TUMBAL SEVENTH

New Home

I went around looking at every corner of the house that still seemed foreign to me. Our new house in the village, the old model building, the two-story, the red brick wall. It will be Dutch style. The decorative lights, the furniture, the furniture, all the ancient models. Antique.

“Rania, open the door, son!” squealing Dad from upstairs.

“Iya, Yah.”

I hurried to open the door. A middle-aged woman was standing at the door, using a subordinate black batik kebat cloth and black kebaya clothes as well. Her hair was curled, typical of village women.

His eyes were sharp, and I did not dare to look at him for long. While on her lips there was a red stain, but I'm sure it wasn't a lipstick stain. I don't know what stain?

“I-mother who? Find who?” tanyaku.

“Matini's. Find Mr. Devandra,” he replied with a flat expression.

“Yeah, Dad! Something's coming, here!” my peek. Still standing in the doorway. I don't know, these legs don't seem capable of me. Stiff.

“Who, Nak?” father Sahut, while going down the stairs.

“Oh, Mbok Tini,” said Dad, when he got near me. “Let's go, Mbok!” take Dad later. Then introduce to me who this Mbok Tini. Maid in our house.

“Later, if you are busy supervising the construction of the factory, Mbok Tini will accompany and prepare all your needs,” explained Father. Mbok Tini was silent with no expression.

“Dad, Brother, no cockroaches!” pekik Tania, while running down the stairs.

“Eh, slow down, Honey! Later fell,” said Dad.

After arriving at the bottom floor, Tania immediately struggled on Dad's burly arms.

“There's cockroaches, Dad. Tania scared.” Tania whines spoiled.

“Quiet yes, later to be cleaned the same Mbok Tini.” Dad crouched down in front of Tania while holding both sides of my sister's shoulders. While Mbok Tini, he looked at my sister in such a way. I don't know what's in his mind.

Tania shuffled, hiding next to Dad. Down did not dare to look at Mbok Tini. The eyes of Mbok Tini are indeed very strange. Like a haunted place. Horrifically.

“Tania was scared, Well,” whispered to Dad, but it sounded clear in my ears. Maybe Mbok Tini heard it too.

“Calm down, this is Mbok Tini. The person who will later prepare all the needs of Tania, when dad is busy.” Tania shakes. Still scared.

Dad then stood face to face with Mbok Tini. Apologizing for my sister's attitude towards him. Mbok Tini just nodded quietly without expression.

Then passed away leaving us, Mbok Tini began to work. Beberes house.

“Iya, why?” he turned his head towards me.

“Yah ..., I don't feel weird with Mbok Tini's attitude?”

“White why? He is so, but God willing he is good. My father has met him many times. When coming here review the factory construction site.” Dad rubbed my shoulder. Convincing while channeling calm. I just nod.

Soon a middle-aged man was wearing all-black clothes, with a scabbard coiling around his head. His attitude was as strange as Mbok Tini's. His face was expressionless. According to Dad's explanation, he was a gardener, who would help some of our homes.

I don't understand why you hire weird people like them.

*** 

Fatigued, after almost a day also helped some houses. I decided to sit on the front porch with Tania.

Shortly passed by a guy of my age. Using a BMX bike, and stopping right in front of the gate of our house. Looking towards me and Tania who were sitting back.

I looked at each other with Tania. Felt weird with that guy up ahead.

“Kak Rania knows with Big Brother up ahead there?” I answered Tania with a slit. Because I don't know that guy up ahead.

“Awhile yes, Deck. Brother try mastiin to get there first, he wants what?” Tania nodded. I swung a step closer to the still-silent man sitting on his bike with two feet on the ground, and two hands still stuck to the handlebar. His head turned towards my house, eyes probing into every punjuru. It's so weird.

“A-there can I help?” ask me from behind the gate.  Now the eyes of the stranger looked at me from head to toe.

“It is better that you and your family leave here!” His words made my forehead wrinkled, confused. How could you get out of here? While we just got here.

“Forwards ...” Not yet I finish asking, the guy is back pedaling his bike. Go awayl.

Bizarrely.

“Aaak!” I'm suffocating. Bummer. When he turned back and found Mbok Tini was standing right in front of me.

“Mbok Tini, ngagetin only,” dumelku, while wiping the chest where in it the heart beats fast.

“You better be careful with the boy,” Mbok Tini said, as it passed from before me. Then open the gate and leave. As always, without expression.

I was fixated, confused, trying to digest Mbok Tini's speech as well as the man's speech earlier.

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