Episode 1

Ainun grabbed the sack that had been her loyal companion, for this morning she was heading to the waste bank. She had to get there early; even among scavengers, there was competition for discarded plastic and cans. If she was late, there would be nothing left. Such was the way of life in this cruel world.

That's why Ainun left at half-past five in the morning to be the first one to rummage through the village's waste bank. If she found enough today, she would sell it to the middleman who often bought from her. It was usually Haji Jauhari who collected this kind of scrap, and Ainun would sell her findings to him.

Earning a hundred or a hundred and fifty thousand rupiah was already significant for Ainun. With that money, she would support her aging mother. They were all that remained of their family. Ainun's mother used to be a maid in the house of Mr. Sutomo, a wealthy landowner.

But old age forced her to retire. Ainun had been contemplating applying for a job but was terrified of Mr. Sutomo. Although many said he was a good man, Ainun couldn't shake off her fear and felt unable even to speak in his presence.

"No one's here yet, I'm going to get a lot today," Ainun said excitedly as she started to rummage.

The sun had barely risen, but people were already passing by on their way home from the mosque. This village was known for its devout residents who frequented the mosque for all occasions, including the dawn prayer.

"Look, I found a lot of cans, I can definitely sell these today," Ainun said gleefully, stuffing the cans into her sack.

"I'm going to buy pecel rice later after selling these cans," Ainun muttered, picturing her all-time favorite food.

Although considered inexpensive by most, a five thousand rupiah portion of pecel rice was a luxury for Ainun. Buying two portions meant spending ten thousand rupiah. So, if she wanted to enjoy such a treat, she had to think twice to avoid future regrets.

"Thank God, it's already half full!" Ainun exclaimed, overjoyed.

"Well, well, Nun! You're here early," said Mak Sabar, arriving at the scene.

"I'm the first one here, Mak," replied Ainun with a broad smile.

"Looks like I'll have to search over there; you've already gone through this side," said Mak Sabar, moving towards the right side of the waste bank.

"Find your spot, Mak. While it's just the two of us. Soon, there will be many others," said Ainun, laughing with delight at her haul of cans.

"You're right, dear!" Mak Sabar agreed, already finding things to put in her own sack.

"Other people are so lucky, Mak! They find scrap metal and can afford motorcycles. We barely make enough to eat," Ainun said with a bitter laugh.

"Be grateful, child. You're still young but you're already doing this difficult job," Mak Sabar replied, offering words of wisdom.

"Just wait for the future, Mak! I'm planning to apply at that new cosmetics shop. Who knows, they might hire me," Ainun said hopefully.

"It's not that I feel like you're competition in collecting scrap, but it breaks my heart to see a young woman like you doing such backbreaking work," said Mak Sabar.

Ainun smiled because she knew Mak Sabar meant well. Mak Sabar often advised her to look for a different job, like at the store, so that she could appear more presentable and avoid being looked down upon by men. At Ainun's age, there were many who sought pleasure in toying with young women's feelings.

"Wow, a nice suitcase! But why is it thrown away?" Ainun muttered, approaching the black suitcase.

Thinking it was empty, she tried to pull it with one hand, but it was so heavy that she couldn't move it. When she managed to shift it slightly, a foul smell hit her, sending shivers down her spine.

"Mak, there's a suitcase!" Ainun shouted for Mak Sabar to come closer.

"Wow, it's still in good condition. It could be used to store clothes," exclaimed Mak Sabar.

"The suitcase is heavy and smells awful, Mak," Ainun whispered, a hint of terror in her voice.

"What do you mean, really?!" Mak Sabar moved closer, her curiosity piqued.

"Smell it, it reaks!" Ainun said, pinching her nose.

"Let me open it. You stay back," Mak Sabar said, a sense of dread creeping into her heart.

"No need, Mak! I'm afraid there might be something strange inside," Ainun pleaded.

"We have to open it to see what's inside. What if it's a dead body?" Mak Sabar's mind raced with possibilities.

"I'll do it. You have a heart condition," Ainun insisted, quickly pulling Mak Sabar back.

It would be disastrous if Mak Sabar fainted or suffered a heart attack, so Ainun decided to open the suitcase herself. Her own heart pounded in her chest, her mind consumed by fear.

She unzipped the suitcase.

"A BODY!" Ainun screamed as she fell to the ground, her legs turning to jelly.

"God is Great!" Mak Sabar exclaimed, her own body trembling at the sight of the dismembered body inside the black suitcase.

"How could this be? God have mercy on whoever did this," Ainun whispered, her entire body shaking uncontrollably.

"Call someone, Nun!" Mak Sabar cried, fear forcing her to crawl backwards.

"I-I can't move, my legs won't work," Ainun stammered, feeling nauseous and overwhelmed with terror.

"He-Help..." Mak Sabar tried to shout, hoping to attract the attention of anyone passing by.

"Ugh..." Ainun finally threw up, unable to stomach the stench of blood any longer.

"Give me strength, God! I have to tell someone," Mak Sabar muttered, slapping her legs, trying to will them to work again.

Ainun was still vomiting uncontrollably, her eyes bloodshot, veins bulging in her neck. Mak Sabar, unable to stand, continued to scream for help, praying that someone would hear their cries.

"HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE, THERE'S A DEAD BODY!" Mak Sabar shrieked.

"What is it, Mak?" Bagus, who was heading to the rice fields, stopped and approached them.

"There's a dead body, Gus! Call someone, there's a body in the suitcase!" Mak Sabar cried, clutching Bagus's hand.

"Oh God, oh God!" Bagus exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock, though he couldn't bring himself to look at the dismembered body.

"Call the neighborhood chief or the village head, Mak can't get up," Mak Sabar pleaded.

"Nun, are you okay?" Bagus asked Ainun, his voice full of concern.

"I-I'm fine, just call the neighborhood chief," Ainun mumbled, her face as white as a sheet.

Bagus took off running towards the neighborhood chief's house, which was quite a distance away. If only he had a vehicle, it would be much faster, but all he could do was run.

Welcome to a new story, guys, I hope you like this one🫰🫰

Warm regards from Novita Jungkook, money greetings from your respective husbands🤣

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