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48 | Soundrenaline
AS I have told you before, Clover Leaf University of Surabaya was just a stone throw away from my house in Certajava. Both were still in the same Goobank Sub-District. That was why I was not in a very rush.
I felt that tonight would be bright. The stars in the sky were cheerfully twinkling while the perfectly round moon shone brightly. I spurred the motorbike through the wind, which made my hair curl crookedly.
When I saw the view of the sky, I was reminded again by the tears and round face of Julia.
However, for some reason, every time I met Julia, there was always something strange about me. I could not seem to be honest with my own feelings for her. I always pretended to think of Julia as just a childhood playmate.
In fact, I realized I like her, even since I was in middle school. Yes, I did not know. Julia was probably my first love. But I never had the guts to express it. I was afraid Julia would reject it.
I realized I prefer to keep our rela
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 49 | Soundrenaline 2
THE backstage area was a stretch form of military tents and red cross tents. I could see that trucks and buses were going in specific directions. Many people could be seen lowering the black rectangular crates with silver trim. Very busy and crowded. I believed those people were band crew members.The sound of the harmonies musical instruments was heard backstage, even though the sound system speakers were facing the opposite direction. From the song, I guessed that it was 5 Goddesses girls band who was performing.The backstage, the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke was overwhelming. The halogen lights installed in every corner were dazzling to my eyes. Stinging and very hot.I was then invited by Kacey to go to one of the tents. If I did not memorize it, I would definitely get lost. Before I entered, I could read the sign on the outside that said "G5". And there was a list of the guest stars, such as 5 Goddes, Kacey Loves Monday and the others.When
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 50 | Soundrenaline 3
"THIS is the cool band I've been waiting for," said Kacey."Really?" I asked."Not the band actually, but one of them," Kacey corrected herself."Who?" I asked again.Kacey then whispered into my ear."Secret.""Oh," I responded curtly.If a girl had been playing secrets like this, I should not fight her. Better just say yes, right?Getting closer, the commotion caused by this black theme group invited another uproar. The guest stars who were in the tent came out to watch them. Some took out their cellphones to take photos or videos of the moment the group walked past them. There were also those who are hysterical. Hysterical celebrities met other celebrities?Up close, it was as if a slow scene. Out of those dozens, four caught my eye. Among them, there was a chubby giant with long golden hair. He wore a black t-shirt, combined with knee-length cargo army pants. His arms were full of tribal motif tattoos.A simil
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 51 | Soundrenaline 4
KACEY was still in disbelief.I left Kacey by stepping into my position to the left of the stage. I waved to the crowd, who were greeted by thunderous cheers from the SOUNDRENALINE Music Fest assembly."Che!" the MC introduced me.Ryg's band crew — most of them — came from some employees of Inferno Music Studio and several neighbors in Certajava. Kimmich, who worked as a parking attendant on a daily basis, now had his turn to look after my equipment.Kimmich handed me an Ibanez bass guitar which I was sure was fine-tuned along with the Messa/Boogie amplifier. The crew members who first got on the stage took apart the equipment that was already available on the platform. They then replaced it with equipment that we brought ourselves. I reward Kimmich by giving him two thumbs up."Thank you, Kimmich!" I said to himI started checking the sound by strumming the strings. Boom! The sound boomed until the sound waves hit the trees unti
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 52 | Soundrenaline 5
FINALLY, the silence that Kacey maintained broke. She then seemed to be back to being the usual spoiled uptown girl. Then, she let go of my arm, turned around to face the stage, then leaned her back against my chest. I could smell the fragrant shampoo from her hair.When that moment happened, I wanted to put my hands around Kacey's waist. But I was afraid she thought I went too far. In my heart, I already felt lucky to be able to grasp her smooth palm.After the My Flower song was finished, I invited Kacey back to the G5 tent, the guest star tent where Kacey Loves Monday was getting ready. Kacey nodded in agreement. Then, I said goodbye to the people on stage, including Brother Quinn, the manager of The Boumerank."You've done well," Brother Quinn said to me while blinking his one eye. "But your struggle is still far from successful. Keep that hard-working, will ya.""Thank's, Quinn," I thanked him.I then gave my hand to Kacey as she was about to
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 53 | Bacchanalia
I accelerated my speed until we arrived at Embong Malang Street. This Surabaya culinary center was lined with international-class star hotels. I looked at the digital clock on my motorbike dashboard. It was 11.30 P.M. Just in time, I thought.I turned the wheel towards the entrance to the hotel complex. On the front yard, there was SATYRICON INTERNATIONAL hotel name written in all capital letters. It was also highlighted by golden lights as a symbol of luxury."Why a hotel?" Kacey asked with a frown.I then glanced at the rearview mirror. Kacey was shifting defensively.I turned my motorbike towards the basement parking lot. After taking the parking ticket, I parked close to the elevator.I hopped out of the motorbike, but Kacey seemed to be still sitting on the passenger seat, clutching her handbag on her stomach. As if she did not want to move."You said you trust me, right?" I said in a confident tone while was reaching out Kacey’s
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 54 | Bacchanalia - Rainbow
THE sound of the music then slowly became silent. The hustle and bustle of the humans on the dance floor began to calm down. The visitors who throng the Bacchanalia distract themselves by drinking again.It was already midnight. Maybe it was the time for the Bacchanalia staff to rest. Usually, after the host DJ performance - at zero hours - it would be changed to a guest DJ. But, I did not know who the guest DJ would be.However, the absence of music had not made the atmosphere filled with adult men and women wither. It was like the atmosphere of an annual festival. Even though the long-awaited one had not yet appeared, the visitors were still waiting faithfully.I then got rid of my previous worry - a strange feeling amidst the excitement of a nightclub. Unlike usual, someone was watching me from somewhere. But I d not know for sure."Here, drink again!" asked Kacey, then gave me a glass.Since there was no music playing, we did not have to shout
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 55 | Bacchanalia - An Old Story
"IT’S OKAY?" I nodded at Kacey. "That's my uncle. He summoned me."While being escorted by two big people, I left Kacey and headed towards the VIP room. I imagined that the VIP room would be full of beautiful and sexy girls who flirt with every man in it. Or, they would dance while showing their assets erotically.One of the two men opened the VIP door. Apparently, inside this VIP room was not as I imagined earlier. There was no scene like in a crime movie. There was only an old man surrounded by several bodyguards who were also men.They seemed to be casually drinking and smoking in the room, which I estimated was 6 x 6 meters. The dance pole, apparently, was just being a room decoration. There was none occupied it. Nothing special. Besides, the sound of the music was not too loud inside."Uncle Brody," I greeted him respectfully. "You summoned me?""Yes," he replied."Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked."No," he repl
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 56 | Bacchanalia - Taboo
I leaned my back against the back of the sofa chair in the VIP room. My brain was still digesting the long story from Uncle Brody. I thought he just talked about himself. Apparently, the story was related to my family, the Tanoto family.My guess was correct that the Chinese man was my grandfather Bradley Tanoto. But I did not think that my grandmother was a former jugun ianfu. As I remember, she never sang. But she was a very patient and compassionate Javanese woman. No wonder that when she was young, many men fell in love with her."We share the same one woman, Son," said Uncle Brody, "My mother, Mary Sue, is your grandmother. I am your mother's eldest stepbrother. And you are my nephew. That's why I called us family."I just kept quiet hearing Uncle Brody's clear explanation. But I still wonder about the house that was the primary location in this series of events.Based on Uncle Brody's story, there was a fig tree in the middle of the brothel. I thoug
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