TUMBAL SEVENTH

Fall apart

I slowly opened my eyes to the smell of the drug stinging my nose. Typical hospital aroma. Sure enough when my eyes were open and watching around, it was true that I had been lying on a hospital bed.

I just got up to look for Mom and Dad. They come. Enter the room shades of white with green curtains this while putting on a bitter smile.

“Eh, you are aware, Son?” father said, and hurried closer. Then rub this head gently. I just responded with a small smile. My head hurts so much.

“How are you doing? Already done?” ask Mama. Spontaneously, I turned towards Mama. He stood to the right of my bed.

“Iya, how? Does anyone hurt?” The father leaning against the edge of the bed left asked. I looked at the two in turn. My parents' faces were shrouded in deep worry and sadness.

“Ma, Well, what about Tania's body?” I could hardly ask this, but curiosity flared up. Finally got thrown too. Even though my voice was barely heard by the people around.

Kulirik Mama and Dad, they looked at each other seconds then both looked down bitterly. Their eyes glazed over. I got up, and sat on my feet on the bed. A thick striped blanket covers the thighs to the feet. Enthusiastic waiting for an answer from Dad or Mama.

However, up to seconds both Dad and Mama were silent.

“Your sister is still in the process of autopsy. Later after the completion of the new autopsy we buried properly, yes,” explained Father in a raucous voice. Moments later my crying broke, even with Mama. They pulled over, away from my bed. Dad faced the whitewashed wall once in a while he wiped his tears. While Mama, she was sitting on the sofa that was next to my bed. Her tears flowed the river.

I wanted to scream hysterically, but I didn't. I can't cry either. There must be one who becomes a booster. As much as I could, I tried to hold back the nearly broken cry.

“Ma, Well, we just pray Tania wishes her happiness there. Don't keep crying, later he is sad.” I wiped out one tear that broke my defenses. Then I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. A second later the tightness and pain in the throat disappeared. My tears finally stopped.

Mom and Dad both heard a long breath. Then wipe away the rest of the tears. Then the two approached me. They hugged me from the left and right. I'm flanked.

If only Tania had a chance to see this. He must be very happy. Her dream is to see Mama and Dad come together, and hope that our family will come back as whole as everyone else's.

You're the calm yeah, Dek, over there. Here brother will try to carry out your mission that has not been realized. It brings our two parents together. Pray for your brother from there to succeed.

“If you've done well, we'd better go home. Let's wait for your sister's identification from home. Dad's dizzy here for a long time. Not strong with pungent medicinal aroma.”

I nodded in agreement with Dad, even with Mama. After the infusion ran out, we went home.

🌺🌺🌺

“Yes, how come there's no news yet, from the identification team? Hasn't the autopsy process been completed?” My patience began to erode, it's been almost two days, but I haven't heard from Tania's autopsy.

“Sabar, the autopsy process can take hours, days, even weeks.”

I nodded at Dad's exposure. Trying to understand.

“Daddy deliberately asked the DVI team and forensic police to fully investigate the case. So that the cause of Tania's death is found out, and also hopefully the culprit will be caught later,” added Father, he looked furious when calling ‘abuser’.

I was looking for the whereabouts of Mbok Tini. Then my eyes circled looking at the front yard through the translucent window glass. Alone, Mr. Ramat did not see where he should be. Where are the two of them? Ever since Tania's disappearance, they look strange.

“Well, Where's Mbok Tini? How recently have you never been seen?” I tried to make small talk.

Dad puts his shoulders on the mark of not knowing. “Entahlah, it has been a few days they both disappeared as if swallowed by the earth,” said Father later.

“I suspect this is all the actions of Mbok Tini and Mr. Ramat, Well, Ma.”

Suddenly Father and Mama who were sitting on the left and right side flanking themselves turned their heads, looking at me in such a way.

“Actually my father thought the same. Also the police yesterday had wondered about Mbok Tini. Looks like the police also suspect that Mbok Tini ‘lah the culprit.”

But how else? Who should be responsible for Tania's death if the person as the alleged culprit is now out of nowhere? Police are still looking for Mbok Tini and Pak Ramat until now. I can only hope that this case will soon find a bright spot for my sister to calm down in nature there.

***

Today the identification team sent several people to come to the house and presented the autopsy results of Tania's body.

Me, Mama and Dad were hysterical after hearing about Tania's death from being slit in the throat. The living room that was originally quiet, was now boisterous by the cries of the three of us.

My hands are perfectly clenched. It hurts my heart, considering the culprit is still free to roam out there. The man should have been rewarded for his wicked deeds.

What's wrong with my sister? She's a sweet and innocent little girl. Why should it be finished in such a cruel way? Why should Tania? Why not just me? The kenpa?

“In the near future an ambulance carrying the body of Mr. Devandra's daughter will come. Furthermore, the body can be immediately buried properly, Sir,” concluded Mr. Police.

Me, Mama and Dad broke into a heartbreaking cry. Until the sound of ambulance sirens sounded in the distance getting closer to here. It must be my sister coming.

🌺🌺🌺

Procession after procession has passed. Stop by the wet mound of earth with a wooden headstone bearing the name Tania which I now hold tightly. These tears are hard to stop.

Some of the police officers who also witnessed the funeral pamphit to Dad. Before I left, I heard they promised they'd find the culprits by the way.

Dian crouched down beside my left, he just kept wiping this shoulder strengthening. At first glance I saw Tirta and Bayu standing across the mound of Tania's tomb. They looked down and did not say a word.

“Nak, already yes, let's go home!”

I refused Mama's invitation. “I still want to be here, Ma.”

“Honey, we pray Tania from home, yes. Magrib soon, Nak.” I tried to pull my arm so I could stand up.

“I still miss Tania, Yah.”

Dad forcibly carried my limp body. Trying to fight, but I don't have enough energy. My crying broke again. Hysterical. Seconds later everything went dark. When I realized, I was already at home surrounded by Mama, Dad, Tirta, Bayu and Dian.

“Why do you guys look so anxious?”

“You were in long stupor. Mama is afraid ..fear of losing you. Mama doesn't want to lose a child for the second time.” After saying so, Mama immediately hugged me who was still lying on the living room sofa while sobbing.

After Mama calmed down a little, she let go of her embrace. Then I sat down. “Tania,” gumamku.

“God willing, Tania is already calm in nature there,” said Tirta.

“I know this is heavy for you, Ran, but already dong don't cry later Tania there is also sad. Better please and pray that Tania be happy there, and the culprit is quickly caught.”

I agree with Dian's words. Then try to strengthen yourself. Resisting the tears that kept on fighting trying to break through my defensive wall.

“After night we should leave first, Om, Tan, Ran,” said Dian. I nodded. While Dad thanked the three of them who have been with me all day, and also have always been there to help my family. Then I drove the three of them to the terrace.

After they returned home, and the mourners also returned, the house was deserted. Only a few of his brothers Mama and Dad still live here. But quiet, all quiet. The whole old Dutch-style house is shrouded in deep sorrow.

🌺🌺🌺

A week had passed since Tania's burial, but sobs were still frequently heard inside this house. The house has been uninhabited since Tania's disappearance. Slender. He was the one who had been making the atmosphere of this ancient house come alive. Now He's ‘lah gone for good. The joy and happiness inside him was as if carried away with him.

The atmosphere was getting quieter when the brothers Mama and Dad who originally stayed here on their return home. So did I and my parents, who were still in deep sorrow.

We have tried to rise from this slump, but we are still not strong enough to stand strong as before. Still needs time. I don't know how long. Don't know yet.

Half a month since Tania's funeral, the three of us agreed to rise from the brink. We also began to concern ourselves with each other's activities. I'm going to school. While Dad and Mama went to work in a cassava factory which is still in the construction stage.

The process of building a factory that Dad was stuck running a little slow was constrained by Tania's departure. It was temporarily stopped during the search process yesterday until the eater until the 7th day of our family's mourning. And now slowly Dad will start hiring his employees again today.

At school I could laugh out loud in the midst of friends. Especially when with Tirta. Even though we just sit side by side and occasionally look at each other without saying much, but I feel comfortable. For a moment I forgot all the sadness that struck my heart.

“Why?” my question, when our eyes collide and look Tirta's eyes as if implying a question. He shook his head for a second and then he heard a long breath. I'm sure Tirta was going to ask you something, but I stopped. I don't know because of what?

🌺🌺🌺

I watched the clock on the phone screen. I've been waiting for Dad to pick me up for half an hour, but I can't see the trunk of his nose. I think Dad forgot. Maybe because his mind is still messed up or still busy at the factory.

“Why? Your father hasn't arrived yet, has he?”

I asked a question from Abdi.

“What if I'm with you?”

“Bareng?” my many. Abdi nodded steadily.

I also chuckled at it. “How can we be together? While the direction of our home alone is different,” I said later.

Abdi scratched his head wrong behavior then grinned. “Iya, yes?”

“Yes already, then let me just drop off. How?” abdi added.

“Thank you, no need. Fear of trouble.”

“Make you mah, do not bother kok.”

“I'd better go home on foot,” I replied.

Abdi was impressed to want to take me home, until confused to reason what else. I don't know, I feel uncomfortable if I have to go home alone with him. Fortunately, Tirta showed up with his bike.

“Eum, sorry. I went home with Tirta only, ‘kkan us in line.”

Tirta and Abdi looked at each other for a moment. Abdi looked upset, but finally resigned and let me go home with Tirta.

I walk to the right of Tirta. His BMX bike became a barrier between me and him. Along the way, we were silent. Only the sound of our shoes clashed with the cobbled streets and the boisterous sound of his bike. But strangely, I feel happy.

Tirta stopped his steps. Spontaneous I stopped too.

“Already arrived,” said Tirta with his trademark style. Flat without expression. But it looks a little groggy.

I'm observing around. It was right to arrive at the front gate of the house. Why have I arrived, even though I still want to linger with him. Huh!

“Eum, i-iya.” Suddenly nervous. “Come to stop by!” I wish he would accept my invitation, but he just refuses outright. Then drive home. Basic suck! So guys aren't very sensitive, anyway!

I swung my lazy steps into the courtyard of the house. Apparently Mom and Dad haven't come home yet. Where are they going? I feel so lazy to go into the house. However, nature's call forced me to enter as well.

After shitting I sat on the living room couch. The shadow of Tania again filled every corner of the space. I thought after getting busy I would forget everything about my poor sister, but I didn't. Especially when you remember the alleged killer Tania, likely still roaming freely out there. This heart heats up for a moment. Anger envelops the soul.

The house that used to be the most comfortable place like heaven to me, now feels like hell. I was tormented in it. I just want to take Mom and Dad out. Not comfortable if linger here. It can be stressful if this is continuous.

Yes, later if Dad and Mama come home I will propose to move away from this village.

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