Jumat, 27 Mei 2022

8. Village Flower

Jaka Someh has been practicing martial arts for 2 years. As usual, every month he visits Aki Sudin's residence. Carrying the luggage of the harvest, he walked upright towards the village of Cinangka.

Arriving at Aki Sudin's residence, as usual, Jaka Someh was warmly welcomed by Aki Sudin and Nini Esih. They already consider Jaka Someh like their own grandson. Likewise with Jaka Someh who considers them as his own grandparents.

That day, Nini Esih was busy cooking something in the kitchen. 

"hey Nini what are you doing...how come you look so busy...?"

Jaka someh curiously asked Nini esih.

"This is it...my grandson...nini is making coconut oil..." said Nini Esih 

"Coconut oil...? what is it for, Nini...?”

Jaka said someh was surprised. He doesn't really know much about coconut oil. So far, to cook Jaka Someh's food, he only uses the method of burning, boiling and steaming.

"Yes, for cooking ... so that the food becomes more delicious and savory ... it can also be used to oil the hair so that it looks black and healthy ... or it can also be used to moisturize the skin ... well, there are many benefits... that's when you apply it His hand is the same as Aki Sudin, right, he uses a mixture of coconut oil too...don't you know...?".       

Nini Esih tried to give an explanation.

Jaka Someh nodded his head.

Jaka Someh always feels interested in new things he meets. He then asked many questions to Nini Esih about how to make coconut oil. Nini Esih was happy to explain it.

Patiently and painstakingly, Nini Esih continued to stir the old coconut milk in the large frying pan. He kept on stirring continuously and for a long time. Until finally formed oil and waste in the form of blondo. Jaka Someh continued to pay attention to the activity.

Jaka Someh was happy because he got new knowledge from Nini Esih.

After being satisfied with learning how to make coconut oil, in the evening he again started practicing silat with Aki Sudin in the yard of the house.

 Seeing Jaka Someh's ability to grow rapidly, Aki Sudin felt proud. In his heart he said   

"You're great... you do have extraordinary talent... it took me decades to master these moves to perfection... You didn't even take two years, you already have perfect moves... even more powerful than me…”

After three days and two nights of training at the sub-dept.'s residence, Jaka Someh again said goodbye to return to his hut on the slopes of Mount Halimun.

It was late afternoon when Jaka Someh walked down the river which is in the border area of ​​Cikaret and Cinangka villages.

With unsteady steps he walked while enjoying the scenery around him. The sun is not so hot. The wind also blows lightly. The sound of birds has begun to be heard chirping.

When Jaka Someh was passing through a riverside area filled with tall grass, he suddenly heard the sound of people crying.

"Kang...don't...don't...please darling...don't...I don't want to..."

Jaka Someh stopped to listen more carefully. Just as he was about to approach the source of the voice, suddenly a girl jumped up and ran from the tall grass

"Oops... Kang Panji... I don't want to... already... don't continue... I'll just go home..."

Jaka Someh was amazed to see the woman.

Deg, his heart skipped a beat when he found out that the woman turned out to be Asih, Pak Rohadi's daughter. A beautiful-looking girl who exudes youthful passion. A Village Flower from Cikaret Village. 

A handsome man is trying to chase her

"Nyai... come on... don't run... I'm just joking...".

The man said, who was none other than Panji, Asih's lover.

"No, Kang. Asih wants to go home... it's late... afraid of being angry with you...".

Panji also tried to chase Asih.

It didn't take long for Panji to catch up with Asih, who wasn't running too fast. The hand of compassion was immediately withdrawn. Then Panji embraced her passionately. Asih, who looked scared, tried to rebel.

Panji laughed when he saw Asih trying to reject him. He immediately tightened his grip.

Jaka Someh, who saw Panji's behavior like that, immediately became emotional. He immediately jumped at Panji and pushed him away. Panji immediately fell backwards.

Surprised to get a sudden attack from someone. Panji tried to get up, and immediately looked at Jaka Someh.

“Bastard… who are you…? How dare you fight Panji… a student from Maung Karuhun College… are you looking to die… huh…?”

Without thinking, Panji immediately got up and attacked Jaka Someh.

Jaka Someh just dodged a little, while inserting his right hand punch into Panji's stomach. The movement is light, fast but weighty.

Bruk... Jaka someh's punch directly hit Panji's stomach.

Panji grimaced and felt excruciating pain. Both hands holding the stomach. His breath hitched.

Fresh blood came out of his mouth. His eyes could only bulge in pain, while pointing at Jaka someh. But he was unable to say a word. Then he fell back down and sat on the ground.

Seeing her lover fall, Asih immediately ran closer to Panji

"Kang...Banji...are you okay...?"

With full of trepidation, Asih immediately embraced Panji's body, which was in pain.

Jaka Someh was surprised to see Nyai Asih's behavior like that.

"Nyai, you? why...? didn't this person just want to hurt you...?" 

"Kang someh... it's true that you are Kang Someh... Kang Someh  this is Kang Panji... be careful if anything happens to Kang Panji... Asih will be angry with you..."   

Jaka Someh was silent. He was confused by the situation.

Then he immediately helped Panji. 

“Eh, you know this person, my love…?” 

Panji said while pointing at Jaka Someh.

"Yes, darling.. this is Kang Someh... the son of my late  father friend..." 

Asih tried to explain.

"Kang Someh, Kang Panji is my lover, so there's no way he could hurt me...it was just a misunderstanding..."   

Asih said to jaka Someh.

"Yeah sorry nyai, I don't know... I thought this person would rape you..."

Jaka said someh frankly, as if he regretted his hasty action.

"It's okay, now you should  sorry to Kang Panji...."

"Okay...nyai....Kang...I apologize to you...for thinking that I would commit a crime..."

Jaka Someh then tried to greet Panji.

Panji was forced to accept Jaka Someh's handshake . 

"Kang Someh... I ask you not to tell  anything about the incident earlier... watch out, kang... if you dare to tell... Asih will be angry..."

"Oke nyai no problem,... I promise I won't tell Mr. Rohadi anything..."

“Oh yeah…now what? Would you be willing to take me back to your house...?”

Jaka Someh offered to take Nyai Asih home.

"No, Kang... Asih wants to accompany Kang Panji here first... Kang Someh, please go home first..." Asih said.

Jaka Someh hesitated to leave Asih and Panji alone in that place.

"Never mind bro... I'll just go home first... It's still okay..."

"But nyai...!" said Jaka Someh feeling doubtful

"It's okay, kang someh... never mind... bro, please go home first..." 

Asih said who told Jaka someh to leave the place immediately.

Even though it was hard, Jaka Someh finally left the place.

 He walked towards his hut on the slopes of Mount Halimun. Arriving at the house, Jaka Someh immediately lay down on his bale-bale. For some reason Nyai asih's face became a reflection in his mind. There was a strange feeling that enveloped his heart.

"Already ah...Someh you don't dream too high...". 

Jaka Someh muttered to himself. He immediately closed his eyes so he could quickly forget the sweet face of Nyai Asih, the Village Flower.

The Hidden Master of Silat: Chapter 3. The Beginning of a Determination

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