THE TEARS OF KUMARI KANDAM
CHAPTRE 17

Braheim's mood has plummeted since the Chhota incident a week ago. In addition to being triggered by Daxraj's telling that every second ringed in his ear, Haala's sudden change in attitude to be awkward in front of him also became a trigger. Haala changed, for unheard of reasons, and with considerable impact tore apart a space in Braheim's heart.

Not only did she avoid Braheim through her representative, Haala even moved from the warrior palace to the southeastern palace*. Haala's move made it difficult for Braheim to meet, because he had to get a visitation permit from Jihan who was the ruler of the southeastern palace. Feeling unable to bear the pain in his heart, Braheim was desperate to open the card in order to speak four eyes with Haala.

*the southeastern palace* is often called the queen's palace because all of the queen's daily duties take place here. In addition, the southeastern palace is also the residence of people with high status such as the king's advisor, minister, war commander, chief investigator, as well as guests from outside Kumari Kandam*.

Through two of his shadow bodyguards, Braheim managed to lead Haala to his secret place. Haala looked around, a dim, medium-sized room she had visited for the first time. There was no one in the basement, nothing more valuable than the paintings of the previous Kumari Kings of Kandam hanging neatly on the walls, and the hourglass with orange splinters.

"Just like my sickening work space, the door in this room will also only open at my will."

Haala bowed to Braheim who had just entered the room. "Long life, da-"

"Is that demon that changed your attitude so aggravating?" braheim sidelines while standing right in front of Haala.

"Give me time to answer, Your Majesty."

"I've given you a week" Braheim replied.

"Hamba is still trying to find the answer."

Bheim grabbed both hands of Haala. "Then include me in your efforts."

Haala fell silent. "Did I misrepresent our kiss that night?" braheim.

Haala was still silent, the corners of her eyes began to feel tickled. "For me it's not just a kiss. Because through that kiss I gave my heart to you. Are you like that too?" braheim again.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Bheim smiled as he heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God. I don't care what your attitude changes and what the demon says. I've had enough of the fact that you've also given your heart."

"Hamba wishes to give this self away entirely to you, Your Majesty."

Spontaneous Braheim hugging Haala. "Then give it to me. Whatever obstacles ahead, let's face them together."

Haala was swept away in that comfortable arms, but was reluctant to reply even though the circle of Braheim's hands on her shoulders and waist felt tighter, because of various questions that began to tease. How can he feel so dirty by a man that half his life is in the heart, and how can he give his heart and body to a different man.

Haala wanted to curse the prophecy wrapped around Daxraj, but what power, destiny does not know humor. The contents in the mysterious book that Laasya found in the basement were not contrived contents. Then there was no reason for Daxraj to choose her over the fairy-like holy women who roamed around the over-fair tribal leader every day.

Yeah, no excuses. But Haala still struggled to find excuses, in order to keep the man she loved almost thirteen years in silence. Countless times have Haala intended to be selfish, forgetting the ingrained side of the hero in her. Haala took off Braheim's embrace, and with a downcast look eroded the smile on her charming face.

"There is a book that says that the world will perish, and that destruction can only be muted by the son of the wandering tribal leader and heir to the oath of allegiance Yusef Bahadir" Haala said.

"So that's the reason her confidence calls you her woman?"

Haala nodded in response to Braheim. "Hamba will still continue to find out the truth."

"Take me to the demon."

Haala shakes. "You'll only die if you meet him in this filthy state."

"What do you mean?"

"That place is very sacred, Your Majesty. In addition to not allowing the carrying of the relics of the dead, the place also refused anyone who deliberately dirty himself. There's one way to purify yourself, but it's no different than suicide" Haala said.

"Submerging in Baadal*."

*Baadal* is one of the sacred lakes in Kumari Kandam. It is said that Baadal was guarded by a giant fish named Ghinauna. Those who soak in Baadal will be purified from the rest of human filth, the rest of the food and drink, or the poison that settles in the body. But Ghinauna is known to be unfriendly, so very few people can soak there*.

Spontan Haala looked up. "I'll try to spit on the face of that maddening demon" added Bheim.

"No, Your Grace. Impossible to be accepted by Ghinauna."

Bheim hugged Haala. "Then if Ghinauna rejects me, it is the Almighty's plan to save the world from perdition."

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

Haala's hasty steps stopped at once upon discovering the unusual outward appearance of the harem. The harem gate, which will only open on the eleventh night, appears wide open even though it is still the third night. Seen from a distance, the concubines with Saree-saree* beautiful was hugging a room with a worried look.

*Saree* or shari is a type of fabric used by women in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Saree or shari consists of unsewn sheets of cloth, the variations vary with a length of 4-9 meters worn on the body with various styles*.

The curious Haala decided to turn her steps into the harem, a place with a million painful memories. Haala's arrival was immediately greeted by the head of the harem, Leyla, with a face no less worried. And without needing to be asked, Leyla immediately told Haala because of the chaos in the harem today.

This morning several concubines flocked to Leyla, compactly complaining that their stomachs were very sick like being hit by a knife from the inside. Even two concubines were rushed to the northern palace* because they fell unconscious. The situation gets out of control when there is one concubine who suddenly has severe bleeding.

*Northern palace* or better known as the rowdy palace, is the most visited palace. Since there was a hospital, the academy concocted medicine, as well as a garden of rare herbs. The Royal Physician also stayed here because in addition to being responsible to the patients for twenty-four hours, he also taught at the academy*.

Leyla nodded in response to Haala. "His Majesty the King has already summoned the famous physician of Jaadoo*. Huh, for God's sake, where exactly did our Royal Physician go?"

*Jaadoo* the name of one of the villages in the interior of Kumari Kandam*.

Haala did not answer. "Heard he was looking for Chhota's whereabouts. Is he crazy? Rather than that, did you also have stomach pain?" ask Leyla again.

"I'm doing fine. Thank ye. Then if I may know, what diseases did the concubines suffer from?"

"Eitherway. The healer from Jaadoo hasn't said anything to us yet" Leyla replied.

Haala did not reply, as she was suddenly busy guessing the mastermind of the chaos before her eyes. One name. Jehan. Yes, it is most likely that it was Jihan who brought the calamity closer to the concubines, as well as to her. Toxins that were put in her bathtub the other day, could also be put in the bathtub of the concubines, or in their food and drink.

Seeing the effect that caused a great precursor, Haala was sure if the poison was devoted to women. And the only poison most likely is Shaant, a poison from the rare honey flower of uterus destruction. But it is impossible to get Shaant considering that the poisonous flower habitat has been burned down since hundreds of years ago.

Shaant's poison was the most likely, plus the greed of Jihan who wanted to have the whole Kumari King of Kandam, made that possibility many times over. Haala who is reluctant to deal with Jihan prefers to help the concubines. Although not sure it will be enough, Haala intends to give the rest of Laasya's healing potion.

"Head of manager."

Spontaneous Leyla turned to Haala. "I think they're getting poison. Because some time ago I was also almost exposed to poison," Haala added.

"Yes God. Do you know what poison that is? Perhaps the healer of Jaadoo could directly give the antidote."

"If it's poison, there's no antidote yet. But maybe I have a little" said Haala.

"Do, commander. Please do whatever it is. Please save them. They're like my own children."

Haala nodded as she gently patted Leyla's shoulder. "I'll be right back."

"Sounds like there's good news."

Leyla bowed to Murat who had just arrived. "The unconscious concubines have still not woken up. Then a concubine had just experienced heavy bleeding. Commander Haala said it was caused by poison, and thank goodness he had the antidote."

Murat looked at Haala. "Head of the caretaker, shouldn't you urge the healer from Jaadoo to clean up this mess immediately?"

Spontaneous Leyla bowed to Murat as she passed with half-running steps. "I have to go too. See you, counselor."

"I think it'd be better if you kept the antidote, commander."

Haala stopped her steps. "Isn't it good that something bad happens to them? Your competition will automatically decrease greatly. And what's the point of saving them anyway?" murat.

"Because I never felt like I was competing, counselor."

"But have you ever felt that one by one the chaos that has been going on all this time was caused by you?"

Haala fell silent. "Stay your choice, commander. If you want to budge, reject His Majesty the King firmly. But if you want to fight, make Her Majesty the Queen only target you, not them, not us" Murat added.

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

The nomadic tribesmen compactly stopped their activities when the clear sky that overshadowed them suddenly blackened, covered with disaster-carrying clouds. Those who were confined in fear also ventured to the tent of the leader who had been closed for a week, to hear directly a line of tranquilizers.

But there was no sign of movement from inside the leader's tent. Until Aryesh, the deputy leader of the wandering tribe, gathers the courage to speak out representing the fear of the people and their own fears. Finally the anticipated figure appeared, with irritable veins on his beautiful face. Everyone immediately bowed, giving a long hail of life.

Daxraj looked up at the sky slowly breaking into tears. Perhaps only Daxraj and a handful of people with more abilities know that the black cloud brings news of the death of King Kumari Kandam. Who died too soon to mangacau suratan destiny. The One who dies because of his love of death in a woman who until any time will not be able to have.

"King Kumari Kandam will close the age today" Daxraj said.

"But after that will it be okay, leader?"

"No. The sea will sweep away the land without exception, our land. Everything will perish without rest" Daxraj replied to one of his subjects.

Aryesh sneered, "I don't understand. Why is God angry at the death of King Kumari Kandam? Wouldn't that make it easier for you and Haala Anandmayee to come together?"

"Because after the death of King Kumari Kandam, he will follow."

"Then, don't you just need to save King Kumari Kandam?" ask Aryesh again.

"Only the past can save him and all of us."

Aryesh was silent for a moment. "Maybe something happened?"

"He's not dead yet. All this time he's been ascetic to change our ancestral prophecy, and he's managed to do it."