The Musafir

I'm sorry ....

In front of them was a small town. A little smaller still, then in front of it can be called as a big village. Mantingan and Dara entered the city after showing identification cards to the officers guarding the city gates.

The city looks very busy. Many people pass by with their own interests. Some construction workers were seen carrying their hardware, traders on buffalo-drawn carts, along with some bodyguards next to them. Snack sellers were seen lined up on the side of the road, surrounded by many buyers.

If viewed from all the activities that take place today, then this small city is trying to climb up into a medium-sized city or even a large city. They look self-constructed. Both in terms of community, and development.

Suddenly Dara pulled up the mantel and pointed at the snack merchants. “You should try it one!”

“Away, we must arrive at your city before the day becomes night.” Mantian.

“Eating snacks will not take much time.” Dara did not wait for Mantingan to answer, directly pulling him towards where the merchants were.

The two sneaked among the crowd of shoppers to see what kind of food was being sold.

“Wah, see there are many sweet foods here!” Dara cheered happily. “I'll buy you this sweet wajik.”

Dara bought a lot of wajik with his money, not enough one. Do not stop there, other snacks around him were also encouraged by him. Mantingan repeatedly reminded Dara, but the girl was unwilling to stop before buying everything. Until Dara's luggage became a lot by snacks from traders on the roadside. He bought them all, with no one to miss. The variety he bought, from sweet to bitter though.

Dara smiled awkwardly. “Mantingan, why don't you remind me?”

Want Mantingan nailed Dara's forehead. Many times he had already reminded the girl, but none of the Mantingan words were heard by him. It made Mantingan unable to answer or speak anymore. And Dara who realized that, could only laugh at her own stupidity.

The girl said slowly, “Mantingan, this is how I behave when shopping. Everything I bought, as long as it was in my sight. Indeed, this habit is not good, but I see this is quite profitable for those traders.”

The mantel looks around. It is true that Dara's wasteful deeds benefit traders here equally. What Dara buys is not the cheapest food. Almost all the food he bought was the most expensive. Seeing that, Mantingan could only exhale slowly and nod.

“We must immediately find the seller or tenant of the horse here,” Mantingan said later.

Dara remembered, then showed all her groceries to Mantingan. “You certainly wouldn't let a weak woman like me carry all this, would you?”

The mantel smiled wryly. There was no choice but to help Dara. Maybe he could bring some of his groceries. But not so, Dara did not want Mantingan to do that. Dara doesn't want Mantingan to bring half her groceries. He wants everything carried by Mantingan. Again, Mantingan did not have much choice when he saw Dara's face ready to sulk.

“People like you don't even need to expend energy in order to bring this all.” Dara grumbled and walked. “Come, don't be slow!”

“Everything I paid in the beginning. I've cooked you a nice dinner. The seasoning and the way that I use is equivalent to that used in expensive stores. I paid him more than enough.” Dara said lightly as she continued walking.

Mantingan held his breath, before exhaling it. There was no point in arguing with Dara. He will always find a way to win the debate. Of course, the method used will not be unexpected. And if that fails, Dara will sulk as it happens. Mantingan began to see Dara's original attitude which seemed rarely shown to many people. A wasteful attitude, always wanting to be served, and easy sulking. The mantan does not know whether it is the attitude of a reasonable adult woman or not natural.

Along the way inside the city, Mantingan's eyes kept glaring in the direction around, trying to find horse sellers among the other shop buildings. The city is very busy even when they are in their deepest surroundings though, the shops are always crowded by customers. Most shops in this city are hardware stores, clothing stores, cloth shops, gold shops, or stores that sell goods for worship. Several times they also passed the temple in between shops, which was no less crowded by the presence of people and incense smoke. They also saw inns several times, both small inns and large inns, a sign that the city was accustomed to receiving guests from outside.

The mantan is thinking. What happens here if the situation is not volatile? Crowded or deserted? Do visitors come here because it is the safest city among other trading cities?

Of course if you look at the activities that take place, this city can be called a trading city. The center of buying and selling activities. It is also evident from the number of items that are not widely sold in other cities in general.

However, Mantingan felt the existence of warriors in the vicinity, not usually it happened to trading cities. Which businessman is interested in trading while silat is his life path?

“Hei! It's Nyai Dara!”

The mantan was startled by the voice that called Dara's name. A moment later a horde of working men came quickly towards Dara. Not only them, other people who also heard the screams immediately turned to find Dara's whereabouts.

While Dara who realized himself in a bad situation, quickly turned around and ran to hide behind Mantingan's back. It was a pity that Dara forgot that the bundle on the back of the Mantang contained the Deathly Scent Flower, which though it had been wrapped still had quite a stinging aroma. Dara felt awry, looking at the people who were starting to get close to her.

“Mantingan, Mantingan, help me!” he said with an anxious face.

Mantian nodded. “I know. Don't stay away from me.”

The worried Mantingan is actually not from the crowd of Dara fans who are getting closer, but the existence of warriors who could be a threat to Dara. Mantingan did not know, whether the popularity of Dara to make him admired by warriors or not.

If only a few warriors came and were as crazy as those people, it would be very troublesome for Mantingan, it could harm Dara.

Coat his left hand high, then shout loudly at them, “Don't approach!”

In vain, they paid no heed to the warning. To them, Mantingan was nothing to be able to stop their intentions.

Realizing that, Mantingan let out a long sigh. “Please forgive me ...”