Born Again To Love You
Slowly Unraveling My Identity
Upon arrival at the home of master Wang Cheng Hai, the great master greeted me kindly at his doorstep. The palm of his right hand was facing upwards, stretched out toward me and asked me to hold his hand. Without a happy face let alone a smile, my palm flipped face down I gave it to her and she held my hand gently. Mr. Gouw Boen San saw my hand placed on the palm of Mr. Wang Cheng Hai with no facial expression. Suddenly Gouw Boen San remembered the moment I said I loved him.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Mr. Gouw Boen San. It is an honor that Mr. Gouw Boen San and Mrs Gouw will come to my home”, said Mr. Wang Cheng Hai when he arrived at his luxurious living room.
I walked slowly alone to the next room. I saw a Grand Piano. And beside it was a large plain white stained glass window soaring high. And sunlight came into the room to highlight the Grand Piano
his chair. Just like I saw in my dreams. Then I sat on the Grand piano chair staring at the patri window. I thought about my husband and children.
I came to my senses from my daydream when Mr. Wang Cheng Hai came to me and asked me to write down a list of groceries that his maid had to buy. He's handing out paper and ballpoint pens.
Start writing a grocery list with upright letters.
Mr. Wang Cheng Hai and Gouw Boen San were surprised to see my writing with upright letters that he used continuous Latin writing, while my writing is modern.
Shopping list:
1. Satukilo chicken breast meat
2. Sweet corn half a kilo
3. Carrots half a kilo
4. Half a kilo of crab meat
5. Garlics
6. Nutmeg
7. Eggs
8. Flourtapioka
“Why your writing is different from others. You write with upright letters. Also you use the letter ‘U’ as a replacement for ‘OE’. Where did you learn?” Ask Mr. Wang Cheng Hai.
“Of course I studied at school. I also went to college!” I answered without thinking about what time I was in.
“You school? Since when do you go to school?” Ask Gouw Boen San.
Lie Kun Lian 2 meters beside Gouw Boen San noticed me. His eyes looked at me suspiciously.
I woke up from my situation after hearing Gouw Boen San's question. I was thinking of looking for an answer but master Wang Cheng Hai called his errand boy to go shopping alone.
“Wait, Sir! May I come to choose the quality of the goods?!” my door.
“No need to go. Let my servant alone” replied mister Wang Cheng Hai gently and smiled.
“How can I serve good food if the quality of the ingredients I do not know?! I'm a person who pays attention to the quality and cleanliness of food” I argue gently.
Mr. Wang Cheng Hai was silent and allowed me to go with his female servant.
As I walked a step away, Gouw Boen San pulled my hand gently.
“I won't let my woman go without my escort!” said Gouw Boen San still holding my hand and looking at me sharply.
“Lie Kun Lian, you come and accompany my wife!” continued Gouw Boen San while looking at me sharply horribly.
I held Gouw Boen San's waist and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, Koh!” I said gently to my husband and immediately left Gouw Boen San. And Gouw Boen San looked at me sharply in astonishment. On the other hand, Mr. Wang Cheng Hai who just saw me kissing my husband's cheek immediately bowed his head as if he didn't want this to happen.
A car was waiting for me in front. The driver opened the back door. I sat in the back with old lady servant master Wang Cheng Hai. Lie Kun Lian sat in front with the driver.
In the car I sat and enjoyed the view. The old Dutch buildings still look magnificent. The roads are not as crowded by vehicles as they are today. Many natives walk barefoot.
While enjoying the view, the old lady's maid asked me. “Mrs.. What will the madam cook for?”. With a gentle smile I replied, “I want to cook my favorite food. Chicken corn soup crab, Mbok!”. The old lady's servant was confused by the type of cuisine I was going to cook.
Lie Kun Lian who was sitting in the front overheard my conversation with this servant mother. In her heart she said, before Rahayu never cooked crab chicken corn soup. But is that her favorite food? I feel Rahayu is different than usual.
After shopping at the market. On the way home, in the car I saw some natives carrying bamboo baskets selling traditional snacks. I asked the driver to stop. I bought a lot of traditional food.
After buying a lot of traditional food. I saw an old man selling bamboo baskets. I asked the driver to stop suddenly. But the old man who was walking in the opposite direction with me continued to walk towards my back. The car was far enough to stop from the old man. I asked the driver to come down and give some snacks to the old man.
I looked a little far ahead of me, there was a child who was sitting exhausted after carrying a bamboo basket. I can't bear to see it that way because I miss my two children. I got down and moved to the driver's seat. “Do you want to sit here?!” ask Lie Kun Lian curiously. I shut up and shut the door. “You can't drive a car. Don't fuck around?!” angry Lie Kun Lian. I kept quiet and did not push Lie Kun Lian and drove the car and headed for the little boy. “Mrs! No, Mistress!” said old maidservant master Wang Cheng Hai in fear. The driver did not realize it. I drove slowly towards the boy and stopped right next to him. I got out of the car and brought all the traditional snacks I had bought.
“Halo, Son! What are you selling?” I squatted down and greeted the boy gently.
“I sell cherry fruit, Nyam” said the boy.
“I have some food. This is all for you. You eat a lot, right? You must take care of your health!” I said while gently stroking his head.
I got back in the car and left the boy. I drove back to the car and walked backwards. The driver walked towards me. The driver who saw his car retreat was immediately confused.
Approaching the driver I stopped and got out of the car and went back to the back seat. Lie Kun Lian grew suspicious of me.
“Sorry, Mr. driver and the butler's mother. Can you guys get out of the car for a second. I need to talk to madam Rahayu” pie Kun Lian politely before the car goes home.
“Who are you really? I know you're not Rahayu! Rahayu is not like this!” lie Kun Lian asked curiously.
“Unfortunately Rahayu is what kind of person?!” reply relax.
“Jawab honestly, who are you?!” lie Kun Lian said while pointing a gun at me.
“If I was honest, would you believe me and not shoot me?” I said scared.
“Reply reply!” lie Kun Lian.
“My name is Rose! I'm from the future. I'm from 2021. My face and Rahayu's face are exactly the same. So is the face of my future husband with Mr. Gouw Boen San also exactly”, I replied.
“You lied huh?!” lie Kun Lian.
“I dare swear!” answer me
“Prove that you are indeed from the future!”
“Proof? Ow hell! How ya?! I can't prove anything. But I can tell you what the future is like. For example, next year 1942 on January 11, the Japanese would come to Indonesia and colonize it cruelly. They're very, very cruel. Some women are made Jugun Ianfu. Many Chinese, especially indigenous people, will be killed cruelly. Some Indonesians will be forced to work. They call it Romusha. Japan did not just colonize Indonesia. But they also colonized other countries as well killing the inhabitants of other countries. China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore became Japanese colonies. Japan will colonize Indonesia for three and a half years. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were to be bombed by the Americans. On August 17, 1945, President Sukarno would proclaim Indonesian independence, but Indonesia would remain occupied by the Dutch until around 1962. In the future everything will be very sophisticated. There will be televisions, cell phones that we call cell phones, air conditioners that we call Air Conditioners, clothes washers, food cooling machines that we call refrigerators, and so on, the food-warming machine we call the microwave. Anyway there are many! The car in the future will use air conditioner. There will be many motorcycles that fill the highway. The world would be as easy as your hand if you had a cell phone. All information from various parts of the world, photos and videos from other countries can be seen on mobile”.
“Indonesia? Where's it?” ask Lie Kun Lian curiously.
“In this year, we still use the name Dutch East Indies. But this country will change its name to Indonesia”, I replied.
“In your opinion, will I believe all your imaginary stories?!” lie Kun Lian asked dismissively.
“My name is Rose. My full name is Rosalind Oei. I was born on September 14, 1988. My father's name is Oei Liong Gwan. My mother's name is Tan Hua Nio. I was born in Lasem. My grandfather's name is Oei Gwan Thay. This year in 1941, my grandfather was 10 years old. You can check in Lasem, who knows when I met my grandfather. My husband's name is Charles Gouw. My eldest son is a boy named Zefanya Gouw and my youngest daughter is named Zeline Gouw. Oh yes, and you, in the future your name is Agus Lie”.
***
Some time later I arrived at the home of master Wang Cheng Hai. I immediately invited the Mbok to the kitchen of Mr. Wang Cheng Hai. I get ready to cook assisted by the Mbok.
***
Half an hour later my cooking of chicken corn soup was ready I served at the dinner table for Mr. Wang Cheng Hai.
I walked over to mister Wang Cheng Hai and told him that the food was ready. Mr. Wang Cheng Hai who had been in the private living room with the officers of Bao Jia, my husband, Lie Kun Lian and Wu Jiang invited them to eat together at his large dining table.
I walked behind them towards the dining room. Again I saw a big piano near the big window. My steps were diverted to the piano room. I walked slowly to the piano. I sat down on the piano chair and started poking the piano keys playing a song “Twinkle-Twinkle Little Stars” to finish with a sad face.
Wang Cheng Hai who arrived at the dining table before I played the piano, opened the dining chair for me.
And when he listened to me play the piano, Cheng Hai came up to me. Gouw Boen San's eyes were shocked to see me playing the piano, suddenly staring intently into Wang Cheng Hai's eyes which were walking slowly towards me. From behind Boen San, Lie Kun Lian approached Boen San and whispered, “Master, I increasingly kissed suspicion on Mr. Wang Cheng Hai”.
Wang Cheng Hai arrived next to me as I was about to finish playing the song. His right hand was extended to me and asked my hand to join him. From behind, Gouw Boen San pulled out my hand and invited me to sit at the dining table regardless of Wang Cheng Hai's open hand. Cheng Hai clasped his hands and smiled knotfully and returned to the dining table.
Gouw Boen San opened the dining chair for me and I sat between my husband and Lie Kun Lian. I was about to get a bowl and split the soup but Lie Kun Lian forbade me and resolutely told me to stay seated. Lie Kun Lian stood up and picked up the bowl and split the soup.
“Sup it tastes so good! I really like it. This soup what is its name?” praise Wang Cheng Hai.
“Namely chicken crab corn soup. This is my favorite food” I replied.
“Favorite? Then you should come here often and cook this soup here. You can eat as much as you want”, said Wang Cheng Hai.
Gouw Boen San listened to our conversation and thought about what Lie Kun Lian said.
After eating, Wang Cheng Hai took us for a walk in his backyard. Courtyards
behind him was very broad like a garden with all kinds of flowers. I was running around behind the house very happy. I forgot Charles, Zefanya and Zeline. I forgot about my sadness for a few days in this age. But there is 1 that I remember in my mind, my husband Gouw Boen San. I saw his face talking to Lie Kun Lian. As he laughed, his eyes were as narrow as people closed their eyes. The more days I get in love with Gouw Boen San.
One of the male servants walked towards mister Wang Cheng Hai and brought 2 men. One Englishman and one Chinese translator.
I watched from a distance, their conversation was very serious. I also walked closer to them.
“Hallo, Mr. Edward. How are you! Introduce, these are my friends, Gouw Boen San and Lie KunLian” said Mr. Wang Cheng Hai. The Chinese who had been with Mr. Edward whispered to her translating.
“Hallo, Mr. Gouw Boen San and Mr. The Lie Kun Lian. Nice to meet you! Hello, Mr. Bao Jia's! How are you?” greet Mr. Edward shakes hands.
“How , Mr. Edward?” ask Mr. Wang Cheng Hai.
“As you know. At this time tobacco is experiencing a crisis. Have prepared tobacco from China. But I hope, tobacco that I have prepared for you can be appreciated more and don't let this be known by Mr. Andi Chen's. As you know, bring Andi Chen is a competitor of your business that is quite cunning and ambitious. If he knows something interesting you have while he doesn't have it, Andi Chen will justify everything to get it” said Mr. Edward.
“Mr Edward has prepared tobacco from China. And mr. Edward asked for more” said the translator who translated incompletely.
“Forgive my impudence, Mr. Edward. Where did you get a
translator that translate incomplete language like this? I think this man only
translates your words just a portion of your words” word I cut
talk of these men.
“What do you mean, Madam?” ask Mr. Edward was shocked, astonished and
bewildered.
“Dear Wang Cheng Hai. Mr. Edward said that Mr. Edward had prepared tobacco from China. But Mr. Edward hoped to be more appreciative and not let master Andi Chen know this. Mr. Edward said that master Andi Chen is your cunning and ambitious competitor. If he knows something interesting than you have, while he doesn't have it, Andi Chen will justify everything to get it” I told mister Wang Cheng Hai.
Mr. Wang Cheng Hai, my husband and Lie Kun Lian were shocked to hear me speak English. Lie Kun Lian began to believe who I was. While Gouw Boen San began to suspect the attitude of his wife now different from before.
“Mrs. Gouw, thank you for helping me translate my words. Do you mind working for me as a translator?” Continue Mr. Edwad.
“I wonder if only I could accept it. But I as the wife of Mr. Gouw Boen San wanted to serve my husband. So sorry once I have to reject your offer. Hopefully you get a good and honest translator, Mr. Edward”.
“It's a pity if you reference. But I will appreciate your decision. Mr. Gouw Boen San, you are very lucky to have a wife like this woman” replied Mr. Edward.
I whispered into my husband's ear and conveyed Mr.'s words. Edward. “Mr. Edward says you're lucky to have a wife like me”. Gouw Boen San was silent but he thought of Mr. Edward.
“Thank you, Mr. Edward. I’m just an ordinary woman and there are still many shortcomings” I replied.
***
In the afternoon, we came home from Mr. Wang's house.
Upon arriving at the door of the house, I grabbed the palm of Gouw Boen San's hand. “Koh, I want to go for a walk together you can now?” soft door. Mr. Gouw Boen San nodded his head without a word.
“A Lian? Follow us go!” take husband.
“Koh, I want just you and me. Both!” sahutku.
My husband just nodded his head and went walking alone leaving me. I chased him and grabbed his hand. My husband stopped and looked at me. I smiled and looked at him and held his right hand. I kissed his palms while looking at his face.
“I love you!” I said.
That night we went for a walk. My husband just stayed quiet all the way. I was happy to see the streets that night. I smiled last night. Smilingly looking at the Dutch buildings, Gouw Boen San silently looked at me and looked at me sharply without expression.
Rain drops dripped down my cheeks.
“Koh, rain! Let's shelter!” take me.
Gouw Boen San fell silent and pulled my hand in search of shelter.
We were both standing in front of the Maurice Wolf Jewelier jewelry store. I saw my husband's face wet. I took a handkerchief in my pocket and I cleaned his face while looking at him. His eyes are also looking at me.
“Koh, thank you for accompanying me on the streets tonight”. Gouw Boen San was silent.
I stood straight
and start the conversation again. “Koh, somehow we become husband and wife. I
believe it is destiny” I said while focusing on seeing the rain. Gouw Boen San
look over. Just look at me and listen to me.
“I love you. I want to love you all my life. Even in the next life, I want to continue to love you. I want to be happy living with you and our children. I don't care who you are. I don't care if you're rich or poor. I just want you in my life, either now or my life in the future”. Gouw Boen San was silent.