WHITE ROSE
(CHAPTER - 07)

I woke up from my deep sleep, probably because we were leaving too early. So clearly the noise from the steel wheels was running on the tracks. But my drowsiness still won't go away.

The train drove us home to our city today. As I woke up, a familiar voice came from the direction of the seat beside me.

"You mostly sleep."

Letting my sleeping face be seen by others, it was truly embarrassing. I instinctively swept my mouth.

As if he was doing something strange, Hary laughed at me. "Don't worry. You're not drooling, 'kok."

Closing my mouth with my hands to cover the small vapor, I glanced around to understand the situation. "... Still not there, huh?"

"Yes not yet, 'lah! So don't sleep on."

"You know how else. After meeting with Ms. Sartika yesterday, I always thought about her. I couldn't sleep well last night."

"... Continue ... How next? You still want to investigate?"

For a moment I was silent. He turned his face towards the window beside me. Seeing the outside scenery so bright, when this train drove through a very wide expanse of rice fields. My lips said softly, "It seems so."

Hary smiled at my answer. "Journalist soul from your father turned out to have declined on you, huh? Even though you're more interested in medicine"

I looked at him immediately annoyed. "What's the soul of the reporter?!"

"Because of seeing the Goddess who's sick, you're getting to be a doctor, aren't you?"

"Whisper!" I said more and more annoyed as I turned my face. I heard no more laughter from him. I glanced a little, now his face was also looking at the window near me.

"After knowing the cause you're able to participate in that ability, what are you going to do?" hary asked calmly without taking a look.

The question kept me quiet for a moment. As if I didn't know what to answer. My eyes are now turning. Looking at the shadow of my gloomy face that bounced faintly on the window glass.

I calmly replied, "If there's nothing I can do, maybe I'll be next to the Goddess for next."

Hary smiled at me. "If it's like that, you'll have to keep it, Andy. He needs you so much. Maybe he's waiting for an answer from you right now."

I just kept quiet hearing. Still staring outside with my. There's no reason to talk. I should have been. Hary's advice wasn't so bad. There's nothing wrong. Although later the results will be in vain from this search of mine. But at least, I just want to fight to solve the remaining puzzles. While waiting for a response from him, which seemed to deliberately give me a little hint.

Take a two-hour walk to the city of Mustika. We got off at Mustika Station and walked out of the station, while immersed in the cold. I don't know why this air still feels. And it also looks like the weather will get colder during this season. Naturally, the rainy season will soon arrive.

As we walked out a few steps from the station, Hary glanced at her watch. "Sorry Andy, I think I should go to school first."

"He? Now?"

"Yes. There will soon be a meeting to discuss Dies Natalis later."

"That's it, huh? You're not feeling tired?"

Looking at me who was feeling sorry for Hary showed me his trademark smile. "Just calm. I told you, didn't I? Then I'll enjoy it."

"... Heh, sorry to bother you."

"Hahaha, don't think about it. Anyway, I'm really glad I could help you."

"... Thank you," I said. But Hary just nodded with a smile.

"Yes already. I go first" said Hary as he left.

"Okay, be careful."

I just stared at Hary's departure. My eyes closed for a moment and looked at the sky after. The sun was hiding behind a thick cloud. Today is so cloudy. Indicates that the rain will soon fall someday.

After looking up at the sky, I stepped back to go home. Occasionally glanced towards the fairly deserted highway. Tumben once on Monday the highway is not so crowded. Is it because it has entered the holiday period, so many people go out of town?

I don't know. More importantly, I need to get home. My mind is always in my room. And my sleepiness is not gone.

However, while walking my sleepiness was made by the sound of car horns from behind. Like someone was calling me, I turned to see who it was. But not yet fully turned his head, a black sedan car stopped right beside me. More precisely parallel to the back door of the car. I was fixated on a car I was not used to seeing in everyday life. Such a luxurious and elegant looking car.

A 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost with four doors. The five-seat sedan is also equipped with a standard 6.6L, 12-cylinder, 13-mpg engine on the city and 21-mpg on the highway. Uh .., wait a minute. Are my eyes not wrong? For the first time I saw a luxury car.

My courage doesn't stop there. After the glass on the back door of the car slowly opens. It shows a person sitting inside and smiling at me.

"Son Andy," Mrs Sartika kindly called out.

"grandmother?"

"Let's go in. Grandma's gonna take you home."

I didn't answer right away. Still silent for a moment, he realized. Only a nod represents my mark of approval. Put your feet up to go inside.

Duh, what was my dream last night? Right now I'm not just looking at an expensive and luxurious car. Unless you get into it too. My eyes were still combing through the contents of this car after closing the door and the car started to slowly move gracefully. Like I can't control my village's behavior.

"New to?" ask Ms. Sartika. Disperse my actions instantly.

"He? Uh, i-iya," I said stammered.

Ms. Sartika smiled and turned her face forward. It made me start to realize something.

"Sorry, Grandma. If you may know, why would Grandma know I'm home and still at the station?" manya curious.

"Where do you think Grandma knows?" ask him calmly without taking his eyes and smile away.

For a moment I was silent to think. Until I finally realized and said softly, "Bu Yuli?"

"really. Yuli tells Grandma that you will be home Monday morning. And also your friend who is a member of the OSIS, today he has a meeting at 9, right? So Grandma came straight here before 9 to pick you up" said she, still smiling. Makes me wonder more.

"Where did Grandma know that Hary was a member of OSIS- ...? Ah, right too. Miss Yuli again," asked me who had stopped after immediately knowing the answer. Ms. Sartika laughed a little at my words.

"At the same time Grandma just visited Kinara's grave today. Once a week, Grandma always comes there."

Hearing Kinara's name I fell silent again. My gloomy face reappeared. For a moment I turned towards the window. Without seeing me it seems like Ms. Sartika can tell my reaction.

Uh, wait a minute. I don't smell that at all.

"Now, can you tell me more about the incident?"

I was surprised to hear his question. My eyes looked at him. But he calmly said, "Grandmother will help as much as Grandma can."

He seemed to have noticed my message yesterday. Ms. Sartika who directly asked me about the main topic surprised me a little. For a moment my lips were closed. Looking towards the front, at the adult man driving this car. I'm afraid that person will hear too.

"Don't worry. She's Sinta's sister."

Hearing his words I improved my sitting position to make it more comfortable. To be honest, I'm starting to get nervous for some reason.

"In accordance with what I told you yesterday. I watched the deaths of those who took turns on the news on TV. At first I saw the news about the death of Bu Yuli and Dewi. After that I met Kinara. He was falling and the roses he was carrying were scattering."

"Rose flower?"

"Yes. The flower is a gift to the Goddess. At that time, Kinara looked very sad while picking up the flowers. Feeling sorry for her, I helped her to buy her a flower. But he refused on the grounds that he did not want to bring flowers that were not the result of his hard work. I tried to persuade her and she finally agreed. Since that time the flower shop around was closed, we picked up the flowers at my school and put them together."

"That's it, huh? Then, there was another oddity before you met Kinara?"

"Oh yes, before meeting him, I had a chance to find a white rose-shaped pendant, which fell not far from Kinara was. And strangely enough, suddenly time seemed to stop for a few seconds."

I glanced. For a moment, it was like he was thinking of something. His face looked so solemn and asked, "Did you bring that locket?"

"Eh, yes."

I immediately took the pendant in the bag. He seemed to notice when I showed him the locket. Although I intended for Ms. Sartika to take it and check it, but she just stared seriously as she touched the locket with the tip of the fingers. Long enough he clasped his fingers. Makes me even more amazed. Until finally a small smile appeared on his lips while removing the touch of his fingers.

"Take a look at that thing, Andy boy. That white rose will save you someday."

I don't really understand what he means. All I know is, maybe this thing has something to do with my entry into all of this. I put the locket back in the bag.

"Then, what exactly happened to me, Grandma?"

He simply turned his face forward and said expressionlessly. "Actually Grandma also does not know for sure about it. But clearly, you've been chosen by him."

"Choosed?"

"really. The one who can look after our offspring, who has that ability."

"I mean Grandma?"

"Indeed, those of us who have that ability can use it freely. But on the other hand, we also cannot use that ability, without the person being chosen as a guard."

I stared hard. "Reason?"

"Because of the guard, it's also used as a container to hold that ability."

"... The container?" I said surprised.

"really. As you enter adolescence, this ability will emerge. But, if there is no one as a container, that ability cannot be used. Like sealed in the body. There must be others who become containers as well as guards. The body of the guard and the owner will be interconnected thanks to that ability. In essence, if no one is selected, the user will not be able to use his abilities."

"Then, what is the function of the container?"

"Like a safe to store that ability. Hence, when you took Kinara's pendant, you seemed to experience something strange, right? It was a sign, that Kinara was using that ability. Because before, your bodies were already connected."

I still do not understand correctly from his explanation. But on the other hand, I felt something was wrong with what he said. If it is like that, it is quite dangerous to relate or even approach this cursed family.

I tried to dig deeper. "Then, what are the requirements to be a guard? And why was I chosen by that ability?"

"It's not the ability that chooses you. But Kinara himself."

"... Kinara?"

"really. Before, Grandma would explain something. To be a guard, only the owner of the ability can determine. For example, Grandma. Grandma would choose that person indirectly. Because in Grandma's heart, felt she could look after and guide Grandma. After that, the chosen one will forever continue to be bound."

"... Forever tied?" I looked up while realizing something.

"really. Like Grandma's husband. Or the husband of Sinta. By meaning, Kinara chose you as her life companion. But different from the people before you. You're so special, Andy boy," he said with a smile.

My lips are locked tight. My face is a little blushing. I don't know why my heart is so beating.

Why did this have to happen to me? Why do I have to get into all this? And also, even though Kinara and I only briefly met. Why did he choose me directly? Is it because I helped her- ... Hold still. I feel something is awkward.

"If I was chosen when I met him, why would he be able to use that ability on the pendant? In fact, I first met her, after Kinara used it on the locket, right?"

Ms. Sartika smiled and started looking at me. "You're the only one who thinks you've met for the first time. If it's Kinara, he's been seeing you for about 5 years."

"... 5 years ago?"

"Right, 5 years ago you helped a girl in a park, right?"

I started digging into my memories. But all is still very vague.

"... Then, why doesn't he remember me too?"

"Eitherway. If that's Grandma doesn't know either. Or maybe he doesn't know you."

I was silent for a moment. He softly said something.

"Sometimes, when we visit some new place, we feel like we are not familiar with the place. Believe it or not, while in the womb, we are shown the journey of our lives, from birth to death."

Hearing her words just now, I felt like I remembered something. But somehow my memory is still vague. Not as usual. My memory is quite high. Especially about 5 years ago. At least I remember his face a little. But this time the memories completely disappeared.

I tried hard to squeeze out my brain memory. It was as if it had been erased in my life.

Why did I .. forget?

I held my head while thinking about it. It felt so heavy and so disturbing. My teeth are like holding something back.

"What's up, Andy boy?" Ms. Sartika patted me on the shoulder and looked in wonder.

"Ah, no, Grandma. Just a little dizzy," I said.

After staring at him, for some reason my belly instantly disappeared.

I closed my eyes while breathing slowly. Trying to calm the uncomfortable feeling. Then open your eyes slowly and look towards the side window. The rain started to fall slowly and more and more.

"Is that why, Grandma was so surprised to see me, when we visited Grandma's house? Being aware, the child who helped Kinara first, is now back to meet Grandma and is stuck with all this."

There's no answer to this question. Actually I don't need it either. Even though he didn't answer, I could tell that what I said was true.

By the time we fell silent, the iron fence of my house had begun to be seen close to about 20 meters again.

Although I still did not get the answer to the last riddle of this conversation, I felt like I did not need it anymore. After a startling new reality, it seemed like I had to quit all of this. It's all over anyway. I need to focus more on what I have right now.

A few seconds the car stopped right in front of my fence. Seen in the carport no car, makes me a little moody. Moreover, this heavy rain increasingly adds to the feeling of lethargy.

"Your father hasn't come home yet?" ask him who is also looking there.

"Yes, Grandma. Oh yeah, Grandma didn't stop by first?"

"No. Grandma has to go home today."

"Oh. All right then, Grandma. Thank you for-.. eh?"

Suddenly, the ringing of a cell phone in my pants pocket cut my words just now. But I didn't take it because I felt bad for him.

"It's okay. Just pick it up."

"Eh, sorry, Grandma."

I took my phone to see who was calling. Bu Yuli's name appears on the phone screen. Without thinking I lifted up.

"Hello?"

"Assalamu'alaikum, Andy?" greetings Miss Yuli. But from his voice it sounded like he was being stifled by a cry.

"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. What's up, Mom?"

"Can you come to the hospital now? The goddess is unconscious. His condition is getting worse" he said, sounding so panicked behind his cries.

My body froze. Making my already bright mind now seem messed up again.

What's the matter? What the hell's going on? Isn't it that Dewi has improved and can leave the hospital in a moment? But why would my gut feel like saying that this is not over yet?

※ ※ ※

I felt my breathing start to get irregular. In accordance with this chaotic mind. Together with Ms. Sartika and her son, we ran to the hospitalization section I had passed many times before, and forced our feet to run.

We headed straight to the hospital after getting word from Ms. Yuli.

The elevator stopped on the 1st floor. When pressing the button, the door opens with a slow bell sound. I leaned tiredly against the wall and pressed the button to get to the 3rd floor. Although the acceleration was slow for a hospital elevator, my knee almost broke due to the additional shaking. Like desperately defending my body to remain standing.

After what I felt a few seconds long, the elevator stopped and the door opened. I almost fell down on my way out and stood up to the front corridor.

As the remaining distance shrinks, feelings grow rapidly in the heart. My breaths. My eyesight began to pall. Even so, I should be able to control this feeling.

I ran back. With all my heart, put your feet in front. Unaware of where I was, we arrived at a door. I stopped right before I hit him. With the two of them right behind me.

I opened the door without knocking. As usual, the strong scent of the flowers in this room began to smell. But that only added to my anxiety. With what looks right after I open this door.

The princess is now back asleep. With the breathing apparatus already attached, I could see her breathing puff that was so rare. Right next to the Goddess, Bu Yuli was covered in tears. Looking at his daughter who is now lying closed his eyes.

The doctor examined the goddess. When Bu Yuli realized my arrival and Grandma, she immediately embraced Bu Sartika who immediately approached wrapped in tears.

All I did this time just fell silent I stared at the Goddess who was lying weakly back. For a moment I asked what was going on with the Goddess to the Doctor who was about to leave.

"Sorry, Doc. Why the Goddess?"

"It looks like the Goddess experienced a shock to the brain. It made his body become weaker. At the moment, we don't know what's causing it."

After that I just fell down. Seeing my reaction, he patted me gently on the shoulder, trying to comfort me.

"Don't worry. We'll deal with this soon."

"Yes ..., please help, Doc."

He smiled nodding. Put your feet back and leave this room. Slowly I turned around. Seeing Bu Yuli on the deck of Bu Sartika who was crying. And the Goddess who went back to sleep for no reason.

What's the matter? Isn't it all over? All about successors and people who still have that ability, they no longer exist. Could this be beyond the curse? If not, then what?!

My mind was arguing loudly. Looking for something so subtle. Something seems to have been missed. Makes my view even more blurry. Just like what's in my head.

Like realizing something is happening. As if there was one more thing that was closed, and deliberately not to be shown. Whether true or not I feel like all this is hidden for whatever reason.

When I realized it, my eyes were fixed on Bu Sartika. Staring at him so sharply and muttering in my heart.

"This person ..., it seems ...."