The Musafir

Meet Dara at the Shelter Center

“You were waiting for me, Mantingan?”

WITH a warm smile of welcome, Mantingan shook his head. “Not so long, but I'm waiting for you.”

“I'm sorry, this morning one of my subordinates fell ill. It must be treated and quarantined for much longer; no one has yet determined when. I had to fill out a few lists before I could finally get out.” Dara walked closer and closer to Mantingan with a face full of regret. “Your business must have been a lot, but I made you have to waste time in this place.”

Again the Mantingan shook with without fading a smile. “Tiis why. It is quite crowded here with foreign scenery, so I can learn a few things while waiting.”

Near the doors of the center of the shelter is always crowded by the traffic of foreigners, both who want to go out and who want to enter. From them, Mantingan can add insight. Clothes, culture, manner of speech, even the weapons they carry make Mantingan eyes a little open to the existence of civilization outside Dwipantara.

Realize that people really say. The earth is vast, there is always a place to explore. And how in every place, there are always stories, which are very dear if not heard.

Could that be the reason Rashid wandered all the way as a storyteller collecting stories?

“I'll just tell you how many things, Dara. But also forgive me, because it seems today can not accompany you to walk in the city.”

“What is the meaning of your apology if you do not do wrong, Mantingan?” Dara looked at him meaningfully. “I can understand that you are not traveling in Kotaraja. You bring interests that should take precedence no matter how they are. So say some things you want to tell me that, then just leave me without the need to feel wrong.”

Back The mantingan felt warm inside his chest. Dara's words really touched her feelings. It's like having friends, who, however they may be, will always help. The martial world is full of solitude and solitude, without friends, friends, or family.

“If you don't mind, come to Barisan Bintang Lodging. It was there that Chitra and I booked a room. The inn was very quiet, even too quiet.”

“I understand.” Dara nodded her head slowly. “Just after this, daku and his entourage will go and book a room there.”

“It would not be good if you at the same time book a room at the inn, Dara.”

Before continuing his words, first Mantingan spread his gaze around. Just in case someone is watching her.

In the midst of this kind of traffic, could it be expected that one of the laymen was a government envoy spy?

“The inn was very quiet, too quiet even— as I said earlier. Very good if the inn is left as quiet as it should be. Your presence there, I'm afraid will cause the inn to be crowded.”

“Ai, how stupid I am.” Dara laughed softly, like laughing at herself. “Alright, I will visit there as often as I can, and I will not do it openly either. Later I will tell you which accommodation I choose.”

The mantan nodded, before his hand pulled a piece of throwback from his waist storage box. He gave the lontar to Dara.

“This ...” Dara muttered softly as she looked at the palm carefully.

“If there is any danger, break the ejection, then I will come as soon as possible to where you are. Take good care, the throw can be valuable life.”

Hearing the words how touching it was, Dara's face became red. Shaking his hand as he put the thrower in his pocket. Embarrassed to take a look from Mantingan's face.

“Nothing, Chitra Anggini also I give a throw like that.”

Dara stuck in her place. All his face is getting red, certainly not flabbergasted anymore shame. A bitter smile, as bitter as a smile, was imprinted on the lips.

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” Dara's voice turned cold. In just a moment!

“Typain. You can go now,” replied Mantingan soon.

Just like Dara stepped away. No words come out of his mouth. Just go with the public crowd. Some of his guards walked quickly, trying to keep up with the girl's hasty pace.

In his mind, Mantingan smiled bitterly. Really, it's not that he doesn't understand the girl's heart. Not himself did not understand the pseudo-red meaning on the girl's face. Nor did he not understand why the girl looked away.

But duhai, Mantingan did not want to give the slightest hope to Dara. His experience of love can be said to have matured. Mantingan realized that his footsteps would never stop, even if later Kembangmas had been found. There is no place that deserves to be called home for him. I don't know when he'll stop wandering, but definitely not anytime soon.

Mantingan just did not want to disappoint Dara, as he had disappointed Rara and Bidadari Sungai Utara. Do not repeat.

His daydream was interrupted when a call came calling his name.

“Manting!”

When he turned to the side, he saw Chitra Anggini was walking quickly towards him with a beaming face. It seemed that the young woman was very happy, but really Mantingan did not have time to think about what had made her so happy.

“Chitra, why are you here?” Mantingan raised his wooden arm, asking Chitra Anggini to slow down and keep his attitude to stay calm. “Come back to the inn, Dara will come there.”

“Let him wait. I don't care.” Chitra Anggini moved his head strongly. “And look how Dara lost face in front of you earlier. She thought you were paying enough attention to her, but you paid a lot more attention to me. How satisfied are I!”

“Chitra, back to lodging now.” Mantingan put emphasis on his words. “I will feel very bad if make him wait too long.”

“I will come with you, that is the duty that Chairman Rama has given me. No matter what you say, you must also obey his orders. Didn't you?”

A grim-faced coat. “Do not waste more time. Immediately put on your caping and stay behind me.”

Chitra Anggini nodded his head. Installing a caping that was originally hanging on the neck of the fence. With a caping that was wide enough to block the sunlight, his jelly face was a little more disguised.

They began to move out of the central gate of the Kotaraja shelter. Blending with other city residents who are not a little wearing caping and shining swords as well.

Mantingan is deliberately presented as a penoren sword. Letting people think of him as a swordsman or just an ordinary swordsman. Care what? After all, no one will ask him blatantly; and even if there is, Mantingan always has the right not to answer.

As a swordsman who did not want to take too much attention, Mantingan only carried a sword, which was none other than the Savrinadeya Sword. That was the sword he could rely on the most at the moment. The ability and prowess of the sword had even far surpassed the Kiai Kedai Sword when it had not been broken in two.