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165 | The Second Time
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2024-10-29 19:42:56OUR place was becoming crowded. While Leah sat on the sofa armrests beside Kacey and Tiffany jumped into my lap.
"Gary, find a chair, bring it here," I asked.
"It's all right," said Gary, lighting his match and lifting it high in the air. "I'm just standing."
Yes, you were right. You should stand up. Only you were the most stamina among us. Besides, Gary was also a professional fitness coach at one of the leading gyms in Surabaya - Old Timey's Fitness Center.
While waiting for the guest DJ performance, we then drank and talked about Boumerank Rock in Rio Concert. Previously, the LGBT Gang often took the time to watch me perform at Surabaya or Indonesia.
"Really?" said Tiffany to Kacey, "you and Langley sleep together?"
"Now this is news," said Brittany.
"Don’t spread it," Kacey corrected.
I nodded in confirmation, while Kacey just laughed as she covered her face with her palms bashfully.
"What did Langley do to you
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 166 | Japanese Chronicle
"It's okay?" I nodded at Kacey. "That's my uncle. He summoned me."I left Kacey who went back to the friends. These two bodyguards flanked me as I entered the VIP room.In this room, there are several people who are relaxing drinking, and smoking in the room which I estimate is 6 x 6 meters. The dance poles were just a support for the bodyguards. Nothing special. Besides, the music isn't too loud inside.“Uncle Brody,” I greeted him respectfully. "You called me?""Yes," he answered."Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked."No," he answered again, "what help can I ask a young man like you for?"I just smiled wryly at that. However, what he said was true. What can a musician help a mob boss?“Moe,” said Brody, “told you you were coming. I just want to chat with my nephew. Do you mind?”So, it was Brother Moe, Bacchanalia's security who told him."No," I replied. "I
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 167 | The Three Children
Then, continued Uncle Brody, there was a Dutchman who bought the Japanese brothel. The Dutchman turned ianjo into bordeel. That means, the status of jugun ianfu only changes to hoeren.The goal, as a residence for his mistress who is Chinese and the son of their infidelity, is still small. The mistress is also the manager of the brothel or commonly called the Mother."The rules are the same as for ianjo, prostitutes are prohibited from leaving the brothel," said Uncle Brody.Because of that, said Uncle Brody, the pregnant Javanese woman gave birth under the shade of a banyan tree that grew in the middle of the bordeel yard. Therefore, the child was given the name Ichijiku which means fig tree in Japanese. The woman deliberately uses Japanese so that later she knows the origin of the seeds.“When he grew up, his friends just called him Ichi or Brother Ichi. From there it gradually changed to Brochi and then Brody,” said Uncle Brody. "To make it
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 168 | Someone Special
THE crowd on the second floor of Foreplay moved aside. Uncle Brody is like Moses parting the Red Sea. At the same time, my curiosity was heightened because Uncle Brody called himself and me the same.What's the same? I do not understand. I then walked out of the VIP room to the previous Love Seat, thinking about how it all happened.Is it true that the facts and history of the Tanoto family, as told by Uncle Brody? Or he just made up all the stories about jugun ianfu, sacred houses, fig trees, inter-ethnic riots, and so on. I think Uncle Brody is trying to impress me so I can become his associate.I'll ask mom when I get home.As I walked, I took the time to look at the stage. Apparently, there were several pairs of men and women dancing. The women dancing sensually seduce the men of their respective partners. Vice versa. DJ Butterfly, the host, and the backup dancers seemed to be cheering.Apparently, Skin for Win has started. The pair that dances
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 169 | Youth Dream
KACEY and I finally returned to our room. I reminded Kacey that she had to leave for Jakarta. He gave up and understood. Finally, Kacey decided to sleep.Meanwhile, I still remember what Uncle Brody said to me earlier. He said that he and I are the same, for the second time. What does it mean?Uncle Brody asked me to be part of his criminal association. What happens when a rockstar joins the mafia? I am still young. I should be full of fighting spirit.Indeed, young people are often identified with their strong ideals. Even so, these cadets are often seen as lacking in salt, not cognitively complete, and emotionally unstable.What is sadder is that the older generation seems to have put aside the role of the youth. You see, they see this young group as a collection of idealistic people who make unrealistic decisions.However, the seniors' justification is not entirely wrong and not entirely correct. As we all know, the first President of the Republ
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 170 | Kite and Little Girl
I was surprised to hear Kacey's exclamation. Oh, Lord! Apparently, I was delirious. I forgot what time I went to bed after putting Kacey to bed. Turns out I fell asleep too. Maybe because of the liquor we drank last night."You talk about youth and resistance and stuff," said Kacey, "what's on your mind?""I don't know," I said holding my head, "I forgot.""You're weird," said Kacey, "okay I'm going to take a shower and get ready for the airport."As Kacey cleaned herself up, I thought about last night. How I met Uncle Brody again in Foreplay. There are two things that bother me. First, Uncle Brody said that he and I were the same. And the second is his invitation to enter his inner circle.I don't know, I'm confused by all of that. I just felt like a celebrity, I've been burdened with such things.In the midst of my confusion, Kacey suddenly appeared as usual. He immediately packed his things."Are you going to take me?" Kacey asked.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 171 | Mother
FROM a distance, I saw the shop was operating as usual, after being attacked by an unknown person, some time ago. I can guess that there must be a mother in the shop taking care of it. While Jenny is probably in college. Or is that so."Hey Mom," I was surprised then hugged my mother."Langley!" cried my mother not expecting her son to come home. "You didn't tell me you were coming home. I can cook something for you.""You don't have to do that," I replied, "here I brought you some gifts from Brazil.""Come in!" take my mother.Mother is a wonderful person. Great woman. The presence of his soul is like a light in the darkness of the world. Nine months and 10 days he struggled between life and death, defending his son.His love is like the sun that always illuminates the world tirelessly and unceasingly. The tenderness of his soul is like the most beautiful thing he has. The patient figure always makes anyone comfortable beside him.Th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 172 | Serious Binge
THE rain had just stopped, and the day had come to an end. It's late at night. The hands of the clock show 11:45 WIB. I was still awake in my room, thinking about everything that had happened to me. From an ordinary college student to a rockstar.Not only that, a series of mysterious events added to my headache. Moreover, I have not been able to determine who I should date. Amelia, Julia, Kacey, Aisha, or Zoey? All of them are amazing women, and I haven't texted them yet, except for Kacey who told me this afternoon that she had arrived in Jakarta and met her parents.In the midst of my turmoil, I miss partying with my village friends. Even though I'm now a celebrity who will be highlighted by the media, but I don't care. I'm a rockstar. I can do whatever I want.I then messaged Big K, asking where they were. Big K replied that they were at their usual place. I immediately rushed to the location that Big K was referring to – a middle eastern restaurant that
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 173 | Youth Pledge
“WHAT do you think about the Youth Pledge?” I asked Santos.According to Santos, youth are the next generation who will be responsible for the progress of the nation. Youth as revolutionaries must have a high fighting spirit to act for the progress of the nation.Almost a century ago, on October 28, the Youth Oath was made as a form of resistance to Dutch colonialism as well as the spirit of the struggle to achieve Indonesian independence."Give me 10 youths, then I will shake the world" Bung Karno's familiar words have ignited the enthusiasm of the youths to fight for independence.In the millennial era, said Santos, our enemies are no longer colonizers from the Dutch colonial era, our struggle is no longer to seize Indonesian independence. Our current enemy comes from the internal Indonesian nation whose incarnation is now invisible.Along with the rapid development of technology, the greater the challenge for youth to maintain the sp
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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
