The Adventure of the Country Troops

Sitting they were cross-legged, in a circle. The comfort of their "base camp" was unmatched. Coconut leaves-roofed and based, at Aji's father's piece of land in the middle of rice fields, this "hut" has become the center of their outdoor activities. From playing card games to chess, from scaring the crows to helping his father, the hut was usually filled with the troops' activities. But not this afternoon.

Gathering after school today felt different, though all the members were already present, Aji the leader, Raka, Dewa, Rama, Bisma, Rangga, and Satria. In their silence, their thoughts were flying away to the place they planned to go to. Their faces looked excited, but deep in their hearts, they felt scared. The place they wanted to visit was the one that not everyone had access to. Before they departed to have Ngaji*, they stared at one another. With one stare, they have made an agreement. The show must go on, mustn't it?

*studying Islamic rules and ways

***

In the evening after sholat Maghrib, these guys met at a covered place not far from the mosque. This place had been their hiding spot since they were 6. Hurriedly and silently, they headed to the place. Aji brought his notebook and pencil, Raka brought a flashlight, Dewa brought mosquito repellent, and the rest brought nothing. But all of them got there ready with ideas. In just a few minutes, they had been engaged in a discussion. 

Satria asked first, "What are we gonna do? What should we prepare? When are we going?" Rama, the most scared, then responded, "Are we really serious about going there? Are you guys ready for the consequences? It's a sacred place, remember? We'll get cursed if we disrespect the rule!" 

"Easy, man. It's not that scary," Aji responded. "My dad said that this place is sacred, but it has no evil power. We just need to fulfill all the rules to be able to visit the place."

On the next day, they met at Aji's house again after school. This time, they were wearing outfit as if the wanted to ho hiking: cargo pants, long-sleeved T-shirts, outdoor sandals and hats. Aji's mother looked at them suspiciously, but she said nothing. When all of them were ready, they shook hands woth her and left for the destination they have been longing for, except for Rama. Although feeling scared, he did not want to miss the adventure.

They arrived at their base camp after 10 minutes of biking. They grabbed and put all the stuff they have kept in their backpacks. After having a break for a little while, they prayed and started walking up the hill over the rice fields. They were thrilled to enter the "sacred forest". 

As they got to the 'entrance', they all said salam together, "Assalaamu'alaikum." Of course nobody replied. It was just a forest with trees, plants, and other living creatures. Waiting for a moment, then Aji led the troopers walked along the walk. 

It felt so good to walk in the forest. It was shady and refreshing. As they kept walking, the fear was fading little by little. It then slowly turned into a feeling of peace. 

After walking for around 30 minutes, Aji suddenly shouted, "That's the peak!" Let's head there!" All of a sudden they ran up to the peak of the hill. They almost forgot that they were not allowed to shout at the place.

As the reached the top, they felt so grateful. The could look around and see the beautiful sceneries over the village below. They could even see their houses down in the village. Their fear totally disappeared. 

"Let's sit here and enjoy our snacks here," Aji invited them to have a break. "Okey-dokey", the rest of them responded. In a few minutes, they finished the snacks and drinks. 

They talked about how wrong the reputation of the forest was. Rama suddenly said, "It's not as scary as what people have said." "Why do you guys think they said so?" Raka asked. In his heart, Aji said what he know from his father. It was to protect the forest from being exploited carelessly. However, he promised to keep it a secret. He then added, "Whatever it is, we need to be grateful for having this beautiful and refreshing forest. Let's keep it green like this. "Okey-dokey," they all answered.