CUTS

CUTS
END OF JANNAH'S LIFE...


"Mother, there's a Father of the Army in front." I called Abu who was in his room.


"Yes, sir." Said Abu when he met them.


Rendra stared at us at a glance, "Sir, for now the Father and other villagers are not allowed out of the village. I would also like to ask you about the guests you came to yesterday."


"I don't know them, they came here to ask my daughter for their niece."


"Where are they from?"


"Security next door, sir."


"Did that young man come yesterday?"


"No, Sir."


"Mr or Cut knew the young man?"


"No, Sir. That's why Cut immediately rejected their proposal." A little smile on Rendra's lips and I saw clearly that smile after hearing Abu's reply.


"Tomorrow all villagers were asked to the post. We will do the data collection and manufacture of Red and White ID cards. So those who do not have the ID card will be found out if he is a member of the rebels. I say goodbye, assalamualaikum."


"Getishalam." Saying to me and Abu simultaneously. Answering his legal greetings is mandatory for fellow Muslims even though I do not like it. He answers my daydreams too often.


The next day...


All villagers have gathered at the post for the collection of residents who will get the Merah Putih ID card as an official identifier.


KTP Merah Putih becomes a talisman for us who are in an atmosphere of conflict. Having it is like having a second life. We took turns facing the soldiers in charge of recording our personal data directly.


The process of data collection ends before the zuhur. Once I got home, Umi and I immediately prepared lunch because our stomachs were very hungry.


The sound of the beduk reverberated from the village mosque. I who was lying in the room came straight out. Abu called out to some of the residents who passed by in front of the house. "Who died?" Ask Abu.


"Jannah, Ash. Just got his body brought home. We'll excuse you, Assalamualaikum."


I stood in front of the door. Again the people I know go away forever. Various questions came to my mind, what happened to Jannah? Shouldn't he be safe there? Over there? I myself don't know where it is exactly?


"Cut, get Umi! We're going to Jannah's house now." Abu's Order.


I arrived at Jannah's house along with Umi and Abu. Abu joined the other elders while the Umi went straight to the back to prepare the body bathing equipment.


I saw Jannah's body lying stiffly covered with a piece of cloth. Just like seeing Miftah's body, I also approached Jannah's body to apologize one last time.


I was like seeing a back-class where Miftah's mother was crying over her daughter's death, today I also saw Jannah's mother crying her daughter's death too. My heart asks is this what is justice? I don't know.


"Do you know what it's like now, Da? How does your heart hurt? That was my heartache when I saw Miftah die. God is fair, Da. My prayers never stopped from first seeing Miftah die until now, Da. Prayer of a mother whose child is wronged by your child. Now he feels his vengeance." Miftah's mother breathed out the stifled emotions in front of Jannah's body.


Miftah's father along with several village elders went inside to stop the miftah's mother. Miftah's mother was brought home at that time and the funeral for jannah was also held that day even though it was afternoon. Several soldiers also came including Rendra. After the bodies of Jannah buried villagers immediately returned to their homes.


There is something different about the atmosphere at the death of Miftah. At that time the villagers still survive in Miftah's house even though the body has been buried but the opposite condition actually occurred in Jannah's house. The villagers immediately returned home after his body was buried. I felt the gazes of the villagers towards the Jannah family like a dislike look that was seen from the glare of their eyes. Does this have anything to do with Miftah's mother's words? I don't know.


Coincidentally or not there is certainly no excuse in the house of Miftah. The security forces have imposed a curfew on our village. No one leaves the house after the magrib unless there is a sudden affair that cannot be postponed. Like mothers giving birth or someone who is seriously ill.


Security forces continued to patrol throughout the night in our village. If asked more afraid of the military or the military? Then the villagers including me will answer more afraid of the army. We never know what will happen if we deal with them. But if I meet a ghost, I just read the swearing swearing for sure he will disappear by itself.


The days passed, the atmosphere of the village was still as usual there was no increase in the number of people in my village but the number of soldiers continued to increase.


I miss eating fish or just looking at the market but what a power I have to be locked up in this fenced-off prison. The study is no longer there, to the rice fields are also no longer because we have finished the harvest.


"Why is it getting here the darker my life is? I miss the atmosphere first, I want to go to school, down to the subdistrict, I miss all the beautiful things first."


"I also miss when did you accept my proposal?"


Again he answered my daydreams as he pleased. I looked at him in annoyance and then went inside to call Abu. He's here to see Abu.


"The villagers are allowed to go down to the district, sir. Please if you want to go to the sub-district but still have to be careful sir!" Ash nodded his head.


Armed with a sack of rice, we brought down to the subdistrict for sale. I was so happy that day, going to the market, buying some new books and pretty trinkets to tie up my long hair. A few small brooches for veil and bracelet decoration. I want to wear a bracelet.


After passing through the checkpoint, we wait for transportation that every week will go down to the sub-district. Me, Abu and Umi look happy. But happiness is only for a moment. The transport we were traveling on suddenly stopped. I saw some men covering their mouths with cloth and holding weapons blocking our transport.


"Mother, Umi and Cut, come down!" Tell one of them firmly.


Although our trembling continued down, others could only give in to prayer. I also did not stop praying. Wishing safety for me and my parents.


"Road!" Their orders are on us to follow them. They also told the ship to resume its journey.


Is this the end of my life? If so, I'm glad I died on the side of both my parents.


***


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