The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 51: Life in the Village

"Good morning, Madam. Do you want to take a bath in the river or have breakfast first?" sapa Saritem was warm as usual after realizing the Roses had sat with empty gazes facing the expanse of rice fields not far from the house where they lived.

One week had passed, but the Rose still could not get used to living without another Cecilion van der Linen by his side.

The woman seemed to lose the spirit of her life, her days were only filled with daydreaming.

Although no longer have a place to lean in his life, Roses still try to survive for the baby who will soon be born into the world.

With confidence that has not remained much in his heart Rose continues to try to gather the spirit to continue his life without the husband.

"I will take a bath in the river first, Mother," said the Rose with her voice that still sounded so soft.

Saritem nodded, extending his hand to the Rose.

"Then come, Madam. I'll help you wash your hair" Saritem said as he draped a piece of cloth over the Rose's shoulder.

The two women of different ages then walked together to a river that was not far from home. As far as the eyes of the Rose could see, he only found a green expanse of rice fields and trees surrounding the small village.

A place that is very inversely proportional to the place of origin of the Roses that are always crowded will be the hustle and bustle of urban life.

In this village, the residents are active with equipment that is perfunctory, wherever they go they will only walk and it is quite foreign to the Rose.

There are no horse-drawn carriages, cars or bicycles in this village. They were really just on foot, even to transport agricultural commodities from their village to the outside of their village they only relied on wooden carts pulled by a buffalo or a cow belonging to the residents.

"How are you, Mrs Van der Linen?" asked a middle-aged woman who was friendly to Roses, considering that almost all of these small villagers had worked on the plantation owned by the Mawar family.

"I've been feeling a little better thanks to all of your help" replied Rose with a smile that she forced to look her best.

Although his heart still felt so sick as it was pierced by thousands of daggers, he still tried to hide the wounds and wounds of his heart. At least, Rose wants her to be able to give birth to her child in this safe village.

Arriving at the river, people welcomed the presence of the Rose with friendly smiles, away from the impression of hatred.

Everyone received the Roses with open arms, again reminded of the kindness of the late Cecilion van der Linen.

"Don't go down to the river, ma'am. Let me get you some water. You just sit on the edge" said one girl as the Rose with her distended stomach tried to descend into the shallow river.

"Don't that bother you, Miss?" ask Rose to feel bad.

"No problem, Madam. Me and the villagers just want your child to be born healthy without a shortage of anything," reply the girl while dipping her wooden bucket into the river so that she can get water for the Rose.

"This is the water, madam. Take a shower to make your body feel fresher and healthier" she added, handing over her bucket of water.

The rose stretched out her hand, grabbing the bucket of water from the girl while keeping her footing balanced.

"Thank you very much, Miss," said the Rose.

"Your manners are amazing, Mrs Van der Linen. Though I am only a commoner," said the girl, recalling the harsh words of the Dutchman who had so hurt her heart.

"I'm just a widow left dead by my husband. Even all the treasures we have collected do not know what their fate is," added the Rose who again remembered all the hard work of the husband so far so that they can live properly.

"We all understand what the Madam is feeling" Saritem said softly.

"Now I am only thinking about how the fate of my son who must be born without the presence of a Papa figure," Rose said softly, hastily washing his face with water so that he did not cry.

People looked on compassion for the Rose, unable to allow the Rose to accept such a cruel fate to the poor woman.

"You don't have to worry. We will help your delivery as well as possible. Now, we can only continue to pray that you and your baby are always healthy" comforted Saritem who was washing the long blonde hair of the beautiful Rose.

The beautiful hair has indeed escaped the attention of the Rose for a few days because he was too busy grieving and crying so that there are parts that are tangled and clumped.

Patiently and carefully, Saritem used his fingers to comb through the Rose's hair in order to return to its original stunning form.

"I became curious what color will be the hair of the Master and Lady children later," said Saritem who still patiently washed the Rose hair.

The rose chuckled softly. "well, Mother, but if God allows me to ask then I want my son to have black hair like mine."

Saritem felt overwhelmed, of course, Cecilion van der Linen and Mawar van der Linen were the most harmonious married couple he had ever met in his entire life.

He understood both the Master and the Madam were both very much in love with each other.

"Or if I could, I also want a boy," added Roses with a smile that adorned her pretty face, recalling the time when she and Cecilion first met at school.

Those times were very beautiful which will certainly never escape the memory of the Rose.

Cecilion's dark hair is so charming, the look of sharp but shady eyes that always successfully make the Rose fall in love that is only in the figure of Cecilion van der Linen, his beloved husband.

"By the way, how can the Master and Madam meet?" ask the girl while again filling the bucket used by the Rose with new water.

The smile of the Roses returned, reminiscing about his youth while still in Batavia with Cecilion.

"Then, Cecilion and I went to the same school. At that time Cecilion was a transfer student from the Netherland because his Papa had just been appointed governor of Batavia" explained Mawar.

"The first moment I saw Cecilion, my heart felt like it was about to jump out of place. He was very handsome to make me misbehave," continued Rose who recalled his stupidity at that time who dared to fall in love with Cecilion.

"Lantas how next? Did you express your feelings first?" ask the other woman.

"There was a friend of mine named Kees, he always tried so that I and Cecilion could become lovers until finally Kees really managed to make Cecilion declare his love to me. Cecilion gave me this ring back then, "Rose again told me as she pointed at the necklace with a ring hanging from her neck.

"Your love story is both so beautiful. I hope the Master and Madam can reunite in eternity, "the girl chimed in.

"I hope so too" replied the Rose with a gaze fixed on the sky, hoping God would grant the line of prayers he had stranded today.