
"I'm Arya Pethak, Nyi..
Why why anyway? Something is wrong with me?", asked Arya Pethak while stopping her movement to enjoy food. He put his plate back on the table.
"Where are you from Arya Pethak? Sorry to interrupt your meal but it's important for me young man", Nyi Sekati again asked Arya Pethak a question.
"I come from Kahayunan Hill, Nyi", replied Arya Pethak while looking in wonder at Nyi Sekati. The middle-aged woman's face was slightly surprised then smiled faintly.
"Then, after you've finished eating, I'd love to have a conversation with you later.
Finish your meal first young swordsman ", after saying so, Nyi Sekati immediately turned around and stepped back towards her kitchen.
"Ndoro, that old woman is a bit strange huh..
Don't let him be a little less sane" Klungsur said as he glanced at Nyi Sekati who passed towards the kitchen.
"I don't think Sur..
It seems like he knows something I don't. We should eat quickly after that we meet the woman and ask her what she wants", replied Arya Pethak immediately.
Hearing the words of Arya Pethak, Sekarwangi, Nay Kemuning and Anjani nodded in understanding. Nirmala and Klungsur did the same. The lunch was really delicious. Nyi Sekati is very good at cooking.
"Wah the cuisine of this stall is really delicious huh Kakang..
I want to learn to cook with the owner of this food stall so that Kakang Pethak can eat well every day ", said Sekarwangi while wiping the remaining sauce attached to the lips of Arya Pethak.
"Also I'm not sure Gusti Putri can cook, wong into the kitchen The compliance alone does not have to be once a year", Klungsur cerocos directly without control. Dewi Sekarwangi snorted loudly while glaring sharply at Klungsur, while Nay Kemuning and Anjani boasted his smile.
Nirmala quickly stepped on Klungsur's big toe quickly.
"Waaadddaaaawwww.hhh..!!
Stupid wong! Why are you stepping on my big toe Nir?", Klungsur turned to look at Nirmala. Seeing Nirmala's sharp eyes and his head gesture, Klungsur turned to the Sekarwangi Goddess who was like wanting to kill him. Realizing his behavior was wrong, Klungsur was immediately frightened.
"Sorry Gusti Putri,
Klungsur. Please forgive Gusti Putri", said Klungsur while worshiping Goddess Sekarwangi.
Mmmmmm...
When Sekarwangi was about to answer, Nyi Sekati approached them until Sekarwangi did not speak.
"You're all done eating? Let's just go to the back so as not to disturb the comfort of the customers of other food stalls", invite Nyi Sekati while walking towards the back of the food stall which is his home.
Sekarwangi glanced at Klungsur while saying slowly, "this time the owner of this food stall saved you, but later .....".
The two fingers of Sekarwangi's hand scratched the woman's neck like they were about to cut her. Klungsur immediately shuddered in horror and hurriedly approached Arya Pethak who had walked first following the steps of Nyi Sekati.
Nyi Sekati immediately invited them all to sit in the living room of her residence. They all immediately sat on the wooden chairs surrounding a large table in the middle of the room.
"Sorry before Nyi..
Is there something important that Nyi Sekati asked us all to come here?", asked Arya Pethak immediately.
"Before I wanted to ask you Arya Pethak, where did you get that dragon-head pendant necklace?", asked Nyi Sekati while looking at the handsome face of Arya Pethak as if waiting for every word that will come out of her mouth.
"The adoptive father said that this necklace with a dragon's head was on my neck when I was found.
Why Nyi?", Arya Pethak asked Nyi Sekati.
Mmmmmm...
"Do you have a birthmark on your right groin?", Nyi Sekati again raised a question that intrigued everyone.
"Where does Nyi know my husband's birthmark? Try to explain", Dewi Sekarwangi said Nyi Sekati's words immediately.
"Not wrong anymore. Not wrong anymore..
Oh Jagat Dewa Batara,
You you are Raden Panji Dandungwacana, son of Panji Kertapati my master huhuhuhuhuhuu", crying haru mixed happily heard from Nyi Sekati's mouth.
HAAAHHH??!!!!
Surprised everyone heard Nyi Sekati's words. The story of the disappearance of Padas Lintang Padas led by Panji Kertapati overnight became a hereditary story that everyone had heard from their parents.
"Wait for Nyi, just calm down..
You said what was my name?", asked Arya Pethak quickly.
"Raden Panji Dandungwacana, son of Panji Kertapati and Dewi Sekar Lembayung", repeated Nyi Sekati as she smiled.
"Where does Nini know all that? As I remember Gusti Patih Pranaraja only mentioned my father's name was Panji Kertapati. Who was this Nyi really?", millions of questions flashed across Arya Pethak's head.
"My name is Sekati, the servant of Gusti Sekar Lembayung and Raden Panji Kertapati, the grandson of the last king of the Kingdom of Daha Prabu Dandang Gendis or also known as Kertajaya.
During the Padas Lintang massacre, when your father fought against Kumaradeva and Crow Cemani, I took your 7-month-old run. Your mother Dewi Sekar Lembayung was killed by Crow Cemani while your father was killed by Kumaradewa.
I hid you among the bodies of the children of Padepokan Padas Lintang students, unlucky that I was caught and dragged by Cemani Crow men who wanted to rape me. I was dragged into the bush to satisfy his depraved lust. When Crow Cemani's men were about to rape me, I pulled the machete and stabbed the man in the stomach. I was powerless and then fainted. When I woke up, I came back to where I hid you but you were gone.
For months I searched for you around Mondoluku but you disappeared into the earth. I feel so guilty for Gusti Panji Kertapati and Dewi Sekar Lembayung who have entrusted you to me.
I finally decided to move because I was desperate with my search that was in vain.
For twenty-three years, I've been plagued with guilt for not finding you. Today I feel really relieved. I will atone for my sins against Dewi Sekar Lembayung and Raden Panji Kertapati by serving you, Raden Panji Dandungwacana" said Nyi Sekati closing the story of Arya Pethak's past.
The handsome face of Arya Pethak seemed to sigh heavily. His feelings are now mixed into one.
"Nyi Sekati does not need to do it. I believe all this is the fabric of destiny that I must live.
I've thanked Nyi enough about your story and who's responsible for the deaths of my parents.
Let me avenge their deaths in the future" Arya Pethak said with a faint smile.
That afternoon Nyi Sekati answered all Arya Pethak questions about both her parents and her two brothers who were killed on the night of the massacre.
Actually that afternoon Arya Pethak intended to continue her journey to the Land of Wengker but Nyi Sekati begged Arya Pethak to allow goods a day to carry out her duties as a servant of Panji Kertapati.
Unbearable with the request of Nyi Sekati, Arya Pethak finally decided to postpone his departure to Tanah Wengker the next day after asking for the approval of his three wives.
"So Ndoro Pethak's real name is Panji Dandungwacana huh?
Sounds like the name of a noble. Eh next Ndoro Pethak still use the name Arya Pethak or Panji Dandungwacana?", asked Klungsur immediately.
"Until I can avenge the deaths of both parents and in my brother, I will still use the name Arya Pethak Sur..
But if the killer is gone then I will use the name Panji Dandungwacana", said Arya Pethak with a faint smile. Klungsur manggut-mangut understands.
While Arya Pethak and her followers chatted inside the house of Nyi Sekati, at the food stall Nyi Sekati, that afternoon the arrival of a special guest.
A burly man with a thin mustache and an oblong face and wearing the swamp clothes of a high ranking officer of the Gelang-gelang Regency soldiers entered the food stall with some of his followers.
He is Tumenggung Jaran Guyang, one of the top officers of the famous Bracelet Warrior who likes to play women. That afternoon Jaran Guyang was starving because he had just been assigned by the Regent of Bracelets, Jayakatwang to send goods to the Duchy of Ngrowo.
After preparing the food ordered by Jaran Guyang, Nyi Sekati delivered the food to Jaran Guyang's table.
Anjani entered the stall after being told by her husband to ask for a glass of ginger wedang. Tumenggung Jaran Guyang who was enjoying the food almost choked to see the beauty of Anjani who looks elegant in a dark blue dress.
Jaran Guyang immediately stood up from his seat and walked up to Anjani who was waiting for the ginger wedang made by Nyi Sekati.
"Hi beautiful woman, please,
I've never seen you before? You are not here huh?", asked Jaran Guyang with a wide smile on his lips. Anjani did not ignore Jaran Guyang's words. Getting treated like this, Tumenggung Jaran Guyang was immediately furious.
"Bad!
You were never taught grammar by your parents? Do not dismiss the words of a high-ranking officer of the Bracelet-armor.
Hey Nisanak, don't be so rude ", Jaran Guyang immediately grabbed Anjani's shoulder from behind. However Arya Pethak's wife quickly caught Tumenggung Jaran Guyang's wrist and twisted him.
"Hi what are you doing? Quickly release me Nisanak aaarrrghh was very sick ", Jaran Guyang groaned in pain because Anjani's twisting almost broke his arm.
"I don't want to be rude but you forced me to do it" Anjani said quickly.
"Hey Nisanak, please,
Quickly you release Gusti Tumenggung Jaran Guyang, otherwise the soldier does not continue his talk.
"If it's okay? You guys want to kill me? Just try it if you can", challenge Anjani immediately.
The quarrel between them escalated.
Nyi Sekati immediately ran towards her residence. It just so happened that Arya Pethak was sitting together with Klungsur on the porch. He quickly approached Arya Pethak as he said, saying,
"Raden, sir,
Your wife is fighting in front"