The Musafir

Do You Have A Couple?

“As for humans, if you feel threatened, of course you will try to defend yourself.”

“If he is similar to humans, even his attitude is similar, then what purpose did he create on this earth, Father? Is not man created He also has a purpose.”

Birawa smiled, this is the question he had been waiting for from Mantingan. “To bear fruit, Son. Just like the flowers on mango trees or other fruiting trees, Kembangmas also produce fruit after going through the pollination stage.”

Mantingan asked again more curious, “What does the fruit look like?”

Birawa shook her head slowly. “No one saw the fruit, no one wants to guess what kind of fruit that will produce kembangmas. Plus, no one knows whether Kembangmas is already fruitful or not.”

Mantingan let out a long sigh and nodded as well.

“You guys are talking things we don't understand.” Arkawidya protested at Birawa, making her grandfather laugh out loud.

Birawa began to explain at length about Kembangmas to Arkawidya and Rara. What Birawa explained was a summary, but the explanation took a long time until the two women understood. How not? The length of the story of Kembangmas if described in full, then the summary alone takes a lot of time.

The two women then looked at Mantingan.

“I didn't expect you to find Kembangmas, Mantingan.” Arkawidya looked at Mantingan a little worried. “Don't you know that it's very dangerous?”

The mantle shook and smiled faintly. The decision is round. Arkawidya exhaled slowly and shook his head slowly, assuming the Death-seeking Manten alone, this was a very unfortunate thing for him.

But Arkawidya's worry is nothing compared to Rara's anxiety. Her pretty face was sweating coldly. Actually, he still difficult to believe that Kembangmas which is just a fairy tale was actually there.

“Mantingan, can you just cancel your crazy search?”

Back The mantel shook. “Can't, Rara, I've come this far.”

“That's crazy and stupid, Mantingan!”

Arkawidya was about to leave, but Birawa signaled Arkawidya to remain seated. Birawa thought it was true that Mantingan needed to rethink his decision.

While Mantingan was still surprised at Rara who said rudely to him, how could he believe that those words came out of Rara's mouth and were clearly shown to her?

“You can die, Mantingan! Do you not love your life? Forget about Kenanga, she just tricked you. It is possible that Kenanga is a warrior who pretends to have no power, then for no apparent reason harms ordinary humans like yourself!”

“I see no signs of lies from Kenanga, Rara ...”

“Then did you see any signs of lies from me?!”

Mantingan glanced at Rara's eyes. There were indeed no lies from his eyes, there was only anxiety and a great sense of worry from his eyes. It was more than fear and worry. There was something else in Rara's eyes, and Mantingan was unwilling to admit what he had seen.

“I beg, Mantingan, I beg!” Rara began to shed tears, she lowered her head. “Don't go, stay here, accompany me for good.”

Finally Mantingan admits this: there is a sense of love in Rara's eyes that is deliberately shown. But it is impossible for Mantingan to stop here, has he not promised Kenanga?

“Alright, Mantingan! If you do not want to cancel that crazy plan, then I will follow you anywhere, forever ...”.

“No, Rara.” The mantang finally opened his mouth, he went awry. “This trip is very dangerous. I don't want you to die with me if I die on the way.”

Mantang rubbed his face. “Can't, Rara. Maybe you can come with me for some time and while in a safe area only, but can't stay with me when I get into dangerous territory.”

“I'll stay!”

“No, Rara.”

“I told you I wouldn't take you for granted!”

“Rara, you are under no obligation to find Kembangmas.”

“Now I am obligated, because this concerns you.”

Mantingan was silent for a moment, composing the words inside his head. “I need to tell you, Rara. If you insist on staying with me, we will trouble each other. I'm troubling you, and you're troubling me. There is no profit that we will get, Rara, even the loss that we get.”

Rara opened her mouth to say something, but did not go to say it. Because actually, what Mantingan said was true. Rara will trouble Mantingan with its existence that inhibits travel and spending supplies, while Mantingan will trouble him with a long journey that is very tiring and life unlike the people of the city.

Of course Rara is not used to living in the forest, without a house to take shelter or rest. He was not used to sleeping in a tight tent. He is not accustomed to the threat of wild animals and robbers who can come at any time. It was all willing he lived, but he thought again if it turned out that he was troublesome Mantingan.

“I will definitely come back to visit you, Rara. After Kembangmas I found” Mantingan showed a warm smile.

Rara's eyes were still glistening, she sobbed slowly. “Do you promise?”

The mantel nodded for sure. “I promise.”

***

Now Mantingan and others are eating grilled fish while looking at the vast blue sea. Several white birds flew over them, emitting a distinctive sound and matching the pounding of the waves.

Birawa designed this beachside lunch. He looked for a shady place and held a bamboo mat there. Then with his speed exceeding the sound of thunder, Birawa hunted fish in the sea. Birawa certainly came home quickly by bringing a lot of fish to burn Arkawidya.

Mantingan enjoyed the Arkawidya-made grilled fish, but did not seem to be with Rara who was not eager to eat.

Rara still can't give up her mantle. Indeed, in the end he let the Mantan go, and himself will remain here with Arkawidya, but now somehow his heart returned not to let the Mantan go.

The mantan is getting wrong.

Moreover Rara continued to behave like that for two days. And tomorrow is the day of Mantingan's departure.

That night. In his room, Mantingan packed his things that were originally scattered to various parts of the room. He also washed his clothes clean until they looked new again. Mantingan was given some of Birawa's swordsmen's clothes which were all good material.

That's when Rara came to her room, it just so happened that the door was not closed. Terata Rara called the name Mantingan.

“Mantingan ...”

The mantle turned towards him and smiled. “Is there anything you need, Rara?”

“Do you have a partner?”