The Musafir

Leaving Cikahuripan

Mantingan and Rara returned to the inn. On the way home, Mantingan deliberately did not pass through the market to avoid the crowd of people who might have been one of them targeting him.

Although Mantingan knew, he was too wary. But he thought again. What profit can he get if he passes through the night market? Even according to his calculations, the distance to the inn would be shorter if it did not pass through the night market.

The real mantang had to do that. As he looks at Rara's face, he learns how the girl actually still wants to see the crowd in the night market. Of course Rara is different from Mantingan, Rara is not used to going too far from the crowd.

Arriving at the inn, Rara faced Mantingan and said softly, "Thank you for everything, Mantingan. If your intention is to expel my grief, then you succeed. I'm happy."

Never before has the Mantingan gotten anything so far from a woman. All this time, he only got ridicule and insults from women. Other than her mother and neighbors in the village, she never got compliments from other women. The mantan could only smile awkwardly and nod.

Rara then walked into her rented house. Mantingan also entered his rented house shortly after. It was late at night, he had to rest immediately.

***

When the day is still not light ground, Mantingan already packed. He wanted to leave immediately for Kanoman, as if he did not want the sun to defeat his departure.

Finished packing and making sure that nothing was left behind, Mantingan exited his rental building and walked towards Rara's rented place.

When he arrived, he knocked on the door several times.

Long time no reply, Mantingan finally tried to open the door himself. Most likely, Rara was still asleep. Although he refused to disturb Rara's sleep, but he also did not want to lose the opportunity to leave early.

Mantingan hoped that by walking in the morning blind like this, the level of security on the trip would be much higher. The streets were more crowded in the morning by the traffic of intercity merchants who usually brought mercenaries, not many stupid thieves who would attack them. The mantle could take shelter behind it.

The door was locked. Mantingan should have guessed this from the beginning. So how did Rara wake up this morning?

Want Mantingan call Rara's name out loud, but obviously it will annoy other residents who are most likely still reverberating blanket.

In the end Mantingan decided to return to his rented room without bringing any results.

It's strange to think Rara woke up in the morning blind like this. Even at this time, it is difficult to determine whether it is midnight or it is morning blind.

The mantan thought himself too excited and scared. He also thought that it was not manly nature. Therefore, while shaking slowly he returned to remove all the weight on his body and lay down on his bedroom bed. Wait until the morning or at least light ground.

***

Mantingan woke up when feeling the typical warmth of the sun that felt his face. He left the window open so fresh air could enter, so the sunlight could come in and wake him up now.

But just to the east of the Mantingan rental building, there are other buildings that will certainly block the direct rays of the morning sun to enter through the window of his room. Unless the sun has risen to the middle.

Doesn't that mean he's having a bad time?

So clearly Mantingan surprised and immediately rose from his bed. Without lingering any longer, his entire luggage was already attached to his back and waist.

Not to forget he also tied the red headband, then took the wand in the corner of the room.

He came out of his rented house and it was true that the sun had risen to the central horizon. The heat starts to sting. It is true if it is said that he woke up bad luck.

Mantingan ran small towards Rara's rented house and without hesitation he knocked on the door.

Unlike this blind morning, this time the door opened shortly after the first knock.

Rara's face was seen peering inside to confirm who had just knocked on her door. Upon seeing the figure of Mantingan, Rara opened the door wide with her bright eyes that looked sparkling.

Rara's forehead frowned. "What's up, Mantingan? Why do you look rushed? Is there something sudden that just happened?"

"Actually there is no. But walking in the morning is much safer than walking during the day, right?"

"Isn't it day?"

The mantel smiled awkwardly. "I woke up too late."

"It's not a problem, Mantingan. The safety of walking in the morning is actually the same as walking during the day. As long as it doesn't walk at night or early in the morning before the light of the ground, it's very dangerous for pedestrians without weapons like ours." Rara smiled warmly. "I know what's going on right now, Mantingan. It is not very safe, but in the bright daylight it will be clear who is secretly following us with the intention of doing evil."

Mantingan sighed. Again the fear is too much. Even very overrated. Would just one bad event at that time be able to abort his plans for the coming day? Shouldn't he not be afraid to die and be a brave hero to Kenanga?

Then the Mantingan at that time also nodded steadily. "Rara, please prepare yourself while I'm going to the market to buy a tent."

"That's what I'm gonna finish." Rara smiled before closing the door again.

Then that's when Mantingan parted ways with Rara to go to the market. He finds an additional tent for Rara to camp if needed later, but he will still try to get Rara comfortable lodging. So, the tent is just for anticipation.

Mantingan also bought two pieces of caping woven pandan leaves wide to dispel sunlight. For a long time he had wanted to buy the thing, but if the money for food was not there, how could he buy such a caping?

After Mantingan returned to the inn complex, Rara had been sitting on a cot with a bundle wrapped around her back. The girl had been waiting there long enough.

"Let's go!" the mantant said without stopping his steps.

Of course they could not leave the inn, Mantingan went to the reception room and told them they were going. After handing over the keys to the originally rented building, Mantingan and Rara move away from the Cikahuripan Village which is however small but still beautiful it is.

Rara looks heavy stepping when she comes out of the Cikahuripan Village area. But he looked at the face of Mantingan who was so steady and brave, then it was contracted on Rara who felt a roar of spirit in her chest. His steps were again certain, and from now on he considered the whole earth to be his home.

***

After passing through the expanse of rice fields where the farmers were still busy working, Mantingan and Rara re-entered the forestry.

Shady trees grow on two sides of the road, with birds chirping, and wildflowers underneath. Although the heat today is very stinging, but with all the scenery that exists as if it has scattered the hot sun.

Both Mantingan and Rara enjoy the journey in their own ways, so that between the two no one wants to open their mouths to talk to each other.

Mantingan enjoy the journey by living the dirt road that he pijak and also breathe as much fresh air as possible, while Rara enjoys the trip by looking at the entire beauty of forest animals to detail.

The streets are also empty. As long as they walked from noon to dusk, there was only one horse-drawn carriage and one buffalo-cart passing by, which offered absolutely no ride to Mantingan and Rara, but it was good that way.

Until the day was nearing night and there was no sign of the village any closer, Mantingan decided to camp some distance away from the road.

___

Note:

Hello, sorry for not updating. As I reported earlier that I was testing and focused on studying, but the desire to write was undeniable and bearable until I decided to write this one episode.

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