Giono's Rage – Nieces Targeted by Mariana

  Giono: "Weladalah…! Weladalah…! Wedus…! Wedus…!"

  Karto: "Broto isn't looking for trouble with us, Boss."

  Turiman: "But he's targeting the twins."

  Karto: "Did the twins cause some problem with the Big Madam?"

  Under the dim glow of the parking lot's neon lights, Giono sighed, pulling out a yellow-pack kretek cigarette marked with the number 234. He took one out.

  Turiman: "Impossible, To! They're just students, they wouldn't cause trouble."

  Karto: "Right, Man. More likely, they're the ones picking a fight with the twins."

  Giono sat at the table of Yu Karmi's street stall. It was already 11:00 p.m.

  He lit his cigarette and inhaled deeply.

  Giono: "Hey, girls…"

  He studied Rani and Rina's faces for a long moment. They looked strangely familiar.

  Faces he knew all too well.

  Giono: "You two look just like Karsiyah, my younger sister."

  Rani and Rina exchanged glances, a little surprised.

  ***

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  An Unexpected Meeting – Giono, Rani, and Rina

  Rani: "Karsiyah is our mother's name."

  Rina: "Yes, she's our mother."

  Giono's eyes lit up and his mouth broke into a broad grin.

  Giono: "Hahaha… weladalah! That means you're my nieces…"

  Rani and Rina glanced at each other again.

  Giono: "Is your father Ngatmo Wijaya, the flying-knife master?"

  Again, the twins exchanged glances.

  Rani: "Yes, Uncle. That's our father."

  Rina: "How do you know him, Uncle?"

  Giono: "Haha… how are your parents doing in Ponorogo?"

  Rani: "They're doing well, Uncle."

  Rina: "Father is still teaching silat in Ponorogo."

  ***

  Giono's Human Side

  Giono: "If I remember right, your names are Rani Kasiyati and Rina Kasiyati."

  Rani: "I'm Rani, Uncle."

  Rina: "And I'm Rina, Uncle."

  Giono: "No wonder you've mastered the flying-knife technique so well."

  Rani: "Uncle, don't flatter us."

  Rina: "Your inner power is still greater than ours."

  Giono: "Weladalah… haha…"

  Karto and Turiman glanced at each other. The boss, usually fierce, clearly had a softer side.

  Karto sat in one of Tarmin the ketoprak vendor's plastic chairs. Turiman kept watching Giono talk with the twins.

  Karto: "Look, Man. I've never seen the Boss this happy before."

  Turiman: "Anyone would be, meeting such adorable nieces."

  ***

  The Four Thugs' Fear

  Meanwhile, the four young thugs were still groaning, each clutching a plastic cup of Aqua mineral water.

  Panjul had three big lumps on his head. Eko was missing two teeth. Sopian's head was partly bald and his cheek had a long scratch from the twins' knives. Only Pendi was still in one piece.

  Pendi eyed Turiman and Karto nervously.

  Pendi: "Can we go home now?"

  Sopian: "Pendi's got a wife and kid waiting, Boss."

  Panjul: "Yeah, Boss. His family's waiting for him safe at home."

  Eko: "Awuh…"

  Karto and Turiman grinned at their chatter.

  Karto: "Not yet! You can't leave."

  Turiman: "We still have a lot of questions for you."

  ***

  Meeting the Twin Grandpas – Durgono & Durgani

  Meanwhile, Burhan was driving his car with Nagini in the passenger seat.

  Burhan: "After I drop you at your apartment, I won't stop by, Nagini."

  Nagini didn't reply, just listened.

  Burhan: "I'll head straight home. I have to report for duty tomorrow."

  He glanced at his watch. It was already 10:00 p.m.

  Nagini: "Alright, Burhan."

  Burhan slowed down as they neared her building.

  Dim neon streetlights illuminated the passing cars and pedestrians.

  Street vendors and late-night workers sat by their parked motorbikes, sipping coffee.

  Suddenly—

  Nagini: "Careful, Burhan! Two people crossing!"

  Burhan hit the brakes.

  Two old men, identical twins, smiled at them.

  Burhan waved at them.

  Burhan: "Nagini, did you see that? Two identical grandpas."

  Nagini: "Yes. Just like Rani and Rina."

  The old men walked off.

  Nagini: "Alright, Burhan. Let me out here. My apartment's right ahead."

  Burhan nodded and stopped the car. Nagini stepped out.

  To be continued

  Author's note:

  Thank you for reading NAGINI! ????

  A fully revised version (with expanded dialogue,

  extra humor gestures, and enhanced visual settings)

  is available on my Patreon.

  Search: “eryjat”

  (The first 6 chapters are free.)