After the incident.
The weather was overcast, a pathways, little bit flooded. Some dogs bite and lick each other near a landfill. Land blackened by charcoal of something burn out. Used assorted package, various plastic bags, cardboard, used sacks, paper, stereo foam, carcass and shit.
White smoke of burnt, mingled with the odor. It snaking toyed slowly afternoon wind comes. The mixed of air and smoke such a moment of mystical offerings, complete with the sound of thunder in the distance, It’s really sad, as eternal damnation.
There where he waited. His face was tense, and sweating. Slowly he rolled up his sleeves, and again he burned a cigarette. Then spit. His eyes looks glazed.
Actually there was a regrets. Now he plunged into strange panic. Nasty, what he have done for someone who was once very close to him, including a few others. All, he has massacred.
While the people he trusted, was in fact a source of those destruction and havoc danger. He already deceived. Maybe, he thought to himself as a victim of strange romance. What he couldn’t never deny in his life.
Sound of police car siren grew brighter in his ear. Some officers came and gun, rebuked, asked him to freeze and disarm.
Slowly he throw a gun from his waist into the mounds of garbage. And a half feet, resting both knees, he placed both hands on the head back.
Police subdue him. Mr. 2 has been caught. Ready for trial, may be sentenced to death.
***
Prior to the incident.
Settlement seemed dim. The lights turned on earlier than usual. The weather makes people reluctant to away for any business or living affairs. And if the rain did come, stay at home a lot better than getting wet and stranded outside. And most people choose to stay, sleeping or listening to radio broadcasts.
some of them still talked, filling the afternoon. A conversations with the similar theme lately discussed across the village. It exposing the rumor. About the welcoming village chief election.
Actually, it was not good topic.
Because, at first people thought the incumbent village chief will surely re-elected. Why not?. People will only remember the good things about him? He was a good leader. Smooth demeanor and neat, good listener. Attractive orator, He was also good in managing his image, smiles, and always take part in village social activities.
All his reproach affairs, difficult to prove. Entire of the village, people can only tell about his kindness. His bad affairs , awkward to talk about. And beyond of all, there are seems no other candidates.
Until that vague rumors were whispered. Mr 2, a close friend of Village chief, notorious gangster and mass mobilization expert. Ready to compete to be number one person in the village. Incumbent will be challenged by his right hand.
He had his own supporters, he’s also most loses person at land forced eviction project some time ago. A village chief projects which also disadvantage many other people. The significant case that boost a people sympathy .
This will be a tough and tight tussle. People then assumed, long-revenge scenario began to play. Two old friends are ready to be enemies.
“Village office said, the validity and land proprietary status was queried. Hence, compensation can not set up. Amount of money given, was really cordiality money, “
“But, since I was child. Since my brothers were child, my grandfather always said, the land area was owned by ancestors of Mr. 2 and the other residents. Their ancestors desperately slash the forest to open that land, “
“It could be true, but if there’s no valid land certificate … how?”
“If there are good will, the village chief could help. After all, all the witnesses say, the land was their ancestral property, inherited, to them , “
“Well, anyway, we’ll see,”
Secretly, some people considered that it was necessary to have sort of this thing,. Village needs another figure. In Fact, many people also disadvantaged by incumbent village chief. Say, a variation of unofficial pressing charges, illegal practices to political opponents. All his authority corrupt as village chief. This condition need a warning, a heavy competition to improve status quo.
***
The electricity power outages. A mini van crossed a roadside stall with a candle light over a cigarettes display tray. Its looks like a scene of a silent movie. It was hard for the driver, the man with the civil servant uniforms. Because a man he had been believed, would leave him.
“Finally, after all our time,” he sighed, with his serious expression. “We both are good partners, its work. See it all, you and , we complement each other, “he continued heavily .
“I’m not going to forget that. But I hope you can understand and accept this, you can start with someone else, “
“I know, now you need someone with more authority. Well, I’m just a village chief, while he was a rich and successful?”
“No, this is another matter. I can not deny it, my feelings, my needs, “
“All was fine before. Why should this time, “
“We can argue about this forever. But anyway, I’m comfortable with him, this is about my feelings, and I find it difficult to explain to you, “
They were silent. No one talks anymore. Pause. Smooth sound of the engine remain, filling the car spaces. The driver stared straight ahead, the man he talk staring out to the side of car.
“You really don’t consider about us. It’s your right. But remember, you’ll pay for it, “
There was no other words. Clearly, the last words are a threat. Enough explanation.
Van stopped near the village boundary. Lime cement painted Stupa, with jargon of the Family Welfare Movement. Both realize that they’re quite long in the car to discuss all.
The driver abandoned. In silence the Man out of a Van. Towards another car, awaiting.
***
Slightly to the edge of the village. 4pm. Rows of Johar trees makes hills look dim. Shepherd directs a goats away from the field. Grass, bushes and reeds swaying, while raindrops like pebble tickle the roof of the house.
That was very confidential meeting. During that time and both of them know. Mr 2 and Mr 3.
“He’s been really crazy. He will Harm us. And as long as he had his authority, you’re nothing , “
“I could kill him,”
“It’s dangerous. No one can escape from the law, “
“I’m not afraid,”
“Don’t. Do not use violence, “
“All the lies that he made, all the manipulations, all of our losses, I think he deserve a violence,”
“Remember, you could trap in prison. You’re too important to me, “
“He really proved his threat. He used his authority to harm us, to destroy our relationships, through his land project, “
“This is will not be permanent, you’re a native here. You’re can replace him as a village chief. I will support you, “
Mr 3 patted Mr 2’s shoulder. They stared at each other, full of mean.
***
Approaching the incident.
It increased, the intensity of villagers conversation about a competition of two candidates. A psychological warfare begin turn into open clash. Two days ago supporters of the two candidates involved on physical contact. A coffee shop shattered , because each of candidate supporter prohibits the other to stick a photos and logo images of candidates campaign.
Before the clash, Mr. 2 stroked by his notorious track record from his past. While the incumbent chief blocked by rice aid corruption issue.
Village political temperature is hotter.
“Its true, he was a thug, but the requirements to run for village chief, at point 7 is tell … never been convicted of committing a criminal offense with penalties of at least 5 years … not even five years, he was never get in prison?”
“Yeah, but if he know moral , he know himself to be not nominate himself. He might be never get in jail, but his problem with police department is too obvious, “
“But it was same actually, did you dare to ask where rice aid for the poor people vanish?, while central government clearly announce that all the villagers deserve that rice aid, anyone know … how?”
All arguing. All warmed up.
***
Very neat. Bribery money has been carried out. As planned, according to each portions the team in electoral vote counter all bribed. Trusted person of Mr.2 had been oppressed. Secretly, in exchange for money, they driven to take an inside boycott action.
Unknowed by Mr2, no matter what, vote counting result of village chief election will be 70 percent for the incumbent , only 30 percent chose Mr. 2.
Incumbent village chief would win trough intrigue. While the Mr 2 will lose, due to his political experience. Mr 2 was good at fist fighting. But on politic he still a beginner.
Incumbent would won a landslide victory, this will be bald shaving game.
****
D day..
He had lost his mind. All deeds, manipulation and emotional game has dragged him too far. Now, hard and impossible to trace where is the axes of his anger. That’s what brought him here. Sweltering midday , when the sun was right above the crown of the head.
The gun shot exactly at forehead of man he been looking for three days. The gun burst. Bullet broke his forehead. A body fall. Some people near him who are still dumbfounded, was toppled after the serial explosions from the same gun.
“Shit!” He shouted. Mr 2 now become a fugitive.
***
Immediately. Killings incident becomes a theme to discuss everywhere.
“Village secretary uphold the authority of the village chief for a while, that’s some people saying,”
“That what should be, no other figure, the village government should continue to run,”
“Yes this was the first time, the head of our village is women,”
***
After the incident
Few miles outside the village. In a low class hotel rooms. Dangdut disco rhyme, faintly heard from bar. Sometime, there was laughter and a voice of seduced female singer. The room was lit only by two bulbs light, each 25 watts, at desk and above room. Two bodies on the bed, crudely lied under coverlid.
This is a part of very secretive relation. During that time and only both of them know. Mr 3 and the village secretary. The Temporary village Chief.
“A lot of things we can do after this. You will be a strong candidate for the next village chief, my business can be more expanded, we can prop each other, “
“You’re a great honey,”
“All men can do anything for women like you, and for me, also for the sake of achieving my glorious business, thanks for all information you share,”
He kiss woman’s s forehead. They smiles each other.
“What exactly you did honey?, so you can make them confuse, and fight”
“I just played over their feelings and orientation,”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, That’s it,”
Not too far out there, the weather was overcast, pathways, little bit flooded. Some dogs bite and lick each other near a landfill. Land blackened by charcoal of something burn out. Used assorted package, various plastic bags, cardboard, used sacks, paper, stereo foam, carcass and shit.
Pamulang, february 2010
