"Starting today, whenever you see her, treat her with the utmost respect. After all, she'll be your future Hara."
"Gi-ginoo?" Famir was startled by this unexpected declaration. He actually thought about it now! But how could his Ginoo think of her as the future Hara? Does that mean he would marry her? Of course, he would marry her! If he wanted to make that woman the next Hara. They have to get married!
But didn't his master have a thing with Tala too? "What about Bai Tala?"
"What about her?"
"She's your betrothed, isn't she?"
"Who says?" Famir did not say a word. When Bai Yanar died, they concluded that the next bride would be the second daughter, Tala. There was no announcement or confirmation, it was a pure assumption. Given the fact that the Rajah wanted to become related to Datu Pita by the marriage of their off-springs.
"Maki, I want you to take surveillance to the bride of Datu Achis, I don't have a good feeling about her." It was at dawn that the first day of celebration had ended. Most of them were so drunk that they were carried by their slaves back to their room, those who were sober left the area unhurriedly.
"What do you want to know?" Maki, who was beside Tala, asked. The whole time, he was hiding on the pillar, watching everything. The woman with the young Datu also caught his attention, reminding him of the Bai who he cherished but had died. He didn't make it a big deal and did not assume that it was Yanarym, instead, it incited his eagerness to bring Tala down.
"Nothing, in particular, just watch her," Tala ordered Maki nonchalantly. Both of them parted ways in the hallway after Maki heeded her command.
Then, he saw the young Datu walking into the bedroom that was given to them with his companion, the woman he had to spy. Since there was no door, only beads that hang on the entrance, he could glimpse at the silhouette inside as the sun started to rise.
The young Datu was sitting on the corner of the bed staring at the woman who was sleeping soundly. He reached out to her hair and caressed her softly. It's an act of how much he treasures and loves her. Maki grins in bitterness, how sweet of him…
"Achis?" The woman called him sweetly but huskily. "I'm having a hangover." She complained to him about massaging her temple.
"Alright, I'll tell someone to prepare you a soup." Achis replied to her, "Sleep more, it's still early."
"Um," the woman responded. Maki outside was stunned at his spot after listening to the conversation.
He breathes heavily and pounds his chest where his heart is beating rapidly and loudly. He couldn't be mistaken, that sleepy voice was her---it's her, it's his Bai, "Yanar..."
If the night was alive, the daylight would be the time where the kadatuan and the rest of the guests in the banquet will be having their time sleeping. Some were going on a stroll and some were interacting with the merchants that were making profits in this special event. The fourth day of the Rajah's birthday celebration. Tala was summoned by the Rajah into a private meeting.
"Sorry I had called you now, I've been busy." Rajah Basi said. Tala smiled at him shaking her head. Pertaining that they should have had an earlier discussion but he was preoccupied with entertaining the guests.
"I understand Rajah," Tala said politely, as she as well, was too busy with her business why did she come here to this puod. Gathering allies…
"How's Pita?" The Rajah asked while sipping the cup of wine given to him by the hayohay. Tala was sitting on the soft futon and was looking up to the Rajah's seat.
"Baba must be recovering as of now." She said, Rajah, bobbed his head and put down the cup.
Pita and he have been friends since the days they were born. They had gone through things that they thought could never survive. More than anyone else, Pita was the only person he had treated with respect, if not for Pita he wouldn't be sitting on this throne with this kind of life.
Basi had seen Pita's prime years, and the time of his spring, and the time of his rainbows and butterflies. Currently, he had to witness Pita's downfall too. If only Pita did not fall in love with his wife, Ara. He wouldn't be suffering this much.
"That's great, after this celebration I will be accompanying you to visit your father." He said and examined the second daughter of his friend from the second woman. Tala was not as beautiful as the first daughter. It's natural since Yanar's mother had the most beautiful appearance he had seen. That's one of the reasons Pita was so madly in love with Ara.
Pita himself had the heroic and machete ambiance where he was admired by the women of their age. When his daughter was born, it was known that she was the epitome of beauty that had lived in this world. It's a pity that she died.
Since the top lady who had the title of beauty had died. Tala could be labeled as a beauty herself.
Pita's fate had fallen astray. Rajah Basi's friend had a depressive life. The wife died, The daughter died, it's a pity. Then, the only family that remained was his daughter from the women who ruined his harmonious family. He must be grieving so much.
"It would be my honor Rajah Basi." Tala smiled sweetly, bowing her head to him. Rajah sighed as condolence for his friend's misfortune. Then, he remembered that his right hand told him that Bai Tala was trying to make an appointment with him to talk about a certain matter.
"Great, good. I've heard you've got something to ask me." He opened up the concern and Tala nodded her head to agree.