The night feels short, ahead of Begawan Swandagni\'s departure the next day. In such a short night there is nothing more beautiful for Begawan Swandagni and Dewi Sokawati than expressing their love for each other. The moon does not fully show itself, as if it knows, it does not want to disturb the two humans who give to each other and spend themselves, before being eaten away by the feelings of longing that will soon cover both of their hearts. Since that very beautiful night in the courtyard of Jatisrana, Begawan Swandagni is no longer shy in satisfying his lust and romance while making love to his wife. Now in this short night before his departure, Begawan Swandagni increasingly feels that love is love because he needs lust and romance. And love will slowly lose its power if lust and romance are extinguished and no longer exist to become passion.
"Sokawati, do you see those bamboo trees?" asked Begawan Swandagni.
"Yes Begawan, the bamboo trees even seem to be hugging each other," replied Sokawati.
Indeed, on this fleeting night the wind blows a little bit harder, moving the bamboo trees to and fro, until they appear to be embracing each other, like Begawan Swandagni and Dewi Sokawati. The breeze causes the bamboo sticks to squeeze and rub against each other, making creaking sounds like the groans of the two humans, Begawan Swandagni and Dewi Sokawati, who allow themselves to be lulled by the romance. Dawn seems to come quickly. The sky turns red, the dew falls and the cold drops wake the sleeping leaves.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (9)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (8)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (6)
"Sokawati, the time has come for me to go to find your dream," says Begawan Swandagni, releasing his hand which has been pressed under Dewi Sokawati\'s head. He has to hurry, but the look in his eyes shows how heavy it is that he must immediately leave his wife. "Begawan, don\'t... Don\'t leave me," said Dewi Sokawati.
"No, Sokawati. I have to go. Otherwise, you will not enjoy the fruit of your dream, and I will be sad all the time to see you let your body be eaten away by unfulfilled desire,” argued Begawan Swandagni. "Begawan, actually I don\'t want you to go and look for the fruit of the dream that doesn\'t necessarily exist. I feel guilty, as if I\'m the one who forces you to do things that don\'t necessarily produce fruit," Dewi Sokawati said again.
I’m sorry that this happens, forgive my womb, who has asked for something that makes things difficult for you.
"No, Sokawati. Not you, but it is the child in your womb who wants the golden banana. I do not only go for the sake of you, but for the one who is in your womb. And since the one in your womb is me, I will also go for my own sake. Come on, Sokawati, don\'t be sad and doubtful. I\'ll definitely be back soon."
"Yes, Begawan, I’m sorry that this happens, forgive my womb, who has asked for something that makes things difficult for you."
"Sokawati, forget about the feelings of guilt that arise from your desire. I wouldn\'t be able to forgive myself, if I couldn\'t find for you that golden banana, because what you want appeared after you contained me inside of you. Your wish is the same as mine. So when I go, I go to fulfill my desire. Sokawati, we don\'t know what love really is, even though we often say it to each other. Now I know, the blending of your desire and mine is love that manifests itself in reality. I will go because of that love, Sokawati,” said Begawan with full confidence.
"Begawan, hopefully there will be no obstacles and danger that befall you," said Dewi Sokawati deep with affection.
"Take care of yourself, Sokawati. Wait for me to accomplish your desire. I hope that when I return, I will find that your womb is more alive and that you yourself are happy because you believe that your waiting will bear fruit.” Begawan Swandagni hugs his wife tightly. In order to lessen his heavy heart, he moves as fast as lightning. He does not dare to look back, afraid to see his wife in tears watching his departure.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (5)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (4)
Begawan Swandagni does not know where to go. He does not even know where the golden banana can be found. But not in the slightest do his footsteps want to stop. It is as if what he is looking for can be found with certainty. Along his path flowers are in full bloom. Begawan Swandagni\'s hope also blooms, like the rara malayu flowers, excited by the tender caress of the morning sunlight. The joy of nature infiltrates him, and his heart becomes like a flute which sings a song as the wind blows through the bamboo trees.
For a moment he doubts whether he will be able to find the dream banana for his wife. He looks at the river that flows to his left. The river is clean and its water flows calmly. He sees a labi-labi (softshell turtle) swimming to follow the current. The labi-labi seems resigned to where the current will take him. "Let me be like the labi-labi. There is no need for me to ask, ‘where should I go?’ It\'s my footsteps that will tell, I’m just resigned to follow them," Begawan Swandagni thinks in his heart.
This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.
