The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 42: A Pair of Lover

The sound of a small galloping horseshoe rang out quite loudly that afternoon, making some residents who were relaxing in their yard momentarily turn their attention to the source of the sound.

It appears that a horse carriage driven by Uncle Muhsin entered the suburban area after passing through the main street of the city a while ago.

The horse-drawn carriage did look quite conspicuous, considering that there was rarely a horse-drawn carriage passing in the area.

In the horse carriage, Uncle Muhsin was not alone, on the passenger bench he carried there were Cecilion and Roses complete with a variety of items they bought from the Sixteen Ilir market earlier this afternoon.

This is the end of his second first month as a married couple, still a warm and friendly newlywed no wonder the smile is still so spread on the face of both as if unable to fade.

"Oh, that's Mr and Mrs Van der Linen! Look at them as handsome and beautiful as a pair of angels" said one old native woman who watched the chariot pass by with a look of admiration.

"Yes, Auntie's right. They are also very kind and friendly to anyone, so I wonder why they chose to live here even though Batavia where they come from is much more prosperous," timpal was a young mother who was combing her daughter's hair.

"Who said Batavia was more prosperous?" asked a native man who was wiping the window of his house.

"I used to work as Jongos there, but getting a very rude employer was very much different from Mr. Van der Linen's good temperament. The Ladies and gentlemen there are very wasteful, like to waste money because they like to party until morning. But I heard that the governor of Batavia had a son who went missing somewhere" the man added later.

"really that? How could the son of a governor just disappear?" asked the curious young mother.

"Rubber! At the same time there was a wealthy businessman who lost his only daughter, I thought they were running away together" said the man, still wiping the windows, fun to tell the story he heard while still working in Batavia two weeks ago before finally returning home after his work contract expired.

"Are they still not found?" ask the old woman.

The man shook his head. "yet, they haven't been found until I've finally come back here.it looks like they escaped to a far place that's hard to find."

The distance between one house and another at that time was quite far away, making some residents sometimes decide to gather in one house when they want to talk to each other about various hot topics.

Such events are commonplace found every day in various regions of Nusantara.

The Van der Linen couple finally arrived at their home safely.

The two began to bring down groceries that were so much helped by Uncle Muhsin did not forget to immediately bring all the groceries into the house.

"Thank you for delivering us, Uncle Muhsin. We have a little hand fruit for Uncle's children and wife at home," said Cecilion mannered while giving a bag of fruit and vegetables to Uncle Muhsin.

"No need, Sir... " Uncle Muhsin of course felt bad, because every time he drove this couple, they always gave souvenirs for their children and wives.

"Please accept it, Uncle. We buy too many fruits and vegetables. Give my greetings to Aunt and sisters yes, Uncle," concluded Mawar with gentle courtesy, making Uncle Muhsin accept their gift.

"Thank you very much, Mr and Mrs Van der Linen. I will never forget the kindness of both of you," closed Uncle Muhsin then resigned.

The day that had gone by dusk made the Roses and Cecilion go straight into the house not to forget to close and lock all the doors and windows in their house.

"Grandfather said Uncle Muhsin had three children and they were all young. Surely they need adequate nutrition," replied Mawar while compiling the food that had been brought in by the husband into the food storage cabinet.

"Have any of them gone to school?" Cecilion asked again, watching the wife who focused her attention on food ingredients.

"Nobody went to school, Grandma also said that their lives were too poor to get an education" Rose replied sadly.

"It's unfortunate, even though his father worked from morning to night but not enough to meet their needs," Cecilion also seemed sad, feeling sympathy for the family life of their coachman.

Poverty is nothing new.

At that time, rich people will easily become richer while poor people will continue to be deceived, employed with inappropriate salaries until finally their lives are more miserable.

Roses are actually sad why this rich country actually has to live below the poverty line.

In any case, Grandpa, Grandma and Mama were natives just like they had just fared a little luckier.

"Just tell Uncle Muhsin tomorrow to bring his son here on Saturday. I want to teach you how to write and read it to Uncle Muhsin's children" Rose said with sincerity.

For a moment, Cecilion stared intently at the wife to find out what was on the young woman's mind.

But after that Cecilion realized, all his wife wanted to do was share the good in her own way.

A proud smile was painted on Cecilion's musty face then, he nodded in approval.

"Yes. I'll tell Uncle Muhsin tomorrow. Every Saturday I would come home early to help you teach his son Uncle Muhsin and some other children" Cecilion said.

"A few other children?" ask Rose is a bit confused.

"certain. I will also invite the children of our neighbors who cannot afford to go to school to study here. Not much, just three, how?"

The rose nodded in agreement. "of course. I hope, after this their lives will all be better, my husband."

"Hopefully, my wife. We must instill as much goodness as God gives us a chance" Cecilion added.

Smile on the face of the rose.

She was really proud and happy to have an angel husband like this Cecilion van der Linen.

"Yes, you're right, my husband. There is nothing more important than doing good."

The couple then began discussing the plans they were going to do starting next week, with one hope that a little outpouring of hands from the two of them can help this country in order to escape the clutches of colonialism someday.