Map of 7 Souls
(Hakiki Hulmi) Episode 19

So Far Away

- September 11, 1997-

For almost two years Artha had been friends with Dio. Bagas also knew the origin of Dio and had met several times with the parents of his son's friends. For the past two years, Bagas and his wife have met Dio's parents twice.

Five months after Artha and Dio became friends, Bagas and Tiara without Arini and Artha went to the Maori village at night. Of course the locals are very surprised by the arrival of foreigners. They saw that the races of the two human pairs were not from Europe which mostly occupied New Zealand. But the skin of both pairs of humans is a bit similar to that of the Maori, albeit whiter.

A strong man came forward. A well-built man with muscles poking in the chest area, not wearing clothes. Only shorts covered his aura. It also does not reach the knee, only up to the middle of the thigh. Steady men have a lot of tattoos all over the body, including on the legs and calves. The mature brown-skinned man walked forward. Behind him several tens of men and teenagers lined up to cover the gates of their village. Struggling with a spear and holding something in his left hand. After a few steps the sturdy man stopped. In front of him, having stood still gallantly too, the sturdy man was almost comparable to the man from the Maori Tribe. Beside him with ayu, stood his wife Tiara.

Now, a well-built man full of tattoos from the Maori tribe stared ahead. Staring at the two pairs of humans who wore thick and long coat shirts to protect themselves from the cold air. After a few minutes of silence and staring at them, the sturdy man who was the representative of the Moari Tribe stepped as much as two steps closer to Bagas. Put the object in his left hand on the grass, right in front of Bagas. Only half a foot away from his feet. Then the tattooed man slowly retreated.

Bagas looked down, as did his wife. Bagas smiled. Then duck down and pick up the thing that was in the grass. Objects placed by representatives of the Maori Tribe. That thing is a small branch. Then Bagas stood up and put on a smile. The Maori have a custom of laying small branches on unknown guests. It states that this behavior is a symbol of peace. If the foreigners who come take a small branch that is placed on the ground or grass, then they bring a mission of peace. Come to the Maori settlement peacefully. It will be well received. But if, on the contrary, a small branch is not taken and walks through the branch, then the Maori conclude that foreigners who come to their settlement carry a war plan, then they will be ready to serve. After living a few years in New Zealand, Bagas understood this custom.

When Bagas smiled, the big, tattooed man also smiled. Approaching Bagas and giving Hail Hongi, a typical Maori greeting. That is, sticking the tip of the nose to the nose of the opponent gently. After performing the Hail Hongi to Bagas, the big man approached Tiara and also did the Hail Hongi. Then let us enter into the village. The guards who were large-bodied men who were marching were also smiling widely. Initially, the dozens of men who had tensed faces, now let go of a very friendly smile.

“Om..!” screams of a little boy.

Bagas looked straight ahead towards the source of the sound. The little boy wearing the red bandana ran towards him.

“Dio..” Excitement Bagas. Squatting down and welcoming the small body into his arms. They already look familiar, because Dio every afternoon to their house.

Dio went into Bagas arms, released a hug and shifted towards the slightly crouching Tiara.

“Tan..,” as well.

The slightly crouching Tiara stroked the back of Dio who was not wearing clothes.

Dio smile. Within five months of being friends with Artha, the little boy who was almost five years old - two years different from Artha - had been accustomed to calling Bagas Om and calling Tiara Tan. But he had not been able to communicate well with the two of them. Only Artha understood Dio's Body Language.

“Father knows this child?” ask the strong-bodied man in English.

Bagas surprised. Surprised because the man who confronted him was fluent in English. Tiara also turned her head towards the tattooed man with a small smile. He still hugged Dio who was on his hip. While Dio was speechless looking at Bagas and the tattooed man.

“Yes. I've known him. This little boy plays with my son every afternoon, at my house in Kimbolton City,” Bagas explained as he turned to Dio. Slightly lowered his gaze down, leading to Dio.

“But you called his name with the word Dio?” ask the man who has a bewok and long hair.

“Yes. Isn't his name Dio?” tanya Bagas looked towards the well-built man.

“Not. His name is Akahata. He's the son of our chieftain,” obviously the man with a serious face.

“Oh.” Small wrinkles are seen on Bagas' forehead.

“Why did you call our Chief's son by the name of Dio?” asked the sturdy man with curiosity.

“He used to say that word when he first became friends with my son. The word was uttered while putting his right palm onto my son's chest,” clear Bagas.

The gondrong-haired man fell silent. He's stroking his brewok. Pensively.

“There is something wrong with my speech?” tanya Bagas curious.

“Where is your son now?” she also asked with a serious face.

“At home. What's up?”

“Before meeting our Chief, I would like to explain the words spoken by Akahata. Can I explain for a minute?” ask him politely.

“Dio comes from the Maori language which means God. He said it because there was something he saw from the father's son. That is why I am curious about the son of the Father who is friends with Akahata. The first son of our Chief has advantages. Akahata can talk to all kinds of animals throughout New Zealand,” is obviously the man who is the representative of the Maori Tribe.

Bagas. “Really?” Looking towards Dio who was smiling small. Maybe he doesn't understand what they're talking about.

Tiara, Bagas' wife was also surprised to hear that.

“Finely, I quickly brought my Father and wife to face our Chief. Please..,” bargain by sticking out the right palm pointing towards the main gate as the entrance to their settlement.

Bagas turned his head towards his wife and gave a small nod. Following the man who was full of tattoos earlier. Bagas was very respectful to this man. Salute with his fluent English and salute with his politeness and manners.

Tiara, the wife of Bagas, moves to follow her husband from behind by holding the wrist of the little boy who has the real name Akahata.

That was the first time the story of Bagas and Tiara visited the Maori settlement.

Now they and their families meet with the Chief. Tonight they are invited to stay at the Maori settlement, of course Artha and Arini are brought along. Artha will be five years old, while Arini will be two years old.

A clear night, so many stars in the sky. The moonlight illuminates the night adding to the cheerful impression of the night. Early spring has arrived this year. It is currently the second Spring for the Bagas family in New Zealand.

They were deliberately invited by the Maori Chief who lived on the outskirts of Kimbolton City. Invited to dinner and stay in a Maori settlement. Bagas gladly received an invitation from Akahata's father or commonly called Dio by them. Dio's name is not easy even though they already know the real name of the son of the Maori chief who was seven years old this year.

They are served with Maori food. Dinner is served in the main courtyard of the settlement. So crowded and full of atmosphere in the Maori settlement tonight. After a delicious dinner, they were entertained with a simple dance accompanied by a musical instrument by the Maori.

The Bagas family was already very close to the Dio family. Bagas and his wife talked to the Maori Chief Father Dio and his wife also took part. There are a lot of things they talk about. From the positive habits of the Maori that so much protects this ancestral land. An example is the Tiaki Promise or Tiaki agreement. It was a deliberate agreement adopted from Maori customs. New Zealanders believe coexisting with nature means keeping it alive. As a country blessed with beautiful and diverse nature, as well as a variety of unique flora and fauna habitats, New Zealand has one solution, the Tiaki Promise. This agreement is a promise that must be kept by every visitor and citizen of New Zealand to maintain nature so that it can be enjoyed to the posterity.

Bagas also asked about the handicrafts made by the Maori tribe, namely weaving and sculpture. World-famous handicrafts are routine work done by Maori. Weaving is the work done by you women, while sculpting is done by you men.

The longest discussion is the discussion conducted by Bagas and Chieftain is about the natural talent possessed by Akahata or Dio. Talent that has been owned since Dio is good at talking. His father, the Maori Chief on the outskirts of Kimbolton City, had learned that his eldest son had advantages since his wife conceived Dio. There are some clues about the power that Dio had while still in the womb. Every day different animals came to the Maori settlement to get closer to his wife and stroked her stomach with their heads, as if the animals that came wanted to be spoiled. Coupled with a dream that tells him that his eldest son will become someone important in New Zealand someday.

Bagas listened to the Maori Chief's story well. He did not want to talk about Artha and the prediction of the power that will appear in Artha. But, this Chieftain probably had better intuition than him. The chieftain who has a ten-year age difference with Bagas stated to Bagas and his wife to educate and take good care of their two children. In order to give a good lesson while in New Zealand before returning to their origin.

Pensive bagas. He was sure that the Chief knew something about his little family.

*******