The Forgotten Village - The Old Bridge

It was too dark when three boys passed an old bridge. They were on their way back home after walking barefoot the whole day. The bridge was built a year after Japanese troops arrived. 

Riki's grandpa knows what had been happening on that bridge. Hundreds of villagers were shot dead and a few of them were forced to jump into the river. It was a memory from 1930s when Riki's grandpa turned 15.

Riki and his friends have to walk barefoot approximately 20 kilometers to reach an old house. They struggle every single day and never want to look back anytime they pass the bridge. 

Everyone living in the village has never gone further than these three boys. That little house has a special purpose for them. It's a place where light appears. At least for these strong-willed boys who see things differently.

The story of the troops prevails in the heart of almost every soul. Especially how the river turned red the day after the tragedy under the old bridge. Sticking hard, just like a rusty nail. Nobody forgets and the story has always been passed to the next generation. No matter how hard they tried to ged rid of it.

"are we close enough"? asked Abdul to the other two.

The small road they were passing is the only way to get home. Day and night are no difference. Both sides of the road are covered by branches of old trees. At night, the boys rely on the moon to carefully move their feet. 

Riki whispers "I am not so sure, but we are almost there".

The journey has never been easier for them. They hardly ever hope to carry on the traditions, for the majority depend on farming to live. The small house they head off every single day promises a future that is invisible to the others, but not for them.

"okey, let's speed up before the light vanishes" says Ghani while leading the way.

Life was remarkable before the 1930s. When two trucks full of troops hit the road, everything changed. The Japanese troops took over the village and ruled the community.

Riki's grandpa experienced the grief and barely skipped the hard labor for at least five consecutive years.The rest had to protect the family in any possible ways. 

To erase that lingering pain, the three boys promised not to follow the crowd. For them, continuing the tradition is not an option. Unlike the majority, they pursued a different road. 

The old house is actually an abandoned building. Located far from the Seumike village, this old building was transformed into a 'school'. Since the early 1930s, no one has ever thought of running a school.

The villagers are good at taking care of cows and buffalos. Although Riki, Abdul, and Ghani grew side by side these animals, their intuition is sharper than everyone else living here. 

Having walked tirelessly, they eventually got home. It was so quiet and relief. The houses here are separated by large farms, accompanied by small barns on the other side of the road. The sounds of animals can be heard from a distance.

Three more hours the sun is ready to wake up. Unfortunately, the boys just closed their eyes. Their routine is always predictable. Leaving earlier, spending hours walking to reach the school, and returning home late at night.

continued...!!!