The Bukit Atas Heritage House
BIRD OF WISDOM

I shuddered as the creature disappeared, and found before me a deep abyss.

"Astaghfirullah.Almost I'm a gulf devil's meal."

"Alhamdulillah...Abi cepet dateng yes kang, if not..."

"If not, why dik ?,"

Fatimah's face looked sad and frightened, as she imagined the event that had just happened. Then he cried as much as he could. I wanted to remove the water point that soaked his thin cheeks and hugged his body, but it was impossible for me to do this to a prayer woman, like Fatimah

"Fatimah.., let's continue the journey."

"Yes bi," said Fatimah while shrinking her tears.

*********

Our journey to get home was very close. The door to my house is clearly visible.

"That's my house kyai."

Kyai Hasan looked at my house, but his forehead was slightly wrinkled.

"What's kyai ?."

"Something seems to be getting ready for our arrival."

"Whoa kyai, in my house there is no one, only people who help me."

"Yes but there's someone who doesn't like the presence of nak Linggar."

"I mean kyai ?."

Kyai Hasan was silent and did not continue his conversation, he approached a senior santri. Shortly afterwards the man approached me.

"Mas, can I borrow a jacket and a Linggar mas hat."

"Oh.can..can, but this wet" I said while handing over my jacket and hat that was still wet after being washed by rain water earlier.

"It's okay mas, and mas also have to wear my skullcap and holster yes."

The Santri immediately put on my jacket and hat, instead he also handed me his skullcap and scabbard, and asked me to wear it.

My teeth are grinding to hold the cold of the night.

*********

The rain was no longer falling when we were only a few steps away from the gate of the house, the thick immune like wrapping my house tightly.

Tonight I felt a different atmosphere than usual. Mas Tono who was standing next to me whispered.

"Mas.be careful!, keep praying."

I nodded slowly. The sound of birds still sounds so sweet.

"Why does the bird keep on sounding, my parents said, if the bird rings a sign..."

"Mas Tono what the hell, do not be too confident with superstition, not good, shirk tau," said I

Mas Tono was silent, and did not speak anymore. Aarkghh..hoarrrrr,.hoarrrr, whuahaha..whuahaha, the santri who borrowed my jacket floundered on the ground, his eyes bulged, his mouth growled, and his hands tried to strangle his neck.

Kyai Hasan jumped towards the young man, a great struggle ensued. The young man continued to try to injure his body, he took a machete, which was on his waist, and was about to stab it into his body, fortunately at a critical moment, Fatimah's body bounced towards him and snatched the machete. With one move, Fatimah's arm locked onto the young man's body, while Kyai Hasan tried to remove the ghoib.

"You're a despicable creature, now !! or I'll burn you."

hoarrrkh..hoarrkh.I will not get out of this child's body, I will take him to my palace.

"Who are you?, who told you to disturb this child."

hoarrgkh.., you don't need to know much, I'm the ruler here.

"Well, since you won't answer, I'll burn your body."

Kyai Hasan then placed his palm on the crown of the young man.

aaarrrkgggh..no...heat..panasss..

Shortly after, the young man's body was silent. Kyai Hasan woke the young man up, patting him on the cheek, while Fatimah took the machete lying beside the young man and sheathed it in her backpack.

*******

I just understand now, santri means to borrow my jacket. Had the santri not been wearing my jacket, I would have been killed, and maybe just a name. I owe him my life, to Fatimah and Kyai Hasan. Without feeling it, my tears fell. Mas Tono patted me on the shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief, as I told his chronological story.