The dark night, accompanied by the sound of owls, made the atmosphere tense. The owl’s hoots echoed as I successfully leaped over a small ditch. I chuckled to myself. Did you think I’d be afraid of you, dear owl? You’re mistaken. I’m even scarier than the ghost itself. Fear is my close companion. It’s my weapon.
I kept walking, passing through bushes and crossing rice field embankments until I reached the paved road. I took the shortcut, a narrow path only used by those going to the fields or someone desperately needing to relieve themselves by the stream on the other side. I walked calmly, my bundle of tools ready for tonight’s work. I’ll surely succeed again. This village is quite deserted, especially at night, let alone on such a dark night. I kept walking. At the end of the road, I saw a rather large house with bright lights. I avoided the light as I made my way towards the wealthy widow’s house.
The wealthy widow who owned this house must be asleep by now. The lights inside the house were off. I slowed my pace. I observed the surroundings to ensure it was safe. As I got closer, I noticed that the lights in a room on the right side were still on. I hid behind the lush, dark foliage of a banyan tree. Is the widow still awake at this hour of the night? I felt anxious. Maybe I should wait for a few moments. Perhaps she’ll go to sleep soon. I climbed a banyan branch to peek into the room through the ventilation hole. The widow exited the room and headed towards the living room. The lights were on. But shortly after, the lights went out again. Even the front lights of the house went out. What’s going on with this person? I stayed still, monitoring the situation.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of dried leaves being stepped on from the path I had just crossed. Footsteps became faintly audible in the distance. The longer I listened, the clearer the footsteps became in my ears. The next moment, a figure appeared, getting closer. I couldn’t recognize who it was in the darkness. My gaze shifted back to the widow’s house. Suddenly, the door opened, and the dark figure headed towards it. Who is this person? I became more curious. The house lights were turned on again. It was Sarjud, wasn’t it? Yes, my sight wasn’t mistaken. Then, what was that scoundrel doing coming here on such a dark night? The house lights went out again. From the ventilation hole, I saw them entering the room. Disgusting! Since when did the widow become his lover? He seemed so nice in front of people! The reality? Disgusting! No better than me! Here I am, risking everything to provide for my family. Him? What a bastard to provide for that stingy widow’s soul!
Should I wait for them to finish their “game” to proceed with my plan? They won’t take long. Sarjud is such a weakling. He won’t last long playing with the widow. And it’s unlikely that Sarjud will stay here overnight. If the villagers find out, he’s done for. Maybe that scoundrel from the village decided to come here after watering the crooked fields just to dare enter someone’s house on such dark nights.
I sat calmly on the banyan tree branch, contemplating my strategy for entering the luxurious house later. Oh, the widow must be exhausted after dealing with Sarjud. This will make things easier for me. Damn, suddenly, I sneezed. I couldn’t hold it in. Who can hold a sneeze? Certainly not me. Then I glanced at the room. The lights were off. I heard the door creak. Perhaps Sarjud was leaving the house. He must have heard me sneezing, thinking I was a villager about to expose their affair. I knew. I’m a bad person. No need to report fellow criminals. I’m not the type of criminal who pretends to be good by reporting others’ crimes. To me, my crime is mine. And to him, his crime is his.
The house was surrounded by banana trees. Maybe he slipped in there. Meanwhile, the neighbor’s house was quite far. I had to leave. I didn’t want to waste my time here. I needed to get provisions for my wife and children tonight. I hurriedly climbed down from the banyan tree and left the house’s premises quickly. My first mission tonight was a total failure. I kept walking, cursing repeatedly as I ran.
From one corner of the village, I heard the sound of a gong striking once. The sound echoed in the dark night. The gong sound came from the neighborhood watchman hitting the gong to signal one o’clock. I began to feel uneasy. Dawn would come soon. Many people would patrol to wake up for the pre-dawn meal. I needed to get my “spoils” before morning arrived.
I walked through the darkness on the outskirts of the ditch behind the residents’ settlements. Here, it was somewhat crowded. I had to be more careful. If caught, my family’s fate would hang by a thread again. I didn’t want to repeat my mistake when my actions were caught by villagers just before last year’s Eid. My friends were too reckless and couldn’t assess the situation properly back then. Now, I prefer a solo career, working alone. No need for discussions, just take the profit alone. Remembering my failure back then made me a bit scared. I almost died at the hands of the villagers. Luckily, the police saved my life.
I kept walking
A large house appeared deserted. If I’m not mistaken, the owner’s wife is working abroad. Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Saudi Arabia, I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure, her remittances to her husband are regular. The husband himself is said to take full advantage of the money from his wife. Rumor has it that my neighbor Astri gave birth to a child from her affair with this man. I don’t know. Maybe Astri is involved with another man. I sneaked into the backyard of the house. Dim lights were installed in the corners outside the house. It was very quiet. Surely, everyone was deep in their dreams. It didn’t take me long to reach the house. I tried to pry open the bedroom window with my tool. It took me quite a while to open it. Damn it! Turns out the window was reinforced with strong iron grilles. I gave up. It was impossible to continue. And time kept ticking.
My steps echoed through the silent night as I walked along the deserted road surrounded by sugarcane plants on both sides. Suddenly, the urge to urinate hit me. In such dense foliage, there might be snakes lurking around. I abandoned the idea of relieving myself here and continued walking. My body felt increasingly weary, and I hadn’t earned a single cent to bring back home as a token of my night’s work. Amidst the sugarcane field, I spotted a light. I approached it steadily. It turned out to be a small prayer house. Next to it stood a small house. Beside the prayer house, there was another small room. I hurried towards it. After a few moments, I finished urinating. I felt an unexpected urge to perform ablution. I then entered the prayer house to pray. Since it was Ramadan, I thought it would be appropriate. I prayed quickly and then laid down for a moment. I glanced at the small house next to the prayer house. I noticed a partially open window. Curiosity got the better of me. My instincts kicked in. I stood up and moved closer. I saw an old man sleeping curled up in a sarong. What could I possibly gain from a house like this? But wait. Suddenly, I noticed something. On the table, I saw a twenty-thousand bill. Doubt crept into my mind. But then, I resolved to take action. I widened the window slightly. And to my surprise, my hand reached it. I took the money and it became my only souvenir for the night.
The next night, I embarked on another mission. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on my side again. I almost got caught by the neighborhood watch while attempting to break into a house. I returned home empty-handed. The following night, my efforts yielded nothing once more. Remembering the peaceful atmosphere of the prayer house amidst the sugarcane field, I intentionally passed by there. I relieved myself again and performed my prayers, just like I did three days before. Once again, I noticed the small house’s window partially open. Driven by curiosity, I went back. And there, the old man wrapped in a sarong was still asleep. I surveyed the room. I saw a twenty-thousand and a thirty-thousand bill. I was tempted once again. After carefully observing the old man with white hair who was still asleep, I made up my mind. I widened the window and took the money. I returned home with fifty thousand. Thank God.
The following night, I resumed my activities. The wealthy widow’s house became my main target again. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side once more. I saw the shadow of Sarjud again in the darkness. This time, my arrival was slightly delayed compared to his. I saw his shadow in front of the Widow’s house. He was audacious to engage in adultery during Ramadan. My irritation reached its peak. I grabbed a pebble from under my foot. From a distance, I threw it at him. He was so startled that he screamed. And I continued to throw more. He got scared and ran helter-skelter. His commotion woke up the neighbors. Sarjud, running and screaming in fear, was eventually chased by the villagers. I left. Let the vile adulterer deal with his own people. The wealthy widow’s house was surely no longer safe for me. Many villagers were already awake. I was confused about where to act next. Until the kentongan was struck three times, I hadn’t gained anything. Finally, I returned home empty-handed.
The next night, I visited the prayer house amidst the sugarcane field again and obtained a hundred thousand. The following night, my endeavor failed once more. And the next night, I visited the small house near the prayer house again. I obtained two hundred thousand. This sequence of events continued. It felt very strange. On the ninth and tenth nights, I consecutively went to the small house. This time, I didn’t stop by the prayer house first because the night wasn’t too late yet. Unlike before, the small house’s window was tightly shut. The door too. Everything was tightly closed. I circled around the house. But the result remained the same. My heart started to feel anxious. I took out my tools. I made sure to cover my face with a mask as recommended by the government. At least I followed certain rules. While I was busy trying to pry open the window, suddenly, I heard a voice from behind me.
“Sorry, tonight I haven’t opened the door yet.”
I was half scared to death hearing the voice. I turned to look at him. It turned out to be the old man who usually slept curled up. He was wearing a sarong and a religious robe with a Hajj cap. He seemed to have just returned from the prayer house.
“It’s unusual for you to come at this hour. Come in, let me open the door for you,” the old man said casually.
It was so strange. Who was he? Why was he so calm seeing me? Instead of being afraid of me, he smiled and seemed friendly towards me. Suddenly, I felt afraid. My body trembled. I had never felt fear like this before.
The old man opened the door and entered. He waved at me to come in. I was very confused about what to do. But he kept insisting. Eventually, I followed him into the small and humble house. He gestured for me to sit on a rickety wooden chair. A few moments later, he came back with a glass of water and boiled sweet potatoes.
“Eat, sir. Let me get the money for you.”
Crazy! What was going on here? Why was he treating me like this?
“Just take the money,” he asked me to accept the money in the envelope. I saw his face was very calm. I hesitated, even though I really needed it. I remained silent, letting the envelope sit on the table.
“Who are you really, Old Man?” I asked, gathering my courage.
“I am the owner of this house,” he replied briefly with a genuine smile.
“Then why do you always leave money on your room’s table?” I asked again.
“In Ramadan, all good deeds are multiplied in rewards. I wanted to give that money in charity, but I didn’t know to whom,” he explained.
I furrowed my brow and swallowed hard. Gathering my courage, I asked once again, “Then why did you give me money now? Don’t you know that I’m a thief?”
“Yes, I know you’re a thief,” he replied calmly. “Tomorrow, you don’t need to leave your house. The money is enough for you to live on for a few days. But if someday you come back here, you won’t find any money. I’ve put all my earnings from tending the farm this season in that envelope. Please take it home and give it to your children and wife.”
My body trembled. Fear turned into shame. The night suddenly felt so cold. A gentle breeze blew through the cracks in the wooden walls of this ramshackle house. I returned the money, and I promised never to steal again.
Bantur, April 25, 2020.