Luccane
Chapter 47: Paris of Java

After feeling my heart a little more relieved after crying, Andri tried to comfort me with a trivial joke that he made. Quite unexpectedly, a quiet child like him was also able to make enough joking dime to make me chuckle amused.

"You know why Bandung is called Paris van Java?" ask Andri who is still focused on the steering wheel.

"What's the reason?" I asked back with curiosity.

"Because Bandung used to be a prototype of the Colonialle Stad or colonial city. In the past, in the twentieth century in Bandung once the activity of the plantation makes important buildings such as hotels, shops, entertainment venues to schools also stand. On the Braga road, the Dutch built buildings that physically resembled famous places in Europe. As you can see, there are still some European-style buildings that still stand there" Andri explained.

The car that took me and Andri then turned towards Braga street, a road that has been full of frenzy since the Dutch colonial era.

The two-way road is not so big, but it looks crowded with vehicles passing by.

On the left and right side of the road, there is a building with a typical European architectural style that still stands firmly complete with tabebuya trees whose flowers are in bloom adding to the beauty of Braga street. My heart goes back to remembering this road, which I had traveled with Luccane while traveling through time.

That night, Luccane clasped my hand so tightly with the grooming of a Sinyo. Longing to slip back into the recesses of my heart made a thin smile slip across my face.

"Andri, would anything have changed if I had been born at that time?" I asked unconsciously with an empty look.

Andri rubbed the top of my head, smiling gently behind his wheel.

"Luccane was born in the late Dutch colonial era, it was not a pleasant and peaceful time to live. Young women are forced to become Jugun Ianfu and you can be included if you are the same age as Luccane. You even know why Luccane died?"

I closed my eyes, thinking back to the time when Luccane and I first met the view. The look in his eyes was so sad, full of sadness and despair that it initially made me feel sorry.

"Yes, he was just a poor young man who knew nothing but was instead killed in such a heinous manner. How could those Japanese soldiers be so ruthless, drowning others with ballast tools at his feet?"

"I heard that the Japanese soldiers were always accompanied by evil demons brought directly from Japan at the behest of their emperor. That's why they are so cruel and cruel" Andri replied.

"Yes, I've heard about that too. They never hesitate to lose the lives of others while still colonizing this country," I said, shuddering in horror at how at that time the Japanese soldiers lightly drew their swords.

"Here you go, after these walks you must rest a lot. I will definitely ask why your eyes are so swollen," said Andri mewanti-wanti.

I will stay one more night at Mang Ujang's house to comply with Aunt's wishes which continue to persuade me to stay one more night. At least, Bibi can feel the existence of a girl even though temporarily with me in their house.

"It's almost night, Andri. We don't have to take any further route later Auntie's worried that we're home late."

"Yes, we should go straight home after this."

The golden orange twilight sky has graced the sky of Bandung today, it looks so beautiful that I do not want time to continue rolling. The warmth of the longing that enveloped my heart the greater the reluctance to leave, I closed my eyes to return to feel the soft touch of Luccane.

Luccane, I hope we can meet once more before I decide to continue with the choices I've been thinking about.

After dinner with Mang Ujang's family, I was immediately told by Bibi to rest in the room. Although my face was pouting because Auntie always forbade me to help her but I had no choice but to comply.

I went into the room and sat on the bed, watching the full moon shine so brightly. After talking to me last night, Meneer Willem did not see the trunk of his nose either went where the ghost of the Dutch man went.

"Visha.." called out a soft heavy voice, making me turn to the source of the sound.

The man, the man I had longed for, was standing in the corner of the room dressed in a neat white shirt suit, complete with a bow tie.

"Where are you going in that neat suit, Luccane?" I asked with a voice that had been shaking to hold back the cry.

"Tonight will probably be my last time to come to this world. Shouldn't we at least date one last time?" soft sahut.

My tears broke, and I slammed into Luccane's arms. Gently and patiently, Luccane tried to make me stop crying even though he was crying himself.

"You must live well and happily after this even without me, Vishabea Lazuardi. Love someone you deserve to love, no longer love someone as different in dimension as you are. Make your Mama and Papa proud, promise me," Luccane whispered all those words in my right ear.

I was unable to answer Luccane's words, only able to nod slowly trying to respond to his request. This meeting should be our most memorable date for me and for Luccane.

"Whatever happens I will always love you, Vishabea Lazuardi," Luccane added.

I loosened our arms, looking up to look at the handsome face of Luccane who had always been a palanquin to me all this time.

Our gazes met, trying to let go of each other's longing that had only been buried in silence.

"I won't be able to forget you, Luccane."

Luccane smiled, cut the distance between us and then gave a sweet kiss full of love and longing for me.

I will remind you well of this feeling, the incredible thumping feeling on my chest, the warm feeling that runs all over my face until my blood also feels great rustle delivers this turbulent surge of love.

"I will always love you, Vishabea. Remember all the memories that happened tonight, keep them all in your memory and heart" Luccane said in a low voice, again urging me to hold her tight.

It's magical, even though we're different dimensions somehow I can touch Luccane like I've been touching an ordinary young man since we first met.

"Thank you for loving me so much, Luccane."

"That's no big deal. Then let's go on a romantic date, Vishabea my lover."