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152 | Call the Girls 1
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2024-10-29 19:42:56THE fun of watching the Rock in Rio concert finally ended. We didn't expect international concerts to be that wild. Just like music festivals in Indonesia. No fights, but still dangerous.
We went back to the hotel, but Kacey told me to go to the room first. She said there is still something she needs to do. When I asked if I could accompany her, she just said that I should rest for the gig tonight.
"You rest," said Kacey, "I still have things to do."
"I can accompany you," I offered.
"No need," Kacey replied, "this is a woman's business."
"Okay. All right then," I said.
We parted ways in the hotel lobby. I went up to the second floor while Kacey came back out of the hotel. I thought this is my chance to call Amelia, Aisha, Julia, and Zoey.
In the room, I went to the balcony and saw the daytime view on Copacabana beach. I sat on the chair and took my phone out of my pants pocket.
Amelia. She asked me to call immediately. Okay. I
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 153 | Call the Girls 2
"Assalamualaikum, Langley!" a male voice answered my call. "How was your concert there?"“Ahmed, where is Aisha?” I asked."She's fine, and she's praying," Ahmed replied."Why can you answer Aisha's phone?" I asked."A lot has happened since you left, Langley," Ahmed replied again.What?!"What are you doing at Aisha's house so early?" I asked."Well, as I said, a lot has happened since you left Indonesia," Ahmed said, not answering my question."I've only been gone two days," I said.“In two days it happened a lot. Say, Aisha, and I will start a new life,” said Aisha.What?!"Up to you. Tell Aisha I called her," I said, then hung up without saying 'Assalam Alaikum.I paused for a moment to digest what Ahmed meant by starting a new life with Aisha. I tried to relate how he could answer calls from Aisha's cell phone so early.My mind has been clouded by bad things that I
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 154 | Message from Julia
MY cell phone suddenly rang an incoming text message. On the screen, there was Julia's name. What message did she send? I swiped my phone screen to open a text from Julia.“I wish you all the best there. Success always," wrote Julia in her chat message.It didn't take me long to think. I had to immediately reply to Julia's chat messages."Hey, Julia. Thank you," reads my first message.“What are you doing so early in Indonesia?” I asked."Nothing," replied Julia.I waited for Julia to continue her message. But after a while, she never texted again.I really miss Julia. Her round face like Selena Gomez always haunts me. I won't be calm on stage if I don't ask for her blessing first."Are you all right?" I asked."I'm fine," Julia replied.I was surprised again by Julia's behavior. Okay. I did express my feelings for her. But I should be the one being clumsy, not her. I did not know, as if we were
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 155 | New Outfit
"JULIA, I want to ask you a question," I said, running my fingers through my fingers."Yes, ask," Julia agreed."Do you miss me?"There was a moment of silence before Julia said something in sign language.“I have to get ready for the market. I want to shop for vegetables and fruits for mom,” said Julia in her sign language.I'm sure she's deliberately avoiding my question. But how else? She has made up her mind, and I have no right to force her. But at least I'll tell her how I feel."Well then," I said in sign language, "I missed you."From the phone screen, I could see Julia taking a deep breath, before saying, "See you later.""Tell me what you did at Rock in Rio later, okay?" said Julia in her sign language."I'll definitely tell you, bye," I said in sign language and then hung up.I took a deep breath to release all the tension that seemed to spread throughout my body. It was because the atmosphe
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 156 | The Wild Gig
I was standing tensely in the halls of the Olympic stadium. While wearing the new clothes and mask from Kacey, I started to sweat. I often perform in front of masses in Indonesia, but this is my first time performing in an international event.Before, I was reluctant to get out of bed when Kacey woke me up. I felt tired, and my mind was full of girls from Indonesia. But thank goodness Kacey kept forcing me to get up.And soon, she was beside me. Wearing a Boumerank t-shirt that she had bought from Alen this afternoon, Kacey looked rock n roll with dark lipstick and a jagged bracelet wrapped around her hand. Truly a lady rocker."Are you nervous?" Kacey asked.I took a deep breath, “Yes, of course. This is my first time performing on an international stage.”"Take it easy," Fred suddenly joined the conversation. "You'll be fine out there.""I hope so," I saidThen, the crowd roared from the front of the stage calling out th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 157 | After the Gig
THE last song was perfect. But not by the will of the masses. They chanted our band name. We had been on stage for an hour, but the audience still wants us to continue. The committee seemed to be discussing, then nodded while showing the index finger that was shaking.They meant no.However, the masses were getting wilder by shaking the guardrail. They asked for one last song. We then discussed this with the committee. We asked to be allowed to play our last song. But the organizers said it would disrupt the band's next schedule.While we were discussing, the audience seemed to be getting more and more chaotic. Finally, the committee allowed Boumerank to fill in one last song. The committee asked us to calm the masses."All right, everyone," Ray said into the microphone. "We're going to play one last song. Please come back as before. Keep on rock n roll!”The masses welcomed Ray's call hysterically."My Flowers!" shouted Ray, “Iv
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 158 | Under the Moonlight
AFTER changing costumes, Kacey and I then said our goodbyes and walked out of the dressing room, leaving the rocker's party. We walked down a corridor crowded with the crew of the Rock in Rio bands."Where are we going?" Kacey asked."It's getting late now," I said, "let's go to the beach. I love looking at the stars.”"Oh yeah?" Kacey couldn't believe it. "I didn't know you were that romantic.""You just got to know me," I joked."Come on then," Kacey agreed.As before, we followed our journey the day before, when Kacey and I first arrived in Brazil. We immediately took a walk to visit some interesting spots in Rio de Janeiro.Finally, we returned to Copacabana Beach, in the same place as before. Kacey and I sat down and looked at the waves crashing. It was clearly visible thanks to the moonlight and some dim lights."Uh, Kacey," I called Kacey.Kacey did not answer but just turned her head."You have a qui
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 159 | A Nostalgia
"I like mysteries," Kacey said. “Travelling to see other cultures, listen to history, admire works of art, and sort of.”"Really?" I asked in mock amazement.Even though I was really amazed."Now it's my turn to ask," said Kacey."Go ahead," I said even though I was worried that Kacey would ask all kinds of questions."How can you play bass?" asked Kacey, “I mean, when did you first play it? It's rare these days to be a bass player."I then smiled and thought back to the past. I then told Kacey. The first time I played bass was when I was in 1st grade in high school. At that time, I liked to play guitar like most boys.In the past, I told Kacey, there was a famous underground band called Heretical Spirit. The band consists of only two members, Big K as the guitarist-vocalist and Cole, the drummer.I really admire those who dare to choose an unpopular genre. What fascinated me even more with the Heretical Spiri
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 160 | Something to Prove
"HOW did it happen?" Kacey asked.“He is a wonderful man,” I replied. “In Surabaya, he is one of those philanthropists who doesn't like publications. Hendryx did a lot of good, but the media always saw his controversial side.""Really?" said Kacey, “I didn't know that. But isn't the media always like that? And that's according to the public's taste.""Yeah, that's it," I said. "And Hendryx doesn't mind being preached as a controversial figure close to sin, the pious men say."Kacey laughed at my words."Tell me," she pleaded.Hendryx, I said, was the founder of various charities. Saltycraft in Saltyville was one of the social enterprises to accommodate the work of villagers. That way, the handicrafts and produce of the villagers could be marketed professionally.Kacey listened to me seriously.Hendryx, I continued, was highly respected by the villagers of Saltyville. But lately, he often gets into troubl
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 283 | The End
News of my arrest spread rapidly and wildly - from surrender, twisted by the Indonesian Herald by forced arrest. The wave of mass demonstrations was getting bigger in Surabaya.Until one day, a man was demonstrating alone carrying the body of a woman in the Surabaya House of Representative building yard which was recorded by television broadcasts. A moment later, he poured gasoline over his body and the old woman's body. Then, he started a fire which quickly burned himself and the body he was carrying.Everyone knew that he was Mr. Wayan who intended to show his protest by presenting himself and his wife in front of the people's representatives. He had a desperate on the government.When that happened, I was in the detention room.All the prisoners present stood up to learn of Wayan's self-immolation on television. I thought the prisoners would kill him for being the instigator of this distressing incident. Apparently, they even cursed the authorities. Th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 282 | The Black Mask Movement
Julia then revealed that her pregnancy was actually from my seed. Therefore, Julia asked in return whether it meant that the child she was carrying was a bastard child too. That was why Julia was forced to accept Gerald's marriage proposal to cover my disgrace.I asked Julia why she hadn't said that earlier. Julia admitted that she had tried but was afraid to ruin my happiness. At that time, I received a phone call from Quinn if I was appointed as Hendryx's replacement at The Boumerank. Besides, I was already a famous person. Julia was afraid of damaging my image and defaming Bradley.I also asked how could this happen? Julia reminded me of when I lay in the courtyard of a closed Middle Eastern restaurant. That night, I forced Julia to make love to vent my frustration.I asked why Julia didn't refuse or fight me. Julia admitted that if she fough
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 281 | The Bastard
When my mother found out that I wrote a book, she could only cry. I softly asked Lidia again. Lidia admitted that she did not want one of her loved ones to be lost in front of her again.Lidia finally told how Bradley disappeared. At that time, Brad and George were advocating for Saltyville residents not to be evicted by the government. The reason at that time was the same, namely the eviction of the brothels. The goal was to control coastal land to build an industrial complex.Bradley struggled on the pitch staging protests, while George, a journalist, struggled through writing. Because George's writings were considered threatening, he was hunted down by a group of unknown people. George during the New Order era was more famous than Bradley because of his profession as a critical journalist.One day in February 1998, a group of people dressed i
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 280 | Saltyroth Rhapsody
I visited Aisha at her palace at Royal Certajava. There, I asked Aisha if it was true that the Rasheed's were eyeing a new source of oil in Saltyville. Aisha said she knew, but was not involved.I asked, why didn't Aisha try to block her family's intentions? There were thousands of people living on the land of Saltyville. Aisha replied that she was only a Muslim woman. She had no power to decide. I accused Aisha of enjoying the result.Aisha started crying, telling me this was not what I accused her family of. I asked, then how exactly. Aisha replied she couldn't expose it.Then, I clashed with Aisha by accusing her of being hypocritical because she pretended not to know what was going on. We both mourned each other and move away from each other.So it was with Kacey.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 279 | Investigation
Knowing that I again urged my mother to talk. However, Lidia did not budge. Then, I said goodbye and would find out for myself and continue Bradley's struggle. Lidia strictly forbade my intention. But I was determined.Based on clues from Brad's book and Zoey's notes, I and Amelia, with Vincent's help, discover the mode of money laundering by the Rasheed and Schielhort families. Bribes to and from Jamaal, Syahnaz, Fatima, and Malloch, were deposited through the CLIF Foundation and Islamic boarding schools and houses of worship as a form of charity.Besides, some were used to establish Islamic boarding schools in Jombang and Madura. This was done by asking one of the pesantren students to be used on his behalf. That way, the Rasheed and Torstein families were not legally touched. An example was Bowie.While tracing this dirty practice, I continued to experience terror.Exploring further to Jakarta, I also discovered a flow of money to state officials. The
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 278 | Bradley's Diary
The next day, I asked my mother, Lidia, about Saltyville in more detail. The village elders refused to talk about it unless Lidia had already told me. And how did Bradley relate to all of this? But Lidia refused to talk about Bradley and Saltyville.I insisted that I read old documents at the Dr. Sue Thompson Regional Hospital. The document stated that there was the name of Lidia Tanoto, who gave birth to twins without a father. Lidia didn't budge.I was not broken. Then, I rushed to the warehouse of my house. I unpacked old chests and suitcases that were there. Every old document I read to find what I looking for. But, actually, I didn't know what I was looking for. I only knew Bradley and Saltyville.Then there was a clean pocketbook, tied with ropes from torn cloth. I opened it slowly because the book had rotted with age. In the book, apparently, Bradley wrote his daily life up to three days before mysteriously disappearing.In the book, Brad wrote abo
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 277 | Burning Revenge
After Brody investigated, it was Troy who was about to collect Zidan's debt from Jamaal. Troy told Jamaal that Zoey was somewhere in Newton and would kidnap her as bail. Shortly after, there was an IMD raid into the Guysville prostitution complex that left three people dead.We said Brody - referring to himself and Troy - concluded that the mastermind behind the brothel attacks was the Rasheed's. Brody also revealed that the most responsible behind Calliope's past to bring down Jamaal was Vincent. I was surprised.Brody added that Vincent found out from Zidan. And the Zidan was pretending to be angry and running away from the house so as not to stand out, that he was the one who leaked it.I also asked, how did Zidan know if Calliope was Zoey aka Melody? Well, therein laid the mystery. Who told Zidan? Said Brody.I further asked why Brody was willing to let Zoey go to me. Brody answered because I was his nephew.Then, I was reminded of Troy. Actual
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 276 | Climax
Then, suddenly the rumor spread that Vincent Limantoro was a descendant of communists. Vincent's family said the issue once defended Saltyville because they wanted immorality to continue in Saltyroth. George Limantoro was touted as a dissident against the regime.Shortly, Mayor Jamaal announced three villages, not two, whose citizens were asked to leave immediately. The problem was, the three villages would be evicted by the authority in a couple of days. The three villages were Saltyville, Wigan, and Certajava. For Saltyville in particular, the eviction would be the next day.Those facts made me even angrier. I ignored Brody's advice to remain silent. At a concert that refused the eviction in Saltyville, I participated in openly voicing my rejection of Jamaal.At that concert, I was no longer wearing Che's robes. I wanted the world to recognize me and the voices I represented.Then hundreds of IMD masses suddenly attacked Saltyville. There were clashes b
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 275 | Dangerous Teror
It was Santos. To me, Santos confessed that he and other service officials travel to Singapore for a comparative study on the construction of city parks also the cleanliness rules. He gambled in his spare time. At first, I understood Santos's reasons.We then talked about music and other things. We didn't have much time together because Santos had to leave, while Quinn and I went back to the hotel.The next day, I had a concert with Boumerank. As usual, the atmosphere is always lively. After that, we all returned to Indonesia.Day by day, Zoey's life began to improve. I had also kept his promise to fulfill Zoey's dream of becoming a singer.However, when everything seemed fine, I and Zoey were suddenly hunted down by strangers. They demanded me and Zoey shut our mouths or be killed. Zoey and I at first thought it was someone from Zoey's past.In the midst of her popularity, news spread that Calliope was a former drug addict and prostitute with the
