BAB 1 (1) The Accident Scene

THE ACCIDENT SCENE.

In June 2022, a tragic pile-up occurred at a major red-light intersection in Jakarta under the cover of night.

The event dominated headlines across television and social media, claiming 11 lives and leaving 17 others injured.

The cause of this fatal catastrophe was a heavy-duty truck that suffered brake failure while navigating a steep downhill road.

...****************...

15 minutes before the tragedy…

A fair-skinned teenager sat in a black car with his father on their way home. The boy was still in his school uniform, a nametag reading RENO pinned to his chest, while his father, Kenzo—who was of Japanese-Indonesian descent—was dressed casually.

A heavy, awkward silence hung between them; no words were exchanged, and not a single glance was shared.

Before long, Kenzo spotted the glow of a traffic light in the distance, situated at the bottom of the steep slope they were descending.

"Since when did they put a traffic light on this downward stretch? And it’s so dark out here," Kenzo muttered.

He applied the brakes gradually until the car came to a complete stop. They were third in line at the light. In the midst of the lingering silence, Kenzo felt it was finally time to break the ice.

"Are you still angry with me?" he asked.

Reno ignored the question. He pulled his earphones from his uniform pocket and stuffed them into his ears.

After seeing his son’s reaction through the rearview mirror, his father turned his body to face Reno directly.

He pulled the earphones away and asked,

“What do I have to do so you won't be angry anymore?”

“Is it because of what your brother said? Why are you taking your anger out on me?”

Reno's father asked with a serious expression. Reno took a long, deep breath, showing deep frustration at his father’s

words...

( CLASSICAL MUSIC )

Suddenly, a loud blast of music erupted from outside the car, intruding upon their serious conversation.

Instinctively, Kenzo rolled down the window and asked the person to turn the volume down. However, the individual only responded with a devious smirk and ignored him.

Kenzo’s temper flared, and he was about to lash out, but he was cut short by a sharp outburst from Reno.

“Dad, haven’t you had enough of treating me like some 'special' child?!” Reno shouted, his voice rising.

Startled, his father immediately snapped back, “Wh—what? What are you talking about?! I have never, ever thought of you that way!” he said, leaning closer to Reno to make his words clear.

“Then why did it become about Kevin? He’s like that because of your attitude, Dad. If only you were just a little firm with me... maybe I wouldn't think that everything you do is just out of pity, not love. Isn't that right, Dad?!”

Reno poured out his heart, venting the feelings he had suppressed for so long. He spoke while staring down at his left foot, which was physically impaired.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Their argument was now underscored by the swelling classical music. Kenzo, the father, tried desperately to explain, but Reno shot down every word.

“It should have been me asking that question, Dad. What do I have to do for you to be fair?” Reno challenged.

His father could only fall silent, stunned after hearing his son pour out his heart.

However, in a split second, his father’s expression shifted.

He spotted something strange behind Reno—a blinding light flickering incessantly, its reflection dancing across his son's face.

Just as Reno turned around…

SUDDENLY…

TONNNNNN! (TRUCK HORN SOUND)

CRASH!!!!

—BANG

—CRASH!

A loud boom as cars from behind slammed into one another. The multi-vehicle collision was so powerful that it sent their car spiraling and flipping over.

Kenzo, the father, struggled to stay conscious in an overturned position. His vision was filled only with thick smoke and the smell of car oil leaking everywhere.

He glanced panically in all directions, trying to find the whereabouts of his son, Reno.

Kenzo finally saw his son lying not far from his car. Reno was outside the car, apparently thrown out due to the impact. His son lay helpless, without any signs of life.

Kenzo tried to release his seat belt, but his entire body felt completely paralyzed. The more he tried to move, the more he realized his body could not be moved.

“ARGGH! DAMN IT! Come on, Reno, hang on! Dad will do anything, as long as you stay for me!” The father muttered while staring at his son.

“Help! Anyone! Help my son! REN…! NO…!” (Reno’s father’s vision begins to blur slowly).

Even though his vision is increasingly blurred, the father continues to struggle. He exerts his remaining strength to scream for help for the sake of his son, but to no avail. Not a single soul comes.

His world slowly darkens and his body grows increasingly limp, until he finally loses consciousness in an upside-down position.

...****************...

The condition at that red-light intersection is a total mess. Many cars and motorcycles are crushed to pieces due to the impact of the loaded truck. The streets are filled with oil, blood, and victims lying scattered.

This tragic accident became the center of attention and a major news story that year, even prompting the Regional Head to step in to handle the humanitarian tragedy.

In the end, that traffic light location was no longer used.

To this day, many people passing by take the time to lay flowers as a sign of condolence for the victims.

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