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244 | Families
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"From the results of their Chinese-Javanese marriage, three children were born," I said, "one of them, the middle child, was named Lidia Tanoto."
"Who's she?" asked Zoey.
"She is my mother."
"What?" Zoey asked surprised. "That's not possible. You don't have the physique of a Chinese."
“As I told you, my mother is half Chinese, a half Javanese. My father is Javanese. My mother married a native,” I explained.
When I said that, it reminded me of my father. I feel like I haven't called him in a long time.
“My father himself was not a native of Surabaya but was born in Yogyakarta, Central Java Province. He served as an Indonesian National Army personnel. My father was a captain and is currently on duty in Papua.
He rarely came home, even once a year. My family was sincerely let him go to carry out his mission of the state. Keeping the peace, my father ever said. Yes, there was still indeed a separatist conflict in Papua,” I said to
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 245 | It's Enough!
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 246 | It's Enough! 2
"Lang! Langley!" call Mr. P, out loud.I suddenly woke up with blurred eyesight. When my vision began to clear, I could see Mr. P, Matt, and Brother Eugene surrounding me in a booth behind the stall."Are you all right, Lang?" asked Eugene worriedly while handing me a glass of water, “you suddenly fell unconscious in the front room. Good thing Matt caught you quickly."I turned to my loyal friend, “Thank you, Matt, thank you, Brother Eugene.”"No problem," Matt replied."I don't know," I said, "I'm suddenly dizzy and nauseous."Of course, I lied. It's impossible for me to say that I fainted because too many heavy thoughts were spinning in my head. Saltyville, Alex, Rasheed, Troy, Brody, Hendryx, Bradley, George, Indonesia Muslim Defender, Indonesia Communist Party, and so on.Not to mention my personal problems with Aisha, Amelia, Julia, Kacey, and Zoey. They each burden me even more."How long have I been unc
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 247 | It's Enough! 3
"Are you all right, Mom?" I asked."Oh, I'm sorry," said my mother, "I'm all right, son. I'm just tired."I nod, but I don't think she's tired.“By the way, why have you come home from campus?” my mother asked."I suddenly don't feel well," I replied. "I want to rest at home."After kissing my mother's forehead, I went into the room and lay down on the bed. I tried not to recall everything I had just experienced and learned. I get dizzy and nauseous.But I can't just rule it out. All the things that I experienced and knew kept replaying in my head. I'm fed up with all that. I have to find a way to forget everything.Politicians working with rich people evict people's land in Saltyville. Yes, they are Mayor Jamaal Alrasheed and Torstein Schielhort. Jamaal is the eldest son of Abdul Rasheed. Jamal is also the older brother of Aisha and Zidan.Then there are three mafia bosses who are connected to the village trying to
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 248 | A Small Favor
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 249 | Drug Dealer
"What?" asked Brother Eric."I need marijuana," I repeated.“Yes, I heard you say that,” said Eric, “I'm sorry for being surprised. But this is the first time I've heard such a request from you. I never heard of you using drugs before. I thought you just like alcohol.""I'm a trustworthy person," I said."Why do you use marijuana?" asked Eric.“I have a problem with headaches,” I replied.“A headache is the same as a serious problem. That's right?" said Eric, “I can also guess that you have a stomach ache too.”"That's right," I replied.Eric then opened his desk drawer. He seemed to be picking up something like a cigarette. I know what it is. Then Eric turned it on, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. His distinctive aroma immediately burst into the workspace."This is what you need, isn't it?" said Eric as he handed me the cigarette."That's right," I replied. "Tur
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 250 | A Benefit
"Are you sure?" I asked. "Maybe you don't know the truth about Brody.""Who knows. But I'm pretty sure I'm safe. The proof, so far, I'm fine, " said Eric."I hope it stays that way," I responded."Relax, Bro. Why are you worrying about me like that," Eric said."Because there's a story you don't seem to hear about Brody," I said."And what story is that?" asked Eric.Yes, I thought, there is a past story that Brother Eric doesn't know. Previously, I had heard scary stories about two figures who are now big mafia bosses in Surabaya and Jakarta, Uncle Brody and Uncle Troy. And they are both former subordinates of my grandfather, Bradley Tanoto."So, I heard this story from three different people. And they told the same thing about Brody. That means this story is probably the fact,” I began.“The first story I heard from Cameron and Ratty was after my house was attacked by two unknown people. The same story I heard fro
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 251 | Another Ally
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 252 | The Unsung Hero
"What a wonderful story," said Calliope."Yes. And you won't find his name in school textbooks," Donnie added.There was no mistaking it. It was the same story that Emmerich – my father - told."Didn't he disappear after the 1998 riot incident? At that time, President Suharto had to resign from his position," I replied.Donnie was surprised at my words, “How did you know about that?”"Actually, Bradley Tanoto is my grandfather," I replied."Impossible!""Yeah," Zoey said, "you never told me that.""It's not something you can tell anyone," I said.“I idolized someone, and now I'm sitting with his grandson,” said Donnie, “It's amazing. We should have another drink."We toasted for the umpteenth time. I don't care if I'm drunk or not. All the things that weigh me down I have to let go."Okay. Back to Bradley. You're saying he disappeared during the 1998 riots?" Donnie asked.
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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
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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 278 | Bradley's Diary
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 277 | Burning Revenge
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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
