The Destruction of Batana

FORGOTTEN 3

　

　

As promised, Jora records all her activities using a multifunction area recorder. I can see Jora looking nervous as soon as she rides her scooter. This was the first experience for him to ride that hovering object manually. I kept leading him to drive that thing. To be honest I pity her a little bit for the sake of pleasing the lonely me in this house. But seeing his efforts I was so desperate to stop him.

Sometimes he stumbles and almost falls. I even felt tense with his condition. I'm worried if he falls and gets seriously injured. Jora remained adamant. Within fifteen minutes, he mastered the hovering scooter. He cheered cheerfully. So too with me. I even did the celebration by raising my hands while pointing at the ceiling of my room which was covered in transparent glass.

Jora rode the scooter through several courtyards of the house smoothly. Then approached some children who were playing on the side of the road. They all looked surprised as soon as they saw Jora. I bit my finger. I was worried that they would refuse Jora to join them. Jora has always been under my protection. Of course it will be difficult for him to play freely with them.

“Bo, can I join?” Jora asked slowly. I could see his fingers clutching tightly onto the handlebar of his scooter.

Silent moment. Until someone finally spoke. “Hahaha, of course, Dude.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. Jora too.

What a sad irony. I could only pensively stare at those who looked carefree playing in the warm sunlight, whereas I was confined here like a cat locked in a cage. And why does this house feel cooler every day? Argha! Must have lowered the cooling temperature.

They searched the complex. Planning to go to the new headquarters they showed me three days ago. A place with a stretch of grass as high as the eyes and rows of weeds along with a giant tree with hanging roots. The place is very beautiful if the twilight has shaded. Make the grass look orange-brown.

They arrived at their destination. Jora parked her scooter under the giant tree. It was in my mind to know the name of the tree. I quickly scanned the tree using three-dimensional projections embedded throughout my room. For a moment, the entire room displayed information about the tree. The tree is nothing but a banyan tree. And I was really surprised by the age of the tree. Five hundred years! That's what's listed in the data displayed on my screen. That means this tree has become a silent witness to how humans go down through generations.

Jora went to the rock where we had a conversation two days ago. Even though I could only watch all the sights through the projection, I still felt comforted. I forgot that I was in my room. We both talked to each other. Throw jokes. Even though I could not feel the wind hitting the weeds, I could still imagine how the wind played the hair child. I could see Jora's hair swaying slowly.

That is how it is in the following days. Jora always carries MAR (Multifunction Area Recorder) wherever she goes. He filled my boring days with fun. It makes me feel like I am not in the house. My parents are still not contacted. I could only watch Mother's face on my hologram screen which was in the trending topic. Every time I saw the broadcast, I was surrounded by reporters. One thing is awkward, Mom's face doesn't look happy. He always told me about his project with sparkling eyes.

The more days it seems the more awkward.  The ceiling was filled with a small plane with only six passengers on board. I could see from the clear roof of my room. I didn't even pay much attention to the footage that Jora showed me. Most likely this all has to do with the project that Mother is running. Jora was also watching the planes. In the end, the two of us were just busy looking at the sky filled with planes.

Two weeks went by so quickly.

As usual, I had breakfast. Tia had a chance to nag me who didn't finish my breakfast. He said that there are still many people outside who have trouble getting a bite of food. I grumbled for a moment. Forced to finish my food up the toilet. I had a moment of conversation with my sister Liana. He just blabbed slowly, wagging his hands in the air. After that, I rushed to my room. But unfortunately Jora couldn't get me in touch.

For about an hour I watched my mother make a speech. I yawned slowly. This is definitely not an interesting show for kids. I decided to leave my place. But I was first startled by the phone ringing. I hurried to pick up the phone that was directly showing Dad's face.

“Hei, Lian! How are you?” Dad's face looks happy.

I looked at Dad with a flat look. “Ah, hi Dad.”

“Lian, Dad is really sorry again..” Dad rubbed his head. “It looks like we can't go home today.”

“Yeah, I knew it would happen.” I lowered my head and took a deep breath. I was really disappointed with both of my parents.

“Then, why don't you come home?” I decided to ask. Until now I only knew that Mother was a member of the Batana Association. As far as I know, Dad only accompanied Mom while at the headquarters. Comfort Mom if she feels tired or sad.

“That's it, Lian. It's so weird, Dad's not allowed out of headquarters.”

“Eh? Why can't I?”

Dad shook his head slowly. “Dad himself does not know. We were even restricted from contacting family or anyone outside the base. But at least you can see Mom's face on your hologram screen, right?” I tried to divert the conversation.

“Of course it's different” I exclaimed disagree.

“Hahaha, you're a smart kid, Lian. You're also very similar to your mother.well, it looks like Dad's time is up. Take good care of your sister, Lian. Oh, don't forget to always obey Tia's words. Then see you.”

The hologram screen disappeared. I sighed softly. Putting my body on the bed. Most likely the spacecraft will be launched right at noon. I decided to look at the clear sky. No more small planes flying. The scenery was replaced with a bunch of low-flying birds. It was as if he had participated in the flight of the giant plane.

Exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon. When I, Tia, and Liana were eating lunch. There was a very loud rumbling sound. Tia rushed to light the hologram. The plane was preparing to take off. Thousands of people applauded. Counting down simultaneously. Hundreds of drones flying around the plane. There was no mother there. Especially Dad. I looked at the astonishment of the plane. The plane has a metallic gray color with some hexagon-shaped ornaments in yellow. The end is sharp with a shiny cone shape. The plane has a giant turbo at the bottom. I don't know how many turbos are installed. My eyes barely blinked.