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197 | Under the Cherry Tree 2
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2024-10-29 19:42:56JULIA suddenly stopped crying and wiped her face from her tears. Julia straightened her chin as if steeling herself. She then saw the round moon shining brightly, then turned to me.
"Why do you want to know such a thing?" asked Julia in her sign language.
"I can't take it!" I replied in sign language.
"What can't you take?" asked Julia, "pregnancy or my proposal?"
"Both I can't," I replied, "you didn't tell me anything beforehand."
"I've..." Julia stuttered and corrected her sentences, "I don't need your permission to marry someone."
I fell silent, knowing Julia's words.
Yes, I realized I wasn't someone she had to tell. Marriage was Julia's right. But, after everything I've been through with Julia, I couldn't accept that she is pregnant and will marry someone else.
There was a short pause before Julia continued her sentence.
“Besides, you think I don't know that you're messing with Amelia and that popular half-bloo
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"Let me go," said Julia, "it's for both of us.""How come?" ask.“Trust me,” Julia replied, “you won't lose me one bit. Neither will I lose you in the slightest.”Julia then left after saying that.There were many questions running through my mind. Julia didn't answer my questions. But she managed to convince me by accusing me of playing games with Amelia, Aisha, and Kacey.After Julia left, I still held on under the cherry tree. I took out my phone and sent a chat message to Amelia. I asked if she was free tonight.Amelia immediately replied, “Yes, I am free tonight. Would you like to take me out?”"Yes," I replied, "I will see you now.""Where are we going?" Amelia asked."Bacchanalia," I replied again."Okay, I'll get ready now," said Amelia.Amelia didn't realize that I knew Billy. Even though I still have bad feelings for her, I still want to be with Amelia. I return
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 199 | Keeping Promise
THE next day I woke up in a hotel room with Amelia still sleeping next to me. This Chinese emperor's daughter woke up when I stood. She asked what time. I answered at eight in the morning.The two of us then took turns cleaning ourselves and went together to the CLOFUS campus. Actually, I wanted to ask Amelia if Billy would not look for her.But I did not want to do that because I realized that this move would make Amelia realize that I knew something. I was worried that Amelia won't be close to me anymore.Arriving at the Faculty of Letters, Amelia and I separated. I went to English class, while Amelia went to Chinese Literature class.In the middle of my walk towards class, a female voice called out to me. When I turned, apparently, the voice came from Aisha. Actually, I was reluctant to meet Aisha.Considering Aisha did not fully tell me what she was doing on Madura Island actually. Aisha told me that she and her family accepted the invitation o
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 200 | Keeping Promise 2
"THEN, when are you going to bring the money to Jakarta?" asked Aisha."Tomorrow," I said, "if the money is ready now.""Okay," said Aisha, "I'm going to the bank now to get it."Already said that, but Aisha didn't leave. She seemed to be hesitating about something. But I knew."Do you want me to take you to the bank?" I asked."Do you?" asked Aisha back."Depends on whether Ahmed will be angry or not?" I quipped."This matter only you and I who know, Lang," Aisha said, "and it's best not to involve Ahmed in this."I should have protested. Why should I even bother? It should be Ahmed as Aisha's fiancé who has to sacrifice, not me. But like I said before, I already made a promise to Aisha. But at least, I' would whine a little."Yeah," I said, "let me, the nobody, get into trouble.""Lang," Aisha said as if she knew what was on my mind, "are you willing to help me?""Of course not," I said honestly, "
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 201 | Keeping Promise 3
AFTER receiving the money from Aisha, I immediately booked a flight ticket to Jakarta for two people. Since I didn't know where the mob boss was, I asked Malique to take me to you.Previously, Malique had told the mafia boss who hired him that there was a representative from the Rasheed family who wanted to pay off the debt. The mafia boss agreed and invited representatives of the Rasheed family to come to Jakarta. Of course, the representative of the Rasheed family in question was me.When I contacted the airline to book tickets, all flights to Jakarta for the next day were fully booked. I then told Aisha, Zidan's debt repayment must be postponed until the day after tomorrow, according to the next flight schedule.Aisha looked uneasy knowing that. Then she asked me, could I fly this afternoon?“Sorry, Lang,” said Aisha, “I know I asked for a lot of help. But, can you fly today? I'm afraid that the longer this matter is left unresolved,
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 202 | Lovebird from the South
After a flight of approximately two hours, Malique and I finally arrived in Jakarta. Malique took me straight to a bar downtown. This bar has a classic feel with various Chinese-style decorative motifs.Malique then said something to one of the Javanese bodyguards who was on guard. The bodyguard nodded then led us down the stairs to the basement.We were then led into the room. There was already an old Chinese man with a military haircut. Half of his face has burned.I knew him."Langley!" greeted the old Chinese man to me."Uncle Troy," I replied kindly.Uncle Troy then hugged me warmly. I accept it as an honor. His demeanor was not the same as the first time we met. Knowing that Troy and I were so close, Malique seemed surprised to find out."I was told you came here to pay off Zidan's debt," said Troy, "I already knew that the representative of the Rasheed family was you."I just nodded at that."You," Troy said to Ma
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 203 | Lovebird from the South 2
BEFORE I left, I asked Uncle Troy what he had to do with setting up Hendryx until the superstar bassist was caught by the police. As a result, the village-owned enterprise founded by Hendryx was threatened with bankruptcy. That way, Saltyville no longer had the legality of customs.And now, the process of changing the status of community land to state land would be more easily realized. If that's the case, the historic Saltyville Village for my grandfather Bradley, George, Alex Limantoro, Uncle Brody, and Uncle Troy would be evicted."What's your business with Hendryx? Didn't Alex ask you to thwart any attempt to evict Saltyville?" I asked."I really have no business with Hendryx," said Uncle Troy, "and this is all just business, Langley. I can't tell you everything. But you don't have to worry."I was nodded in understanding.After giving Troy the money from Aisha, Malique and I said our goodbyes to this classic Chinese bar. Troy let us go safely
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 204 | Shocking Information
After talking to Aisha, I texted Kacey. I told her that I was in Jakarta. So, I asked Kacey if I could meet her tonight. You see, tomorrow I have to go back to Surabaya."Can we meet tonight?" I asked via chat message."Sorry, I can't," said Kacey, "I'm on Thousand Islands right now."Thousand Islands were separate islands that are still included in the administrative area of the city of Jakarta. From and to Thousand Islands must use sea transportation modes, such as ships. And Thousand Islands were islands for the rich on vacation.There, everything was luxurious, from food to recreation. And I was sure the ship that the Kacey family was on was not an ordinary ferry but a cruise ship.I didn't have to ask myself to know what the Kaceys were doing there. To be sure, they were having fun like the rich."I understand," I replied."What are you doing in Jakarta?" Kacey asked.“Helping a friend solve a problem,” I r
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 205 | Back Abroad
BACK in Surabaya the next day, I was still uneasy in my room. I was still thinking about all the related incidents, but I did not understand. Lastly, Malique said that the two bodies found on Saltyville Beach were last seen by his men while at Grisee.Meanwhile, based on information from Gerald – the head of the Saltycoast Police – the two bodies were the subordinates of Surabaya mafia boss Brody, my uncle. So, the two people who threw Molotov cocktails at my house were Uncle Brody's men who were last seen with the Indonesia Muslim Defender (IMD) in Grisee.What did this all mean?Did Uncle Brody intend to harm my family? Was it because I threatened his position as mafia boss? In fact, Uncle Brody looked really good to me. In fact, he told me about his past. Moreover, he still holds the oath to remain loyal to my family. Therefore, Uncle Brody invited me to join him as an associate.My mind was getting crowded with the facts that I found from
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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
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 280 | Saltyroth Rhapsody
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 279 | Investigation
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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
