Biohazard's Catastrophe: Death's Hallway

Adriaan Willem Tjatranata

Ardana took a photo of the KNIL soldiers while turning it upside down like he was looking for something. For some reason, he suddenly thought there was some kind of puzzle he could find in the frame. Realizing his actions like a fool, Ardana grinned amusedly. His passion for playing Resident Evil games to get carried away to the real world.

“You are just like my nephew. Every historical photo must always be glimpsed.”

Marni's words made Ardana turn around quickly. The shocked effect he experienced made him look like a thief who was caught red-handed. The middle-aged woman had somehow since when had already stood behind her within four meters.

“Eh, i—iya. Paramitha and I really like history and culture,” Ardana said as she put the photo back in its original place.

Marnie did not respond. He went to the reading table near Ardana and took hold of the photo. His hand gently rubbed the glass covering the photo sheet that was over a hundred years old. Ardana did not flinch at what the aunt of Paramitha was doing.

“It's a shame my husband is on duty at the border. His cousin Mitha studied at Tasikmalaya and has not had a day off. They both know the story about this photo,”.

Ardana turned to Paramitha who had just appeared and approached her aunt. With a gesture of raising both eyebrows the girl asked what was going on. Ardana just shook her head slowly. Only when he saw what was in the grasp of the aunt, Paramitha understood even though he also just knew his family kept the photo.

“You must be curious about the person in the middle, right?” ask Marni without looking.

“Hmmm. Especially because his face is very similar to Paramitha,” replied Ardana bluntly.

"People who look like me? Where's?" ask Paramitha.

No one answered the question. Marni leaves the two young men with the photo, back to the living room. Ardana and Paramitha followed, though they were not told. Arriving there, Marni occupied her original position and placed the old photos of the soldiers on the table. These women's hands then rest on each other's lap.

“The most understanding of the story behind this photo is Paramitha's grandfather and father. Because they are both direct descendants of the person marked with the inscription ‘Tjatranata’ as you can see,” Marni explained.

Paramitha observed the photo before them for a few seconds. It turned out that the person Ardana was referring to was similar to him in the middle. “I just saw it this time, Bi. But since when is this photo at home?”

“Dad and your own mother brought it. A few hours before they were found dead in Sirnasurya Forest,” replied Marni flatly. His eyes were closed for a moment while turning away from Ardana and Paramitha.

Ardana held Paramitha's hand to calm her down. Although the girl did not show a reaction of sadness, her emotional turmoil could still be felt. His eyes could be easily guessed by the young man.

Paramitha said nothing in response to her aunt's answer. Even when Ardana grasped and rubbed the back of her hand, she did not turn her head at all. If to be honest, he felt sadness every time he touched something related to the last moments of his parents' lives. It was just that he covered it behind a stout and imposing personality as a strong person.

Understanding the circumstances that turned more rigid than before, Ardana shifted the conversation in a more specific direction regarding the photo history that was in the middle of the three of them.

Marni smiled in admiration at the young man in front of her.

“Sort Paramitha wants to be with you. You both like and understand history.”

Ardana smiled back and turned to Paramitha. Next, he again continued his explanation politely and carefully.

"Y.L.J. Brandes who participated in the expedition found many ancient manuscripts. Including what is known to the public, among them is Nagarakrtagama written in the media lontar leaves. The book originally written in the Majapahit era is still successful it is considered as the most valuable spoils of war. Although only a copy of the manuscript, Brandes' findings became important for the Dutch East Indies colonial government to understand the history of his colony.”

“One thing that is unknown in general history is. about Brandes and one of the KNIL middle officers who found one other manuscript. It originated from this land, Tatar Sunda. The birthplace of the military officer I mentioned earlier. It was found in a secret basement in the palace library. The contents seem like a fairy tale but make Brandes interested. The officer who recognized the manuscript was surprised and suggested that he should keep it himself. Brandes agrees, then lets the officer take over. And the person in the middle of this picture is him. Name is... Adriaan Willem Tjatranata,” Marni continued with a smile.

Ardana refrained from interrupting. To him, what Marni revealed was something very interesting and a pity to miss.

“Adriaan Willem Tjatranata? Means he comes from the Catranata family,” desis Ardana.

Marni nodded.

“Adriaan is the eldest son of Aria Adiguna Tjatranata, the elected chairman of the Catranata family. He married a daughter of a military official named Anneke de Bruin and had three children. Because of different beliefs, the woman volunteered to embrace the religion adopted by Aria a few weeks before they married. From this marriage were born three children, two boys and one girl. Adriaan, Gandajaya and Vienna. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Anneke's father, is Adriaan the eldest. His influence was great both among the Catranata and De Bruin families at the time. As an endorsement of his abilities, Adriaan received a black kujang with a white horn that indicates he was chosen to be the successor of Aria.”

Ardana immediately remembered the kujang with the same physical characteristics in Nina's house. In addition, he was also amazed to hear the story about the history of Paramitha's great-grandfather. Even people outside the Catranata family like Marni who came from the Suheni family could figure it out quite clearly.

“That's all I know about the Catranata family. And Paramitha should have understood this more than anyone. Because he is also a direct descendant of Adriaan," concluded Marni.

Ardana tried to digest well everything Marni had told him and Paramitha, once again. If the story of Adriaan has any connection to the tragic events of the past that befell the Catranata family, then he will try to get it by any means.

"Actually Aunt has sensed that there is something you are hiding, Mitha. Why don't you just tell me your purpose for seeing Auntie?" Marni crossed her arms in front of her chest. His eyes turned full of search on his nephew.

Rrrrr! Rrr!

Ardana glanced at his jacket pocket. A message just came into his smartphone.

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