Now that I have started going to school, the first Sunday my mother always takes me but after I adapt little by little I finally have the courage to go alone. The distance between school and home is not too far, sometimes I also go with friends who live in the same village.
Our life was going on normally, but something was starting to feel different. It's been two months since my dad hasn't come home, the reason is he's busy, he has to work overtime and will be home the following week.
Mother was also pregnant with my first sister, at that time she was about 7 months pregnant. I saw the sadness on my mother's face, even though she smiled in front of me, the look in her eyes could never lie. She always hides her tears.
I don't know what's the matter between mom and dad, they have been fighting quite a bit lately, but every time I ask they always answer "It's okay"
In those days we didn't have cell phones either, in 1998 it was rare to have one. If we wanted to contact my father, we had to call a public telephone on a public street. Usually the phone will work when inserting coins.
That night my mother intended to call my father, it's just that there is a public telephone on the side of the main road which is quite far from our house. There is indeed a shortcut to go there, it's just that the shortcut is quiet and dark. We had to cross the river using a bamboo bridge first.
There was a doubt on the mother's face, between fear or recklessness. Mother wanted to know how dad was doing and asked him to come home if he could. But on the other hand, the location of the bridge is quite scary if you have to cross it at night, especially since it's a quiet position and you have to go through a road that is shaded by bamboo trees.
"Mom" I said doubtfully staring at the end of the dark road.
"Come on Nimas, we can definitely get through it" Mother said smiling as if giving me strength and courage.
"Yes" I replied nodding.
We started walking towards the west of the village towards the location of the bridge. When we got there, the dark grove of bamboo trees and the gurgling river water greeted us with a gripping cold atmosphere.
The street lamps emitted a dim yellow light which added to the spooky atmosphere. When we got there, we stood long enough to stare at the side of the bridge, which was quiet and dark.
"Nimas, let's wait a moment. Who knows if someone will pass by, so we can cross this bridge together," Mother said a little worried, I just nodded.
Actually I felt scared but I felt sorry for mom, that's why I tried to be strong and calm. I'm afraid, sorry mother. I stood still hugging her hips and not daring to look anywhere.
"What are you guys doing here?"
In the midst of the tension, a man's voice surprised us both, the mother was surprised then turned to the man.
"Mr. Santo?"
It turned out that we met Mr. Santo, a neighbor who lives not far from the house.
"What are you doing here at night? You're pregnant, don't go out at night let alone to a place like this!"
"I want to go to a public telephone, sir, so I want to go through this bridge," answered the mother explaining.
"Why didn't you go this afternoon? All right, then, I'm also going to your brother's house. Come on, I'll take you to the end of the bridge," said Mr. Santo.
Mr. Santo walked in front and then we walked behind him. But still, I don't dare to let go of my arms from my mother's waist. We passed over the bridge, to be honest I was nervous and scared.
The bridge is dark, only a light shines at the end. I don't know why I really want to glance to the left, the river water looks calm because the current is not too fast at the bottom of the bridge. Mother walked while chatting with Mr. Santo, while I walked while watching the water which I thought was something strange.
The river water moved as if something was swimming in it, I watched it in case there were big fish that I could see. The surface of the river is wavy, I've never seen a fish that can raise waves like that before.
But it turned out that my guess was wrong, it wasn't a fish swimming there, suddenly a hand emerged from the water with very pale skin waving at me from the water.
Suddenly my breath stopped for a moment, plus long hair appeared that came from the water too.
"Mom" I whined hugging her hips tighter
"What's wrong Nimas?"
I just shook my head then turned my attention and didn't stare at the river anymore. "We're almost there, let's go faster" said the mother then.
We parted ways with Mr. Santo on the side of the main road, after that mother took out the coins we had prepared from home. I waited for mom while looking at the vehicles going back and forth on the highway, not long after that mom finished calling.
"Come on honey, let's go home" mother said smiling at me, but I saw sadness in her eyes which were starting to look teary.
"Mom, is daddy coming home?"
"Of course, he promised. Father will definitely come home" mother replied trying to strengthen herself.
We continued on our way home, still following the same route. Again the horrific welcome from the bridge, I also clearly remember what I saw on the surface of the river earlier. If we left earlier we could breathe easy because there was Mr. Santo but now, it was just the two of us. "Mom are we going to wait for people to pass again?" I asked.