Infidelity

Lianna watched as Jake entered the ballroom with his wife and two kids. They have had their relationship long before he met his wife, they loved each other, but they could never work it enough to be with each other. His marriage did not stop it though; they were still very much involved. 

His wife caught her eyes and smiled politely, she nodded back with a knot in her heart. She had always felt like his wife knew, every woman knows when their man is warming other bed, but somehow she was always nice to her, the other woman. Lianna caught Jake’s eyes, and when she knew she got his attention, she turned and started walking away towards an exit. She didn’t look back but she knew he would have followed inconspicuously. 

They found an empty dark meeting room. Lianna walked in first and when Jake reached for the light switch behind her, she stopped him. They started kissing and undressing each other in the dark room, keeping their voices down so as not to attract attention. She giggled merrily and reminded him not to spoil her bridesmaid’s dress, the wedding wasn’t over yet. 

They did not really have time snuggle after, the reception was still going on and people would start looking for them and wondering. She asked him to zip up her dress and while her back was to him, she mustered all her courage and told him she was engaged.

Everything stopped. It seemed in that seconds that followed her announcement, the world stopped turning and everything else ceased to exist. Jake stopped mid zip, she held her breath, her heart rested and her ears stopped working. There was just silence and stillness. 

She was never restricted only to him, she had other lovers and he never minded it. He just never wanted to know about it. But and engagement, upcoming nuptial, was another whole thing. She knew it. No matter how much she prepared to be as casual, the moment she said it, even she lost composure. Thus, the perfect excuse of having her back to him and the perfect timing to announce. 

After what seemed like an eternity, Jake cleared his throat and muttered “Congratulations” and continued zipping her up. Her heart started beating again and the party music seeping her ears toher brain. She composed herself and placed a smile on her face and turned to face him.

“I know you would be happy for me” she said, her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. 

He smiled back. He felt he did well hiding his true feelings. He loved her, yes! He wanted her to be happy, yes! But he was also obsessed about her to fear of losing her. He didn’t her to know that. He was married and yet they were still secretly together, her wedding would not change that, he was sure.

He was wrong.

Lianna had practiced this next part more than she had fucked him. That did not stop her heart from going 120 beats/min when she placed her hand on his cheek, her eyes on him and said “I will miss you dearly, you know that right?” her voice trembled.

This time, he could not hide his reactions, confused, sadness, anger and surprised. Before he could say anything she walked away slowly from him towards the door. “At least we had this night to end it with,” she said smiling at him as she opened the door, as though to make sure he understood that it was over, and stepped out of the room before he could protest.

Over the few days and weeks that followed he kept trying to reach her, be it messages, e mails and even bumping into her. Every time, it was the same conversations; it always started with him reasoning that his marriage never stopped them, why should hers be a hinder? And it always ended up with him begging her to be with him, bargaining even to leave his family. She had always been firm to refuse it all. She has chosen who she wanted to be with, her betrothed. 

The messages became more and more often and gradually threatening. He was always waiting for her everywhere, at any time. He stopped paying attention to his family, his work and everything else. They left him, but he did not care. Lianna was all that mattered. 

She had blocked him from all media and started new routes and routines to avoid him. She even left town just to get away from him. Her feeling shifted from love, heartbroken to pity to annoyance to now scared for her life. 

When he couldn’t find her, Jake went to her betrothed and told him everything, his relationship with Lianna and how they were very much in love. The groom to be was calm but stern. He said that didn’t matter, he knew all of it even the stalking and Lianna had chosen him, not Jake. He loved her more than Jake ever could and she loved him more than she loved Jake. In fact, if anything was to happen to Lianna, he would go after Jake and so would the police.

That infuriated Jake even more, he trashed around and had a breakdown while the universe crashed all around him. He needed to see her, he wanted to hold her, and this could not be it. 

She came to him, against all odds. She did love him and it pained her to see him crumbling, so she went to him. She held him in her arms and told him how much she loved him, but as life goes on, so should he. Life is as such. He begged her for one last night, for all the memories and he would leave her then to her new life. She smiled and they kissed.

The next morning police found her cold dead body hanging from his ceiling and they found him curled up in the closet with a gun in his hand, rocking back and forth crying, muttering “She loves me, She loves me not” over and over again.

He left a love note of how they were to meant to be, if not in this life then maybe in the afterlife. He was to cowardly however, when it came to pulling the trigger on himself. 

Whether they sent him to prison or a mental institution, he would be locked up for life. 

THE COPY CAT

THE COPY CAT

It started in Uni. I had to re-do a class and joined her batch. She seemed normal, of course everyone does at first. I thought she was kind to sit next to me and converse and catch me up with class when I come late or miss it. All the others had their own click and seemed not to be bothered by the old new kid in class. Little did I know that she had no friends in her own class, nobody liked her, but I did not know that and I just thought she was friendly.

I remembered when she started getting annoying. We had this practical, where we could choose where to do it and which specific field we want to do the practical in. She asked me which field was I interested in and where would I choose to do it. I told her I was going to discus it with a professor of ours before I decide. This professor, he was the best in our fields. She said she would come with. I found that weird, but I allowed it. We met our professor together, he suggested doing the practical out of town, with his friend, whom he called right away. I was excited. To my surprise, she said she wanted to do the same thing and in the same place. Weird. But okay.

When I couldn’t go to the destined practical place due to personal issues, she decided not to go to. I realize she was a cut throat competitive bitch. She was competitive with everyone, but I wonder why she chose me to follow everything about. But I let it go when I passed that class, I dismissed it as a non threatening competition. I thought leaving the class, I would not have to deal with her anymore, but I was wrong. Although I didn’t see her that often, somehow she managed to be around and offer me lifts or chatting me up in the cafeterias. 

I was never an introvert person, and boy am I talkative. When someone start talking and asking about me, I sing like a canary. I would regret it afterwards that I said too much, but at the time, there was no break in me telling about me. And everything that she fished out of me seemed to be a challenge for her to do better. I didn’t matter what it was about; whether it was carrier or love life or travels, she had to do the same thing I did and she would make sure she was better at it. That started to annoy me and freaked me out, but mostly annoyed me. I kept my distance from her and reminded myself not to talk too much with her. And then I graduated.

Life was at peace, I did not hear from her or about her and I was happy and relieved. That didn’t last long. Three years into my job in the company I chose to work in, she started as a new employee. As much as I could, I kept my distance from her. She wasn’t very well liked there, she was known as a cut throat bitch and known to lie a lot and delegate work to others while claiming she did them. I kept my distance even more. She still tried to be friendly and chummy to me and tried her best to be as close to me as she could.

She would ask to be in a project that I was in, she would match up travel dates when travelling was needed, she would take my job from me as if giving me a favor, she would go as far as to snatch a project that was meant for me. I hated her. I don’t think I ever hated someone at all. But I hated her.  I continued to keep my distance from her. I spoke as little as I needed to her. 

But as universe had it, we were on a same project again and we had to go overseas to a tropical island. And this time I couldn’t get away and separate from our group so I was stuck with her. And she got on my nerve. 

I had always loved the beaches, I would swim in them all day long if I could. I was prepared to set time to enjoy the beaches. The day I arrived, I kept my luggage in the hotel, got my bikini on and walked to the beach and swam. The other team members weren’t big on getting sand all over, the stayed clean in a café, drinking expensive coffee and liquor, including my nemesis.

The next day, I woke up early just to be able to swim in the sea before our first meeting, and there she was on the beach with her new bikini. How did I know it was new and she didn’t just bring it? It was the same bikini that was in the hotel  gift store the day before. Not wanting to ruin my morning, I passed her and jumped into the sea and felt great. She did the same, I ignored her.

While she was still in the water, I got out and walked back to the hotel, buying knick-knacks along the way. I bought the local food from the local shops and packed it to eat it later, I bought the local coffee cause I loved coffee and always wanted to try the local ones wherever I was.

After shower and make up, I got down to the lobby with my food package and my coffee waiting for the rest. She was the first one that showed. She saw my package and my coffee and inquired about it. Absently I said it was the local food and coffee. She nodded and sat. The others came one by one, few of them asked me about the food and coffee. She stood up and said it was a good idea and perhaps she should get some too. She left and came back with the food package and the coffee.

I swear, I think she followed me to the bathroom as well. It was more than a couple of times that I went to the toilet and when I came out, she came out from the next stall. There was nothing I did she didn’t follow and be better at.

This went on until one day she showed up at my door. There was a confused look on her face when I opened the door. 

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“It’s a holiday, I’m staying home” I said lazily.

“But this is my house…” she was more uncertain than confused.

“Honey, who is it?” my husband asked as he came to the door with my two year old daughter, Annie, in his arm.

“A friend…” I said and he smiled at her kindly, said hi, gave Annie to me and went in again before she could claim he was her husband.

“Ben…” she said softly still confused. “Ben is MY husband” she said emphasizing on ‘my’. 

“No he isn’t”

“Annie…” she tried to touch Annie’s cheeks but Annie looked away, hugged me tight and hid her face in my embrace.

“This is MY life” she was upset now, almost shouting.

“No… No it isn’t…” I had a wicked smirk on my face and added “anymore.”

“What the hell are you talking about” this time she was clearly screaming, frustrated.

“You wanted my life so much, I gave it to you in exchange of yours. You wanted to be me so much, now you are…” I said lightly. “Enjoy…” I said and closed the door on her face, leaving her confused, perhaps for the rest of her life, or eternity. 

I was told our kind neither lived nor die, we don’t eat nor sleep, no emotions and we can’t see colors. We roam this universe till the end of time as an empty shell, until we are ready to be humans. We take their place and let them live in limbo until they figure it out and choose another human to take their place. 

I wouldn’t choose this life, her life, to be her, but she was following me as if offering her-self to me and it was easier than to pick a prey. Funny, with no emotion, I felt hatred towards her, perhaps it was a sign I was ready to get out of the limbo and she was perfect. Any imperfection in this new life, I could manage and change it a little here and there. The thing is, I’m out of limbo, for now.

************************************************************************************************************

As I walked away from the house I once called home, the colors fade and the world was black and white once again. A smile curled on my face with no happiness behind it. I smiled cause I won. Sure it was remarkable to have lived as human; the colors were beautiful, the feelings were entertaining, but living was dull. And the call from my oncologist didn’t help. Everything failed and when I realized I had a deadline I crave immortality once again, and I know just how and who to get it from. I laid the work years before, when the time came all I needed to do was annoy her enough, just enough that she would teach me a lesson, a lesson in which she thought she came out as a winner. Little did she know, she was part of my plan all along. 

The End

In The Forest of Fey (warning!! for 18 and above)

She swift through the forest as tho flying above the ground. She lifted her long skirt with one hand and the other was shoving branches from the way. Her long brown hair followed her as tho leaving traces.

He noticed her from a distance. She was a another gypsy he met in his travels, yet something about her intrigued her. He had to know where she came from, who was she.

She was moving so fast, one second she was jz a few feet in front of him and the next he lost her.

He moved faster following the trail she left until he was on an opening by a lake. The moon was shining bright, reflecting its ray on the lake's surface. It was calm, it was quiet.. and no sign of her.

He looked around for her but saw nothing. He strained his ears to listen for the slightest noise she would make, but heard nothing.

Then suddenly as though a cold breeze rushed through him, he heard her whisper in his ear "looking for me?"

Her voice was a melody and yet cold. He turned hoping to see her face to face but she wasn't there.

There was a soft laugh surrounding him.. it was as though she was circling the opening he was on and laughing at him. Her voice was sweet and made him wished the laugh wud never stop.

"Tell me stranger... y did u follow me?" she asked, not showing herself yet.

"U pulled me here dear gypsy... don't pretend u don't know..." he said

"A mortal man in the forest of fey... i wonder what u possessed that they let u in..." her voice came from one place this time... behind him. He turned around and saw her walking out of the forest to the opening.

She was bathed in the moon beam. Her hair glowed, her face shone. The mist in her eyebrows glisten, her nose perfectly placed and her small pink lips were irresistible. She started to walk towards him.

She was wearing a white transparent dress with a low neck cut, showing her beauty bone at the end of her long slender neck. Her breasts pressed against her dress and he could see her pink nipples trough the transparent sheet. Her stomach was flat and a butterfly tattoo surrounding her belly button with a belly ring on it. He kept looking with lusty eyes and as his eyes were going further down, she was right in front of him.

She raised his chin with her two fingers... "I'm up here mortal man.." she said with a seductive smile.

Her smile radiated and he couldn't resist but smile himself. "Who are you gypsy? y does my soul calls for u?" he asked looking deep into her eyes.

She said nothing but leaned forward, brushing her cold lips to his, kissing him softly, parting his lips. He replied. She kissed him more passionately.

She pressed her body against his, her one hand caressed his cheek and the other running along his chest...

He could feel her breast against his chest and all his blood was running to the right places. He placed his hand at the back of her head and played with her hair.

Her hand was going lower... around his stomach, down to his crotch, grabbing on his erect penis softly, moving her hand up and down along it with a little pressure, making it harder at every stroke.

As though she found what she was looking, she stopped kissing him and looked into his eyes and said "u wanna know who i m? then follow me"

Saying so she lose all her cloths and ran towards the lake. He just stood at his place looking at her. She looked back at him and waved him to follow her with a giggle. And then she jump to the lake splashing cold water all over.

She reappeared after a moment. The full moon shone on her wet hair, face, neck and naked breasts.. they were full and round.

"Come!! follow me... n I will show u the wonderland of my dreams..."

* * *

The Newspaper that morning printed a story about a man drowned in the infamous lake that lies in the middle of the forest. The town’s people feared that forest mostly known as ‘The Forest of Fey’. Many peculiar things happen there and many men who went in that forest in the middle of the night never see the light of day. Most of them found drowned in the lake with a eerie smile on their face. Oddly enough, no females were ever known to have been lost or killed in the forest of fey.

The town’s people avoided that forest, especially after sundown. But every now and then a clueless passing traveler becomes their prey.

~fin~

Serendipity

"Have you heard of in love with love?" he asked

"No, what's that?" I replied

"That's where you are..."

And he did not explain further.

--------------------------------------------------

I walked alone in a lonely beach, feeling the sand on my feet at every step i take. The sun was just setting and the view was too beautiful to ignore. I reached my favorite spot and stopped. I used my slippers as a base and sat on them. I sat facing the sea, the sun's rays felt soft on my tender skin. Sea gulfs were flying and swimming... their noises of conversing to each other sounded soothing music to my ears in that picture.

I relaxed and let my mind ponder around. I thought back and all the memories from the past played as a movie in my head. There were laughthers, tears, fun, fear, love and hurt. I ponder around the present and i couldn't find any flaw in it. I've got it all, everything i want... then y m i nt satisfied? Y m i still looking for something... something that i don't even know what it is...

From a distance, I heard the familiar barking I hear every evening. A Siberian Husky came running towards me and jumped on me. I fell and he started licking my face, asking me to play with him. I laughed and ruffled his furr and scratched behind his ears.

"Jordan!!!" A bass voice called and then the owner of the voice came to view. He, who i wait for to meet every evening. He, whom i met by chance but friends by choice.

Dominic was his name. I met him a couple months before when Jordan, the huge Siberian Husky ran away with my slippers in his jaw. I chased the stupid dog, cursing him aloud as the slippers he took was my favorite. The dog went to his owner, who was Dominic, the guy that i hated for having his dog ruin my best pair of slippers.

Dominic apoligized again and again. He cursed Jordan and hit him on his head. Jordan cried and looked at me with pityfull eyes, as if saying he's sorry. My heart melted, i've always have a soft sport for dogs. I told Dominic it was ok...i told him to stop scolding Jordan.

"I'm really sorry, I should have trained him harder... Maybe it's jz coz it's mating period for him n im nt letting him getting any bitch pregnant. He's a lil bit agitated and hyper coz of that." Dominic said in his bass voice. I laughed.

"Every living thing has the right to enjoy sexual pleassure... u r nt to stop any1 from getting some action." i said and he laughed at my comment.

He looked at me deep for a while and then he shoved his hand to me, "I'm Dominic" he said.

"Shelina…” I said shaking his hand.

“Hey!! I gotta get u a new pair of shoes… Jordan seems to have torn them apart.”

“Those are slippers…”

“Potato patata… dun really know the difference…” He shrugged his shoulder. “I know this beautiful shop which sells all type of accessories and it’s having a sale. And then after that, maybe we can sit down and have a cup of tea in the café next to the store… they serve this amazing green tea…”

“Are you asking me on a date???” I asked raising my left eyebrow.

“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not…” he paused for a sec or two, “Any problem?”

“No... I would love to have a cup of coffee…”

“Tea!” he cut me in.

“Potato patata… coffee…tea… same difference.”

“They are not the same!!! Coffee is bad for health… on the contrary, tea is good. I dislike coffee!” I couldn’t hide my giggles anymore… I giggled and laughed. The way he said it was just toooo CUTE!!!

“Now! don’t you laugh at me!! Are you coming or not?” He said looking sharply at me but I could see a hint of a smile curling on his lips.

“I don’t mind the cup of tea… But you don’t have to buy me a new pair of slippers… just pay for my tea…” I said while gasping for breath in the mid of all the laughing.

“Come on!!!” he said gripping my wrist and pulled me from the beach.

He took me to this beautiful (as he said it was) authentic accessories shop situated just by the beach roads. It sold loads of authentic and unique all types of accessories, from earrings to bags and shoes and slippers. He helped me pick up the most beautiful yet comfortable slippers I’ve ever come across… they were amazingly perfect, their price were too.

Dominic said not to worry… apparently it was his mom’s shop and he didn’t hv 2 even pay for those beauty. After that he took me to this cozy café just few buildings away. It was called ‘Relax café’ and damn sure it was a relaxing place to be. The café was situated just by the beach, the second floor has a verandah that’s goes directly above the sea.

We spent that evening talking about a lot of stuffs and laughing at every joke said every other minute. Dominic was a funny guy… it was just comfortable sitting and talking to him for hours.

That evening started with a meeting of two strangers and ended up with two friends saying byes and promising to catch up with each other the next day.

Since then almost every day me and Dominic with Jordan would meet in the beach. Sometimes, we would be walking Jordan; sometimes we would just sit and talk while looking at the calming sea. In just a few days, Dominic had filled most of the empty spaces in my heart. I look up to meet him every evening…when he doesn’t show I could feel myself strive to smile.

“Hey Jordan!!! Behave!” Dominic said once again with stern voice. Jordan stopped licking me and looked at Dominic. “Get off!” Dominic ordered, Jordan stepped away from me and went to Dominic. “Sit!!” his master ordered again and he sat. “Remain seated!!!” Dominic looked at Jordan’s eye and kept looking for a couple second and Jordan sat as a good boy.

I stood up and brushed away sand from my clothes while laughing and giggling. “How are you?” I asked in between my giggles.

“Better…now that I’ve seen you.” He said with his boyish smile.

“U missed me?” I asked teasingly.

“hmmm hmmm tease!!!” he said. I laughed. We sat down and started talking about our day and everything that we passed.

With Dominic I feel alive, I feel like I could say anything that’s in my mind without wondering or fearing of what he might think of me or judge me. With Dominic I was myself that I don’t even know about. I could be a child, I could be wild. Maybe it’s the fact that he only knows me when I’m on the beach n not in reality. Maybe it’s because I never thought of knowing him more. Maybe it’s the fact that I took him as beach buddy and nothing more. Maybe that’s why with Dominic I was free.

“Hey Shelina… in what world are you lost?” He asked

“Huh?” I looked at him

“Everyday u come to the beach and stare at the sea…lost in thoughts that I wish to know of…” he said smiling

I smiled back… “Loads of things… about life, love, friends, future… I think I’m having a pre-midlife crisis…”

He laughed… “Pre-midlife crisis is when you are almost fifty… now you are just having a quarter life crisis.”

“Y is it fifty a midlife??? People don’t actually live till a hundred years… and we don’t know when we die… so if I die at the age of 40 that means my midlife is at the age of 20… rite?”

“Because my dear, normal human life expectancy is a hundred year… that is why 50 is assumed as a midlife.”

“Whatever…”

“I am having a quarter life crisis myself…”

“Really?” I raised my eyebrows

“Yup…I don’t know what I’m doing in life is right or not and everything seemed to be going the wrong way and nothing is right…” he sighed…

“There… there… life isn’t all that confusing…” I said rubbing his shoulder.

“You know what makes me smile the past few days?” he asked looking straight into my eyes…

“What?”

“The thought of meeting you… and then talking to you and seeing your pretty smile..”

I blushed…

“Shelina… Life’s too short to think about stuffs that’re better off flow away…” He took my hand and said in a soft voice.

“Says the person who just admitted he has quarter life crisis…” I teased

“Well, I feel and believe that our energy wave and brain wave transmit the same signals… so I can feel that u are very disturb at this moment and at times like this, I wanna be ur strength… next time, wen im low, u be my strength…”

“Ok…” I smiled

“What’s in your mind? What’s bothering you?”

I kept quiet for a while and sighed, “I don’t know… I don’t know what I want, what I’m thinking, heck I’m not even sure who I am… I think I think 2 much…”

“U r twenty, time to think, to create urself, to walk on the path u choose… I think that’s normal. As long as u don’t over analyze things n destroy ur character.”

“Hmmm…” Dominic’s words sounded wise, a bit heavy, but it somehow calmed me.

“Shelina…” he whispered in my ears… “Tell me, how do I steal u away from your thoughts?”

I moved away and looked at him, “If I tell you that, then what’s the fun?”

He kept quiet n kept looking at into my eyes. “Tell me, have you found the answer?” he asked.

“To what?”

“In love with love….”

I kept quiet… I still don’t understand his comment on that. How can you fall in love with love? Is he trying to say that I’m obsessed with falling in love? What is he trying to say?

He came closer to me still keeping eye contact with me, I couldn’t move. “Are you still looking for something?”

I nodded and that’s all I can do.

He caressed my cheek and came closer.

“Look no more…” he said and slowly he reached my lips with his and kissed me softly. An electric shock went through all my body. It was bliss.

Slowly I rounded my hand around his neck and we kissed deeper.

All my questions were answered. It feels like I found that thing I’ve been looking for. I felt complete and bliss. I was indeed in love with love…

He let me go and looked at my blushing face and asked “Found it now?”

I couldn’t answer but I know he could hear my thoughts and feel what I was feeling.

I might only know Dominic on the beach. I don’t know him outside the beach, I don’t know his life and that might be the biggest problem in starting a relationship… My mind says I’m crazy, my heart says I need to be with him. Wise man says only fools rush in… maybe I’m a fool, but I know if I don’t give it a try, I’d wonder the rest of my life.

I’m in love with him… no matter who he is, what he does. And from now on whatever happens, that remains. Maybe it’d work out, maybe it won’t… Maybe we different people outside the beach and maybe we can’t deal with those differences, but I know that though we are different people out there, what we are here on the beach is a part of us.

No matter what happens next, at least we had these times… At least we have our friendship… At least for a while, he made me feel complete… At least for a while he brought magic to my life.

The End.

Suatu Malam Di Bangsal Anatomi

Rika memandang sekeliling ruang praktikum anatomy. Jam 6 sore dan langit sudah mulai gelap. Ruang praktikum masih dipenuhi ank - anak D3 kedokteran yang masih praktikum. Rika sendiri duduk si satu sis ruang oraktikum, menghadap kadaver (mayat yang diawetkan) yang masih komplit.

Rika adalah mahasiswi kedokteran tingakt 3 yang menjadi asisten dosen di bagian anatomy. Hari itu, tugasnya adalah membuka kadaver baru untuk praktikum mahasiswa berikutnya. seharusnya Rika melaksanakan tugasnya ini siang tadi, tapi teman-teman-nya memaksanya untuk ikut main bowling. Alhasil dia harus menyelesaikan-nya di sore hari, mungkin sampai malam.

Rika mendesah... ternyata ruang anatomi menyeramkan bila hari mulai gelap, pikrinya. Padahal dulu pas gue praktikum anatomi di siang hari, ruangan ini nggak seseram sekarang. Mungkin faktor siang ahri dan rame.... sedangkan D3 hanya 20 orang.

lebih baik gue menyelesaikan tugas yang diberikan Dr. Shanty dengan cepat. gue pengen cepet - cepet pergi dari sini.

berpikir begitu, Rika melanjutkan kerjanya; mengupas kulit kaku kadaver tsb dan membersikan lemak - lemak di bawah kulit, dll.

sekitar jam 7, anak anak d3 sudah selesai praktikum dan mulai berangsur - angsur pulang.

Keadaan ruang anatomi makin menyeramkan. Sepi. Langit luar sudah gelap dan sepertinya kan hujan. Suara angin yang berhembus di celah - celah kecil dan bunyi geledek menambah seram keaadaan di sana.

Tapi itu semua masih okay, dosen - dosen masih ada yang di ruang dosen ataupun di ruang anatomi, dimana Rika berada, membereskan kadaver kadaver yang tadi dipakai praktikum.

Jam 8 malam, dosen - dosen sudah pada pulang. Tinggal Dr. Shanty dan Dr. Grey. Mereka pun sudah bersiap - siap pulang.

"Rika, kamu sudah selesai?" tanya Dr. Shanty.

"Belum dok, sedikit lagi..."

"Oh... ya setidaknya selesaikanlah tungkai atas. kamu tinggal di asrama kan? jadi tidak ada kesulitan pulang kan?"

"I..Iya." Rika ragu. Bukan soal pulang yang g takutin, tapi ada di ruang anat pada jam segini. Mana udah mau ujan lagi.

"Makanya kamu seharusnya kerjakan tadi siang, biar nggak kemalaman." Kata Dr. Shanty seperti menyalahkan.

Sialan nih dokter. Bukan-nya suruh gue ngelanjutin besok malah keliatan seneng gue harus di sini. Emang salah gue sih. Harusnya tdi gue cuekin Alex cs en langsung ke ruang anat.

"Ya sudah. Aku tinggal dulu. Pak Joko sama si Amir bakalan ada di sini. Nanti setelah selesai suruh mereka kunci dan beres - beres." Kata Dr. Shanty.

Pak Joko dan Amir itu adalah orang - orang pesuruh di bagian anatomy.

"Iya dok." Rika menjawab pasrah dengan nasib.

Setelah Dr. Shanty dan Dr. Grey pergi... Ruang anatomy jadi sepi total. Pak Joko lagi ada di bangsal potong dan Amir duduk di depan pintu ruang praktikum.

Rika melihat sekeliling dan bergidik.

Selain kadaver yang sedang di tangani-nya, di meja - meja lain ada bebeparap kadaver yang sudah di keluarkan unutk praktikum besok. Dikeluarkan malam hari agar bau formalin-nya tidak terlalu menyengat.

Gila, gue nggak pernah nyaka bakalan harus kerja malem hari sambil ditemenin mayat, pikir Rika.

"Mbak Rika masih lama?" Tanya pak Joko yang baru keluar dair bangsal potong.

"Nggak juga sih pak, paling setengah jam lagi. Bapak mau pulang?" tanya Rika. Dia tau bahwa pak Joko dan Amir hanya menunggu untuknya selesai abru bisa pulang.

"Oh nggak nggak. Hari ini memang saya harus lembur. Ada mayat baru dari forensik mau masuk" kata Pak Joko.

"Mayat baru?"

"Iya mau diawetkan..."

"Ohhh..." Rika hanya meng-oohhh.

Sumpe loe... mayat baru??? Kadaver aja udah serem banget... apa lagi mayat baru... pikir Rika.

Saat itu juga, di depan ruang praktiku anatomy datang dua orang dengan meja dorong dengan katung hitam sebesar tubuh manusia dewasa di atasnya.

"Wah itu udah dateng... saya liat ke sana dulu ya mbak." Kata pak Joko.

"Iya..."

pak Joko meninggalkan Rika yang melanjutkan kerjanya.

Tak berepa lama kemudian dia masuk lagi dengan Amir dan kedua orang forensik dan kantung mayat itu.

mereka memindahkan mayat tersebut ke meja yang ada di ruang praktikum itu dan membuka kanungnya. Setelah itu kedua orang forensik itupun pergi.

Rika yang penasaran berdiri dari tempatnya dan mendekati meja mayat baru itu.

"Mayat ini mau diapakan?" Tanya Rika. Dia menutup hidungnya. Bau mayat itu membuatnya ingin muntah. Dan wajah pucat mayat laki - laki stengah baya itu membuat bulu kuduk Rika berdiri.

"Ya diawetkan... seperti yang tadi saya bilang." Kata pak Joko. "Untung yang ini matinya secara alami... jadi nggak begitu susah untuk diawetkan. Coba kalo karena perdarahan ataupun gagal jantung."

"Emang diawetkannya gimana?" tanya Rika.

"Ya pertama... darahnay dikeringkan lalu disuntik formalin baru direndem di formalin selama berhari - hari." Jelas pak Joko dengan singkat.

"Ohhh..." lagi - lagi Rika hanya bisa meng-ooohhh. "Ya udah pak... saya kembali kerja lagi ya." kata Rika.

"Oh iya... silakan silakan." Kata pak Joko.

kehadiran mayat itu di ruang praktikum anat membuat resah Rika, tapi kenyataan bahwa setidaknya pak Joko dan Amir juga ada di ruang tsb membuatnya agak tenang. Setidaknya dia tidak sendiri dengan mayat - mayat yang sudah diawetkan.

Bunyi geledek makin sering dan kilat petir menyambar. Hujan pun mulai turun...

Ah great!!! Perfect!!! pikir Rika. Cocok banget untuk film horror...

Tepi petir dan geledek dan kilat dan hujan belum seberapa. Tak lama kemudian... bersamaat dengan petir yang mengelegar dan kilat yang berkilat.... lampu ruang anatomi mati. Lampu seluruh bagian anatomi mati....

Rika mengeluarkan suara kaget yang terdengar seperti anak anjing yang kesakitan.

"Wah mati lampu." Rika mendengar suara Amir dari seberang, dimana dia bersama pak Joko sedang mengurusi mayat baru.

"Waduh... memang udah lama sakelarnya bermasalah." ujar pak Joko.

"Aduh gelap banget... gimana nih pak?" Tanya Rika dengan suara bergetar ketakutan.

"Mbak Rika tenag aja. Bapak akan segera periksa." Kata pak Joko.

"Aduh, aku jangan di tinggal sendiri." kata Rika.

"Si Amir ada di sini kok." kata Pak Joko... dia menyalakan lighter dan menuju laci meja kerja petugas piket. Dia mengeluarkan beberapa lilin dan menyalakan mereka.

Dia menaruh dua lilin di dekat Rika, dan dua di dekat Amir dan si mayat.

"Sebentar ya Mbak. Saya nyalakan lagi. Lebih baik Mbak Rika jangan mengerjakan dulu. Takut nanti malah mbak Rika terluka dengan pisau potong." Wnati pak Joko.

Ye.... siapa juga yang mau kerja kalo gelap begini. Pikir Rika. Tapi dia hanya mengangguk dan mengiyakan dengan suara pelan.

Rika melihat ke arah Amir berdiri. Ditengah remang - remang cahaya lilin, Amir dan mayat tersebut terlihat lebih seram. Sambil bergidik Rika memalingkan muka dan pandangannya jatuh pada kadaver di depan-nya. Mayat juga... menyeramkan.

Akhirnya Rika memutuskan untuk melihat langit - langit. Tapi juga tidak membantu... langit - langit sangat gelap... hitam pekat.... seperti ada dimensi lain di sana.

"Klontang Klontang klang bluk tang jeng" tiba - tiba ada rentetan suara keras seperti barang - barang terbuat dari besi jatuh menimpa sesuatu.

"Ya ampun." Rika terpanjat kaget. "Apa itu?"

"Nggak tau. Saya lihat dulu ya mbak." Kata Amir.

"Eh... lihat di mana?" Tanya Rika konyol. Dia ketakutan setengah mati. Jantungnya berdegup kencang.

"Ya di luar... jangan - jangan ada maling."

"Aduh jangan... nanti saja kalau lampu udah nyala."

"Nanti keburu kecolongan..."

"Tapi aku takut sendiri."

"Nggak apa - apa kok mbak. Cuma sebentar." sambil berkata begitu, Amir mengambil satu lilin dan keluar dari ruang praktikum tersebut.

Addduuuhh.... sendirian di kamar penuh mayat... mati lampu...

kok bisa sih g terpuruk seperti ini???

Tinggal nunggu hantu-nya keluar nih... pikir Rika

Dia bergidik.... Ih... jangan sampe...

udah - udah Rik, jangan pikir yang macem - macem... mending mikirin Tom Cruise... kata Rika pada diri sendiri... berharap itu dapat membantu...

Tapi Rika tahu, semua orang yang pernah mengalami hal menakutkan tahu, Gue sendiri (sang penulis) tahu bahwa memikirkan Tom Cruise sama sekali tidak membantu mengurangi rasa takut dalam keadaan seperti itu...

Rika menguman lagu 'cobalah untuk setia' by KD. Dia berharap itu bisa mengusir rasa takut.

tiba - tiba saja lilin yang ada si samping mayat baru yang di tinggalkan Amir mati....

Rika merasa jantungnya sebentar lagi akan meledak.

Pasti ada alasan logis. Kan lagi hujan.. pasti tadi diterpa angin. pikir Rika.

"Grusak..." sekali lagi dengan tiba - tiba ada suara dari unjung ruang lab. Tepatnya setelah si mayat baru itu.

Apa itu??? pikir Rika. Adddduuhhh.... gue bisa bener - bener pingsan nih.

"Grusak..." lagi - lagi suara itu. tapi kali ini di lanjutkan suara seretan.. "sret"

"Grusak...sret" "Grusak sret" beberapa kali suara itu terus - terusan ada.

"Pak Joko.... Amir... di mana kalian???" Jerit Rika frustasi, memanggil Pak Joko dan Amir..

"Grusak sret"

"Aku takut nih!!! Cepetan balik dong." Rika berkata lagi... rasanya dia akan menangis sebentar lagi.

"Grusak sret"

Rika memberanikan diri untuk melihat ke arah suara tersbut. Mungkin hanya jendela terbuka yang tertiup angin, dia berharap.

Pandanganya menyapu ke ujung ruang... melewati tempat mayat baru itu berbaring...

Ada bayangan... sesuatu atau seseorang...

Rika bergidik.

Suara "grusak sret" tidak terdengar lagi.

Apa itu pikirnya....

Setakut - takut-nya Rika, tidak bisa menahan rasa ingin tahu-nya

dia sangat penasaran.

Dengan hati - hati Rika mengangkat salah satu lilin yang ada di dekatnya. Dengan perlahan - lahan dan hati - hati dia berjalan menuju asal muasal suara aneh itu. Dan tempat dia melihat bayangan yang nggak jelas itu...

Pelan - pelan sekali, hati - hati sekali Rika berjalan diantara meja - meja yang ada kadaver-nya.

Di tengah jalan dia merasakan angin berhembus di belakangnya dan ketika dia berbalik, dia melihat lilin satu lagi yang dia tinggalkan dekat kadaver tadi sudah mati.

Aaammmpppuuunnn... Nggak lagi deh gue kerja malem malem di bagian anatomy... serem!!!

Apa mending gue sekarang kabur ke asrama aja???

Tapi, seperti yang tadi sudah disebut... rasa takut Rika tidak bisa menekan rasa penasaran-nya.

Dia maju lagi perlahan - lahan.

Ketika dia sampai di sebelah meja yang ada mayat baru, dia melihat sekilas ke arah mayat baru itu.

Kok sepertinya mayatnya agak kegeser ya? pikir Rika...

Ah kacau - kacau... gue udah mulai mikir yang aneh aneh...

kalaupun bergeser, pasti tadi pak Joko yang ngegeser.

Lalu Rika pun lanjut jalan ke ujung ruangan.

Dia hanya beberapa meter dari bayangan yang tadi dia lihat. Dia berhenti. kakinya berat seperti batu. Memang tidak jelas bentuk bayangan itu apa tapi setidaknya lebih jelas dari pada dari kejauhan.

Bayangan itu seperti seseorang dengan pakaian putih yang duduk di kursi... atau sesuatu yang ditutupi kain putih sehingga terlihat seperti orang dengan dengan selendang putih.

Rika ragu untuk melanjutkan jalan-nya. Bagaimana nanti dia melihat yang seharusnya tak dilihatnya??? Tapi dia akan penasaran dan tidak bisa tidur nanti malem karena pasti dia akan tetap mengira bayangan itu adalah hantu.

Pati nanti pas gue deketin trus ternyata hanay alat - alat perlengkapan yang ditutup kain, gue akan merasa silly banget.

Dengan berpikir seperti itu, Rika hendak melanjutkan jalan-nya. Ketika itu juga, kilat menyambar dan Rika dapat melihat dengan jelas apa gerangan bayangan yang membuatnya penasaran.

Di sana... di pujung ruang praktikum anatomi, duduk di kursi yang biasa dipakai mahasiswa untuk duduk ketika praktikum adalah...

Seorang gadis berpakaian putih dan rambut hitam sepanjang pinggang yang tergerai menutupi wajahnya bak Sadako di film the ring ataupun hantu cewek di film the grudge.

Gadis atau setan itu melihat ke arah Rika, saat itu Rika tidak bisa melihat dengan jelas lagi karena tidak ada kilat... tapi di remang - remang cahaya lilin, Rika tahu hantu itu berdiri dan mendekatinya.

Sesaat Rika tidak bisa bergerak. Dia hanya terpaku melihat bayangan gadis hantu itu mendekat.

Lalu kilat menyambar lagi dan kali ini Rika melihat wajah gadis hantu tersebut.

Wajahnya putih pucat, bibirnya semerah darah dan ada lingkarang hitam di sekeliling matanya...

Yang paling menakutkan....

Mata gadis itu putih semua tidak ada pupil hitam-nya.

"Wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Rika menjerit. Dia menjatuhkan lilin yang dipegangnya dan berlari keluar dari ruang praktikum tanpa mempedulikan apa - apa lagi.

Dia berlari menuju pintu ruang praktikum. Dia berlari di koridor bagian anatomi yang terbuka.

Dia terus berlari... Sampai di ujung koridor, dekat pintu keluar bagaian anatomy, dia melihat cahaya api kecil.

Cahaya api kecil itu melayang - layang di udara. Bak hantu api di komik komik jepang.

Ada dua hantu api tersebut.

Baru saja Rika mau menjerit, Lampu menyala dan ada seruan

"SURPRISE!!!!!"

Rika membiarkan matanya beradaptasi dengan cahaya terang yang tiba - tiba. Lalu dia melihat kedepan.

Yang pertama dilihatnya adalah kue ulang tahun dengan lilin berangka 2 dan 2 menyala di atasnya. Ternyata api lilin itulah yang tadi dikiranya hantu api.

Lalu dilihatnya teman baik sekaligus teman sekamarnya di asrama, Alexia, biasa dipanggil Alex. Gadis manis itulah yang sedang membawa kue ulang tahun tersebut.

Di belakang Alex ada teman - teman-nya yang lain dari asrama maupun teman teman sekalasnya yang tidak tinggal di asrama.

Ada Dr. Shanty, Dr. Grey dan Dr. Aria. Pak Joko dan Amir pun ada.

Mereka lalu serentak menyanyikan lagu ulang tahun.

"Loe kaget kan?" Tanya Alex ketika lagunya selesai. "Kita udah kerja sama dengan orang - orang di bagian anatomy untuk buat surprise buat loe." jelasnya

Emang sih dari pagi Rika sedih karena hanya dikit teman - teman-nya yang inget ultah-nya. Tapi itu nggak diambil pusing. Sekarang teman - temannya berada di sana memberinya surprise.

"Ya ampun.... Makasih." Kata nya memeluk Alex. "Jadi semua ini rencana kalian?"

"Iya." Jawab mereka serentak.

"Untuk nakut - nakutin gue?"

"Iya"

"Loe pada ngajak bowling biar gue kemaleman di ruang anatomy?" Tanyanya pada teman - teman-nya

"Iya." Jawab teman- teman-nya

"Trus Dr. Shanty agak maksa biar aku ngenyelesaikan tungkai atas hari ini juga bagian dari rencana?" tanyanya pada Dr. Shanty

"Iya" Jawab Dr. Shanty

"Trus mayat yang dikirim???"

"Harusnya di kirim tadi siang, tapi kami minta dikirim malem... biar tambah nyeremin suasana." Kata Dr. Grey.

"Mati lampu?"

"Kami yang matiin." kata Dr. Aria

"Suara keras spt kemalingan?"

"Oh itu saya, biar Amir ada alasan keluar." Kata pak Joko.

"Lilin mati?"

"Huh?" semua melihat satu sama lain bingung. Sepertinya mereka tidak tahu perihal lilin.

"Hantu cewek di ujung ruangan?" Tanya Rika

"Loe ngomong apaan sih?" Tanya Alex.

"Itu loh... hantu cewek mirip Sadako yang duduk di ujung ruangan." kata Rika. Dia merasa nggak enak. Kok sepertinya itu bukan bagian dari rencana.

"Gue nggak tahu masalah gituan... yang ngeset ruang praktikum itu Ridho..." Kata Alex

"Tapi gue nggak tau apa - apa tentang hantu cewek kayak Sadako." Kata Ridho. "Mungkin putri kali yang ngakalin." dia berbalik pada cewek bernama Putri.

"Ah nggak kok. Gue nggak ngakalin yang kayak gitu...." Kata Putri.

"Trus itu siapa?? ato apa donk?" Tanya Rika. Sekali lagi dia merasa seluruh tubuhnya bergetar dan kakinya dingin.

"Rik...Rik..." Tiba - tiba saja Alex memanggil Rika dengan suara bergetar dan mata ketakutan. Semua yang ada di sana juga melihat ke belakang Rika, arah ruang praktikum, dengan mata ketakutan.

"Apa? Ada apa??" Tanya Rika yang juga ketakutan.

"I...Itu..." Alex menunjuk ke belakang Rika.

Rika melihat ke belakangnya dan melihat hantu sadako yang tadi dilihatnya di ruang praktikum berjalan mendekati mereka.

"WWWaaaaaa....." Sekali lagi Rika menjerit dan hendak lari, tapi ditahan oleh Alex dan yang lain-nya.

Mereka pun tertawa...

Saat itu, Rika tahu bahwa Sadako itu pun adalah rencana mereka.

"Sialan loe." Kata Rika.

Hantu Sadako itu tertawa dan melepas wig rambut panjangnya. Ternyata dia adalah Dina, teman sekelas Rika.

"Met ulang tahun ya Rik, Sorry agak keterlaluan." Kata Dina.

"Tapi seru kan." Kata Ridho.

"Ya udah, pestanya lanjutin di asrama aja..." Kata Dr. Aria.

"Kecuali kalian mau pesta ditemenin kadaver dan bau formalin." Kata Dr. Shanty.

Semua tertawa dan setuju untuk melanjutkan pestanya di asrama.

"Eh barang gue masih di ruang praktikum..." kata Rika. "Lex, temenin gue ambil yuk." ajak Rika.

Alex mengangkat bahu dan mengikuti Rika.

"Gue tungguin di sini deh." Kata Ridho. Dan Putri dan pak Joko juga ikut nemenin Ridho.

"Sialan Ridho... bukannya nemenin kita ke dalem." kata Alex ketika dia dan Rika sudah berjalan di koridor menuju ruang praktikum. "Pati takut tuh dia."

"ya udahlah... cuma bentar ini" kata Rika

Mereka memasuki ruang praktikum yang sekarang terang oleh lampu. Tapi suasanya tetap saja mencekam. Alex bergidik.

"Cepet Rik... gila betah aja loe di sini... udah serem mana bau lagi." kata Alex

"Ye baru segini... Loe bayangin gimana tadi gue... kalo gue tadi pingsan gimana?"

"Loh kita kan tau loe nggak selemah itu... kita juga nggak keterlaluan untuk nakutin orang yang penakut banget." bela Alex

"Udah buruan."

"Iya iya..." Rika merapihkan alat - alat yang dipakainya untuk mengurus kadaver tadi, lalu membereskan barang - barang-nya sendiri.

"Krek..krek..krek..." ada suara seperti kuku mengaruk garuk kayu...

"Apa itu?" Tanya Alex hampir meloncat karena kaget.

"Kayaknya dari bangsal potong." Kata Rika.

"Ih... kan yang ada disana cuma kadaver..." kata Alex. "Masa kadavernya bergerak?"

Rika ketawa.

"Kok loe ketawa sih?"

"Ini pasti perbuatan loe pada lagi kan?" kata Rika.

"Hah? Nggak"

"Alah jangan Bohong..."

"Ya ampun Rik, beneran... sumpe loe... lagian mana ada orang yang tahan lama - lama di bangsal potong??? orang bau formalin gitu... udah mati duluan kali." Alex mencoba meyakinkan Rika.

Rika mengerutkan dahi. Suara "krek krek" dari bangsal potong masih terus bersuara. Bener juga yang Alex bilang, pikir Rika. Tapi dia masih kurnag yakin.

"Brak!!!" Saat itu juga ada suara keras yang mengagetkan kedua sahabat itu... keduanya melihat ke arah suara itu.

Tangan mayat baru yang tadinya ada disamping badanya di atas meja potong sekarang sudah setengah nggak diatas meja. Tanganya mengantung dari sisi meja.

"Rik, perasaan tadi pas kita masuk, tangan tuh mayat ada di atas meja dengan rapih deh." Kata Alex mendekati Rika.

"I..Iya... loe pasti ini bukan usul - usulan anak - anak???" Tanya Rika.

"Iya pasti... gue merinding nih" kata Alex ketakutan...

"Gue juga..." Kata Rika. Dia mengangkat ranselnya. "Keluar yuk."

Mereka melangkah ke pintu... dan mereka dikagetkan dengan suara bantingan yang keras.

Sekali lagi dengan tiba - tiba saja, Semua jendela yang berentetan di ruang praktikum terbuka dengan keras satu per satu dari ujung yang satu ke ujung yang lain.

"Brak...Brak...Brak...."

"Waaaa..."

Tanpa berkata apa - apa lagi kedua cewek itu lari meninggalkan ruang praktikum.

"Kenapa loe berdua lari - larian begitu?" Tanya Ridho yang memang masih menunggu mereka di pintu keluar bagian anatomy.

"A...Ada hantu... " kata Rika.

"Su...suara dari bang...bangsal potong." Kata Alex

keduanya ngos - ngosan.

"Hantu? bangsal potong? apan sih?" Tanya Putri.

"Jend...jendela...terbuka...diri..." Kata Rika lagi, masih ngos - ngosan.

"Ah loe mau nakutin kita untuk ngebales kan." kata Ridho...

"Ng..Ngak" Alex mengelengkan kepalanya dan tanganya. "Dia nggak bohonh, gue nggak bohong... ada suara dari bangsal potong, trus mayatnya bergerak... trus jendela terbuka sendiri."

Ridho, Putri hanya tergencang. (Pak Joko udah nggak disana) Mashi bingung mau percaya ato nggak.

"Brak!!!" Suara keras sekali lagi, sepertinya saat ini pintu ruang praktikum yang tertutup dengan kencang.

"Mending kita pergi yuk." Kata Putri yang sekarang terlihat pucat.

"Iya... ayo!!" Sahut Rika. Dan mereka berempat pun meninggalkan bagian anatomy.

Setelah ahri itu, Rika kapok untuk menunda tugas, apalagi tugas yang bersangkutan dengan berada di ruang anatomy.

Memang surprise ultahnya membuat dia senang. Tapi kejadian setelahnya yang buat dia trauma.

Kata pak Joko memang tidak jarang ada yang usil, tapi tidak berbahaya.

setelah saat itu, Rika nggak pernah lagi masuk ke ruang praktikum anatomy selewat Maghrib...

the end.

-Sherry J-