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Chapter 3 - disgusting

Jaki: We can't stay here anymore. Turns out they're targeting us.

The three of them stare at the corpse in confusion.

Ojan: Seriously… what did we even do wrong? Why are they still after us even after we left?

Jaki: I don't know… or maybe I forgot something.

Ojan and Jaki fall into silence again, trying to figure out what actually happened.

Hendra: I think… it's because…

...

The sun sets, casting orange and yellow light, a beautiful farewell between the sun and the earth.

Hendra (playing with a pistol): I'm tired of this.

Jaki (smoking): Tired of what?

Hendra: Just tired… I wanna get out of here.

Jaki: It's not that easy, Ndra. We've been here too long. They won't just let people who know too much walk away.

Hendra (sighing): I just want a normal life. School, a decent job, marry a girl I like… be free from this guilt.

Jaki just looks at his friend, his face lit by the sunset.

Jaki (looking at the sky): Honestly… I want that too. But like I said, it's not easy. We're forced to be strong… because the world doesn't care about weak people.

Hendra: What does that even have to do with anything? What if I want to be weak? I'm tired of being strong all the time.

Jaki: What I mean is… we don't get to choose where we're born, what kind of family we have. If I could choose, I'd rather be rich too.

They fall into silence. The world they live in feels empty. In his mind, Hendra just wants to live as a normal man.

Ojan (approaching): Hey! The boss is calling us. Why are you two zoning out?

Jaki (putting out cigarette): Tch! That old man keeps ordering us around like we're his servants!

Hendra (standing up): Whatever… better just go before he starts yelling again.

Reluctantly, they head to the boss's room. Inside, four men sit on sofas like bosses themselves, dressed in neat suits, shiny shoes, cigars freshly lit.

Jaki: Why did you call us, sir?

The Boss: These three guests want to go home, but their men are currently on duty. So I want you to escort them safely.

Hendra (waving smoke away): Where are their men assigned? None available at all?

One of them laughs. The man in the white suit answers.

Man in white suit: We're from a certain group. Recently we managed to sell and export our product… illegal substances… to Bali. Demand's high, so almost all our men are busy.

Hendra: Then how did you get here?

Man in white suit: Hehe, Mr. Iway picked us up. But since it's risky for us to travel together, we decided to split up.

Jaki glances at one of them smoking. He knows they're dangerous, but not much else.

Iway (standing): Alright! Pick any car you like… Jaki.

...

Outside, Jaki, Hendra, and Ojan wait while the four men chat casually.

Jaki: Remember… whatever they do, don't fight back, Jan. Not because we're weak, but we're outnumbered. And if they're in danger, protect them.

Ojan: Why do you say that? We don't have power like them anyway. We could just kill them on the spot, but that risks our lives too. Ndra, you take the one in white. I'll take black. You take gray.

The four men walk down the stairs laughing.

Jaki (whispering): Remember what I said.

They split into different cars.

Hendra: Sir in white, come with me.

Man in white suit: Sure.

Jaki: Sir in black, with me.

Man in gray suit (to Ojan): Guess I'm with you?

Ojan: Yes, sir!

They say their farewells.

Iway: Jaki! I trust you with everything.

Jaki looks at him with an empty gaze, as if holding back something.

They drive off, taking different routes to avoid being tracked.

...

Man in white suit: Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Roto. What's your name?

Hendra: Hendra, sir! Just call me Ndra.

Roto: Oh… Hendra…

Roto watches Hendra driving seriously, then suddenly—

Roto (pulling Hendra's shirt): Why so serious?

Hendra: Huh!?

Roto: What "huh"?

Hendra: You were all manly and intimidating earlier, now you're acting… different.

Roto: Hey… don't say that… I might kiss you.

Hendra: That's disgusting!

...

Jaki: Sorry sir, what's your name again?

Man in black suit: Just call me Ganta.

Jaki: I'm Jaki, sir.

Ganta: Why do you look so fed up with your boss?

Jaki: He keeps ordering me around. If I refuse, I'm called ungrateful. And the pay sucks.

Ganta: That Iway… how about working for me instead?

Jaki: I don't know, sir. He took me in. No way he'd let me go.

...

Man in gray suit: I see…

Ojan: That's why we took this route, sir. Faster and less suspicious.

Marwan: Yeah… especially dressed like this. What a headache.

...

Roto: Come on, Ndra… let's go to the mall later. I'll buy you anything.

Hendra: Sir… I'm working. Please don't bother me. If this continues, I'll have to kick you out.

Roto: Okay, okay… sorry…

BANG!

Hendra fires his gun.

Roto: WHY DID YOU SHOOT?! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!

Hendra: No, sir—look!

Roto looks outside. A car is following them.

Roto: STEP ON IT, HENDRA!!

Hendra floors the gas, weaving through traffic, even running red lights. No police stop them.

Roto (pulling out gun): You drive, I shoot, okay?

Hendra: Y-yes, sir… (thinking: this is so messed up…)

Four bullets tear through the air behind them. Screams echo outside. The wind howls, tension thick in the car.

Roto (aiming): Got you!

Click! BANG!

The shot hits the driver of the pursuing car. It crashes and flips.

Roto: Hahaha… thought catching me was easy. Idiots.

Hendra: Where are they even from?

Roto: Just people I scammed. Tried to sell me 30 wrecked cars at a crazy price. Turns out they had bombs too. Whatever… we're safe now. Let's celebrate later.

Hendra (thinking): I'm so screwed…

Roto: You look tense… want a massage?

Hendra: NO WAY!

...

In the distance, a white building appears.

Roto: Stop there.

They arrive first. The place is quiet.

Roto: Why are you standing there? Let's go in.

Hendra: I'm waiting for the others.

Roto: Fine, I'll wait too.

Hendra (thinking): This is getting worse… hurry up, guys…

Roto: I'll stay here then.

Hendra: Sir, don't get too close.

Roto: Why?

Hendra: You smell. Didn't shower?

Roto (sniffing himself): Oh… yeah…

Hendra: Nice… expensive perfume?

Roto (pulling out cheap kids' perfume): Nope, cheap but smells good!

Hendra: I'm so done… that's kid perfume, dude.

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