Jatukarmas
Chapter 26

Early morning meetings among Panjalu officials were solemn. The silence was disturbed by the arrival of a bodyguard who requested permission to enter and report to Raja and Raden Jayanti Suryapaksi.

"Please report the news from the princess' palace. His Majesty Empress Galuh Sundari is now being treated by a healer because her stomach hurts. Says the physician Darma, the empress will soon give birth."

The trial was in an uproar.

The seven-month ceremony for Galuh Sundari's pregnancy was just held yesterday. The age of the baby is not yet even a month to be born.

The trial was adjourned, as King Aryaeswhara and Raden Suryapaksi rushed to the princess' palace . There was waiting for the Queen who was crying worried about the state of the grandson.

The healers go back and forth in and out bringing all the necessities of action. Panic calls and physician orders to his assistants made the hearts of the Panjalu nobles waiting behind the veil cringe.

The queen called Physician Wong who seemed to be standing by to wait for the cue from the healer inside the curtain.

"Tabib Wong. What happened to Galuh Sundari?"

"Sorry, sire. Servants are not healers who routinely check the health of Sundari. It was the physician Darma who knew the state of the empress. According to the examination of the servant. The queen had too high blood pressure. If this pregnancy is continued, it will be dangerous both to the soul of the empress and the baby."

"Therefore the physician Darma did give the herb to stimulate the birth faster..."

The Queen and the King listened with great sadness.

Raden Jayanti Suryapaksi. He reflects back on his treatment so far to Galuh Sundari who tends to be cold and avoidance.

He himself was confused, where the impulse of hatred and rejection came from. Though the pregnancy of his wife is the thing that is anticipated by all the people of Panjalu.

Is there something wrong with him?

Since the disappearance of Citrawani and their farewell hearing, his heart seemed to go along.

In the delivery room, Galuh Sundari was struggling to give birth to the baby. Sweat washed all over his body.

His voice and moans echoed. He was surrounded by some of the assistants of Tabib Darma . While the physician was busy giving away from behind the curtain.

"Push on, take a deep breath ..."

"Huuft..hufth... aaaaaaahhhgg.." Galih Sundari's agonized screams straightened the fur of Rome.

"Let's push on your face, this is her hair already visible ..yaaa..push. .."

At noon, the baby was finally born into the world.

But something is strange.

The innocent baby did not cry.

Darma healer has tried his best, assisted by several other healers. The baby never opened his eyes.

"Puni servant, Your Majesty !" The Darma healer prostrated before the King and Queen with a face full of sorrow.

"Hamba and the other healers have tried. The little prince did not open his eyes. Hyang Widhi had brought the little prince back to suargaloka .."

There were cries from the palace women. The queen was sitting limp on the chair while crying and lurching. King Aryaeswarhya looked up as he shook his head in grief.

Raden Suryapaksi closed his eyes. Tears seeped from the corner of his eye. There was a hint of regret in the corner of his heart for having ignored Sundari in his pregnancy.

Although there were strange feelings that made him uncomfortable being near his wife. But his son is his flesh and blood. He shouldn't have been cold.

Staggered, he lifted the curtain. Seemed several maids in charge of Galuh Sundari who was fainting. While the baby has been cleaned, put on a clean white cloth.

Raden Suryapaksi asks to hold his son.

That baby is so handsome. Although there are abnormalities with the shape of the nose and lips that do not blend perfectly. But in the eyes of Suryapaksi, his son is the most handsome baby in the world.

"My son." tears dripped from his eyes, which were immediately wiped with one hand. Tears cannot be about the body of his holy son.

"I'm sorry your father, son. Forgive me.." a thousand words sorry he whispered softly.

The King and Queen who accompanied Raden Suryapaksi also could not endure the grief.

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Sobs dyed the funeral of the little prince at the time of the sandikala.

Dark skies, thick cloudy in the sky, as if to usher in the departure of the prospective heir to the throne.

The motorcade of so many people who took their visit to the final resting place, could not dampen the foggy cold.

Dog howls were heard everywhere, giving people goosebumps.

The funeral service was done in silence.

Raden Surya Kencana who stood by his sister, always watching if the sister knew fainted.

But Suryapaksi firmly holds his baby's body to be entrusted to mother earth.

Galuh Sundari woke up from his stupor at night.

During that time who take care and take care of him are the healers and the ladies. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she asked was her baby.

"Where's my baby?"

The healers and the ladies bow their heads.

"Tabib Darma, where's my baby?" with a high tone, Sundari turned to the physician of his faith.

For a moment, Physician Darma could not answer. After taking a deep breath and taking it off slowly, Physician Darma replied with a heavy heart.

"Paduka, all the events in this world are Widhi's attitude... I hope you are patient and lashcharya..."

"What do you mean the physician Darma?! Tell me, where is my son.where ..." roared Galuh Sundari.

"Paduka's...The little prince is gone.."

Galuh Sundari was crying.

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Every day Raden Suryapaksi was alone in the family temple.

He meditated to calm his turbulent heart. In between silence, he asked Hyang Widhi to forgive all the sins he had committed.

The departure of his little son was the deepest wound in his heart.

In addition, his heart also recorded a deep wound by the departure of Galuh Citrawani, at which time his heart began to tingle with the presence of the girl.

Not in the least he was moved to visit the residence of Galuh Sundari to find out the news of his wife .

Instead, every day he spent time meditating and feeling sorry for himself.

Until the fortieth day, Suryapaksi pleaded with his parents to hold a meditation tapa on the mountain.

"Yahujana.. My heart is very sad and suffering. Allow the servant to do yasa in the forest, that this heart may find enlightenment and peace..."

"If it can indeed bring peace to your heart, Father will not stand in the way."

"But what about Galuh Sundari? He was in mourning, crying every day. How could Nanda leave him in such a state?"

The mother frowned.

"Hamba entrust Galuh Sundari to Ayahanda and Mother. Later if the servant's heart has been healed, the servant will soon return to the palace !"

Preparations were arranged for Suryapaksi to undergo yasa in the forest.

Raden Surya Kencana was sent by his father to deliver Suryapaksi to the hermitage of Begawan Wistara on Mount Welirang.

So they departed a few days later, delivered by a few guards with full supplies.

Galuh Sundari who was still weak was born, removing her husband from the window of the palace. His tears run down the river on the cheeks.

I don't know when her husband will be back. No one knows.

Perhaps even she would never see her husband back, it was moans and complaints from the corner of her struggling heart.

****

Suryapaksi trip to the top of Mount Welirang did not experience significant obstacles.

In a short time, they had arrived under the command of Begawan Wistara.

Due to the difficult road and climbing, the horses were left below, guarded by several bodyguards.

Some of them climb the mountain road while holding the luggage of the Raden.

Begawan Wistara greeted them with a happy smile.

"Finally, you came, son...!" The Begawan spread his hand.

Suryapaksi went into the arms of parents who often pet him when he was a child. There is an air of warmth and protection that makes Suryapaksi feel comfortable for an instant.

"Father...Father Begawan ..please teach the servant about penance.." said Suryapaksi lirih.

He felt a warm hand stroke his head, making him feel light.

"Bag .."

"Yes, my son, your Rom already knows . What happened to you was not a punishment from Hyang Widhi. These are all paths you must take, to find your dharm !"

The voice of his father's delicate and gentle brother, inexplicably made Suryapaksi's heart melt. He knew that he had knelt down and hugged Begawan's leg weakly.

******