BLOODY REUNION
CHAPTER 6 THERE IS A DARK HISTORY THERE
The wind waved his short hair as the Princess stood on the deck. The girl gulped down a can of coca-cola as she looked at the water froth that was screamed by the yacht's propeller kick and left a trail on the surface of the water. Several cans of drink and plastic waste appeared to be out of the way by the current. It is sad to see this kind of sea. From the outside it still looks interesting, but I don't know what is buried in it.
He once discussed this with an Environment Ministry official in one of the broadcasts on Breakfast with Play. Miris heard that the amount of garbage dumped into the sea is so great from year to year, while the father is not able to make a blue print handling thoroughly. The inability to cope with inorganic waste throughout the land and landfills in Indonesia makes some of the waste must be dumped somewhere so as not to become toxic waste on land. And where else is the alternative place for that besides the sea?
In fact, if inorganic waste is difficult to decompose and becomes a threat to the life of creatures on land, of course the same thing with life in the sea. Funnily enough the official complained of inadequate budget as a supporter of rehabilitation programs, if it was so it was just a matter of time until the country was drowned in garbage. Environmental issues are actually attitude issues. It all starts with yourself. Recalling that, the Princess hurriedly undoes her intention of throwing her can of drink.
“What's alone in there?”
The princess turned her head and saw Captain Yungke loosening his head from the wheelhouse. The old man smiled widely and waved as a gesture for the Princess to climb into his place. To get to the steering room, he had to climb the stairs next to the middle cabin. The stairs were quite sloping while the handle made of iron further strengthened the handle so that even seventy-year-old grandmother could easily ride it. Inside the steering room there are various electronic and mechanical equipment that still leaves two people sitting in it without feeling crowded.
“We just passed Bidadari Island. Means another half hour to Magenta,” the old man commented.
“Very many,” Putri said while watching the island on his left which is full of visitors passing by on the edge of his beach.
“You often visit Thousand Islands?”
“Rare.”
“Then you should see it during the holiday season in July. Yeah, geez, that's what a human's name spilled there..”.
“And the weather must always be bright, like today.” said Putri.
“Doubtful bright, actually. You see the cloud roll west there?” Captain Yungke pointed in the direction in question.
“The employee is not grey..”
“The roll forms a typical rain cloud. Maybe not now but today, maybe later in the afternoon or later in the evening, it seems it will rain,” said Captain Yungke.
“I hope not. I have no interest in languishing in a villa on an island that should be a pleasant place for sightseeing.”
“Sorry, I hope my words don't spoil the atmosphere. Just making assumptions. May the brightness of this morning continue as a good day.”
“Amen.”
“Whose name is non?”
“Sori, I do not know my name yet, yes?” said Princess . “I Princess Roffelino.”
“Yungke-saw. But you can call me Captain.”
Princess so remember Ninda's words, “Captain Yungke?”
“Ah, that's better. And how should I call you?”
“Princess only..”
Princess then looked at Angel Island they just passed, “From here there is no Fort Martellonya.”
“You've been to Martello Fortress?”
“It's been a long time. Still remember the story, built in 1840 if not wrong..”.
“1850.”
“And the cannon frame is amazing. Is it also on another island?”
Captain Yungke pointed at the island to be passed. The princess saw a colonial-style building in the dominance of bright beige color standing on the edge of the island in its solitude. Captain Yungke said, “There is in Onrust and in..” his hand points to another island to the north which is not far from Onrust. “...Kelor.”
“I have never been to both islands.”
“Try once. There are three large islands that are good as tourist attractions other than Bidadari. Onrust, Moringa, and Khayangan,” Captain Yungke said. “But the most interesting and has many relics of historical objects is only Onrust, because the island in 1615 is the largest shipyard in Asia, as well as the VOC's defense wall against British attacks.”
“England ever stormed to here?”
“O, yes. The two countries fought over Batavia as a colony. This country used to be famous for beautiful and full of natural resources.”
“Try them to come here now and see the sea,” said Putri nyengir.
Captain Yungke exhaled smoke from his kretek cigarette, ”Yeah, this bay is the estuary of 13 rivers in Jakarta and Banten, which carry a large pile of garbage every day. But it shouldn't be a problem. The problem is, Indonesian people can not be given good goods.”
At that time the Magenta yacht passed by a fishing boat. The princess looked at him and said, “They are going to sea?”
“If it is not wrong there are fishermen who live in this archipelago, right ?”
“Mostly on small islands like Ocean or Uluwatu,” replied Captain Yungke.
“Definitely boring stay on such an island,” comments Princess.
“If you mean boring it's a means of entertainment city like a dugem place, maybe yes. But the people here have sea life as their entertainment. I think their lives are fun. Everything available. Ever heard of fish in the sea?”
“It looks like there is nothing like that,” Putri laughs amusedly.
“Then from that, just as diligent as long as they can actually earn income. What is heavy for them when the price of solar rises.”
“You know a lot about the places here and the lives of its citizens. Have you ever stayed here?”
Captain Yungke shook his head, ”Just hang out. I love doing things related to the sea.”
“Then, you must be happy fishing?” ask Princess.
“Wah, you don't have to ask that. Every time Non Ninda's family delivers, her father and I never miss a chance to fish.”
“Then the Captain should invite me too,” said the Princess.
“You should try it. I fish more often with men, but it is also fun when
once in a while accompanied by a beautiful girl.”
“You praise excessively,” said Princess blushed.
“Lho, I'm serious. How about we leave tomorrow morning? I will show you the fishing spot that many fish.”
“Inya big?”
“Bigger? You kidding?” sahut Captain Yungke with sparkling eyes. “I have caught tuna of this size.” the old man spread his hands and laughed to see the eyes of the Princess who grew up. “. But that's how big those creatures are there.”
“Wah, I'm so impatient. Don't mind if I invite other friends? Maybe they are interested too.“
“I happen to bring an additional fishing gear that can be used. If more than two people feel we have to alternate. But that's okay, more fun. Just invite anyone who wants.”
“Definitely. It's gonna be more fun. Hey, is that the island?” The princess squinted at an island in the distance.
“Ya,” Captain Yungke nodded.
“A very good place..seen from here...”.
“Ya, indeed. Let's hope nothing terrible happens there.”.
Captain Yungke muttered as slowly as possible but the Princess' ear had caught her remark, “You mean by something terrible what is it?”
Captain Yungke was surprised and looked but he knew he had been cornered to see the curious face of the Princess. If he does not answer it will even add to the girl's curiosity. “It...mmm..something related to its history ..”.
The princess was about to ask again when it sounded Dicky interrupted from behind, “Hey, here you are apparently. We're looking for you everywhere. We're not telling you to sing. Come, prepare! We're almost there.”
The princess looked at Captain Yungke who looked relieved. And the old man took advantage of the opportunity to make the Princess immediately return to the relaxing cabin with his friends, “I think it's good for Non Putri to return first. I have a lot of work to do in order to dock. Look, the benefactor is already visible.”
“Meet an exciting chat?” dicky asked after getting off the wheelhouse.
The princess thought about Captain Yungke's enticement, but back then there was something more interesting in her head. “Captain Yungke just wanted to tell you something about Magenta Island.”
“News about what?”
“Entahlah, he said there is something terrible there and it is related to the history of the island..” replied the Princess. “Elu know about the history in question?”
Dicky shrugs, ”Something terrible? Nope! Never heard of a strange story about the island. Magenta was indeed secluded, but it was just a normal little island. Don't take it too seriously. The old man was a maniac watching horror movies.”
“But he looks so serious..”
“And maybe I should open a consultation session for both of you,” Dicky grinned.
