FLOWER WARS

Chapter 3. Don't Get Too Close to Inlander.

"Flower, where are you from? Why is your hair wet? You play in the river?" Mbok Pai flocked the Flower that had just entered through the back door.

The flower placed an index finger in front of her lips, asking the middle-aged woman to shut up. For he was afraid that the sound of his house might be heard by his father and mother.

"Mbok Pai don't say anything to Mom and Dad, okay?" pinta Bunga while putting the two palms together in front of the chest.

"Where are you from?"

The flowers make sure that both parents are not around the kitchen. "I went to the pool near the Johar market, Mbok," he whispered.

Pair of eyes Mbok Pai rounded. The words of his master's daughter really surprised him. "Isn't the pool just for Dutch people? Why did you get in there?" tanyakanya. But then Mbok Pai found the answer. "You went with the kid, huh?"

"His name is Jacob, Mbok," Flower Error.

Mbok Pai took a deep breath. The girl who had been her mother since birth was indeed really wayward. If his father finds out, he's the one who's gonna get in trouble.

"Already, yes, Mbok, I want to change clothes." Flowers rushed to leave the tree before the woman who had been babysitting it from the baby advised her.

Flowers walked quickly down the corridor towards her room. But before he could open the door, he was surprised by the presence of his father who looked at him in wonder.

"Father," said Flowers grimacing. He pretended to have his hair wet.

The mature brown-skinned man, Tumenggung Wirya Tjokrowedono, looked at the princess full of investigation. "Where are you from, Bunga?"

"From ... from ...." Flowers try to find the right reason to answer the question of the father. But his brain seems to be suddenly dead.

"the river?" guess Tumenggung Wirya. "Playing on the river with the boys?"

The flowers nodded slowly. "Sorry, Father," he said softly while bowing his head.

"Father has told you before, Bunga. You're a girl, don't like to wander around, play with boys." Tumenggung gave a warning to the princess.

"When you're done with school, go home. No need to stop by anywhere. Don't force Mbok Pai to lie to you, cover up your behavior, Bunga."

Flowers still looked down listening to the long advice of the father. In his heart he hoped that the man would soon end his talk. The advice is always the same every time he acts. It feels like Flowers have memorized every word that is said from the lips Tumenggung Wirya.

***

Jacob stood bowing his head in front of his father's desk, Ambroos Janssen. The blond man with blue eyes similar to those of the son folded his hands in front of his chest while looking at Jacob.

"Waar was je (Where have you been), Jacob?" asked Ambroos, with an interrogating intonation. Although there were actually his men who reported where and with whom the son went. He just wanted to test Jacob's honesty.

"Zwembad (Swimming pool), Papa." Still looking down, Jacob answered. He realized he had broken the father's rule not to go out alone.

"Papa thought the rules were clear enough. Papa forbid you to go from home alone because of several factors. But, the most important factor is, it's very dangerous" Ambroos said. "What if there's a native who hates Papa and kidnaps you?"

"Ja, het spijt me (Yes, I'm sorry), Papa," said Jacob.

"Who are you going with, Jacob?" ask Ambroos back.

"Friends from school."

"Inlander (Indigenous)?" Ambroos looked at the son while tilting his head.

Jacob nodded. His chest was pounding waiting for his father's reaction. There was fear that struck his heart. He was afraid he could not be friends with the Flower anymore.

While Ambroos stroked his beard which was overgrown with thin hair. He was silent for a moment. From the reports of his men, Jacob went to the pool with Tumenggung Wirya's son who served as regent.

Although things never happen that are not desirable in this tenure, but Ambroos does not fully believe in Tumenggung Wirya. To be honest he did not believe in all the natives. They may decide at any time to revolt.

"You can listen to Papa, not to get too close to the native children?"

Jacob wanted to ask why, but, no sound escaped his mouth. He just kept quiet or nodded, as usual when his father advised him.

***