Knights For Mundika
18

A pair of hands full of wrinkles and a little shaking took a black picture frame affixed to one corner of the white wall of the living room where he stands now. A girl who was laughing cheerfully as if the sun was competing with her brightness was printed clearly in the frame. It felt like he had never touched it for a long time as if it was a taboo to talk about. But that was 26 years ago. The ego and disappointment he had felt to the girl in the photo had also disappeared to change the longing and hope that soared and sparked his heart when he heard the news that the two children of the girl in the photo that'll come to see him.

“What do you think, Mom?” The big hand-touch on Jayanti's frail shoulders roused the middle-aged woman from daydreams.

“Nothing, Sir,” Jayanti smiled knotfully and shook her head. “Just feel that this is still like a dream if soon we will meet with his son Artika. Ta’ thought the man was just messing with our son sir, it turns out he really loves our daughter. It was proven by giving us two grandchildren that we will soon meet even though the way he did to take our daughter is not right.”.

“Already Bu...,” Janitra invites Jayanti to sit on one of the sofas in line with the frame held by his wife. “It was a long time ago and you have forgiven them, especially the man. In any case, they have given us grandchildren based on Ayu's info that they are very beautiful and handsome and brilliantly combined between Artika and her husband. You should be proud and happy for that.”

“But I'm still worried sir..,” Jayantri stared nanar at her husband. “It feels like there are those who are stuck with the arrival of those who are not accompanied by Artika and her husband because the feelings of a mother like me are more sensitive in things like this.”

“Pacify yourself Mom, we will ask further when we have met them later,” Actually Janitra also felt what his wife felt. If there is nothing, it is impossible for only his two grandchildren to come but also his son and daughter-in-law. There must be something behind it all. God, may not be a bad thing…

***

“Yeah Zayed, how come I deg-degan ya, want to meet Grandpa and Grandma?” Mundika was unceasingly shaking to endure the euphoric feeling she had never felt like this while tightly grasping Zayed's right hand. After a long night, the next morning they left for Janitra and Jayanti, their maternal grandparents. Along the way, he saw green trees combined with colorful flower plants decorating the outskirts of the road that was passed by the car he was riding. Occasional accompaniment of two-wheeled vehicles side by side with them when the red light is on. What a piece of heaven…

*“Soften Brother, just calm yourself, take a slow breath.., you're a doctor, you should be more understanding about this, you know,” Zayed let out a long sigh feeling his older sister was overreacting to their trip to meet their maternal grandparents. Maybe because he is a man whose logic is more dominating than his emotions so that he can behave more calmly. Or maybe because he was not in the position of his older brother who swallowed the bitterness of blasphemy from two other sisters mother so that the meeting that he had long awaited made him behave too much. Usually, what has been done if excessive expectations will lead to disappointment and he does not want his brother to feel it for the umpteenth again. “By the way, Brother, did you tell Sheikh*Mansoor that we arrived safely in Indonesia and on our way to Grandpa and Grandma's house? Don't let your fiancee go crazy and then come to us here and force her to come back to Dubai right now. Remember Kak, he is the son of the ruler of Dubai you know.., not just anyone.”.

“Who is the son of the ruler of Dubai?” Cut Ayu who knows at least the Arabic used by Mundika and Zayed to communicate with each other. He who was sitting next to the driver was tickled looking back where Mundika and Zayed were sitting. It's not that he doesn't know who Mansoor is considering Artika herself had told him about it when she was admitted to one of the hospitals in Dubai. But he was intrigued to find out for himself from Mundika's mouth. Has he misbehaved? It seems that talking about the ruler's family is taboo.

“Nobody Bude,” Replied Mundika tried to divert the conversation while covering Zayed's mouth with her five fingers then whispered to Zayed, “You don't scare me Zayed, you don't scare me, I was preaching it when we landed here yesterday but didn't tell us in detail what place we were going to. This is our family business anyway, don't you take Mansoor with you. Suffice it to know that we are in Indonesia!”

“Release Brother,” Protest Zayed tried to take off Mundika's hand that held her mouth earlier. “As for Brother alone, I will not interfere again if it really happens!” He lifted his shoulders slightly unacceptable with the stubbornness of his brother. Actually, he was worried about the condition of his parents after his brother informed them that they were going to Indonesia without his permission, especially their mother. Imagining the surprised expression of his mother's face alone was no longer strong considering how much he had so devoted his affection to the two of them. But on the other hand he also wants to immediately solve the problems that plague his life and his brother. It feels like betting on something that the outcome is uncertain. Damnit damnit! Why is it like this?! He did not expect to be involved in this complicated business…

“Nah, so dong, still support your beloved brother,” Mundika ruffled black hair belonging to Zayed. “Listen Zayed, even if something goes wrong, I make sure that I am guilty and bear it so that you are safe from the wrath of our family.”

“Kak...,” Zayed stared at the two eyeballs belonging to the brother. There seemed to be seriousness in it and he must have been devastated by the determination of his brother. The thing he was very reluctant of a Mundika bint Dalmouk.

The traffic jam that had made their car stopped finally began to decompose as well and returned to running smoothly on the road they passed. What they did not realize since then was that there was a white SUV and not far from them followed as if watching.

“Halo Mr. Shiddiq,” One of the passengers in the white SUV appeared to be contacting someone important with a smartphone attached to his left ear.

*“Yes* Ali, accepted!” Response Shiddiq who is still silent in the position of sitting jeep type car driver owned by the master next to him. Their car is deliberately parked while waiting for important information that it currently receives

“Target has been found, please further direction.”

“How?” Shiddiq put away his smartphone for a moment and asked Mansoor for an answer.

“Run according to the plan we discussed last night and I do not accept any failure!” Mansoor said firmly. There was clearly tension on his face from lack of sleep thinking about what strategy he and his team should do.

“Ali, have you heard from Sheikh Mansoor?” Shiddiq spoke again with his smartphone. “Run according to the plan we discussed last night and he does not accept failure, you understand?!”

“Yes Sir!”

*Shiddiq presses the engine start button* car and changes the automatic gear to drive the car according to the location point sent by his subordinates earlier.

BRRUUUUUMMM!!

*The car was speeding as if racing against time. With his highly professional driving technique, Shiddiq overtook all the vehicles in front of him without making his master flinch from his seat. He does not want the anger harbored by Mansoor leads to him because men like him who rarely speak and cold if not in fashion* on the professionality of the position he held was very terrible.

Mundika, I'll make sure you come home today to Dubai! Mansoor said in his heart while looking at the window beside him.

***