An Awakening Story

Chapter 4 - Leassons and Thoughts

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Abi sat in the dining room, accompanied by hot steaming tea beside him. It's one of his ways to enjoy the morning before getting back to reality, a time he would spend by himself to think or to relax.

Sipping from his cup he heard someone walking, their feet making multiple thuds with each getting faster. Wonder who it was, his question was soon answered.

Dzaka peep into the dining room, wanting to confirm if his brother is present, his eyes widen a bit as he fully enters the room with a smile.

Abi raised his brows, surprised to see the other already awake with a book in his hands. He sat down his cup and smiled at the youngster.

"Now this is a sight I don't see often... what brings you here, in this time? It's unusual that you wake up this early..", Abi said with a small chuckle, Dzaka walked to him and gave the book he held onto.

"I finished the homework you gave me!", Dzaka said with a proud smile. Abi gently took the book his brother gave and flipped through the pages.

He smiles while flipping through the book.

"I didn't expect you to finish it in one night, regardless I admire your determination", He said stopping at the page Dzaka recently wrote.

Dzaka gave a soft chuckle, facing the opposite way so his brother wouldn't see his flustered face.

"Matur nuwun mas...", He said as he grabbed one of the chairs and pulled it out of the table, he sat down and waited for his brother to finish reading what he discovered.

Some time passed as Abi gave a nod and closed the book, he returned the book to Dzaka which then placed it on the table.

"You are already talking about Independence huh?", Abi said, his voice a bit more stern than his usual soft spoken one. Dzaka only nodded.

"I don't know if you want me to see it that way or not... so what I wrote is purely from how I view your work mas...", Dzaka said nervously as Abi nodded.

"People will interpret my work differently, depending on their ideals and background, but since you brought up the topic of independence I will tell you somethings you need to know", Abi said as Dzaka listened intently.

"There's a cost to freedom, quantity speaking we won't know, maybe it will be very costly or will be as easy as you stealing the freshly made tempeh yesterday", Abi said, throwing in a bit of a joke to Dzaka, to which the younger replied with an awkward laugh.

"Regardless, from the history books we have, freedom is expensive, and the majority of how nations gain their independence is through bloodshed", He continues.

"Let me ask you, what's the source of their yearn for freedom?", Abi asked as Dzaka thought of an answer.

"Most of it is from the people's desire, they are not satisfied with how things are going, from laws that only benefit one group to the colonial government that did not listen to the people's wishes", Dzaka said as Abi nodded.

"There are multiple factors that contributed to the idea of independence Dzaka, one of them is the people"

"Now this is where I will give you a warning", Abi said as Dzaka nodded with a hint of nervousness.

"You are one of the privileged people in this land Dzaka, and with our occupation, they see us as a sign of hope"

"They are able to support us but they can also riot against us, history has proven that the people can overturn a regime when the system and justice aren't also in their favor, be careful of the people Dzaka", Abi warned his voice stern.