Resa sat on the bed with pain. He tried to take off the shirt which had a bloodstain on the shoulder. A lot of blood was still flowing, making his skin also have blood stains that were still wet and those that were dry.
He tried to clean the blood with a cloth that he had given a little water to. It hurt so badly, but Resa held it so Regina wouldn't hear him groans. He was afraid that the little girl would force him to go see a doctor in the emergency room to get the right treatment."Older brother?"That small, hoarse voice made Resa turn around, he saw Regina standing in the doorway with puffy eyes. Her eyes radiated deep sadness. Resa gave a smile while gesturing with his hand for Regina to come closer."Why don't you want to go see a doctor?" Regina looked sadly at Resa's blood-stained shoulder, she took over the wet cloth and began to slowly help clean the blood stains."It's not a problem I don't want to or I want to see a doctor, Regina," Resa said quietly."Then what's the problem?""We don't have enough money to go. Mother is struggling to sell rice and donuts in various places. The money we get is only enough to pay for school, household needs, and food expenses for a month. We don't have money to go the hospital," said Resa. His gentle voice made Regina sober, and sad again because she just found out how poor she was.Resa also knows they are poor, even very poor. But he is very grateful to God because he is still given the opportunity to laugh with his beloved sister and his own mother. He is grateful because he can still see the sun even though his family's economy is mediocre. It looks sad, but that's only how it looks because not everyone feels the suffering and happiness that he feels."If God gave us a choice, would you want to live like this?" Regina asked after being silent for a few moments."I will choose this family without a father, only the father needs to be removed. You, Mother, and poverty are unnecessary because I believe that effort will never betray results.""But results often betray effort." Her expression was so flat, but did not sound annoyed when she spoke. Regina took a bandage, wrapped Resa's shoulder with a white bandage so that blood would no longer come out.Resa could only chuckle, he confirmed Regina's words just now. "You're right, but we need action more than once, Regina. The effort that must be expended must be a lot, we must exert all our energy and time in order to get the appropriate results. You can't blame the effort or the time, and with God who don't think it's fair."Regina was silent again, now there was nothing more she could do after tying Resa's shoulder with a bandage. She started to sit down when Resa started wearing new clothes that were cleaner, and smelled good. The boy gave a sweet smile after ruffling Regina's head."You're not going to sleep tonight?" Resa asked finally.faul"I don't feel like sleeping, but tomorrow I have to go to school because I have a test. What would you do tomorrow if you were me?" this time Regina looked at her interlocutor, she still gave that flat expression.Resa was a little surprised at his sister because she hadn't smiled since earlier. He missed Regina's sweet smile, and to be honest he would rather see that smile than see his sister's sad face with puffy eyes. It hurt, but none of this was his fault."What do you think, Regina?" Resa hugged Regina slowly, patting the little girl's back with a smile that Regina couldn't see. "Why do you like to think about something that won't happen? Wishing is fine, but never tell someone else to choose.""So what?""Not everyone thinks the same as you do. You'll feel hurt later because they don't match your wishes, and you'll feel like no one understands you."Regina gulped, she just realized that. She also just realized that deep down, she wants Resa to choose what she chooses. Even though she didn't know whether Resa knew what her choice was or not. "I'm sorry. I was never aware of that part, I should have been more mature after everything that happened.""One always grows in a different way. You will grow up to be a beautiful, smart girl one day. Patience is the right way so that your growth is neither slow nor too fast." Resa let go of his hold, the corners of his lips were still pulled up so that a row of teeth were now visible. He tucked Regina's long hair behind her ear, and then said, "Go to sleep, give Mother a warm hug!""I'll do it, good night to you, Dude.""Good night, Regina."****Silva entered the kitchen playing with her cellphone, she was too focused on the device so she tripped over the dining table when she was about to sit down. Tengku – Silva's father, who was busy reading the newspaper, chuckled behind the width of the morning newspaper."Silva, did you play the piano last night?" Sofi asked after placing the boiled vegetables and the pecel sauce on the dining table.Silva buried her lips as Sofi went to get some water. She had a bad feeling now, she was sure there would be a small showdown as usual."Why play the piano in the middle of the night?" Sofi asked again, this time sitting next to her husband. She looked at Silva without smiling, as if her daughter was annoying. "You don't understand or never knew that we all go to bed at ten in the evening?""Sorry, Mom," Silva said quietly, she was too scared to meet Sofi's scary eyes."Another bad dream, honey?" Tengku folded his morning newspaper into a fairly small section, then looked at Silva with a faint smile. "What dream again, Silva?""Another ghost dream?" Sofia added. Her eyebrows are quite deep together.Silva shook her head quickly with an expression of disapproval. "No, there wasn't a ghost last night. I dreamed that I was chased by someone in the forest, but... it's like there's a spirit too."Sofi, and Tengku sighed heavily while looking at Silva wearily. They both always feel worried about the state of the daughter, especially at bedtime. It's not only once that Silva has had to wake up early in the midnight because of nightmares. Or because she's been disturbed by spirits, this isn't the first time, but the umpteenth time. They also performed several exorcisms without Silva knowing.However, unfortunately there was no result for their efforts. Exorcism never works, Silva still has dreams and disturbances from other realms. Sleeping pills from doctors never managed to make their daughter sleep soundly, sleeping only four hours at most. Then she returned to guard until morning, until her eyes turned black. Luckily it's not so obvious after wearing makeup."Silva, I have an acquaintance who can help you, so you don't have that ability anymore," Sofi said confidently. There was no word of giving up in her life since long ago."What are you doing, Mom?" Silva frowned in confusion."So that you don't see ghosts and have nightmares again, honey," Tengku replied, his tone so low that the daughter would not get annoyed with their plan."I've never felt that this ability that God gave me is a burden, Mom, Dad. I've never felt like that, instead I'm happy that I can help the ghosts, I can even know their dark stories."Sofi and Tengku were silent without ever touching their breakfast, not even Silva. The girl's appetite had disappeared ever since her mother mentioned the piano. No, she didn't hate her parents who were always worried, but she didn't like the way Sofi and Tengku saw spirits asking for help. In their eyes the spirits are always disturbing, even though they are not.They came while giving sad stories that must be heard after telling God. Asking for help so they can return to the afterlife because the human world is not their eternal home."You forgot that you were bullied just because you talked to a ghost in class?" Tengku spoke again with a flat expression. "Mom and Dad don't want that incident to happen again, Silva.""Dad and Mom want the best, but now I've never talked to them openly. Dad and Mom don't need to worry about me, I'm an adult now. I'm old enough to protect myself.""No, I'm not sure you can do that. You're still too small for such big things, Silva. Please listen to Mom and Dad just once!" answer Sofi.Silva sighed heavily, she didn't know what to say to Sofi and Tengku anymore. Neither of them wanted to hear anything, not even to believe. Even though so far Silva has been fine, never had a long fever like before.Not wanting to argue any longer, Silva chose to enjoy his breakfast which had been cold for a long time. Even her chocolate milk is cold, even though she likes hot milk in the morning before starting her daily activities. "The peanut sauce is delicious," said Silva, trying to lighten the mood."What are you going to do at school, honey?" Tengku gulped down the nearly finished black coffee slowly so the dregs wouldn't be swallowed up too."Later there will only be classes like usual, later there will also be a piano class after the last class. I think I'll be going home later in the evening if there's no extra hours anyway."Sofi smiled happily at Silva's enthusiastic explanation. She added tempeh to Silva's plate, and said, "Eat a lot of it so you have a lot of energy when you practice the piano.""Mom and Dad also used to like to eat a lot?""Of course, Dad eats all the food in large portions. To the extent that grandma tells Dad to diet even though Dad isn't really fat.""How much did Dad really weigh until Grandma told you to go on a diet? I don't think you have ever gotten fat."Tengku laughed out loud at Silva's question just now. He remembered again how big he used to be, even he was embarrassed to tell now. He shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment. "Dad was really fat when i was in elementary school, but i didn't know how much my weighed. But i played basketball so i was slim.""Wow!" Silva was amazed, she even gave applause to her father. Exercising made her father's body much better, even now. His age which is no longer young does not make him look old, in fact he looks younger. "What is the main key to staying young?""If you eat vegetables and fruit, you can't be late, drinking lots of mineral water is also the main key.""But you can't miss sports either," said Tengku."Uh, I'm even lazy. What if I don't stay as young as Dad and Mom?" Silva had a sad face, but her parents laughed at her expression."You are so cute Silva," Tengku said. "You are still very young, no need to be confused or afraid of getting old! Everyone will feel old at the right time. So now you better focus on health, focus on caring for your skin, focus on fun things!""The fun stuff?" Silva frowned in disbelief."Having a boyfriend and spending time with friends at school are fun activities. You won't be in high school anymore after graduation, enjoy your high school life before you regret it!""Resa, get the ball!" Juna shouted from the back of the class.Resa glanced at the basketball hiding behind the classroom door, and he only watched for a few seconds before continuing him way to the end table near the window. He sat down ignoring Juna's screams because he was disappointed in Resa.Juna exhaled deeply as soon as he stood near his friend's table with a basketball. "It's really growing like someone who has no intention to live. What's wrong with you? Do you have a problem?"Resa didn't answer, he just stared at Juna without taking off hisnbag which was quite heavy because today there were many additional tasks."Resa, just tell me if you have a problem, I will help you because we are close friends," Juna said again, but this time he touched Resa's right shoulder. Of course the owner of the shoulder screamed in pain while hitting Juna's arm which was still perched on his shoulder.Juna was shocked, she apologized to Resa several times because he didn't know it would make
"Resa, are you serious about going home alone?" Luna still couldn't believe Resa, who now seemed painless. Even his pale face this morning had disappeared, as if he had never gone to the UKS.Luna helped carry the backpack even though Resa had refused several times. The boy kept saying that he was fine and not a child who should get special treatment.Juna also helped Resa to go down the crowded stairs. There are so many aggressive third graders who want to go home quickly without caring that someone is sick. Even though they went home earlier than the first and second graders who came home at four in the afternoon.Juna and Luna look like Resa's parents now. Resa smiled feeling the warmth from her two friends, and started to be silent like a child who really needed protection.They arrived at the parking lot now, and Juna immediately took out Resa's motorbike so it wouldn't be jostled like it was in the corridor. He tucked the backpack in front under a stampede. Resa started to sit w
It was raining in the city of Jakarta, the school yard was starting to get flooded with the wind being quite strong. Lightning and thunder came together, the roar made some people cover their ears in fear.Silva stood at the lip of the top step, her face getting rainwater from the wind. The roar of thunder and strong winds brought her back to remembering last night's nightmare. The good news is that she is at school waiting for public transport that will never stop on the school grounds.Silva saw that the parents of the students had come, almost all the school residents had gone home. She was left with the students who chose to wait in the classroom with lights and thick sweaters. Silva was reluctant to be in a noisy class, she chose to stand on the terrace of the building with the sound of rain.Silva took a deep breath before turning to her left, someone was walking with a black umbrella while giving a flat look. The man Silva didn't recognize covered a woman and headed for a black
Nike air jordan shoes cross the street with endless pools of water. Mud and other dirt managed to stick to the sole of the shoe, some even stuck to the body of the shoe. Silva didn't complain about that because she thought the shoes could still be washed clean, but for something she was looking for tonight she had to get it somehow.The school gate was clearly visible now, tightly closed with a large padlock visible inside. Silva shouted so that the school security guard who was on duty could hear her voice.The beam of a flashlight from a distance made Silva heave a sigh of relief. A thin, tall man was walking over, he opened the big gate padlock and said, "What are you doing tonight, Miss?""I left my book in class Sir, tomorrow I have to collect my homework. I came here so I won't be punished tomorrow," explained Silva hastily."Own?" Roni looked left and right, there was no one. There wasn't even a motorbike or car parked nearby, he couldn't help but think that Silva had come on f
The rain had stopped with a dark sky without stars, and a moon. Overcast clouds adorn the sky tonight, occasionally seen lightning appearing without the sound of thunder. People chose to go home immediately for fear that the rain would come again.Meanwhile, a well-lit small house in a small, seedy alley was bustling. Many grown men with scary faces were sitting in a circle at a small table smoking. Cigarette smoke filled the room with yellow lights.Surya focused on looking at the card he had, but then he let out a resigned sigh as the muscular man without hair showed the card he had gotten. Three aces, and one joker won him without anyone protesting. All the money on the table he immediately brought home with laughter that was so satisfied."Don't forget what you owe me, Surya," he said as he put all his money in a plastic bag. "I'll be waiting for the money in two weeks time, you should get my money back."Surya snorted while rolling his eyes in annoyance, he started to leave witho
Many teenagers come out of skyscrapers, they carry backpacks while chatting with friends. Walking across a large road which was quite busy, but fortunately there was a security guard who was willing to help them cross.David took Dimas – his cousin to stop by the empty canteen. They ordered cold americano coffee with sweet pastries. They sat by the big window at the end, away from the classical music that David said would lull him to sleep."Up to this point, the material is getting more and more difficult. It should be according to the rules of the language, but the teacher wants it according to his wishes. Even though I read a book, how come I don't understand how to use character names in one paragraph?" complained Dimas. His facial expression was so sad when his left hand supported his chin.“Yes, I also feel that way. Whereas in a novel or short story manuscript in one paragraph there are two or three mentions of the names of the characters. Then in the following paragraphs the n
"Resa, hurry up breakfast!" shouted Anik loudly. She put two plates filled with boiled vegetables and fried tempeh.Regina was ready with her school uniform, she sat at the dining table while enjoying her breakfast with gusto. Warm rice and spicy chili sauce are delicious to enjoy in the morning. Her face was red from the spicy taste of the chili sauce, but that didn't stop her from eating. Regina even felt addicted to it and added one more plate of rice."Mom, I'll just eat rice and fried eggs." Resa also sat beside Regina with his hair still messy and wet."You smell really good," said Regina."What about chili sauce, Resa?" asked Anik. She was still busy with the donuts that had to be fried immediately."I'm afraid of stomach pain, so I don't eat chili sauce early in the morning," said Resa. He began to take a little rice with fried tofu and fried egg as a side dish. "You said I smell good, didn't you? Use the soap that Mom just bought yesterday.""Did you buy new soap, Mom?" Regin
The soccer game ended when Resa scored the first, and last, goal. He ran towards the stairs which are usually used by the audience to sit while watching the events on the field. Mineral water along with a small bag containing a cell phone and wet wipes were there. Luckily it was safe until he finished playing soccer, usually mineral water often disappeared, and didn't know who the culprit was until now.A sigh of relief came out after he downed the mineral water that felt so cold even though it wasn't stored in the fridge. Resa started to sit while lying down without feeling pain, instead he was comfortable with the hard and sharp floor."I found someone."A woman's voice made Resa squint because of the dazzling sunlight. He saw that Tere was sitting with his back to him, but Resa felt that there was something strange about the female ghost that had been following him. Immediately he shifted into a sitting position then said, "Found who?""Someone who can help you," Tere said. She beg
The girl opened her eyes in surprise, her eyes so red with an expression of both shock and confusion. The familiar room made Silva let out a sigh of relief. She covered her face with both hands for a long time. The dream this time felt so real, she never imagined she would have such a terrible dream. It's just that Silva doesn't understand the scene of peeling the skin of her own hands, and the blood that comes out with a fairly long duration of time. Unlike the other dream, she dreamed with a stranger she recognized in the dream, and now forgot the guy's face. She never even remembered having a friend named Chandra, or a former lover. "Silva, are you okay?" A noisy voice sounding very worried came as the curtains were rudely drawn. Tama sat in the visitor's chair by the bed, his face looking pale, but Silva had an even paler face with cold sweat on her temples. "I've never heard anyone being delirious with screams, but this time I saw it."Silva's forehead knitted, not understand
"Honey, I need you to clean the kitchen while I clean the front yard. If there's anything, you can shout to call me or you can call me!" Chandra said, and Silva nodded in response. The tall man with cropped hair walked out of the living room. He went to the front yard, which was really dirty, with lots of grass, and dry leaves that he hadn't burned this morning. The atmosphere of the mansion felt strange to Silva, but there were no strange thoughts in her head. She chose to get up from the sofa, walking towards the kitchen which was not too far from the living room. It was at the back, a fairly large, long room. There were two wooden cabinets that looked old, still used to store a lot of cutlery, and plastic food storage boxes. The glass cabinets were used to store cooked food, and cutlery that was about to be used. Silva watched the large room for a few minutes. She never understood why people made kitchens bigger than rooms, and why kitchens looked dirtier than other rooms. It w
The girl walked with a sense of turmoil, the uneasy feeling lingering until she stepped foot in the school. She felt annoyed at herself for not setting an alarm last night, and went to bed immediately after turning off the television. Tengku had done the same, even the man himself had told Silva to clean up the mess they had made in the morning. Breathing in slowly, her attention turned to the scene to the right, but the figure beside her startled Silva greatly. Fortunately, she did not scream, but the man burst out laughing. Tama had always been the most annoying person after Resa. "Good morning, Silva," Tama said, his laughter stopping as soon as he looked straight ahead again. "Did you stay up so late last night that you have bags under your eyes?""Yes, I woke up at noon, and mom scolded me.""Was it because you were chatting with Resa that you forgot to sleep?""Oh my gosh, why are you saying things that are unpleasant to hear? Of course it's not like that, I was watching the s
The door opened slowly, revealing a tall man in black pajamas rubbing his right eye slowly. The darkness of the room made him yawn before finally taking a slow step after closing the door again. The noise in the other room made Tengku frown as he poured water from the teapot into a glass cup. He quickly gulped down the mineral water to keep his throat from feeling dry. Tengku stepped out of the kitchen, a slow but steady pace that he reserved for the noise that intrigued and intrigued him. Tengku stopped his steps at the doorway of the hallway of his house, now he saw Silva bending over while hugging various snacks with a surprised expression. Of course Tengku was surprised too, what with tonight's TV program. "Why didn't you tell Dad before?" said Tengku quite annoyed, and started to walk over. Silva patted, and again the milk box she had just picked up fell over. She quickly left, and sat down next to Tengku. She put all the food away on the table before finally settling down to
Taking sports scores as a plus for next month's written exam made Silva sigh heavily. She stood leaning against the wall of the gymnasium, today it was tennis that almost all the students in the class chose, while the other option was basketball. However, unfortunately many chose tennis just because it felt the same as playing badminton. Adi's voice echoed through the room only to call out to Silvana who had been daydreaming in place. The girl was stunned, and quickly went to her place after receiving the racket. Silva held her breath with a surprised expression when she saw Tono standing across as her opponent this time. This was like a nightmare for Silva, as Tono was not an even match for her.Tono was one of the smartest students in sports, especially basketball and volleyball. He was good at tennis, but the few times he participated in tennis competitions he never won, not even the runner-up. Even so he was the best for this sport after Zikra. "Just relax, Silva!" Tono said wit
"So... where is it?" "I don't know either, it's all full of weeds," replied an equally confused Resa. Both of them were still standing at the threshold of the tomb gate. The view in front of them was only weeds as tall as an adult's elbow, the tombstones were not clearly visible from a distance. The tombs here were not taken care of as they should be, but Resa thought they were not taken care of because no one paid someone specifically for that. As in other places, there must be a caretaker to clean all the graves, and guard the graves against thieves. There are rumors about the theft of pocong ropes, grave land, the bodies of virgins who have just died, and tombstones are often stolen because they are said to be sold at high prices, but for other stolen items, they are used as tools in order to gain power from magic. Many people want to live forever with unquantifiable wealth.Resa sighed heavily before finally looking at Silva who was still busy with her own thoughts beside Resa.
"I just fell when I did the second lap," Tere said, her eyes red with puddles that couldn't come out like a normal human. "I didn't know that guy, but he was so mean to me. I hate my stupid self, but I'll still die if I don't comply.""I didn't mean to make you sad, I'm sorry.""It's okay, I really have to tell you this so you won't be curious. I don't mind if you give this story to Silva later.""Oh, about Silva. She and I will go to the tomb, and try to clean up the place so you can feel comfortable." Resa looked both sad and happy now. "I'm not sure if this part will work or not, but it seems like the chances of getting home are slim. You have to turn positive first, and Silva said white lilies should be placed on the grave every day.""Why white lilies? I prefer sunflowers.""I don't know either, but I'll buy sunflowers for you too. I'll buy so many that the grave looks beautiful, and smells good."Tere smiled while wiping her tears that would never fall. She was happy to hear Res
The tall boy dried his wet hair with a white towel while standing in front of the mirror. From there he could see a woman in a shabby school uniform standing in the doorway. Tere's facial expression looked so sad, and Resa gave a warm smile when he turned his head as if everything would be fine with that smile. Tere felt uncomfortable, but he had to be brave to do the apology ceremony this morning. He quickly approached, and then sat on the edge of Resa's bed with a lot of guilt. She didn't know what else to do, so ashamed of Silva who she had made cry last night. "Last night was so scary," Tere finally said. The silence that the woman's spirit broke made Resa pause, and he remembered Silva. That beautiful girl who endured all her fear just to help Tere, but ended up crying for so long that her eyes were swollen. "I didn't mean to do any of that, I really didn't have any intentions. I didn't realize that I'd end up negative, and it's obvious that I'll never be able to go home easi
Resa sighed deeply when he saw his house was so quiet. Guilt was clearly visible on his face, he came home at 12pm, and didn't give any news to the people at home. There was actually a sense of fear when he entered his house, but inevitably he had to face all the problems that existed, and listen to the scolding of his mother. It was okay for her to be naughty today, for the first time to be more precise. Previously, he never came home late, was always on time after school, and helped people at home do work that could be considered quite rough. Resa moved the curtains to cover the kitchen door, he saw Regina still busy in front of the stove to fry the donuts that had just finished rising perfectly. He smiled sweetly when Regina turned around, the little girl was happy to see Resa back home. "Where have you been?" asked Regina, moving from her spot to sit beside Resa now. "I had some sudden business earlier, I'm sorry I didn't give you any news. Where's mom?" Resa looked around the