Great Physician Gentala

Nalini quickly averted her eyes. She had noticed Prince Arya's aggressive behavior towards her. Nalini slowly moved away from the infatuated young man. 

Nalini's self-defense instinct grew. She remembered her conversation with the maid Sasi. The waitress had told her that there were many men in the city center who liked to play with women. Was Arya like that too? 

Arya, meanwhile, closed her eyes because she almost didn't remember being on the street with a girl. He himself wondered how he could be so crazy about Nalini. 

Arya then walked ahead of Nalini without another word. The girl followed suit. There was guilt in her heart, but it was better than them being teased by people. 

After walking for a while, they finally arrived in front of a large housing complex. It was different from the surrounding houses. 

"We've arrived," Arya said shortly. Nalini nodded and felt relieved. 

The gate of the grand physician's house opened. A beautiful girl was seen standing there. Her eyes were immediately fixed on Arya who was talking with Nalini.

Shamelessly, the girl in orange costume ran up to Arya Dhipa. From afar, her high, shrill voice could be heard. "Arya!"

Nalini turned her head quickly and observed the figure approaching them. A beautiful and luxurious-looking noble girl. Her hair was adorned with a gold-plated bun. Nalini bowed and offered a respectful greeting.

Arya Dhipa who was about to convey his feelings to Nalini paused and quickly changed his facial expression. He bowed slightly as the young girl approached him. 

"Princess Bintari, good morning."

The girl named Princess Bintari smiled broadly and put her hands together in front of her chest as she bowed as well. 

"Welcome, Kangmas Arya. It's been a while since I've been here," she said with a charming smile.

Arya Dhipa responded with a smile. He used to visit that place often, playing with Princess Bintari. Their houses were close to each other. However, since his busy schedule as King Lokapala's personal bodyguard, he no longer had time to do so.

"Yes, Princess. I'm sorry, I'm very busy guarding the King's uncle," Arya Dhipa replied.

Princess Bintari raised her hands, signaling that it didn't matter. "It's okay, brother. I know your current duties are important."

Princess Bintari continued to look at Arya Dhipa, she only glanced at the maid behind her. The beautiful princess was in no mood to greet her.

Arya Dhipa who remembered his purpose in coming there immediately introduced Nalini. He told Nalini to come forward and salute Princess Bintari.

Nalini returned the greeting and bowed to Princess Bintari. "Please forgive me, Princess. I am Nalini, a new healer who wants to learn from the great healer."

Princess Nalini turned to Arya Dhipa. She wanted to ask if the Kaputren palace was not wrong in sending a physician here. Since the failure of her father's previous messenger physician, the king had said he would find a physician for the queen himself.

"Is it true what he said, Arya?" asked Princess Bintari while observing the figure of the young girl in front of her.

"It is, Princess. She has a talent for medicine and wants to learn more about it from her physician uncle," explained Arya. The young man called the great healer Gentala, Princess Bintari's father, uncle.

Princess Bintari gave a small nod. Her eyes were still observing Nalini, from toe to head. She secretly envied the young doctor's beauty. She hurriedly covered her feelings and smiled broadly at Arya.

"Alright, Arya. Send her in and join the other young doctors," said Princess Bintari. She wanted to send Nalini away quickly so she could have a chance to be alone with Arya.

"Nalini, come in. Join the other young doctors. In the great doctor's house, there is a special room for young doctors like you to live and study." Arya Dhipa ordered Nalini inside, but still held Nalini's bundle of cloth supplies.

"Why don't you come in!" Princess Bintari chimed in. Her eyes were sharp, warning Nalini not to disturb them.

"Mercy, Prince. Give me that bundle," said Nalini pointing to the shabby cloth bundle still in Arya Dhipa's left hand.

"Oh, this. Take it," said Arya Dhipa as he held out the item. Nalini took it and quickly walked away from them.

However, before she got any further, Arya Dhipa called out again. "You will learn to read every afternoon, get ready."

Nalini stopped, nodded her head and thanked him. She walked quickly into the large, elongated house.

Arya Dhipa escorted Nalini by the tail of his eye. He made sure she was not misguided and followed the bodyguard of the great healer's house.

"Arya, let's go in too. My father is waiting for us," said Princess Bintari. Her beautiful face lit up with hope.

Arya Dhipa nodded and told Bintari to enter first. However, she had to meet the great physician and deliver the message from King Lokapala.

The great doctor's house was very spacious with one main joglo-shaped house and elongated box-shaped buildings on the right and left sides. The building on the right side was used as a place of treatment, while the building on the left side functioned as a school for young doctors.

The great physician Gentala was waiting for Arya Dhipa and Princess Bintari in the main joglo building. He sat on a carved chair in the center of the room.

The man, who was more than 60 years old, welcomed Arya Dhipa very kindly. Who wouldn't be honored to be visited by the king's right-hand man.

"Come, come. Please take a seat, Prince Arya." Healer Gentala pulled out the chair for Arya to sit on. He also signaled Princess Bintari to immediately serve food and treats to the special guest.

"Bintari, serve the banquet to Prince Arya," he ordered.

The great physician Gentala had a stocky and balding build. The middle-aged man wore black pants and a knee-length batik-patterned cloth. His shirt was a neat white beskap. Gold buttons completed his luxurious appearance.

"Thank you, Uncle Gentala. I was sent here by my uncle. He has a message to convey," said Arya as she took a scroll of palm paper from under her shirt.

Gentala took it and read it carefully. One eyebrow was raised when she finished reading the message.

"So, the female healer successfully cured Queen Padma?" she asked flatly. Even so, she still smiled and put on a happy face in front of Arya.

"Yes, Uncle. That healer is the mother of the young healer who came with me. The Empress granted his request to learn medicine here." Arya Dhipa explained.

Gentala again curled his lips upwards. His eyes narrowed. She seemed to be holding something back but did not want to reveal it.

"How is it? Uncle healer is willing to accept him, right?" Arya pressed again.

"Of course, I'll accept him. Moreover, it is the king's command. I will teach him well," replied healer Gentala trying to convince the young man in front of him.

Arya Dhipa cupped his hands and thanked him. He was relaxed but cautious in front of the great physician.

"One more thing, Uncle. I will often come here to supervise the young healer. The reason is because he can't read yet. I will teach her," Arya Dhipa said again. Arya's willingness to teach Nalini was not without reason. She had a big plan in the works.

Tabib Gentala was momentarily stunned by the Lokapala ruler's words. 

"Did I hear it right? The prince will come here every day?" Physician Gentala repeated Arya Dhipa's statement.

The young prince nodded with a smile. "That's right, Uncle. I will come here often..."

"Huh? Hangmas Arya wants to come here every day? Ouch, I'm so happy!" Bintari's voice sounded excited from the entrance. Apparently she heard her father's conversation.

"Yes, that's so, Princess. I'll come here more often." Arya reiterated his plan.

Princess Bintari was about to jump for joy at this. She tried to restrain her excitement by biting her lip and wringing her hands.

"In that case, I will personally serve Arya every time he comes here. Is that okay, Father?" Princess Bintari boldly asked her father for permission to get closer to Arya Dhipa.