The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 30's

"What is there really a connection between Brother and Sister Mei?" It was Robert's turn to ask.

"Ask your brother, Robert."

"But I want to ask Brother Saleh."

"Don't ask me anything weird, Robert." Robin slumped, using intonation that his brother usually uses.

Saleh laughs. The two younger brothers glared at each other again, "You better hear the answer directly from your brother, Robert. I can't explain it if Mei hasn't told her the truth to you sisters."

"Do you have a special relationship?" Robert asked again, ignoring Saleh's words just now.

"It can be said that way. If you want to know the full story, you have to listen from Mei. So what if you two go back to the cabin? It was almost dark, soon Maghrib time. Don't let Mei bother looking for you."

Robert nodded. He now has no intention of asking again. Robert put down the book, wanted to take Robin back to their cabin, but it rained again.

The big glass window was wet. The two exchanged positions, Robert stared at the window while Robin picked up a random book for him to read. They had almost arrived at the port of Batavia City. More and more often cross paths with large ships. Staring at the ships in the rain gave a distinctive impression.

Robin began to sink with her reading books. It seemed like the two sister sisters had forgotten about Big Brother Mei who seemed to be now worrying about their whereabouts, asking when the two boys had returned.

The sound of the ship's whistle rang out loud, startling Robin. The youngest jumped in shock, turning his head towards his older brother, "What's up, sister?"

"The ship has arrived in Manila." Robert answered while pointing forward.

Robin let go of her book, rushed to the long chair by the window, sat down beside her Brother while staring out.

What an amazing sight. Robin thinks Batavia is very crowded, it turns out there are more crowded. Dozens of ships were seen from the windows, some anchored at the docks and others taking off anchors in the waters.

Most ships are transcontinental cargo type ships being unloaded. Some were Japanese warships with cannons on them. There are also some traditional ships.When it rains, the workers remain busy. The busyness was faintly visible from behind the large glass window.

Saleh stood near the window, "Welcome to Manila, Robin, Robert. This is the largest city in the Philippines. Place the center of trade and the office of the Japanese leader here. Tomorrow the day after tomorrow, this city will probably be the seat of government of the Philippine Nation like Batavia which will be the center of our nation state."

Robin and Robert were busy observing the process of the ship docking.

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"We're not going anywhere, brother. Only in Brother Saleh's cabin. Just ask Brother Saleh if you don't believe." Robin defended himself. Finally he remembered his brother had advised that they only needed to deliver the lumpia after that directly back to the cabin. But they forget their time

Robert is indifferent. No matter what his brother's nagging. He now even looked at his brother intensely, wanting to ask about his brother's relationship with Saleh.

"you must be troubling Brother Saleh, right, Robin, Robert?" Mei looked at her two sisters.

"No, Brother. Even Brother Saleh was glad we were playing in his cabin."

Mei sighed, still scolding Robin and Robert for a moment. He told them to take a shower because they were soon in for dinner.

Robin makes no more noise, picks up a towel, rushes to the bathroom, "the adults are why it's so complicated." Thought Robin, "Sister Saleh was really happy, even he and Robert were in the book loan.

The sound of a dinner sign whistle was heard. The canteen remains crowded despite heavy rain. The warm ceiling of the canteen fills the conversation about the city of Manila. One or two passengers who had visited the city said how big the city was.

The Philippines is the only former Spanish colony in Asia, located in Southeast Asia. Although it has now been occupied by the Japanese but the relics of Spain are still there.

Manila Chatedral is one of the oldest buildings in Manila located within Intramuros or Walled City. The Catholic church building has been built since 1571 is located in front of the Plaza de Roma and has a distinctive building shape with a dome in the back like a basilica.

In addition there is Malacanang Palace is one of the Spanish colonial heritage buildings located in San Miguel, Manila. The palace has been established since 1751 (Today used as the presidential palace of the Philippines) where it was previously used as a Spanish colonial government, as well as when Japanese rule became the office of the governor of Japan in the Philippines.

Increasingly to the south, there is Fort Santiago which is a Spanish-made fortress located on the coast of Manila, as the main defense of the city and its location is in Intramuros. This building has been built since 1593 and had several renovations, now used by Japan as a weapon storage and prison during World War II.

The transportation system in the Philippines is relatively underdeveloped, as part of the country is made up of mountains and scattered islands, and also due to a lack of government investment in building infrastructure

But in the city of Manila, electric trams became popular public transportation. It has two train networks. First, a lightweight Electric Tram transit system consisting of Line 1 and Line 2. Second, the Metro Manila Train transit system consisting of Line 3 is only intended for nobles and elites.

"If you want to shop, Plaza de Roma is the right choice. It is an open space in Intramuros and the center of the largest walled city, Rome's name is taken because the Plaza is in front of the Roman Catholic church, Manila Chatedral. There are many Chinese shops there. The road is always filled with cars, horse carriages, and bicycles. Busy from morning to evening." The story gets more excited. People listened while finishing food on their own plates.

"But Manila isn't always as beautiful as your story, man." Saleh.

One table looked at him.

"In the last two years of war, the Imperial Japanese army fought against the allied Spanish forces supported by the Philippine forces from Manila. The war ended with a Japanese victory so that Manila lost control of their economy and strategic position since March 1943."

"Next the Japanese began to continue fighting through pockets of resistance of the Manila population. When Manila fell completely in Japanese hands. Manila suffered the loss of lives of soldiers and civilians between 120,000 and 140,000. The news of the war was the Japanese newspaper I read at the time."

Robin even stopped his bribing moves. Japanese soldiers killed hundreds of thousands of people? Well, what if people find out that my mother is the leader of Japan? They'll definitely stay away from me. He never saw that many murders. Only Robin thinks so. After all, everyone has also known who his parents are, the crime of parents has no relationship with their children. No one cares.