Bara glanced at the rearview mirror for the tenth time. Behind his old Jeep, a black SUV maintained a constant distance ever since they had passed the hilly areas. His heart thumped wildly, but his mind remained sharp—typical of a law student accustomed to analyzing under pressure.
"They're still there, Al," Bara whispered coldly.
Alma looked back, her face pale. "Where should we go? If we head straight to Semarang, they'll know our route."
"We'll confuse them. We're going south," Bara said, turning the wheel firmly.
They drove towards Parangtritis. Bara wanted to leverage the contrast between Jogja's dramatic twilight sky and the anxiety they felt. As they arrived, the southern coast was showcasing its grandeur. Vast black sands shimmered from the seawater, and the huge waves of the Indian Ocean roared, crashing against sturdy coral cliffs.
"Look at that, Al," Bara whispered briefly, captivated by Gumuk Pasir Parangkusumo. The giant sand dunes, appearing like a desert in the middle of Java, looked magical under the low-key, reddish glow of the setting sun descending towards the horizon.
Bara didn't flee immediately. He deliberately parked the Jeep among the crowded rows of tourist buses near the Gumuk Pasir area.
"Let's get out. We'll blend in with the tourists," Bara ordered.
They walked quickly among the towering sand dunes. There, Bara led Alma to hide behind the shadow of a cliff, watching the black SUV that had stopped in the distance. From their hiding spot, the view was extraordinary: silhouettes of people sandboarding against the backdrop of a huge, deep orange sun sinking into the sea's horizon.
"Jogja is too beautiful for a nightmare like this," Alma murmured, tears welling in her eyes at the harmony of nature before her, a stark contrast to the terror sent by her father.
Bara didn't reply. His eyes were fixed on two men in dark jackets who got out of the sedan, looking confused as they searched for the old Jeep now obscured by the large buses. As the intelligence operatives moved away towards the beach, Bara pulled Alma's hand.
"Now. We'll take the new southern coast road. They won't expect us to go that way."
Before continuing their journey, Bara pulled over in front of a small phone shop by the main road. He intentionally chose a place slightly out of the way to avoid leaving an easy trail.
"Wait here. I’ll only be a minute," Bara said softly to Alma, who looked drowsy in the passenger seat.
Before stepping out, Bara scanned his surroundings. The street was busy, but he remained vigilant. To him, every pair of eyes could be a threat. Once he was sure it was safe, he headed inside.
Alma gave a weary nod, but her eyes remained busy watching the street through the window. Her heart hammered when Bara disappeared behind the shop door. She knew her father never understood the word compromise. General Bratha always wrapped his absolute commands in the guise of "for the child's own good."
"Hey, are you cold?" Bara’s voice startled her, appearing at the open car window.
Alma gasped, then gave a small smile. "Did you get the phones?"
Bara held up a small bag, taking out two new phones and handing one to Alma. "Already has the SIM card. You can use it right away."
"Thanks. I'll pay you back later," Alma said.
"Don't worry about it. They were cheap." Bara sat back in the driver’s seat and started the engine.
"I’m serious, Bar. Every expense caused by me, I’ll pay it back," Alma looked down, her hands busy unboxing the phone.
Bara gave a faint smile. "Mom gave me some money. It’s enough to provide for you for a month."
Alma’s cheeks flushed. "If it’s more than a month, then it’s my turn to provide for you," she joked with a small laugh.
Bara stared at her for a moment, then asked seriously, "Do you think... we’ll be gone that long?"
"I don't want to go back, Bar." Her voice sounded like a sulking child.
Bara let out a long sigh. "Al... we can't run forever."
"Why not?!" Alma stared at him, her eyes wide.
"Your father will find us. You know exactly who your father is."
Alma looked down, her voice trembling. "But what if Papa still doesn't agree?"
Bara remained silent for a long time. His eyes stared straight ahead, as if searching for an answer on the asphalt road. "We’ll think about that after we reach Semarang. Let’s just try to get some peace first."
***
The midday sun felt scorching as the car entered the city of Semarang. It was already 1:15 PM. Alma stretched, reluctant to open her eyes.
"Is it still far?" she murmured, half-awake.
"Almost there," Bara replied. "You were fast asleep."
Alma held her head, which felt heavy. "I have a headache."
"Maybe it's the wind. You haven't eaten. Let’s find food and get some rest, okay?"
Twenty minutes later, they stopped at a small hotel, but it was full. Bara looked confused, but Alma immediately pointed to a grand building next to it. "Let’s just look for another hotel. There’s one right next door, right?"
Bara gave a thin smile. "That’s a five-star hotel, Al."
Alma knew Bara was exhausted. Without a word, she pulled Bara into the hotel restaurant to eat. After finishing their meal, seeing how worn out Bara looked, Alma secretly booked two rooms at the luxury hotel.
Once she returned to the table, she gently nudged Bara’s shoulder. "Let’s go to the hotel. I’ve already checked in."
"Here?" Bara narrowed his eyes.
Alma smiled mysteriously. "Not here. Next door."
Bara’s complaints immediately poured out as soon as they entered the luxurious room. "Alma! I told you we have to be frugal!"
Alma just lay on the plush bed, hugging her large bag. "Better than you getting even more tired, right? Besides, I have money."
Bara looked at the bag suspiciously. "What are you carrying in there?"
"Clothes..." Alma replied nervously.
Slowly, Bara opened the bag. For a moment, he froze—stacks of hundred thousand rupiah bills filled the bottom of the bag, hidden beneath her clothes.
"How much is this, Al?" his voice was choked.
"A hundred..." Alma whispered.
"A hundred million?!" Bara’s eyes widened. He leaned against the wall, his head suddenly spinning.
"Papa transfers money every month for college. I withdrew it all before my card could be blocked," Alma explained softly.
Bara covered his face with both hands. "Oh My God... Al, this is your father's money. They’ll definitely consider me a kidnapper who stole your money too."
Alma started to cry. "I just don't want to go back, Bar. I'm afraid Papa will force me into that marriage."
Bara sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. "Listen, Al... No matter what, we have to find the right way out. Your father doesn't even like me."
"So you’re giving up?" Alma asked as tears fell.
Bara shook his head slowly. "No. I’m not giving up. But for now... let’s just rest."
Bara laid his weary body down in the room next door. His mind was a chaotic mess. This escape was proving to be much heavier than he had anticipated. He got up, made some instant coffee, and took it to the balcony. For a moment, his heart felt wrenched.
YOU ARE READING
Kidnapping the General's Daughter
Romansa"He thought he was rescuing their love. He didn't know he was just driving her escape." Barra is a brilliant law student, a high-achiever who built his future on a prestigious scholarship. He plays by the rules and carries the weight of his mother's...
