Around Us
Chapter 7: Odd

I know Dani hasn't fully believed in the feeling I'm feeling. I can understand it. Anyone believes that death is a secret of God unknown to man.

If man knows when death will come, then before death picks up, he will become obedient to the pursuit of heaven. But don't we also often express a premonition after the closest person to us dies?

I believe that the person who is about to die is actually showing signs of his disappearance. Generally he has shown these signs from the beginning of 40 days before he died. Not everyone can recognize this sign. I also had time to doubt if I could see the aura of death in someone. However, the various events I experienced seemed to accumulate into a theory.

Signs or characteristics that appear from people who want to die – which is often – I feel is a change in attitude shown by the person and air from his body feels cold. If he is in a state of pain, a week before his death there is a day where he feels fit. He realized his life will not be long anymore and he also tried to convey “wasat” to his family or closest people. It could also ask to be reunited with family or relatives or people closest to him. He wanted to look at them for the last time in the world. In addition, while sleeping his hands attempt to undress the clothes he is wearing, because he knows his clothes will soon change.

In a healthy person, the characteristic I usually feel is that he is confused. His attitude will feel different, even strange. If he is usually a person who is easy to socialize, he suddenly withdraws and tends to be alone. He will look like a dazed person, even though it is because his memory begins to diminish or disappear.

Another sign that I feel someone's death will come is seeing a different-looking figure. Not just from his changing attitude and behavior, but the embodiment of him being invisible in the view of others. This is indeed quite difficult to explain and accept reason.

Can I feel the aura of death on the soul of each individual? No. gabe. That instinct just shows up. It also made me hesitate to tell anyone.

Does the person who is about to die know that God is calling him immediately? In my view, they knew the Angel Izrail was being so close to him, they were only blind when the time was. Therefore, there are those who prepare themselves and there are those who do not have time to prepare because they hope it is only their inner conjecture.

Death is not a fiction, it is something that must approach every living creature. Sometimes we are faced with overwhelming fear. Fear of not being able to meet the people who fill our lives and fear not being able to touch heaven because of sin in the world.

I can't change my destiny, but I also think that my efforts are part of my destiny. I will try to tell Mas Bimo my vision. However, would he believe it if I told him death was after him? Even if he believed, would destiny change? Or maybe the tragic event that will befall him – like the one in my intuition – happened precisely because of my words that add a burden to his mind?

I tried to call Mas Bimo to just find out. Calling people first is not my habit.

“Hallo, Yes. Is this true you call me?” answer with a question so connected.

“Yes, hello Mas. Mas Bimo how are you?

“Good news. What's up, huh? Sorry, this is a really great tumben you phone.”

“Nothing, Mas. Just wanted to ask the news of Mas Bimo aja.” I can't make him ask me more questions. “To what, Mas?”

“Again aja. Plenty of rest for next week's trial.”

Mas Bimo changed the voice to video mode. Then, he showed a picture of himself lying on a bed. I observed every corner of her self-portrait that appeared on the phone screen.

“Mas Bimo, what day is it back to Bandung?”

“The plan is the day after tomorrow, Thursday.” Bimo looked back at me. “Yes, you see I'm serious as if there's something. What's up, Yes?”

“Mas, Mas Bimo later take the bus or take the train?” I was trying to control my expression from the panic that instantly ambushed my mind.

“I want to ride the motor from here to Bandung.”

“Motor?” I'm shocked. My mind says he can't drive alone.

“Iya.”

“Self, Mas?”

“Iya. Why, Ya?”

If I were to say right away that something was not good was lurking in his life, I'm sure he wouldn't necessarily believe it.

“Emmm... Is it better Mas Bimo take a train or bus a...tau pe..sa......wat so?” My words began to stammer.

“I haven't motoran for a long time, Yes. In the home, there are also rarely motorbikes that are used. It would be a pity if only taken, later can go down the engine. Mending I brought it to Bandung”, he said. Then, he began to wonder at me. “Why the hell, Ya?”

Did I just tell you the truth? I feel riding a motorcycle from Malang to Bandung is more risky. That's a long distance.

“Sorry, Mom! I don't mean to set up Mas Bimo's plan. But did you try to think about Mas Bimo's plan again? It took me a day last night, didn't it get here? What else is Mas Bimo alone, it will definitely be very tiring,”.

“Yes, thank you for worrying about me. The plan is, I will stop a lot at some point along the way. So, maybe even Bandung on Sunday.”

I don't have any more ammunition to prevent Mas Bimo from riding a motorcycle. “I'm sorry, Mas. Anyway Mas Bimo be careful on the road.”

“Iya, Yes.”

The phone connection was also closed. While I keep trying to control my emotions. I need to stay calm.

Then, I went to Dani's room to discuss what kind of attitude I should take. Whether to find a solution or not, the point is, I have to try first.

“Dan..” call me while knocking on her bedroom door.

“Include, Yes!” Dani's voice was rather heavy and was accompanied by a cough.

“You're sick, Dan?”

“Iya. My body is a little jolly.”

“You've taken your medicine?”

“But.”

“Yes, you are waiting! I bought you medicine first”, I said while arranging his sleeping position by raising the pillow a little. “You've eaten yet, Dan?”

“Udah, just now.”

“OK. I'm going first yeah, Dan!”

I rushed to the stall that was at the other side of the boarding house to buy flu medicine. Looks like Dani's got flu symptoms. This morning, he looked healthy. This is how the disease can come at any time.

“Thank you yes, Yes! Sorry to bother you.”

“That's what friends are for, Dan. Now you rest!”

I can't possibly ask Dani to talk about anything serious given her unfit condition.

Day changed night. I told Dani to go to sleep, and I fell asleep.

“Dan. Get up first, Dan! I want Isya.”

Dani opened her eyes while taking a stand. “Astagfirullah..”

“I Maghrib-an above yes. All want to take a shower first.”

“OK, Yes.”

I hurried to pray the Maghrib continued Isha. We almost missed Maghrib time.

After the prayer I immediately went back to Dani's room to remind her to take the medicine again and ask for the dinner she wanted. But as soon as he opened the door, the air felt so cold. The atmosphere suddenly turned silent. Before, the atmosphere was still quite crowded.

The other hostesses were also not heard in her room. I didn't even hear a sound echoing around the hostel. Just silence. Very strange!

My body has shivers of unnatural conditions. I ran to Dani's room.

I opened Dani's room door. I was shocked to death. Dani convulsing with foaming mouth.

I was trying to help him. I held her neck with my right hand and her torso with my left hand, but Dani continued to thrash. His body was very cold and felt stiff. I was so panicked and scared.

In my mind, I have to take Dani to the hospital immediately. But I need help finding a vehicle to drive him.

I'm trying to ask the other hostess for help. But there was no response. I called them one by one. No one's disarming. Is there no one else at the boarding house? I knocked and walked through all the doors on the 1st and 2nd floor to be sure. No answer at all.  Where are those people? Why did it suddenly disappear simultaneously? There was no sign of anyone getting caught in the eye.

I'm getting frustrated. Then, while on the 2nd floor, there was the sound of the door closing tightly from below. I went straight to the source of the sound, but still there was no one else.

I then checked the two closed lower bathrooms. There might be someone there, I thought. When I opened it, there was nobody. What the hell is going on? But whatever it is, I have to help Dani first.

I went back to Dani's room, she's still convulsing. Plus he groans in pain. I was thinking of holding Dani and bringing him to the nearest medical facility first, the campus polyclinic.

While trying to lift Dani's body, there was the sound of someone opening a locked door. I put Dani's body back together to make sure that help might come.

Bimo Mas? I'm flabbergasted. He opened the door to his room, then entered, and then closed the door again. He said he'd be back the day after tomorrow. Did he change his plan? Ah, that can be asked later.

I called his name many times while banging on the door of his room. But no feedback was received. It was very clear that I saw him go into his room. There's no way he didn't hear my voice.

Then, I tried to bring up the doorknob of his room. Like it was locked from the inside, the handle was hard. But I did not despair, I kept trying to open the door. After several times, the door opened.

Huh! Empty? Though it was very clear I saw Mas Bimo open the door, and enter his room. Whatisthis? Instantly I became stammered.

I saw Dani again. His body was already silent, but his eyes were still glaring and his mouth continued to foam followed by increasingly loud moaning sounds.

The complex area is quiet. Front stall of the boarding house closed. All the houses are uninhabited. Not likely. It was only half eight nights, but the atmosphere was like midnight. I ran out of the hostel screaming for help. There's no one either. My tears are getting bigger.

Then, my gaze led to a house. My Feelling said there was someone there. I immediately walked up to the house, the boarding house that had been occupied by the late Teh Yuli.

The fence was closed, but the front door was open. I'm sure there's someone who can help me.

Sure enough, an old man came out from inside the house. His posture was high, wearing a white robe, and a turban tied to the head.

But I felt like there was something with my grandfather. Why did he emerge from that house?

Nevermind! My focus is for Dani to get additional help right away. I keep all the weird questions in my head.

“Pak! Help me, Sir! My friend is sick. I need to get her to the hospital immediately. I beg you please my friend, Sir!” I asked while walking towards him.

He only waved the outer palm three times. A signal for me to just go home.

My distance was only a few steps to the grandfather.  “Pak! I beg you, Mr.” I don't know who else to turn to.

“Malih (home)! Enggal (fast)!” He spoke out loud. After that, he went back into the house and closed the door.

My steps are locked. Where else should I go to get help. The crying became more and more unbearable.

Nah! I can't give up. I immediately ran to the hostel.

What else is this? Why is Dani's room door closed? Who shut it down?

When I opened, Dani was sitting on the bed playing with her phone. Then, he stood up to welcome me. Huh huh? Did I just dream? But it's not interrupted.

“Yes, where are you from? I went to your room, but you weren't there. I'm your phone, not picked up too,” he said in a fit condition.

I can only look at it without a word. There was deep gratitude, because Dani was fine. But, a myriad of questions dwell in the mind.

Then, the atmosphere became boisterous again. I began to hear the voices of friends, the sounds of houses around the boarding house, and the sounds of vehicles passing by. What exactly is going on?

“Ya... Arya... You why bengong aja from earlier? You also look so cry. What's up, Yes?”

Dani kept asking. In my brain it was full of strange things. Events I have just experienced, whether dreams, hallucinations, or other dimensional events.