The Fragrant Soul

Chapter 2: Meeting Old Friends

Sukma Harum has arrived in the city of Jamparing, the capital of the Duchy of the same name. The name of this area

means “Busur and Arrow”. It used to be possible because this area has many game animals so many people come hunting to this place. Finally many people settled here and became this area into a city that is quite crowded. There is a fairly large port that connects the transportation routes between the river and the sea. Sukma Harum certainly came using his luxury ship.

This luxury ship named “Nindira”. He got the ship from his majesty. “Nindira” is made of the best materials, with the best design. The sail was sturdy, the room was cool, and most importantly, this ship was like an impenetrable battle fortress. There are many weapons that can be fired from this ship. Cannons, explosives, fire arrows, etc. But the weapons were in a secret room and could not be found. It was his majesty who built it with his own hands. Once it was done, even the ship was given to his favorite student.

Nindira manned by 5 people. All female. They were part of his family's bodyguards. These guards were taken from famous colleges. Very obedient and loyal to his family since long ago.

For the crew of this ship, Sukma Harum himself chose them. In addition to being proficient at manning the ship, they also have high silat science, understand the science of medicine, are good at cooking, and are able to take care of all the needs of the employer.

The word “all needs” can indeed cause its own understanding in people's minds. Moreover, these five crew members were all beautiful and obedient to their master. But Sukma Harum never cares about the minds of others.

He likes to be surrounded by women. To him, they were a pleasure and entertainment of their own. The more, the better.

Maybe this is why he has not been married until now. Because his soul wants to be free without being bound to one

people only.

Nindira had been leaning on a small harbor. Sukma Harum descended to land and in a flash he was greeted by

a warm afternoon atmosphere. There was something in the afternoon that made his heart seem to be taken to a time.

A memory.

His heart was beating faster. His blood seemed to flow more. Memories can bring about change in a person.

He said to himself with a laugh, “Already all this time, you still haven't disappeared in my heart.”

If there is a young man who is handsome, wealthy, his family has a very large power, powerful mandraguna, healthy and intelligent, but still has sad memories of “someone”, he said, then who can imagine what kind of figure “someone” is?

What kind of woman is able to make a man like this smile alone in silence while

enjoying the pain of the memories squeezing his chest?

Sukma Harum kept on stepping. Maybe he was worried, when he stopped stepping, the good memories would be

chased him.

Know-how now he has been in front of a large house not far from the main market of the city of Jamparing. Everyone in the city knew who the magnificent and beautiful house belonged to. Just about to knock on his sturdy iron gate, the small window beside the gate opened. A gatekeeper pops out his head while smiling respectfully, “Oh, raden are coming? Let's go in. Wait for me to open

gate.”

The gate is open. Sukma Harum stepped inside. He was escorted by one of the house guards until he entered the building's living room.

“Please wait a minute, I will call madam.”

Sukma Harum nodded kindly replying to the friendly attitude of the housekeeper.

The housekeeper has known bring it come for “Nyonya” and not for “Tuan” homeowners. Because they already know, he has not talked to the “tuan” for a long time.

“Eh, coming raden?” the voice of the madam. Hearing his voice, a man can

lulled and lulled.

Now the man has appeared. Mrs Oey,

Wife of Oey Kim Seng. Men who have a house as grand as this, of course, will have a beautiful wife like a khayangan angel. It has become a kind of natural law.

Madame Oey is beautiful.

To the extent that sometimes Sukma Harum felt sinful just because he looked at his face.

“From your smell to the back kitchen, I can already guess who came,” said Mrs Oey kindly.

Sukma Harum terseyum friendly, “How are you, cici (brother)? Healthy as it seems. Uh, did you see mehausan? Don't be too busy working.”

“Eh I'm cursive? Cook anyway?” Any woman would like if you say kurusan. Said, “There's a need

is raden looking for me? Let's have a seat. Until forget. Raden wants to drink what? Want to get cold? Coincidentally we just harvested young coconuts.”

“Oh, can. Thank you,” forever Sukma Harum never refused if people offered him a mapan

tastier.

Before long the waiter came carrying a young coconut that had been cut into the top and some trays

snack. Sukma Harum thanked the waiter politely.

Mrs Oey looked at the hospitality and said, “From time immemorial, raden has always treated others politely. Even for people whose levels are far below raden.”

Actually Sukma Harum wanted to respond to the words, but he chose to smile only.

“Verily, what need does raden look for me for?” ask Miss Oey. He understood that people as famous and busy as Sukma Harum, could not just want to come to meet and chat. He knows too,

his guests did not like to talk.

“I'm looking for your husband, cici. Is koh-Seng (seng's sister) willing to meet me?”

“Eh?” the madam was astonished. Even his mouth was open. Then the wonder turned into

a happy face. “Finally!” said.

“Please wait, raden. I'll ask her, ” the madam rushed to see her husband like she was impatient

announce this happy “beri”.

Sukma Harum waited quietly. Actually he can already guess what the answer from Oey Kim Seng.

When Madam Oey returned to the living room with a less than pleasant face, Sukma Harum laughed inwardly

knowing that his guess was true.

“He does not want,” said madam Oey. “But he said, if raden needs his help, please say

through me.”

Sukma Harum laughs.

Mrs Oey was confused between laughing or being upset. He said, “Actually what happened between the two raden?

You have been friends since childhood, but then do not want to greet each other. But if one needs help, the other will help each other. But forever not to meet face to face. I'm actually surprised...,”.

Sounded from inside, “That's because the cockroach was too stone head.” Apparently Oey Kim Seng's own voice.

Sukma Harum. Said, “Although I am a stone head, at least not a stone ******. This alone is made happy enough."

There was laughter from Oey Kim Seng. Then he said, “My wife, take him to our room. There others cannot

listen to your chat.”

If someone else was in this place, it would certainly be very astonished to see this incident. Two friends who are not

want to meet each other, but still want to help each other. Even one of them told his wife to bring his best friend into the room, because there was no one who could hear their chat.

The husband and wife room is a very sacred place. Not just anyone can enter this room.

But Oey Kim Seng instead told his wife to bring another man into it.

Soon Sukma Harum and Madam Oey were already in the room. Mrs Oey had even closed and tightly locked all the windows and doors.

Sukma Harum only shook his head with a astonished face. He said, “He really believes in the mistress. Rela let his beautiful wife be alone with a man like me.”

“Yes. The fragrant name of raden as a man who is always pursued and surrounded by beautiful women has been spread to

all over the world,” said the madam laughed loudly.

“His confidence in cici (sister) is huge. I salute you both. It's just mutual feeling

trust me who can maintain the household.”

“Raden.”

“Eh?”

“He was always jealous of me and rarely believed in me. His great trust was not in me, but in raden.”

Sukma Harum.

“Actually what fosters that much trust between you?” ask Miss Oey.

Sukma Harum poked for a while, then said, “Maybe because we both understand that if one

needing another life, he simply asked. Then the life will be given freely and with pleasure.”

“Then why raden two do not greet each other?”

Sukma Harum smiled small. “Giving lives and greeting each other are 2 different things.”

Madam Oey laughed. She knew that she had not chosen the wrong husband. Someone is judged by friends

he has.

“What's your husband been busy lately? It seems that he never left his study,” asked Sukma

“He is writing the book.”

“Bible?”

“Yes. Book of the 100 Most Powerful Weapons of the Time?”

“Hmm. Pulling.”

“I had a little glance at what he wrote. But it's precisely the most important part.”

“How?”

“I know the top 5 most powerful weapons in the book. But promise not to raden

tell anyone before this book is published”

“Oh. Alright”

“Yang number 5 is the Sword of Jinggalita belonging to Raden's own younger brother, Raden Ayu Amarajati. The 4th is

Gendewa Bumi owned by Patih Surya Laksana. The 3rd was the Sky Dragon Sword of Shiva Baruna. The 2nd is the Black Spear of the Demon Spear, Candramawa. And the number one..hmmmm.., is the Bratagini.” Roof.

“All the weapons I've heard. But Bratagini Roof, I've never heard of this weapon.”

“The explanation is long, raden. I didn't have time to read,” the laughter of Madame Oey.

“Very interesting!” sukma Harum.

“Raden no wonder why Kujang Arka Kencana is so powerful mandraguna belongs to raden, the inheritance of the mother is not even at the top of this list?”

“What order is it in?”

“Not in order at all!”

tukas mrs Oey lightly.

“Ahahaha,” the laughter of Fragrant Sukma while closing her mouth. Even when she laughs, she is still very graceful

like a pingitan girl. "Their husband is still angry with me, little one."

“Kujang Arka Kencana is not included in the list because there is no witness who can tell

the greatness of that kujang. So according to what my husband wrote,” is obviously Madame Oey.

“Hmmmm.”

“Is it because Raden has not been involved in the martial world for a long time?”

“It seems so,” replied Sukma Harum. But deep in his heart he knew, as was known by

Oey Kim Seng wrote the list. The real reason why no witness can tell the greatness of Kujang is because no one lives after seeing the Kujang dart out of the hands of its owner!

“Actually the reason I came here to ask your husband 2 things, sici (brother),” said Sukma Harum. “Tree cici can deliver it to koh-Seng (seng's sister).”

“Of course, raden. Please.”

“First question, Does the kingdom of Kaloka really exist?”

“The second question, Has there been a murder in the village of Cipandana whose victims some people with

poisoned cause?”

“Good. Is that all, Raden?” mrs Oey asked who was answered with a nod by Sukma Harum. Mrs Oey immediately left. While waiting for him to return, Sukma Harum noticed the situation in the room.

The walls are made of very strong yet smooth stone. Such materials are very expensive to make

house wall. The ceiling is made of sturdy teak wood. Enough to catch a glimpse of Harum Sukma sure this room is not easily broken through by outsiders. Oey Kim Seng apparently built a sturdy fortress that was used as a room by him.

All the decorations on the wall, on the table near the bed, neatly arranged and pleasing to the eye. This room is very spacious. Neatly arranged. Perfumed anyway.

No need to guess, Sukma Harum believes there is a secret path behind the wall or at the bottom of the floor which is

the road runs away if something dangerous can't be dammed again.

Long enough, Madame Oey returned to that room. Sukma Harum looked at him with a questioning look. Smiling, the beautiful madam simply nodded. He then sat in a chair next to Sukma Harum.

He said, “Is raden investigating something?”

Sukma Harum nodded in confirming.

“Good. For the first question, yes. The Kaloka Kingdom exists. A small kingdom stands

about 100 years ago. During the reign of the 4th king, the kingdom faced a considerable civil war. This government was destroyed and the heir to the throne was lost. It is said that he fled with his guards to the kulon area (West Java) here. Until now, news has never been

heard again.”

“For the second question, true as well. There was a murder in the village of Cipandana. A merchant and a master

argapala, in his 50s, along with all his family members and employees, died of poisoning. It is said that all the treasures and contents of the warehouse in the house have been taken. Only 2 of their children remain. Women and men. The male has been disabled since childhood.”

Sukma Harum listened to Miss Oey's explanation carefully. He said nothing and thought only of the whole words of this lady Oey.

“Is this whole incident related, raden?”

“It looks like so, cici. But I have not dared to draw any conclusions.”

“Hmm. Alright. Hopefully quickly finished, and the culprit is quickly caught.”

Sukma Harum just sighed. “Hopefully.”

“Day is late at night, raden should stay here. I'll have a special room for raden. Raden rooms are usually ones that no one else has ever used.”

“Ah, thank you, cici. But I have to leave soon. Tomorrow night there is an appointment with someone else,” Sukma

Smells softly.

“Ooo-be. Whose other girl did you ask to meet (the term in those days for dating or dating), raden?”

madam Oey's laughter teases.

Sukma Harum chuckled and said, “Malah is precisely this time I am the one he invited to meet, cici.”

“Oh? I want to see what a brave girl looks like. It must be beautiful.”

“Lumayan. But certainly not as beautiful as cici,” Sukma Harum lightly.

“I can't believe it. My time is beautiful?”

Sukma Harum did not reply, he just smiled. His smile was warm like a fresh spring

refreshing earth.

“Know raden for years, I know raden never lie.”

“I often lie. It's just never been caught. Maybe that's my real advantage,”

hatch Sukma Harum while holding back laughter.

Mrs Oey also laughed. He said, “Hopefully the relationship of raden and my husband will be able to improve later. It's also hard to see you two don't want to say hello.”

“Hopefully. Has he been busy writing lately? Rarely out of home?”

“Say if the book is finished, it will go to Andalas.”

“Hmm. Found a new mine?”

“It looks like so. The end of the effort was very fast. He opened many branches, even to other islands.”

“Thank God. Keep him from getting tired and getting sick, cici.”

“Should have told raden himself to him,” said madam Oey.

Sukma Harum did not answer. He just stood up and asked. “It seems I have to leave now, cici. Thank you very much for your help. May we meet again soon.”

“Alright, raden. Let me take you to the front.”

They both stood up from the chair and moved from there. With very fast and invisible movements, Sukma

Fragrant had left a small box on the table.

He had exited the front gate when then heard screams from inside the house, “Keparat! Go you!

Don't ever come here again! *******!”

He looks. Oey Kim Seng stood up and pointed a sword at him.

Serenely Sukma Harum said, “Alright. Sorry to bother you...,”.

“That's you from here!”

The shout was still burrowing in the recesses of his soul even though he had gone far away from there.