The Musafir
Morning in Kotaraja
“I promise I will not break all your rules again, Mantingan, will never ...”
MANTINGAN exhales slowly. “And by the time you break it, then is that how you will promise again?”
“If I break it, then I will go ... go all the way, until no longer you will be able to see my face that has become so despicable.” From the sound of her voice, the woman meant it. Without using the ability to read signs though, Mantingan can feel his sincerity.
“I have your word, Chitra. Now you sleep.”
“But, the night is still early ...”
The mantel stopped scratching the lontar. Looking towards Chitra Anggini. Throwing a very sharp look. A cold sigh blew from his nose. Didn't she just promise not to break her rules? However, Mantingan is still trying to be patient.
“Be aware that you have been drunk all day long, Chitra.”
“I'm not drunk all day, Mantingan.” Chitra Anggini. “How can I find you all day drunk? Know also that almost all the large and luxurious inns in the city had been visited only to ask if they had seen a long-robed man wearing a wide caping and shining a pair of long swords, what is nothing else and nothing is not yourself? I can't believe you chose Barisan Malam Inn, which if it weren't for Munding's demands I would never have visited."
Mantingan then replied half growling, “If you don't like it, then you can get out of this room.”
Chitra Anggini. Again he realized how he had come with a guilty feeling to apologize to Mantingan. But after the apology was received, he seemed to want to destroy it immediately!
So without saying another word, Chitra Anggini immediately flashed onto the bed. Lay the body on the left side of the bed, so that the right side can be slept by Mantingan. But apparently, the young man was reluctant to fall asleep tonight.
***
The streets that morning were crowded by traffic. Full of people, both those who trade by the roadside and those who carry the burden of trading towards the port. It was vibrant with the sounds of street chanters ringing the pantuns, the verses, and the singing. And this time Chitra Anggini didn't lie about children who were adept at playing magic; they really did exist!
“Come, butterfly shape!” shouted a little girl who was so excited to see the boys play magic."
“According to your request. Look at this!”
One of the boys took a step forward. His hand shrewdly played the scribe on the ejection sheet. Even to show his ability, the boy closed his eyes and his hands seemed to have his own eyes so that he could continue to move without looking wrong in the slightest.
An instant later, from the ejection sheet darted a few rows of green luminous characters. Continues to fly upwards, forming a series of butterflies. It circled around the girl for a moment, making her clap in excitement. The butterfly continued to fly for some time, before it finally disappeared into the air.
But the show is not finished. Other children do not want to miss showing their abilities. Trying to impress the girl with the magic that can be said is indeed very stunning.
Meanwhile, the merchants on the outskirts of the road were no less impressive than the boys of the magic player. The way they offer their merchandise has never been seen in any city other than Koying Kotaraja.
“Eat this loaf of bread, and I guarantee you will be full until noon. If you are still hungry, then come back later. You won't find me here.”
“Hah? Why won't I find you here? How do you compensate if I still stay hungry after eating a loaf of bread you sell?”
“I don't sell during the day, because my delicious bread is sure to run out before the sun rises to the top of the buildings. If you do not believe, then prove it yourself!”
“There's just a way you trade. I saw that no one had stopped by here to taste your bread.”
“This is my first day, how can people know about the delicacy of my homemade bread?”
“Heh, earlier you said that your merchandise always runs out before the sun rises to exceed the height of the buildings.”
“Indeed true, but it was later on. Did I ever say that the incident took place in the past?”
The merchant smiled widely. The mantan who saw him from a distance smiled widely, knowing that the strategy of the new trader was about to begin.
“Law will make this store crowded later, so my bread will always be sold out before the sun rises to exceed the high buildings.”
“Daku?”
“Creally so? You're not talking, are you?”
“Of course I don't talk.” The merchant nodded before breathing a warm loaf of bread from inside his pancake. “Well, I will give you this bread for free to prove my sincerity. Tweet it!”
The prospective buyer, who was a young man, received the bread without hesitation. Immediately tear off some and then put it in the mouth. Chewed slowly, his eyes widened slightly. At that moment his face became radiant.
“It's a nice bun, according to your words! I bought twenty pieces, all to give to my friends at the meeting."
“Prepared soon!”
The mantang shook his head slowly. The merchant was meticulous with making his customers feel needed. More so by giving away his trades for free. Although it turned out that his bread was not delicious, the young man who looked learned would still spread the word that the bread he ate was delicious.
Meanwhile, there are also street singers who peddle pantuns, verses, and songs. After Mantingan listened to them more intently, his smile turned bitter.
O, Hero Man
The one defending Yawabhumi
Of the dirty hands of the rebels
Where are you
When Taruma was about to reply
All the goodness in you
O, Hero Man
Your name is so big
So fragrant
But you'd rather be a commoner
Mix with public life
Like a nobody
O, Hero Man
Do you have you beside me?
Do you hear me chanting?
Are you happy or angry?
I know, I know, I know.
___
note:
Sorry for not updating for the last few days. I'm preparing other manuscripts. The Lakon Shop will be the arrival of a new novel, as True Martial Arts was forced to move me here for some very unwearing reason. As much as possible, I will send you news updates on social media. Thank ye.
P.S: For the previous three episodes of the same title, it was completely unintentional.
