Around Us
Chapter 22: The Steady

Life is like the journey of a leaf that is released from a tree branch. Before it hits the ground, there is a wind that will drag it. The higher the place falls, the further it will be swept away. Also, it does not always fall in a yellow and dry state. The louder the wind blows, the closer it gets to farewell. He cannot choose, because nature determines.

Like death, death can be anytime to pick up. The question is, are you ready to face His call? How much reward is collected for heaven? Every human being must expect to face the Divine in the best of circumstances, even without any pain.

I tried to recap a conversation with Mang Bahri last night. About the mysterious Mak Iroh, like having two souls and living in two dimensions. I'm motivated to prove that. It also gives confidence to myself that the spiritual experience I have experienced is real, not an illusion or a trick of the mind.

The first thing I need to do is to visit Mang Bahri's house. My instinct says I should go there if I want to know more about Mak Iroh and the events behind it. I don't mean to bring up the lives of people who are sleeping quietly. I just follow my heart to uncover the mystery.

I'm sneaking out of the house. I saw Dad asleep in his room. If you wake up, I won't be free to leave. There will be many questions asked so that the door is open, such as where to go, meet who, what purpose. I understand Dad's worries, but I still feel like a child in his eyes.

I opened the door slowly, someone standing in front of me. His face looked frightened.

“Mang Bahri! What's up here?” askaku.

“Sorry Yes if Mamang bothers you these nights,” he replied trembling.

“What's up, Mang?”

“Can you come to Mamang's house for a moment? Maybe you can explain what happened there? Mamang does not know who to go to,” take him with a shudder in horror.

Coincidentally, I was going to his house. “Come, Mang!”

On the way, Mang Bahri told me if there was anything strange in his house. When I was about to enter after work, I heard a noise in the kitchen. He checked straight away, and was so shocked to see plates and glasses scattering on the floor. At first, he thought it was a mouse or a cat. But after being sought, there is no sign or sound that echoes from one of the animals.

Then – he continued – in his late mother's room there was the sound of two women chatting. When the room opened, there was no one. He was very sure he heard that voice.

Arriving at the door, I felt a very strong energy residing inside Mang Bahri's house. Then, there was a rumble followed by various other commotion such as throwing things made of glass at each other.

“You go in first yes, Yes!” yells.

My legs were stifled hesitating to open the door immediately. “Shortly! Didn't you hear any noise inside?”

“That's it, Mamang became more afraid.”

“Do we try to call others?”

“But who, Yes?”

Go back or get brave? Bismillah. Know faster, then it will be better.

I opened the door and walked in step by step, and Mang Bahri followed behind. Then, a black shadow rushed towards me. I can't avoid.

My head was dizzy from the attack. My view has changed faintly. I kept shaking my head to regain my consciousness.

Before long, my eyes could see normally again. But I was somewhere else. In a room full of food. The sound of music also rang out loud. It looks like in a celebration. But how did I get to this place?

“Mak, has the ball been cut yet? Cepet atuh, Mak! Guests increasingly rame outside, do not let us kaisinan (embarrassed) because the banquet is less. Geura oruh Mak mun gagawe tea (Faster when working, Mom),” orders young women with screaming voice.

I watched the man who was scolded by the woman. It turns out Mak Iroh. Apparently I was brought to the events in the past that Mak Iroh experienced.

“Iya, Neng. Be patient! Udah Neng in front of aja, the kitchen part mah there is Mom,” he said calmly did not ignite in the slightest.

Then, a man came. Yes, it's Mang Bahri.

“Naha (why) Mom is in the kitchen? The mother should be in front, welcome the guest. This is your mother too, Lilis. Should be in an event like this the family does not need to take care of the kitchen. Your extravagance, Lis!” His tone was immediately high to see the mother bowed.

“Daily times A if Mother helps consumption. This is Lilis' show. Guests who come are also guests of Lilis are not guests of Mother.” The woman who is Mang Bahri's younger sister is increasingly crooked. It is very visible that he did not receive advice.

Mang Bahri's left hand clenched, his right palm open and ready to swing. Fortunately, the feared thing did not happen.

“Udah, Ri. Shame on many. Don't make your sister shy too!” mak Iroh said with courtesy to mediate.

Lilis tea passed with an annoyed face. Meanwhile, Mang Bahri's eyes glazed over and her face flushed red. It is seen if he holds back anger and disappointment.

Mak Iroh is quite sensitive to realize the look of Mang Bahri's face. Developing a smile, he asked the elder to understand. “Ri, you help me again in front. You should be able to understand your sister. His name is also a hawakan, must be ripuh (repot) think here and there.”

Mang Bahri nodded and walked out. After living alone, Mak Iroh began to shed tears. However, his hands remained painstakingly preparing the cake to give to the guests who came. What an irony. A mother who should also feel happiness, should be steadfast with the treatment of her child.

It's dark. The background changes quickly. I was in front of a minimarket. My mind was not yet fully digesting one thing, I was taken to another place. What is all about the past events experienced by Mak Iroh? Maybe the scene that was presented to answer my curiosity as well.

Right in front of me, Mang Bahri gave instructions for his mother to sit in the chair provided in the corner of the minimarket. “Mak, just wait here first. Don't go anywhere!”

Mak Iroh waited while massaging his forehead. He also occasionally holds his stomach. I suspect Mak Iroh is hungry. Sure enough, he – then – walks with a bit of limp leading across the street.

Mak Iroh waved to the satayman. He held up two fingers, which meant two portions. Unfortunately, when crossing the road, he was busy looking for money in his bag, instead of looking to the right and left watching passing vehicles.

Boom up!!! A motorist is driving at high speed. His position that was in line with Mak Iroh made it difficult to avoid.

Likewise with Mak Iroh who is not struggling. He did not realize there was danger before his eyes. Without mercy, the motor hit his body until it was thrown far enough. The motorist had fallen, but he was quickly able to get up again and escape. The incident I witnessed was exactly what Mang Bahri told me.

I remember, Mang Bahri also said that there were no injuries on his mother's body. Sounds impossible. Was slammed into the asphalt very hard, but did not experience the slightest blisters.

I approached the crowd to ascertain the truth. When Mang Bahri lifted his mother's body with tears, I saw that there was no wound or blood coming out. I was so dumbfounded while dissolving in the blue raging atmosphere.

It's hard to believe. But, aren't all the events I've been through always hard to believe? Right. It often crosses the boundaries of human logic.

I turned around to examine everything that was caught in the eye. Then, I was wide-eyed when I looked straight at a middle-aged woman who was also looking at me. He sat down with a plate filled with satay in his hand. Mak Iroh's? My body is shaking violently.

At the accident site there were still many people who helped evacuate Mak Iroh, but in front of me he looked calm. I went back and forth to look at the two, validating which figure Mak Iroh really is.

Suddenly, I was already in front of the door of Mak Iroh's room with a setting that was still night. I don't know what else I want to show, I'm starting to feel like I can't stand it.

Mak Iroh sat in front of the mirror while tidying up his hair. His gaze was so cynical, it was definitely not like the Mak Iroh I knew.

“Geus maneh cicing bae dinya, pipilueun hayang! Ayeuna pasrahkeun weh ka urang. (You stay there, don't follow! Now, just leave it to me),” he said.

Then, there was heard someone replying to Mak Iroh's words. “Ulah disrupt kaluarga urang (do not disturb my family). I want to go home, let me go. I'm not at home like this,” yelled back. Aside from intonation, the mixing of spoken language is very obvious as a form of resistance due to experiencing great pressure.

I tried to get closer. I was really curious as to who Mak Iroh was talking to. Could there be someone in the mirror? Or is he just a monologue? However, his mouth was closed when a voice returned the curse.

The figure in front of the mirror looked violent, while the figure inside the mirror was the opposite, his face was drenched in tears. Unknowingly, I greeted the figure inside the mirror because I thought that was the real soul. “Mak Iroh...” lantunku low.

Mak Iroh who was in front of the mirror turned towards me, then got up and walked towards me. His face grinned, his hands straightened towards me as if to strangle.

I'm trying to run. However, I lost quickly to him. His hand grabbed my neck.

I tried to let go, only that his strength was very strong. I started having trouble breathing. With a breath, I recite the Ayat Kursi in my heart.

Then, bruuuuk!!! I felt my body fall to the floor. I'll open my eyes immediately. My neck still hurts to the point of making me cough. Thank goodness I can come back.

Mang Bahri helped me wake up and thrust a glass of water.“Why you, Yes?” tanyanya.

“Nothing, Mang,” I replied limp.

“Mamang was so panicked Yes look at you. Mamang fear you are possessed because you suddenly stand like a statue, keep your eyes occasionally glancing.”

I leaned against the wall while breathing. I was taken to the past, but there was something strange. Why am I being attacked by the figure I see? Looks like something is still left in this house.

“You really don't why, Yes?”

I nodded at the sign that there was nothing to worry about from me.

I tried to stand up, even though my breath was still irregular. “Mang, please take Arya to Mak's room Iroh.”

Mang Bahri. “What's up, Yes?”

I don't have much energy to explain.

When entering Mak Iroh's room, my eyes were only fixed on a large mirror that fused with the closet. “Mang, destroy that mirror!” seruku.

“What's the matter, Yes?”

“Mamang believes in Arya now yes!”

Mang Bahri immediately took a chair into the living room, then mercilessly threw it into the mirror. I kept my distance from getting hit by the shale.

“Udah, Yes?”

I nodded. My body feels weak. The clothes I wore were flooded with sweat.

Praak, praak, praak!!!! Some of the figurines attached to the wall fell off. Bahri returned terrified. “What is this, Yes?”

I picked up the figura that fell near me. I turned it over to see the attached photo. The half-body photo of Mak Iroh wearing a kebaya is exactly what I saw last night. I smiled at him. There is a feeling of relief greeting the mind.

“Mang, Arya home yes!” I need to rest my body.

“Yes, just stay here. Mamang Temenin. Mamang is still very afraid of this.”

I'm not sorry, but I'm afraid of being interrogated by Dad if I don't go home. “Mang, relax. There was nothing!”

“But, Yes..”

“Mang, sorry Arya has to go home quickly. Sorry also can not help settle all this.”

“Iya, Yes. Want to intersect?”

“No need, Mang.”

I stepped back home. The streets are deserted. Is it midnight? I got out of the house at 9pm, and it felt like it was only a short time at Mang Bahri's house.

I pull the door slowly. Hopefully not like the night before, Dad suddenly stood behind the door.

Huh! Safe, thank goodness.

Chekrek!!! Sound of light switch turned on. “Where did you come home at midnight?” Dad's voice asked.

“Resigned from the outside, Yah?”

“Facing to Dad!” his orders with an increasingly higher tone.

Between weakness, fear, and sleepiness. But it looks like Dad won't let me rest right away.

Dad came closer, then checked my clothes. “Dad asked once again, where are you from? Out of sport? Or finished what?”

“From home Mang Bahri.”

“Ngapain you there until this late? Clothes can also be full of sweat like this?”

“Cuma friends, Yah!”

“Why come there night-night? What are you really doing? Tumben-tumbenan you play to people's house until midnight. Since when are you like this? Come home pale face, sticky clothes stink of sweat. Answer!!” snapped Dad by continuing to shoot questions.

I was most beautiful to raise the tone. “If Arya's a story, will Daddy believe it?”

“Where do you want to believe, you tell me not yet.”

Should you argue in the middle of the night tired? It was the same way I lit a fire in a body doused with gasoline.

“Sorry, Dad. Arya's tired. Dad wants to rest first,” I said accompanied by a step towards the room.

“Arya!” Dad shouted my name. “Then you go to college outside the city, your attitude starts to defy and disrespectful to Dad.”

I stopped and prepared to hear Dad's chatter for longer. Let's just say I was wrong.

Aaaakkk!!! Dad's hand landed tight on my right cheek. I never thought Dad would hit me. With the rest of the energy left, I stood firm before him and held back tears.

Dad thought my attitude no longer respected him, but I just wanted to enjoy some of my freedom. Never once did it come to disrespect him. Actually, did you or me change?