the Mystery of Caraka Family

TRRRT…

TRRRT…

TRRRT…

PYAAAR!

Just as the thunder rumbled, Rani's bedroom lights went out. "Mom, Rani is scared."

"I am beside you."

Rani sighed. "There's something sucking on my navel."

"Similar to me. You memorized the Chair verse (a pray for facing ghosts), right?"

"Yes."

"Read it!"

Rani's bedroom was black as ink. Only occasionally lit by a giant hand of lightning flashing across the sky outside.

"Mom?"

Mrs. Caraka sighed. "What?"

"Now my head feels like something is sucking it," said Rani anxiously.

"Maybe it's a snake!" Mama said in surprise. She tried to feel Rani's head in the darkness.

"Ouch! Stop! That's my nose that Mama pinched."

Mrs. Caraka giggled. "It's nothing. Maybe you are hallucinating because you are too scared."

Rani winced. "Mom, am I lying? I really felt it. This must be a mystical disturbance."

"You're 17th now. It's not good to fantasize about weird things like that. Try to get some sleep!"

Just as Mrs. Caraka finished speaking, she felt her navel being sucked. Then, her navel was twisted. It was so ticklish. "Argh, my navel is being sucked too."

"I told you. Mom doesn't believe me."

"Now my head feels like something has swallowed it. What's going on?" Mrs. Caraka whispered anxiously.

"Mom, I'm scared…"

"Same. Me too …"

Rani and Mrs. Caraka held back their amusement as the suction on their heads and navels grew tighter and tighter until it felt unbearable. It was precisely amusement mixed with fear. When they were both about to faint from fear, suddenly the lights came back on brightly.

Rani and her mother looked at each other. Then, a burst of laughter broke out. What was sucking their navels and heads?

***

"Neng Rani, this is a rose for you," Asep said with a cheerful smile. As usual, he was wearing a t-shirt tucked into his denim pants. Asep was really nerdy, but Rani liked his handsome face. Understandably, it's a puppy love. So, even if he looked like a fancy monkey, Rani would still love him.

 "Thank you," Rani answered briefly. She was still annoyed because Asep didn't come to the meeting last Saturday night. After taking the bouquet of flowers from Asep's hand, she went into her bedroom. Reluctant to come out again.

Asep is indeed annoying. Even though they have been dating backstreet for 3 months without Mr. Caraka, Rani's father, knowing, Asep is still hard to get a hold of. Rani is still a teenager, but she knows that Asep, who is 6 years older, likes to lie.

There was a knock on the door. How dare that annoying man follow her to her bedroom. This is the problem when having a romantic relationship with a relative. "Neng, Neng Rani, are you angry? What did I do wrong?"

What a land crocodile! Still doesn't want to admit that he lied. Rani found out that her lover was deceiving her because Aunt Arin, Asep's mother, told Mrs Caraka during the religious study that last Saturday night Asep visited the house owned by Mr Urip, Sub-district Head who has two daughters at the same age as Rani, namely Evi and Ella.

"I've got a headache. Go home!"

"Get well soon, Neng."

Asep's voice was heard saying goodbye to Mrs. Caraka. Their families were indeed close. But not so close that Rani had to give in to Asep. She didn't want to have anything to do with Asep anymore. This wasn't the first time Asep had lied. He always had reasons to cover up his lies.

"I play futsal with my friends."

"I have a lot of work to do."

"I play badminton."

What's the difference between dating or not? Rani regrets that she accepted Asep's love so easily. Maybe Asep was just playing with her.

Rani remembered the first time Asep confessed his love. It was truly memorable. And now? Asep was indeed arrogant, thinking he was handsome. In fact, there were still many handsome men out there. For example, Arul, Rani's childhood friend who was actually much more handsome than Asep. Arul, Ustaz Jaya's son, was truly pious. His face was radiant. His gaze was always lowered when he saw a woman. Unlike Asep whose eyes darted around like a spider's. Argh, it was clear that Rani was very jealous of Asep.

"I hate Asep. He is so mean to me," Rani whispered to herself. Clear crystals fell and wet her pillow.

***

"Miss Rani…"

Rani froze as Asep hugged her right in front of the stairs. If Mrs. Caraka had known, she would have scolded her best friend's son for his behavior.

The pungent scent of Asep's perfume made Rani's head dizzy. Asep's face got closer. He kissed Rani's cheek. As soft as a butterfly, the kiss stung her heart. Suddenly Rani saw Si Hawuk, the spirit that haunted the house, shaking his head as if he did not agree with Asep's behavior. Then, Si Hawuk just disappeared.

"So, will you be my girlfriend?"

Without waiting for Rani's answer, the tall, thin man hugged her again. Then, he kissed Rani right on her lips. Rani was just petrified. Her brain had difficulty thinking clearly. The world felt like a gust of wind caressing her heart. Understandably, she was still a teenager.

Since then, they have officially been dating. Although Asep is friendly, he is the type of man who is difficult to please. Instant noodles must be cooked half-cooked. Coffee must be just the right amount of sweetness. Chicken only likes to be fried. And many more.

"Asep is my most difficult child," said Aunt Arin. "If he gets angry and doesn't get his way, he will definitely throw tiles at the roof of the house. Just wait and see! My roof has many holes because of that naughty child."

Rani shook her head to clear all memories of Asep. She fell asleep. In her irregular dream, Asep was dating 5 women at once. Not only in the real world or in dreams, Asep was indeed crazy about women.

The peak of Rani's annoyance occurred when she heard the rumor. Asep did not stop spreading the issue to his relatives that he had taken Rani's virginity. What an evil man!

"BREAK UP! WE BREAK UP. I REGRET WE EVER DATE."

"I don't want to break up. Why do we have to break up?" Asep asked stubbornly.

"Just ask those cute lips of yours! I don't want to date a sarcastic man. When did we ever have sex? You've ruined my good name. Here, I'll return all your gifts."

Sadly, Asep received all her belongings. Photos of her, diaries, DVDs, and T-shirts with Snoopy on them. Rani was Asep's ideal girl. Yes, he admitted that he was flamboyant, but Rani was special. Asep greatly appreciated Rani's social status, who came from a wealthy and respected family, so he spread the indecent rumors so that no other man would steal Rani.

Rani does not yet understand the intrigue of love. It would be much more appropriate for her to have a love affair with a friend of her age. Not Asep.

***

"I love you so much. Can't we start over again?" Asep asked anxiously. After 7 days of waiting in front of the school gate and being stared at curiously by the students, he managed to intercept Rani. But all he got was an icy stare. Rani's tiny lips were bent fiercely. Asep felt anxious. This wouldn't be easy. But he didn't want to lose his anchor. He grabbed Rani's right hand and immediately pushed it away as if it were bird droppings.

"I never go back on my word. We're over. Forever," Rani said firmly. Then, she ran as fast as she could towards the private car that was picking her up.

Asep could only lower his head dejectedly accompanied by the screams of students watching the breakup drama. They even whistled and yelled.

"Handsome people are also rejected."

"I'm so embarrassed!"

"Just date me…"