Morning shift, I arrived at the factory. It was still quite busy, with chatter everywhere, mostly about last night's failed robbery. Last night's incident had quite a bit of attention.

However, the heroes were Fahri and Boss Tama. And I was just helping out. Never mind, heroes don't have to be visible, right? Look, it's like in the movies: there's Spider-Man, Batman, and Iron Man. And they're all even wearing masks.

So, I felt like an unknown hero. He... he... he...

I stepped inside, and there were still two police officers inside, conducting a crime scene investigation. There, I saw Fahri sitting with one of the officers, recounting the events of last night.

I passed the police officers and Fahri, who was telling a passionate story, very enthusiastically. When he saw me pass, he nodded at me, looking a little nervous and uncomfortable, or lost in his composure. But I quickly understood his gesture. So, I raised my hand and pointed my thumb at him. "It's okay, continue!" That was the secret message in my code. But it actually meant just fine. Huh...

I headed to the boss's office. As usual, I'd been told last night to come and get the money to distribute to the employees under the supervision of their respective foremen.

I knocked on the door. Boss Tama was having a guest, and there seemed to be some noise inside. When the door opened, Jarwo and Adam were inside. They were already preparing to leave with the money they had already deposited with Boss Tama.

I approached, and the two of them, Jarwo and Adam, excused themselves and left first.

"Sit down, Adnan," Boss Tama said quietly when we were alone. It wasn't usual for Boss Tama to tell others or foremen to sit. Usually, he stood until he was finished.

Boss Tama didn't leave, slightly traumatized by last night's incident, even though he was scheduled to leave today.

"You've done a good thing, Adnan. I really appreciate your actions. Continue your work and keep doing your best!"

I was touched. Boss Tama, who usually remained silent and only said a few important words, now expressed his appreciation to me.

"Yes, Boss!"

I received a package containing the money, which had been counted according to the notes I'd given them the night before. The amount was correct, plus a bonus for exceeding the target. I said goodbye to Boss Tama.

"Oh, Adnan, "the boss called out to me again, and I turned around. "You're really great, you don't want others to praise you. Okay, if you need anything, don't forget to tell me, I'll fulfill it for you."

I smiled, a sign of great appreciation from Boss Tama. "Yes, Boss!" I saluted, as if someone were saluting the Indonesian flag. Like the Warkop movie, the one with the title "Jangkrik."

I immediately went and met with the employees under my supervision. Before returning to work, I distributed their money first. They were very grateful to God for saving their money. How could they not be? The robbery had been thwarted last night, and they had received their salaries.

Jono, Mr. Ranu, Bondan, and the others were happy to receive their share, and their bonuses were even bigger. It turned out Boss Tama had increased our bonuses, and each employee under my supervision had been increased.

I'm sure it was out of gratitude. This is still a kindness from Boss Tama. No matter how hard someone's heart is, they can still be touched by something that touches them.

Today, everyone is working more enthusiastically. I'm excited too.

@ @ @

Tonight, after Isha prayers, I ate at home. I'm already home in the afternoon. Tonight, of course, I'm happy because I was able to be with Mom and Dad from the start.

How does it feel? Being able to gather with Dad and Mom is like Eid. Perhaps, when I get married and start a family, I'll miss these times. The time when we could joke around with our parents, being with them, might be the greatest joy when we realize that we will inevitably be separated from them in this world.

"Why are you sad, Adnan?" My mother's voice startled me. She was serving me jackfruit and sambal goldfish. The flavors were truly mouth-watering. But I was almost in tears with happiness and gratitude that I could still be with my parents.

I wiped away the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I was afraid of being caught, so I quickly wiped them away.

"How could Adnan be sad?" My father's voice interrupted, "If Adnan is sad, it must be because he hasn't found a wife yet. Be careful, he'll end up a bachelor, ha... ha..."

My mother hit my father with her hand, and I just smiled. "A bachelor," I laughed at that, but it was true. But most of all, I was happy because I could joke around with them. People who mean so much to me. "Oh, Mom, Dad," I changed the subject, "Actually, there's a rumor that there's a spirit that haunts our village, especially in the old house left behind by Grandma Pati. Then, people associate the ghost with Grandma Pati's spirit. Weren't Mom and Dad close to Grandma Pati? And what kind of person was she?"

Out of curiosity, I asked about Grandma Pati, hoping that would provide some clarification and ease my curiosity. After all, I've met Grandma Pati, and she was a kind person and even taught me the Quran.

Hufff! Father took a deep breath.

"Don't believe lies like that, Adnan! Grandma Pati was a very kind person during her lifetime. If she dies, she'll definitely go to heaven because she never wronged anyone and was always kind to everyone."

Father stared at the ceiling, as if contemplating something. "In fact, the late Grandma Pati always helped anyone in need without expecting anything in return. She was also a very gentle teacher, and she even taught you the Quran."

I nodded, and it was true. If Mbah Pati was a good person during his lifetime, then there was no reason for him to become a wandering spirit. Furthermore, all humans who die experience a different realm than us, so they are guarded by angels and remain in the grave, unable to freely return to the living world.

Could this be a conspiracy?

Regarding ghosts, even during factory robberies, people prefer to scare others by impersonating them. It's all an idea that arises because many people are afraid of ghosts, and disguising oneself as one is the best way to steal someone's property.

"Do you know Adnan?" Mamak asked, looking at me.

"What is that, Mom?" I was still confused.

"This is still about the late Mbah Pati. He was the one who helped our family and also helped you, son."

"Help me?" I asked, curious. Was there something I didn't know about the late Mbah Pati, who had helped me? That was my Mamak's explanation.

Mamak now took a deep breath, "During his lifetime, Grandpa Pati helped your father pay off his debts after he was conned by a loan shark. At that time, he went into debt because he was so desperate."

I listened to Mamak's story intently. In fact, another story from Mamak surprised me.

"You were able to graduate because of the late Grandpa Pati's financial support, Adnan."

I was truly shocked, and why was that? Mamak told me that night that during high school, my father was in debt because he had been conned by a loan shark.

At that time, Grandpa Pati helped him settle his debts. Furthermore, my school fees were unaffordable, and Grandpa Pati supported me by paying for my studies and giving money to my Mama to use towards my tuition until I graduated.

This meant that someone as good as Grandpa Pati, who always sacrificed for others, was being slandered and became a wandering spirit that frightened people.

This couldn't be tolerated. This mystery about ghosts and demons must be resolved to make everything clear. This is especially true regarding the good name of the late Mbah Pati, who had no family, no children, or grandchildren.

He wanted to pay for my school fees, and this was the first time I'd ever heard of it. This time, I was determined to find out what mystery lurked within that tau house and why people were slandering the late Mbah Pati.

I had to find out and uncover it. I was passionate, not afraid of ghosts or demons. I simply wanted to clear Mbah Pati's good name and the house she left behind, preventing it from being considered a mystical or haunted place.