Princess Rajapatni

Princess Rajapatni - Gayatri - 7

Princess Rajapatni - Gayatri - 7

Historical Note: Malangan Mask or Pemalangan Mask is one of the dance performance arts. The dancers wear masks as per the characters played. This art became popular during the reign of King Erlangga (Ancient Mataram, the kingdom before Singasari). Panji Asmara-wake lacon (or Panji Literature) was popular during the reign of King Kertanegara (Singasari).

*

I recall. I was about eleven or twelve years old. My body changes uncontrollably. My emotions are quick to melt. Many times, I nang Ayahanda. I was punished, and then I acted. I acted, and was punished again. That was my daily life at the time.

Sneaking out of the palace was my way of comforting myself. Whenever I had the chance, I would tie my chest tightly, then dress up like a soldier. I wandered outside the palace, acting as if I had just gotten out of jail.

If I could, I would like to leave to the outer world and the palace, like Siddharta Gotama. Unfortunately, until now I could only hear his stories from monks and nuns.

This morning, I intend to sneak in, this time to meet the monks again.

A box of delicious food had been prepared by Nyi Hanum. Gendis followed with concern. We also sat in secret passages. I made it through the main palace, then turned to the sari garden near the west gate. A few more steps, we will arrive at the main gate.

Unfortunately, before we actually exited the palace area, someone patted me on the shoulder.

“Excuse?”

Oh, my God, who else is this. Don't you, soldier peng-don't

agape.

I had to turn around to face him. Seo

rang youth is now standing in front of me.

“Excuse me, if I may ask, where is the headroom of the art section?” The young man said well. Since I didn't answer, he became astonished himself.

“You who?” He asked in a doubtful tone.

Judging from the stature of his body, this young man could not possibly belong to the army group. Although strapping, his face looks more beautiful for the size of a man. His skin was also whiter than the soldiers.

I was too young to be amazed by a man's physique. However, I knew that this young man who was about in his early twenties would be the talk of a child, should he appear there.

This young man was instantly perplexed as he scanned me from top to bottom. Feeling scrutinized, I hurriedly menu-tup the chest.

“What do you see?” my snapping.

This young man looked surprised. Without saying anything more, he bent his knees in front of me. “Punish me, Princess Gayatri!”

“Sst! Quickly wake up!” I started to panic and pulled her up. I'm looking for a safer place.

“If those soldiers see me, they'll arrest me! Stupid fool!” Kumarahi he is without further ado. Now, we're behind the tree. Nyi Hanum and Gendis lowered their heads behind the bushes—not far from us.

“What are you doing here?”

“You alone, what are you doing here?” accuse me fiercely.

“We will perform the Logging Mask in the palace.” The young man said in a daze. “Head of the palace section that called me here.”

“Topeng Logging?” I said amazed. I have long been amazed at this art. The dancers who never show faces. Only movements convey feelings. The story flows in da-lang's narrative. Emotions mingle in the music of the gamelan pengrawit. Happiness and grief become the spice of romance stories. So beautiful.

“You play who?” I smiled broadly. It was exciting to meet one of the artists. This will be a very fun stuff. Pradnya and Maha must be very envious!

“Hamba as Inu Kertapati, Princess.” The pemu-da showed off a series of sparkling white teeth. Instantly, my admiration increased. With his posture, he is very suitable to play the role of Inu Kertapati. The Banner of Asmarabangun who is looking for a lover of the heart.

“Do not be too formal.” I'm dismissing ta-ngan. A little bit of fuss watching him keep looking down.

“Thank you very much, Gusti Putri.”

“I won't bother you.” I showed you a smile. “But don't report that you've seen me through here, huh?”

“Alright, Putri” The young man is now smiling. “But can you explain, why settle like a thief in his own palace?”

Embarrassed, I raised my hand with the box in my hand. “I'm going to the monastery,” I explained.

The young man gawked. He did not trust his hearing at all.

***

It was my first meeting with Ken Sakka. A talented artist who then loses everything. It's all too horrible to tell. I remember, after the show, Father called Sakka and all the members of his entourage. There's not much that ta-hu thing. The whip sounded sharp. I saw one by one people falling down with blood. Then I went out and cried. I begged Father to punish me as one. Talking to strangers is my job. I talked to Sakka. I need to be punished.

“Ayahanda, I beg you, forgive them all, Ayahanda.” I knelt down and kissed the ground. “I'm willing to accept any punishment. Let me bear the consequences of my own actions!”

I did not expect at all, at that time Raden Wijaya who acted. My antipathy to Raden Wijaya is growing. How cruel the hand was when it was scratched a keris! How senseless was the prince's punishment!

Remembering that incident always stings in my heart. I hate my helplessness in helping Sakka.

“Is knowing male feelings important to a girl, Prince? Can't I choose not to know?”

Raden Wijaya was silent. Anger and despair overwhelmed me for a moment. The same helplessness ruins all my self-defense.

“Who am I, Prince,” I said softly. “For ka-lian, me and all my yundas are just a bunch of goa gharba10. Only the luckiest men can guess whose calves sparkle the most.”

Raden Wijaya's forehead is wrinkled. My words are so disrespectful. For a moment, I expected him to cancel his proposal for hearing this. This princess doesn't know manners, Prince. Please, leave this princess. I groan in my heart.

10 Goa gharba = womb.

But again, he showed no anger. Raden Wijaya only showed a smile ge-tir. The next word is only my satire reply.

“What is the point of having the gift ardhanares-wari11 if his personality is bad. I don't want to have a wife like that. Really.”

“I don't like your greeting.” I said exasperatedly, “Again, my fortune prediction is not too good.”

“I don't trust too much divination.”

My words were so foolish that I felt ashamed myself. But Raden Wijaya is flinching. All he did was keep throwing stones.

“What happened to Ken Sakka, is not entirely your fault.” He said grimly. “Didn't you know she ever sneaked into a princess' palace to mengka-rimu? I reported it for that.”

Raden Wijaya's! So this prince has already reported Sakka!

“I don't care what Sakka does. I also did not have time to investigate the intention of his heart.” This time I was really angry, “Which I know: The prince blinded sa-

11 Ardhanareswari was a woman whose descendants would become kings. Ken Dedes earned this designation because his calves (said) were lustrous.

those Sakka eyes. The prince broke his face. Then the Range-ran drove Sakka and her group from the palace.”

Instead of participating in raising the voice, Raden Wijaya ha-nya sigh resigned.

“I must teach a lesson to a man who thinks indecently of you, Princess.” The strictness of his words. “I'm sure, if Arya Virendra da-lam is my position, she'll do the same. Isn't that right, Virendra?”

I was shocked when Raden Wijaya grabbed a medium-sized stone and threw it on a banyan tree, not far from where we were sitting. A human voice soon sounded. In an instant, Arya Virendra knelt down in front of us. His hands were cupped over his head, begging for mercy.

“Ckckck. It's rude to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation, Virendra.” Raden Wijaya shook his head while clucking again.

“Punish servant, Prince. Servant should be ta-in napping on a tree.” Virendra was flaunting his stupid grin. Geez, I just found out Viren was listening to our conversation.

Presumably, Raden Wijaya was the first time mende-ngar Viren displayed the expression of the pundit. Raden Wijaya's reaction was quite confusing. He scrunched his eyebrows for a moment. Maybe I'll be angry or not.

“Already.” Raden Wijaya finally shook his hand. “Knowing your father's post was downgraded must have disturbed your mood. I don't want to hurt you deeper.”

Viren and I were silent at the words. Raden Wijaya signed it by hand. The soldiers escorting us retreated. They took a distance as far as a few spear bars. I scrunched my eyebrows. Raden Wijaya is clearly directing the conversation to something that is confidential.

I stood up, about to retreat. But, Raden Wijaya held my collar.

“Stay here, Princess!” the Raden Wijaya Order. His pan-handle is fixed on Viren. Highlight fierce that I see clearly. His voice was loud and cold.

“How is your father's current condition?”

Viren scratching his head. “May require meditation and yoga for a few days. It's okay, really. Later also good by yourself.”

I know, Viren's disappointed. Therefore, he had no interest in being too obedient. Fortunately, Raden Wijaya understood this.

“Uncle Raganata has done much for Lion-sari.” Raden Wijaya sighed. “Garuda's mobile phone (spy), will not be disbanded, right? Senapati?”12

I frowned more and more. When did Viren become a senapati? How come he never told me?

“It is difficult to hide something as small as anything from Raden.” Viren chuckled, but there was a cautious tone in his voice. His originally relaxed attitude had now turned much more serious.

12 Senapati = leader of large army of soldiers.

“With the shifting of my father's position, there is a possibility Garuda Team will also be dissolved.” Viren explained. “All already know the competition inside is-tana. Mahisa Anabrang's uncle, most likely, would not miss this opportunity. Sweet speech he said has been proven to be able to persuade Gusti Prabu.”

“I will protect your troops. I can guard my mouth from Uncle Mahisa Anabrang and the spirit of the palace. I want, you guys keep up your ka-lian duties, as always.”

“Daulat, Wrestling.”

Raden Wijaya's gaze now alternately looked at me and Viren. There's something in that view that scares me. It was not the gaze of Raden Wijaya the Critic, or the gaze of a reckless suitor who interested me in the middle of a big event.

Raden Wijaya glanced around us. It seems to make sure that no one eavesdropped.

“Is the news about the Warrior Bracelet-Wheel exercise true?”

Nullify Virendra looks steady. Raden Wijaya shook his head in fret. His hand was still clutching the end of my sash.

“This issue is really troubling.” Raden Wi-Jaya rubbed butterfly embroidery on my sash. The keru-ton on his forehead still looked.

“Prabu Kertanegara absolutely does not believe that Prabu Jayakatwang will rebel.” Viren. “With the current situation, Father could not convince Gusti Prabu.”

“Honey once.” Raden Wijaya. “Gusti Prabu has also handed over her youngest daughter to Ardaraja.”

“But it still does not guarantee Singasari will be safe.” “So, do you think?”

Viren nodded. “Hamba not sure Prabu Jaya-kwang can be trusted.”

“Then, keep an eye on the movements in Bracelets, Senapati.” Raden Wijaya exhaled and gave another order. “I want you to protect Princess Gayatri. Because I'm worried, Princess Gayatri is one of the main targets.”

I think there was lightning hitting my head. “Why I—” I'd like to file a protest, but not say the right words.

Raden Wijaya let go of my collar. His gaze now locks me so. Trying to convince me.

“One of the reasons: Ardaraja is hostile to me, Princess.” Raden Wijaya explained patiently. “Everyone knows our competition. You also know that from a long time ago Ardaraja wanted your yund. Right now, he must be furious because the Prabu handed Princess Tribuanes-wari to me.”

“Then what's the deal with me?” I still ngo-tot, “Ardaraja would want Yunda. Not me.”

“Ah, indifferent Princess, when are you going to hard-ti?” Raden Wijaya sighed and exhaled agitatedly. He looked at the silent Viren. Letting silence be a pause. But the silence made me even more impatient until I coughed for another explanation.

“Your current position is very insecure, Princess.” Raden Wijaya reluctantly said. “Dendam Ardaraja to me will make him want to hurt the people I love.”

Raden Wijaya sighed again. He went back to Viren. Ask for help explaining. But, Viren just shrugged.

“Listen, Princess.” Raden Wijaya's jaw hardened. Several times, he gritted his fingers. My heart became as though kin was was looking at his anxiety. What exactly does he want to say?

“I had heard Mahapatih Gelang-Gelang, Kebo Mundarang, supervise a group of robbers to-hour.” Raden Wijaya's voice shook. “Those robbers not only snatch treasure, they also kill and rape.”

Viren looks more restless than he should be. Look at Raden Wijaya, then me. I'm getting confused. But Raden Wijaya finally finished his explanation.

“One of the leaders of that ruthless robber named Ken Sakka.”