The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 55: Pelipur Lara the Goddess

That morning, there were already a few pieces of baby clothes for Oliver who had lined up on the mattress after the Rose received an uncluttered package from Saritem.

Roses seem confused, who sent this much new clothes to Oliver especially now the Rose is far from his relatives.

"Who sent it, ma'am?" ask the rose for how many times.

"I don't know either, Madam. This package was already at the door when I was about to go to the market," answered Saritem perfunctoryly, with a face as confused as the Rose.

"This is a small gift from me to Oliver, I would feel very sad if you refused it" said Rose, reading the inscription from the piece of paper.

Understandably, in this village there are only a few people who can write and read including Roses. So, Saritem knows what the contents of the piece of paper are.

"This handwriting is so beautiful, but who could write so well like this, Mom?" again the question of the Rose was only answered with a no-knowing trinket by Saritem.

The rose then took out a set of tiny, sky-blue clothes with a glittering smile.

"Well, I feel very grateful to anyone who has kindly given these beautiful clothes to Oliver. I am so grateful, may God repay his kindness so many times," muttered Rose as she tidied the other new clothes into the closet.

The clothes were made from very good, making Rose suspect that whoever bought it was not just anyone. But apparently who?

As usual in the morning, Roses bathe Oliver in the backyard with lukewarm water while enjoying the fresh village air.

"Olivier, what do you think of Oma and Opa in Batavia? Are they okay in there?" The rose asked with a sad face to little Oliver.

As if understanding the contents of the heart of the mother, the lips of the tiny Oliver who was soaked in the small bathtub were curled sadly.

"Mama misses Opa and Oma-mu in Batavia but it seems we are no longer able to return there," added Mawar still with sadness clearly drawn on his face.

"You can go with me if you're willing, ma'am," bargained Doctor Nathan who's out of nowhere.

The sudden appearance of the adam made the Rose flinch small in surprise.

"God! Why did you suddenly appear?!" rose Sergah.

Doctor Nathan chuckled. "I was just passing by, but after listening to your babble I became interested."

The rose held up Oliver's innocent body that was already clean. "wait here for a moment then, I also want to take Oliver for a walk after dressing him up."

"Walk together? Wonderful idea. I'll be back here in ten minutes, I think it'll be more fun if we just bike" Nathan said enthusiastically.

"All right, Doctor Nathan. Then meet me ten more minutes in front of the house," break up the Rose before finally entering and closing the back door.

...*****...

The blue of the horizon layered with small clouds that adorn it looks so beautiful, what a clear weather as bright as Doctor Nathan's smile today.

"Are you ready to go?" doctor Nathan asked after his bike entered Saritem's yard.

The rose nodded. "of course, let's go."

Dr. Nathan then turned his bike around to make it easier for the rose to ride.

It was the young doctor's first experience of piggybacking a woman on his bike, leaving Doctor Nathan feeling a little nervous.

"All right, thank you."

Doctor Nathan's bicycle then inched, splitting the village road on the right and left side decorated with green rice fields that were not ready for harvest.

The breeze blew, greeting the beautiful brownish blonde strands of Doctor Nathan's beautiful hair.

"Aren't you going to get into trouble if you're piggybacking on a widow like me, Doctor Nathan?" tanya Mawar made sure, after having a chance to greet a citizen they passed.

"What problem do you mean? I'm just a lonely bachelor" Doctor Nathan replied with a small chuckle.

"A handsome man you don't have a lover? Oh, don't joke!" singal Roses.

"I'm not kidding, ma'am. All this time I was too focused on my education and work to realize that my age was enough to get married" said Dr. Nathan.

"I was married to my husband after graduating from school until we were both not in college," I Rose, again remembered the reckless step he chose with Cecilion at that time.

"Is not your husband the son of the then governor of Batavia?"

"Yes. Yet I truly love my husband regardless of his parents' possessions or titles."

"I know, Madam. You're even the daughter of a wealthy sugar magnate" Dr. Nathan's timpest says, leaving Roses silent for a moment.

At that time, the love of Roses and Cecilion was so passionate that they were willing to do anything to stay together.

"At that time we were just a couple of lovers who were drunk with romance so desperate to do anything for the sake of being united. But luckily, the universe is still willing to give us a little time to be happy as a legitimate married couple" said Rose after a long silence, enjoying their ride on a bicycle.

"I understand that, Mrs Van der Linen. I've never had a boyfriend, but I know what it's like to love" replied Dr. Nathan, pulling his bike off.

They had arrived at the market which was not so far from the village.

The sight of the Rose swirled around, it had been long enough never to go far from Saritem's house.

The market is quite crowded, many traders who peddle various types of merchandise make Rose again remembered the crowded market of Sixteen Ilir in Palembang which he often visited with Cecilion first.

Doctor Nathan twitched his chin, gesturing for the Rose to link his hand to the man's arm to keep them from separating.

"You really don't have a problem being held by a widow?" ask the Rose in doubt.

"For God's sake, stop saying the word widow. To me, you are a much more beautiful girl than the moon" replied Dr. Nathan straightforwardly.

"But--"

"Enough, Rose. You want to stay quiet while enjoying this journey or keep raving but be my lover?" threaten Doctor Nathan with a reddish face.

Of course, hearing the threat that was not at all frightening the Rose even laughed amusedly.

"Oh, see? You called me by my first name! My God, am I still that beautiful that this young and handsome doctor wants to be my lover?" The rose is laughing.

Doctor Nathan sighed in frustration.

Yes, to seduce a widow even makes herself toyed with by the widow.