The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 50: The Rose Step

Unlike the previous mornings where the rose has appeared beautiful dazzling, now the situation looks much different in harmony with the sky which is still faithfully dropping raindrops since yesterday.

The rain is not heavy indeed, but it is able to make the fragile body of the Rose shiver.

Still with a haggard face, that morning the rose was busy digging the ground using a hoe to bury the body of the husband who had been lifeless since yesterday.

Although the woman's energy was not much, she finally managed to dig a hole deep enough to bury her own husband, a reality that never even crossed the mind of the Rose in her lifetime.

The tears of the Rose also did not subside even though the whole night had passed, she continued to cry over the departure of the husband especially in a very painful way like this.

"I'm sorry, my dear husband. I can't bury your body more properly anymore" said Rose after carefully lowering Cecilion's body into the pit.

Not only the departure of her husband who hurt her very heart, seeing the body of Cecilion who had to be buried in this way also hurt the heart of the Rose.

It never occurred to him that this painful and sad reality should befall him.

The rose then positioned the hand of Cecilion that was stiff on the chest of the field, not forgetting to wrap the necklace of the cross that had always been used by the Rose among the fingers of Cecilion.

The young woman closed her eyes for a moment, praying to God to put her husband in the best place possible.

"Goodbye, Cecilion Van der Linen, my husband. May we meet again in heaven after all the things I have to take care of in this world are done" whispered the Rose in Cecilion's right ear, as they used to do when their husband was alive.

After saying so many farewell words, Rose tried to strengthen her heart while starting to cover Cecilion's body with the ground even though her tears were flowing.

This fact was too painful, Rose was not even sure she could last much longer after this.

"For the sake of our son, I must be strong. Thank you for choosing me as your soul mate" closed the Rose after she had buried her husband.

The emotions of the Rose were so raging right now, so many mixed feelings in his heart now. But again, he had no choice but to stay.

Roughly, the Rose wiped away the trace of her tears using the back of her hand.

"Now is not the time for me to be sad. I will fight to avenge the killing of the demon army after our child is born" said Rose firmly, then began to step away from the tomb of Cecilion.

Although the steps of the Rose seemed slow, but he still strengthened himself to keep stepping because the roar of revenge had mastered his heart at this time.

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

Step by step brought the Rose until he managed to arrive at another village, but this time the village still seemed alive.

There are some residents who are busy chatting with each other, so warm that it makes the Rose again remember his family who is now somehow his fate.

"Excuse me, ma'am." said a lethargic rose with the rest of the energy that was almost exhausted.

Rose's body was already completely limp, considering that it had been two days that she had not eaten anything at all.

"Geez! Aren't you Miss Van der Linen?!" said one of the middle-aged women after realizing the existence of the Rose.

"That's right, Madam. Can I have a little food? I think I will soon faint" said the Rose softly in a voice that was barely even heard.

The indigenous women were of course feeling pity, they then hurriedly brought the Rose into one of the houses closest to the entrance to their village.

The house was indeed simple, with wooden walls and a ground floor that even felt uneven when stepped on.

"At least eat this, ma'am. I'm sorry I don't have a delicious meal" the middle-aged woman said as she offered a plate of rice with a side dish of fried fish to Rose.

While one of his colleagues put a glass and water kettle on a wooden table in front of the Rose.

"Thank you, ma'am," replied the Rose with tears that re-seeped in both of her eyes.

"Call us Mother, Madam. We are very grateful because for many years you and Mr. have been willing to give us decent work with a high salary as well," sahut the oldest woman poured drinking water into a glass for the Rose.

"But, where is Mr Van der Linen, Madam?"

Indeed, the Rose did not expect that there would still be a human who would treat himself as well as this.

The Rose cried again broke, her heart was like being pierced by thousands of daggers after thinking back to Cecilion the husband.

"Eat at least a little, ma'am. Have pity on your baby, "persuade other middle-aged women.

The three middle-aged women of course felt like seeing the Rose, an old pregnant woman who some time ago was still their Madam.

The three had worked on the plantation owned by Cecilion and Rose for a long time, of course they all knew Van der Linen's husband and wife well.

The rose simply nodded, trying to eat even though he already really did not have the slightest appetite to eat.

Tears still wet both cheeks, but the Rose continued to eat until her stomach that had felt very sore was filled.

"Previously introduce, my name is Saritem, these are my sisters Suti and Susi they are twins, Madam," said Ms. Saritem with a warm smile.

"Call me a Rose, Mother. No need to call me Madam," said Rose manners as usual even though his voice had become very slow.

The three old women nodded obediently, then the eldest asked again.

"Then, how did you get here?"

"Palembang has been ambushed by Nippon soldiers throughout its territory. They even wiped out my husband" said the roaring rose, the wound in his still-so-wet heart gaped wide.

Everyone who heard the Rose was surprised, they all did not think that the Master was dead and left his pregnant wife.

"I got here because I kept walking aimlessly, Mother... I just lost my husband and buried his body alone" Rose said with tears returning.

Now, the three women know why the Roses now look so messy and messy.

Clothes and makeup that usually always complement the beauty of the Rose is now invisible, they only see the Rose with a shabby dress that has been very dirty with blood and soil stains.

"Then Madam can stay with us here. Don't hesitate, after all the Madam will soon give birth so stay here."

"Did I not burden you?" ask the Sangsi Rose.

"Absolutely not, Madam. We hope Madam will stay here at least until Madam has given birth later."

The rose wipes away her tears, powerless to hold her. "thank you very much, Mother... I don't know how to repay all of you."

"It's no big deal, ma'am. You and your husband have done a lot of good to all of us so there is no need to feel sad so," Saritem replied while giving a piece of cloth to the Rose.