Chapter 4

Some people began whispering in disagreement, but no one openly opposed it. 

Luh Sri continued, "Ayu has gone to the sacred temples, seeking guidance and answers. We should respect that process. If the ancestors truly wish for this path, let Ayu find it herself, not through our force." 

Ayu's mother looked hesitant but did not dare to speak yet. Meanwhile, their grandfather, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. 

"Luh Sri is right," the elderly man said in a deep voice. "Marriage in our tradition is not just about uniting two families, but also about balancing emotions and dharma. If Ayu is not ready, we must not force her—we must give her time." 

Ayu held her breath, almost unable to believe what she had just heard. Her eyes glistened with tears as Luh Sri firmly held her hand. 

Uncle Made looked displeased with his father's decision, but he could not argue against it. His expression remained stiff as he finally said, "Fine. But don't take too long, Ayu. In the end, you will still have to choose." 

Ayu nodded slowly. "Thank you, Uncle. I promise I will find my answer as soon as possible." 

After the family gathering ended, Ayu stepped outside with Luh Sri. Night had fallen, and the cool breeze brushed against her face. For the first time in days, she felt like she could finally breathe a little easier. 

"Thank you, Sis," she whispered. 

Luh Sri smiled and gently patted her shoulder. "You're not just my little sister, Ayu. You are also a Balinese woman who has the right to determine her own path." 

However, Ayu's journey was far from over. She had to find her true answer. And for that, she might have to return to Pura Lempuyang … or meet Daniel. 

That night, the wind blew stronger than usual. The trees around the village swayed unnaturally, and the usually quiet dogs began howling. Some villagers stepped out of their homes, wondering what was happening. 

At the bale banjar, the village elders gathered. A pemangku had just returned from meditation and delivered a message that left everyone silent. 

"There is an imbalance in this village," he said gravely. "The ancestors have given us a sign. If we do not restore harmony, something bad will happen." 

The next morning, the villagers woke to a shocking sight—a large, ancient banyan tree near the temple had fallen, its roots torn from the ground despite the absence of a storm. To those who believed in the signs of nature, this was no ordinary occurrence. 

"That banyan tree was the guardian of our village …" an elder whispered. "If it has fallen without reason, then something is deeply wrong here." 

Speculation spread quickly. Some believed it was a warning from the ancestors. Others linked it to the recent events in the village—including Ayu's postponed marriage. 

Meanwhile, at home, Ayu overheard the village elders speaking to her father. 

"The unresolved engagement could be one of the causes of this imbalance," one of them said. "In our tradition, harmony must be maintained—including through marriage." 

Ayu felt a tightness in her chest. Could this truly be connected to her? Should she really get married just because the village was experiencing disturbances? 

Luh Sri, hearing this, quickly pulled Ayu aside. "Ayu, don't let them pressure you with this. If the ancestors truly want something, they will give you a direct sign—not fear." 

But that night, Ayu began having strange dreams. 

She saw an old woman in Balinese ceremonial attire standing before the Gates of Heaven at Pura Lempuyang, staring at her in silence. The wind howled, carrying a whisper that echoed repeatedly in her ears: 

"Ayu, your time is running out." 

Ayu woke up drenched in cold sweat, the dream feeling unsettlingly real. Was this the true sign she had been waiting for? Or was it just her own growing fear? 

The next morning, Ayu sat in the bale of her house, a cup of warm tea untouched in her hands. Her gaze drifted toward the courtyard, haunted by the dream that refused to leave her mind. The old woman at the Gates of Heaven, the whisper warning her that time was running out—what did it all mean? 

Luh Sri sat beside her, watching Ayu with concern. "You're still thinking about the dream, aren't you?" 

Ayu nodded slowly. "I feel like there's something I need to understand … something bigger than this arranged marriage. But I just can't grasp it yet." 

Luh Sri held her sister's hand. "Then let's find the answer together. We can go to a Jero Mangku and ask for guidance through a ceremony or meditation." 

Ayu's eyes lit up at Luh Sri's suggestion. She knew where she needed to go. 

Pura Tirta Empul. 

By the time Ayu and Luh Sri arrived, the golden morning sun reflected off the sacred water's surface. The air carried the scent of incense, blending with the crisp morning breeze, creating a serene atmosphere. Several people were already lined up in the purification pool, performing melukat under the holy water spouts. 

Jero Mangku, the temple priest, greeted them with a wise smile. "What are you seeking, my child?" he asked, noticing Ayu's troubled expression. 

"I seek an answer, Jero," Ayu replied. "I feel as though the ancestors are trying to tell me something, but I don't understand what they want." 

Jero Mangku nodded and handed Ayu a small offering before gesturing for her to enter the purification pool. 

"First, cleanse your mind. Let this holy water purify not just your body, but also your heart. The answer will come when you are ready to receive it." 

Ayu bowed her head and let the cool water flow over her as she bent under the first spout. Each drop felt like it was washing away the burdens she had been carrying. 

As she reached the final spout, Ayu closed her eyes. In the stillness, she felt something strange—not a voice, not a whisper, but a presence. A deep, overwhelming sense of someone standing behind her, watching her with warmth and compassion. 

In that instant, the vision from her dream returned. The old woman at the Gates of Heaven appeared once more, but this time, her voice was clear. 

"Harmony is not just about following tradition—it is also about following your heart. What you seek is already within you." 

Ayu gasped and instantly opened her eyes. 

She turned to Luh Sri, who was watching her expectantly. 

"I know now." Ayu's voice trembled, but there was certainty in her tone. 

"I have to go back to Pura Lempuyang. I have to finish this."

Ayu and Luh Sri returned to Pura Lempuyang as the sun began to descend toward the west. The evening sky was painted in golden-orange hues, stretching above the majestic Mount Agung. A gentle breeze carried the scent of incense and the distant sound of pemangku chants, echoing softly in the air. 

This ascent felt different. Something within Ayu was calmer, more prepared to accept whatever she might encounter there. Step by step, she walked past the smaller shrines along the path until she finally reached the Candi Bentar Gate—the very place that had appeared in her dreams. 

Through the gate's opening, Ayu saw Mount Agung standing tall, veiled in thin wisps of clouds hovering over its peak. The evening sun cast its golden light between the dark stone pillars, creating a silhouette that felt almost sacred. 

Luh Sri stood beside her. "Do what you need to do, Sis." 

Ayu nodded and stepped forward, kneeling before the gate. She pressed her hands together and closed her eyes. 

"Ancestors, if I must accept this fate, give me a sign. But if there is another path I can still take, please show me the way." 

A soft breeze brushed against her face, gentle like a comforting touch. Then, in the stillness, Ayu heard the sound of footsteps approaching. 

When she opened her eyes, standing before her was someone she never expected to meet in this place.