Sweet and Bitter Tidings
POV - Janick, Minister of Agriculture
[Day 2, March 2002, 7pm]
Arriving at the grand estate, I was greeted warmly by the Governor, their hospitality evident in every gesture. We sat down to lunch, and I found myself immersed in a culinary journey through their home country.
Each dish was a testament to their rich culture and tradition, a feast for the senses that momentarily swept away the weight of my responsibilities.
But the illusion of tranquility was shattered all too soon. Caldwell, the Governor's chief of staff, approached me in a hushed tone, her expression grave but did not reveal any information. However her words cut through the jovial atmosphere like a knife, delivering news of an issue within the Ministerial circles.
I was swiftly ushered to another room, the abruptness of the situation leaving me reeling. It was a stark reminder of the precarious nature of politics, where one misstep could have far-reaching consequences.
Left alone in the quiet confines of the guest room, my mind raced with questions, each more pressing than the last. What could have prompted Minister Sara's sudden appearance? And why had I been moved away from the unfolding drama?
The minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, the silence weighing heavily upon me as I awaited further instruction. In the absence of answers, my imagination ran wild with speculation, conjuring scenarios both dire and improbable.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I could only imagine the scene playing out between Minister Sara and the Governor. Their voices, muffled by the distance, offered no clues as to the nature of their conversation, leaving me to wonder about the true extent of the unfolding crisis.
As time wore on, my impatience grew, fueled by a growing sense of unease. Whatever secrets lay hidden behind closed doors, I knew that sooner or later, the truth would come to light. And when it did, I could only hope that I would be prepared to face the consequences, whatever they may be.
As I reached for the doorknob and peeked my head outside. Muffled talks could be heard from where im at. As I stroll around the mansion, hoping to walk and hear some information.
A voice behind me startled me, causing me to pause mid-motion. Turning, I found Caldwell standing there, her expression unreadable as she regarded me with a mix of apprehension and resolve.
"I wouldn't advise leaving your room just yet, Minister," she said, her tone measured but firm.
Surprised by her preemptive presence, I couldn't help but wonder how she had anticipated my intent to venture out. Had my restlessness been so evident that it warranted such preemptive action?
"Why is Sara here, Caldwell?" I inquire, hoping to get some answers. "It would help alleviate any lingering discomfort from my end"
Caldwell's demeanor offered no clues, her features schooled into a mask of professionalism. It was clear that she wasn't about to divulge any information willingly, leaving me to ponder the implications of her cryptic warning.
"I understand you have questions regarding the events taking place now. It may have given you some frustration being ushered to another room." She replied with a smile, "But not to worry Janick, The Governor may or may not let you know soon depending in his discretion"
Though tempted to press her for answers, her genuine diversion of how she dodged my question shows the seriousness of the situation where it must be handled individually.
I knew better than to challenge her authority. Whatever was happening has to be addressed between the Minister and Governor, it was clear that Caldwell deemed it best for me to remain sequestered away until further notice.
Caldwell walked towards me and gestures the guest room "Please step back to the guest room and the Governor will appreciate the loyalty."
Resigning myself to the situation, I nodded in acknowledgment, conceding to her unspoken directive. For now, all I could do was wait and trust that Caldwell had my best interests at heart, even if her actions seemed shrouded in mystery.
Half an hour passed as I lay on the bed, waiting for the news. A couple of knocks sounded on my door before it swung open. Caldwell peeked her head in. "Minister, the Governor is expecting you."
I took a deep breath and followed Caldwell down the stairs and into the kitchen again. The Governor was there, pouring a pink liquid into a glass and placing it on the opposite end of the table. He took a sip, letting out a satisfied hum.
"Chef! Ni memang bagus la bandung ni. You dari mana?" he said in a strange language.
The chef replied, "Saya duduk Kajang, store aku beside the Satay. Tapi Saya orang Johor, Tuan."
The Governor's voice held a note of surprise and empathy. "Ehh... jauhnya."
"Eh eh laaa, sini lebih jauh!" the chef retorted, and the two of them burst into laughter.
"Mahathir masih PM ke?" the Governor asked again, his expression grave.
"Ya, masih PM. Nak retire dah, 20 tahun jadi PM," the chef replied, his tone tinged with sadness.
Just as the Governor was about to say another word, he noticed me standing there, ready to receive the news.
"Oh, Janick! I didn't see you there." He gestured for me to sit. "I want you to try this and tell me what you taste."
I took a sip and was immediately overwhelmed by a wave of sweetness. It was hard to swallow, and I set the drink down quickly. "It's sweet, Governor. Too sweet for my taste," I said, making a face of disgust.
The Governor looked disappointed but soon accepted my reaction. I took a deep breath and continued, "Governor, why was Sara here?" I asked, sensing the urgency of the situation.
The Governor sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping as he prepared to speak. "Janick, there's been an incident at one of the checkpoints. It's bad—really bad."
He paused, glancing at the chef, who nodded solemnly and excused himself, leaving us alone in the kitchen. The Governor continued, his voice heavy with concern. "A group of insurgents attacked the checkpoint early this morning. Lady Sautereau's driver was killed, and thankfully no one was injured. The situation is escalating, and it's causing significant unrest."