The Musafir

Love Does Not Belong to the Traveler

OM. For Hindus and Buddhists, it is a sacred word. Sacred is not in the sense that it is forbidden to wear, but has become so important and valuable.

The word “om” is commonly used in religious ceremonies, but not infrequently also used by people who are civilized. It is a pranava, a sound that is able to regulate the flow of prana in the body.

Om is the highest symbol of the soul's consciousness of space and time, perfection, and will.

In religious ceremonies, nothing will be perfect without the word om.

While in the martial world, not many use the word om because they do not believe, but for the swordsman who mastered the control of pranic energy certainly knows how important a word is.

While teaching Mantingan about how to control prana energy, the North River Angel often mutters the word om, because how it has been known that om belongs to pranava.

However, what would the word om say in the dance they will play? Does the dance have to use pranic energy? Or is the dance itself one of the sacred dances that however never would be perfect without including om?

The dance begins right after the horn is played. The dancers walk around the field. The bracelets on their feet rattled, accompanying the sound of a hornet.

The vortex of leaves that originally floated five fathoms from the surface of the ground began to spread to all directions. Fly dodged. Some are heading to the dance ring. Some of them towards the audience.

Although it seemed to be in a row with no order at all, but not a single leaf hit the body of the audience. Some people try to catch the surrounding leaves by flicking their arms as quickly as possible, but not even a leaf can be obtained.

Justjust wonderful. The look on the face of the thousand warriors from Koying showed incomparable admiration. This kind of scenery was certainly a high level of entertainment for them.

But for the Mantang who almost never saw magic like this, the Fallen Leaf Dance was more than just entertainment. Very far away. His admiration had reached an unspeakable level.

The Falling Leaf Dance continued, with millions of green foliage accompanying each movement in the dance. Everything washed.

Now Mantingan understood why the fifty dancers muttered the word om before starting to play the Fallen Leaf Dance. The dance was perfect.

***

“That was so awesome!”

MANTINGAN exclaimed frenziedly in front of Chitra Anggini. Rarely did he become that kind of person.

“We have played it often.” Chitra Anggini smiled a thin smile. “Kakak Kartika has fought hard teaching us to play that dance.”

“Too much I don't know about your dance.” Mantingan looked around, currently he and Chitra Anggini were in the crowd. Many soldiers passed by nearby.

They all did not go back to the camp even though the dance was over. There is still a dinner event along with burning all the game animals. At midnight, there will be an empty-handed match that the prize is not played; immediately made the head of the army who oversees a hundred soldiers.

So, tonight will be long for them.

“I'll explain a lot to you later.” Chitra Anggini smiled meaningfully. “On travel.”

Just one day Mantingan remembered the trip. He patted his forehead. “Better if we prepare tonight anyway.”

“I'm all ready,” said Chitra Anggini steady. “But I doubt your readiness, Mantingan. Are you ready to leave your armour?”

Hearing those words, Mantingan choked back.

The mantle remained silent. Thinking sharply. Consider many things. But it was obviously too much for him to leave Munding.

Chitra Anggini patted Mantingan's shoulder without hesitation, then said, “Leave him, for your good.”

“I'll find a way.” Mantingan promised, he would look for any means that could allow him to keep carrying Munding Caraka without ruining the rescue plan of Tapa Balian and the Pair of the Moon Sword.

Chitra Anggini just shook his head. Go pass. Manten exhaled a long breath while rubbing his face.

***

KARTIKA took a long breath. Squeeze the shoulders of the Mantingan standing beside him. Looking to the east, the sun began to rise, spreading its tinge.

Entering the light of the land, Mantingan and Kartika should have already set off towards Koying. The journey will take a very long time. Maybe a month or two if it flashes. Five-six months if walking at the speed of a layman.

However, the journey must be restrained. When Chitra Anggini was really ready to go, Mantingan just the opposite. He refused to leave.

“I will keep your Munding, until you return, Mantingan.” Kartika opens her voice.

Manten shook his head. His wooden hand continued to rub Munding's head which could not calm down after learning that Mantingan was leaving.

Earlier, the buffalo roared loudly in its stealth form as Mantingan and Chitra Anggini flashed away. It can only stop when the Mantle flashes back. But until now, the buffalo is still far from calm.

“Perhaps we will never see each other again, Kartika.” The mantel answered slowly.

Kartika took a long breath again. Massaging his head that began to feel dizzy. This business is not easy. The task of saving Tapa Balian is not without a big life gamble. However, Mantingan and Chitra Anggini will infiltrate the largest royal palace in Suvarnabhumi, with all the expert warriors and curse spells in it. Really, it's not an easy affair.

“You should understand the nature of the travelers, Mantingan.”

Chitra Anggini who had just been silent, tetiba opened his voice. In order to hear his words, Mantingan turned his head.

“Travelers always leave the old, welcome the new. I met a tree and left it. I met a stone and left it. Once built a tent on the river bank, but in the end the river was abandoned. Their feet continued to step, leaving a trail, but not once did the traveler carry his own trail. On the way, there is always something left.

“That's how it is with the North River Angel, isn't it? You always have the option to sail to Champa with him. You are sure to secure her life, for she is the king's daughter. You'll get high office, hundreds of houses, territory to lead. And maybe, you can get it; you have the chance to get the North River Angel. You can start a rebellion, depose the king, and then marry the Angel of the North River. With the ability you have, Funan will stop attacking your kingdom. You can create a story like never before. In the name of love.

“But you rejected all that, because you are a traveler. You will keep walking, walking, and walking. Choosing to rely on uncertainty. Leaving behind what lies behind; welcoming what lies ahead.

“Love does not belong to the traveler, Mantingan. Including your love for your car. Including your love for North River Angel.”

___

special note:

Have you read this story I have written, O my heart?