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Panji’s Quest (Chapter 3)
Despite his technical background, Oni Suryaman is driven by literature. In his spare time, he writes essays, book reviews, and fiction. He also worked as a part-time translator for Indonesian publisher Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia and Kanisius Publishing House. He has recently published a picture book titled I Belog, a retelling of a famous Balinese folklore, an adaptation of which was performed at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) Singapore 2017.
Read some of his essays and book reviews at: http://onisur.wordpress.com and http://semuareview.wordpress.com
Oni Suryaman: oni.suryaman@gmail.com.
Chapter 3
In the palace hall, King Amiluhur of Janggala, and his sister, Rara Suci, discussed the marriage of crown prince Panji to Angreni, the daughter of Patih Kudanawarsa — a marriage that was creating serious problems for the court.
“Is it true that Panji doesn’t want to take another wife after marrying Angreni?” King Amiluhur asked, skeptically.
“You are correct, my dear brother,” said Rara Suci. “That is what Panji told me himself.”
The king shook his head in disbelief. “Didn’t Panji marry Angreni to be his concubine?”
Rara Suci did not answer her brother’s question. Instead, she turned to the turtledove’s cage swaying in the wind.
“Isn’t Angreni only Panji’s concubine?” King Amiluhur repeated his question.
“No, she’s not just a concubine.” Rara Suci avoided the king’s eyes. “She is more than that to him.”
“No, Angreni is Panji’s concubine, nothing more than that,” King Amiluhur grumbled as if speaking to convince himself. “I hope that my brother in Kadiri doesn’t think that Angreni is Panji’s official wife, let alone his queen.”
That afternoon, the palace hall was quiet indeed. The king’s words were commandments that could not be refuted.
The usually refreshing scent of incense now suffocated Rara Suci. She silently compared the warm atmosphere of Panji’s residence with the chilly atmosphere of the palace hall now surrounding her.
“I was unable to weaken Panji’s resolve.” Rara Suci’s voice faltered. “He still doesn’t want to marry Sekartaji.” Rara Suci was gravely concerned about the disaster this might cause.
“You’re not saying that he refuses to marry Sekartaji, are you?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Amiluhur’s face turned red, and his body stiffened. He straightened his back. With a voice trembling with rage he said, “I ask you to summon Panji to your residence in Pucangan. Alone.”
“When?”
“Next week.”
“Next week? How about in a month? I just talked to him. The next full moon would be a perfect time to send for him. It would make sense, then, when I tell him that I miss him.”
“Next week!” Amiluhur shouted. “Next week I will summon him and say that his aunt is waiting for him in Pucangan.”
“As you wish. I will expect Panji to visit me at Pucangan in a week.” Rara Suci trembled as she tried to hold back the pain her younger brother’s tone of voice had caused. She didn’t hide her resentment for being expected to summon Panji to her residence. Nor did she ask why she needed to — her guess of the reason made the hermitess cringe. She left without saying goodbye.
Amiluhur, still furious, paid no attention to Rara Suci’s leaving.
*****