Bad News

Meanwhile, deep within the territory of China, where the mongoloids settled. The sails of the ship appeared to close and dock near the pier. Pelicans flocked in search of prey. The merchants got off the ship carrying cargo. A wooden drive connects the road to the mainland.

"Tang, where's the captain? Isn't the ship going to stop today?"

Ling Yie--Tang Eng Kian's friend who came to accompany her seemed worried. It was from dawn that they were waiting. However, bumyen's ship's sails have not been seen around the pier. Suddenly, a noise was heard from a luxury ship carrying the royal emblem. The men dressed in uniform came down with the figure of a man of dashing stature, but not a cheap smile. His presence was only fleeting-not-unwanted. After that, he got into the horse-drawn carriage.

"It seems he's an important person," Ling said. "Maybe he's a Nusantara commander. Do you know? Recently rumors circulated if the Nusantara is aggressively expanding their territory. Tang! What if our territory is controlled and we are made slaves in their land?

Boisterous sounds aired around the harbor. Tang sat next to Ling Yie who was busy with that strange thought. Seeing the ship docked today demoralizes Tang. Bumyen's hand swing played in his mind. He really hopes that Bumyen will arrive soon.

"Tang!"

"Hm?" Tang Eng glanced at Ling, "That won't happen. My father said that the King of the Nusantara is a figure who loves peace. They might have taken our territory. But not by treating us like animals."

Ling listened well. She wanted to believe the sentence, but the feelings of fear and anxiety were still haunted her. The hijab cloth that Tang was wearing was suddenly blown away. They were horrified because the wind was blowing so hard. Cain Tang flew—towards the entourage of soldiers who were passing by.

"Ling, my cloth!" Tang Eng chased after her hijab cloth. But it was not a lucky fate the day she waited for Bumyen. The cloth got stuck in the window of the horse-drawn carriage. A portrait of a burly hand picking up a white cloth belonging to Tang was recorded on the head. Ling hugged Tang's hand as the horse carriage carrying the important person stopped.

"Tang, we're gone..."

For the first time, Tang Eng saw a sharp-sedated person with clean yellow skin. The birds around the pier flew into the air. They seemed to be welcoming the authoritative steps of men dressed in fancy dress with gold-colored finger cloth.

"Yours, Nyai?"

Tang lowered her head—she felt sinful having fascinated the man's charisma. "Yes, sir. Thank you for saving my cloth."

Tang Eng took the cloth from the man's hand. She without a look wrapped a cloth around her head. "What should I return the favor with, sir?"

"If fate binds, I will meet Nyai again." The man in a silk-drawn shirt turned towards the carriage. The guards guarded the various sides as the train began to run.

"He must be a very important person!" Ling pulled Tang's hand. "But he's also very charismatic! What I'm saying is true, right?"

They sit on a bench. The waves stretched in front there. Tang Eng nodded at the merchants who were descending from the ship. "Your eyesight is very good."

"Eng Kian, stop staring at the sea with such a gaze. The dashing man just helped an ordinary girl like us, then why are you still putting on a grim face, huh?"

"I'm afraid that good things will bring bad news," Tang said. "Captain Bum has never made me nervous this badly."

"What do you think of Eng Kian? The captain of the country's explorer will surely come to you." Ling Yie held Tang's shoulder. "Pray to God that he protects the people you love."

Tang Eng nodded faintly. Not until his anxiety became, suddenly the ship at the dock made a noise by the rapidly receding waves. Ling Yie looked up at the birds flying to the North. The waves are getting away from the beach. Rumbling sounds began to twitch. They know--something's not right there.

"This is bad!" Ling Yie was still noticing the increasingly irregular waves. "There will be a disaster, Tang!"

"You're right! We have to move to tell the people. Ling Yie, go to the guard post. Tell them to go up the hill with the people as soon as possible. I will follow father to Ning Chi Village."

"Alright, you should catch up with your father quickly!"

"Um, fine!"

Ling Yie and Tang Eng ran in opposite directions. This time Eng Kian rode a horse that he put on one of the residents. He told them to go up the hill.

"Why should we go there, Miss Tang?" One of the three men asked politely.

"A big wave is coming. Go and take your family with you."

"Okay, miss!"

Tang Eng smiled in relief. That way, she can continue her journey. The locals knew who Tang was. Even they respected Tang and the squint girl's extended family. Tang's father was a Sheikh who also contributed to the spread of Islamic teachings. This time, Tang will pick up his father who is teaching the villagers to preach.

"Ngiiiikkkkk!" Tang's horse's voice was heard scared. He sounded sharp until Tang fell off her horse.

"Nyai hurt?"

Tang complained of pain. The heavy sound disappeared and a helping hand replaced it.

"You?" Tang Eng was shocked to find out that the person who had returned the hijab cloth was in front. The burly man with a thick mustache smiled warmly.

"Nyai, a big wave looks like it's coming. It's better for Nyai to go to a higher place than now."

He knows what's going to happen. Tang Eng shook her head, "I have to find my father first!"

But the man smiled. "Your father is safe. Does Nyai want to come with me?"

"No!" Tang Eng was so agitated. She can't take help from strangers. The man from Java was still standing nearby. So is the rumbling sound that is increasingly standing in space. "How do you know my father is okay?"

"The soldiers have brought Nyai's father up the hill. Now, Nyai climbs on my horse."

"I still doubt your words!"

"If so, we'll stop by Ning Chi village to make sure."

Although still hesitant and afraid, at the final decision Tan chose to believe in the man. They agreed to ride a horse with Tan in the back. Arriving at Ning Chi village, Tan did not find a single person. The man was right. Her father was taken by the group.

"If so, let's go up the hill, Nyai."

Tang Eng nodded. Their horse's race with time. The long-haired man continued to drive his horse. Until they were both to Tan's entourage and the royal soldiers. One of the middle-aged men came forward towards Tan who had just embarked from the horse.

"Dad!" Tan hugged his father--Shehk Bentong. "You are safe!"

"Thank God for giving us help." Sheikh Bentong smiled towards the man who was walking towards him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kerta. The welcome to your arrival is so surprising."

Tan just found out the man's name. He heard that a King from the Nusantara would come to her territory. Her father was a merchant as well as someone who taught Islam in his region. Her grandfather and ancestors were also spreaders of Islam. In the Nusantara, Grandpa Quro spread Islam in the Land of Sunda. Therefore, it is not surprising that an important figure like King Kertabhumi met her father.

"It's okay, Shehk." Kertha smiled, "I'm happy to meet you, and also... miss Tan."

Tan glanced at Father and Kertha in turn. What's this? Why is her name called?

"If so, do you mean you want to clarify our relationship by seeing my son?"

Kertha nodded, while Tan fell silent stiffly. What about her lover, Bumyen? She never told about their relationship with her father. Although Bentong knew who Bumyen was, it was also not a guarantee Bentong approved of their relationship. Where's Bumyen now? It should have been he who came and said his seriousness in having Tan. Not a foreign man who came with a lot of troops!

"Chan! Tan, that's Chan!" Ling Yie ran to help a man who was walking towards the top of the hill with a wet body and a cut on the leg. Chan--Bumyen's servant is so loyal.

"It's all dead, Miss Tan! Help me!" Chan fainted. He carried Ling Yie towards the post on the hill. Disasters like this are no stranger to them. Therefore, they deliberately built an emergency evacuation site on the hill.

"Tan, my son. What's wrong?" Sheck Bentong touched Tan's shoulder. "Are you still not ready to accept King Kertha's proposal?"

"Dad," called Tan. "I'm done. If I really want the best for Tan, then Tan will accept it."

Tan's life can't be a fairy tale that ends happily. Bumyen had left her with the story they had been creating. The man left without saying goodbye to her. Even that wave had given a sign to come. Tan can't violate fate. This is God's will that she cannot change.

"Miss Tan, thank you for accepting me immediately."

"I'm sorry, Bumyen. I am so sorry …."

***

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