by Faulina Arif
IRISE DELEGNERE
Fahri entering a café that only open in the night, followed by Ichsan and Sofian. They sit in one of many table there, then they ordering 2 coffee and 1 orange juices.
"I hope . . . the two of you can appreciate my position in here." Fahri talked while looking at both of those man that sit in front of him
"Frankly . . . how many times these incidents happen?" Ichsan asked Fahri
Fahri take a little sip of his hot coffee." This whole incident recently happens in this three month ago. Since this kind of case appeared for the first time, I too was enthusiastic to investigate this case. Just like you two." Fahri smiled while looking at both of them
"So, what happened?" Ichsan asked. In his eye, Fahri smile is just like a bitter smile.
"The three of us is handling this case. Me, Salman and Andre.Salman is just like you Ichsan, he was too much spirited and always likes to oppose his superior. But Andre is different than him, he seems unwanted to do this case. And then for some time later, all of them were transferred. And I got a reprimand letter. Of course I had asked myself what was wrong. So, I deliberately meet with my superior.
"Do you mean my uncle?" Ichsan asked
"Uncle?!" Sofian surprised
"Yes." Fahri nod "But he only said 'never mind that, just follow my order if you want to feel secure'. Then I ask where he's transferring Salman and Andre, and your uncle gave me a piece of paper."
"What is that paper?" Sofian asked curiously
"Cash checks."
Sofian surprised "H-how much?"
"Two hundred million."
Sofian mouth wide open, his eyes doesn't even blink.
Ichsan touching his head in disbelief "I can't believe this."
Fahri looks at Ichsan. "Calm down, please don't ask this to your uncle. This is a secret."
"So, why did I and Sofian replacing those two?" Ichsan once again look at Fahri
"I don’t know." Fahri was quiet for a moment "Just use your imagination."
"So, what happened with the two friends of you sir?" Sofian asked, his curiosity growing more.
Fahri let out a sigh "I investigate it secretly, until I get the information about them. I take a permission to leave for 3 days to check about their whereabouts, and make sure about that information validity. First I go to Andre place, and that info was right. He was there, for a while we talked. I lure him to speak about that, did he get money for shutting his mouth like me. And I was right, he got it too.
"The amount? Is it t-two hundred million?" Sofian asked with eyes wide open, that amount is very big for Sofian. He never saw that enormous amount of money in all his life.
"No, only one per fourth of mine."
"I-is that so?" Sofian said in low voice
"So, how about Salman?"
Fahri shake his head slowly "I can't find him. I return to the office and check about it in the files library, for a few times. But I can only find that same address. Then I purposely go to that address one more time and still can't find him. He was gone."
For how many times Sofian was surprised because of Fahri story, while Ichsan look at Fahri in silence. Fahri take a sip of his coffee.
"Did he know something that he should not know?" Ichsan asked
"That is possible" Fahri answered
"Is this connected with those man wearing black suits?"
"I also think like that."
All of them fall silent, and then Sofian raises his right hand. "Sir I want to ask, how can we the police know, when there is this kind of incident happened?"
"There is a report from a special squad." Fahri answered
"A special squad? Do you mean those black suits people?" Ichsan asked
"Yes." Fahri nod
"B-but, I was there. When that incident happened and . . . “Sofian fall silent
"What do you mean?" Fahri look at Sofian with eyes wide open.
"When I return from my friend house, I take a bus then walk in the street to my house. Then I heard a gunshot."
"Gunshot?" Ichsan confused
Sofian nod. "When I arrived at that place, I saw a terrifying giant creature. All of its body is protected by a black armor, and that creature carries a black giant sword."
"How big is that creature?" Ichsan asked with serious expression
"Its height is more or less than 6 meter. And suddenly its . . . "Sofian once again fell quiet. He gulped remembering that terror he saw with his own eyes. "With my own eyes I see it, that creature swing its black giant sword and all of those boys body split in two."
"With only one swing?" Fahri eyes wide open in disbelief, he can't believe what he heard
Sofian nod. "Yes. But there is something even more mysterious. A beautiful white haired young woman, suddenly appear and shoot that terrifying creature with two big pistol without fear. Then, that creature suddenly running away and that woman chase after it."
"Who is that woman exactly?" Ichsan trying to figure out
"Is she possibly . . . A v-vampire?" Sofian surprised with his own word
"Ha-hahahahahahha! Hahah . . . ." Ichsan suddenly burst a laugh "Are you dreaming? There is no such thing in this day and ag . . . ." Ichsan fall silent and stopping his word. His facial expression becomes serious.
If there is no such thing like a vampire in this world, then how about those werewolf and the weird octopus-like creature that I saw tonight? I see them with my very own eyes right? Ichsan said in his mind. he find that he was not normal anymore, because he starting to believe about those creature existence.
"Vampire . . . huh?" Fahri said in low voice
"T-then, what relationship did she have with those creature?" Ichsan asked
All of them fall silent. no one can answer that question
"But, what method does that special squad have to know the exact location of those incidents? I was there at that time but I don't see anyone around that place." Sofian said
All of them once again fall silent, deep in their thought.
"Ah, now I remember!" Sofian yells. "There are one person running away from that place, he running past me with a fast speed. But I doubt that he was running because of fear."
"What?" Ichsan forehead wrinkled
"I can see his face for a brief moment, he was smiling."
"Is that man . . . ?" Fahri became more enthusiastic. "Can you remember his facial characteristic?"
Sofian shakes his head slowly."I can't see well because it’s dark. But . . . if I can see him once again, I was sure will recognize him. He is still young."
"This is weird. If your story was right, why did the cleaning officer did not tell us about those bullet casings?" Ichsan touching his chin and think seriously
Meanwhile, Fahri became silent. He saw his cup of coffee for a long time.
Same as You . . .
David walk to the living room then put his car key near an aquarium.
"The event. Is it interesting?" David asked to a young man that sitting in a rocky chair not far away from him.
That young man eating a snack. "Yes, not that bad." He answered in monotone
"I'm glad you come home, Reyn." David said. He approaching his son then takes a sit in sofa, near Reyn rocky chair.
Reyn let out a little smile "Me too, I'm glad seeing you home father."
"How is it going? Your workshop?"
"It’s good. But I think you still don't want to see it right?"
David sighed. His age now is in 50th, but he still doing a heavy work that can make him aging very fast. He doesn't even have time to spend with his only son.
"Lately I had so many important jobs." Said David
"Well, your job is always important and troublesome." Reyn quipped
A hand phone in the table vibrating. Reyn take that hand phone and answered.
"Big bro, our main ingredient is depleted." Marsha voice was heard from his hand phone.
"Okay, I will buy it." Reyn answered then turn off his hand phone.
"Seems like your business is flowering?" David commented without looking at his son.
"True, I must go." Reyn take a deep breath then stand up from the chair. Leaving his father that still sit in the sofa and now watching TV.
IRISE DELEGNERE
4 teenage boys in the age of 16 years old standing for a long time in front of a restaurant. For 10 minutes they look inside that restaurant through the windows, and then one of them looked at others one by one.
"Hey, Hey, Hey. Coming here to eat right? Free right? Free? Yes? Yes?" that boy grinning, looked at his 3 friends one by one for several times. Various type of food appeared in his simple mind, they flying in circle decorating his head, not for long his drool coming out.
His friends nod in unison.
"Right, this time you lost th-" one of his friends called Pandi word halted because his other friend smacks his head.
"SHHH!! Don’t tell him!" the boy called Iben whispering and glaring at Pandi.
The first boy that usually called Arif by all his friends now feels a bad omen. He gulped. All of his beautiful imagination about food now was gone at the same time with his grin. Suddenly he holds his stomach and act that he was in pain.
"AW . . . Auch! Weird, my belly hurt? Toilets calling, Bye!" Arif turned away and ready to let out his thousand step technique.
Quickly Iben grab Arif shoulder, and then strangle him. "Et . . . no need to worry, toilets is near, inside."
"UH!" Arif grimaces
Pandi and the last boy called Anto following Iben to hold Arif with grin in their faces.
"At last! His treat." Iben said, a little tears come out from his eyes
"True, this day is finally come . . ." Pandi try to hold his tears that ready to flow at any time.
Arif face now was pale, everyone can see that he was hopeless. Then suddenly he had an idea. Arif quickly turn his head to the right and pointed toward the sky. "AKH!An UFO!"
All of his friends automatically look at the direction Arif pointing, and they let go of their hold to Arif body without they realizing.
Not wasting any time, he then quickly escaping and run with all his might leaving all of them, he laugh loudly with a mocking tone.
"Eh, EH, EH!!Impudent!" Anto cursing Arif
"That Monkey! Don’t run!" Iben yelled and pointing his finger toward Arif
Without further word, those 3 teenagers chasing Arif that now was far from them.
Afraid of his friends that now looked like a hungry cannibal, Arif increasing his running speed. but unfortunately, Anto that only had a fast running skill, now managed to narrowing their distance, and then he manages to grab Arif clothes. With all his feeling and strength, he pulls Arif until he stopped and nearly falls.
"No excuse monkey, we all hungry." Anto glared at Arif.
Iben and Pandi that now can catch up with them immediately flanked him then clamp Arif in all sides, like a dangerous criminal they preventing him to escape.
"For other time guys! Not today!" Arif pleaded
"Ah! Liar, since your crotch still bald until now full of hair like a jungle, you never share even a piece of candy!" Iben clamped Arif in rage
"That's right! Let alone a candy, he even eat a sack of peanut alone until everything's disappear. And he even eats the sack! Truly a monkey . . . “Pandi added while at the same time smack Arif head.
Those 3 teenagers force Arif to go back to that restaurant. Arif can't do anything and can only stand it. He just hoped that he got a miracle from goddess.
Hand phone inside Arif pants suddenly ringing, exactly in front of restaurant door
Arif take his hand phone and look who was calling "Alicia! Alicia calling!" Said Arif, he now stopped walking and answered the call.
Iben, Anto and Pandi have to let Arif answer that call, they must wait and be patience. Even so, they still clamp Arif in all side to prevent him to escape. They always know Arif natures and must keep watch.
"Arif, with whom?" A young woman voice was heard in his hand phone.
"With Anto, Pandi and Iben, why?"
"Stay there, I will pick you up."
Arif fall silent for a moment then he smiles widely because he has another good idea. "Okay!"
Arif slid his hand phone to a pocket in his pants, he then look at his friend one by one with a big grin making them suspicious.
"Woah . . . What a pity! I intend to treat all of you here, but. Alicia want to pick me up, so . . . maybe, tomorrow, I will show you all my generous side. hahah!" Arif smiled and then turned away.
"EITS . . . " Iben rotating Arif body and he now facing the restaurant door. "Slow . . . Alicia is on the way. Our opportunity is still wide open, right?" Iben said
"Yep, we still have a lot of time to eat and wait." Pandi agreed with Iben
Anto then opened the restaurant door and the 3 of them then pulling Arif in unison, forcing him to get in. Feeling that all his doing is useless, Arif can do nothing and he chooses to comply. He walk casually and then all of them sit in one of many table set.
Ah, it's fine. I can't pay, but we still have generous Iben.Arif thinking in his mind and smiled.
All this time is always been like that. Iben always pay for those 3 pathetic creature needs. what can they do? Only Iben that was born in rich family, and the rest of them is just a normal peasant.
A waitress came to their table, she approaching Arif and Pandi. All of them fall silent, allowing Arif to order the food. A slight fear came to their mind, if Arif ordering too many food and he doesn't have enough money. they all will end in the kitchen to wash plates.
"Chicken satay, one portion and . . . um, water is free . . . right, miss?" Arif asked in low voice
That waitress nod.
"Four glass of water, please!"
"Only that?" that waitress making sure the order
Arif nod.
That waitress go to the kitchen with mocking expression.
Arif stare at his friends that still confused and looked at him
"Only that??for us?" Anto asked
"Here!" Arif show his purse.
Pandi take that purse and look at it insides. one coin fall to the table and rolled. all of their eyes following that coin with their mouth wide-open until its stopped moving.
Iben touching that coin with his index finger and stare at Arif. his mind full of question.
Arif nod and plainly smile.
"Oh dear mother . . . No choice, we must wash plates . . . " Anto cover his face with his right hand.
"A-all of you?didn't bring money??" Arif now became worried.
"We all agreed not bring any money in purpose, we want you to pay" Said Pandi, he massaging his head.
Arif eyes widened and his face became pale.
"Oh! right! I had an appointment with my father this afternoon, bye!" Iben standing up and turned away ready to leave.
"EIITSS . . . !!!" Arif, Pandi and Anto grab Iben hands simultaneously, and then hold him to make he sit down once again. All of them shake their head except Iben.
"Ehem!Comrade will never betraying each other, if one of us is suffering. the other must suffer the same. Right?" Arif said that word like a wise man but with a sly expression.
Anto and Pandi nod their head. they betraying Iben and now supporting Arif.
Iben bowed and hide his head below the table, his face become red. How embarrassing . . . these people, they don’t even have a shred of shame. he said in his mind. as everyone known, in all his life, he never experienced this kind of occasion because Iben was born in a rich family. because he now was friends with those 3, his life became more colorful, sometime disastrous and sometimes was fun.
"Hey, can I join? seems like fun." A man that they didn't recognize suddenly come near to their table.
"D-DON’T!" Arif yelled "W-we don't have money, adding more people will make our suffering continue longer." Arif answered
That man smiled, he then sit beside Pandi "Let me treat you all. Order whatever you like."
<
br /> All of those teenagers look at that generous man with disbelief, they seems confused.
"Really?" Pandi asked to make sure.
That man nod then he call the waitress that a moment ago delivering other people orders
"Ehem! I'm Arif." Arif introduce himself with a cool smile. He brushed his curly front hair before giving his right hand to that man.
Iben grimaced, he look at Arif with disdain. Why did he become arrogant? That monkey really did not know what shame is. He was the one that saving us you know?
"I'm Evan." That man answered, he smiled while at the same time shake his hand.
Evan takes the list of food menu in his front and without wasting time he order all kind of menu of food and drink.
Arif, Iben, Pandi and Anto stare at Evan with their mouth wide-open, hearing that much food was being ordered by Evan.
"Are you sure . . . To treat us?" Iben asked. Even he himself never ordered this much food
Evan nod "Do you all see that woman there?!" Evan stares at the direction he was pointing.
That 4 teenager’s look at that direction. All of them feel astonished. They didn't even notice that beautiful young woman eating alone there before.
"Beautiful, Right?" Evan asked.
"Ah, Alicia is more beautiful." Arif sincerely answered
Iben smack Arif heads "Don't say that monkey! What if he weren't paying for all that food? HUH!" Iben whispering in Arif ear.
Evan smiled "I'm really interested in her, but she always ignoring me. Because of that I followed her secretly, like now." Said Evan
"Have you ever greeted her?" Iben asked
Evan shakes his head slowly "Must I do that?"
Iben, Anto and Pandi nod simultaneously, meanwhile Arif is drinking his mango juice that was newly arrived without a care.
"You should try it, much better than only look in silent." Iben suggested
"So, I must go there?!" Evan mind is filled with doubt.
Iben nod enthusiastically.
Evan take a short breath "Okay." Said him while standing up from his chair.
"Fight!" Iben raise his right hand to make Evan spirited.
Evan smiled before leaving Iben and his friends, he walked toward that beautiful woman that he wanted to know for long time ago.