask me while digesting events beyond reason that just happened.

“You were wrong to ride the elves. As I call, you do not know.” The mother breathed. Drawing fatigue on his face. “Then from that, I follow you. I see you're a good person, and it seems to be on your way to fulfilling the good,”.

The sounds of crickets and unpretentious frogs lit up a lonely night. Not a single vehicle passed. The moonlight is not perfect. The stars are ashamed to show their existence. While inside my brain, a million question marks blurted. What does the mother really mean?

He said I was wrong to board the car, while no other car was parked when the conductor said the trip could continue.

About the mother calling me but I kept quiet, it was because I put earphones in my ears to neutralize my mood. Ah, I really don't understand any of this.

“My house is about 2 KM from here. Let's follow me!” take the Mother.

I let go of the sanctions. There's nothing I can do alone on the side of a forest road.

Hem! It is not time to weigh too deeply about one's goodness. A tired body and a shriveled sense need to be restored immediately.

I followed the steps of the mother. Sweat is pouring. Energy as if drained away. I didn't bring any supplies, including thirst relief.

My mother looked at me. He smiled and gave me a bottle of water.

I consulted with a small heart to make a choice, drink or not. What if the water he is offering has been mixed with a study?

Duh, whatever!

Immediately I gulped freshness in order to agglomerate the energy. What will happen, happens!

After a long walk. The sound of roosters crowing against each other pitted the volume. Highlights of lights hanging in the homes of residents also began to shine on the retina.

Is this already at dawn? Why does the night feel so fast? Afternoon to night, night to morning, I like to spend a lot of time without a story.

“Please enter!” said the mother opened the door.  “Have wanted adzan. Cleanse your body, then pray. After that just eat and rest.”

Is correct. Tarhim began to reverberate from the mouthpieces of loudspeakers. I was brought to nostalgia for my childhood life. The time where racing with friends to reach surau first. Fajr time is the best time to breathe in and start the activity.

I fulfilled the mother's command while giving thanks. He told me to pray. That is, he is a good man.

“Thank you, Mom. Sorry, I had doubts about the kindness of Mother,” I said a little embarrassed.

He replied to my expression with a line of raised lips

***

I woke up at about 11 p.m. Body and mind are fresh. Time to reach the place where it was headed.

I walked around to find Mom to thank and ask for directions to get to Citiis without any distractions like last night. However, he was not seen in all corners of the house.

While waiting for the mother, I enjoy the peace of life presented. There are no sounds that sting the hearing. There is also no pollution that causes breathing.

“Aa is awake?” ask the sweet voice that was so polite in the ears.

I immediately looked towards him. “I. Where are you going?” I returned with a bit clumsy.

“Si Mamah is out again. I'll be home soon. Come A, lunch first!” bring him.

Beautiful, sweet, and soft. This is the image of the woman in front of me. His hospitality instantly made my stomach say hungry.

After eating, I went back to the terrace. He followed, and took a seat beside me.

“Sorry, Where are you from and where are you going?” He opened the conversation in a friendly manner.

“I'm from Jakarta. I was on my way to Citiis Village to see my friend. Only...”

He cut my explanation, “Citiis?” His face looked shocked. “A, I'd better not go there. Mending Aa is back. If Aa wants to meet Aa, right now tea can pass through hape, video call.”

He said the same thing his mother said. What is it with Citiis?

“Why with Citiis? Is there anything less good?”

“Em...” He turned his eyes. “Next, it is not recommended for outsiders to enter Citiis.”

“But I am not an outsider. I spent my childhood in Citiis. However, I still have ties as a citizen there,” explained.

He stood up while holding his fingers. “Atau Aa invite you to meet here. From Citiis to here only 20 minutes kok.”

From his words indicates I am close to the location of my childhood friends.

I try to remember for a moment the geography of this region. “So, this is Cibatu?” many ensure.

He also nodded.

All righty!

Everything feels so much different. It is very natural, because I did not reach this place for a dozen years. However, I believe access from here to Citiis has not changed.

I immediately took my backpack. However, he tried to block my journey.

“Aa, please listen to me! Citiis that Aa used to know is different from Citiis now,” he explained ambiguous.

“What's the difference?” Spontaneous I raise my voice. I don't like being tossed around without a concrete explanation.

He did not answer my question, instead continued to stand in my way to get out.

“Thank you for helping me. Also tell that to the mother. After coming from Citiis, I promise to come here. Please let me go now, Miss Beautiful,”.

Still, he's not flinching.

“Neng, Anterin si Aa to Citiis,” voice of the Mother made us surprised.

“But, Mah.” The white woman with a height of about 165 cm and long hair seemed to object to the decree of the mother.

The Mother looked at me, “In Citiis, you probably won't meet people you knew before. But, I've entrusted you to my younger brother who lives there.”

Mother's statement slipped a question in my mind. If I can't meet people I know, then where are they. Ah, but I don't want to waste time. Let my question be answered there.

The girl pulled out a motorcycle. I offered to drive.

“While there later, say you are doing research for college assignments,” message the Mother.

I can't wait to see the past. I can't wait to dissect Hamid, Moses, and Rusman.

Cibatu is a village in front of Citiis when viewed position near the highway. The boundary between the two villages is a river on which a three-pillar bridge is built.

The bridges. My body suddenly shook violently when I saw the connecting construction from a distance of about 10 meters. In fact, I almost hit the peg.

I was stunned – observe, watch, and research. Was there really Hamid, Moses, and Rusman who reinforced the construction of the bridge, as the people at that time alleged?