“And thus it went on, until I arrived at this cave. I do not think I can escape from Kaladaru. But fortunately, I have always managed to escape until now because of the sparrows' kindness. If the sparrows suddenly come to my hiding place, I immediately realize that this is a sign that Kaladaru is approaching. So before he arrives at my hiding place, I flee immediately and for a while, I am safe.
“I have never felt truly safe until now, even in this cave. Every time I look at the sky and ask, are the sparrows coming? If I spy gray wings in the distance, I must immediately flee this cave," said Tunjung Biru sadly.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (35)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (36)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (37)
"There is no need for you to be afraid now. I will protect you. Leave Kaladaru to me," Sukrosono promised without thinking twice. He did not know how he would do this. He was only determined to save Tunjung Biru.
Tunjung Biru seems to doubt Sukrosono's confidence. Was it possible for such a small demon to defeat Kaladaru, the awful and terrifying giant? But why should she give in to doubt? She still has time until Kaladaru finds her again. Meanwhile, let Sukrosono look after her. She asks him to, and in her heart she admits that Sukrosono has given her trust and a sense security. So while giving him her sweet smile, she said, "Thank you, for wanting to take care of me."
That radiant pearl of honesty immediately sweeps away all her doubts.
Time flies. Kaladaru has not come. Sukrosono and Tunjung Biru frow closer. Their days pass in joy. As Tunjung Biru gets to know Sukrosono, she learns that he is trustworthy. From Sukrosono she learns that honesty is cintamani, a brilliant pearl that gives peace and calm to the mind. That radiant pearl of honesty immediately sweeps away all her doubts.
Meanwhile, Sukrosono is happy because he can fulfill the act of dharma with Tunjung Biru. And he knows that his act of dharma is to help Tunjung Biru, who is in trouble. He is unsure of his strength. However, he believes that the act of dharma will give him the strength to protect Tunjung Biru from any danger.
Together with Tunjung Biru, he also learns to recognize beauty. Tunjung Biru frequently talks to flowers. Every time Sukrosono sees this, the flowers also speak to him. The flowers love them, too. Therefore when they walk together in the morning, various kinds of flowers scramble to bloom their buds, competing to attract the morning sun so that they look beautiful when the pair gaze upon them. From Tunjung Biru, Sukrosono learns about the secret of the beauty of kumuda flowers. That beauty reveals itself when viewed in brackish mud. Without the mud, it is impossible for the kumuda flowers to reveal all their beauty. When Sukrosono imagines that he is the mud, he feels the beautiful kumuda flowers growign from him.
Over time, Tunjung Biru and Sukrosono become like sister and brother. In front of Tunjung Biru, Sukrosono is a small demon who is charming and fun. She has not the slightest doubt to be suspicious of Sukrosono. Meanwhile, Sukrosono feels happy that he is being treated like a younger brother. He has lived alone thus far, so as soon as someone notices him, his loneliness is quickly forgotten. The loneliness can even disappear. And he is uninterested in speaking about who he was in his solitude in Jatirasa or where he wants to go on his wanderings. It seems that when joy overtakes him, there is no need for him to speak about his loneliness and sad fate. He fully revels in his happiness, and is now determined to protect Tunjung Biru.
The pair’s past sadness seems to quiet by itself. For them, it is a pity their happiness is now filled with past sorrows or worries yet to come. The affection between them grows until they forget that Kaladaru could come for them at any time. Or they have forgotten on purpose, because this moment the two of them share is too beautiful to be disturbed by anything.
One afternoon, they go to the river. Tunjung Biru bathes there, having fun as she splashes the fresh water. The freshness of the water makes her not care about her nakedness. Sukrosono sits on the riverbank. He is fascinated to see Tunjung Biru's body without a single piece of clothing. His chest trembles, and he feels that only now does he know that nakedness gives him indescribable pleasure. Dry leaves fall to drift in the river, sending Sukrosono's dreams into a realm he has never experienced. Meanwhile, Tunjung Biru is like a shameless princess. For her, Sukrosono is only a younger brother to be loved. While splashing herself with water, she turns her face to Sukrosono. Her hands wave happily and reveal her pair of beautiful breasts.
When he turns his head for a moment, Sukrosono is shocked. Gone are all his daydreams, and he rushes over to Kaladaru.
Sukrosono feels as if he has been hit by ragapasa, a snare of lust that seems to have enveloped him. He forgets to look up. In fact, gray wings have filled the sky with the sparrows flying high above. Meanwhile, Kaladaru is standing not far from him. Without his knowledge, Kaladaru is also satisfying his eyes in looking at Tunjung Biru bathing. Like Sukrosono, he is also fascinated by Tunjung Biru's naked body. He seems impatient to jump on her at once. When he turns his head for a moment, Sukrosono is shocked. Gone are all his daydreams, and he rushes over to Kaladaru.
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"You're the giant I've been waiting for. You will no longer be able to chase after Tunjung Biru,” snapped Sukrosono, who knows immediately that this is Kaladaru. He does not have the slightest fear in seeing the very tall, big and strong giant.
"Get out of the way, little demon. Today, it is impossible for Tunjung Biru to be separated from me,” Kaladaru answered angrily. He gets up and steps down, pushing away Sukrosono who is blocking his path.
“Little bastard!” shouts Kaladaru as he pushes Sukrosono again. He fails. Suddenly, he feels a pain in his chest. Without thinking, Sukrosono has jumped up and kicked his chest hard. Kaladaru has no idea how the little demon can kick him so strongly. He is angry and grabs at Sukrosono, who dodges away by jumping here and there. He does it easily, because he is used to leaping about as he played with monkeys in Jatirasa Forest.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
