The Musafir
Shelter Center
“The shelter center is located in the north, purposely built close to the port. However, the quarantine is intended more on foreign immigrants, most of whom come by sailing ship.” Chitra Anggini leaned his back on the edge of the pedati. Seriously looking at all activities on the streets of Kotaraja. “With our speed now, it should take quite a long time to get there.”
The mantle clenched his hands. How close he was to Tapa Balian, but it still took a short time to save him.
Chitra Anggini could see Mantingan's anxiety, so he said, “Patience, Mantingan. We have been really close to the goal, so let us not ruin everything just for being impatient.”
The mantel nodded for sure. “Our struggle is just about to begin. It's all not yet okay.”
***
MANTINGAN, Chitra Anggini, and Munding Caraka arrive at the temporary shelter center for the morning outsiders. But before entering it, they had to pay first outside the main gate with dozens of other swords, waiting for the officers to record their history, that's where they would get an identification badge.
They have waited there long enough, making anyone feel bored and tired, and maybe that boredom is what makes Chitra Anggini found to be yawning long several times.
“This will also take a decent amount of time. The lines are never as long as they are now, and the officers seem to be doing their job lazily.” Chitra Anggini said lazily. Just like the officials who recorded the history of newcomers he said were lazing. Support his chin with the back of his hand. “Look at that side of the road. Many liquor stores, for tired idlers waiting in the pedicure. They are delicious, just leave the pedati and buffalo on the slave, then drunk with the comfort women.”
...****************...
[EPISODE UNREVISED]
“The city is very organized and beautiful, but why are there still comfort women selling their bodies?”
CHITRA Anggini exhaled a long breath before saying, “Aware or unconscious, they are also needed here. Kotaraja was huge, filled with moneyed people who were always dissatisfied with their wives. Renting flowers is the best option for those who want to get satisfaction from other women without marrying her. The government did not destroy these comfort women, because it had considered it as one of its own attractions that made foreign immigrants willing to stay longer in the city, but the government still applied the rules for them. The whole rule refers to the Arthasastra that Kautilya wrote in Jambhudvipa.”
The mantle also exhaled a long breath. Feel sorry.
“Usually, I used to be the same as them.”
The mantang nodded his head. But, wait! What did Chitra Anggini say just now? The mantle turned quickly towards him. Eyes widened, looking at the young woman sharply!
Chitra Anggini responded casually. Laughing softly while looking away, not daring to meet directly with Mantingan's eyes. “You must know that I once dabbled in a black world, right? Back then, I really needed money to buy all my necessities as a swordsman. By the time, I had been completely blinded by my already black state, thinking that this self had no skill of any kind that could bring in pieces of money other than by selling the body.” Chitra Anggini shook his head slowly. Now the woman ventured to look at Mantingan. “You're disappointed, huh?”
Silenced perfect coat. It took a while for him to finally understand how all the words of Chitra Anggini were the indisputable truth.
Answering Chitra Anggini's question, Mantingan said gently with a warm smile, “I have absolutely no right to be disappointed. And even if entitled to it, I still will not be disappointed.”
“But why?” chitra Anggini asked in disbelief.
“Because now, you've changed. That's it.” The mantel widens his smile. “Don't everyone always have time to turn into whatever he wants?”
From his face, it appears that Chitra Anggini was touched by Mantingan's words. The witty woman put her lips together, as if all the Manten's words were nothing but a meaningless glob, still clearly visible that her eyes had become wet.
“That's bullshit. Men always say sweet words even if it is not the reality, just to melt the heart of the woman of his worship. You have nothing to do with most men!”
Hearing that, Mantingan could only shake his head with a bitter smile imprinted on his lips. Facing a woman really makes it go awry.
“But thank you, Mantingan, it was you who pulled me out of the black world that I really did not realize was very misleading.” Chitra Anggini smiled sincerely. “You still remember that incident, don't you?”
“Ah, the incident. I didn't do anything.”
In response to that, Mantingan could only smile.
***
Kotaraja shelter CENTER is very very magnificent and luxurious. The white cobbled streets stretch from east to west and from north to south, forming a sort of grid between the holding dormitories.
As soon as Mantingan and Chitra Anggini entered after completing the recording of their personal history, they had to part with Mundingan. The rules are very clear, any kind of animal is prohibited from entering the shelter.
However, the government has provided stables and care for the animals of foreign migrants who are undergoing quarantine. Officers at the shelter gate had said that Mundingan would be taken care of by experts, so Mantingan did not have to worry.
Now the two entered a dormitory building and showed a sheet of throwback to the officers who were there. A sheet of throwers contains information about the room they will live in. The officers nodded their heads and let them in.
The rooms that Mantingan and Chitra Anggini will be staying in for the next three days are located on the top floor, which in other words is the third floor.
With its size, it has a bathroom and a library. It's really incredible. Equipped with dim glowing torches, some alive and some dead. There are paintings and other wall hangings. And a window facing exactly north, sat in a blue sea that had no end.
From this room, they could see the activities in the harbor, and it was a pretty interesting sight for Mantingan. Doesn't this feel like being in the Night Bunian Inn when he was still with the North River Angel?
“This room is amazing,” Mantingan said while looking at the surroundings. “Bathroom in it, it is already very extraordinary, and coupled with the library, then it is even more extraordinary. The Koying government really knows how to pamper foreign visitors.”
Chitra Anggini smiled in return. His eyes could not escape reading the scroll in his hand. Those ejection sheets contain the rules of this temporary shelter.
“We will get three meals per day, but the food is not too delicious, only three potatoes. If we want vegetables and other side dishes, then we have to buy them with our own money.”
The mantle nodded its head. That's not a big deal.
Chitra Anggini read back the contents of the scroll. “Here it is stated that we can shorten the quarantine time by paying five hundred gold pieces for one person, so it will only be quarantined for one day only.”
“Duhai, what kind of rule is that?” The mantle shook slowly while smiling incantly. “But that means, we can get out faster from this place by paying more money.”
“I really don't recommend you do that, Mantingan. From the beginning, we have looked like a small trader who is obviously impossible to spend 500 gold pieces just to shorten the quarantine time. Do not think that the government of Kotaraja does not have a spy network to be aware of suspicious people.”
“So you think?”
“We stay here. Run quarantine for three full days.”
“But what if we both arrive late to save Tapa Balian?”
Really, that's what Mantingan was worried about. He could not dispute the bad thoughts concerning the current state of Tapa Balian. It could be too late to save the old man who has been so meritorious in his life!
“Do not rush. At least we misstep, then the death of Tapa Balian will come faster.”
“You don't just talk!” The mantle snapped loudly. But Chitra Anggini was unmoved in his place, staring boldly at Mantingan.
“You will realize how true my words are, Mantingan. Calm yourself and let your head stay cool.”
