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45 | A Tribute
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2024-10-29 19:42:56WHEN I promised to free her, suddenly, the atmosphere became quiet. There was a strange frozen moment enveloping this 3x3 room. But Zoey remained silent, then nodded again as if to bless what I just said.
Then I felt guilty myself for urging her to tell a story. I shifted my seat to get closer to her. It felt like I want to hug her. I guess Zoey also thought the same thing. When we were sad, we want someone to be around us.
Then, Zoey took a breath, then exhaled. It was as if she was taking off some of the burdens of the past she was carrying.
"May I hold your hand?" I was asking permission.
"You already paid me," Zoey replied, "you can do whatever you want."
I just shook my head.
"I just wanted to hold your hand," I repeated.
Zoey then held out her palms.
I held her palms then rubbed them as if I was going to read what had happened to the palms. It was rough. It reminded me of Julia's palm. I guessed the two of them are hardwo
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 46 | A Tribute 2
"Huh?" I was surprised. "What tribute?""The cash flow is now lacking," Zoey explained. "It's not smooth anymore."I still did not understand what Zoey means.Then, Zoey explained that every month, each brothel in Saltyroth-Dolly had to 'deposit' millions of rupiah to officials and other concerned parties.If it was totaled, Zoey said, the tribute that must be given by Mommies to official members could reach tens of millions per brothel per month."How do you know these kinds of things?" I asked."I," said Zoey, "in this Arynn's, is a part of that tribute," said Zoey softly and then exhaled cigarette smoke.What? I was shaking.Zoey took my arm then invited me to walk. I was obedient while stroking my own chest. I thought, after experienced a series of suffocating incidents in the past, Zoey was still used as a means of exchange. These are humans, not things! I growled to myself."Then, how come it's not enough. How come
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 47 | A Windbreaker
I imagined Zoey's face and voice as I cleaned myself in the bathroom. As if she was like the Narcissus goddess who made anyone who saw her become falling in love. Beautiful face, sweet voice, body curves, soft-spoken, and graceful every swing of her waist.Still the same Goddess Narcissus - because of her beauty charm - she was chased by many gods who were crazy about her, even Zeus. Moreover, the gods were fighting each other over her. So that they made their heaven fall apart.To avoid further bloodshed, Narcissus fled from heaven to earth, then got lost in Saltyville. I meant Saltyroth-Dolly, to be precise.The gods who knew Narcissus were running away, chasing her while stabbing each other. Some of them perish at the edge of the other god's sword.Tired of being chased by the handsome, rich, and powerful CEOs in heaven, Narcissus finally could no longer run away and chose to rest on the banks of the salt pond.When she was about to drink water
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 48 | Soundrenaline
AS I have told you before, Clover Leaf University of Surabaya was just a stone throw away from my house in Certajava. Both were still in the same Goobank Sub-District. That was why I was not in a very rush.I felt that tonight would be bright. The stars in the sky were cheerfully twinkling while the perfectly round moon shone brightly. I spurred the motorbike through the wind, which made my hair curl crookedly.When I saw the view of the sky, I was reminded again by the tears and round face of Julia.However, for some reason, every time I met Julia, there was always something strange about me. I could not seem to be honest with my own feelings for her. I always pretended to think of Julia as just a childhood playmate.In fact, I realized I like her, even since I was in middle school. Yes, I did not know. Julia was probably my first love. But I never had the guts to express it. I was afraid Julia would reject it.I realized I prefer to keep our rela
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 49 | Soundrenaline 2
THE backstage area was a stretch form of military tents and red cross tents. I could see that trucks and buses were going in specific directions. Many people could be seen lowering the black rectangular crates with silver trim. Very busy and crowded. I believed those people were band crew members.The sound of the harmonies musical instruments was heard backstage, even though the sound system speakers were facing the opposite direction. From the song, I guessed that it was 5 Goddesses girls band who was performing.The backstage, the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke was overwhelming. The halogen lights installed in every corner were dazzling to my eyes. Stinging and very hot.I was then invited by Kacey to go to one of the tents. If I did not memorize it, I would definitely get lost. Before I entered, I could read the sign on the outside that said "G5". And there was a list of the guest stars, such as 5 Goddes, Kacey Loves Monday and the others.When
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 50 | Soundrenaline 3
"THIS is the cool band I've been waiting for," said Kacey."Really?" I asked."Not the band actually, but one of them," Kacey corrected herself."Who?" I asked again.Kacey then whispered into my ear."Secret.""Oh," I responded curtly.If a girl had been playing secrets like this, I should not fight her. Better just say yes, right?Getting closer, the commotion caused by this black theme group invited another uproar. The guest stars who were in the tent came out to watch them. Some took out their cellphones to take photos or videos of the moment the group walked past them. There were also those who are hysterical. Hysterical celebrities met other celebrities?Up close, it was as if a slow scene. Out of those dozens, four caught my eye. Among them, there was a chubby giant with long golden hair. He wore a black t-shirt, combined with knee-length cargo army pants. His arms were full of tribal motif tattoos.A simil
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 51 | Soundrenaline 4
KACEY was still in disbelief.I left Kacey by stepping into my position to the left of the stage. I waved to the crowd, who were greeted by thunderous cheers from the SOUNDRENALINE Music Fest assembly."Che!" the MC introduced me.Ryg's band crew — most of them — came from some employees of Inferno Music Studio and several neighbors in Certajava. Kimmich, who worked as a parking attendant on a daily basis, now had his turn to look after my equipment.Kimmich handed me an Ibanez bass guitar which I was sure was fine-tuned along with the Messa/Boogie amplifier. The crew members who first got on the stage took apart the equipment that was already available on the platform. They then replaced it with equipment that we brought ourselves. I reward Kimmich by giving him two thumbs up."Thank you, Kimmich!" I said to himI started checking the sound by strumming the strings. Boom! The sound boomed until the sound waves hit the trees unti
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 52 | Soundrenaline 5
FINALLY, the silence that Kacey maintained broke. She then seemed to be back to being the usual spoiled uptown girl. Then, she let go of my arm, turned around to face the stage, then leaned her back against my chest. I could smell the fragrant shampoo from her hair.When that moment happened, I wanted to put my hands around Kacey's waist. But I was afraid she thought I went too far. In my heart, I already felt lucky to be able to grasp her smooth palm.After the My Flower song was finished, I invited Kacey back to the G5 tent, the guest star tent where Kacey Loves Monday was getting ready. Kacey nodded in agreement. Then, I said goodbye to the people on stage, including Brother Quinn, the manager of The Boumerank."You've done well," Brother Quinn said to me while blinking his one eye. "But your struggle is still far from successful. Keep that hard-working, will ya.""Thank's, Quinn," I thanked him.I then gave my hand to Kacey as she was about to
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 53 | Bacchanalia
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 thought.I turned the wheel towards the entrance to the hotel complex. On the front yard, there was SATYRICON INTERNATIONAL hotel name written in all capital letters. It was also highlighted by golden lights as a symbol of luxury."Why a hotel?" Kacey asked with a frown.I then glanced at the rearview mirror. Kacey was shifting defensively.I turned my motorbike towards the basement parking lot. After taking the parking ticket, I parked close to the elevator.I hopped out of the motorbike, but Kacey seemed to be still sitting on the passenger seat, clutching her handbag on her stomach. As if she did not want to move."You said you trust me, right?" I said in a confident tone while was reaching out Kacey’s
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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
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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
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
