7 Virgin Blood
Gathering

Oom Jaka couldn't have come sooner than he had planned, because from my house I could hear some men chatting late into the night out there, he said, until finally Oom Jaka was forced to come after dawn, after the atmosphere was completely quiet without anyone else sitting around hanging out in the pendopo owned by neighbors. He was forced to go through the back door for his arrival unknown to anyone but me and his two relatives. He climbed up the back porch of my house and called to tell me he was there and waited for me to open the door for him.

I'm thumping. All sorts of mixed feelings in my mind. I was happy and also feeling nervous because this was the first time we met after the past year, but, my heart was also feeling anxious. Our long talk on the phone doesn't mean I fully believe that the one knocking on my door is the real Oom Jaka Pradana. I still think there's a possibility that the fake figure came that night. So, after hanging up the phone, I took a knife from the kitchen just in case.

Please don't let my heart down, Lord, my inner self when I turn the key.

"Hi."

Oh my God, that handsome man is right in front of me. He smiled happily as the door opened and did not prevent us from coming face to face. The same smile that adorned my face at the same time. Then, he advanced even closer to making my blood rustle. "Wardana," he said, almost whispered as he showed a strand of gold necklace bearing letters from the initials of my name. "You are my most precious gift. Very valuable. I'm coming for you, Wulan."

I smiled, I was so happy. But that doesn't mean I can open the trellis padlock that still separates us. Haven't. I took two steps back from my position, standing before the man with one hand holding a stick to support my body, and one hand to grab the knife I had tucked behind my waist, then hold the handle tightly.

Seeing that, the pair of beautiful eyes of the handsome man before me suddenly turned towards my hand.

"Sorry for...?"

"I understand" he said quickly.

"Em, I didn't mean to offend you."

"I have no problem" he said, raising his chin to the knife in my hand. "You must be vigilant and watchful."

I nodded, pleased with his calm and understanding. "I have one question that only Jaka I know can answer" I said. "If you can answer correctly, I will be absolutely sure that you are the real Jaka Pradana."

"Well, what's the question?"

"The question is, what drink and what food did I bring you before... We collided that time, last year?"

"Easy question." He smiled as hard as he could. "It was morning, still in the darkness of dawn. You brought me breakfast, a warm cup of tea, yellow rice with various side dishes, starting from two boiled eggs, one medium-sized grilled catfish, two salted fish a foot, a piece of fried chicken breast, patched anchovies, two fried yellow tofu, and two tempeh mendoan, then there is a slice of one small tomato, cabbage sliced lengthwise, one small cucumber was cut into four parts, and several long pieces of boiled beans that I did not count. I hope it doesn't matter because I'm not thinking about counting it, hmm? How's it?"

I smiled happily. "The "perfect answer. You're really... The real Jaka Pradana." My heart's man.

Uuuuuh. Same as me. I'm also impatient. Of course, I immediately pulled the key from the door and handed the key in my hand to him. And it didn't take long, the trellis padlock was already open.

"Eh." Oom Jaka stepped in, with a single glance and a beautiful smile on the corner of his lips, he closed the trellis again and closed the door. "Well," -- he turned -- "may I hug?"

I extended a hand. "Can you please put this knife to the table first, please?"

"certain. Anything for you."

The knife in my hand moved into his hand, and he immediately put it on the table in the corner of the room, and he immediately approached me, spreading out both hands.

"Now?"

I nodded, those happy tears dripping back on their own as soon as those two sturdy arms held me tight. Like I almost crushed my bones. A sense of warmth, comfort, and security enveloped my soul for a moment. There was such a familiar peace, as if this relationship was nothing new. But the happiness I felt was clearly like a flower bud that had just bloomed and the fragrant scent was so fresh and alluring. There's a sweet taste in it. I am. like the flower bud, which has just bloomed and been visited by a male beetle, but this flower does not bloom to become a fallen and decaying florets, but for an eternity. That's how I feel when our bodies become one in the warmth of a hug.

"I'm sorry for the wrong moment" he said. Oom Jaka let me out of his arms. Staring into my face, he cupped his hands together at the bend of my cheekbones, and the edges of his fingers crammed into the nape of my neck. "I should have come sooner. I shouldn't have to wait for our birthday, let alone until it's really too late, until you have a lot of bad things. I regret. I. I feel like I've let Nek Asih down. He left you to me. Before he died, Nek Asih asked me to take care of you. But, just because I'm not in Indonesia, I let you alone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Wulan. Sorry...."

I never really knew what my grandmother had told this man while he was alive. But whatever it is, I hope that Oom Jaka reciprocates my feelings because she does have the same feelings towards me, and is just as sincere as my feelings towards her.

"You're not wrong, though. What matters is that you are here now. Not because I was forced to, and not because I felt bad let alone the guilt of my grandmother, right?"

He smiled, then nodded, then shook his head, after which he grabbed my hand and placed my palm on his chest. "Since a year ago, this heart beat just for you."

"Ah, dreadlocks," my lead, yet as soon as I blushed.

Really, it's like a dream. He raised his hand, put the necklace around my neck. "I want to live with you. No matter the joy or sorrow, I want us to be together. I, Jaka Pradana Nugraha, proposed to you and promised to marry you soon. I love you, Wulan. For eternity." A big smile crossed his face as he cupped my face back. "I love you," she whispered, with a breath sweeping across my face-and I closed my eyes as our lips touched for the first time....

Oooh.