INDONESIA
The Tale of Baswara
Stage 3
Story by Lottie Shauvek
Edit by the CLA Editing Team
Illustrated by Anya Kumarawati
Prologue
Baswara is a faraway land, and it is my home. Sadly, it hasn’t always felt like one. Everyone knows that Cahara was the leader of Baswara. He created this stupid code of crazy rules. For example, one law stated that men could only have short hair and women should have long hair. Everyone seemed to follow his rules. I didn't want to. But I was scared and didn't understand his powers. I was lucky to find Melati, a group of many people just like me.
Chapter 1
Our story started one morning in Baswara. Nusa and Kantang were walking in the square.
“Thank you for coming with me! Can you believe it? My very first book is finally published!” said Nusa excitedly.
“No worries. Look! That’s your book!” said Kantang, pointing to a book in the front of the bookstore.
Nusa entered the store and picked up the book. He read one page after another. His story had been changed completely. The government changed it.
Disappointed, Nusa slowly closed the book.
“What's wrong?” asked Kantang.
Nusa said nothing. Kantang picked the book up and read the first few pages and understood why. Suddenly, they heard shouts coming from the square.
A young man was taken by the moral police for having long hair. Following the scene was Cahara, the ruler of Baswara.
“Please, Sir! Let me go! I'll do anything!” begged the long-haired man.
“There is no mercy for rule-breakers like you! TAKE HIM TO ANTILIAR!” commanded Cahara.
The scene was quiet until a voice cut through the silence.
“STOP THIS! LET HIM GO! HE DID NOTHING WRONG!” shouted Gayatri.
“Who do you think you are? You dare stand up against me huh?! HUH!?” said Cahara, with a look of disgust on his face.
Nusa was watching the whole scene. He quickly stepped between Gayatri and Cahara.
“Sir! Please forgive her and let her go!” begged Nusa.
.png)
“Listen here, Mister Nusa,” said Gayatri with a stern voice. “The rules Cahara made are not meant to protect the people. They are meant to give Cahara more power and control. Baswara may look peaceful, but it isn’t. He won't let us see anything from the outside world, so we don't know how ugly Baswara is.”
Gayatri walked away leaving Nusa behind.
He was surprised to see him. He looked away and spoke, “Shut up! I’m the ruler! You want to go to Antiliar too, huh?”
After Cahara left, Gayatri immediately walked toward Nusa and pushed him.
“Why did you stop me? Who are you to stop me?” said Gayatri, clearly angry.
“A simple thank you would be nice. I’m Nusa. Nice to meet you. What's your name?” asked Nusa politely.
“You shouldn't have stopped me! And I don't need to tell a weird man my name!” Gayatri was ready to leave, but Nusa stopped her.
“Why did you try to help him? The rules are supposed to be good, no? It was meant to protect us!” said Nusa.
Gayatri sighed in frustration.
.png)
.png)
Chapter 2
Nusa went back home with Kantang. He was still thinking about Gayatri’s words and was not listening to Kantang talking to him.
“HELLO? Are you listening?!” asked Kantang while waving his hand in front of Nusa`s face.
“Kantang!” said Nusa, coming out of his daydream.” I`m sorry, can you repeat what you said?”
“What are you thinking about?” asked Kantang. “Is it that girl in the square?” he guessed.
“Uuhh, yes,” groaned Nusa. Kantang really had a sense for mind reading.
“Well, tell me then! What did she say?” asked Kantang, folding his arms, ready to listen.
“She said that Baswara is not peaceful! Cahara won't let us see anything from the outside world, so the people don't know how bad Baswara is. I have always wondered why Baswara stands alone. Her answer makes sense!” said Nusa.
“Nusa! These are dangerous thoughts! This is the same as disrespecting Cahara!” said Kantang in a low whisper. “If the moral police heard this conversation, you could be sent to Antiliar! Are you crazy?” Kantang looked around worriedly.
“You know,” said Nusa with a sigh. “All my friends thought that the laws should never be questioned. Except you. You are the first real friend in my life. I’m just trying to say I trust you, Kantang. You mean a lot to me, and I care about your opinions!”
“I'm glad that you trust me, Nusa,” said Kantang. He took a deep breath and seemed to be preparing himself. “But you should know that I’m, ah um, I am different.” The air suddenly turned heavy, but Nusa stayed quiet. “I’m not what Baswara wants from the men of this country. My whole life is against the law. I live in fear, afraid that I will be sent to Antiliar at any time.” Kantang looked down, sad and scared that Nusa would turn him in.
“I won't turn you in, Kantang,'' answered Nusa.
“When I was small, I would go above and beyond the rules of a perfect Baswara citizen. Until… I wanted to be a writer,” continued Nusa. “I realized the rules are not right. The government has changed what I had written in my book.”
Kantang smiled and prepared to leave. “Follow me, Nusa. I’ll take you to your answers,” said Kantang.
“What? Where?” asked Nusa. Kantang said nothing and started walking away.
“Kantang, wait!” Nusa grabbed his coat and followed Kantang out.
Chapter 3
Kantang took Nusa to the back alleyways. They walked until they reached a dead end. He opened a secret door with stairs leading down. At the end of the stairs was a light-filled room with people of all kinds, truly looking happy. People were discussing openly, men with long hair, women with short hair! The room was full of rule-breakers, but they seemed so happy! Nusa was shocked. He continued to look around until Kantang brought someone over.
“Nusa, meet Gayatri, Gayatri, meet Nusa,” said Kantang, introducing them to each other.
Nusa stared at Gayatri. Gayatri stared at Nusa. Nusa gave Gayatri a smile. Gayatri just stared back with a look of disgust. It was very weird.
“Yeah, we already met in the square today,” answered Gayatri shortly.
“I know.” replied Kantang, just as short.
“Kantang, we need to talk, NOW!” said Gayatri, pulling Kantang off to a different corner. “Why did you bring him here? What's the idea!?” asked Gayatri furiously.
“We need people to make this work! He will be a good fit for Melati,” answered Kantang.
“But why him? I don’t like him! He is CRAZY!” answered Gayatri, giving Nusa a look.
“Really? You think he's crazy? He’s no more crazy than you! Both of you stood up to Cahara which could get you sent to Antiliar! Plus, he thinks you’re pretty, so… please, give him a chance to be part of this,” asked Kantang with puppy eyes.
Gayatri knew deep down Kantang was right, but to her, Nusa was just a creepy guy who stopped and asked her questions in the square! “Fine! I'll give him ONE chance!” Gayatri walked back to Nusa. She forced a smile and welcomed Nusa to the club, Melati.
Time went by. Nusa had conversations with Kantang, Gayatri, and others. Melati was built for the different people in Baswara, those who do not fit with the rules. Kids in Melati were picked up from the streets or were orphans.
Despite having no windows, the place was filled with the hope these people had for the change of Baswara.
Chapter 4
Weeks had passed since Nusa began visiting Melati more often. He became more and more excited as he talked with the members. Apparently, Gayatri taught the kids in Melati to dance and had a favorite student named Kirana.
“Miss Gayatri, like this, right?” asked Kirana as she showed her a series of hand claps and poses Gayatri had taught earlier.
“Yes, yes, very good, Kirana,” smiled Gayatri. With several more corrections, the practice was finally done.
“Now that you're finished, let's go eat! I'm starving!” said Kantang excitedly.
“Can I come too?” asked Nusa. He had been watching the practice and was now hungry too.
In the end, Gayatri, Nusa, and Kantang went for lunch together. After their meal, they walked around the square. They were enjoying their time when suddenly three moral police walked towards them and arrested Kantang.
“What is happening here? LET ME GO!” yelled Kantang as his hands were being handcuffed by two moral police.
“Let him go! He did not do anything wrong! We were just walking in the park!” said Gayatri.
“SILENCE! This man right here has violated Baswara’s law! said the officer. Nusa, Gayatri and Kantang were shocked. “He will be sent immediately to Antiliar. Now if you'll excuse us”. The moral police left and took Kantang with them.
After the police left, Gayatri became very worried for Kantang. Kantang was like a brother to her. Gayatri sat down and cried.
“Gayatri, please don’t cry! We'll get him back somehow!” said Nusa, trying to comfort her.
“How… how did the police even find out that he is different? The only ones who knew are…,” said Gayatri. She suddenly stopped crying, stood up, and pushed Nusa away.
“Why did you push me? What the heck is wrong with you?” asked Nusa in disbelief.
“What is wrong with me? What is wrong with YOU!” Gayatri shouted. “There are only two people who knew about this other than Kantang himself -- me and you! I didn’t and would never turn him in, which means YOU must have done it!” yelled Gayatri.
Nusa was surprised. He knew how close Gayatri and Kantang were. “Please Gayatri,” begged Nusa. “I would have never done that! I would never hurt him!”
“I trusted you! How could you do this to me? Don’t you ever come back to Melati!” yelled Gayatri. She turned away and left.
“I'll prove you wrong! I'll prove to you that it was not me!” yelled Nusa.
Gayatri did not care and walked away. He could only hope she heard him.
Chapter 5
It had been a week since the incident, and Gayatri announced to Melati that they should not meet for a while until further notice. She told Kirana about Kantang being sent to Antiliar. Kirana cried. She was sad for Gayatri because she knew how important Kantang was to her.
Gayatri felt lost and didn't know what to do any more until one day she made a discovery.
Kirana and Gayatri were walking in an alleyway when they saw two men having a conversation. One was a young man with long hair. Gayatri recognized him as the man who was supposed to be sent to Antiliar. To Gayatri`s surprise, the other man also looked familiar. He was the same moral police officer who arrested the long-haired man in the square!
Gayatri and Kirana hid behind a building in the corner and listened to their conversation.
“I need time, Captain!” begged the young man.
“You are not a very good spy, but at least you got that man to confess! Why is it so hard now?” asked the captain.
Gayatri`s heart stopped. The long-haired man had been spying on Melati. How did he get Kantang to confess?
“I told Kantang that I had escaped after my arrest, and he shared his story, but he wouldn’t invite me to meet the others. I think he was afraid.”
Gayatri realized that the scene in the square last week was only meant to expose members of Melati. “Oh, I’m such a fool. My anger toward Cahara put us in danger.”
Gayatri took Kirana and left. She left Kirana with a friend and headed to Nusa’s house, but she was only given a note instead of meeting him.
Gayatri,
I know that Kantang is like a brother to you. I swear I did not turn him in. But you didn't believe me. I will prove you wrong. If you are holding this letter, I'm currently in Antiliar. I will look for Kantang and bring him back to you. Wait for me.
Nusa
The note left Gayatri in shock! How did Nusa get to Antiliar?! More importantly, she had to get to him! But how?
Gayatri knew just what to do. Only rule breakers were ever sent to Antiliar. She walked out of the house, and then cut her hair short. As Gayatri was walking along the road, the moral police came and grabbed her.
"Your short hair is against the rules! You are under arrest," said the moral police. With that Gayatri was sent to Antiliar. People thought she was crazy, but Gayatri’s plan had worked perfectly.
Chapter 6
Gayatri was roughly thrown off the boat onto the shores of Antiliar. Night soon fell and rain came. Gayatri went into the forest to look for help. She walked and walked but found no one. She finally fell down and could not go on.
“I’m going to die here, alone, with no one knowing,” she thought as tears and rain rolled down her face. She had lost all hope and was slowly losing consciousness. Just as her eyes closed, a warm hand reached to her and carried her away.
*
Gayatri opened her eyes to the morning sun. She was alive! She had slept in a small hut with
Nusa sitting across from her. Gayatri was filled with relief. She jumped out of bed to hug him.
“Nusa! I’m so sorry! It was not you after all! It was that stupid long-haired guy who turned Kantang into the moral police!” Gayatri let go of her hug and stared straight at Nusa. “Let’s find Kantang and get out of here!” Gayatri took Nusa’s hand, eager to find Kantang.
“Gayatri, slow down!” said Nusa, pulling back. “Kantang is over there,” he said, pointing behind her. Kantang was sitting quietly, smiling and waving at her.
“KANTANG!” She rushed and hugged him tight. Kantang accepted her hug with open arms, and they cried after not seeing each other for what felt like forever.
“I'm sorry I made you worry, Gayatri,” apologizing to Kantang. “I made the mistake of confessing to the long-haired man. I thought I would recruit him for Melati. But I guess I was wrong.”
“Gayatri, how did you get here?” wondered Kantang after the hug.
“I broke the rules! But that doesn't matter. Now that all three of us are here, let's find a way back to Baswara!” said Gayatri eagerly.
Nusa and Kantang exchanged looks. “Gayatri, we don’t need to go back,” said Kantang.
“What do you mean? Antiliar is filled with criminals! Why would you stay here?” asked Gayatri. “Have you lost your mind?”
“That’s not true. Come! We'll show you!” said Nusa.
Gayatri was shown the village with … truly happy people! The absence of rules made people free to be themselves. All three traveled around Antiliar meeting different people all day long.
Weeks passed. Kantang, Gayatri, and Nusa had made the island their home. Nusa had grown to like Antiliar.
“Gayatri, I really like it here,” said Nusa.
“Me too. This place is heaven!” said Gayatri.
Suddenly, they heard screams.
“IS THIS ANTILIAR?! Tell me the way out!” a man shouted repeatedly. He was panicked and confused. Nusa took a step forward and attempted to calm the man down.
“Sir, calm down. This is Antiliar and you are safe here,” said Nusa, trying to calm the man down.
“Oh, great. You stupid idiots don't know anything! Where is the way out?!” the man asked in frustration.
Everyone looked very confused. Why would he say that?
“Um.. sir, there is no way out! This place is heaven! Why would you ever want to leave?” asked Gayatri.
“IDIOTS!” shouted the man. He jumped onto a tree stump and shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Listen here, people! Cahara has decided that people should be killed instead of being sent away for breaking the law. The moral police troops are coming here to kill all of us! Time is running out, you better start hiding!”
The man left the crowd in shock and panic. The scene became noisy as everyone desperately thought of a way out. Cahara had made Baswara into a sad place, so much so that people who were sent to Antiliar were actually happier than when they were in Baswara. If they lost Antiliar, there would be no more happy place.
Nusa knew they had to fight.
Now Nusa jumped onto the tree stump and yelled.
“EVERYBODY QUIET!”
The crowd was suddenly silent. Everyone had their eyes on Nusa. He became nervous but was determined to say what he had to.
“You can't hide forever,'' he continued. Everyone stood still. “We are in the jungle, we can try to hide. Under the trees, inside a cave. But, they will find us sooner or later. It’s time to fight! Cahara has taken our freedom and now he wants to take our lives! If Cahara does not give us OUR freedom, we will fight him, even if it's the last thing we do!”
Nusa looked at the now eager crowd.
“So, who is with me?”
Chapter 7
It was a foggy day and the square was silent. Only Cahara, accompanied by the moral police and several scared citizens, were walking around the square. Suddenly, a little girl bumped into Cahara. She had run into him, not looking where she was going.
Cahara looked down on the little girl who had just fallen down. Kirana held her breath, preparing for the worst.
“DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE BRAT! HANG HER IN THE SQUARE. I want it to be public! Everyone should be here or else!” commanded Cahara. Kirana burst into tears as the moral police took her away.
Later, everyone was gathered in the square to watch the public hanging of a kid. Cahara did not let her go and so the rope was placed around her neck. She could only cry and wait for the command to end her life.
“We have gathered today to see what happens when you break the law!” said Cahara, starting his speech before the execution. “I will remind you why you should always obey the rules.” He turned and looked at Kirana one last time, “PULL THE ROPE.”
“NOOO!!” It was Gayatri! Surrounding the square were Antiliar troops ready to fight, led by her, Kantang, and Nusa.
Last night, the Antiliar team entered Baswara. They successfully found the location of the armory and took everything.
The moral police were unprepared and outnumbered. As gunshots filled the square, the citizens ran away.
Antiliar was winning, and in the confusion, Nusa looked for Gayatri. He saw Gayatri crying in front of Kirana’s hanging body. She was dead.
“HAHAHA, you’re too late!” said Cahara with an evil laugh.
Gayatri gave Cahara a murderous look. “YOU MONSTER!” she shouted as she tried to tackle Cahara to the ground.
“STUPID KID! You think you can defeat me? BASWARA is MINE! You will never win!” said Cahara as he took her captive and put a gun to her head. “My supporting troops will come any minute and then ALL of you will be DEAD!”
“That won’t happen! We took all your weapons and ammunition! You cannot win, Father. Give up!” commanded Nusa. He took his gun and pointed it at Cahara.
Gayatri’s eyes widened in shock. Cahara and Nusa were family!
“HAHAH! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP, and YOU will never win!” yelled Cahara in anger.
Nusa hesitated. “Don’t make me do this. I'm already winning, Father. Can't you see how your troops are losing? Give up and we can end this in peace!” yelled Nusa.
“I’m not your father and you are not my son! I will never give up!” said Cahara. He pushed the gun harder towards Gayatri’s head and was ready to shoot.
“NOOO!” shouted Nusa.
The two guns fired at the same time. Cahara and Gayatri fell to the ground.
Epilogue
Dear Readers,
It’s been six months since the battle for Baswara. Cahara is dead, but don't worry, Gayatri survived. She is now the leader of the country with Kantang.
I myself wanted to continue writing. I want to spend my days doing the things I love most. Gayatri and Kantang are well-suited for the job.
If you are reading this letter, I’m writing this while sitting next to a window on a bright sunny day. I can see the trees, and children playing in the yard.
I’m running out of paper and the kids will be back in a few minutes.
So, see you next time, wherever you are.
Best regards,
Nusa Raihan Kertajasa
THE END