"So that's it?"

I muttered to the seven of them sitting in Room L of the old house that used to be Mbah Pati's. I only realized after we sat together and discussed the circumstances that led them to this house together.

In fact, they were filming a horror reality challenge, the Mental Challenge. One of them had dared to sit in a haunted place for just two hours and the prize was 5 million rupiah. It was also the best-selling horror TV show at the time.

So, the man sitting cross-legged and waiting for the candle was the challenger, and the filming team had placed a camera in front of him near the wall. The challenger would be left somewhere else and filmed for two hours.

That's when I came in and messed everything up.

I only now understand. The two people I met at Mang Krimo's restaurant were one of the challengers, and the other was the one who had escorted him.

I apologized for it, explaining that I was passing by because I was working overtime and saw something suspicious in the old house belonging to the late Mbah Pati, so I wanted to check it out and tripped over the door.

They all understood, and the misunderstanding was resolved. I apologized again, especially since the shooting had already sought permission from the village officials and the village head.

After that, I was allowed to go home. There's always something going on, just a horror challenge scene? I got back on my motorcycle; the world is already strange. The challenge of staying in a haunted place, which is broadcast on television.

Of course, it'll be made so mystical and horrific that the audience will be terrified. Especially with the added drama and spooky music. The audience is already terrified by the scary music.

I continued riding my motorcycle, my eyes already very tired and sleepy. Besides being feared, demons have become an attractive promotional tool for making money. So, demons are actually being exploited for the benefit of a handful of people, taking advantage of people's fear of ghosts and demons.

The more people who fear demons, the stronger the business of making money. The more people talk about them, the more money they make, in the eyes of a few.

Hmmm... that's how it is. When I got home, I immediately went to rest. I felt really tired today. @ @ @

I woke up early as usual; my mother woke me up. I prayed dawn prayer at the mosque. I was really exhausted last night and asked her to wake me up.

I felt refreshed, even though my body was still sore. I remembered the story from last night, where Andi had the heart to commit a crime, even though he was only a guide for the criminal. He got a share and pretended not to want to be involved in the crime.

How could that be?

Anyone who participates in planning a crime is clearly just as evil, even if they don't commit the crime. For example, selling alcohol is just as sinful, even if they don't drink it.

Oh well! I got up and performed ablution, grabbing my sarong and black peci. Father had already left, as always. Ha... ha... ha...

I walked away, and my mother was cooking as usual. As I left the house, I hurried away, the night still lingering and the cold morning air still biting my skin.

I continued walking towards the mosque, where a woman in a prayer robe stood in front of me. Her house was just a few houses down from the mosque. It was Nadia, Mr. Kusrin's daughter. She was the village flower, her religion was strong, and her father was a villager.

Nadia emerged from her gate, already close. As usual, I strutted past her and went first.

"Assalamu'alaikum Nadia..." I greeted her.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Mr. Adnan."

Her voice truly made my heart flutter, like a sudden electric shock. Just hoping to hear her soft voice was a blessing. Let alone hoping to be my wife! Ah! It would be the end of the world if she was interested in me. Ha...were... ha...

"Mr. Adnan, wait!"

It would truly be the end of the world!

I slowed my pace, hearing her hurried footsteps approaching me. The atmosphere was so calm and quiet. I wished the iqamah would be long so I could spend some time with Nadia. Hmmm! The tip of love, the side dish, arrives. Whatt does that mean?

"Last night, Adnan was at the factory when there was a robbery?"

Oh, so she wanted to ask that. News spreads so quickly. Of course, this is the internet era, where information can spread like a virus in the blink of an eye. Even phone calls can be made with pictures, like video calls. Technology is truly advanced, as if there are no distances in this world anymore.

"Yes, Nadia," she said, primly, addressing my overconfident little sister. But never mind, even if I can't have her, it's enough to seduce her. I smiled sweetly at Nadia.

Nadia pouted slightly, "Oh yeah, is it true that they use intimidation when they're going to rob?"

It was truly unusual for Nadia to ask me so many questions. Usually quiet and grumpy, why does the world feel so beautiful with Nadia's friendliness? Really, God, don't hold back a moment longer. I'm so happy with this Naura, O Allah.

"That's how it is... when the devil is scared. At that time, everyone ran because the two criminals were wearing shrouds, and everyone ran in fear. I wasn't afraid, of course. I stayed there and hid until they showed themselves, and we caught them."

I told her proudly, trying to win Nadia's heart.

"Really? They said it was Fahri from Tanjung Indah village who was fighting them."

Ah! That's right. I was the one who asked Boss Tama and Fahri to make sure Fahri was the one fighting. Ah! So I can't win Nadia's heart this time. Damn!

"Because of the occult, everyone seems to have lost their reasoning. Even last night, there was a shooting at the old house that used to be the home of the late Mbah Pati. Even though Mbah Pati used to be a Quran teacher..."

Nadia stared at the village entrance. It was as if I was disappointed that Mbah Pati was a restless spirit who often wandered around.

True enough, she agreed with I.

The Iqamah (prayer) sounded.

"Let's go to the mosque, Mr. Adnan. I've already recited the Iqamah," Nadia reminded me.

"Yes, okay," I agreed.

We walked, with me leading the way.

"And Mr. Adnan, don't act brave if you're scared!"

That was Nadia's last voice behind me. True enough, heroes don't need to be recognized. I'd hidden it myself, so it didn't matter if people didn't know. I smiled and continued walking a bit faster.

We arrived at the mosque, and I entered for congregational prayer.

@ @ @

That afternoon, they heard there was a health education in the village. The village head, Mr. Norman, had permitted the health department to provide free health checks to residents who wanted to attend.

I was on night duty and would be paid later, so I just accompanied my mother to her health check.

The event was being held at the integrated health post (posyandu). I dropped my mother off, and there were only a few people, maybe five, in front of the integrated health post. Nadia was there with her mother. Wow, it must be fate, we can always meet wherever we are.

Soulmate, soulmate, God willing, pray for her too, my friends. Unfortunately, she's fierce and hard to win over. That's the hard part. So... don't give up, before the yellow coconut leaves bend, there's no giving up. Keep going, keep going! I reassured myself.

I got off the motorbike, and my mother had already left. I joined Nadia and greeted her, as usual, her expressionless face.

But... It's 9 a.m., why is it still so quiet? The officer inside is still checking on one woman. So... exactly five people have arrived.

"Nadia... why is it so quiet?" I tried to muster up the courage to ask the beautiful woman in the green headscarf. Masyaallah! Her beauty, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. For God's sake, you know how beautiful Lisa from Blackpink is, right? Nadia is three times as beautiful as Lisa from Blackpink, I swear it would be thunderous if I lied. He... he...

Nadia looked around as if searching for something, her gaze darting back and forth.

"That's right, Mr. Adnan. Everyone believes in mystical things like shamans and psychics more than they do in medicine. Our village has truly been bewitched."

Nadia's explanation was slow and meaningful. It was true, now that I remembered, my village was like that. The fear of ghosts and demons seemed ingrained and perpetuated. I often came across offerings on my way home from work at night.

Is my village really this bad? Even the free healthcare offered by the village head didn't come. Only about six people?

"How do we convince the villagers not to believe in mystical things, Mr. Adnan?"

Once again, Nadia looked at me. That gaze was like magic itself; my body felt instantly cold. It was like I was in the snowy mountains; my gaze was deeply fixed on Nadia.

"Kid!"

My mother patted my shoulder a little hard.

"What, Mom?" I was taken aback.

"Hurry up and register me, Mom. I'm going to the rice fields to deliver food to the people harvesting our oil palms!"

"Y... Yes, Mom, just a moment!" I bowed to my mother, not knowing she was being overconfident. It was just annoying. "Just a moment, Nadia. I'll be right back."

I smiled at Nadia, and she smiled back at me. Wow, my heart felt like it was beating ten times faster than usual. Ah! It can beat 10 times faster! You're the one who's fascinated by my words, ha... ha...

I went inside, leaving Nadia, who was smiling playfully at me. I really thought I was funny, didn't I?

Okay. I went to the sub-district health officer and registered my mother. I handed over photocopies of my family card and ID card, and they wrote some things, and I wrote some things too, and I gave her a queue number. Sure enough, it was number 6, meaning we were number 6, and it was very quiet.

I returned to my mother and handed her the queue number, "Mom, you got number 6. If you want to go even faster, just bribe the officer."

My mother glared and slapped me hard on the shoulder again, "You brat! You've been educated so hard, but you're teaching me the wrong things!"

"He... he... he..." I chuckled, "Just kidding, Mom!"

I saw Nadia chuckle again. Oh my God, this was the first time I'd seen her smile and laugh so beautifully. I thought she was an untouchable angel, but now I know I can talk and converse with her.

It's Nadia. She's graduating soon, majoring in teaching. And, because she's the daughter of Mr. Kusrin, often called Pak Kyai, no one dares approach her, perhaps. Some do, but perhaps it's just because they lack confidence.

She's simply a dream girl because of her beauty, good morals, and devotion.

As we take turns being called, Nadia and I chat quite amicably about village mysteries, the occult in the village, and also about the old house of the late Mbah Pati. We're both concerned and wondering how our village in Bulan Indah can avoid superstition.

This has become our homework.