The Hidden Master of Silat: Chapter 2. A Glimpse of Vengeance

 

Chapter 2: A Glimpse of Vengeance

Jaka Someh walked along a narrow path, only about two meters wide, that seemed to split the Halimun forest¹ in two. With his spirits still burning brightly, he continued his journey southward down the mountain. The chirping of birds became his cheerful music along the way.

Halfway through, as he crossed a small, clear stream, Jaka paused to refill his bamboo water container. He took a few sips, savoring the refreshing sensation that seemed to seep into his very soul. Once his bamboo container was full, he continued on his journey.

Not a hundred steps from that spot, Jaka suddenly saw a group of rough-looking men hurrying down from the mountain’s peak. Their expressions were fierce, and they were dragging an older man whose face was battered, as though he had just been beaten.

Jaka froze when he recognized one of the men. He would never forget the face of the man who had killed his father, even though it had been more than five years. The man was Ki Marta², one of Juragan³ Permana’s henchmen, the very person who had murdered his father.

Seeing Ki Marta, Jaka could only stand there, paralyzed, unsure of what to do. Inside his chest, emotions clashed—anger, hatred, and confusion. He wanted so badly to confront Ki Marta, yet he knew that such an act would be suicidal. Ki Marta was a feared fighter from Kampung Rawa Balong⁴, while Jaka was just a young boy with no martial skills. How could he hope to stand against Ki Marta and his men?

Still, his anger and hatred overwhelmed his fear. Jaka stopped in his tracks and positioned himself in the middle of the path to block Ki Marta and his gang.

As they approached him, one of the men, the thinnest yet with a menacing look, yelled at Jaka, “Hey, you scrawny kid... Why are you blocking our way? Do you want your stupid face to end up like Ki Madun’s here?”

Jaka froze, dumbstruck, his eyes glaring straight at Ki Marta with a piercing gaze. Seeing Jaka’s sharp stare, Ki Marta grew angry.

“How dare you… Why are you looking at me like that, huh? Want me to teach you a lesson?” Ki Marta sneered, threateningly.

Hearing Ki Marta’s threat, Jaka only intensified his glare. He continued staring at Ki Marta with eyes full of fury and hatred. Angered by Jaka’s defiance, Ki Marta lunged at him, slapping his face hard. Not stopping there, Ki Marta kicked Jaka in the stomach, causing him to stumble backward, his bamboo flute falling from his waistband.

Before Jaka could stand, Ki Marta’s men joined in, kicking and punching him mercilessly. Jaka reflexively raised his arms to shield his face and body. The sadness, anger, and despair swirling inside him momentarily numbed the pain of the blows. Fortunately, his body was strong, allowing him to withstand their relentless assault. But with each unceasing punch and kick, he began to feel his strength waning, the pain finally breaking through.

As the pain reached its peak, Jaka instinctively cried out, tears streaming down his face in sorrow and frustration at his helplessness against Ki Marta and his gang.

“O Lord… Oh, it hurts... please…have mercy…”

Ignoring Jaka’s cries, Ki Marta and his men continued to beat him mercilessly. Eventually, Jaka couldn’t hold on any longer and lost consciousness. Seeing that Jaka was unresponsive, one of them shouted to the others, urging them to stop.

“That’s enough. The kid’s barely alive. It’s pointless to keep going—we’re just wasting our energy. At least he learned his lesson... now he’ll think twice.”

Ki Marta and his gang finally stopped. Satisfied to see Jaka lying motionless on the ground, they left him there, unconscious, and resumed dragging the older man they had been holding.

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Footnotes

1. Halimun: A dense, mystical forest located at the base of Mount Halimun in Indonesia, renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. ↩
2. Ki: An honorific title in Javanese and Sundanese culture, commonly used for elders, warriors, or respected individuals. ↩
3. Juragan: A title in Indonesian culture denoting a person of wealth or influence, often a landlord or boss. ↩
4. Kampung Rawa Balong: A fictional village in this story, representing the rustic and tight-knit communities often found in rural Indonesia. ↩

The Hidden Master of Silat: Bab 2. Sekilas Dendam

Bab 2: Sekilas Dendam

Jaka Someh berjalan menyusuri jalan setapak yang lebarnya hanya sekitar dua meter, seolah membelah Hutan Halimun¹ menjadi dua bagian. Dengan semangat yang masih membara, ia terus melangkah gagah menuju sisi selatan gunung. Suara burung berkicau mengiringi perjalanannya, seakan menjadi musik alami yang menenangkan.

Di tengah perjalanan, ketika ia melintasi sebuah sungai kecil dengan air jernih, Jaka berhenti sejenak untuk mengisi wadah minumnya yang terbuat dari bambu. Ia meneguk beberapa kali, merasakan kesegaran air itu seolah menenangkan jiwanya yang lelah. Setelah wadah bambunya penuh, Jaka kembali melanjutkan perjalanannya.

Tak lama setelah berjalan sekitar seratus langkah, Jaka tiba-tiba melihat sekelompok pria bertampang garang berjalan tergesa-gesa dari arah puncak gunung. Mereka tampak membawa seorang lelaki tua dengan wajah penuh luka, seolah baru saja dipukuli.

Jaka tertegun ketika mengenali salah satu dari mereka. Ia tak akan pernah melupakan wajah orang yang telah membunuh ayahnya, meskipun kejadian itu sudah berlalu lebih dari lima tahun. Orang itu adalah Ki Marta², salah satu anak buah Juragan³ Permana, yang telah menyebabkan ayahnya meninggal dengan tragis.

Melihat wajah Ki Marta, Jaka hanya bisa berdiri kaku, tak tahu harus bagaimana. Di dalam dadanya, berbagai perasaan berkecamuk—marah, benci, dan bingung. Ia ingin sekali menghadapi Ki Marta, namun ia sadar betul bahwa itu akan seperti bunuh diri. Ki Marta adalah seorang jawara dari Kampung Rawa Balong⁴ yang ditakuti banyak orang, sementara Jaka hanya seorang pemuda yang belum memiliki kemampuan bela diri. Bagaimana mungkin ia mampu menghadapi Ki Marta dan kawan-kawannya?

Namun, amarah dan kebenciannya mengalahkan rasa takutnya. Jaka berdiri tegak di tengah jalan, menghalangi Ki Marta dan kelompoknya.

Ketika rombongan Ki Marta mendekat, salah satu dari mereka, pria bertubuh kurus namun berwajah garang, berteriak kepada Jaka, “Hei, bocah cunguk! Kenapa kamu menghalangi jalan kami? Apa wajah bodohmu itu ingin kubuat seperti Ki Madun ini?”

Dibentak seperti itu, Jaka hanya terdiam, namun tatapannya terpaku pada Ki Marta dengan sorot mata tajam. Melihat tatapan Jaka, Ki Marta pun tersulut amarahnya.

“Kurang ajar! Kenapa kamu melotot seperti itu, hah? Mau kuhajar?” Ki Marta mengancam dengan nada mengejek.

Mendengar ancaman Ki Marta, Jaka semakin menatap tajam, matanya penuh kemarahan dan kebencian. Melihat sikap Jaka yang dianggap lancang, Ki Marta berlari ke arahnya dan langsung menampar wajahnya dengan keras. Tak berhenti di situ, Ki Marta pun menendang perut Jaka, membuatnya terjatuh ke belakang. Seruling bambunya terlepas dari ikatannya.

Sebelum Jaka sempat berdiri, teman-teman Ki Marta ikut bergabung, memukul dan menendangnya tanpa ampun. Jaka refleks melindungi wajah dan tubuhnya dengan kedua tangan. Rasa sedih, marah, dan kecewa bercampur aduk dalam dirinya, membuatnya sejenak lupa pada rasa sakit akibat pukulan Ki Marta dan teman-temannya. Untungnya, tubuhnya cukup kuat sehingga ia masih mampu bertahan dari serangan mereka. Namun, karena serangan yang terus-menerus, ia akhirnya mulai kehabisan tenaga dan merasakan kesakitan yang tak tertahankan.

Saat rasa sakit mencapai puncaknya, Jaka berteriak secara refleks, menangis dalam kesedihan dan kekecewaan karena tak mampu melawan Ki Marta dan kawan-kawannya.

“Aduh Gusti… aduh… sakit... ampun… Mang…”

Namun, Ki Marta dan teman-temannya tak menghiraukan tangisan Jaka, terus memukul tanpa belas kasihan sedikit pun. Hingga akhirnya, karena tak kuat lagi menahan rasa sakit, Jaka pun pingsan. Melihat Jaka yang sudah tak sadarkan diri, salah satu dari mereka berseru kepada yang lain, meminta mereka berhenti.

“Sudah, sudah. Bocah ini sudah sekarat. Percuma kita terus memukulinya, hanya buang-buang tenaga. Yang penting dia sudah dapat pelajaran, biar kapok.”

Ki Marta dan kawan-kawannya akhirnya berhenti. Setelah puas melihat Jaka tergeletak tak berdaya, mereka meninggalkannya begitu saja dan melanjutkan perjalanan sambil menyeret lelaki tua yang mereka bawa.

Bersambung ke Bab 3

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The Hidden Master of Silat: Chapter 1. The Quiet Strength

 Chapter 1: The Quiet Strength

In a village called Kampung Cikaret¹, nestled at the foot of Mount Halimun², the dawn was approaching. The cold pierced through to the bone, but in the dim light, a young boy named Jaka Someh was already busy chopping firewood. Despite his youth, around 13 or 14 years old, Jaka Someh’s body was muscular and strong—a result of his daily labor.

Jaka Someh was an orphan. His mother had passed away when he was around 10 due to a chronic illness, and his father had died tragically when Jaka Someh was only seven, attacked by Juragan³ Permana’s thugs. Juragan Permana, a loan shark from the neighboring village of Rawa Balong, often felt disturbed by the sermons given by Jaka Someh’s father, Pak⁴ Sabarudin, a respected and generous ustaz⁵ in the community.

One day, after giving a sermon, Pak Sabarudin was ambushed by Juragan Permana’s men, displeased with his teachings. In the darkness, young Jaka Someh could only watch and weep as his father lay lifeless, martyred for his principles. The sight left a deep sadness and anger in his heart.

After her husband’s death, Jaka Someh’s mother grew ill, and three years later, she too passed away, leaving Jaka Someh alone. Yet her teachings remained imprinted on his mind: "Be careful with your words, don't offend others. Uphold manners, patience, humility, and always be willing to help others." These lessons shaped Jaka Someh’s character.

Now, at age 13, he lived alone in the small bamboo hut his parents had left him. The hut was modest, made of worn bamboo walls with a small cot and a clay fireplace. Under the dim light of an oil lamp, Jaka Someh worked steadily, chopping dry wood into small pieces for firewood. His muscular frame glistened with sweat, evidence of his unyielding dedication to his work.

Jaka Someh was diligent and despised laziness, determined not to waste any moment. As long as he was healthy, he would always work, not just for himself but for anyone who needed help. His heart found peace in seeing others freed from hardship, even if his efforts went unappreciated.

His mind drifted to one of his father’s many teachings:

"Jaka Someh, my handsome son... Never fear hard work. As long as what you’re doing is good and helpful, do it wholeheartedly and sincerely. Don’t expect praise from others. What matters is that God approves of your actions," his father had told him one day.

Jaka remembered asking him, "Father, what if we work hard but don’t achieve what we hoped for? Does that mean our efforts were wasted?"

His father had smiled and hugged him, replying, "My son, nothing is wasted in good deeds. Every bit of work you do, no matter how small, has meaning and benefit, God willing. Do it with patience, persistence, and prayer. Even exhaustion is a gift from God, for it brings restful sleep and makes food taste better. One good deed leads to another, bringing blessings and happiness."

Jaka Someh always held onto these words, though he sometimes wondered if he truly understood them.

On the same day, his mother, who was ironing clothes with a charcoal iron⁶, also gave him some advice, gesturing at the tall pile of clothes waiting to be ironed.

"Look, my dear. At first, the pile of clothes doesn’t seem to shrink as I iron them one by one. But if I keep at it with patience, eventually, they’ll all be done, won’t they? This shows the importance of perseverance and thoroughness. When you work, don’t do it halfway. Do it with patience until you reach the goal," his mother advised.

The crowing of roosters brought Jaka Someh back from his reverie as dawn broke in the eastern sky. He gathered the firewood he had just chopped and brought it into his hut, then prepared to light a fire to boil water.

As the water boiled, he made his way to the Cikaniki River nearby. The gentle murmur of water was soothing, and the fresh air invigorated him. He bathed and performed ablutions in the clear, unpolluted river, which was so pristine that he could see fish darting back and forth. Watching the fish was one of his simple pleasures, bringing a quiet joy to his heart.

The river was everything to Jaka Someh. He bathed, drank, and washed his clothes and dishes there, while ensuring the river remained pure by choosing to relieve himself in the forest, far from the water. Though toilets didn’t exist at that time, Jaka Someh respected the environment and sought to preserve the river’s cleanliness.

Dressed in his well-worn pangsi⁷ clothing, Jaka Someh prayed alone in his hut. The distance to the nearest mosque meant he often prayed by himself, holding onto the religious teachings his father had instilled in him from a young age. Alongside his faith, he had also been taught self-reliance and farming skills.

 

To be continue: Chapter 2

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Footnotes

1. Kampung: The Indonesian term for “village.” ↩

2. Mount Halimun: A mountain located on the island of Java, Indonesia, part of the Halimun-Salak National Park known for its dense rainforest and cultural heritage. ↩

3. Juragan: An honorific title in Indonesian culture, often used for someone wealthy or influential, such as a landlord or boss. ↩

4. Pak: A respectful form of address in Indonesia for adult men, similar to "Mister" or "Sir." ↩

5. Ustaz: An honorific title for a teacher or religious leader in Islamic culture, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. ↩

6. Charcoal iron: A traditional iron heated by charcoal, commonly used in rural areas in Southeast Asia in the past. ↩

7. Pangsi: A traditional Indonesian garment, particularly from West Java, typically a simple, loose outfit made of cotton or linen. ↩

The Hidden master of Silat: Bab 1. Kekuatan Yang Tersembunyi

Bab 1: The Quiet Strength

Di sebuah kampung bernama Kampung Cikaret, tepat di bawah kaki Gunung Halimun, pagi menjelang subuh. Hawa dingin menusuk hingga ke tulang, namun di tengah kegelapan, seorang remaja bernama Jaka Someh telah sibuk dengan aktivitas memotong kayu bakar. Usianya sekitar 13 atau 14 tahun, tapi tubuh Jaka Someh sudah terlihat kekar dan berotot, buah dari kerja keras sehari-harinya.

Jaka Someh adalah yatim piatu. Ibunya meninggal saat ia berusia sekitar 10 tahun akibat penyakit kronis, sementara ayahnya telah lebih dulu meninggal secara mengenaskan saat Jaka Someh berumur tujuh tahun, dikeroyok oleh anak buah Juragan Permana. Juragan Permana adalah seorang rentenir dari kampung tetangga, Rawa Balong, yang sering merasa terganggu oleh ceramah ayah Jaka Someh, Pak Sabarudin, seorang ustaz tegas dan dermawan yang dihormati masyarakat.

Hari itu, sepulang dari memberikan ceramah, Pak Sabarudin dihadang dan dikeroyok oleh anak buah Juragan Permana yang merasa terganggu dengan ajaran-ajaran kejujurannya. Dalam keremangan malam, Jaka Someh yang baru berusia tujuh tahun hanya bisa menyaksikan, menangis memeluk jasad ayahnya yang meninggal sebagai syahid. Kesedihan dan kemarahan menggores dalam hatinya.

Sejak kepergian ayahnya, ibu Jaka Someh mulai sering sakit, hingga akhirnya meninggal tiga tahun kemudian, meninggalkan Jaka Someh sebatang kara. Kenangan akan pesan ibunya selalu membekas: Hati-hati dalam berucap, jangan menyinggung perasaan orang lain. Jagalah tata krama, sabar, rendah hati, dan selalu ringan tangan menolong sesama. Pesan-pesan itu telah membentuk karakter Jaka Someh.

Kini, di usianya yang ke-13, Jaka Someh hidup seorang diri di gubuk peninggalan orang tuanya, gubuk bambu tua dengan bale-bale dan perapian tanah liat. Di bawah cahaya obor, Jaka Someh bekerja membelah kayu kering, memotongnya jadi kecil agar siap dipakai sebagai kayu bakar. Keringat mengalir di tubuhnya yang berotot, tanda dari kerja kerasnya yang tanpa kenal lelah.

Jaka Someh adalah pemuda yang ulet dan benci pada kemalasan. Baginya, tidak boleh ada waktu terbuang sia-sia. Selama ia sehat, ia akan selalu berusaha bekerja, baik untuk dirinya maupun untuk menolong orang lain. Kesederhanaannya tak membuatnya segan membantu, tanpa peduli apakah orang lain menghargainya atau tidak. Hatinya merasa cukup saat melihat orang lain terbebas dari kesulitan.

Pikirannya melayang pada salah satu pesan ayahnya yang selalu membekas:

"Jaka Someh, anakku yang paling ganteng sedunia... Jangan takut capek. Selama pekerjaan itu baik dan bermanfaat, lakukan dengan sungguh-sungguh dan ikhlas. Jangan pernah mengharapkan pujian dari orang lain. Yang penting, Tuhan meridhoi apa yang kamu lakukan," kata Pak Sabarudin suatu hari.

Jaka Someh ingat betul saat ia bertanya, "Bapak... bagaimana kalau kita sudah bekerja keras namun hasil yang kita harapkan tidak tercapai, apakah pekerjaan itu menjadi sia-sia?"

Ayahnya tersenyum, lalu memeluk Jaka sembari berkata, "Anakku, tidak ada yang sia-sia dalam amal kebaikan. Sekecil apa pun pekerjaan baik, insya Allah ada manfaatnya. Kerjakan dengan sabar, berusaha, dan berdoa. Capek juga adalah nikmat dari Tuhan, karena tidur kita akan lebih nyenyak dan makanan akan terasa lebih nikmat. Satu kebaikan akan menghasilkan kebaikan yang lain. Maka, syukuri setiap nikmat dari Tuhan Yang Maha Kuasa."

Jaka Someh selalu mengingat pesan ini, walau kadang tak yakin ia benar-benar memahaminya.

Di hari yang sama, ibunya yang sedang menyetrika dengan setrika arang juga menasihati, sambil menunjuk tumpukan baju yang menunggu disetrika.

"Lihatlah, Nak. Pakaian ini tampaknya tidak berkurang saat ibu setrika satu per satu. Tapi, kalau ibu terus menyetrika dengan sabar, lama-lama habis juga, bukan? Pesannya adalah sabar dan telaten. Kalau bekerja, jangan setengah-setengah. Lakukan hingga selesai," ucap ibunya.

Lamunan Jaka Someh buyar oleh suara ayam berkokok menyambut fajar. Ia mengangkat kayu bakar yang baru selesai ia potong, dan menyusunnya di dalam gubuk. Setelahnya, ia menuju sungai Cikaniki, yang terletak tak jauh dari gubuknya. Air sungai yang jernih gemericik membawa ketenangan dalam hatinya, dan udaranya begitu sejuk.

Di sungai itu, Jaka mandi dan berwudhu. Jernihnya air memperlihatkan ikan-ikan kecil yang berenang, menambah kesejukan pagi itu. Sungai Cikaniki adalah segalanya baginya; di sana ia mandi, minum, dan mencuci pakaian, sementara ia tetap menjaga kelestarian sungai itu dengan memilih buang hajat di area hutan, jauh dari air sungai.

Setelah mengenakan baju pangsi lusuhnya, Jaka Someh menunaikan shalat di gubuk kecilnya. Masjid yang cukup jauh membuatnya lebih sering shalat sendiri, mengenang ajaran agama yang ia peroleh dari ayahnya. Selain ilmu agama, Jaka Someh juga telah diajarkan untuk mandiri, bercocok tanam, dan bekerja keras.

Lanjut Bab 2