The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 32: Crossing the Obstacles

The rumbling sound of rain that was earthy with lightning that night did not make Cecilion able to dispel the burden of his mind.

The young man with hair as dark as the night sky was sitting quietly on the porch of the house, thinking of his beloved De Haas Rose after a few days they could not meet.

How not? Cecilion and the Mama were forced to leave the governor's official house which they had been in because the household tempest of both parents was getting hot.

"What should I do? Here there are no cars," Cecilion murmured while paying attention to the surrounding conditions.

Although still living in the Batavia area, where Cecilion lives today is located quite far from the city center making it take more time to get to the city center where Mawar lives.

Now Cecilion is in a dilemma, what to do with him going downtown to be able to go to school and meet the Rose.

Now Cecilion and the Mama live in the suburbs of Batavia in a house quite large, the house owned by Mrs Van Der Linen which she bought herself using half of her savings.

The young man's daydream is further away, thinking about how he can go downtown despite not having a car in this house.

"What are you thinking so seriously?" reprimanded Madame Van Der Linen who suddenly stood on the right side of her son's body, observing the child was merely a puppet was daydreaming not even budging after lightning struck fiercely a moment ago.

Cecilion shook his head quickly. "i'm not thinking of anything serious, Mama. I'm just trying to figure out how I can keep coming to school."

Mrs Van Der Linen sighed. "you're right, son, soon you'll graduate so Mama can't move you to a closer school either. forgive Mama who forgot to think about that very important thing."

Cecilion smiled thinly, gently wringing the hand of the mother then gently rubbed the back of the woman's delicate hand.

"I'm fine as long as Mama's okay.there must still be another solution to that problem, Mama. Don't worry too much" said Cecilion understandingly.

Mrs Van Der Linen clearly felt moved, although she did not have enough time to educate Cecilion early on but the young man turned out to be growing very well.

Not only beautiful-looking, Cecilion also has a good and patient nature that was never expected by Mrs Van Der Linen.

"Thank you for being a good son, baby. Mama promised your life here would be much better even without the help of that jerk," said Mrs Van Der Linen as she rubbed her son's dense mane affectionately.

To him, only Cecilion of precious treasures he now possessed and he was willing to do anything as long as Cecilion could live a decent life.

In silence, Mrs Van Der Linen continued to curse her husband so that he could not have children other than her no matter how many lovers he had.

Cecilion's tall body rose from his seat, clutching the body of the woman who had brought him into the world tightly.

"I will do everything to take care of Mama" he said full of seriousness.

...****************...

A pair of legs of Cecilion's level stepped indeterminate direction with a view of all directions, trying to find a solution to the new problems he now faces.

Although his savings amounted to a large amount, Cecilion still can not buy a car because of the many regulations that apply to people who want to have a car that four-wheeled.

Riding a horse-drawn carriage? It was not ergonomic, Cecilion did not like that he could not enjoy his time alone with the Rose so he did not want to use that one option.

Step by step it finally brought Cecilion up to a bicycle shop that made Cecilion smile meaningfully.

Yes, although riding sepada requires a harder struggle when compared to cars and horse carriages but bicycles are the perfect solution for Cecilion today.

"Good morning, sir. Can I help you?" greet the owner of the shop was friendly when he realized the presence of Cecilion is so charming in his shop.

The old man of Chinese descent observed Cecilion with admiration in his heart, never having encountered a human as handsome as Cecilion for decades of his life.

"Please point out your best collection of bikes you can use to piggyback, Sir," said Cecilion, courtesy of the teachings from Kees.

The old man nodded. "let's go in, Sir. I have some models that seem like they would be a perfect fit for you."

Cecilion walked into the store, following the steps of the store owner until he found a variety of sizes and colors of bicycles available in the store.

"Please take a look, sir. These are all the best collections I have," the old man said as he spread his hands toward all of his bike collection that Cecilion was looking at.

Cecilion closely watched every bicycle that was lined up neatly in front of him.

In his heart he weighed, presumably which one was appropriate for him to wear everyday in order to go to school and meet the Rose every day as before.

"Well, I take this black one, sir," said Cecilion steadily after finding a bike that suited his taste.

Without having to do any bargaining, the shopkeeper himself had agreed to give a discount to Cecilion because the handsome young man was the most handsome customer he had met for decades as a bicycle shop owner.

Cecilion was obviously happy and grateful for the slightly skewed price, he then paid the bike a little in a hurry because he could not wait to go to the city center.

The bike was pedaled by Cecilion with pleasure, passing through the streets of Batavia while enjoying the breeze that hit the strands of hair and skin.

While humming a small Cecilion enjoyed his journey towards the city center even though it was quite far away and time consuming.

Never Cecilion thought in fact that the power of love would make him willing to do this just to meet his lover.

But he did not feel regret for a little, Cecilion was happy to be able to do it for the Rose he loved.

Tired even not felt by Cecilion, he enjoyed this process until without feeling finally he managed to arrive in front of the school gate.

"It turns out I was able to also go beyond that distance just by using a bicycle" muttered Cecilion who was proud of himself.

"Cecilion van der Linen, is that you?!"

Cecilion who felt called upon immediately turned his head toward the source of the voice curiously.

"What's up, Kees?"

"Earth! Let's hurry and let's go right now, I'll explain it on the way!"

"Hey wait a minute, at least tell me what happened?!"

"Hurry, Lio! We don't have time!" jolt Kees, making Cecilion surprised and confused to see the attitude of his best friend.

"Let me drive the bike" Kees said quickly, taking over the wheel of Cecilion's bike amid the confusion surrounding the black-haired young man.

What really happened until Kees insisted on not explaining the situation?