Voices From Other Realms

Last minute

"Arum, you will finally receive a reply for subverting me and Dimas" cried Anum.

"I will be the ruler in this forest.hi..hi.

Anum's face was as white as cotton, very pale and looked creepy.

Next to him, Dimas looked at Arum.

Arum shudder...

"Am I dead?" Arum asked in his heart.

"You will forever be the inhabitants of this forest hi..hi.", Anum's laughter that makes Arum bristled.

Arum looked around him.a dense tree filled with thick fog.

The sound of gamelan was heard in the distance.

Seemed there gathered some Dutch Noni-Noni who had given Arum to Kanji's grandmother.

They were all pale-faced with piercing cold gazes, they looked at Arum with a vengeful look.

"Look..they are all my followers..hi.hi...hi..," Anum laughed.

Arum was terrified, he turned around and ran as fast as he could.

But his eyes were blocked by the thick fog, and Arum slowed down.

The crow's voice sounded simple, Arum trembled.

"In this other universe?" mumble Arum.

The sound of gamelan is still heard in the distance.

Arum looked back, not seeing Anum chasing after him.

Arum was a little relieved, he adjusted his gasping breath.

Cold sweat poured from his forehead, his entire body was already soaked with sweat.

Arum stopped his running, he walked slowly trying to penetrate the thick fog there.

Arum hit someone's body, he staggered a little.

The thick fog slowly began to thin, Arum could see a sinister figure in front of him.

a pair of red-eye lookouts were looking at him full of anger, the figure of the creepy old granny that Arum was already familiar with.

"Grandmother Kanji..," call Arum.

"Hi..hi.I am indeed Grandma Kanji who has been your lord all this time..," Grandma Kanji laughed.

"Do you know what mistake you made Arum?" granny asked Kanji while showing her pointed and sharp fingered hands to Arum's face.

"Even Grandma Kanji.I accidentally..really....my child is sick and does not want to get out of my arms..," Arum was frightened.

"I don't accept any excuses, I told you from the beginning.you must not forget.", Grandma Kanji replied angrily.

"But Grandma Kanji..can't you forgive me for just this once?" please Arum.

Grandma Kanji laughed loudly.

"Maybe..would you exchange it for the life of your son or your husband?" ask Grandma Kanji.

Arum was aghast, he did not expect Grandma Kanji would give him a choice that Arum had not thought of.

Arum shook his head, he loved Asmita and Raden Prana more than his own life.

There was no way he would sacrifice any of them to save his own life.

"No Grandma.don't they." asked Arum on his knees.

"There is no choice.you have no right to ask for more" pointed out Grandma Kanji.

Arum was crying, he regretted what he had done.

Now he will be the last victim to pay off his agreement.

No pardon, Arum must pay karma for his sins.

In essence, all men can only ask God the Creator of nature and all its contents.

Humans should not ask demons or demons, because they only want to harm humans.

They want people to fall into a trap that makes them fall into sin.

Arum was crying, but it was too late...

Kanji's grandmother approached Arum, her hands outstretched....

Arum choked, he closed his eyes.

A pair of hands strangled him, Arum had difficulty breathing.

Arum thrashed, but what a strong giggle on his neck was so painful.

Arum's eyes glared...

He was almost out of breath when a familiar voice called out to him in panic.

Arum felt someone shake his body and pat him on the cheek.

Arum flinched, he immediately sat down and inhaled as much oxygen.

Arum coughed...

"You're having nightmares?" asked Raden Prana worriedly.

Raden Prana took the water on their room table and helped Arum drink.

With a breath that was still panting, Arum wiped away the sweat droplets that had soaked his face.

Arum looked around, he was still in his room.

Arum looked at Asmita who was still asleep.

Raden Prana looked at Arum with a worried look.

"What kind of nightmares are you?" ask Raden Prana.

Arum just shook his head, he couldn't tell his dream.

Arum felt that the dream was a warning to him.

Arum knows, sooner or later Arum will receive punishment from Grandma Kanji for forgetting her last assignment.

Arum felt his time with the two people he loved was not much.

"Kangmas....will you forgive all my mistakes?" ask Arum.

"What are you wrong with? I don't think you've done anything wrong" replied Raden Prana stroking Arum's hair.

" Promise Kangmas.whatever happens Kangmas will forgive my mistakes and I want Kangmas to take good care of our daughter" Arum said.

"What are you talking about?" ask Raden Prana.

"Please promise me," urged Arum.

"All right, I promise," replied Raden Prana smiling gently.

Arum hugged Raden Prana, wanting to feel her husband's warm embrace for his last moments.

Arum wanted to breathe the sweet smell of her husband's body.

A clear water dropped in the corner of Arum's eyes, he could not help his feelings.

Arum immediately wiped away his tears, he did not want Raden Prana to see him crying.

Arum endured his grief, he let go of his embrace of Raden Prana.

"What are you doing, Arum? is it because Asmita was sick last night? Asmita is fine now," Raden Prana feels Arum's attitude is a little strange.

Arum forced his smile.

"Today I want Kangmas to accompany me all day at home" Arum said.

"I will give you whatever you ask for" Raden Prana replied laughing and pinched Arum's nose in a fit of anxiety.

"Go take a bath, after that we eat together," Raden Prana told him.

Arum nodded, he then prepared to clean his body.

Arum wants to make the most of his last time with his two loved ones.

Asmita squirms, she opens her eyes.

"Go Arum, let Asmita be with me" Raden Prana held Asmita.

"You are well, dear" said Raden Prana, kissing Asmita's cheek fondly.

Arum smiled looking at the moving sight in front of him.

He rushed out of his room to the back to take a shower.

Raden Prana carried the little baby out of the room.

**********

Later that night, Arum sleeps restlessly.he already feels the time is getting closer.

A whisper was heard in his ear.

"Now is the time for Arum to come to the forbidden forest" the voice command.

Arum kisses Raden Prana and Asmita alternately.

He was not willing to leave both.

Arum sobbed, his heart was very sick...

She can no longer be with her husband and children.

"It's time ...or do you want your son and husband to be the victims in your place?" threaten that voice.

Arum then stepped out slowly, turning to the two he loved one for the last time.

Arum cried and ran out of the house....

Arum continued to run with tears....