Husband In Another World

Drap! Drap! Drap!

The sound of footsteps broke the silence. I looked at Sri and Rena's faces, which had been very frightened but now turned cheerful. The overcast instantly disappeared in the light of hope.

"There seems to be footsteps, hopefully someone will help us," Sri said softly.

I got up from my seat and gave Rena a glance.

"Take care of Sri, Ren. I'll see who comes. Hopefully it's the people who are looking for us," I called out.

"I'll go with you, Indri. It's dangerous to be alone, there are many wild animals outside," Rena tried to prevent me.

"It's okay if I'm alone. Sri needs you more, her body is very weak because of the fever and the wound on her leg," I said. I waved at them. A faint smile spread across the lips of my two best friends.

"Take care, In," Rena and Sri said. I just nodded, turned around and walked away from them.

Clear water dripped from my eyes. What had we done wrong to suffer such a tragic fate?

We were students from a university in the city of Sulawesi. We came to this dense forest because of a research activity from the university where I studied.

There were eight of us, but only three of us were separated from the group. That was because I didn't want to relieve myself carelessly.

As a result of my carelessness, Sri and Rena were finally affected. We got lost in the forest and didn't know the direction. We got separated from the group.

Tired of walking and infinitely afraid, Sri suddenly heard a very close growl. When she turned her head, about twenty meters away stood a sun bear ready to pounce. Its long, black hooves pointed in our direction. Fangs protruded from between its snout.

We ran at once, but unfortunately Sri fell and was scratched on the leg. Rena and I turned around and hit the bear with the pots and cookware and bags we were carrying. Luckily the beast gave up and ran away from us, but Sri's leg was badly injured.

With our remaining strength, we carried Sri through the dense forest. The large trees and other jungle plants made us frightened.

In our endless exhaustion, we vaguely saw a house that was quite sturdy.

We decided to stop and ask for help. Although we were skeptical, is there a house in the middle of the forest? Who lives here?

At that time Sri and Rena and myself tried to call the owner of the house, but there was no answer. It turned out that the house was unlocked and there was nothing in the house. It looked like it had been uninhabited for a very long time.

And since then we have been living in this old house to protect ourselves from wild creatures and other animals.It's already the third day, the wound on Sri's leg has caused an infection and Sri has a fever. The stock of noodles and other instant food is almost gone. For drinking water, I deliberately collected rainwater. It always rains at night.

We only rely on flashlights and cell phone lights. Even then, they were all dead*. Last night was also dark.

***

Drap! Drap! Drap!

The footsteps sounded clearer. I quickened my pace. It seemed like it wasn't just one person, but many.

My eyes lit up as I saw a group of soldiers walking toward our hut. I unconsciously ran towards them.

"Sirs, help!" I shouted.

They simultaneously stopped their steps. I almost lost my heart seeing the gazes of the men in front of me. Handsome, all very handsome. Their faces were not like those of ordinary indigenous people. Their eyes were blue, their noses were sharp and their skin was pure white. They wore army clothes but they were of a different color than the ones soldiers often wore.

They were silent as they watched me. As if staring in surprise at my presence.

"To-help, sa--me, sir," I whispered.My body trembled with embarrassment as they stared at me without blinking.

"How come you're in the forest. Are you alone?"

One of them walked up to me, his face more handsome than the others. He seemed to be the leader, judging by his different clothes.

"I--yes, sir. I got lost along with my two friends," I explained.

"Now where are your two friends?" he asked. He was getting closer and his face was getting clearer. Handsome... very handsome.

"Me... they're over there," I stammered, pointing towards the hut. I was really nervous around such a handsome young man.

"Troops! Please help this girl! Take them to base camp! Immediately!" he shouted loudly.

"Yes, Commander!" they shouted in unison.

The soldiers approached the hut following me from behind. Rena and Sri looked very surprised and happy to get unexpected help. Finally someone had come to our rescue.

They swiftly carried Sri and Rena's bodies. Because Rena was also weak. Meanwhile, I chose to follow them to the basecamp that was mentioned.

They didn't talk much. Along the way, they were silent. We walked quite far, about ten minutes we arrived.

The basecamp in question was not just a tent. But a very large building with complete equipment and weapons. Strange, isn't it? In a forest as dense as this there is a spacious building and has all the modern equipment. Also nice cars and expensive sports bikes. Just like in Hollywood movies.

I stared in amazement. So did Sri and Rena. They didn't realize that there was such a cool place in the forest.

Sri was immediately treated by a very beautiful doctor. Who exactly are these people? From the accent and way of speaking the same as us, but physically they are very far from us in general. They were all taller, blue-eyed, sharp-nosed and fair-skinned. Their hair color also tends to be blonde. More like Caucasians.

While Sri and Rena were being treated, I waited in a different place. Sitting alone with a cup of hot chocolate milk and bread with various toppings. Very tasty and super soft. It was like being in a hotel with five-star service.

Everyone here is so busy with their own activities that I'm reluctant to ask and say hello. They tend to be indifferent.

"Can I accompany you?" someone's heavy voice broke my reverie. I almost choked.

"Sorry I disturbed you, huh?" she asked kindly.

"Ti-- no, si--please, sit down," I offered nervously.

He then took a stool and sat next to me.

My chest rumbled at the sight of the young man's good looks up close. It was him, the squad leader who had helped me earlier. It turned out that he looked even more handsome in a bright place like this room.

"I'm Bima," he extended his hand.

"A--I'm Indri," I replied and welcomed his hand.

It's cold. Like an electric magnet running through my body. I felt my body shaking with nervousness.

He pulled back his hand and looked at me funny. He smiled and that smile broke my heart.

"You seem very tired. Rest for a while. Tomorrow we will take you and your two friends home," he said.

"We have many rooms and quarters that will make you feel at home. Make yourself at home," he continued.

"Thank you for helping us," I said.

She nodded and smiled again. I felt like fainting when I saw his smile. Ah, this was the first time in my life that I had met such a handsome man.

He got up from his seat and looked at my face with his sweet smile.

"Come on, I'll take you to your room, so you can sleep right away," he said and he stepped slowly. I followed behind him.

***

"Wow, it's crazy! It's crazy!" Rena exclaimed. Her eyes scanned the room. She couldn't stop marveling at the room provided for us to rest.

"What are we dreaming of, man! It feels like a vacation in our five-star hotel!" Sri said.

"Too bad there's no signal here," Rena's face suddenly became cloudy.

"Bye, let's take a picture," I said.

"Wei, you can't take a picture of the three of us, one of us will die*," Sri said.

"Ah, that's a myth," I argued.

"Come on, let's go," I urged. We approached Sri on the bed and...

"Say cheese, beans, one, two, three," we took a happy selfie. But it was....

Continued

HUSBAND FROM ANOTHER WORLD"

#part_2

#by: R.D. Lestari.

"Say cheese, beans, one, two, three," we said in unison.

Cekrek! cekrek! cekrek!

Rena immediately pulled out the cellphone in my hand, her fingers playing with a strange look on her face. Her forehead was furrowed like someone who was thinking hard.

"Ges, ges! Look at this...," she then handed me my phone and showed me the results of our selfie earlier.

"It's really weird, ges! How come it's all blurry?" Rena said with a furrowed brow, surprised.

"Maybe Indri's hand was shaking," Sri said with a shrug.

"No, Sri. Rena's right, the camera can't focus," I replied while turning the cellphone and trying to take another picture. The result was the same. Blur.

"That's really weird. Is my phone broken?" I muttered.

"Try using your phone, Ren," I said. Rena immediately took out her phone and started pointing the camera this way and that.

"Same thing, In, blurry too," she said.

"Strange, really strange, how come it's the same?" Rena chuckled while rejecting her waist.

"It's really weird, man," Sri started looking at us scared.

"Already, already. Don't think bad thoughts yet. Now let's enjoy and rest. They said we'll be dropped off tomorrow. So, enjoy our time here," I replied soothingly to my two friends.

They nodded and climbed onto the super soft and comfortable bed. It was like sleeping on a cloud. Soft and fragrant.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

We were just about to fall asleep, but the sound of knocking forced us to open our eyes. I got up and told my two friends to continue resting.

"I'll do it, you guys continue sleeping," I said as I moved towards the door.

Krietttt!

I opened the door slowly. My head poked out. A man dressed as a waiter stood at the door with a friendly smile.

"Good evening, Miss. Dinner is ready. Let's eat together," he invited.

"But, my two friends seem too weak to walk. They are sleeping," I replied, looking at my two sleeping friends.

"I'll bring some food, in case they get hungry when they wake up at night," he said politely.

"But, I can't eat with the others, my clothes are dirty and I haven't bathed yet. Let me just eat here," I refused.

"Miss can get some clothes from the closet. The room is fully equipped, please take a bath first. I will wait here," he replied.

I stomped back and went back into the room. Searching for clothes as the maid said outside.

My eyes were stunned to see the closet full of women's clothes, shoes and branded bags. What did I dream last night?

I tiptoed over and woke up my two best friends.

"Ges .... gaesss! wake up! wake up!" I said while shaking the bodies of my two friends. But they were just silent. "This kerbo sleep is called," I grumbled irritably.

Annoyed, I stepped into the bathroom.

"Huahhhh, amazing!" I chuckled. The bathroom was spacious with expensive furniture. Shampoo, soap, everything was expensive. I really felt very pampered.

After taking a shower, I looked at myself in front of the mirror. I made myself up. Wearing clothes in the same color as my shoes, pastel colors were my choice.

I felt like a princess. "I look good too," I praised myself. My nose looks sharp, my eyelashes are plump, my face looks flushed and natural lipstick adds to my confidence.

"I wonder if there's someone there, hi-hi-hi," I said while smiling to myself.

***

I had a dag-dig-dug feeling when I was about to enter the dining room with the waiter who had been faithfully waiting.

Krietttt!

"Please come in, Miss," he opened the door and let me in.

I nodded and with trembling legs tried to enter the room with my heart beating fast.

My eyeballs were dilated to perfection, what I thought was completely different. There weren't many people in the room. Just a man sitting behind me. His well-built body stares at the beautiful table with candles, roses and delicious food.

"This, dinner for two?" I muttered.

Srekkk!

He got up and shifted the chair. Turned around and looked at me with a very sweet smile.

That man... I almost fell over at his perfect looks. It turns out that if he wears ordinary clothes, his handsome aura is really extraordinary.

"Come on, let's eat together. I've been waiting for you for a long time," he said as he grabbed my hand. I should have brushed that hand away. However, for some reason I just obeyed as if hypnotized by his good looks.

***

*

"Indri, eat. You'll like it," she offered the food on the table. There were steaks, fried shrimps, barbeque beef, salads, breads, fresh and expensive fruits.

I tried some of the menus that successfully made my tongue sway from the enjoyment of the flavors.

The handsome man seemed to be smiling at me, who was enjoying the delicious food without caring about him.

"In...," he extended his hand. My body instantly froze. What did he want to do?

I felt the soft brush of his hand near my lips.

"He-he-he, you're eating all over the place," he chuckled. My face turned bright red. Luckily the room was dimly lit with only a few candles to sweeten it.

"Thank you, Mr. Bima," I said. His face looked very handsome in the candlelight.

"I'm not too old, by the way, how old are you?" he smiled.

"Twenty-one," I said.

"I'm twenty-six. We're only five years apart," he said.

"So what should I call you?" I rolled my eyes, confused.

"Brother, it's more comfortable to listen to," he backed away and leaned back in the chair.

"Yes, Brother Bima," I whispered.

"Well, yes, it's good to hear. Mmm, do you have a boyfriend?"

I was wrong. If I said I was single, wouldn't I be embarrassed?

"Mmm, not yet sis," I answered.

"Owhh, yes-yes-yes," she nodded with a smile.

"I'm full, sis. Can I go back to the room," I got up and shifted the chair, preparing to go back to the room.

"Come on, I'll take you," he offered. He got up from his seat and walked with me to the room.

My heart shook violently when he was beside me. His tall, athletic body amazed me. His handsome and fragrant body made me fantasize. If I had a husband as handsome as this, I would never be able to get away. Wiggling in his armpit must be cool.

I glanced at him, his nose and eyes and white skin were mesmerizing.

Dugh!

"Aww!"

Because I was so busy looking at her face, I didn't realize that my foot tripped over something and my body swayed and fell to the floor.

"In, are you okay?" Bima immediately helped me up. I winced in pain.

"Te--Thank you, sis," I said softly. He nodded and we continued walking to our room.

"I'll take you in the morning, sleep well tonight," he said when we reached the door.

I just nodded and smiled slightly at him. That meant tonight was the last night I would see her. He turned around and walked away leaving me still standing there. With my face downcast, I opened the door. Stepped gingerly towards my two friends who were still asleep. I lay down and fell asleep while hugging the bolster, hoping to have sweet dreams tonight. As beautiful as the scenery available in this room.

***

"In ... In, wake up, don't lie down. We're waiting," Sri's voice forced me to open my eyes, even though I was still very sleepy.

"Still, morning. Look, it's still dark, there's no sun," I blinked and pointed at the window. It's still dark outside. That means it's still dawn.

"But, In. The clock on my cell phone is already showing seven in the morning," Rena said.

"There's something wrong with this place, In. Let's leave immediately. I'm getting scared," Sri shuddered in horror.

"Come on, let's pack up. I'll take a shower first," I quickly jumped up from the soft bed that made me feel comfortable sleeping, immediately running towards the bathroom.

"Sri, Ren, have you seen the closet? It's filled with fancy clothes," I said when I came out of the bathroom still wearing a towel.

"Seriously, In?" they simultaneously looked at me with incredulous looks.

My two friends then turned around and scrambled to open the closet door. They were transfixed by the sight of all the luxurious items in front of them.

Can I take one with me?" Rena took one bag and posed in front of the mirror.

"No, Ren! It's not ours!" I stopped her from taking it.

"Huh, yeah--iya, I know," she spluttered and sat back on the bed.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Sorry ladies, Mr. Bima is waiting downstairs," said someone from outside the room.

"Hurry up, In. We're waiting," Sri urged. I nodded and got ready.

***

Our eyes were stunned to see Bima already waiting for us, he was leaning next to a white Alpard car with a casual style. Wearing a polo shirt in the same color as the car, jeans and Nike shoes. Cool, very cool. Those of us who saw him gawked at his good looks. Especially when he wore his sunglasses. My heart almost dropped because of him.

"Gaess! So handsome!" Sri grabbed my arm.

"Hust! Hold it, keep your image!" I exclaimed. Even though my heart was also jumping up and down.

She then waved and told us to get into her luxury car. We tiptoed and ran a little towards Bima. Rena and Sri began to spread their charm. I was the only one who acted normal. I knew Bima had glanced at me several times, but I pretended not to know.

I glanced at the clock on my cell phone. It's eight o'clock, but the atmosphere still looks like five in the morning, and since yesterday there has been no signal. That's strange. Where were we? Why was there a luxury car in the forest?

HUSBAND FROM ANOTHER WORLD"

#part_3

#by: R.D. Lestari.

"Are you all ready?" Bima looked at us in turn. Rena and Sri were misbehaving, and so was I. How can I not be mistaken, this guy is so handsome. There will be a struggle between us I think.

We nodded simultaneously. Slowly the car was moving. We started to go through a dirt road that was bumpy and rocky. Actually, in my heart, it was strange. How can there be a road that is good enough like in a village area in the forest like this? Even though the trees on either side were tall and dense. I had never seen a road on the way to the basecamp.

"Hey, why are you daydreaming, In?" Sri's voice broke my reverie. I quickly turned to her.

"Ah, no, Sri. I was just enjoying the view," I lied.

I hit my head a few times because the road might be rocky.

"Aww!" this mouth accidentally screamed. All eyes were immediately on me. I misbehaved while massaging my temples that were quite sore.

"Patience, yes, In. We'll find a good road soon. About ten more minutes," said Kak Bima. He looked at me with pity.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" He glanced at me through the glass, I just gave him a faint smile while shaking my head slowly.

My heart was beating so fast to get attention from him, my face was red. I looked at Rena's face which turned sour. Is she jealous of me?

It's true what Bima said, the road we traveled slowly began to smooth and the car went faster. The dense trees began to enter the village of houses.

Rena and Sri did not stop looking for attention by talking to Kak Bima continuously, until I saw that the man was getting tired of it and was silent a lot. Only a nod in response.

I was not at all interested in their conversation and preferred to look at the scenery we passed. The houses here are stilt-shaped houses characterized by the same roof and wooden material.

Although made of wood, the houses here are neatly organized and look very sturdy. The yard is also beautiful and clean. Very comfortable.

Even though the location is not far from the forest, it even seems to be still on the edge of the forest, but what I wonder is that the residents here have good cars and motorbikes. It looks like the latest output.

Along the way, not a single person was seen outside. Even though the sun has appeared and the rays are starting to heat up.

The next second the car started to enter a very smooth asphalt road. The view on the right and left returned to the dense and tall trees. I enjoyed this view and tried to ask myself. Where exactly were we? Because in my entire life, this was the first time I had passed a road where only trees were visible on both sides. Not a single house in sight.

About thirty minutes into our journey, we saw one or two houses on the right and left sides of the road. However, I didn't see a single vehicle passing by except for Bima's car.

An hour into our journey we entered a fairly long bridge, about ten minutes we finally reached the end of the bridge and this was the first time we could see the back and forth of vehicles and the activities of the people around. My heart began to feel relieved. And this road seems to be the same as the road we passed before entering the forest. But, I feel like it wasn't that long ago.

About thirty minutes we finally arrived in front of the campus. Kak Bima finally said goodbye after we got out of his car. He had a very sweet smile that made his face look even more handsome.

He nodded and the car went so fast that in a matter of seconds it was out of sight.

***

"Indri! Where have you been, son?" my mother roared as she hugged me tightly.

Father and Grandfather led me into the house as well as Mother. Mom didn't stop releasing her hug.

I straightforwardly recounted in detail all the events that my two friends and I experienced while we were in the forest. And also why we got lost there.

Father, Mother and Grandfather listened carefully. Until I explained how many days we were lost and were helped by a group of soldiers who looked like foreigners.

"Three days we were lost, two days we stayed at the army base camp," I said at the end of the story.

"So, you mean five days, son," my father looked at me incredulously.

"Yes, sir. About five days, sir," I answered honestly.

"But you've been missing for almost a month, son!" my father said with a tense face.

"A month? I've been missing for a month?"

"Yes, son. Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle and all the family have been desperately looking for you. I held a seven-day tahlilan because I thought you were gone," explained Bapak.

"Oh God, Nduk--Nduk," Mom kept rubbing my cheeks with her wrinkled hands. She sobbed incessantly.

It didn't take long for the house to be crowded with people. They all flocked to my house because they couldn't believe that I was now safely back home.

Some thought that I was a wandering spirit. No wonder on the way home when I walked, many people who saw me ran away. Does that mean they thought I was a ghost?

"Are you really Indri, tah?" a black man wearing a cap interrogated me, I knew it was our village head, Mr. Mukmin.

"Yes, sir. I am Indri," I nodded to confirm it. He looked a little doubtful.

"Yes, sir. This is really my daughter," Mom replied.

"Thank God, whatever happened to Indri, let's take it as a lesson and stay careful wherever we are,"

"Now we will disperse, let Indri rest," Mr. Mukmin ordered. His hand waved for everyone to go home. I breathed a little easier. I was choked with the crowd and the many questions.

"Son, let's eat. I cooked something delicious for you," Mom pulled my hand towards the dining room. I ate with gusto. Mom kept looking at me, yes, I know she was afraid of losing me again. And I'm grateful to be able to return home safely to Mom's lap.

***

It wasn't just my village that was excited about my return, the whole campus was excited about the arrival of the three of us. They thought we were ghosts. Instantly our story became trending and viral on all the news.

We became celebrities, so to speak. Instead of being happy, I was very uncomfortable getting a lot of questions.

Sri seemed happy with our current situation, but I saw a strange sign in Rena. For some reason Rena seemed to be in a state of pressure and fear.

"Ren ... what's wrong with you?" I tried to investigate Rena's attitude, which had become quiet and her eyes were always glaring with fear.

"In ... help me, In ...," she answered with trembling lips.

"What's wrong with you?" I became even more worried when Rena looked sharply at the other side of the campus. Her body was suddenly cold. She squeezed my hand hard.

"Sri! Come here!" I called out to Sri who was still busy answering questions from some reporters on the campus grounds. Among us, Sri was the one who was good at communicating with people.

Sri looked at me in surprise. However, she immediately stopped her interview and ran to me with a panicked look.

"What's wrong, Rena?" Sri looked at us frantically.

I could only cry seeing Rena who didn't respond to our words. Her gaze was blank. And...

Suddenly Rena had a seizure. Her body shook violently. Her eyes bulged upwards until they were all white. Her mouth was gaping.

I panicked, so did Sri. Everyone panicked and flocked to take Rena to the campus clinic.

"This doesn't seem like an ordinary disease," someone said. I looked at the person, a tall man. He was Firman, our senior brother, and he walked up to us.

"What do you mean?" I said.

"She might be bothered by spirits," the young man frowned and gave Rena a glance.

"You better call her parents and family immediately if you don't want fatal consequences for her," he said.

"Sri! Quickly call Rena's family, let me take care of Rena!" I exclaimed.

Sri tearfully moved away and took out her cell phone from her pants pocket. She looked for a more spacious room so she could talk to Rena's family and take Rena home immediately.

Rena's body became stiff and hot. I panicked even more when Rena's eyes suddenly closed. What exactly happened to Rena?

***

Not long after, Rena's family came with worried faces. Her mother couldn't stop wailing as she hugged Rena. Rena was carried and immediately taken home. Her body was still stiff and hot.

Sri and I were not allowed to come. We stepped back when the family's sharp eyes fell on us. As if we were the cause of Rena's illness.

***

"Sri, let me know if anything important happens about Rena's condition. I have to go home soon, my body is so tired," I said.

"Yes, In. I'm going home too. I'll let you know," she replied with a nod of her head.

"By the way, Sri. Does this have anything to do with us going to that building in the forest? Why don't I feel anything strange? I'm normal," I looked at Sri's face.

"Me too, In, it's normal," she said.

"Did we enter another realm, huh? How come we disappeared for a month?" I said confused.

"Ah, I don't know In, I don't want to think about it. The important thing is that we are now safe," Sri waved her hand and walked away.

I smiled bitterly. Sri could be so calm when we were not doing well. Rena's situation must have something to do with the incident when we went missing. I'm sure of it.

***

I dropped my body hard on the bed. Endless exhaustion ran through my body. My eyes were very sleepy and soon I felt the fatigue eating away at my body and making my eyes very heavy. It wasn't long before I fell asleep.

"Where am I?" my tongue clucked in amazement at the expanse of green grass with a sprinkling of multicolored flowers. The fragrance of the flowers spoiled my sense of smell. Above, the orange sky seemed to add to the beauty of nature. It was really beautiful. Am I in heaven now?

"In... Indri," I turned my head when someone called my name. That someone turned out to be...

***