WHITE ROSE
(CHAPTER - 06)

I am not riding my favorite bike today. Also, we are not currently around where we live. But in a village far from the city, using a mountain bike belonging to his brother Hary. More precisely, a village where his grandmother Kinara's house was located.

Last Friday I told Hary her grandmother Kinara's address. Knowing the address, Hary seemed to remember something. Coincidentally his brother lived close to the village, where his house was located.

Hary suggested I stay there to find that address. The next day we headed there by train.

We cycled along the riverbank and away from the highway. Slowly the distance between the houses was replaced by vast tea plantations. Eve in this place is so cold and soothing. Though the clock has pointed at the number 8 and the sky is so bright it is almost not covered.

In order to hide from the scorching sun, we stopped at a small shop. I took a small towel from the bag to wipe away the sweat that kept dripping.

"Hary, are we close?"

"Well, we're almost there. About 100 yards away." He smiled, "You'd be surprised to see his house. Nyai Sartika's mother's family is the largest plantation owner in the city."

I've heard a little bit about that guy. I was curious to see how they did the tea harvest in such a vast place. Once remembered Kinara used to also say, that his grandmother also had a flower plantation. I can guess there is more dominated by roses and jasmine. Maybe as an additional fragrance for tea.

After wiping the sweat back with a towel and putting our feet on the pedals, we continued on our way.

As we started to move on, Hary again took over at the front to show the way. After some time, we came to a long straight road, where our bikes could line up. Along this road there was nothing but tea and vegetable plantation fields on both sides.

Hary turned her pedal and started humming cheerfully. Smiling was his official face since this morning, but this time he looked quite happy. I decided to ask.

"Hary."

"Yes?"

"You look so happy."

Hary turned to me and replied cheerfully, "Of course. Look at the blue sky! And the white clouds! Cycling between the plantations and-,"

"You haven't forgotten our purpose, have you?" I immediately interrupted Hary's intention to joke around.

Hary's smile subsided slowly, and replied, "Oh, you mean about that."

Somehow Hary slowed down and looked forward saying, "You know? I was enjoying this short time off after the exam. And I hope you enjoy it too."

I turned forward. "No, I wish this matter could end today."

"Haha, you're too tense. Relax!"

"Shut up!"

Since my voice was barely raised, Hary did not laugh at it.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to forget our purpose here. I just feel happy that you can finally be honest with your circumstances as well."

"...."

"I've been busy with OSIS and Scouts. Helping set up a schedule of activities for Dies Natalis, trying to divide the time to help you. Otherwise, who would sacrifice time off, to ride with you all the way?"

"...."

Hary fell silent after saying that. I pondered the answer while leaving my skin exposed to the sunlight, and made a gloomy face.

Leisurely pedaling a bicycle on a wet plantation. It is illuminated by the bright color of the sun that sometimes hides behind the backs of clouds. Trying hard to listen to Hary's slow voice.

"To be honest I was really surprised by what you said back then. If true, this is an unforgettable phenomenon in life. But, I'm even more surprised that you can finally tell me your problem."

"You doubted me?" my many.

But for once Hary did not smile as he replied. "No. I also believe that you can solve this puzzle."

"That's just a guess. Not necessarily true."

"But the results don't matter, do they? The problem is, why don't you just tell them right away?"

"...I don't know," I said.

"In hindsight, the answer is simple. You did it for Kinara. Because he himself might as well keep it a secret from them."

Hearing Hary's words I turned my head and wondered if it was true.

'Doing it for Kinara', it is indeed entirely true, I think this is acceptable. Recalling Hary said something exactly like this before, that I would as much as possible not trouble others about my problem despite finding a dead end though.

It's true that I ended up doing something troublesome for her, but...

"...Today is different" I replied.

"...."

The sun was slowly hiding, and I could feel the breeze. Diverting my gaze from Hary's gaze and looking forward.

Hary's statement is correct. Normally, I wouldn't bother to think of such a matter. Why am I acting the way I did today? I think I more or less understood the reason, and it had almost nothing to do with Kinara. However, understanding something yourself, is different from getting others to understand it as well. Without a doubt, I was finally able to pass the matter on to someone else, Hary.

No, it's not that, I think it's because I've known Hary for so long that explaining it would be easy. Even though this thing I'm telling you doesn't sound reasonable to everyone. But I felt like I had to tell Hary, and set my mind to the feelings of those around me.

So after a long silence, I gave an answer of the result of sorting out the words.

"I guess .. I'm just tired of the old me."

"Hm?"

"Since Kinara went and watched the Goddess who is now, the me who used to be like has fallen to the lowest level. Must put my position as Kinara to the Goddess. Helping and comforting him post-surgery. Keep showing you sad things. That's pretty exhausting for me."

"...Well, I can understand."

"But you know? Sometimes I think, all my suffering is nothing with them. It would be sad for me to give up now. Every time I think of them, I can't calm down. I wanted to stay calm, but I didn't find anything that would make me forget this. So at least .. I want all this grief to be over soon."

Amidst the sound of pedals and wind, Hary said nothing. Hary usually talks a lot. But there were times when he couldn't say something, and was quite aware of it. And I want him to say something too.

For now, I can't stand the silence anymore.

"Ry, don't shut up!" my words are still down. I could feel Hary smiling even if I didn't see her.

"... I think ... You've really changed now."

I replied without thinking, "Maybe."

Hary raised her voice and laughed. He then said, "I don't think you're dealing with the granddaughter of the city's largest plantation owner. And today, you're going to see his grandmother."

"Well, I was even surprised."

Hary looked ahead.

"Whoah! Look, Andy! We have arrived at the residence of Nyai Sartika's mother!"

In accordance with the depiction, the residence of Nyai Sartika Mother stands in the middle of a vast tea plantation.

Built in the form of an ancient joglo house but looks so well maintained, even impressed like a villa in the middle of a tea plantation, but larger. Adorned with traditional Javanese style home accessories and surrounded by a fence. The sound of running water signifies the presence of a pond in his garden, which is surrounded by well-trimmed pine trees. And in front of the large gate that opened, people were busy carrying crops.

"Hows it? Pretty great, right?" hary said while puffing out his chest.

Understandably I'm not an architect or a gardener. I don't know how great this place is. But there felt an impression of grace and authority from the residence.

While we were admiring the complex, we parked the bike near the fence. For a moment Hary was silent to see a small name engraving on the gate.

Hm? It says the name 'Kartika'. Is not the owner of this house Sartika?

"... You haven't changed yet" whispered Hary with a smile, almost barely heard.

"Did?"

Hary looked at me. "E-eh, no no, no" he said stammered and smiled.

"Heh, let's just go straight in," I asked.

"Oh, yes. By the way, Andy ...."

"What else now?"

"I got a little nervous" said Hary, smiling wryly.

"Good damn you! Where's the loss of your cheer?"

I decided to ignore it. Step onto the front porch and ring the bell. Turns out this house attached objects like this as well. After waiting for a while, the door was opened by an adult woman. It looks like he's a waiter here.

"Assalamu'alaikum" said I.

"Wa'alaikumsalam."

"Is this the residence of Nyai Sartika's mother?"

"Oh, yes. What's the matter, Deck?"

"Eh, sorry. Does he exist? We'd like to see him for a minute."

"Oh, ada. Just a minute."

"Eh, yes. Thank you, Mom."

The mother went back in, leaving us both. Our eyes were combing around this house that looked so attractive. It didn't take long for him to come back.

"Please come in, Deck," he said.

"Eh, fine, Mom. Excuse me."

After getting permission, we went in. We put our feet right behind him who was driving. Passing through the corridor adorned by ornamental plants that are so beautiful on the side. Every now and then I smell roses and jasmine so strong and fresh. I don't know where that smell came from. Though I have not seen a rose plant at all as long as we enter this house.

Shortly after, we were guided to a pair of large doors decorated with beautiful Javanese floral designs. A cool breeze came out after opening it. Due to the high ceiling, the room feels cool and refreshing. The size of this room is about 15 square meters. Huge!

On his left side it opened without a bulkhead. Showing white rose plants and a fairly large pond. In accordance with my guess. The smell of roses is more pronounced here.

In the middle of this room there is a chair and a wooden table carved with floral motifs. No, it seems on the table it was engraved with the image of two empresses.

In one of them there was an old woman who was sitting arranging white roses against us. He very carefully adorned the flowers, not even looking at us when the door was open. Though the sound of his screams is quite loud. It was as if he was unaware of our presence. With large glasses, wearing traditional Javanese clothes, of course with floral motifs as well. Her long, well-bound hair adds to her beauty.

Uh, wait a minute. Could this person be Nyai Sartika? Is this really Kinara's grandmother? I don't know why he looks so young at this age. It's not far from Bu Yuli. I even initially thought he was the son of Nyai Sartika's mother. But since I remembered that she only had an only child, her mother Kinara, I understood. As we stepped up and stopped near a chair, the servant's mother approached him.

"Excuse me, Mum. It's them."

"Oh, yes."

While putting the roses down, he turned his body. At first he put on a friendly smile at us. But after seeing me, somehow a surprised face appeared for a moment from him. Removing his friendly smile earlier for a moment.

What happened to her look at me just now?

"Please sit down." He greeted us with a friendly smile. We nodded and sat down in a chair near us.

"What do you need, Good guy?" ask him, with a thick Javanese accent.

"Andy and Hary, right?" sela Bu Sartika's.

We were surprised to hear that he knew our names. Ms. Sartika smiled and said again, "July and Dewi often tell about you, especially Nak Andy."

"Eh, is that right, Mom?" lirih. I don't think they get along.

"Call Grandma alone" said Ms. Sartika smiling as she picked up the roses and decorated them again. I just nodded in answer.

"Then, what do you want to ask?"

Although a smile still adorns his lips. I could feel that he was getting serious. I glanced at Hary who was looking at me. He slightly shook his face, telling me to just say it straight away.

Taking a deep breath and slowly sighing, I tried to calm this nervousness.

"Actually, a month or so ago, I saw Bu Yuli and Dewi die in an accident on a news story on TV. But somehow time seems to go back a while. I met Kinara. And sometime later, I saw Kinara who died in the same news. Like replacing Bu Yuli with the Goddess."

Ms. Sartika stopped her hand for a few seconds. His face was gloomy, like something was stuck in his mind.

I went back to saying, "I originally thought it was just a rare phenomenon and I didn't really think about it. But after that, I again found a different strangeness. Especially the ones related to Kinara and her mother. One of them, about the shadow of Kinara and her mother that I can't see in a photo."

Now, he was completely frozen. His smile is gone. His eyes glanced at me quite sharply, "You guys are investigating it, aren't you? Then, how far do you know?"

Undaunted by his gaze I replied, "I remembered a few years ago. Read an old newspaper article about the tragedy of Bank Mustika. It said there were no survivors from the bank employees, as well as two police officers killed on the spot. But when I read it a few days ago, the news changed, one survivor wrote. None other than Ms. Sinta, the mother of Kinara."

"...."

He was still silent and glued to the flowers in front of him.

"And also, a message from Kinara's father to Bu Sinta. It made me feel weird about this strange phenomenon. Until finally we investigated until now and found a conclusion... "

I stopped for a moment, while Bu Sartika again stopped her hand to arrange the flowers. I calmly said, "that Kinara, in fact, has an ability passed down by her mother. An ability is like changing destiny."

"...."

The silence appeared for quite a while after I said my explanation. My eyes are still staring at him who is perfectly still. His eyes were so sweet, as if he did not know what he wanted to say he closed for a moment, and finally wanted to speak while smiling.

"So, that's why you went to see Grandma. Because it feels that ability is a hereditary ability, right?"

I just nodded. He now turned his gaze towards the outer pool. His eyes seemed to look far away from nowhere with a face so sad. Occasionally his fingers rub gently on the roses that are in both hands.

"Actually, it's not an ability. It is like a curse to our descendants. Which was only passed down and owned by the first daughter."

His calm reply surprised us. For a moment we were silent. My lips are a little open and I can't speak.

"The curse?!" tanyaku.

"really. A great ability and also terrible. What must be paid with a terrible thing anyway," said Bu Sartika calm while looking at the flowers in his hands. I still stared at him.

"That ability also has an impact on our surroundings. Especially to the one we love so much."

"...?"

"For example, like Grandma who lost all her sisters as a child. And the husband of the grandmother when pregnant Sinta. Sinta also experienced the same thing, namely the loss of her husband who was so loved. And Kinara too. "he said more and more. His voice sounds heavy. His eyes began to glaze over.

His tears finally fell. Unable to hold back his sadness he slightly clutched the white rose he had held up earlier and said, "Grandmother does not want to lose the one she loves anymore."

I slowly bowed down after hearing him, saying softly, "That's why Grandma forced Kinara to stay here. In order to prevent Kinara from using her abilities if Dewi dies later. And in order to avoid another impact on the people around."

"really. At first, Kinara did not know about that ability. But, as she had already begun to enter adolescence, she could not see her own reflection. He grew more frightened and told Grandma. But Grandma kept it a secret. However, one day the grandmother accidentally told me about her father's last message. When he asked about his parents. Suspicious of the last message, he found out. Until finally he realized that ability," he explained occasionally wiping his cries.

"When he accidentally used that ability with a pair of pendants for a birthday present, right, Grandma? It just so happens that their birth dates are the same," I explained.

"True, that's where he learned his abilities."

"A few months ago Kinara came here and agreed to move, provided that after the operation Dewi was completed. But Grandma kept banning him for that reason, didn't she?"

Ms. Sartika faltered because of her crying and replied softly, "True."

My face bowed, and spoke, "But unfortunately... Dewi and Bu Yuli were killed before the operation due to an accident. So he used his abilities directly."

"If you know like this at last, Grandma would love to replace him. Grandma doesn't want to lose the only person Grandma cares about right now."

I can understand how Ms. Sartika feels. Why was he so adamant about forcing Kinara to stay with him. For the sake of watching Kinara. Prevent using his abilities for others. Especially changing his life. Because Kinara himself, was a too good person. To the point that his kindness was so frightening to those who loved him.

I raised my face again.

"Then, why did my time get carried away at that time, Grandma? Why can't I see Kinara and her mother in the picture? And also, why would the news I read a few years ago and the news I just read about the tragedy of 15 years ago be any different?"

He's speechless. He turned his face away and closed his lips tightly, as if he did not want to answer my question. Seeing her reaction made me so nervous. I repeated my question.

"Why, Grandma?" tanyaku next. He's still quiet. It makes me a little upset.

"Why?! Why can I experience-"

"That's enough! Grandma doesn't want any more casualties!" He cut my words immediately.

"...?!"

The casualties again?! Whatdoes thatmean? Is it not that no one uses that ability anymore? Ms. Sinta is dead. Kinara. Moreover, that ability was only passed down and possessed by the first daughter. That means only he has that ability. Although he still had it too, there was no way he would use the ability that had killed his son and grandson. And also ... and also ....

Wait a minute, I think something is strange. It was like something had just crossed my memory. It's so faint but it feels familiar. But what is it? There was something very simple left behind.

Aarrgghh! Still at the end of my memory. But it can't be seen.

Until I finally realized a little about the faint stuff. Makes me ask you something to make sure.

"If you may know, how do you get rid of the curse?"

He didn't answer. I don't think he'll tell you that. Even though I had only met for the first time I could tell that he was not a typical person who was easily persuaded. Very stubborn and will not give up, just like his grandson.

I don't want to waste my energy forcing him to say. If that's the case, I'll have to lure him.

Strictly looking at her I said, "Well if Grandma doesn't want to say it. But I still want to investigate. Even though it's life threatening, I don't care."

Sartika and Hary immediately turned their heads. My face bowed while revealing this heart that was so frustrating.

"Honestly, I'm tired of all this. I am not willing. If only there was something that could be done, I would gladly finish it."

As I said softly, I got out of my seat. Seeing me standing up, Hary stood up as well.

"Then I say yes, Grandma. Thanks for the information. Sorry to bother Grandma. Assalamu'alaikum," I said to leave with a smile.

It was heard that he returned my greetings as we walked away in an almost inaudible voice. "Wa'alaikumsalam."

That was the end of my meeting with him, with a vague result and I gave him a vague message.

※ ※ ※



I casually pedaled my bike on the road of a damp plantation, after walking around this place long enough to not feel stepping on the afternoon. It is illuminated by the orange color of the sun that is about to set. Retraced our way when we left here. The fog had almost enveloped this place. The cold that started to rise made my teeth crack. But it did not make my mind that was understanding something from earlier became disturbed. It was precisely I was distracted by Hary who was cycling parallel to me and was constantly glancing. I'm getting uncomfortable.

"What?" Glanced at him for a moment and looked back ahead.

Hary looked ahead and said, "No. Since your goal is to come here to find out why you can come into it, I think you'll force him to tell. But you only fell silent after he cut you off."

"...Actually, right now I don't care about that. All I want to know is the ability Kinara has. That's it," I said, not changing my view.

"That's all? Then, you were also asking about how to get rid of the curse."

I turned my face for a moment to look up at the sky. "Yes, but that's just making sure. I seem to know anyway. Although not completely."

"Did? Already know?" Hary looked at me in surprise.

"Well, do you remember what he said before I asked him how to remove the curse?"

Hary did not answer. His face was a little confused trying to remember him.

"Duh, you are! Have you forgotten? We haven't left that place in a long time."

I snorted at Hary's actions and said afterwards. "He said he didn't want any more victims, did he?"

"Did? Nothing strange in my opinion. It's just a worry."

"Yes, it sounds like that. But, it would feel strange if it were reviewed again."

Hearing my words Hary got confused. His eyes are looking at me sharply. "Don't use complicated words!"

"Heh, you're this! He said that the ability was passed down to the first daughter. That means there's only one person left behind, even if they have a lot of children."

"...."

"Right now, all we know are three people who have that ability. First was Kinara, second was Bu Sinta, and his three grandmothers. Kinara and her mother are dead, and there's a granny left who has that ability."

"It's true."

"And also his other words. If you know like this at last, Grandma would love to replace him. Doesn't it bother you?" obviously I made Hary look like he was starting to understand. He started thinking the same as me.

I continued with the explanation. "From there I could understand and got two answers. First, that the curse could be lost to their offspring by the passing of the first daughter, who bequeathed the ability."

"...That means, Kinara has represented him," said Hary Lirih.

"really. But, even though his heir was dead. That ability is still left and possessed by the people before, right? Like Kinara's mother if she's alive, and her grandmother."

"yes too. It will only remove the curse that will be passed on next."

"True, and from that I got the second answer. If Ms. Sartika had said she wanted to replace him, and if she still had that ability, what do you think she would do?" I asked as I glanced at Hary.

It seems Hary is rethinking my guess. But it didn't take long for him to realize.

"Well! Right too!"

"Well, Miss Sartika will definitely use that ability to replace Kinara. But why didn't he do it? And the answer is, he's lost that ability."

"yes too. If he still had maybe he would use it for Miss Sinta as well."

"Well, from there I suspect that the ability will disappear when giving birth to the first daughter. Who is the heir to the curse."

"Well, it seems like it is," said Hary Lirih.

It was like I had found some fragments of this mystery. There are only a few pieces left to put it together. However, the last piece was so transparent that it made it very difficult to find it. Especially about the last weird thing I don't really understand. Why can it hit me? Why not with someone else? Why am I the only one who can experience it?

And one more thing. Why is he so worried? If he doesn't have it already, isn't all this curse supposed to be over. Is there something left behind?

Regarding that, I just bet. I hope I can convince the Queen.