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262 | Stereotype
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Not long after, my cell phone rang a dial tone. Apparently from Kacey.
"Hey where are you, handsome?" Kacey asked.
"I was around Goobank," I replied.
"I wanted to meet you," Kacey said.
"Okay, where are you?" I asked.
"On campus," Kacey replied.
"I'm on my way," I said.
Here, at the Clofus campus, almost all majors were available, even the rarest in Indonesia, such as Nuclear Engineering and Javanese Literature. A row of notable people listed as Clofus graduates, such as World Bank’s Managing Director Mrs. Shri Lakhsmi. She also ranked as the 38th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes last year. Then, Mr. Ali Purwacaraka was an Indonesian ambassador in the United Nations. And also, Hendryx, The Boumerank rock superstar.
I studied at the Department of English Literature, Faculty of Letters, alongside Aisha, Julia, Mr. P, and Matt. The last three names received scholarships for the indigents students around the campus
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 263 | Youth Ideology
"Of course I'd be willing to be your sidekick," Kacey said."I believe so," I said."Tell me something else," Kacey asked."About what?" I asked."Your ideology?" Kacey said.I exhaled and started talking about youngsters.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 Republic of Indonesia Soekarno once revealed a popular quote, "Give me a thousand parents, I will surely uproot (Mount) Semeru from its roots. Give me ten youths, I will surely shake the world."If ten youths cou
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 264 | A Model
Kacey and I spent the day together. Until finally night fell, I took Kacey home. After that, my cell phone rang. Apparently from Brother Eric. He told me that Gabriella was already at the hotel and ready to be picked up.I immediately drove to the Wahid Hotel where Gabriella was staying. And yes, I saw a tall, beautiful woman talking with Brother Eric."Langley!" said Eric introducing, "This is Gabriella. Gabriella. This is Langley.""Nice to meet you," we greeted each other."Are you ready to leave here?" I asked Gabriella."Of course. Where are you taking me?" Gabriella asked back."Bacchanalia," I replied."That's a great place," said Eric."Then what are you waiting for," said Gabriella.I accelerated my speed until we arrived at Embong Malang Street. This Surabaya culinary center was lined with international-class star hotels. I looked at the digital clock on my motorbike dashboard. It was 11.30 P.M. Just in time, I
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 265 | A Model 2
THE sound of the music then slowly became silent. The hustle and bustle of the humans on the dance floor began to calm down. The visitors who throng the Bacchanalia distract themselves by drinking again.It was already midnight. Maybe it was the time for the Bacchanalia staff to rest. Usually, after the host DJ performance - at zero hours - it would be changed to a guest DJ. But, I did not know who the guest DJ would be.However, the absence of music had not made the atmosphere filled with adult men and women wither. It was like the atmosphere of an annual festival. Even though the long-awaited one had not yet appeared, the visitors were still waiting faithfully.I then got rid of my previous worry - a strange feeling amidst the excitement of a nightclub. Unlike usual, someone was watching me from somewhere. But I d not know for sure."Here, drink again!" asked Gabriella, then gave me a glass.Since there was no music playing, we did not have to sh
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 266 | A Model 3
When I walk, I take the time to look at the stage. Apparently, there were several pairs of women and men dancing. The women danced sensually to seduce their respective partners and vice versa. DJ Butterfly, the host, and the dancers were cheering.Apparently, Skin for Win had started. The couple who danced the wildest won. The prize, IDR 10 million in cash or USD 1,000, and a free drink the following weekend. I thought the participants did not pursue the reward but the fun."Lang!" called Tiffany, "come here quickly!"Tiffany's voice was so loud that I could hear her in the middle of the sound of the music. I then waved and hurried to our table. Gabriella seemed to be laughing out loud with the LGBT Gang. What were they talking about?"What happened?" I shouted into Tiffany's ear.Gabriella looked at me."Gabriella's following Skin for Win!"What?! This is great, Gabriella could not be in that game."Yes!" I replied in the same
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 267 | A Model 4
"You have a quite good voice. Why don’t you just go solo?" I asked while sipping the orange juice, trying to create a relaxed atmosphere to come back again.Gabriella then looked back at the mango swimming pool. She lifted her head, then looked in the sky for a moment before turning back to face me. She sighed, then shook her head."Thank you," Gabriella said softly. "But, I actually don't really like to be a celebrity.""It was my mother who wants me to be a singer, model or actress, or whatever," Gabriella admitted then leaned back.What! I was surprised to listen to Gabriella's confession. She just like Kacey. I then more opened my ears to pay attention to what else would she reveal? I did not know why, but I felt that Gabriella had just trusted me, so she dared to tell me sensitive things.Gabriella then admitted that singing or modeling was not her passion, moreover acting. She believed that it was her mother's wish to make her famous. I
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 268 | Someone Great
Tommorow, I introduce Gabriella to Titus.I then turned the car into an extraordinary school. Gabriella looked surprised as I parked the car. I then invited Gabriella down."Junior High School A Foundation for Blind Children's Education," reads Gabriella. "Why did you invite me here?""You say you like exotic things?" I said."Yeah, that's true," Gabriella replied."I'll introduce you to someone," I said.I then took Gabriella and took her to a room. While walking, I told a story about this one friend of mine.In a corner of the hamlet, a group of elementary school students seemed to be playing happily while waiting to enter class. Like schools in general, the courtyard is filled with cheerful laughter, the typical joy of children before the bell rings.There, the most agile 2nd-grade elementary schoolboy. His oval face, framed by thin straight hair on the side. His skinny body was wrapped in tan skin. As an eight-year-old boy,
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 269 | Another Ally
The next day, I took Gabriella to the airport to return to Jakarta. Gabriella kept saying that I was the most different client of all. According to Gabriella, I am a sensitive person and care about women. Not like other clients, she would be thrown away."You're different from the others," Gabriella said."How did it happen?" I asked.“You care about me,” Gabi replied."Shouldn't men be like that with women," I said.“No,” Gabi, “Based on my experience, after a one-night stand, I was immediately sent home. There's no romance at all.""Shouldn't it be like that? Avoid any emotional attraction,” I said.“Yes, I agree with that. But at least women want to be respected, right?” Gabi said."You're right," I said."If you go to Jakarta, call me," said Gabi."I'm afraid I won't have enough money to pay you when I'm in Jakarta," I said."You don't have to worry about
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 270 | Terror Continues
After letting Gabriella leave at the airport, I returned to my car in the parking lot. While in the cabin, I suddenly felt restless. It was as if someone was watching me from a distance.I drove the car out of the Juanda airport area in Surabaya. Every now and then, I looked in the rearview mirror to see if someone was really following me. As far as I drive, there's nothing out of the ordinary in the back of my car. However, I still feel uneasy.The traffic light shows a red color which means stop. I hit the brake pedal to stop my car right in the front row. I took a deep breath to get my heart rate back to normal.I feel that my anxiety is maybe just my mixed feelings. In the midst of many thoughts about Saltyville, the Rasheed family, the Scielhort family, Hendryx, the Limantoro family, Troy, Brody, the attack on my house, two bodies burned on the beach, and the last one is the case of the acid attack against the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Committee (IC
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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
