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89 | The Exes
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2021-05-23 12:09:58THE night was getting late, and the atmosphere at Certajava was quiet again. There was only a group of men on guard at the security post across from my house. Several policemen were also still at home to process the crime scene.
In my room, I was thinking about how all this happened. And how it might be related. I didn't know? My mind was confused thinking about it. Amid my anxiety, my cell phone rang, apparently, from Big K.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Come here!" said Big K on the other end of the line, "at the usual place."
No need to think twice. I immediately agreed to Big K's invitation.
"Should I bring a guitar?" I asked.
"No," said Big K, "we just want to talk."
"We?" I asked. "Who are there?"
"Santos and Cole," answered Big K.
"I'm on my way," I said.
Then I thought, was it not dangerous to leave my two loved ones alone in the house? I would entrust the safety of my family to the people at the security post and
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Ratty! What the hell ..."What are you doing?" I called out."Oh, my God!" exclaimed Big K, holding his head."This is crazy!" added Cole tensely."I can't believe something like this happened," said Santos.Big K, Cole, and Santos were equally surprised. They could only watch Ratty slap, Cameron. In this Certajava village, Ratty and Cameron were good friends. Knowing something as this happened took us all by surprise.Ratty did not reply to our calls. He just walked over to Cameron, who was falling on the ground. It seemed that Cameron was not in pain because he was laughing instead. Alcohol had really entered his mind. Then, Ratty grabbed Cameron's collar and lifted him to his feet.I did not know, was that the way of courtesy among the elders. Must it be violent?"Come on, I'll take you home!" said Ratty, lifting Cameron up."I still want to be here. Come on, can't we be honest with Langley?" Cameron defended himself,
Last Updated : 2021-05-24In the Name of the Sacred Tree 91 | The Exes 3
Ratty and Cameron continued talking about their acquaintances while I guessed who they were. The hint, they were my grandfather Bradley's ex-man. And they were two people to be feared.I seemed to know who Ratty and Cameron were referring to. And I never thought that they had such disturbing stories."We heard that they met in Surabaya, but who knows when and where?" said Cameron."Yes, but we can meet them. At least one of them,” added Ratty."They sent their greetings to you and Laymisch," I interrupted."What?" Ratty and Cameron were surprised."Your acquaintances sent greetings to me," I replied. "They were asking you. I said that you guys are crazy as usual.""What do you mean?" asked Cameron."We met at Shu Benjamin's nephew's wedding reception last weekend," I said. "The daughter of Shu Alex Limantoro wedding reception.""Oh, Alex," Cameron said softly.I then told how festive the wedding reception pa
Last Updated : 2021-05-25In the Name of the Sacred Tree 92 | Back to Clofus
The next day, I woke up early. I complied with my mother's request not to get too drunk. After getting cleaned up and getting dressed, I got ready to go to college before taking part in Ryg's show at Saltyville Field. Actually, I couldn't wait to play one last time for the band that raised my name.Last night, Big K asked me if I still wanted to play with Ryg's at Saltyville. I said I would play with them. I made that because I was calm if the villagers, including the elders, promised to look after my family.Because of that, I also decided to continue my plan with the Boumerank. The news about the terror act in my house went viral on social media. For friends who knew my house, they expressed their concern for me.As I walked out of the house, I saw mother, Jenny, and some of the Certajava women in the living room. One of them was Sister Nancy - Laymisch wife. I then said goodbye to them when I was about to go to college. Jenny herself chose not to go to colleg
Last Updated : 2021-05-26In the Name of the Sacred Tree 93 | The Corpses
DURING the trip to the Cloverleaf University of Surabaya or Clofus, Julia and I didn't say much. At that time, many things were spinning in my brain. Started from the plan to evict Saltyville, the arrest of Hendryx Boumerank, to who was the perpetrator of the terrorist act at my house. And even my relationships with women.Julia and I were silent at each other until my motorcycle parked in the parking lot of the Faculty of Letters campus.Julia and I walked together to the main faculty building. Some students stare and then talk about me. Yes, I knew. As I said before, the news of the terrorist act in my house became local news. Although not fatal, it was enough to make Surabaya uproar.Arriving at the lobby, apparently, there was Aisha in one corner and Amelia in another. I could feel their resentful aura, knowing I was walking with Julia. As if she knew what was going on, Julia - in her sign language - told me that she wanted to go up first on the second floor
Last Updated : 2021-05-27In the Name of the Sacred Tree 94 | A Call from the Police
"ARE you sure it's them?" I asked Gerald."We don't know for sure whether the murder of these two people has anything to do with the terror incident that took place at your house last night," Gerald replied."What happened?" I asked again.“The two men were shot in the head in execution-style. It seems they were killed elsewhere and then thrown here with their motorbikes and then set on fire. But their main features match those described by the witnesses at Certajava. That's why you need to come here to provide information,” said Gerald.Whose job was that? Who was capable of doing something like this? How cruel. Only last night, Ratty and Cameron offered to pay back the perpetrators of the terrorist act through Uncle Brody. But in the morning, the two suspected perpetrators were found shot dead in the head."What kind of information? I didn't see it happened firsthand. It was my neighbors who know the characteristics of the perpetrator
Last Updated : 2021-05-28In the Name of the Sacred Tree 95 | The Invitation
ON our way to the classroom on the second floor, Matt discussed the results of the general election for the regent of Grisee. It was won by a religious leader who was only 30 years old. He defeated the incumbent, who was the previous vice-regent who was clearly older and experienced.Matt got grumpy. Understandably he came from Grisee, just like Laymisch and Nancy. Matt's protests weren't about age. Anyone able as long as they could. Matt protested that he had never heard of the young man's actions in the field of the student movement or his work in politics."That young man is the son of a religious leader," complained Matt.Matt protested not because he took sides. He actually abstained. His fury was more because the people in his home region entrust a leader not from his capacity but from his religious background."Very primitive, huh?" quipped Mr. P. “I'm sure that if Vincent runs for Grisee, he will definitely lose too. Hahaha."Yes, I g
Last Updated : 2021-05-29In the Name of the Sacred Tree 96 | A Memory
GARY and I then walked back to Leah, Brittany, Tiffany, and Kacey. Apparently, they were having an exciting conversation about something I could not hear from the direction I was walking. But from their gesture, it seemed like Kacey was in the center of the conversation. And I thought I know what they were talking about.“That's great,” said Tiffany, “Che, I mean, Langley, just asking us to tour the domestic concerts.""Yes," said Brittany, "we were only invited to go around Java Island.""We envy you," said Leah.As I thought, Kacey told the LGBT Gang that she was going on a concert tour with me to Brazil. This meant that I should be prepared for the gossip that was going to happen. In terms of LGBT Gang, especially Tiffany, she talks a lot.But I thought back, it could be worse if Amelia, Aisha, and Julia found out. I would feel bad for them. They might get away from me. In fact, I had tried hard to be with them.Rather t
Last Updated : 2021-05-30In the Name of the Sacred Tree 97 | The Connection
Even so, I still wondered what memories had been in Kacey's head that made her insist on wanting to know about Saltyville. As if something was important, but she forgot about it. Then, the memory returned faintly.Apparently, Kacey had information on Saltyville. This one girl continues to surprise me.This reminds me of Kacey's confession some time ago. At that time, I was surprised to listen to Kacey's confession. At that time, I then more opened my ears to pay attention to what else would she reveal?I did not know why, but I felt that Kacey had just trusted me, so she dared to tell me sensitive things.Kacey 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 just found out that Kacey was also a model as well as an actress."I'm happy when I see Liam leaving or coming home from a race. My brother is enjoying his passion very much," Kacey explained at that t
Last Updated : 2021-05-31
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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
