All Chapters of In the Name of the Sacred Tree: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

TODAY was a special day. I would be introduced as a replacement for Hendryx Boumerank at the Grand Wahid Hotel - where he was arrested for alleged drug involvement. The venue for new members of the Boumerank introduction was in the same ballroom as the anti-drug seminar held by the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency some time ago.I still remember that day. At that time, I first met Zoey, who was participating in the government's anti-eviction demonstration. And now, I was with Brother Quinn and Brother Eric - hotel manager - once again.From behind the ballroom curtain stage backdrop, I could see many reporters and invited guests who attended. Some of which I could recognize. Flashes of camera light were visible from where I was standing. It looked like the reporters were taking pictures of a beautiful female master of ceremonies."Are you ready?" asked Brother Quinn."Ready is my middle name," I said and laughed."Confidence is a good thing for

I was with Quinn in a car that took us to the Boumerank Homebase on Pourapenh Street, northern Surabaya City. I was still hearing what Ethan said about the oligarchy. Was Surabaya really controlled by certain people or groups? That obviously bothered me a lot.This was because the people and groups who were in power in Surabaya are Abdul Rasheed and his family. Jamaal Al Rasheed was a mayor, while his wife was a chairman of parliament. Before Jamaal, Fatima was the mayor of Surabaya. Fatima was Abdul Rasheed's wife and Jamaal's mother.Alex Limantoro said that the Surabaya City Government was trying to change the status of the Saltyville community land to state land. That way, foreign investors invited by the Mayor of Jamaal could build elite housing complexes and beachfront hotel resorts.It was just that their plan did not go smoothly. The problem was, the residents of Saltyville village strongly rejected the eviction. They were determined to survive on their

I was really surprised by Julia's sudden appearance. Moreover, the elders and I were talking about my relationship with Amelia. I saw Julia sigh. I was sure she could hear our conversation because she's wearing her hearing aid. After all, why would Julia come to the Laymisch shop so late in the evening?"Eh! There's Miss Julia," said Laymisch. "What do you want to buy?""Fried snacks," said Julia short while handing over 10 thousand rupiahs."So many," asked Laymisch, "are there guests?""Yes," replied Julia."I know, the guest is your police boyfriend, right?" said Ratty, "earlier he passed into this alley.""How do you know?" asked Cameron to Ratty."The police often come through here, so I memorized it," added Ratty.Julia just smiled dryly. I felt like she feels unhappy. But I was the opposite. I became even more hurt to hear that the guest who was suspected to be Julia's boyfriend, came to her house."Tell us, Julia

I immediately rushed towards the source of the breaking glass sound. I knew it's coming from the front of the house. My guess was right, my mother and sister Jenny were frantically hugging each other in the middle of the fire in the shop. I immediately tucked the two of them out of the shop. Then, several neighbors and I rushed to extinguish the fire with makeshift tools.My neighbors and I were busy running to fetch water from the creek across the house to put out the fire. Some neighbors use rugs and sacks that were beaten. Most of my mother's merchandise, such as cigarettes, snacks, and daily hygiene needs, also caught fire.While some of the other neighbors ran as if chasing something. They shouted "thief" at those being chased. I didn't know how it goes because I was busy putting out the fire. I could see my sister Jenny crying, especially my mother, who looks shocked. Fortunately, the flames were not big and did not reach the melon gas cylinder. The fire was imme

IT got darker after night fell. Slowly, people started leaving my house. The police had also questioned every witness who knew about the incident of the throwing of the Molotov cocktails at my house. Then it was the victim's turn to be questioned by the police.Amelia herself was still loyal to me when I was asked by the police whether I or my family had any enemies. Of course, my mother, sister Jenny and I said no. My family had no enemies, especially in the villages of Certajava and Wigan.But wait a minute. Was this true?I then remembered my grandfather Bradley. He was a hero who is not recognized by the state. Nevertheless, Bradley continued to fight for the people. He and George Limantoro - Amelia's grandfather - stand up for the rights of civilians in Saltyville and Key Phu Thich.From my father Emmerich's previous story, I knew how hard my grandfather struggled to join the war for independence but was not recognized by the government as a national