FROM ANOTHER WORLD To You (A Mystery Short Story Collection ) - The Second Book
Chapter 5: Breaking through the Aisle of Space and Time (fifth round )
05. Haram Child
Bachtiar nodded his head, “Then, why did you come to me ? You also told me that my wife's past is very similar to your past. Obviously it's different, because I know very well who my wife is as well as her background,” she said in a curious tone. Again Larasati smiled, “Aren't you aware that your wife's face is similar to mine ? Our family believes in the existence of life or reincarnation. And that's true. Actually, before I was born the mother was married to a native man, pregnant and gave birth to a child and was named Sumartini. But my mother's husband, who was also my stepfather, died, was killed by Rottenburgh. Women, money and power are the cause, Rottenburgh is a powerful man, rich and easy to fall in love with beautiful women. I don't know how many women have been his mistresses, how many children have been displaced because of him.
Before becoming servants at the Rottenburgh Family home, my mother and stepfather were a happy married couple. But, in the Dutch colonial period, their lives were no longer the same. Especially, on the arrival of Rottenburgh in our homeland, he justified all means to deprive us of what we had: the produce of the earth, women and so on. However, Rottenburgh did not dare to act recklessly as long as in our homeland there was a community figure who was very respected and admired by everyone, his name was: KI GUNTUR LEGAWA, my grandfather.
Rottenburgh could not expand his land and power as long as there was Ki Legawa. Thus, it moves in a systematic, subtle yet cunning manner. Until finally, Ki Legawa was forced to accept the bitter reality, betrayed by his own people. Our entire family was murdered including foster father .. temporarily, my mother and brother were treated with special care by Rottenburgh despite their status as servants. In the presence of the mother, Sumartini was treated like a golden child, but, behind the mother, often had to receive harsh treatment from the foremen who worked in the Rottenburgh field. Until one day, Sumartini was not found out where he was, knowing seven days later, he was found in a terrible state. His entire body was covered with injuries, not a single cloth covered his wet body when it was removed from the backyard well.
The mother who did not accept Sumartini's death was intent on asking Rottenburgh for justice. The Dutch man agreed, but, on condition .. mom was willing to serve whatever she wanted. My mother forced him and I was born. Rottenburgh kept the promise, however, that the killer who was confronted by the mother, was not the real killer. He's just a scapegoat, because, you know exactly who that guy is. As time passes, the real killer is revealed. He is Rottenburgh himself. Rottenburgh's son, Robert, accidentally saw Sumartini taking a bath. As a man who stepped on puberty, of course, no power to restrain his lust. On Sumartini's side, since the first meeting with Robert had already fallen for her, but, my brother was embarrassed to reveal his heart contents due to his different status despite being treated special. Robert and my brother are in a dark relationship. Soon the results of the dark relationship were seen when my brother's body was fat, nausea and vomiting. Robert felt it was time to be frank with parents. But, Robert's parents strongly opposed and married Robert to someone else. My brother's heart was broken, especially when he was evicted from the Rottenburgh Family home. My brother did not dare to speak frankly to mother. He insisted on staying in the house in hopes of meeting Robert. This hope was in vain, until his secret existence at the Rottenburgh house was finally known as well. Thus, in a cunning manner, the foreigners hired to get rid of Sumartini in any way, just clean and leaving no trace. At midnight, as usual Sumartini came quietly to the Rottenburgh family home. He went straight to where Robert usually waits, an old well in the backyard. There are 5 Rottenburgh people waiting. My brother's fate was worse than mine, if I was raped shortly before my death, but, my brother was forced to serve them one by one, if refused, the eyes of the whip shook all over him. The end of my brother's struggle to endure the pain and the pain had to end when the 5 people put him in the well. In a damp, dark well, my brother had to fight for a few days. Everything for the sake of meeting the person he loves and he misses,”
There was a rooster crowing, the birds chirping with each other, the morning arrived with all its beauty. Bachtiar was still sitting on the floor of the room. Larasati's face slowly changed, in front of Bachtiar had stood his wife Sulastri. The clothes worn by the wife are still the same, red, however, still looks tangled due to a great incident with the husband last night. She looked in wonder at her husband, “Bang Da’i, did you not sleep in bed last night, yes ?” tanyakanya.
The room was the only silent witness of the love of Bachtiar and Sulastri. A married couple who have been through the household ark for approximately 5 years. The presence of Larasati in the life of the Bachtiar Family, will obviously change everything. Dilemmas. That is what Bachtiar now faces, for days the man was reluctant to sleep with his wife, he chose to sleep on the floor. Luckily Sulastri who is still possessed by the spirit of Larasati, has not been aware, but, on Larasati's side, he understands very well what to do.
“Bang Da’i,” greet Larasati one night. “I understand how you feel right now. But, try to behave as usual, before my arrival in this house. Sulastri is your wife but, she is also my sister. Once again I ask ma’af, it is my duty to take care of and protect your wife and the baby she contains. Wait until the baby is born and is 3 years old, then, I will return to where I am. Soon, this baby is born. Be patient,”
“What if I hadn't helped Wiguna in the past?” ask Bachtiar. Larasati stared deeply at the disheveled face of Bachtiar, “Since the beginning, you have no intention of entering Purwo Alas or hunting there. Maybe we won't meet. And, you must be living happily with your wife. But everything seems to have been outlined. When I died, actually I was pregnant with a second child, my womb was only 1 month old. But the Nippons are hunting me. I did not accept it, and because of my love for Kang Rangga as well as for the child in my womb, I was forced to break the nature. I hope to get back together with the people I love in this world. And, when you come to Alas Purwo, I can see you are a good person, then .. to make sure.
Da’i Bachtiar nodded resignedly, if not for the spirit of Larasati who penetrated into the body of his wife, let alone 3 years, just a few days did not meet and let go of each other longing, he felt empty. Bachtiar's heart was too kind to know what to do other than to give in.
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