TRIPLE SEVEN

Chapter Two

"Sorry, Ela. There are several sacred things in this village that should not be exposed carelessly. We also don't want newcomers like you to feel uncomfortable with inappropriate stories." Matius warned with faint smile on his face.

Ella was silent for a few moments. "It's okay, sir. I'm actually curious. As a visitor, shouldn't I be aware of sacred or taboo things in this village? So that I know how to act and not act wrongly.”

“You are right. But I don't think it's the right place to talk about that. Oh yes, Juan said you was going to the village head's house? It would be best for Juan to take you there immediately….” said Juan's father.

Ella realized she was being pushed away subtly. But the girl did not dare to dig any deeper. She nodded and then got up from her seat followed by Juan.

They said goodbye to Juan's parents and walked down the village streets.

Along the way her mind wandered everywhere. Surya Rembana. She already pocketed the name. Whether it's a person's name, or maybe a place name.

Ella massaged her forehead gently. Would she involve the mystical things in her investigation?

"You're thinking about something?." Juan's voice snapped Ella out of her reverie.

Ella shrugged. “I'm just confused. People here still believe in curses huh?”

"That's it, El. We are village people. And you know, the village is strong with superstitions, sacred things, and so on…” Juan explained.

"Come on. It's already 2022!” Ella rubbed the bridge of her nose. "How far is the village head's house?"

"No longer. After that blue house, we will arrive. Over there, the one with the mango tree in front of it.” Answer Juan.

Ella didn't ask again. In less than five minutes, they arrived in front of a large, simple house, painted white with a large terrace.

A man who was the village head, sat with 2 well-dressed men on the porch of the house. A sedan was parked in front, probably belonging to the guests because as far as Juan knew, the village head didn't have a car. Ella and Juan entered the courtyard just as the two male guests, dressed in elegant official attire, stood up to say goodbye.

Ella and Juan passed the two guests and smiled and bowed slightly.

They waited until the village head's guests got into the car, then they entered the verandah of the house and greeted the village head while shaking hands.

"Where are the guests from, sir?" asked Juan to start the conversation, when they were invited to sit down

"From city." Answered Mr. Mulyo, head of the village of Montomisan, in a deep and authoritative voice.

"Officer?" Ella guessed.

Mr.Mulyo shrugged his shoulders while rolling his cigarette. "Where is this girl from?" He asked back, toward Juan.

"From city, I am Alina's granddaughter.” Ella choose to introduce by herself.

"Oh yes. Holiday ?" Mr Mulyo responded with another question.

"Yes. I'm taking a few months off."

"The purpose?"

"Just want to stay in touch, sir." Ella replied smoothly.

The man laughed softly. A moment later he offered a drink. But the two young people politely refused.

They chat casually with light topics. They were about to say goodbye, when a thought crossed Ella's mind.

"To be honest, I'm a little scared, sir, because I heard a few days ago that a body was found at Montomisan Beach, sir. Why do you think the poor man could die so strangely?"

There was an uncomfortable silence that filled the atmosphere. Juan glanced at the girl, as if to protest with his question.

The village head dropped the ashes of his cigarette and opened his mouth to answer.

"I also do not know. But I can guess. Maybe he drowned...? Maybe he was tired when he returned from sea and finally fell before reaching his house.'"

"Didn't anyone see him before he died?"

“Apparently not. When found he was already lifeless.”

"Oh ... who did find it, sir?"

“A young fisherman. His name is Thamrin."

"Hopefully nothing like that happens again, sir..." Ella hoped.

"We don't know, young lady, who will know about death? There is a cause for an effect…”

Ella frowned for a moment, apparently not understanding Pak Mulyo's last sentence. Is there a cause, is there an effect? What does it mean?

But before she opened his mouth to ask, Juan had already asked him goodbye. They left the Mr.Mulyo's house and walked home.

"Your curiosity is a bit too much, El." Juan chuckled flatly.

"What do you mean? I think my question is still fair enough!"

“That's for you. But for people here? There are many things you should understand about this village, Ela. You have to be careful with your words so you don't offend anyone."

“You speak veiledly. I don't understand. That's enough. Tomorrow I want to visit the house of Mrs Nurfan. Is she still living here?”

The young man stopped in his tracks. "For what?"

“Give me a little help. I'm concerned to hear the story." Ella turned and looked at Juan. "But remember, only you are allowed to know about that. I don't want another people to know what I'am doing. I trust you!" she whispered with a serious look.

"You're... a strange girl..." Juan said with honest eyes.

"If you consider humanitarian acts strange, then there is something wrong with you!" Criticized Ella half-jokingly while continuing her steps back. Juan shook his head in wonder and followed in her footsteps.

***

That night dark clouds hung over the dark sky. But strangely it didn't rain. Ella sat on a plastic chair that was peeling all over, watching the dark skinned and thin woman sat in front of her. A little girl aged about 7 years, swinging beside her mother's chair, watching the foreign guests in front of them. Juan sat a little far from them.

Ella glanced at a wide cot in the corner of the room, where there lay 3 boys, fell asleep.

"What is the purpose you're visiting us?" The thin woman, mother of four, asked in wonder.

"I just want to ask a few things, ma'am." replied Ella.

"What's wrong?" she asked. The dim light of a five-watt lamp hit her slender figure. Ella could see how hard this mother of four struggled after the death of her husband.

"I want to ask a few things about the death of your husband."

The dark gaunt face suddenly faded and changed. Her sad eyes suddenly sank into pain. "To be honest, I don't want to think about it anymore."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. But I have to know. Do you think Mr. Nurfan's death doesn't feel odd?”

"They said my husband was cursed. I can't believe it... He...” The woman's voice suddenly choked. Her daughter suddenly whined beside her. "Mom, let's go to bed...."

Ella stood and approached. She embraced the woman's shoulder. A normal approach that is usually done by women.

"Can you tell me the chronology of that tragedy?"

"Who are you?" Mrs. Nurfan raised her head with a probing expression.

Ella looked down, whispering something in the ear of the mother of four. Mrs. Nurfan's face suddenly softened. While Juan sat stunned. His presence seemed non-existent.

"A few days before he was found dead, my husband told me about a treasure somewhere. He was so excited, he believed our lives would change if he managed to get the hidden treasure. But I assumed he was just joking.” The woman swallowed hard and tried to steel her mind.

“He finally left one morning. I think he just went looking for clams. Until evening he did not come home. Until finally at dusk someone came to tell me that my husband was found dead floating with his head torn off between the rows of rocks on the coast. I was so confused and devastated. They said my husband had an accident because he got a curse. What curse? Of whom? Because of what? What's wrong with my husband?" Her voice was tight. She wiped away the tears as she hugged her daughter tightly.

There was a long, melancholic silence before Ella spoke again.

“Did he ever mention the treasure place he said?”

The woman in front of her fell silent. Trying to remember. “He called it... Togong Oloyomate...”

"Ella, that's enough." Juan spoke for the first time. "You evoke bitter memories for Mrs. Nurfan."

Ella didn't even look at Juan. A moment later on her symmetrical face appeared a gentle smile. She embraced the poor woman. "If I may ask, who found the body first...?"

"A man. Usually called Mr. Gun…”

"He's a fisherman?"

Nurfan's wife nodded. Ella slipped her hand into the woman's. Give a white envelope. "This is just a little help, ma'am. I hope you will accept me to visit another day.”

The girl tightened her jacket, smiled faintly at the woman who was still looking at her in surprise with an envelope in hand.

“Th...thank you, Miss.”

she nodded. “We have to leave. Good night." He then turned and walked out of the simple stilt house, followed by Juan.

They walk the road in silence, side by side.

“Ella?”

The girl only replied with a sigh while putting on a black hat on her head, and covering it again with her hoodie.

"Who are you?" Juan's voice was even, but the pressure demanded a definite answer.

The girl in front of him stopped. She turned to look at the Juan. Half of her face which was covered in darkness could not hide a cynical smile that appeared there.

Ella took something out of his jacket, showed it to Juan. The young man did not see clearly. He only saw something in the form of a small metal square, with the Garuda emblem, and a row of embossed numbers 777.

"Triple Sevens?" Juan hissed, only in the throat. "I don't understand."

"One day you will understand. Don't worry, I'll tell you later." Ella tucked it in with a lightning motion into her jacket and took another step. Nobody spoke anymore. Only the muffled thump of their shoes hitting the road.

***