The night feels very long. However, even if morning comes soon, Sumantri will still be tormented by the merciless darkness. He doesn't even know where Sriwedari Garden is, let alone how he can move it to Maespati. The only thing he knows is he is determined to fulfill his promise for the sake of Dewi Citrawati. His determination burns like a raging fire, even though not a single flame of his determination is able to illuminate the darkness he is experiencing.
It is a very dark night, and everyone is hiding in the dark. The sound of falling leaves is heard, but not a single leaf is seen. The sound of falling leaves seems to come from far away, even though the leaves are very close. Sumantri even tramples on them, and the rustling sound as he tramples them seems to be the shrill scream of a heart that is powerless against the will of determination. Sumantri smells an odor that lets him know that a gadung vine is climbing and spreading its fragrance somewhere nearby. But he feels that even the vines iares not willing to offer themselves to him so he can hold on through the dark night. Sumantri really cannot find a way to extricate himself from his own darkness, the darkness he grew when he boasted that he could move Sriwedari Garden to the earthly realm.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (106)
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Thankfully, dawn has finally come. In the east appears a red glow, and eye of the sun appears to shimmer, like someone rubbing their eyes on awakening from a deep sleep. The blooms of the jangga and campaka open and race to spread their fragrance. The birds chirp happily, while Nature wakes to emit hope, opening Sumantri's eyes to the light.
Sumantri feels light-hearted. He is suddenly startled on hearing the raucous cries of the kepodang (black-naped oriole), squawking at each other. He is very familiar with the calls of the kepodang. Their calls hold the past that always returns every time he is in trouble and misery. The calls of the kepodang always take him back to where he comes from, where he could spend his life in serenity and peace. Now the calls are really here. He stares forward, and the gleaming yellow wings of the kepodang appear. Gradually, the kepodang birds grow in number bigger. Suddenly, from among the beautiful yellow cluster of chirping kepodang birds there appears a figure rushing towards him. Before Sumantri realizes, the figure has caught him in a tight embrace.
"Sukrosono, my younger brother!" shouts Sumantri, recognizing him instantly.
"My older brother, how I miss you," says the figure. It is indeed Sukrosono, Sumantri's younger brother, the ugly little demon.
“Sukrosono, am I dreaming? Have you really come, my younger brother?" asks Sumantri in disbelief as he continues to tighten his embrace.
"My older brother, I made a promise to myself that I will always follow you wherever you go, even if you do not want me to accompany you. I will always help you. This time, I also know of your sadness," says Sukrosono, looking into his brother's face with affection.
"You have saved me from death at the hands of Prabu Darmawasesa. You are the one who really rendered a service, so that I was able to carry out my task of bringing Dewi Citrawati to Maespati," Sumantri says while rubbing his younger brother's head.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (104)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (103)
"My older brother, I am always close by you, even without your seeing me. Without being asked, I will always help you. This time, I will also help you overcome your difficulties. Don't worry, I will immediately move Sriwedari Garden to Maespati, as you have promised to Prabu Arjunasasrabahu," says Sukrosono.
"Is that really possible, Sukrosono?" Sumantri asks, his heart relieved, even though his mind still can't believe it.
"How I want to relieve myself of my longing for you, my older brother. But let me go now, so that I can complete your promise and you will soon be freed from your sadness and confusion," says Sukrosono.
"Can you really help me, Sukrosono?" Sumantri asks, concealing the shame in his heart. He is ashamed because even if his younger brother succeeds, his help will not be for the sake of the noble ideals of chivalry he has always proclaimed, but for the sake of fulfilling his desire for Dewi Citrawati, which he has hidden in his heart. With his sharp heart and mind, it is likely that Sukrosono has guessed what is hidden inside his older brother. On imagining this, Sumantri becomes increasingly ashamed of himself. How his younger brother seems to not want to know about his hidden desire. The only thing he thinks about is how he wants to help his older brother get out of his difficulties.
"My older brother, I will do anything for your sake. My love for you is my guarantee that I will move Sriwedari Garden for you."
Hearing Sukrosono's words, Sumantri lowers his head in shame. He had spoken the same words to Prabu Arjunasasrabahu. However, the substance behind his words was different. He had spoken the same words, but he actually desired something different from what he said. Meanwhile, Sukrosono's words are truly honest, simple, and sincere. His words truly come from his loyalty and love.
On the other hand, Sumantri feels that the words he spoke in front of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu were empty. And the emptiness has cursed him, because the emptiness has not been confined to his words, but has now become real. It is evident now that he does not know what power words can hold. Indeed, without needing to pry out what is really in his heart, Sukrosono's words have uncovered his dishonesty. He gazes deeply at his younger brother. His face looks so charming that he no longer has any impression that it is the ugly face of a little demon. Sumantri looks up to the east, seeing the light of the red sun that opens his eyes to the truth that an honest heart can radiate to see a charming face.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (102)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (101)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (100)
The repeated crowing of the jungle rooster is heard. Sumantri wants his younger brother to lay his head in his lap, and lull him to sleep with the song of the kepodang. But the sun is already bright, calling on Sukrosono to go and fulfill the words he has promised.
“My older brother, I will go now. Wait for me at Maespati, I will bring you Sriwedari Garden there," says Sukrosono. He leaves without any touching words of farewell. He goes not to leave him, but to help his older brother who is in trouble. As he gets ready to depart, the sky fills with yellow wings and not long after, Sukrosono has taken flight with thousands of kepodang birds.
Sumantri stays looking up for a long time, until the yellow birds have disappeared behind the silent clouds. It is morning. A loud sound is heard from afar. The convoy carrying the Princess of Magada has resumed its journey again, heading to Maespati. Meanwhile, Sumantri follows at a distance, wondering anxiously whether he will really be able to present Sriwedari Garden to Dewi Citrawati. He waits with his shame, as well as his guilt.
How could he have the heart to let his younger brother face such a rough task, only for the sake of his own shameful desire?
This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.
