The Suffering of Si Kembang Village
River of Memories

That day Gavin decided to take time off from the density of his work routine. He intended to go to a place that he had not visited for fourteen years.

Along the way he continued to pray and hope, his way to meet the little girl who used to always decorate his days during his stay in that place was at ease.

Indeed, Gavin was very impatient to meet the little girl who may have grown up now that he missed.

After many hours of traveling far enough, he finally reached his destination. He got out of his fancy car and started walking towards a door.

Tok....

Twice. three times.... Until the fifth knock, the door was not open.

"It looks like this house is empty" muttered Gavin.

He slightly peeked through the front window of the house by sticking his forehead and palms parallel to the window glass.

"True, there really isn't anyone."

He's getting restless. Walk back and forth on the small terrace of that modest house. One of his hands was stuck to his waist and the other was twitching his forehead.

"Sorry, find who, huh, Mas?" asked a middle-aged woman who suddenly came over to Gavin who looked confused.

Gavin stopped his activities and turned to the origin of the sound. "Sorry, ma'am, is this house still inhabited?" tanyakanya.

"Still, Mas. But right now they're in the hospital."

"Hospital? Who is sick?"

"Grandfather Usman, Mas."

"Ooh. Did Nilam come to the hospital too?" ask Gavin again.

"If Nilam, as far as I know, he doesn't live here anymore. Just a week ago he was forcibly taken by Juragan Dahlan."

"Brought by force, you mean? Sorry, I don't understand a bit." Gavin frowned not understanding.

"From what I've heard, Nilam will be married to Juragan Dahlan, Mas."

"Who is Juragan Dahlan, ma'am?"

"He's the owner of the tea plantation here. The richest man in the village. He is old, my. My father is the same Nilam, he is beautiful, good, but must be married to the despot," said the woman concerned.

Gavin was stunned to hear the woman's words. "really?"

"Yes, Mas. I'm sorry, if I may know, this Mas guy, who's here to see?"

"I'm Nilam's old friend, Mom. Just wanted to meet, it's been a long time."

"Well, what a pity, Mom. Nilam must be the wife of Juragan Dahlan."

Gavin was silent for a moment. "Yes, it's okay, ma'am. Thank ye. I'm just going back."

"Yes already, Mas. Excuse me."

Gavin smiled.

Right, that little girl Gavin was referring to in his conversation with Kenzie a while ago in his office was none other than Nilam.

"Nilam, she was forced to marry an old man. Of course he didn't love that guy. I have to be able to meet him, no matter what," Gavin said with determination.

He then stepped back into his private car parked right in front of the yard. And start to move slowly. "Ah, I forgot to ask the mother, where was Nilam taken. Damnit. But, after all, the day had started late in the afternoon. I'll just come back tomorrow." Gavin spoke to himself.

Shady trees line the rural streets that Gavin runs through. But something caught his attention. A small street beside the big road that passed by.

Gavin stopped his car and sauntered out of the vehicle.

He began to lead his steps through a path that was either going to his destination.

He stood on a big rock. His eyes were staring blankly at one point.

Hey, already.don't water me anymore. My body is soaked. The voice of an eight-year-old little girl hugging her knees was cold by the river.

Come on, little fairy, let's play again. I am not happy playing with water. Those words were spoken by the eleven-year-old little Gavin who was engrossed in playing water while splashing it towards the little girl.

The shadow cliches of his childhood with the little girl, who was none other than Nilam, continued to play into his mind. He stepped down near the clear flowing river water. He crouched down, then touched the flowing water occasionally.

"I miss you Nilam. Are you okay now?"

When he dissolved in the melody of his longing for the little elf, suddenly....

Puk!

Someone patted his shoulder. He then turned his head back.

"Who are you?" gavin asked the man who turned out to be Didy.

Gavin frowned inexplicably, as Didy spoke using his gestures and arms. "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying."

Didy stepped back, took something from a plastic bag he had placed not far from his place and Gavin was.

Gavin watched every move of the gago boy.

After a while, Didy offered a piece of writing, which he wrote in a small book that he carried everywhere.

In the little book it is written;

Whose brother? I think I just saw Brother here? What are you doing in this river?

After reading the contents of Didy's writing, Gavin smiled then looked at Didy who was already sitting on a medium-sized stone beside him.

"Sister's name, Gavin. Brother came from town A. and Brother came here looking for someone. But when Big Brother came to his house, he wasn't there. The neighbor's mother said she was forcibly taken by the Juragan...? Whose shipper is it...? Ah, Brother even forgot his name."

Didy snatched the book from Gavin's hands, shook the questioner back and wrote something there. When he finished, he handed it back to Gavin to read it.

Juragan Dahlan meant Brother? Trus, is the person whom you are looking for is Nilam's brother?

After reading Didy's writing, Gavin nodded his head in a rapid rhythm. "Yes, Nilam. I was looking for Nilam. Do you know where he's taking the Jagan?"

Didy looked down lethargic.

"What's wrong?" Gavin gives back Didy's book. "Write whatever you want to say."

Didy grabbed his book back and started scratching his ink hesitantly.

Brother Nilam, he's already escaped from Juragan Dahlan's house. But never returned to his house. He's gone, brother.

Gavin flinched after reading Didy's ink scratches. He looked straight ahead. "Nilam's missing? Then where should I look for him. Little elf, I miss you" muttered Gavin but it was still heard by Didy.

Is this Brother the child who was once in the care of Almarhumah Mbok Nah? The contents of Didy's next writing, which Gavin read again.

Gavin looked at Didy in disbelief, "You know?" he asked Didy, who then nodded.

"Did Nilam tell you that?" Didy nodded back.

He said he really missed someone who always accompanied him to play water in this place as a child. The one who always comforts him when he is sad. And always carry it when you come home crying. Is that guy a big brother?

Gavin smiled looking up at Didy's writing. Then he nodded.

"Does he remember me?" For the umpteenth time Gavin received Didy's nod.

Gavin's eyes began to look teary. Deep within his chest, the rumbling of yearning began to overwhelm him.

"Yes, God.... I need to find him right away. Find my little elf.