The residents gathered at the waste bank to see the dismembered body inside the black suitcase. They were all horrified, and some even vomited, unable to bear the sight of the chopped-up flesh and the blood oozing out, creating a pungent smell.
Those with weak hearts fainted instantly. Ainun was still clinging to Mak Sabar, as they were the ones who had found the body. Fear and terror mingled within them; they couldn't bear to eat, their minds haunted by the image of the fresh blood from inside the suitcase.
Someone offered them water, taking pity on Ainun, who was pale and trembling. Some residents, led by the village head, Pak Lurah, carefully examined the contents of the suitcase, especially the head, which had been severed from the body. Turning it would reveal the face to them.
"In the name of God, Almighty!" Pak Lurah was also afraid of what they might find.
"Don't let the perpetrator's fingerprints disappear. It's best not to touch it," Bagus said softly.
"Bagus is right. We don't want the perpetrator's fingerprints to disappear," the residents worried.
"Wait, this... this is the child of Landlord Sutomo," Pak Lurah exclaimed in shock.
"Gasp!"
All the residents were stunned and immediately moved closer to confirm the identity of the body in the suitcase. Despite being covered in blood, they could still recognize that it was Sukma, the daughter of the wealthy landlord. It could be said that almost half of the land in this village belonged to Sutomo.
"Sukma!"
"It's true, it's Sukma!" exclaimed another, utterly shocked.
"Quickly call Mr. Tomo. He needs to know that his child was murdered in such a gruesome way," urged Pak RT, the neighborhood head, overwhelmed with worry.
"Oh God, Sukma was murdered by an evil person," Bagus, who knew the cheerful girl, said sorrowfully.
"Who would dare to mess with Mr. Tomo? They're finished," Pak Lurah muttered under his breath.
Soon, the landlord arrived with his three henchmen. He was always escorted wherever he went, and this time was no exception. Tomo staggered upon seeing the body of his youngest daughter, mutilated in such a way by an unknown assailant.
"SUKMAAAAA!" Tomo screamed, clutching the suitcase without a hint of disgust.
"Sir," his bewildered henchmen murmured, unsure of what to do.
"Oh God, this is so tragic. I just saw Sukma riding her motorcycle yesterday," Fitra, Sukma's friend, remarked.
"Death is unpredictable, but this is beyond cruel," Bagus lamented, unable to contain his sadness.
"May Allah forgive all of Sukma's sins and welcome her to His side," Ustad Zayn, the religious leader, prayed sincerely.
"Sukma, who could have done this to you?" Tomo cried out.
"SUKMAAAAAA...."
From a distance, an older woman, still beautiful, came running, lifting her skirt to move faster. It was Bu Dian, Tomo's wife. News of her youngest daughter's death had reached her, prompting her to rush over.
"My child! Oh God, my child," Bu Dian wailed, her cries piercing the air.
"Mom, seek forgiveness in God," Melisa said, embracing her hysterical mother.
"My child! I want my child back! Why was my child murdered?" Bu Dian screamed, struggling in Melisa's arms.
"Call upon Allah's name, Mom," Delisa pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Landlord Tomo had five children: two sons and three daughters. Sukma was the youngest, followed by Melisa and then Delisa. Sukma was the most cheerful and friendly of them all.
"Please give us space so we can investigate this matter," the police arrived and began examining Sukma's body.
"Please catch the person who killed my daughter. Please, I beg you, catch them!" Tomo pleaded with the police.
"We will do our best, sir! We will get to the bottom of this," the police assured him.
"I will pay any price as long as the murderer is caught," Tomo said, knowing that money could speed up the investigation.
"SUKMAAAA... Oh God, your body..." Bu Dian cried out, approaching the suitcase.
"Don't look, Mom!" Delisa shouted, fearing her mother might faint.
"Ugh!" Melisa, unable to stomach the smell of blood any longer, vomited.
The police took immediate action and secured the suitcase containing Sukma's remains for further investigation, knowing it might hold the killer's fingerprints. The residents lingered, their curiosity piqued, turning the waste bank into a crowded marketplace.
"Is it true that you were the one who found the suitcase, miss?" a police officer asked Ainun.
"Y-yes, sir. Mak Sabar and I were collecting cans and plastic bottles early this morning," Ainun replied, trembling.
"Don't be afraid. Just tell us what happened," Bagus encouraged Ainun, who was still shaken.
"Just tell them, Nun. You know me. Please tell them everything so they can find Sukma's killer," Sutomo pleaded.
"That's all I know, sir. The suitcase was already there, and it was tightly closed when I found it," Ainun explained.
"Did you see anyone suspicious disposing of the suitcase?" the officer pressed, seeking more details.
"No, sir!" Ainun shook her head vehemently.
"Alright then. We will take the body for further investigation." The police left with the suitcase.
Tomo held his wife, who wailed inconsolably as the police closed the suitcase. Sukma's remains were taken away, the investigation into her murder just beginning.
"Sukma, my child," Bu Dian sobbed, unable to move.
"Poor Bu Dian. She must be devastated!" Fitra whispered to Bagus.
"Of course. She's a mother," Bagus nodded in agreement.
"The killer is so cruel. How could they do that to another human being?" Fitra shuddered, horrified by the thought.
"Let's go home, Ainun. Can you walk?" Pendi approached Ainun, who was still weak.
Ainun, feeling slightly better, got up with Pendi's assistance, her appetite for rice pecel completely gone after the day's traumatic discovery.
*Purnama and Arya are also here with the other members. The curse on Arya's child will be explored a bit here, though not fully revealed.*
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