
…
As scheduled, at ten all the women gathered in the front yard of the villa. I had changed into a dark blue sweater and black jeans lined up at the very back
with Princess Larasati. Taking a glance at the men's villa, they were also the same as us, gathered in the front yard.
We all shuddered in the cold during hearing the welcome from the middle-aged woman wearing a military uniform that I was unfamiliar with. He told us to take care of ourselves during the test and enliven the event and did not hesitate to say anything to him because the event held by the elders was not as serious and complicated as it was
we thought.
They told us to choose a group of two members. Since I only know the Princess here then I asked her for a group with me.
“I repeat once again, there are twelve pairs here, take care of each of you for the first test.” It was a call from the woman in front of us.
“Test first, each group will go find out what task you should do. The instructions we gave were wearing yellow paper scattered in the forest. This test time until midnight.”
“What do you think? Is it all right we get into the midnight forest?” The princess whispered to me.
I nodded and sighed softly. “Today is my first menstruation.”
The princess looked at me in shock. “What do you think? Did we just tell the lady to let you rest here and I'm looking?”
“Then like that the name is not a group.” Answer shakes.
“Alright, we do it quickly.” I nodded in spirit hearing the Princess's words.
Then everyone started to noisily pick up the small flashlight provided, these women began to walk excitedly into the forest behind the villa.
.
..
…
As Princess Larasati said earlier, we both managed to find a single paper hanging between the trees in just five minutes. This woman's foresight did not miss this one clue.
In the forest there was sufficient lighting and officers on guard. The dark and sinister shadow of the forest had already disappeared.
The princess and I immediately opened the contents of the paper and read a line of statements. “Give your lover a fairy tale as beautiful as a snow princess.”
“What does this mean?!” The princess screeched in disbelief at the task we chose.
“Let's think inside the villa.” I invited him back.
The two of us turned towards the villa while thinking about what his duty was. When we arrived, no one came.
Then I invited him to sit on the villa courtyard seat to discuss it. “What is this about apple?”
“I'm not sure, but it's possible.” My answer is to think hard.
While we were silent, another group started arriving the next ten minutes. Those who saw us had already arrived first walked over to see what our duty was.
It turns out that each group that finds its clue is the same, which sets it apart in its fairy tale. They got the Cinderella, beauty and the beast fairy tale and even little ariel and Romeo & Juliet.
Until everyone has returned to the villa, me and the princess still have not decided what to do.
“What don't-don't we have to give them a kiss?” We both laughed at the idea of the princess.
Everyone was busy thinking about what they should give for the first task. Then a man dressed in black and white came to my desk carrying a paper bag and a cup of warm drink.
“What are you Miss Princess?”
“Name of both of us Princess.” My answer.
“Princess Nataremy?”
“That's me.”
“From whom?”
“Someone in the villa next door mentions from sister.” Hearing her answer alone made me unable to hold back a smile.
“Thank you.”
“Sama-sama, I'm sorry.” This man has left us.
“Kakak? You have an older brother?” The princess asked curiously.
“No. Only people I know.”
I checked the paper bag that contained the exact same patterned green t-shirt with the army shirt and black cotton pants, the scent of this warm drink in front of me was like ginger.
Bayu gave me comfortable clothes to sleep in today and warm drinks to make my stomach more comfortable. He's really considerate.
I couldn't help but smile broadly while trying on her drink, if she were here now surely Bayu would wipe my head and smile gently.
Because remembering about Bayu, suddenly an idea for this task appeared. I looked at the Princess with great enthusiasm. “How about we give them pictures?”
“Image? What does this have to do with the snow princess fairy tale?”
“I will draw your face and my face that is smiling widely because I remember reading a quote that ‘man is a mirror, if you smile, another smile will be reflected’. Like mirror! Mirror is a characteristic feature that exists in snow princess fairy tales in addition to poisonous apples.”
“That makes sense! Let's do it! I'll ask them for the equipment. What to give color?”
“Will be better.” Reply spirit. The princess nodded and immediately stood up looking for the villa maid with vigor.
Not long after that the princess had brought a pencil, eraser and two blank A4-size papers. Because we had an hour left, I quickly scratched a pencil on paper, drawing a face by looking at a photo from a cell phone.
I focused on drawing while the Princess who accompanied me ordered snacks and warm drinks. It didn't feel like time was running out and my picture wasn't enough time to color.
Although the picture is not perfect yet but the Princess and I are quite satisfied with the result. “I forgot to ask, are you an architect?”
“Not. I'm just a regular employee.”
“Why? Though you have a talent for drawing.”
“Previously drawing was just a hobby, never thought to be a job.” I honestly remember again how I ended up with an economics major. It was aunt Rose who recommended me to take this major.
In retrospect, could it be that Aunt Rose had purposely directed me to go on the business path because of the Eternity group?
Now it all makes sense.
“Alright, let's give it to them.” The princess invited me inside. It wasn't so but now I realize my body is cold.
In the courtyard of the villa it had started to quiet down, the other group gathered their answers faster than us.
Me and the Princess went back to the room to rest after being told that the next task would start again at five in the morning. We have five hours to sleep.
Without waiting anymore, I quickly replaced my jeans with cotton pants that Bayu gave earlier so that my sleep could be more comfortable.
Before I lay down, two other women who were also in my room greeted me. Both are like Princesses, women of the military. Because my body was so sore and I did not understand their chatter, I finally tried to close my eyes under the blanket that made my body warm.
While rubbing my stomach slowly which was still sick, over time my consciousness was pulled and the voices I heard slowly moved away.
….