OWNER OF ROOM 42

Brian's morning run ends when he stops at a food stall. You could say it's quite simple because it only has a blue tent roof that stretches above your head and a long bench is arranged under a table that is also long.

Brian approached a middle-aged woman who was standing in front of a simple display case containing several types of food that are often sold for breakfast.

"Madam, one vegetable lontong and sweet tea, yes!" Brian said ordering food for him.

"Yes, son, wait a moment, I will make your order!" replied the food seller.

Brian ate after being provided with a plate of vegetable rice cake/ lontong and sweet tea in front of him.

The breakfast sales lady also sat in front of Brian. Maybe it's because no buyers are being served, so the sales lady starts to talk to Brian.

"Where do you live, son? You're new, aren't you?" asked the seller's food.

"Yes, ma'am. I just moved yesterday. In that apartment, number forty-two!" Brian pointed to the building where he lived. Just once he mentioned his room number so as not to keep getting questions. And Brian thought for sure that the expression of the madam selling the food would be the same as the security and the cilok seller.

As Brian expected, the food seller's expression looked surprised and after that, she asked Brian.

"You've heard the story there? From what I can see, you are healthy and don't look like people are scared," said the lady selling food in surprise.

"What story, ma'am? Since yesterday people have been looking at me like there's something wrong with me and I don't know what's wrong with them!" Brian replied casually.

"Perhaps everyone who saw you was surprised, why are you still okay, when everyone who will rent the room will not come out of the building in good condition. And you've had a good night. You're great, kid!" said the woman and ended with a compliment to Brian.

"Is there anything strange in there?" Brian asked as if he didn't know what was there. But indeed Brian did not know the story of what had happened in the room he rented, except for that beautiful ghost.

"Back then, I had a customer living in that room. She is a gentle and quiet woman. I know that woman is a good person. But it looks like she is sick because it is very clear that the woman's face is very pale and lethargic every time she comes here, "

"For about a month the woman was not seen, and one day I heard the news that the young woman had died,"

"From that day on, there were often stories, the woman's spirit was wandering there, and no one was in the room because of fear of the woman's spirit."

The lady selling food told me about the rumors circulating there.

'Oh, so that strange woman is indeed the owner of the room that died there? No wonder she insisted on kicking me out,' Brian muttered to himself.

"Is nothing bothering you in that room, son?" The food seller's question broke Brian's thoughts in his heart.

"No, madam. Thankfully, I feel safe. Just pray that I continue to be comfortable there. Pray for the woman's soul to rest in peace. It's a shame if it continues to be the subject of talk and rumors like this. She's dead too, right?"

The lady nodded in agreement with Brian's words and their conversation stopped when another customer arrived.

After eating, Brian said goodbye after paying for his breakfast. Don't forget the lady selling food to remind him to often stop by a simple food shop.

***

Brian returned to his apartment room with a plastic bag filled with groceries after stopping for a moment at the nearest minimarket in the building area.

Brian bought eggs, canned sardines, instant noodles, soy sauce, sauce, and anything else that might be needed because as far as he remembers the kitchen has complete cooking utensils, there is also a fridge to store groceries.

Brian is quite confident if he only cooks an omelet and instant noodles.

"You're shopping?" Beauty's voice startled Brian from behind him.

"Gosh, you just startled me!" Brian grumbled in surprise.

The transparent woman chuckled at Brian's shocked expression.

"Why didn't you answer my question?" She puffed out her cheeks as if disappointed when Brian didn't answer her question.

"Yeah, I finished shopping to make my breakfast tomorrow. I have started work tomorrow!" Brian replied, "Gosh, why am I chatting with you? Aren't we enemies?" he continued.

"Hmm, fine. I thought I could just let you stay here for three months. But you can't let other people in here and don't make this room a mess, that's all!" the transparent woman made an offer.

"Okay, Madam Boss! I think I will accept your terms and conditions. For that please help. I'm Brian, nice to meet you!" said Brian a little relieved.

Brian reached out to the woman, and the woman returned Brian's hand.

But Brian felt a strange feeling, like being in a thick cloud of smoke, felt soft but could not be touched, as he saw their hands touching. But actually, Brian's hand pierced through the woman's hand.

"I'm Sabina. Let's not bother each other for these three months!" said the strange woman who turned out to be Sabina, until Brian smiled.

'Yeah, she finally allowed me to stay here. That means my life can be a little comfortable. And I can concentrate on work in peace.' Brian said with relief in his heart.

Brian is not afraid of strange women like Sabina. It's just that Brian is trying to get along and not looking for trouble, especially since she's a girl. Brian couldn't be rude because his parents always taught him to be gentle with girls.

"But this is strange. I can't touch you and my hand feels like it's going into a room full of smoke. I can feel it but I can't touch it," Brian asked confusedly.

"I could have made you touch me. But for what? We even just met," replied Sabina casually.

"Mmm, yes. Makes sense!" Brian responded.

'But, is it possible for a woman of this grace to frighten other people? I do not believe it. But I don't know much about her because we've only just met. Hopefully what people say and think about the occupants of room 42 is wrong,'

Brian was lost in deep thought as he compared what he saw of Sabina with what other people thought of the room.

"Hmm, your name was Brian, right? What do you want to cook? Can I just try to cook?" Sabina asked doubtfully.

'What? Does she want to cook? Hello, she's a ghost, right? What's the hell!' Brian murmured in surprise until his forehead creased when he heard the words that Sabina said.

"I didn't hear wrong, did I? You want to cook?" Brian asked and Sabina nodded confirming Brian's question.

"Back when my friend was still here. I always cook for her. Since she's gone, I'm bored of not knowing what to do. Don't cook, don't clean the house, and just watch tv all day. Waiting day and night alternately. I'm bored," replied Sabina.

"Are you a ghost or a housewife? Why are you doing the work of a human woman, huh?" Brian asked in surprise.

"According to you?" she answered briefly with a look on her face and an annoyed tone, which made Brian chuckle.

"I'm serious. I swear, I just heard there's a ghost cooking and taking care of the house. Of course, I'm confused!" Brian responded.

But it seems Sabina's face is getting annoyed.

"For the last time, I remind you. I'm not a ghost! So stop saying that I'm a ghost!" said Sabina before disappearing again out of the room to the balcony by breaking through the wall.

"Did I say something wrong? I'm just answering honestly, right? You freak!" Brian grumbled at Sabina's demeanor, who was easily irritated. But a second later Brian tried to ignore it and began to arrange the groceries he bought into the refrigerator.

***

'Mmm, what's this smell? I'm suddenly hungry. What did Mama cook this morning?'

'No way! It's not Mama who cooks, it's me!'

'You cook? Since when? Isn't your friend just a file and a pen? Tch, that's ridiculous!'

'Woah, this soup is so delicious. Did you cook it, Sabina?'

'Of course! Mama went out with Papa very early in the morning, you know?'

'Well, it turns out that my little workaholic sister has grown up. Maybe soon you will leave me when you become someone else's wife!'

Sabina looked down sadly as the memories in her mind flashed back.

"I'm not married to anyone, Bro. I did leave you, leave you all, but not because I got married. I left you because of my bad luck."

"What did I do wrong, Bro?"

"Mama, Papa, Bro Ben, I miss you guys,"

Sabina cries when longing for her loved ones hurts so much.

What happened to Sabina? Who is Sabina?