PABLO is now one year and nine months old. By July of this summer he would be two years old. Based on Bowo family habits, every two-year-old child, then the parents of the big family should give him a little brother.

For example, Titiek from Harto's family has a little sister, Tommy, after he was two years old. Similarly Agus from the Beye family has a younger brother, Ibas, who was born just when he was two years old.

The tradition in the clan-believing family, that the birth of a new human must take place every two years, and they would gladly give a mark on the date of birth on the family calendar, a calendar system that the red date could have set for itself.

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Families who violate this provision will get a curse: get a child walking with a limp leg. Hence, a family that the birth process of a child does not follow the cycle of family habits, will get scorn, and is considered to aggravate the family image.

"It's just our family way of remembering a great football party: the European Cup and the World Cup," Bowo said once.

As we know, two years after the European Cup takes place, football fans will be presented with a World Cup title. Similarly two years after the World Cup, they immediately reunited with the European Cup. As a family whose blood of football flows in their veins, the cycle is so sacred.

When Pablo's age is one year and eleven months old, his mother will not give birth to another child, signs of pregnancy are not visible at all. It is said, a spiral that was installed shortly after Pablo's cry was heard for the first time, forgot to be pulled from Butin's womb, Pablo's mother.

Pablo obviously has no playmates, because he has not got a sister yet. The lonely Bowo with the loneliness of his little boy required him to adopt a monkey they picked up in the valley of the Grand Morin, two miles from the center of Poligny Town. When the monkey they bring home, he is still small. Looks like the monkey has just left his mother who remarried, while he was forced to beg on the country side of the road, waiting for the cheap road users.

What compassion and desire to give Pablo a playmate, finally the monkey was picked up. Being fed and confined in a special purchased cage in Poligny. During the day he was expelled from the cage, but in his legs still tied the chain. However, later, the chain rope was released, after the family saw signs that the monkey was tame. He also has rights and duties like other family members, and for his obedience, this monkey is named Siben can bear the name of the rich family.

---

AS the summer comes, the Bowo family goes camping into the Pommeuse valley, 40 kilometers north of Poligny Town. In addition to Pablo, father, mother and monkey, the older brother, Prananda also joined them. Camping in the summer has become their family's regular schedule, and it has been marked as a red date on their calendar. While the other family, they also vacation to their respective family camp, and the location is not far away.

In the area they have a vineyard and a large apple orchard. Conches Castle, a legacy of Pablo's great-grandchildren still stands firmly, and becomes their home for the duration of the camping holiday. However, they chose to build a tent not far from the location of the castle in the west there is an old church that has long abandoned its congregation, and supposedly already inhabited by ghosts bla-u.

They can be weeks there, as long as they have enough supplies. A special hall is made for a relaxing place as well as a dining location. During this time, the Maun with his wife and two children, became the guard of the castle. They had been working in the Bowo family's garden for a long time.

It had been two days for the Bowo family there, and there had been no strange things that made the family uncomfortable. The bla-u ghosts who usually disturb them every time they go on holiday, have not done the action yet. So far, everything is still within normal limits and is fine.

On the third day, when Bowo, wife and Prananda (Pablo's brother) examine the vineyard, the Pablo is left playing in the hall with Siben, the monkey. It was Siben who had spent more time with Pablo, guarding and playing with him. Pablo has not felt lonely since Siben was present in the family.

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After being left behind in the hall, Pablo and Siben look cool to play, they run to and fro, and occasionally chase the wild locusts in the area. His name just a small child, luggage is like playing. Like most children, while playing often forget time and forget to eat. So it is with Pablo, he is so enjoying his childhood, especially if with Siben.

Next to the Bowo family's garden was a scrub. Actually, it was once cleansed, but the owner rarely visited there after repeatedly ghost bla-u interfere with their families. Now, the garden has returned to the bush as before. Based on the recognition of Maun, in the area of ​​the bush is now back inhabited by the Black Mamba snake, one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.

Siben is a little nimble, climbing an apple tree and picking the green fruit. While Pablo was still playing, and running around, picked up the ball near the guardrail with the now-bush garden. He was not even aware of the danger when a half-meter-long black body sat around a circle not far from the ball. When Pablo picks up the ball, the black animal spontaneously strikes him with the deadliest stroke.

Pablo burst into tears and roared loudly, where the weeping sounded to the ears of his wine-picking parents. Siben still hanging on the apple tree was shocked and panicked. He also reflexively approached Pablo who was sitting in a state of lethargy and continued to cry a lot. Siben saw the black animal not far from the place, and chased him.

While Siben fought the snake, Bowo, his wife and Prananda rushed back to the hall. They were afraid something was wrong with Pablo, and thought that the bla-u Ghost was now upsetting his son. While Siben and Black Mamba are dueling fiercely, attacking each other and retaliate, with their respective stances. Siben with his nimble moves to and fro, making Black Mamba difficulty reaching the weak point. Siben who had several times defeated a snake to survive in the valley of Grand Morin, grabbed the head of the Black Mamba, and bit his neck, making the black snake unable to move again. Then, die.

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PABLO still moaned in pain and cried at the top of his voice. Siben who had become part of the family felt sorry for him. The animal instinct that kept him surviving prompted him to suck a snake bite at the boy's feet to eject it. Suck flue, exhaust. That's how he got the snake out of Pablo's leg.

As Siben sucked blood from the boy's legs, Pablo's parents arrived at the scene and saw the action that Siben had with them not once did they witness. While Siben sucked, Pablo continued to cry and there was no sign of abating. It is said, in addition to venomous, Black Mamba bites known to be very sick.

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Bowo who saw his son moaning in pain, became so angry. Moreover, he saw a lot of blood coming out of Pablo's legs. Siben's mouth was covered with blood. Whatever demon possessed, Bowo pulled Siben and separated from his son's legs. With a machete in the tangah, he also cut off the head of Siben to break from the body. Siben's body only moved for a while, then silence. Forever.

Maun, who was assigned to dispose of Siben's body piece and head, found a half-meter-long black snake lying lifeless not far from the fence. Throughout the snake's head it looked bite marks. The findings he never told the Bowo family, not to anyone in the family. The family also shorten the holiday period, and soon returned the city. They must bring Pablo to the family clinic.

Until Pablo grows large, two snake bite marks are still imprinted. []

This story is inspired from a childhood story told by a Teungku Gampong.

**

Short Story #3 - Monyet

Pablo kini berusia satu tahun sembilan bulan. Pada Juli musim panas nanti usianya genap dua tahun. Berdasarkan kebiasaan keluarga besar Bowo, setiap seorang anak berusia dua tahun, maka orang tua dari keluarga besar itu harus memberinya seorang adik kecil.

Misalnya, Titiek dari keluarga Harto memiliki adik kecil, Tommy, setelah usianya genap dua tahun. Begitu pula Agus dari keluarga Beye memiliki adik, Ibas, yang lahir tepat ketika usianya dua tahun.

Tradisi di keluarga yang masih percaya klenik itu, bahwa kelahiran seorang manusia baru haruslah terjadi setiap dua tahun sekali, dan mereka akan dengan senang hati memberi sebuah tanda pada tanggal kelahiran pada kalender keluarga, sebuah sistem penanggalan yang tanggal merahnya bisa mereka tentukan sendiri.

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Keluarga yang melanggar ketentuan ini bakal mendapatkan kutukan: mendapatkan anak berjalan dengan kaki pincang. Makanya, sebuah keluarga yang proses kelahiran seorang anak tidak mengikuti siklus kebiasan keluarga, akan mendapat cibiran, dan dianggap memperburuk citra keluarga.

"Itu hanya cara keluarga kami untuk mengingat pesta akbar sepakbola: Piala Eropa dan Piala Dunia," kata Bowo suatu ketika.

Seperti kita tahu, dua tahun setelah Piala Eropa berlangsung, penggemar sepakbola akan disuguhkan gelaran Piala Dunia. Begitu pula dua tahun setelah Piala Dunia, mereka langsung dipertemukan lagi dengan Piala Eropa. Sebagai keluarga yang darah sepakbolanya mengalir dalam nadi mereka, siklus itu begitu sakral.

Ketika usia Pablo menginjak satu tahun sebelas bulan, ibunya jangankan melahirkan anak lagi, tanda-tanda kehamilan pun tidak terlihat sama sekali. Konon, sebuah spiral yang dipasang tak lama setelah tangis Pablo terdengar untuk pertama kali, lupa dicabut dari rahim Butin, ibu Pablo.

Pablo jelas tidak memiliki teman bermain, karena belum punya adik. Bowo yang gundah dengan kesepian anak kecilnya itu mengharuskannya mengadopsi seekor monyet yang mereka pungut di kawasan lembah Grand Morin, dua kilometer dari pusat Kota Poligny. Ketika monyet itu mereka bawa pulang, dia masih kecil. Sepertinya sang monyet itu baru saja ditinggalkan induknya yang menikah lagi, sementara dirinya terpaksa mengemis di pinggir jalan negara, menanti pengguna jalan berhati murah.

Rasa iba apa dan keinginan memberi Pablo teman bermain, akhirnya monyet itu dipungut. Dikasih makan dan dikurung dalam sangkar yang dibeli khusus di Poligny. Siang hari dia dikeluarkan dari sangkar, tapi di kakinya tetap diikat tali rantai. Namun, belakangan, tali rantai itu dilepas, setelah pihak keluarga melihat tanda-tanda bahwa monyet itu sudah jinak. Dia pun memiliki hak dan kewajiban seperti anggota keluarga yang lain, dan atas kepatuhannya itu, monyet ini yang diberi nama Siben pun bisa menyandang nama keluarga kaya itu.

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Saat musim panas tiba, keluarga Bowo pergi berkemah ke lembah Pommeuse, 40 kilometer di utara Kota Poligny. Selain Pablo, ayah, ibu dan monyet, sang kakak, Prananda juga ikut bersama mereka. Berkemah di musim panas memang sudah menjadi jadwal rutin keluarga mereka, dan hal itu sudah ditandai sebagai tanggal merah pada kalender mereka. Sementara keluarga yang lain, mereka juga berlibur ke perkemahan keluarga masing-masing, dan lokasinya tidaklah jauh-jauh.

Di kawasan itu mereka memiliki sebuah kebun anggur dan kebun apel yang cukup luas. Kastil Conches, peninggalan dari buyut Pablo juga masih berdiri kokoh, dan menjadi tempat tinggal mereka selama masa liburan berkemah itu. Namun, mereka memilih membangun tenda tak jauh dari lokasi kastil yang di sebelah baratnya terdapat sebuah gereja tua yang sudah lama ditinggalkan jamaahnya, dan konon sudah dihuni oleh hantu bla-u.

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Mereka bisa berminggu-minggu di sana, selama bekal yang mereka bawa cukup. Sebuah balai khusus dibuat untuk tempat bersantai sekaligus sebagai lokasi bersantap makan. Selama ini, si Maun bersama istri dan kedua anaknya, menjadi penjaga kastil tersebut. Mereka sudah lama bekerja di kebun milik keluarga Bowo itu.

Sudah dua hari keluarga Bowo di sana, dan selama itu pula tidak terjadi hal-hal aneh yang membuat keluarga itu tidak betah. Hantu bla-u yang biasanya menganggu mereka tiap kali berlibur ke sana, belum juga melakukan aksinya. Sejauh ini, semua masih dalam batas normal dan baik-baik saja.

Pada hari ketiga, ketika Bowo, istri dan Prananda (kakak Pablo) memeriksa kebun anggur, si Pablo ditinggal bermain di balai bersama Siben, sang monyet. Siben-lah selama ini yang lebih banyak menghabiskan waktu dengan Pablo, menjaga dan bermain dengannya. Pablo tidak lagi merasa kesepian sejak Siben hadir dalam keluarga itu.

Setelah ditinggal di balai itu, Pablo dan Siben terlihat asik bermain, mereka berlari ke sana ke mari, dan sesekali mengejar belalang liar di kawasan itu. Namanya saja anak kecil, bawaannya memang suka bermain. Seperti umumnya anak kecil, ketika sedang bermain sering lupa waktu dan lupa makan. Begitu pula halnya dengan Pablo, dia begitu menikmati masa kecilnya, lebih-lebih jika bersama Siben.

Di sebelah kebun milik keluarga Bowo itu ada semak belukar. Sebenarnya, dulunya kebun itu sudah dibersihkan, namun sang pemilik jarang berkunjung ke sana setelah berulangkali Hantu Bla-u mengganggu keluarga mereka. Kini, kebun itu sudah kembali menjadi semak belukar seperti semula. Berdasarkan pengakuan Maun, di areal semak itu kini sudah kembali dihuni ular Black Mamba, salah satu jenis ular paling berbahaya di dunia.

Siben yang tingkahnya sedikit gesit itu, memanjat pohon apel dan memetik buahnya yang berwarna hijau itu. Sementara Pablo masih terus bermain, dan berlarian ke sana ke mari, memungut bola di dekat pagar pembatas dengan kebun yang kini jadi semak belukar itu. Dia bahkan tak menyadari bahaya ketika benda hitam sepanjang satu meter setengah duduk melingkar tak jauh dari bola. Saat Pablo mengambil bola, hewan hitam itu secara spontan menyerangnya dengan patukan paling mematikan.

Pablo menangis dan meraung sekeras-kerasnya, di mana tangisan terdengar hingga ke telinga orang tuanya yang sedang memetik anggur. Siben yang masih bergelantungan di atas pohon apel kaget dan panik. Secara reflek pula dia menghampiri Pablo yang terduduk dalam kondisi lemas dan terus menangis sejadi-jadinya. Siben melihat hewan berwarna hitam itu tak jauh dari tempat itu, dan mengejarnya.

Selagi Siben bertarung dengan ular, Bowo, istri dan Prananda bergegas kembali ke balai. Mereka takut terjadi sesuatu yang tidak beres pada Pablo, dan mengira Hantu Bla-u kini mengganggu anaknya. Sementara Siben dan Black Mamba sedang berduel dengan sengitnya, saling menyerang dan membalas, dengan jurus masing-masing. Siben dengan gesitnya bergerak ke sana-kemari, membuat Black Mamba kesulitan menjangkau titik lemahnya. Siben yang sudah beberapa kali mengalahkan ular untuk bertahan hidup di lembah Grand Morin, mencengkeram kepala Black Mamba, dan mengigit lehernya, membuat sang ular hitam itu tidak mampu bergerak lagi. Lalu, mati.

**
Pablo masih merintih kesakitan dan menangis sekeras-kerasnya. Siben yang sudah menjadi bagian dari keluarga itu merasa kasihan. Naluri hewaninya yang membuatnya tetap survive mendorongnya untuk mengisap bekas gigitan ular di kaki anak itu untuk mengeluarkan bisa. Isap buang, isap buang. Begitulah cara dia mengeluarkan bisa ular dari kaki Pablo.

Selagi Siben mengisap darah dari kaki anak itu, orang tua Pablo tiba di tempat itu dan melihat aksi yang selama Siben bersama mereka tak sekali pun aksi demikian mereka saksikan. Sementara Siben mengisap, Pablo terus saja menangis dan tidak ada tanda-tanda mereda. Konon, selain berbisa, gigitan Black Mamba dikenal sangat sakit.

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Bowo yang melihat anaknya merintih kesakitan, menjadi begitu murka. Apalagi, dia melihat banyak sekali darah keluar dari kaki Pablo. Mulut Siben pun belepotan dengan darah. Entah kerasukan setan mana, Bowo menarik Siben dan memisahkan dari kaki anaknya. Dengan golok di tangah, dia pun memotong kepala Siben hingga putus dari badan. Tubuh Siben hanya bergerak sebentar, setelah itu diam. Untuk selamanya.

Maun yang mendapat tugas membuang potongan tubuh dan kepala Siben, mendapati seekor ular berwarna hitam sepanjang satu meter setengah tergeletak tak bernyawa tak jauh dari pagar. Di sekujur kepala ular itu tampak bekas gigitan. Temuan itu tak pernah dia ceritakan kepada keluarga Bowo, tidak kepada siapa pun dalam keluarga itu. Keluarga itu pun mempersingkat masa liburannya, dan segera kembali kota. Mereka harus membawa Pablo ke klinik keluarga.

Hingga Pablo tumbuh besar, dua titik bekas gigitan ular itu masih membekas. []

**Kisah ini terinspirasi dari sebuah cerita masa kecil yang didongengkan seorang Teungku Gampong.