"So... This is a supernatural festival?" Kunti asked in a low voice.
Looking right and left, several food stalls were available along the Monas area, at night when the city should be sleeping, these free spirits were actually holding a festival.
Just like a festival, there were many things for sale, some typical supernatural foods, fun little games, and lanterns that were put up along the road.
"Is this Kunti's first time at a supernatural festival?" Astri asked who came from the other direction, her expression cheerful.
"Yes... This is what Kunti is like, no different from a human festival, only dedicated to the supernatural," Tirta explained.
Kunti was silent, staring straight ahead, at the colorful lights that seemed to twinkle, but... Her eyes fell dimly and faded, there was not a single light there.
"Beautiful."
"Ah... Kunti is indeed boring, huh." Astri joked playfully, her tone came out mischievously and sounded like a little sarcasm.
Tirta turned to Astri, then stared at her sharply, making Astri shudder and chuckle bitterly.
"Well... This is pretty cool," said Kunti briefly.
Another bitter chuckle came from Astri, then with a slow nod, she began to step forward, ahead of the two of them.
"Come on, let's just explore everything here."
Kunti was pensive, Tirta walked forward, then... He got married, seeing the figure of the girl behind him still not moving, her hand stretched out slowly.
"Come on Kunti."
Kunti gasped, then her small smile widened, her tiny hand raised to reach Tirta.
"Yes... Okay."
The voices of the sellers, sounded loud, the cheerful and funny laughter of the little spirits sounded soft, the sparkling lights of Monas felt more alive, and now... Their footsteps were in sync, with soft smiles and a warm feeling in each of them.
"Come on! Come on! Catch the firefly spirit!"
Hearing the sound, Astri's attention was immediately called, her eyes sparkled, she immediately approached the stand with small twinkling lights stored in a fairly large tube.
"Wow... Firefly spirits, it's been a long time since I've seen them, let's play this!" Astri said enthusiastically.
Tirta walked closer, seeing Astri starting to take a net that looked like an insect catcher.
"It's been a long time since I've played this."
Tirta turned to Kunti, then raised his hand, signaling her to come closer.
"What game is this?" Kunti asked in surprise.
"Taking firefly spirits, many say that firefly spirits that are successfully captured can provide clues, although most of them run away."
Kunti looked back at the twinkling light that was trapped, her eyes reflected the small light, and there was a slight curious glint visible from her.
"Let's play this, okay?"
Kunti gasped, then she nodded slightly. Astri looked more excited, she took two more nets, and gave them to both of them.
"We just need to put our hands into one of the tubes, then catch some firefly spirits."
Kunti nodded slowly, then her hand started to go into one of the tubes, followed by Tirta and Astri.
It was quite difficult, several times Kunti felt like she had caught it, but the object was like light, very difficult to catch.
"Can this object really be caught?" Kunti asked in a low tone but sounded a little frustrated.
Tirta chuckled lightly seeing Kunti who seemed to be complaining for the first time. On the other hand, suddenly Astri screamed with joy as soon as a small light was caught in her net.
"I got it! I got one!"
She pulled it quickly, then without being able to be reached again, the small light flew up into the sky slowly.
"Well... Running away as usual again."
Now it was Tirta's turn, he took one, as soon as it was released, the light ended up the same as Astri, flying into the sky freely.
Their attention fell on Kunti, still trying hard to reach the small light that had been flashing to call her. Tirta chuckled softly, seeing Kunti for the first time looking so serious about something so trivial.
One small light was successfully achieved, Kunti smiled feeling her small victory, as soon as she released that small light, it ended the same... Flying slowly up into the sky.
"Easy come easy go." Kunti said in a faint voice.
Tirta chuckled, his hand raised to gently rub Kunti's head.
"Never mind, don't think about it, firefly spirits are like that, because basically they are born from the emotions of free spirits," he said in a light tone.
"What kind of emotions?" Kunti asked curiously.
"Like joy... Happiness, sadness, and love, all those tiny fragments can make a firefly spirit be born."
Kunti was pensive, then looked back up at the sky, in the direction where the light was coming tiny firefly spirit's voice was no longer visible, he nodded slightly.
"Is that so," said Kunti without a tone.
"ALL SPIRITS AT THE FESTIVAL, ARE REQUESTED TO GO TO THE FESTIVAL CENTER!!!" The sentence buzzed loudly in one place of the festival, coming from a voice that seemed to come from Monas like magic.
In droves, the spirits who were doing whatever, began to walk, leaving their activities. Kunti was confused, she looked in various directions.
"What are we going to do again?"
Tirta began to step forward to follow the crowd, hearing Kunti's call he turned his head gently.
"For the opening of this festival, we usually do an opening with a performance of something."
Tirta's hand reached out to grab Kunti's hand, they began to take steps together, while Astri watched them while covering her mouth in amusement.
"Look... He's the one who's contaminated, isn't he? How disgusting," the foreign voice said faintly, from the direction of the crowd of spirits that were flocking.
"That's right, even though he said he was clean, isn't he still not worthy of being here?" Another whispered in a sarcastic tone.
"What is Mr. Soekarno thinking?"
Kunti lowered her head, hearing the soft voices. Slowly her cheek felt something touch it, now she saw Tirta looking at her softly.
"Don't listen to that, okay?" He said softly.
Now, in the middle of a stage that was faintly visible, a figure appeared with a beautiful violin, a man who looked dignified.
"Look! Supratman will play again for us." The cheers were heard loudly.
The violin began to be gently rubbed, the melody from the violin created a light with a beautiful musical pattern, every music that was heard was so beautiful... And felt comfortable.
In the twinkling light, Kunti looked up, seeing the moon shining alone.
***
"Ahh... So tired, we've played so many games, next let's taste the food!" Astri chattered casually, while Tirta glanced at her slightly annoyed.
"It looks like Kunti is tired, how about you just sit down Kunti? Let Astri and I buy the food." Tirta suggested in his usual gentle tone.
Kunti nodded slowly, then was swallowed by the crowd Tirta and Astri were no longer visible as they started to leave.
"Really... Am I really allowed to accept all of this?"
In her gaze looking at the moon, a small light disturbed her.
"What is that... The spirit of a firefly?"
The small light moved away, and Kunti began to chase it with such great hope.
Deeper into a city, the small light slowly disappeared, in the darkness, Kunti saw it... A man in a neat black suit.
His smile was thin, but it was like a dark hole that plunged everything. He approached slowly, and his face became clearer.
"Long time no see... My child."