Hendra waited for quite a while until he finally saw two familiar cars approaching. The cars stopped, and two people he knew stepped out.
Hendra: What took you guys so long?
Jaki: Traffic.
Ojan: Same here. Why are you out here? Where's the guy you were escorting?
Hendra: Inside. I got creeped out by him. I'd rather wait out here than keep dealing with that inside.
Jaki: Why? What did he do to you?
Hendra (whispering): Man, that guy is a freak!
Jaki (whispering): No way, for real?
Hendra (whispering): Don't believe me if you don't want to, but the point is, I'm fed up.
In the middle of their conversation, Ganta arrived, limping as he walked.
Ganta: Come on inside first. There's a
reward waiting for you.
They glanced at each other suspiciously. They felt a sense of dread and fear, but they were powerless to resist. Reluctantly, they headed inside, hoping at least that nothing bad would happen.
Inside, there were several men with fierce faces and tattoos on their necks and heads. They glared at Hendra, Jaki, and Ojan threateningly, though luckily the boys were protected there. They were led through several hallways and down some stairs until they reached the door they were looking for.
When it opened, Roto was already there waiting, drinking and smoking a cigar. Another guard stood watch, once again giving them an intimidating look.
Roto: Why did it take so long?
Ganta: Traffic.
Ganta and Marwan then sat down and pulled cigars from their pockets.
Ganta (inhaling): Since you were willing to
escort us... (snaps his fingers) I'm going to give you your pay.
One of the guards handed a briefcase to Jaki. Jaki opened it and showed it to Hendra and Ojan. Inside was a massive amount of 100,000 IDR bills—likely enough to buy a car or a motorcycle.
However, he felt something was off. The leaders were staring at them as if their gaze held a hidden meaning.
Jaki (closing the briefcase): Is something wrong, sir? Is there something else you want to say?
The leaders glanced at each other, and Ganta let out a small chuckle.
Ganta: Based on your story, it sounds like you're tired of that damn boss of yours.
Jaki: Yeah, so?
Ganta: I'll make you an offer. How about you help us destroy Iway from the inside?
Jaki: What do you mean?
Ganta: I know you want to live free. I know you're just kids who were forced to do things against your own morals, and even now as adults, you still can't live freely. I know where you came from and why you joined that "Orang Keren" group.
Marwan: We want you to destroy that place and set yourselves free. I know how tired and fed up you are with the way things are.
Jaki looked at Ojan and Hendra. Ojan fell silent, while Hendra looked shocked.
Jaki: So, basically, I have to destroy my own home?
Ganta: Yes!
Jaki: What if we get hunted down one day?
Jaki suddenly pulled out a pistol.
Jaki: Tell us what we need to do.
(Hendra and Ojan pulled out their pistols as well.)
The leaders smiled and began to laugh at how obedient the "dogs" raised by Iway were. But what they didn't know was...
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Four shots were fired, leaving the three leaders and the guard lying helpless.
Ganta: You... damn you...
Footsteps approached from the front, and as the door swung open, the remaining guards were greeted by a rain of bullets from an unknown source.
...
Once outside, Hendra made a Molotov cocktail using a curtain and gasoline from a jerry can found inside. He lit it, ducked back inside for a moment, and then ran out just as the building began to go up in flames.
As they watched the building slowly get swallowed by fire, Hendra spoke his mind.
Hendra: You know what? Maybe they were right. Do you guys really want to keep living like this, Jak? Jan?
Ojan and Jaki looked at Hendra. Deep down, they felt the same way.
Ojan: Why did we do that so spontaneously?
Jaki: Their manipulation. They made us loyal, unable to accept our boss being insulted. I don't even know why the three of us suddenly pulled the trigger on them.
Hendra (taking out his phone and texting someone): Bro... tell our friends from prison. Tell them to get out of the headquarters tomorrow afternoon.
...
The next day, on a hot afternoon, a man was driving a red car. His face looked haggard and exhausted. He stopped at a building covered in "Orang Keren" graffiti, slammed the car door, and walked in. There, he saw three of his friends from prison sleeping on the sofa. When he entered his destination room, it was crowded with people.
They were eating pizza and drinking canned soda. When they saw him arrive, they cheered.
Everyone: Samsul! Thanks for the pizza! Happy birthday!
Samsul (to himself): Pizza? I didn't order pizza. And I didn't even know they were celebrating my birthday.
But then, Samsul remembered the message he received from Hendra yesterday. He rushed back to where his friends were sleeping.
Samsul: Hey! Hey! Wake up! Come with me!
One of them: Why?
Samsul: Just come on!
Confused but obedient, they followed him out. Samsul started the car, and his three friends hopped in.
One of them: Where are we even going? Did Mr. Iway give us another job?
Samsul remained silent. Though they found it strange, they didn't think too much of it and eventually fell back asleep in the car.
...
Iway: Whoa, this looks fun! Can I join?
The crowd: Come on in, Boss! Join us!
They were all enjoying the small party, unaware of what they were actually celebrating. What they also didn't notice was a bomb planted under the table. And then...
BOOM!! CRASH! CRASH!
The building exploded instantly, leaving nothing but flying debris. Firefighters, responding to reports of an explosion, arrived quickly to control the situation.
News of the explosion spread to Iway's loyal followers. The news reports revealed that the "Orang Keren" group was actually part of a wanted criminal network. They often recruited people from prison and those desperate for fast cash—most of them teenagers. It was noted that the explosion was caused by a bomb from a rival group, but the details remained a mystery under investigation. The exposure of this case caused a ripple effect, impacting other groups all the way to the mafia dens.
The mafia, furious that their business had been disrupted, sent their best men to hunt down the person responsible for the exposure. Some members of the affected groups, including "Orang Keren," also joined the quest for revenge.
...
Hendra watched the news on TV while eating his porridge. His face was a mask of confusion. He had the freedom he wanted, but now he was lost on how to live his life. In the midst of his confusion, Jaki came and sat beside him.
Jaki: Now we forget our past and live the life we want.
Hendra: Hmm.
Jaki: So, what now? We have the money from that reward, but it won't last forever.
Hendra: How about... we start a business?
Jaki: A business? Selling what?
Hendra: Whatever you want.
While Jaki was thinking, Ojan arrived carrying burgers he bought from a street stall.
Ojan: You guys want some? Try it.
Hendra and Jaki tasted the burger and...
Hendra & Jaki: This is it! This is what we'll sell!
Ojan: What's wrong with you two?
...
Hendra: I guess that's why we're being targeted.
Jaki: Man... life was finally getting good, and now we have this to deal with.
Hendra: What can we do? This is the price of our life now.
Jaki: Tsk! We aren't safe here. We should just bail and go somewhere else.
Ojan: I feel like even if we hide, they'll still find us.
Jaki: I don't care! The point is they know our position! I want my peace back!
Hendra: I have an idea!
Ojan & Jaki: No! No way!
Hendra: Tsk! Listen first. What if we move to Bandung? We have friends there.
Jaki: How do you know that?
Hendra: They told me they were heading to Bandung. Anyway, just pack your bags now.
Jaki: What about this place?
Hendra: Just leave it!
...
The next day.
Jaki (reading a sign on their food cart): "Sorry, we are closed and will not be selling anymore because we are getting married."
Jaki stared at Hendra.
Jaki (sighs): Whatever, man. It's your life.