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19 | Incantation
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2024-10-29 19:42:56HAJI Abdul Rasheed’s house was like the Nurul Iman Palace of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. There stood firmly high walls with a line of large vents. Apart from the towering main building, the courtyard was also extensive. It was approximately one football field. The yard itself was planted with papyrus and date palms. Anyway, it really looked like the middle east.
In this part of the courtyard laid giant carpets and tents. Also, there were standing fans and portable air conditioners that filled every corner of the yard. People flooded from the front of the house to the end of the street. It was very crowded.
Located in the Royal Certajava housing complex, Haji Abdul Rasheed’s house was right on the edge of Great Certajava Street bustling with traffic. This street was surrounded by fancy restaurants, like dim sum and pork satay restaurants. There were also fast and junk food outlets, showrooms, car modification workshops, and cafes that were only open
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 20 | Strong Will
THEN, the emcee read out the next schedule. It was the turn of a Muslim scholar who would give a speech. I was surprised when the name of Imam Shahryr was called. I did not see him earlier.Imam Shahryr wore the same clothes he wore when he was present at In-Depth with Aaliyah yesterday. Thawb and guthrah. As he walked towards the pulpit on the stage, the shouts of Allahu Akbar repeatedly resounded.Standing at the pulpit, Imam Shahryr replied to the shout with Allahu Akbar as well. The atmosphere at Abdul Rasheed's house became more crowded. Hundreds of people with turbans suddenly pushed forward before the Imam. It seemed they really intended to listen to his speech.I was sure they are Indonesian Muslim Defender mass.After greeting, Imam Shahryr began his speech by praising the appearance of Aisha, who had just recited Surah At-Tin. I just found out that what Aisha read was apparently Surah At-Tin. But wait a minute. Wasn't Tin is the Arabic for fig t
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 21 | A Ruse
MY cell phone alarm rang. It made me wake up, and it was half-past seven in the morning. As usual, I hurriedly got up and immediately cleaned myself in the bathroom. After that, I rubbed my underarms with deodorant, and I sprayed my body with perfume. Then I put on my shirt and trouser.I swore, at the campus, I would never see Aisha again.I stepped out onto the lawn and heating at my favorite automatic motorbike that I just bought three months ago. But how come there was something odd. Usually, every time I wanted to go to campus, my mother was fussy. But, it was different. I looked at the shop. I saw Jenny was typing on her cell phone. She seemed to be smiling to herself."Don't you go to campus?" I asked while concerned."No," she replied, then smiling."Why?" I was curious."Today is a day off," Jenny burst out laughing.What the hell? I thought aloud."Okay, where is mom?" I asked."At Mother Catherine's house, wor
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 22 | Consent
WHEN Julia opened the package, I could suddenly see that her eyes were sparkling. She tried to cover up her joy by turning her body around. Julia then spread the gown she dreamed of towards the vent. Apparently, she was trying to light up the dress. It was raining. What was she doing?However, Julia looked so happy till she was rolling on the floor. Sorry, I was just exaggerating it."Surprise!" I said with my sign language.Amid Julia admiring the gown she wanted, I shifted to sit on the battered sofa in the living room. She then lowered her dress, turned around again, then looked at me sharply."How much?" she asked by her sign language."200 thousand rupiahs," I answered honestly by my finger alphabets, continuing to dry my body. "And you have to return my money?"I said that on purpose so that Julia felt attached to me for being in debt. I laughed slyly to myself."Impossible?! In online this gown is 500 thousand rupiahs. Where di
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 23 | Law Enforcer(s)
I was curious.Just about to walk towards Julia's house, a woman's voice called out to me. From the tone, I could recognize my mother's voice. She seemed to be walking hurriedly from the direction of the Laymisch's stall. My mother seemed to be holding a file."Lang!" my mother called me."Yes," I answered her."You are awaited in Laymisch's," my mother said as she flicked the file in the air and just passed me.What was making her in such a hurry? Maybe she forgot something while working at Mother Catherine Catering. But, what file was she carrying? It seemed important.Okay, later. Now, there was something more urgent."Lang!" called my mother from inside the shop."Yes," I replied, stopped my intention to go to Julia’s house."Where’s your cell phone," my mother asked. "My phone's credit runs out.""Okay," I turned around and gave her my cell phone.I did not know who she was going to call. B
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 24 | The Tarnished Piety
"Reverence," said Big K.Alright!Mr. P and Matt giggled.They did not know what I just experienced last night at Aisha’s house and this day with Julia. Especially the last name I mentioned--after all disputes--now I even had a cute chat with her older brother.If Julia complained to Big K about what happened in her house earlier, he would cast and throw me in the sea. And my body would never be found.But it seemed Julia did not say anything to Big K.I interrupted in the middle of the song, asking Big K and Cole why they did not work? They replied that they had been overtime the day before. Now they only worked half a day."Where is Santos?" I asked."Dating your lecturer," said Big K."Who?" I was curious."Why should I know? I'm not his mother," he replied.We continued to party while joking. Amid our jokes, the corner of my eye caught something familiar. A black Toyota Avanza was parked across fr
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 25 | Shooting Stars
BIG K, Cole, Mr. P, Matt, and I hitched a ride in a chartered pickup. The trip to Brother Thompson Stadium was always thrilling. Along the way, an aura of solidarity was exposed in the air. Chants of support to Surabaya United continued to boom, accompanied by trumpets and drum beat.It was as if the Certajava Gutrechtians had forgotten the Bowie arrest incident. But I did not.Amid my anger, I wanted to know more details about Bowie's arrest by the Indonesia Corruption Eradication Commission (ICEC) in the news. I took my cellphone and opened the website of the Indonesian Herald. It was the most famous online news channel. There, Bowie's arrest made the headlines.Apparently, my allegation was true. The two incidents were really related. ICEC officers arrested Bowie in the aftermath of the arrest of Madura Regent Floyd Austin Sr.It was just like the news broadcasted by Indonesia News Channel (INC) earlier. The Floyd Austin Sr. case was a bribe case. He w
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 26 | Maroon Stain
I still could not believe Julia found me tattered on the middle east restaurant patio. But now, she even led me to her chamber. Julia then dragged me into her private room. She was no longer sob, but her heart filled with flowers.In Julia's room, I could see the glowing lights dimly. But, I could still look at Julia, who looks beautiful wearing only a red polka-dotted negligee. I remembered her challenge this afternoon."Repeat if you dare," that was how she provokes me.I ventured closer to her slowly. Julia suddenly blushed. I put my hands around her waist. Julia greeted my action by placing her palms on my chest. Up close, I could see her lips started to open. I dare myself to push my lips against Julia's.I enjoyed the tongue's sensation.Then I shifted the two straps of the negligee on Julia's shoulders downward. She was complied, lowering her hand. At that moment, I could feel the smooth skin of her arms. I continue to sag it until the negli
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 27 | A Quarrel
WHEN I got home, I saw my sister Jenny serving a customer at the shop. I opened my house fence, and it was apparently unlocked. Before I entered, my eyes were disturbed. It turns out there was a broken flower pot on the outside of my house.How did it break?Alright, it was fine. Maybe it was because of the neighborhood children who played, knocking the pot down, and then it fell and broke.My own mother, Lidia, really likes caring for plants. In the front yard of the house, lined and hung various types of ornamental plants and herbs."What happened?" I asked Jenny, pointing to the broken flower pot."I don't know," she replied.I took a broom and a wastebasket, then cleaned and threw the broken flower pot into the trash can.After that, Jenny asked where did I sleep last night? I answered at Mr. P's house in Maynard. I could not answer that I slept at Julia's house. I then added, when I got home last night, the house fence was alread
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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
