Memories of a Thousand Years
Dry Season Storm

[Eighteen Years Ago]

The morning was as bright as usual. I can say it's a little hot. This month is still in the dry season. Some fields have dried up. Forecasters say the rainy season is still a few months away. The sky still looks blazing even in the morning. The hot weather made everyone angry quickly. It's not usually very hot this season. Farmers have been complaining since last week. They did not get water to start the field again. Even the river water has begun to recede. Surprisingly someone once said there would be a storm tonight. But no one believed it because that person looked like a madman. You can only go around asking for food and playing with children. What a poor old man.

Pradhika Wiriya was seen in a market in the city of Parigi observing someone. Fucking thief. Her thought. Ranggana Bayu was peeking, staking something. Targets maybe. Dhika is not wrong indeed Bayu always do strange things. Either steal or just take someone else's property. As when passing through the fruit vendor's field, nimbly his hand took one. And ate it after a few steps with a proud smile. Bayu is a bad boy. In contrast to Dhika who was educated very hard. Such a thing was impossible for him to do despite being so hungry. But it certainly couldn't have been her to starve. He was the son of a noble in the next town. His life is very secure.

Bayu was busy observing. Sometimes walking and back to hiding. Dhika just saw her from afar. His brows furrowed at the sight of the baby continuing to settle. Dhika can't let him steal back. I don't know what he'll steal this time. Fruit, potatoes, or other foods? It is not a valuable thing but still. Taking without being known is called stealing. You naughty boy whispered.

Bayu arrived just running. Dhika who had been observing simultaneously followed him after someone shouted "Maling!, Maling!"

Dhika chases Bayu who is running. It's very difficult to chase people in a crowd like this. However Dhika easily chased and gripped her strong strong arm. Bayu almost hit him but stopped when he saw who he was. "Dhika?"

"What are you doing?"

"Why did you stop me. I almost got it. Ah, now he's running away. I've been watching him for a long time"

"....."

"Ah. You must think I stole. Look-" Bayu showed me a gold necklace in his hand. "I managed to take this from him. But because you stole it. Don't misunderstand me anymore"

"Then return it to its owner"

"Yes of course"

They walked together after returning the necklace to its owner. "Tumben once you were here. What's the need?"

"Deliver a message to the court of the Wilis family"

"Ahh, it must be so important that you yourself are asked to leave"

"Mn" Dhika nodded

"Is there a serious problem?"

"Not knowing"

"By the way. How's your dad doing? Last time I visited him, he was very angry because of my behavior, haha 🤣"

"He's fine"

"You're still cold"

"..."

"I've been informed that there's something strange going on around the city's borders, did you hear that too?"

"It seems that's why my father sent me to deliver his letter"

"What's going on?"

"Some people have disappeared lately. One of them was found to be rotting. I'm not sure. The information is still very confusing"

"Yes I heard that too"

"You are careful. If there's anything strange please tell me" Dhika left and they split up at a crossroads.

----

Bayu has just arrived at Sae Herbal store. A herbal medicine shop is the only complete herbal medicine in the city. He spent his day there. He was determined to be a great healer. The last year he lived there. After graduating from school in the capital. His family doesn't mind that. His determination was very round after all. No one can resist his will. Uncle Arif as the store owner already considers Bayu like his own son. The middle-aged man was a kara. Only the herb shop was all he had. The presence of the baby becomes a new spirit for him. Uncle Arif used to be an assistant healer of the Wijaya family. Bayu Family. More precisely a family who raised Bayu. Bayu is the adopted son of the Wijaya family. They are very kind and love Bayu like their own family.

The rain had fallen, the sky was already dark. The crazy fortune teller was right. It's raining tonight. Bayu comes and helps Uncle Arif to close his shop.

"Why come home so late, did something happen?" Ask uncle Arif

"I met Dhika earlier said there was something serious so I listened to her first"

Bayu put up the board of the store cover board one by one, while uncle Arif took care of the herbal herbs that had been in the sun.

"Dhika?, master Wiriya's son?"

"really"

"You'd be happy to see him again"

"It's just normal"

"You used to talk about it all the time, you said he was very cold and hard to get along with. But you said he was very nice too"

"I said so?"

"Yes, you guys are very good friends, keep it up, it will be difficult to get friends who understand each other"

"Uncle think we understand each other?"

"Yes I think so"

"The truth is, he thought I was going to steal again. And he's stopping me from getting to the real thief. Wonder why he always thinks I'm a bad boy"

"Hahaha, yes that's how it is. I think he's worried that you're gonna be a bad kid, because that's why he stopped you"

"Qc"

The rain is now falling very hard even the wind is blowing hard.

"Master please" someone ran all the way to the herb shop. A drenched middle-aged man braved the increasingly heavy rain. He ran and stopped at the door that was still slightly open.

"What's grandpa?" Ask Bayu

"Son. Please son. My grandson seems to be sick. He was unconscious from a while ago. He seemed to have fallen from a high place, his head bleeding. Please son." Because of the heavy rain, lightning was occasionally struck, along the way maybe other herbal stores have closed their stores. Although he banged on every shop but no one could hit this heavy rain. It was more like there was a storm. Everyone is afraid of this condition. It is very dangerous to hit a storm. But your mind is different. If he is determined to become a healer, then he should not miss a single person. The physician is the one who saves.

"Grandfather wait a minute I'll take the medicine you need" the baby immediately looked for the items he needed and put them in a bag.

"Wood, is it okay to go in a storm like this?" Uncle arif sounded very worried

"I'm fine. If it's too long maybe he could die".."Uncle I go first, grandpa come on"

"He always moves at will without thinking of anyone who worries about him"

They ran through the storm. Kake's place is really far away. Bayu was already panting. Half of his body was soaking wet despite wearing an umbrella. A very strange storm he thought. Because last day was still very bright so before the night this terrible storm came. Some people are happy the drought can end but this time it is still not the rainy season let alone a storm in the dry season. It's so weird.

They finally arrived at the grandfather's house. There were some people there too. Bayu entered and immediately checked the girl. Grandpa looked very worried.

The girl's body temperature was very high. His forehead shriveled, he must have been having a nightmare. Some parts of his body were injured. His head was bleeding a little. But it wasn't too bad. His fingers shriveled like they had been in the water for too long. Bayu heaved a sigh of relief, as there was no harm at all.

Bayu asks "Grandfather, what happened to him?"

"I don't know myself, I found him by the river, I thought he was playing on a cliff and fell and washed away."

"Are you a healer? You look too young" asked Yuli, a woman who was also in the house.

"My name is Bayu. I am currently just a student. One day I may officially become a healer"

"Kake sapta, kake should have brought a real healer" he whispered to Sapta's grandfather.

"I don't care as long as he survives" replied grandfather sapta

"If you can know. What is the name of this girl. And what age? I'll make him a recipe"

"How do we know. He wasn't conscious when we were menem-"

"Huh?" Bayu astonished

Sapta's grandfather cuts off Yuli's "Name Nirmala, age 18"

Yuli and Iwan who were listening to it changed the look on their faces. They wonder why Kake Sapta said that. But they can't say anything anymore.

"Can I spend the night here? Looks like the storm won't ease easily, I'll also bandage the wound"

"Of course, son. Thanks very much. We're really very helped"

Bayu took care of the girl painstakingly. Clean and bandage the wound, occasionally changing the compressive cloth on the girl's forehead until the fever drops. He also made herbal soup. Grandpa Sapta was asleep in a chair. He must be so exhausted, he thought.

The storm had subsided since dawn Kake Sapta was still sleeping in his chair.

The sun had already begun to peek behind the wooden window, next to Nirmala's bed. He's sitting on his bed. He looked at the window he had just opened. Sometimes he looks around. Very foreign. Her thought.

Bayu who had just emerged from the kitchen was a little surprised to see Nirmala was awake.

"You awake? Lie down first, you still need rest" Bayu came with a tray of herbal soup and porridge. Then put it on the table.

"Where is this?" Ask nirmala. Mayu was a little surprised by the question.

"In your house of course. Where did you forget where you lived? Haha"

"Where am I from?"

"Don't you remember where you went yesterday?"

"I.., I don't know"

"Well don't be too forced if you don't remember. Oh. I'm Bayu. If you need anything, you can talk to me."

"Ah. Thanks though. My name-....who am I?"

"You don't remember your name?"

"I ... Forgot"

"Has your head hit hard? Are you feeling dizzy?"

Nirmala just shook her head

"I'm fine"

"Night I checked all your wounds, nothing bad, but why can't you forget this"

"I.forget"

"alright. Now you just rest. Drink the porridge and the medicine. Tomorrow I'll go back and check on you again." Bayu gave a paper to Nirmala "this is a recipe that you should drink you can find anywhere. If you're confused just come to my store."

Nirmala took the paper and read it..." What's this writing?"

"..... That's your recipe"

"Can't you read it?"

"I don't think I'm stupid. But I don't understand these letters"

"It's okay. You just need to show it to the drug dealer."

"Thank you very much"

"You better rest. I'll be back tomorrow" Bayu left without saying goodbye to the others. Some time passed by Grandpa Sapta woke up. He was a little surprised to see that Nirmala was already sitting looking out the window.

"Nirmala, are you awake, son?"

Nirmala just looked at him and bowed her head respectfully. With a smile. Kake sapta. "Have you eaten and taken your medicine?" he saw two empty bowls in front of him. Nirmala just nodded.

"Grandfather, who?"

"This is your grandfather son. You're grandpa's granddaughter. You don't remember? Grandpa brought you here. You're drifting in a river full of wounds, boy Bayu where?"

"Home home, he said tomorrow he would come back again, he put this" Nirmala handed the recipe paper to kake sapta. He opened the paper and passed it outside the house. A few minutes later he returned with Kang Iwan. He asked her to read it.

"Oh this is a prescription drug" said Kang Iwan

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kang iwan asked Nirmala

"Can you tell me, who am I and where is this? I feel so foreign to being here"

"Don't Kake tell me you're Kake's granddaughter, nirmala"

"It doesn't seem to be my name"

"Then what's your name?" Ask kang Iwan

"...."

"Then your name is Nirmala and this is your home, and he is your grandfather and I am your neighbor. If you need anything you can go out and meet me next door." Kang iwan came out.

"Nirmala take a rest first Kake will go to the drugstore to redeem your prescription"

Nirmala lay down, slept, ate, and slept again. The fever still sometimes goes up. Sometimes he dreams. I don't understand what that dream is. It was so complicated that he himself could not decipher it.

In the morning, Nirmala had fully recovered. Kang Iwan came and put on a few pieces of clothes. She said it was Aunt Yuli's shirt when she was a kid. That's all it still looks good. Kake Sapta has no clothes except the ones he is wearing and the ones he is drying. Yep... He only had two pieces of clothing. Kang Iwan said auntie Yuli would drop him off if she was going to take a shower. Sure oes. Yesterday's day just sleeping made him very sultry.

Nirmala was beginning to know them. Last night, they took turns visiting him. And meet him. They're good people. Also people who care about each other.

In this age, homes and baths are very far apart. There is no toilet in the house. The bath is near the river. There's a walled room. Inside there is a water shelter also there is a shower that continues to flow. The water is very clear and very refreshing. Nirmala cleaned up there. And wearing the clothes that Kang Iwan had given him. He also washed the clothes he had worn.

Her hair is wet. And he's back. Dry those clothes and get into the house.

His clothes are still too big. A pleated gray skirt. And tops like the kebaya model. Ah this is still too big. He worked around until he thought it was right. Her skirt was too loose for her body. The belt is like that too. It is very uncomfortable to dress in a bad way. He saw a thin green scarf. He hooked it on his torch coiled in his stomach. "Yep. It's pretty decent" he saw himself behind a worn-out wood-framed mirror. The color of the mirror is no longer bright. But he could still see his reflection.

"More looks like I'm wearing hanfu haha"

He combed his long, broken hair. He was not used to his hair. Then he's looking for something. Rubber. Or a rope or anything that could tie her hair. But he didn't find it. Then he saw a stick of konde made of wood. Stored neatly in a desk drawer. Even the carvings are very clear. Beautiful in my heart.

"Grandfather, can I wear this"

He asked Kake Sapta who was making food in the kitchen.

Looking at the skewer, Kake Sapta smiled. "May honey, wear it. That's yours"

Nirmala curled her hair with it. Now she was right like the village girl in general.

"Mixed up" a voice came from behind the door. Nirmala. Someone was standing there. Wilted

"You're better?"

Nirmala nodded

"You should rest a few more days."

"I'm fine. Please come in"

He turned to the kitchen and asked "kake, did he take his medicine?"

"Of course, he always spends it"

"really. Greatable. Most women can't drink it because it's so bitter"

"That's good in my opinion. I don't want to keep going in bed anyway"

"Goodoo. Do you remember anything?"

"For what is remembered, everything is clear. Kake's glad you're back, son"

The sentence seemed to indicate that Kake Sapta wanted Nirmala to stay with him.

"I think so" said nirmala "can we talk outside. I think I want to walk the road"

"Yes. Walking will make you healthier. Come on I'll accompany you"

They both walked slowly down the street. Every now and then Nirmala smiled at the beautiful sight. His house is at the foot of the hill. And such a walk made him feel comfortable being in this world.

"This is so beautiful"

"So what do you want to say?"

"Ah, that. Hmmm..."

"Do you remember anything?"

"Not at all. It's just that I'm sure this isn't my place"

"But Kake sapta said..."

"I know... That way... Let me explain. I'm not used to being called Nirmala, that means nirmala is not my name. And I'm not used to my very traditional surroundings. Like this shirt. Like not my style. Also the house and also the language used. I'm not used to the old Sundanese language"

"I don't understand you a little bit, could it be that you are from another city or another country? "

"I don't understand either. Even a standard language like this, I'm not ordinary, what do you think?"

"Ha haha. . I'm sure you're crazy"

"...."

"Then what are you gonna do next?"

"...." - ".Nirmala momentarily fell silent "Maybe for a while like this just yet. Until I remember everything."

"All right, I'll help you"

"Ah no need to bother. I'm fine."

"It's okay. I want to be a great healer anyway. This case of yours is the first time I've met. So I have to learn from you too."

"It's called amnesia. Such a person is caused by something but each case may be different, and may be able to recall briefly or not at all"

"Do you remember anything like that?"

"..... What did I say?"

"Haha, I've already. Your head is not right"

Nirmala stopped in her steps. His gaze was fixed on a tree in a meadow. "What tree is that?? So big!" Ask Nirmala

"By the way, are you interested in myths?"

"What does this have to do with the tree?"

"Right, it's a sacred banyan lie. It is said that there were lovers who committed suicide there. Hangs neck. The tree is haunted. No one dared to approach the tree"

"It's like a lie to a child's fear"

"You are because you don't know the truth...."

"What is the truth?"

"......"

"Don't know??"

"Haha. I ...forget"

"Kc.... You're....." Nirmala's sharp gaze was now focused on the banyan tree.

Bayu "recently a lot of news that some people mysteriously disappeared. He said it had something to do with the tree, but I think they were wrong. You better not come home too late. And always be careful. Do not get close to mystical things. Sometimes they bring misguidance".

Nirmala "do you believe such a thing?"

Bayu "Dwipantara is still thick with mystical science. Even the warriors of Mataram were famous for their science."

Nirmala "Matharam?"

Bayu "do you remember anything?"

Nirmala "mnr. Like I read in a history book."

Bayu "are they that strong until they are found in the history books? We don't even have many books"

Nirmala "whatever. My head feels dizzy"

Bayu "let's go home"

Note :

Dwipantara is the name for the territory of Indonesia in ancient times.

Each region has its own government (Kingdom) and has its own regional language. For the smooth trade with other regions, all Dwipantara regions use the national language, namely Malay (if now it has been updated to Indonesian)

Just like this time. Indonesian is the national language. But the regional language is still used in various parts of the country of Indonesia.

Because the background of this story is the land of Pasundan (the entire Sunda kingdom), the language used is centered on Sundanese and Malay as the national language. Yet. Due to the scientific limitations of the author. I will use more Malay.