The Suffering of Si Kembang Village
Oh, Patchouli

Late in the afternoon, the sound of birds chirping still sounded like each other, filling the empty silence with the hustle and bustle of human motion.

Kraak....

The rustling sound of the soles of the feet stepping on the dry foliage scattered under the big tree that Nilam saw in the forest that he now lives with Samiah's grandmother.

Yes, it has been almost three weeks Nilam was in the forest.

Nilam put dry twigs that he had collected from around the forest near the hut of Samiah's grandmother.

"Here, Grandma, the firewood."

"Just put it there. Now eat this, you must be hungry."

After putting the twigs in place, Nilam took the food from the hands of Samiah's grandmother. He had already placed his body in a small bale inside the hut. "Thank you, Grandma" Nilam smiled.

Grandma nodded back to Nilam's smile.

Nilam stared at one of the baked yams that Samiah's grandmother gave him in her hand. Then turned his gaze to Samiah's grandmother, hesitating.

"Mom, can I tell you where Grandma got all these food? While here, almost every time I went through the forest, but I never found anything that could be eaten," Nilam said curiously.

"You don't need to know, Nilam. Eat that grilled sweet potato. Fill your stomach until full. After that, you get out of here."

Deg!

Nilam who was just about to put the food into his mouth gasped, hearing the last sentence of Samiah's grandmother. He lowered his hand again to undo his intention to eat the food given by Samiah's grandmother.

"Ma-I mean Grandma, a-what? Did Grandma throw me out? Was it while I was here, I was troubling Grandma a lot?" tanya Nilam.

Samiah's grandmother shook her head slowly.

"No, Nilam. It is time to get out of this forest."

"I mean Grandma?"

"You need to get on with your life, son. This isn't your place."

"But I'm comfortable here, Grandma. Here I can let go of all the fear that always looms over me every day while in the village."

"Can't, Nilam. There's a lot of life waiting for you out there. Life will give you happiness. You should also have a companion who can protect you. Which you can't find here."

"I don't need that, Grandma. I just need some calm. And it's only here that I can get it. With Grandma" said Nilam.

Grandma Samiah's hand was already holding a rectangular piece of black cloth. Then he gave the black cloth to Nilam.

"Here, wear it to cover your head. Don't let go. Tie your hair completely before you wear it. This will help you avoid the eyes of Dahlan and his men scattered everywhere."

Nilam stared at the black cloth that was in his hand.

"So Grandma really told me to leave?" tanyanya bitter.

"It's all for your own good, son."

"Then Grandma, will it be here forever?"

Samiah's grandmother shook her head. "No."

"Then where are you going?"

"There's business Grandma needs to finish. Later, Grandma will need your help. But once you find a true man will be your protector."

"I don't understand Grandma at all. A male? Whose man does Grandma mean?" Nilam scrunched his forehead confused.

"Something you'll know. Now, leave. Bring these clothes for you," said Samiah's grandmother firmly. He gave some clothes that had been packed in a square cloth that had been neatly tied to form a bundle.

"But, Grandma, don't those clothes belong to Grandma's daughter. What if he comes back one day?"

"It's okay, it's all for you."

"All right," said Nilam. He hesitantly grabbed a bundle of cloth containing sheets of clothes from the hands of Samiah's grandmother. "Sir..can't you wait until tomorrow morning? It's gonna be late afternoon."

Samiah's grandmother shook her head again - again.

"There's no time, Nilam. Here, Grandma has prepared your food for the trip. Now tie up your hair, then wear the cloth to cover your head."

Nilam is unable to speak anymore. He got up, then tied all his beautiful hair, to form a clap. Then put the black cloth over his head. "Here you go, Grandma."

"It's your provisions and your clothes. Be careful. And don't forget, go north. Because that direction is opposite to the direction when you come here. Don't ask much more. Quickly go!"

Nilam was silent for a moment. "Alright, Grandma. Thank you, Grandma's been accepting me here all along."

Samiah's grandmother smiled. Staring at Nilam full of haru.

"Remember Grandma's message, whatever difficulties you will face later, stay strong and do not give up easily. Because sooner or later, that happiness will surely come, to meet you in the future."

"Yes, Grandma. Thank you." Thank you."

Nilam saw his steps coming out of the hut, he turned to look at Grandma Samiah again and again. Then waved his hand in tears that began to drip bit by bit.

"Goodbye, Grandma."

---

Moments after Nilam left the hut.

Bruuk!!!

A man kicked at the door of Samiah's grandmother's hut by force.

"How, is there anyone inside?" ask the other man who is still in the outer area of the hut.

A group of six men raided the hut where Samiah's grandmother lived.

"No one, Boss!" sahut the door kicker. "But it looks like this hut has not been inhabited for a long time," he continued.

"You mean?"

"This fireplace's still hot. There's also the rest of the grilled yam in that bale reot."

"Is there anything else you found?"

"This is a woman's dress. It seems. This dress that the girl used last time when the Juraan took her to her house."

"You're right. But where is the girl now?"

"Maybe to the river."

"Can be. All right, we split up. Some to the river, some waiting here. Wake up any time the girl comes back here."

"All right."

***

The night is starting to arrive...

Nilam is now on the edge of the forest.

He took his steps without looking.

Towards a village he saw from the shock, there were lights burning there.

"Yes, my God, I'm tired. But it seems like the place is not too far away. I'd better continue on my way."

He kept going with all his remaining strength.

Until he arrived at a small shop that sells a variety of simple foods and drinks.

"Excuse me, sir," Nilam told the old man who owned the shop.

"Well, what's up, Nduk?"

"May I ask for water. Just a little, sir," said Nilam softly.

A middle-aged woman appeared from inside the tavern.

"Why? You thirsty?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Come, comein. You seem tired."

Nilam nodded.

The old man's husband pulled his wife's arm slightly away from Nilam.

"Mom, don't trust others easily. What if he's mean?"

"This father exists - there is only. The innocent girl was so gentle, really, she said evil," said the middle-aged woman, then walked back towards Nilam. "Come in, kid. Here drink. It's okay - what. Sit here."

Nilam smiled nodded. He immediately gulped down a glass of water that the woman gave him to the toilet. "Thank you, Mom."

"Together, Son. You, these nights, where are you going, where are you going?" ask the mother curious.

The husband just watched.

Nilam lowered his head then shook his head weakly. "I don't know, Mom. I have no purpose."

"You mean?"

"I'm out of the house."

"Wait..What do you mean, you ran away from your house?" asked the mother a little surprised.

Nilam just nodded.

"Why?"

Nilam was silent for a moment, trying to find the right answer. "Because I don't want to be forcibly married by my aunt to an old man, Mom," I'm Nilam. Although he did not lie completely.

"really?" Nilam.

"Yes, God.... How cute are you, son."

The husband became interested in Nilam and his wife's conversation.

"Then, where are you going now, when it's night?" ask the old man.

"I don't know either, sir."

"Yes, you come with us to the house. You can rest there" said the man giving empathy.

"Truely said Father, Son. You want?"

Nilam's eyes sparkled for a moment, he then nodded. "I want. Thank you, Mom, sir."

"If you don't mind, you can also work here. Help us take care of this shop from tomorrow," bargained the wife.

"Really, Mom?" ask Nilam sumringah.

"really. The shops are quite crowded. You can help us here." The husband chimed.

Nilam nodded excitedly.

"I would like to, Sir, Mom. I want. Thanks."

"Either. Oiya, what's your name, son?"

"My name....Ni-i

Oh no, if I tell you my real name, Juragan Dahlan will definitely find me easily.

"Emm.. Just call me... Nuri."

Seriate....