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Edi was a rascal. He’d never been one to back down from anything, especially when it came to getting a good deal. That was how he stumbled upon the small warung[1] on an unremarkable stretch of road. At first, he didn’t think much of it.
It was just another roadside stall, the kind of place most people passed by without a second thought. But that day, there was something about the smell. The delicious aroma of fried rice, spices, and something else—something so enticing that it made his stomach growl.
Without hesitation, Edi stopped, pulled his bike over, and walked toward the warung[1]. It was a simple stall with a wooden sign that read “Nasi Goreng[2] Special,” hanging crookedly above a small cooking area. Inside, an elderly woman, her face weathered and wise, stood over a stove, flipping the rice with practiced ease. “What can I get you, young man?” she asked, her voice soft but steady.
Edi didn’t waste time with pleasantries. "Nasi goreng[2], extra spicy," he ordered, tossing a few bills on the counter. The woman nodded and began preparing his meal, her movements fluid and efficient. When she handed him the plate, Edi took a bite without hesitation, and his eyes widened. This was the best nasi goreng[2] he had ever tasted.
The flavors were bold, the spice just the right amount of kick, and everything about it was perfect. The price was dirt cheap, and the portion was generous. He barely noticed the time pass as he devoured the entire plate.
When he finished, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glanced at the woman, who was watching him with a strange, almost calculating look in her eyes.
Edi didn’t think much of it, chalking it up to the old woman being a bit odd. He paid and left, muttering, "That woman’s weird, but damn, the food is good."
After a few days, Edi was back on his motorbike, heading toward the warung[1] once again. But this time, as he was passing through a small town nearby, he encountered an old man walking along the roadside.
The old man was a rare figure in town, known for his odd mannerisms and ancient-looking appearance. He didn’t usually interact with people much.
As Edi drove past, the old man suddenly stopped him, raising a hand as if to stop him from going any further. “Young man, don’t go back to that warung[1],” the old man said, his voice raspy and filled with caution. Edi, annoyed by the interruption, rolled his eyes. “Old man, you’re crazy. What’s wrong with that place? The food is great!”
The old man frowned, his eyes darkening. “There’s something wrong with it, lad. You don’t want to get involved with that place.” Edi laughed dismissively. “You’re just talking nonsense. I’m just getting some good food. It’s no big deal.” The old man shook his head, his expression grim. “Sometimes, what you see and feel is not what it is.” But Edi wasn’t listening. He revved the engine of his motorbike, clearly tired of the old man’s warnings. "Just get lost, okay? I’m fine." With that, he sped off, leaving the old man behind.
After a while he reached, parked his bike, walked up to the stall, and found the same lady behind the counter, looking exactly the same as before. This time, he didn’t waste time with introductions. "Nasi goreng[2], extra spicy again," he said, settling down on one of the plastic stools by the stall. The woman served him without a word, and he dug in. Again, it was incredible. Every bite was as good as the last. Edi didn't feel anything strange this time. It was just a good meal at a roadside stall. Nothing more, nothing less. The food was cheap, and it filled him up in a way that nothing else had for a long time.
As he finished, he looked up at the woman, who was staring at him again, but this time, the gaze seemed more intense. But he didn’t care. The food was too good to pass up.
For the third visit, Edi decided to bring his friend, Zack, along. He’d been raving about the food for days, and Zack was curious to see what all the fuss was about. When they arrived, Zack stopped dead in his tracks. "Where’s the warung[1], man?" he asked, looking around.
The plot of land before them was empty—nothing but overgrown grass and a rusty old fence. Edi didn’t miss a beat. "Are you blind, bro? Can’t you see the neon sign and smell this delicious scent?" Zack blinked in confusion, his eyes scanning the empty lot. "Bro, there’s nothing here but grass." Edi just shrugged, as if nothing were amiss. He walked to the spot where the warung[1] had been and sat down, as if there were a table and food in front of him. He started eating with a satisfied smile. Zack, now more confused than ever, pulled out his phone and began recording. "Okay, so this is some weird TikTok prank, right?"
Edi didn’t acknowledge him. His eyes were distant, unfocused, and his smile was far too wide. He chewed slowly, as if savoring something. "What the hell, man?" Zack muttered, stepping back. "Did you buy some new cologne or something? You smell like flowers." Edi didn’t answer. He only smiled more. Suddenly, Edi spoke, his voice flat and distant. "Once you taste it, you’ll never want to leave." Zack’s skin prickled. Something about Edi’s tone was unsettling. He took another step back, his stomach turning. "Bro, you’re creeping me out." But Edi stood up and grabbed Zack’s arm, his grip surprisingly strong. His smile didn’t fade. "Come on, Zack. Just try it. Once you do, you won’t want to leave either."
Zack pulled his arm free, panic rising in his chest. "What the hell, bro?" He didn’t wait for another word. He turned and ran, his feet pounding against the dirt. Behind him, Edi didn’t move. He didn’t call after him. He only watched, the same vacant smile still plastered on his face. Then he just went back to the same spot and continue the gesture of eating.
Zack ran quite a distance away and when he turn back to look, Edi is no where to be seen but Zack could still smell that sickly sweet scent in the air. Still thinking it is a possible prank, Zack walk back home and planned to confront Edi on a later day.
A few days have passed, but Edi was never seen again. Rumors started to spread—people claimed to see a young man selling nasi goreng[2] near the empty plot where the warung[1] had been. They said it was Edi, but his smile was vacant, and his eyes… lifeless.
Some said they could hear him whispering, "Once you taste it, you’ll never want to leave." Concerned, Zack visited the spot, hoping to find answers. But when he arrived, there was nothing but an empty plot of land—no sign of the warung[1], no sign of Edi.
As he turned to leave, he spotted the old man, standing just a few feet away, watching him. The old man looked at him with knowing eyes. “Some things can only be seen and felt by certain people, boy.” He paused, then added, “You’re lucky you can’t see it.”
Zack felt a chill run down his spine. The old man smiled faintly. “Remember, not all things that seem good are meant to be. Stay away from temptation… or it will never let you go.”
With that, the old man tapped his cane and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.
Zack stood frozen, the old man’s words lingering in the air. When he turned around, the plot was still empty—but now, the faint scent of flowers hung in the wind. Familiar. Unsettling.
Frustrated and unnerved, he went home. And for the rest of his life, Zack would wonder what truly happened to Edi.
[1] "Warung" is a street-side food stall or a kiosk. A general term used by Malaysians and Indonesian for a small, local business, often a place to get affordable food and daily necessities
[2] "Nasi goreng" is an Indonesian and Malaysian fried rice dish, meaning "fried rice" in Bahasa.
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