GALIH AYU (The General)
a different path

it was early morning, Aum woke up.

his eyes sinlessly glanced at the sofa where the prince pennant last night was sitting. Aum felt last night was their last meeting. Aum hoped the prince would try to hold him back or something, but all was just empty hope, as the father said, his promise was nonsense.

'he's gone' Inner Aum shrieked, he's giving up now.

Aum sat himself down, sighing heavily to lighten the shackles in his heart. Aum realized how the degree he had was not worth to raise objections to the prince's marriage.

his mind was dead-end, with his status now he felt unworthy to impose his will, but his heart was in great pain.

He could not mourn his unlucky fate.

a year ago,

Aum remembered that he was studying in his father's library.The father was also present, sitting in his great chair while sleeping.that's the very secret that Aum has about his father.

exams are almost approaching, and Aum is getting more and more bitter to learn.to calm the heart of Sandrani's mother Aum also learned what to do women. almost every day he has no word stop studying. 7 Days a week, Aum's brain spins rapidly.

the entertainment he got was the presence of Prince Panji who sinlessly infiltrated his room.

and it was known to dad at last.

' does the prince keep visiting you? '

suddenly bandhoro questioned his daughter in a hoarse voice.

Aum who was studying jumped, until his writing brush fell, until his ink splattered on his clothes and table.

'father' murmured Aum slowly.

he's not sure what to answer.

father was not asking but accusing me. Aum laughed in his heart.

' they're getting married next year, no one knows what the prince's reason for delaying the wedding. Finally I know, and it's because of you'

slowly Bandhoro opened his eyes and looked at his little princess intently.

Aum looked down, though,

' the prince promised to marry me father'

aum replied boldly, although he subdued but he was not intimidated by his own father.

he knew his father would defend him.

' and you just believe? '

' is your smart brain not functioning properly? I'll marry you to anyone as long as it's not Prince Panji'

Aum squeezed his clothes hard, the anxiety he felt grew even greater after listening to his father's ultimatum.

compared to other people he knew right, but he kept denying it and kept hoping.

' father, Aum.. '

the words he had arranged instantly stopped as the father's eyes cluttered with him.

'Aum, I'm asking you to think properly so that I don't regret letting you make another life choice'

bandhoro's voice echoed.

' go back to the room, bring the necessary books. Daddy will rest'

Aum immediately tidied up his books and writing utensils.Aided Graha he rushed back to his room.

all the way back, Aum was restless.

what decision to make.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

until now Aum is unable to make a decision, his love is growing bigger and stronger.

never thought that his relationship and the prince had become the lips of the whole city, so His Majesty decided to separate us by sending me to the border to fight. Aum smiled wryly, no one tried to defend him.

everything he has got, the love of the family.The freedom that not all women get, Aum has enjoyed it. But he wants other things as well.

' ndoro is awake? I prepared the bath water'

the girl just nodded weakly. This morning she was going to meet the starting king.

the noble clothes that he had not worn for a long time had been neatly placed at the end of the room.dark green kebaya and subordinate colors were the same as patterns in the form of foliage that copied spread. this was his armor before His Majesty the King.

the noise of a group of mothers who since yesterday have made a noise back again.

'Aum, the mother of laras came with the aunts.go out immediately' exclaimed the real mother.

' i'll be here soon' replied Aum.

after the door of the room opened all eyes to the girl wearing a kebaya complete with simple hair makeup.once the air in the room became heavy, faintly heard a muffled cry.

all family members reluctantly escorted the only daughter in the family to go to war.

later this afternoon after receiving the mandate king Aum will move west in secret. Graha as a personal bodyguard as well as his servant will participate.

now they were on their way to the palace, but the horse they were riding on walked slowly as if without any burden.

' princess'

graha's voice tried to break the silence.

Aum who was daydreaming was a little surprised.

' there is still much time left if you have to wait for the morning meeting at the palace. will the princess stop at the lake first? ' asked Graha slowly.

like the message of Prince Panji that he received last night, he tried to invite his master to go to the place that the prince had determined.

ask Aum slowly.

Graha just kept quiet, after all his daughter must know the answer by itself.

' we will go straight to the palace' replied Aum flatly.

but the look on his face became so dark and sad.

there is nothing more to discuss, it will go as they wish.

the day became so gloomy, the cloudy lay enveloped the morning until it went to noon.

after waiting for quite a while, His Majesty came from the morning court.

A grand aura filled the entire room.

without speaking the King's eyes looked at me very sharply, as if telling me to shut up and go far away.

the voice of the Eunuch reciting the King's mandate was like a hum in my ear.

the figure of the Prince and the Crown Prince who were not the least bit staring at me, made my consciousness return.

' I will be back soon Your Majesty' said Aum firmly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

countless more long journey that the first time in his life must be taken in days almost without rest. when calculated already 4 days 3 nights trip by horseback, riding, aum's entire body seemed to be separated from its joints, but what power, urgent situation on the border. In addition to bringing relief soldiers he also brought weapons reserves and food stamps.

although not the general who leads the army, his position as a strategist makes him get different treatment.what else as a woman, everyone tries to maintain his dignity.

even so, Aum remained sitting in the saddle of the horse for 4 days.

a troubled heart all this time made him determined to prove that he could also get a name, so that he was able to refuse the King's orders.

' The camp is near, me and Miss Galih and their guards will leave first.You can rest and wait for the next order' the voice of the general who led us.

' let's Miss Galih, we will arrive first and deliver the strategy that Miss proposed' once again the General gave me orders.

' well ' I said steady.

immediately the five horses drove swiftly towards the camp.

in the not so long they have arrived and made a report, in front of Commander Bandhoro.

there is no waste of time, limited meetings are immediately carried out.A tough war requires a new strategy that is able to break down the strength of the opponent.

the presence of Galih Aumani was like fresh air, as soon as the meeting was over they went to their respective barracks to convey the results of the emergency meeting.

Then Aum lived in the Main barracks with his father.

Bandhoro does not open his mouth, nor does Aum. they avoid eye contact, somehow their warm relationship is no longer the same as it used to be.

' I will retreat ' said Aum clearly, standing bowing respectfully.

without waiting for an answer from his father he rushed out without knowing that his father was staring at his small back with deep sadness.

the war was so intense, the troops managed to pressure the enemy to retreat far enough.The war that lasted for almost 5 months bore fruit.One village we had been able to control, for a while we camped here. while helping the surrounding residents repair their homes that have been affected by the war.

in the main tent of the meeting is still held, the condition is still quite risky to slack off. enemy forces have not been willing to give up on negotiations.

tense faces enveloped the entire army, there were several sides arguing with each other.

some suggest waiting for the other side to surrender and one side wants to continue attacking as long as we are still underdogs.

the Commander was silent for a long time, all eyes waiting for the decision he took.

' Galih! what percentage of chances can we win? ' asked Bandhoro with great emphasis.

Aum raised his head that had been drowsy.

then his eyes turned sparkling when he heard the father's question.

' let me go down on the front line then I will give 100 percent victory for our side' the clear voice of the Girl through the wall of the tent.

Bandhoro furrowed his eyebrows, he knew the ability of his daughter, but who would willingly let his only daughter in front of the war.

' Sister Galih?! can you trust your self-confidence that we can trust? ' ask one of the generals.

Aum looked for the source of the voice, confidently staring at the person.

' i have been waiting for 5 months, and I am confident in the strategy that I give this, ' Aum replied firmly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

day by day passed...

war broke out again, and more than the previous one, the initial plan that only wanted to defend the territory instead became to seize the territory of the opponent.

2 Years have passed, the opposing side offers peace.they recognize our strength by declaring joining into a colony.

the war was led by the Commander-in-Chief's daughter after her father was called back to the kingdom.His father's appearance did not reflect his unthinkable cruelty.

with a bow and arrow she stood in the front row, winning many battles.The naive girl had disappeared, in her eyes radiated ferocity.War had turned her into a different person.

after spending 2 years he was finally able to return to the capital, keeping the promise he had made to His Majesty the King.

' i kept my promise' inwardly.

tbc...