Jatukarmas
Chapter 37

He traveled without a soldier, and was accompanied only by two shadow guards. Just this time it was done by Bagus Saksena.

Without a gurgle of troops, without the clattering of horse legs that usually rumble hit the earth. Bagus Saksena admires the solitude and beauty of the native nature she encounters on the way.

For weeks he traveled, entering the hamlets, passing through the forest towards the direction of Mount Kelud. He decided to find out the whereabouts of his sister and stepmother first.

In the morning he sat down on the slopes of Mount Kelud. A large reddish-orange ball has just risen at the foot of the eastern mountain. His warm glow made the young man dazzled.

The sound of the crowing of the jungle chicken, the scream of the flying bird passed from branch to branch. The towering huge trees filled the forest behind Bagus Saksena. The reddish blue sky stretched wide in space. To make the noble young man feel small and insignificant before the Creator.

"Oh Hyang Widhi's. Where under the broad horizon can I find the beloved of the servant's heart. Galuh Citrawani's. Also found a half-sister servant, for the sake of beloved father !"

Nice Saksena rubbed her face that had not been touched by the water this morning.

Both of his guards had gone to the clear river that flowed not far from it to clean themselves . They returned shortly afterwards while topping water in a paddle-skin container.

"We're still a long way from the hamlet, Raden. Therefore the servant will cook for our morning meal" said Kebo Prakasa.

The guard made a fire by rubbing the fire stones he was carrying. Deftly he arranged dry wood so that it immediately burned fire. Then he planted a branching short wood for a place to hang a rice cooker pot over the campfire.

Kudaka came carrying two fat jungle chickens that he had cleaned in the river. The man then poured salt and some spices on the chicken before preparing the fire for the grill.

The two guards were busy preparing breakfast, while the master was still pensive under the morning sun.

****

At the top of Mount Welirang, a dusk.

Galuh Citrawani closed his eyes. The palm of Bagawan Wistara's hand stuck to his crown for a while. The girl felt a soothing warm air enter her head, followed by a dazzling white light.

It has been a week since his visit at the top of Welirang. Bagawan Wistara always guided Citra to do meditation to open the chakras.

As the betel went by, Bagawan Wistara patted his nephew's shoulder with a smile.

"My son, it's right your father sent nanda here. Because only Nanda will be able to open the veil of the two kingdoms that are actually still close relatives.."

Begawan Wistara stared right into the bead of Galuh Citrawani's eyes. Those soft eyes were very soothing. Somehow Citrawani tears suddenly drip.

The image of Kartika is remembered by her father in the modern world. A real father who never openly admitted it.

Although Citra Kartika is against all decisions of her father. And show an attitude as if he doesn't care and doesn't need a father.

Indeed deep down, Citra longs for the presence of a father. Both in physical form and partisanship and affection.

Even today, longing and thirsting for the affection of a father, still stored tightly in the depths of the heart.

The soft voice and bright eyes full of magic energy from Bagawan Wistara, arousing the longing and bathin wounds Citra Kartika, so that the girl sobbed.

Surya Kencana who accompanied his cousin's sister since, offered a glass of water. The image of Kartika grabbed a glass and drank until it choked.

"Be careful, sister." said Surya Kencana. He patted Citra Kartika's back gently, followed by a sharp look of Suryapaksi's eyes that sat behind Bagawan Wistara.

Bagawan Wistara. The view is far looking forward while observing Citra Kartika.

"Nanda Suryapaksi, in front of you all Father must be forthright, so that there will be no more strangeness in your hearts. Listen to Father" said Bagawan Wistara in a soft voice.

Suryapaksi.

His head lowered as all eyes were on him.

Suryapaksi recalled the words of Bagawan Wistara a few weeks ago, when they had just finished morning meditation.

At that time Bagawan Wistara also held his shoulder while looking right into his eyes.

"Nanda Galuh Citrawani will come here with your sister. Let go and let go of your bond of feeling, Nanda Suryapaksi. Because Nanda Citra is not your real identity. because it is not destined to be yours." said Bagawan Wistara at that time.

"Really, Romo?" suryapaksi asked with a heavy and trembling voice.

"That's what Romo saw. Citrawani is not part of your world, not part of ours. He was destined to come here to open the veil of chaos in our kingdom. But he's not for you. Romo has to tell you this, so that nanda doesn't constantly drown in false hopes."

"There's a lot you've learned here. Your brother came to pick you up. It's time to go back to Panjalu, help your father rule the kingdom."

"Hamba will rethink Father's advice. Let the servant here longer, because the servant's heart at this time can not yet lascarya accept this reality." said Suryapaksi slowly.

Such was the conversation of teachers and students, before the arrival of Surya Kencana and Citrawani to the top of Welirang with their guards.

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"Well, Romo .." Suryapaksi resignedly said. His thin smile was on its back while nodding as Citrawani turned to him.

" Okay, Father !" surya Kencana.

"Romo still has one more assignment for you two. This is related to the feud between Jenggala and Panjalu. The chaos of these two kingdoms has happened since long ago, and it is destined to continue to compete and fight, before finally fate will unite the two kingdoms again..."

"Could peace be possible, Father? At a time when Jenggala was planning a betrayal. With support from other countries?" ask Surya Kencana.

"Anyone cannot resist the power of Hyang Widhi, nanda.although the grace of the vision that Romo received was not necessarily the truth, but the star signs of glory and peace have appeared..." Bagawan Wistara smiled.

"After you hand over my letter to your father. Nanda Surya Kencana and Nanda Galuh go to the mountain of Kelud. Leave my letter to Father's brother, Bagawan Lalitywara. "

"good. Romo."

"Rest early. Because tomorrow morning you have to leave the top of the mountain ."

Suryapaksi looked ahead helplessly. It's hard to leave the college that has galvanized him the past two years.

But what power, the teacher had given the order to return to the palace, carrying out the duties as crown prince.

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At night Suryapaksi asked to speak with Galuh Citrawani.

They stood under the moonlight that was round big, in the flower garden in front of the hut.

"Dinda Citrawani, you know you're not from my world..." Suryapaksi opened the conversation.

DEG.

Citra Kartika.

Do Suryapaksi not know this truth?

'Where can this man know that I am not the real Galuh Citrawani?' Batin Citra Kartika is confused.

"Romo Bagawan who realized kanda, that you are not from the same world as kanda. We are not meant to be together . Our jatukarma cannot be forced, for it will only reap destruction .." Suryapaksi.

The lips of Citra Kartika are rounded

"Nh .."

Suryapaksi stared at Citra Kartika doubtfully. His sharp eagle eyes glittered under the moonlight.

"Dinda, I just want to apologize, for all the mistakes I ever made on you, while in Panjalu... Dinda deserves to stay away from me, maybe even hate me, for everything that's ever happened .." Suryapaksi said in a deep tone.

"Kanda, Citra has forgiven everything that has gone before. In this heart there is no grudge against kanda. Believe me, right now in my heart, kanda is a cousin, not a person worthy of being hated !" image of Kartika.

" actually... " Suryapaksi hesitates. How much he wanted to express his feelings to Citrawani. How much he loved this girl with all his heart and soul.

But is it any more useful?

Citrawani is not destined to be his. Why does he express love, if he can't get it?

"What's the truth, kanda?"

Citra Kartika asked because she saw the man hesitating to continue his sentence.

Suryapaksi took a long breath

"Actually, I've always loved you, dinda. I never forgot you. You're my playmate, my childhood sweetheart. It is only fate that has played tricks on us, until today we stand as two cousins." said Suryapaksi.

But only in the heart .

Her lips moved saying the opposite to her heart .

"Tomorrow we'll leave early in the morning. Actually, Kanda just wants to resolve the feeling of guilt that is very heavy on dinda. Since you have a forgiving heart, I am also relieved. Hail, dinda..."

Suryapaksi smiled, replied by Citra Kartika sincerely.

After that they separated.

The image of Kartika entered into his cottage, watched by Suryapaksi with longing glances mixed with sadness.

He, his wife who is still pure and never touched.

Why wasn't fate on her side to have the person she loved?

The eagle's eyes dimmed, a speck of clear feathers expanding at its corners.