Retold by Satoto Kusasi
Prologue
Head Quarter of Military Japan Imperial, date September 7th, 1941.
There was a long distance conversation using field radio, perhaps between General Toyo in Tokyo to General Yamamoto in Burma .
The dialogue of the communication that had intercepted, heard as,
+ We need more fuel to move our war machines therefore, we have to capture East Borneo; the site a good sources of crude oil. This must be done as soon as possible otherwise we could lose. I believe this is a top priority.
What do you think?
-Roger. Absolutely correct; crude oil is a top priority.
We will move troops from Burma, Malaya, Singapore and send them straight to East Borneo. Ten thousand fully armed and equipped soldiers will be ready for deployment very soon.
Out.
That was an important dialogue of Japan’s military staffs. It was intercepted and translated into English by Dutch secret military.
The conversation seems to have originated at the Japanese Imperial General Headquarter (perhaps General Toyo himself) and was sent to a subordinate in the field; General Yamamoto in Burma.
At the time of the message intercept, the Allied Powers (The British Empire, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and The United States of America) had not yet properly prepared for war. On the other hand, the Japanese military had. The Axis (Germany, Japan and Italy) were the dominate force of the war and showed no signs of weakening.
The japanese Air Force had even bombed Pearl Harbor successfully; the first successful attack on America soil in modern history.
Dutch commanded to retreat, “For the moment, we have to allow the Japanese to occupy Borneo.
Under German occupation Netherland had little ability to defend its colony against Japan army. Not less than three months after first attacks to Kalimantan (Borneo), Japanese Navy and army overrun Dutch and Allied and ending three hundred years colonial precens in Indonesia.
The effect of Japan occupation upon the majority people of Indonesia were optimistically and even joyfully welcomed Japanese as liberators from their Dutch colonial master. However, some people were not happy hearing Japan;s propaganda. They suspicion it as hoax.
Chapter 1
In 1942 Balikpapan town was still a quiet place at East Borneo. However, its role as a major oil producers was already known and in full utilization by the Dutch Government. The many oil wells at Bunyu, Sangata, Tarakan, Samboja and Tanjung; produced thousands of barrels of crude oil daily; which were then processed into precious fuel at the refinery in Balikpapan.
With taverns busy every night, full of refinery and oil labors; it was like a nightclub in the forest of Borneo. The majority of customers were mostly white skinned Dutch men, who enjoyed the tavern because of cheap beer, but mostly because of abundance of young and beautiful waitresses and ladies of the night. .
“Dorince, shall we meet again tomorrow night?”
“Of course we shall Kleberg; I like it.”
“Thank you Dorin! I will come back. See you later.”
Dorince was the most beautiful girl at the tavern. Along with her native Indonesian dialect, she was able to speak Dutch and British. Born into a poor family and raised in Manado, Dorince left her mother and father at an early age in search of income. She along with other girls from Java, Banjar, Bugis, Toraja, Ambon and many others Indonesian tribes, ended up in the nightclubs of Balikpapan, where the money was good and business was brisk.
As promised, the next evening Kleberg returned to the tavern, he ordered a beer and smiled at Dorince. The tavern was unussually quiet. Kleberg knew it was because the majority of Dutch society had already left Balikpapan with advanced warning of an emanate Japanese occupation.
“You looked beautiful tonight Dorin; I like your style and your perfume.”
“Oh thank you very much. You look very handsome too. However, I wonder why you look frightened; please relax, everything is OK.. Isn’t it?
Whats wrong with you?”
“ Dorin, you are in danger.”
“What you mean by that?”
“The Japanese army will come and occupy this town tomorrow. I must go, and I can’t take you with me. I am sorry that we have to part. I will miss you dearly.” Kleberg said bitterly.
Dorin stared at Kleberg in shock, “What can we do?”
“Convince your boss to close the tavern and find a place to hide; perhaps the forest or anywhere that the Japanese can’t find them. You should leave immediately for Manado; it should be safe there, Dorin. I wish thing could be different because, I love you. But I am afraid it just isn’t to be.”
‘What did you say? Do you love me Kleberg?”
“Yes Dorin, I do. I know this is a bad time to tell you, but please believe me Dorin, I love you with all my heart.”
Dorince looked at Kleberg face full of pain and affection, “Kleberg, I love you too. Please don’t go. Or, please take me with you.”
Kleberg looked at his beer, searching for the right words. When he find none, he simply said, “I can not.”
“But why Kleberg?”
“Because I am a soldier, Dorin. I must join my troop and fight at the battlefield.”
Rejected and hurt, Dorin reacted “Are you kidding? I don’t believe you! You are not strong! And you never wear the uniform of soldier. I know you are just a worker in a refinery.”
“I am a soldier, Dorin. You must believe me. Here is some money. It isn’t much, but it is all that I have. Please take it and go to Manado. And Dorin, always remember that I loved you.”
The couple embraced and kissed with a passion only the threat of loss can bring, “Kleberg, why did you reveal your love to me now? When you have to leave? Your love does not make me happy Kleberg.” Dorince whispered while she cried; her tears dropping onto kleberg’s shirt.
“I am sorry Dorin. Please blame the war, not me. I love you.”
News of the emanent Japanese occupation spread fast, but not fast enough. By morning, the tavern, the village and the refinery were silent. Those who were able to leave gathered what they could carry and fled under the cover of night deep into forest.
Japan attack happened on April 7, 1942, at sudden and ferocious. The Dutch Military had announced the news prior the attack, but only to the white skinned society of the oil refinery – most of whom had evacuated before the bombing. Japan air force avoided hiting the oil refinery and limited their destruction to the surrounding town and villages. In the first few minutes, thousands died instantly. Many more would die later.
Dorince, her friends and the tavern employees had escaped. Dorince was unable to return to Manado because of the speed and efficiency of the Japanese occupation. She regretted that Kleberg’s information came so late.
Chapter 2
The Japanese armies landed at Balikpapan beach. The Japan Navy embarked their military equipment on the shore; there were amphibian tanks, trucks, jeepys, cannons and other heavy military equipment, followed by thousands soldiers.
They moved into Balikpapan City with easy manner because of no resistance of Dutch military. They occupied every strategy building and Government office, then made it as their Military Head Quarter.
The young people of Balikpapan citizens gathered secretly. They discussed what can they do facing Dai Nipon soldiers. No one wants to be leader of rebel, even though they have agreement to fight aginst Japan invasion.
A man named Musa Firmansyah spoke, revealed his opine, “Now we have two groups of enemy, first Dutch colonial and second Japan conqueror. Both enemies had been fighting to each other up until now.
Japan call themself as ‘Big Brothers’, who wants to help us in our struggle against Dutch conqueror toward a freedom Country.
Who wants to believe Japan’s propaganda? Did you believe them?
I did not; both of them are the same, they are conqueror.”
“Shall we fight against Japan soldiers?”
“Yes, we shall.”
“Do you have a strategy to fight?”
“We would pretend have had agreed with our big brother to fight against Dutch colonial hand in hand with them; then we would wait and see an opportunity.
“How to fight? Since we have no weapon”
“Yes I know. We have just traditional weapon as had ever used by our Great Grandpa long times ago: archer with arrows, spear, blow pipe, blade, keris and sword.”
Someone said, “We agreed with you Musa. Will you be our leader?.
How about you friends, did you agree with me as Musa become our leader?”
“We agreed ! We agreed ! We agreed !” The audiences shouted.”
A member named Begjo said, “Musa, Dutch troops had left, but they also left their military equipment.”
“Tell us where they spent it, we need those things!”
“A friend of mine will tell us if he has been allowed join us; Now I will pick him up so wait a moment.”
Begjo went into deep forest, met his friend who waited under a tree.
Begjo guided a man. That man actually a white skinned ras but he had smeared his skin with black charcoal to camuflase. “I want to introduce you a friend of mine, name Kleberg. He is Dutch soldier but wants to join us to fight against Japanese. I asked your permit to accept him as our member.”
“Surprise! How come a Dutch soldier wants to join us, the rebellion? Welcome Kleberg! We appreciate you by joining us.” Musa said.
Kleberg anwered in Bahasa Indonesia fluently, “Thank you. I knew that I am as your opponent in your struggle for reaching your independent Country because I am a Dutch soldier. But I had deserted since I refuse to be evacuated and leaving Kalimantan.
I decided to join with you and fight against Japanese together.”
“Kleberg! Your reason doesn’t make sense; you just didn’t want to leave Kalimantan then you have to join us. I need to know what is your purpose or your desire exactly that you have to join us?” Musa asked.
“Actually, I am not a Dutch man but Suriname and my heart had been among the people of Indonesia. Believe me that I will provide your struggle toward independence Country; that is my desire and your desire too, right?”
The forest became quiet for a moment. Each of them thought, “Where is Suriname Country’s site in the World? Can I believe him? How come a Suriname man want to join us?”
Again Kleberg mention, “My father was Javanese, named Slamet Warsito. And my mother was a Dutch woman, I was borned in Suriname thirty years ago.
My family had been sent to Suriname as slave by Dutch colonial because my father was a rebel against Dutch Government. Therefore, I feel that I am part of Indonesian people.”
“Your mention is enough, now we understand and believe on you.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, Kleberg with me will take the weapons for us.” Begjo said.
Mean while, The Japan armies started to produce gas in refinery, but they failed. Therefore, they called the labors that had already become refugees in the forest. Japan have to forced them to work for producing gas as soon as possible.
Nevertheless, the Japanese could not able to bring the labors come; because the labors did not want to work as slaves for their enemies.
The Japan’s soldiers have to detain the refinery labors and other refugees in the forest. They must work and become slaves.
Two hundred soldiers had gone into forest to detain the refinery labors. Their Commandant is Mayor Takamura.
Takamura had good reputation when he occupied Malay and Singapore successfully. Nevertheless, he may be fail in Borneo forest.
Dorince and her friends had gone into the forest. Takamura had known that mater; that was good information since they needed those girls.
Those Japanesse soldiers need many girls for entertining and serving them; therefore the girls would become their targeted too.
Actually, Dorince and her group want to join the other refugees for their safety. Nevertheless, the other refugees had already gone two days before. They regretted Kleberg’s information had come late.
Somebody told her that Japan soldiers were at behind. He warned Dorince to be careful since Japan soldiers were cruel.
After ten days in the deep of forest, Dorince got fever and pale. Every body knew that she got malaria fever then they gave kina tablet to her. A week later she recovered and well again. However, she has to get rest because she could not be able to walk continuing her journey along with her friends.
“I need rest for a while. So please don’t leave me alone. I am afraid that Japan soldiers want to catch me.” Dorince asked her friend pitiful.
“Of course we will accompany you until you would be healthy again.”
“We need a save place for hiding, let us go into cave over there.” Tina a friend of hers said. They were going into dark cave for hiding.
They would save in that place. They were Dorince, Tina, Salmah, Maria and Tince.
Mayor Takamura’s troops run after the refinery workers into deep forest. Sometimes they fired their machine gun. Now they passed the mouth of cave; nevertheless they didn’t go into. Dorince was lucky.
The Japanesse Troops disappeared. One hour afterward they came back again with many refinerry labors as military internee. The labors were pity. Now they must work as slave for Japan Government without paying. The noisy sound of soldiers heard by Dorince and her friends, “Bagero (bastard) “
Dorince and her friends frightened hearing shouted of Japanese soldiers, therefore they moved again into deep of cave, save their soul. Salmah cried because of frightened; Dorince shut her mouth with her hand, “Please do not make noise ! We would save, believe me and believe in God.”
The sound of Japan soldier became weaker and weaker, afterward disapeared. Dorince was relief, “Seems they had gone. We save for a while”
After a while, some Japan soldiers entered the cave unexpected. They came into just want to search the cave because they have plan to make that cave as their military bunker. Seems they discussed about the cave.
Salmah cried again; now the soldiers heard the sound. They prepared their gun, ready to shoot. They used flash light for searching their enemies.
A soldier shot blindly with his machine gun in to the dark cave. The ladies were lucky since they were protected with hard rock.
Salmah cried loudly, ‘Allah hu Akbar, God, please save us!”
“Run, run, run! we separated” Dorin gave instruction to her friend.
The young ladies run away spreading in the dark cave, but the soldiers run after them.
It was useless to fight against soldiers then afterward the Japan soldiers had founded and caught them. Those young ladies surendered.
“Please don’t hurt us; please we beg you; we are just pity women that had trapped in war situation.” Dorin said in English.
Surprising that one of them could speak Bahasa Indonesia; he said, “Do not be afraid, we do not want to make you hurt and injur, believe us!” (Jangan takut, kami tidak bermaksud menyakiti kamu, percayalah!).
Seems he was leader of that group; he was polite and handsome. Afterward he pointed Dorince and said, “This lady is belong to me; she is mine.
You can take the others.”
He talked in Japan Language.
Dorince didn’t understand since he talked inJapan language. His act by pointed her make Dorin could understand that she had been chosen as his girl.
Seems they had already distributed those girls to each of them as if the girls were just thing or goods; no value at all.
Dorince took away, separated with her friends. What was her fate would be, no body knows. Will they kill or torture them? Seems they will not since they need those girls to ful- fill their sexual desire.
The Japan took away Dorin and brought her into one house; he put Dorin in a room, locked the door and window too, “Do not try to run away, other wise I will kill you! Do you understand?” (He said in Bahasa)
Dorin nodded,
“Why he can speak Bahasa? I am afraid he was real Indonesian man and doing collaboration with Japan.” She thought.
The Japan soldier who can speak Bahasa run out with his gun; he join with his group. They prepared their weapon; afterward the sound of firing machine gun and grenade could be heard. Perhaps, their enemies attacked straight to the house.
Seems the battlefield had happened not so far from Dorin’s house.
Dorince peeped from a hole, wants to know how cruel the war had happened. She saw many soldiers from both side died as casualty.
Dorin saw that the Japanese fought against Indonesian men.
“Who was the Japan’s opponent? Dutch troops? But I did not see any white skinned among Indonesian. Dutch Goverment always using Indonesian as their soldier. Perhaps the Japan’s opponent is Dutch troops but may be not” Dorin asked in her heart
“If they were Dutch armies, then my lover, Kleberg may would have been there among of them. God, please save my lover”
She was obedient Roman Catholic.
She remember God; she need God’s help to save her and her lover too.
She prayed, “God, I know that the war is your scenario. Now I have trapped in a house and being custody. Now I am the victim of war.
I am just weak creature of yours and I have never known why they fight to each other. Oh Jesus Chryst, please save my life; please save Kleberg too.
I know you would provide me and my lover since we are right, they are wrong.
I know also that your scenario would be ended as an happy ending of ours.
Thank you God.”
Chapter 3
The Manager of oil refinery was a man from Japan Army; his name is Sintaro Saburo. He was smart and energetic to manage the Oil Company. He can speak Bahasa fluently because he had ever been in Batavia as long as ten years before war erupted. Because of his capability to speak in Bahasa, therefore he was chosen as Manager of Oil Refinery in Balikpapan.
He spoke to his group of armies, “We had already given our best services to our Kingdom; make the oil gas always available in every time .
BANZAI DAI NIPON !!”
“BANZAI! BANZAI DAI NIPON!” All soldiers shouted.
The refinery was save and can running well. Now the workers can relief since Sintaro Saburo is a kind man. More even he could speak Bahasa that was his necessity to communicate with workers. Then the workers could say thanks since the Manager had paid their wages. Saburo said that they are no more slaves but real worker.
The war still continued. Allied troopers attacked the camp of refinery every night that made Japan soldiers had to work hard.
However, according Japan secret agent, the attacked had been done by Indonesian guerrilla, not Allied troopers.
The guerrilla had always attacked Sintaro Saburo’s home. Seem the house was an important targeted of them. It was strange, why?
Japan secret agent had comment, “Perhaps the Manager himself has problem with those Indonesian men. Perhaps they want to kill Sintaro because of personal problem of himself”
They just guessed.
Therefore, Sintaro Saburo being guarded with many men where ever he goes.
He was important person as refinery Manager.
Mean while, Dorince still being custody in Saburo’s home. Her face became pale since she forbid to go out from that house.
Saburo house lied at Panorama region.
Saburo regarded Dorin as his wife even though they never marry formally; no wedding party of those couple.
Dorince accepted her faith phlegmatic, “If he did not torture or kill me then I would have thanks be to God.”
Sometimes Saburo talked kindly to her in Bahasa.
“He was a nice man but I reject his kind” Dorince thought in her heart .
Saburo gave kimono dress, jewelry and many things from Japan; hoping Dorin would become a real Japan woman or woman that he likes.
Nevertheless, she could not talk much with Saburo.
“He was a stranger and even my enemy and I am just a prisoner of him.”
Sometimes she remembered her lover, Kleberg. She was longing to him, “Could you come to save me, darling? You are my warior to chase our enemy away.
Now I believed that you are a soldier of Dutch Army. I imagine you wear military uniform of Allied group and join into battlefield; you are real hero. I really love you.”
Day by day Dorince had been staying with Sintaro Saburo in a house that always being guarded. Dorin did not want to complain since she knew her position, just a war custody of Saburo, a Japanesse soldier.
Times goes on and Saburo’s attitude had changed, he became kind with Dorin; seems he really loved Dorince.
“God, please help me, save me and release me from this trap. I just pretended being so kind to make him happy, but actually I hate him.”
Because of safety mater, Saburo had to moved to a new house at Dubbs area secretly. The guerrilla had increased their attacking at Panorama area; their targeted still the house of Saburo, that was the reasoning Saburo moving.
Dorince likes living at Dubbs region. It was quiet area and no more attacked of guerrilla. She was allowed to walk in the street. After that time, no more attack of guerrilla at Panorama area as well as Dubbs region.
Saburo led meeting in military Head Quarter; in that occasion he asked to member’s, “Why did they stop attacking? Who could able to answer this question?”
A member gave opine, “Because of you had moved to Dubbs area; then they did not know your adress; they has lose their target.”
“They should come to search my new adress then continue to attack my house.
I thought you are wrong”
Another member revealed his opine, “Sir, the answer of this problem is your girl, Dorince. When they had seen Dorince still alive, then they stopped their attacking. Did you remember that you allowed Dorin going out when you had stayed at Dubbs? Then they had seen Dorin at that time.
I predicted that they will try to seize Dorin as hard as they can, because Dorin is a wife of one of the rebel.
Therefore, I sugges you to bestow your girl to them.”
“Yes that was the right answering.
Shall I give my girl partner to the rebels, as our effort to stop their fighting?”
“No, don’t, I disagreed; we never have relation ship with them, they are our enemy, even we had been fighting against them up until now.” The other meeting member disagreed.
“Thank you; I agreed with you because I loved Dorince very much.
I regretted the rebels attitude by considering us as their enemies.
They should make friends with us since we want to help Indonesian people to chase the Dutch away.”
Another member gave information, “Even they had made friend with the Dutch since I had seen a white skin among the rebels.”
“When it had happened?”
“Yesterday, at Kebun Bunga battlefield; We had chased them away.
They run away, left three dead bodies of their friends behind.”
“Therefore, they already started to attack us again.
They really had annoyed us;
Do you have suggestion to eliminete this trouble?”
The room became quiet for a moment since every body thought the best way of solution.
A member reveal his opine, “The Indonesian people should thanks to us because we want to give them freedom community toward the independent Country. Therefore, I asked to all of you to communicate this mater, let them know what our willing was and then hoping they want to make friends with us. However, I knew we have difficulty to communicate with them since we cannot speak Bahasa, except you Saburo.”
“OK then, I will give message to them concerning our task, making their Nation would become freedom Country. I will start with worker of refinery.”
“VIVA SABURO! DAI NIPON BANZAI! BANZAI!” Every body cheers and claps.
“I am afraid we are late already since I had seen a Dutch man was among of them yesterday.”
“I wonder why he had been among Indonesian; it was strange. He looks like a hen between ducks.” Saburo said.
Every body laugh; the room became warm and relax.
Chapter 4
One year had pass, Dorince got pregnant. She was going to have a baby soon. Sintaro Saburo will become baby,s father exactly.
Balikpapan City quiet and save; the rifenery was running well. Sintaro Saburo was accepted by worker as a good manager. The worker respected him even though he was a Japan soldier.
He could be able to exceed every difficulty in factory with right.
The rebel’s attacking was rare since Japan soldiers guarded house of Saburo tightly.
Saburo spoke in front the worker as his promised in Bahasa, “Hi friends may God bless you. To day I have to talk with you regarding fate of your own Country. You knew already that I am Japaness and you are Indonesian. We came to your beautiful Country with Holy task, to release you from conqueror grasp and afterward, make your Country would become a freedom Country. I believed that our Holy task can make you be happy, right?
Therefore, we want to make friends with you. We want to strugle against the Dutch hand in hand with you. More than that, we want to ask all the Indonesian people that could hear my voice to day, let us fight against the Dutch and let us being free.”
The worker of refinery keep silence, “How a stranger from eastern came just want to help the poor Indonesian people. It must be impossible thing or their trick. There must be another willing of them; of course yes, no doubt.” They thought in each their heart.
Suddenly a worker clapped alone; afterward their friends followed then the location became warm and friendly.
The man who had clapped for the first time was Musa Firmansyah. Some of his friends had known that he was a rebel, even chief of rebel; but they kept the secret tightly.
Musa shouted, “Thank you big brother; all of us loved you. Hi friends, let us fight against the Dutch conqueror, side by side with our big brother.”
The audiences cheer up, “VIVA SABURO!; VIVA SABURO!”
Saburo continued, “Are you serious? Wow, thank you very much.
For the shake of freedom, I, Saburo wants to help Indonesian people fighting against Dutch the conqueror. I swear.”
Again Musa shouted, “If so, will you be Indonesian? No more Japanese?”
I knew you had married with Indonesian woman secretly and you can speak Bahasa fluently. And last but not least, seems you loved Indonesian people.”
The answered had come quick, made the audiences surprised, “Yes I want.”
Musa shouted again, “Merdeka! Merdeka!”
The audiences strange with Musa’s word, Merdeka. For the first time they hear the new word of ‘Merdeka’. They asked to each other, what is the meaning of Merdeka.
Afterward, everybody shouted, “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
“If you want to be Merdeka then you would have stopped the attacking of you; no, I mean the attacked of rebels.
Because of you are our partner. Please ask the rebels to stop their attacked.”
Musa said again, “We would ask them to stop the attacked.”
“Hi you! Are you one of those rebels?”
“I am your subordinate in this refinery; I am not rebel.”
Saburo gave sign to his guard secretly; that was mean, catch that man.
Then the open meeting was over and every body was going to work again. They satisfied concerning Saburo’s telling.
More even when he said that he wants to be Indonesia Citizen.
Chapter 5
Five Japan soldiers came and caught Musa Firmansyah at his house. They closed his eyes and tied his hands and then pushed him into military truck furiously.
Those soldiers were Kempetai, Military Police of Japan Army. Every body knew how cruel the Kempetai were.
They put Musa in a dark room, violently. Some one punched his head again and again. They talked in Japan language, therefore Musa did not understand; it was useless to mention them or to make them calm; they will not hearing.
They left Musa and locked the door. They gave spoiled rice and a muck of water.
“Oh Saburo, in fact you are real enemy. You looks like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I will never believe you again.” Musa mused in his lonely prison.
Meanwhile Musa’s wife rush away to deputy of rebels; he was Kleberg.
Musa’s wife came and met Kleberg for telling him the bad news cocerning Musa .
“I told him again and again, now it had really happened.” Kleberg said furiously.
“What you told?”
“Do not believe Japanese saying; they acualy were more cruel than that Dutch”
Kleberg remembered when he was arguing with Musa concern their attacked to Saburo house repeatedly. Musa said, “Please do not repeat the attack,it is useless. Do not waste your ammunition weapon and soul of soldiers, we will have many more war affair.”
“I hate Japanese because they detained my lover; I know they had detained her in that house. So please allow me attacking for the last effort to release her.”
“It was personal problem of yours. Did you remember what our strategy is; we will pretend as if we agreed with our ‘Big Brother’ to fight against Dutch together. Hoping they would have given us Independent Country of ours.”
“Oh Musa; you are pity and fool. Please don’t be dreaming. Perhaps the Japanese are laughing now...ha....ha....ha, look the Indonesian people! they are idiot; they had believed what our saying.”
“Ok, go ahead Kleberg, good luck to you!” Musa pleases his friend, finally.
Afterward Musa’s wife said,
“Kleberg, now you are the leader; please give your command urgently to your subordinates!” Musa wife said seriously.
“Thank you Miss. Now I command you Miss, to run away into deep forest for hiding, otherwise you could be caught by Kempetai.
And the same command to all members , go into deep forest for hiding, now! We have just limit time, otherwise we could be caught by Kempetai.
Go! Go! Go!
That day many young men run away into deep forest, included twenty five percent amount of worker in refinery had gone. They must be members of Guerrilla. Those young men were ready combating against Japanese from inner forest.
Chapter 6
Times goes on; Dorince delivered a male baby in good condition; mother and the baby were in healthy condition.
Saburo happy but he had attended at battlefield not beside his lovely wife.
Because of Allied started to attack Indonesia territory that made Saburo and entire Japanese troopers had to work hard.
If Musa did not be tortured by Kempetai then he and his follower would had helped Japanese troops; as their agreement, would fight together hand in hand with ‘Big Brother’against the Dutch, for reaching the freedom Country of Indonesia.
Balikpapan had burnt since Allied Air Force bombed. Afterward, Australian troops landed on the beach of Balikpapan, near Merdeka field (present name). That site was a field of coconut plantation.
They though Japan’s soldiers had been eradicated by bombing, but not. They survived because Japan soldiers hid into the cave and bunkers when Allied was bombing.
Then battlefield happened at Merdeka field (lapangan Merdeka); they fought face to face, cruel and bloody. The Australian troopers fought bravely even though their amount fewer than that Japan’s. Afterward, the Australian troopers retreated and left many dead bodies of their friends behind.
The war still continued since Australian troopers invited their Master, British Empire Navi to help them. But British troopers landed on the quiet beach secretly; they had chosen Tritip beach. The land was marshy and occupied by crocodiles; hoping Japan does not know their present.
Nevertheless, Japanese soldiers knew the new enemies had come then they moved toward their enemies. Both of them have the same amount military personal and also the same equipment.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Guerrilla were in the deep forest for hiding. They did not want to join into war.
The ammunition was short and it no more in warehouse of Dutch military. Musa was right when he said not to waste ammunition weapon.
Kleberg relief since he knew that Dorince still alive therefore he stopped the attacked; nevertheless he wants to meet her eagerly; how he longing his lover very much. Now he is the leader as long as Musa detained.
He led the meeting; he spoke to increase their spirit, “Gentlemen, we already spent a month staying in the deep forest. I know that you are boring, but it’s better than detained by Kempetai. You must realize that you are soldier of rebellion. We have desire to reach Indonesia Merdeka. We have the Holy struggle that we want to give the result to our Great Grand Child, Independent Country of Indonesia. I want to say to you, do not believe what Japanese had promised you; it was hoax. It had been proved; look! They had detained our leader.”
One member comment, “Sir, you woke up our strength. I admired you, even though you are Suriname but you are more patriotic than that of us, the Indonesian.”
“Common, don’t price me!; remember that I am also Indonesian because my father is Slamet Warsito; he is Javanese. My father had pass in Suriname in poor condition. Actually he was a King, but Dutch Government together with my uncle attacked his Palace. They caught the King and sent him to exile Country. Therefore, I hate colonialism, every colonialism in this World.”
“In fact you are Dutch soldier. Why your saying has contradiction with fact, did you?” One member of meeting asked.
“Soldier was my job for living. Because no body wants to give me a job except military.”
“Sir, your story has impressed to my mind; then who was the man that had been chosen as a King by Dutch?”
“They had chosen my uncle whom had helped Dutch Government. Even though my father is the eldest son of a Kingdom Family but his little brother has ambition wants to be a King. My uncle asked Dutch Government to topple the valid King. That was a sad story of my family and also sad history of Indonesian people.”
“What kind of property that your uncle had given to Dutch Government as their advantage ?”
“He gave a part of Kingdom land to Dutch”
“Wow! Bad attitude of a King to his own people!”
“It was also bad attitude to his eldest brother, my father.
However, I would rather blame the Dutch colonialism than my uncle.”
“Any way, Sir, do you have your command to day?”
“Now I command you, Begjo and Aliansyah, for searching Saburo house and prison. If everything could possible, we want to release our leader and my lover too. We knew that Japanese troops busy in battlefield facing Allied troops; we hope they lose guarding at those site.”
Balikpapan City was really quiet, every body had gone into forest, the save site. Saburo house where Dorince and her baby had been living was also quiet, seems no one guarding the house.
The war still continued; the fighting took place around Tritip, Batakan and then moved toward Balikpapan City; Seems Japan troops retreated slowly.
The Dutch troopers and British commonwealth had come to fight beside British Navi. It made the amount of troops Allies more than that Japan’s.
Almost a week later on, Begjo and Aliansyah gave the information to his Commandant, “Sir, Saburo house was quiet without guard; it was possible to attack; but not Kempetai Head Quarter since there were many Japan soldiers guarded it.”
“OK thank you. Friends, we will attack Saburo house in the mid night. Prepare your self. I wanna say thank you to all of you because we want to seize Dorince my lover.”
“No problem Sir. If you be happy then we will happy too.”
Mean while Dorince frightened, alone in a big house. The sound of rifle, grenade, howitzer, bomb and cannon heard continuously. Seems the battlefield had moved toward Balikpapan City.
She prayed and talked with God asking safety for herself and the baby, “Jesus Chryst, please safe us! Again, please safe us!
I know you have your ability to protect your pity creature like me; because you have your absolute authority upon all your creatures in this World.
I ask you in deep of my heart, please send my warrior and also my lover, Kleberg in front of me, to safe me and to safe my baby too.
I know you heard my voice as if you saw me, smiled to me and agreed with me.
Oh God, Jesus Chryst, thank you for your help. Amin.”
Now she can be relax and sleepy; that was mean Angel had come and protected her and the baby.
Not so long, she heard sound of foodstep beside her house. She peeped over the key hole, “No Japan guard being attend as usual; they had gone and left me alone in this house.
Who was coming?”
She was alone in a big house. Now she frightened, “The man at out side perhaps wants to rape me. If Japan troops had lost in this war then no rule could have protected the weakness as me and my baby. Every body can do what he or she likes against rule. Therefore, I am in jeopardy now.
Oh Saburo, please come home to protect me and your baby. In this time I need you. Please come home.” She mused.
Suddenly she heard the man at out side called in soft voice, “Dorin, Dorin, Dorin!”
“Who are you?”
“I am Kleberg. Is there Saburo with you?” The man whispered.
“ Are you Kleberg? I am alone, just my baby acompany me. I will open the door.” She walked to the door and opened it.
A man was in front the door. He was Kleberg with smiling faces. Dorin run after and hugged him. “Oh Kleberg my lover, how I longing for you. Oh Jesus Chryst, you had granted my pray, thank you God.”
Dorin guided her lover went into. Kleberg can’t talk because of happiness, just his tears dropped from his eyes.
Finally he said, “How are you?”
“I am fine but I am dirty for you.”
“Yes I knew everything about you. However, I am happy to find you in safe state.”
“Please don’t blame me but war”
“That was my word when I left you in the tavern; did you remember?”
“Yes I remember; therefore the score became 1 and 1.”
Then the couple laugh together.
Dorin is remembering the tavern; the nice moment of she and Kleberg at the tavern, when suddenly disappear because of war; could they continued their pleasant moment.?
Now she stare at Kleberg’s face; how she love him very much.
“Kleberg, shall we continue our nice relation ship. Can I call you ‘my sweet heart’
“Of course we shall, I still loved you, what ever you are.”
“Even though I had a baby; the baby of Saburo’s.”
“Yes, even though the baby is my enemy’s baby, I would take good care of the baby.” He approached the baby and kiss the baby’s head.
Dorin kept silent but her tears dropped from her eyes, “Kleberg, you looks like a Priest or a Holy man” Dorin run to his arm, hugged and kissed him.
Now both of them cried because of happiness but covered with sorrow and pain because of war.
Suddenly the door was knocked and Saburo voice heard loudly, “Dorin please open the door, I am in hurry, everything going trouble now.”
Kleberg and Dorin frightened, both got pale face. Dorin gave sign to hide behind cupboard. Kleberg understood then he hid behind cupboard.
She thought, “Jesus Chryst, Yes I know I had asked you to call Saburo, but not now; after Kleberg has gone then he may come, that was you should do”
“I am coming!” She opened the door.
Saburo came into house with bloody wounded over the right arm; his blood dropped on the floor. He has pale face perhaps because of blood lost.
Dorin took a bandage to cover the wound and to stop the bleeding..
“How the war’s result?” She asked him in Bahasa. Kleberg understand Bahasa.
“Bad! We lost and must retreat to Java, now. I want to see you and my baby for the last time.
“Oh my dear son, your father must continue the struggle against our enemies, therefore I must go to Java and will leave you with your Mom.” He kiss the baby’s head, the same as Kleberg done.
“So, will you leave me?” Dorin asked.
“Yes I will.” He stare at Dorin face as if he wants to say good bye but he can’t. How hurt and pain his feeling; he broke his heart by living Dorince and her baby.
“How the baby, your baby? Do you want to take the baby with you?”
“No, I don’t. Please take care of him.
He is the last Japan soldier in Balikpapan”.
“No, he is not, he is just a baby even a weak baby. I must protect my baby since he and me in jeopardy. More even no father at beside who will guard his family, that is you!”
Sintaro Saburo kept silent; his tears dropped from his eyes.
He moved slowly neared the cupboard where Kleberg was behind it. He opened the draw with key then took five gold bar. He gave it to Dorince.
He hugged and kiss Dorince.
“I am a bad father of my baby and my wife. But I have my reason by doing war.”
“What reason?”
“For Glory of Japan Nation and Emperor as well as Kingdom Family.”
“Please go soldier, fight for Glory of your Country and your Emperor. Don’t bother me and my baby; we will go to deep forest for hiding. I believe God will safe us.”
Sintaro Saburo can’t talk any more.
Afterward, his friends at out side shouted, “Saburo! Quick, we have no time, the enemies almost reaching Balikpapan town.”
Sintaro Saburo walked near the door. He turned his head for looking Dorince for the last time then had gone.
They rush to the shore where their ship had been waiting for him.
Chapter 7
At year of 1950, a happy family were going picnic in a field; they searching of one site that she had ever work as waitress; that was a significant site for the family. Bomb had destroyed the site therefore the family couldn’t be able to know where she ever work six years ago.
“I suppose the tavern site laying over here; look at the ruin stone foundation.”
“Yes I agreed with you Dorin. And I remembered that I was asking a beer to you at here while you were standing at there.”
“Kleberg, that was beautiful moment that I would never forget.”
“I too. That time my heart beat had been increasing when I looked at you then I say, I love you.”
“Oh God, your scenario was over now and ending in happiness, even though much sacrifices stroke many of our friends, included Musa Firmansyah.
Thank you God.”
“Shall we go home now?, the rain would be coming.” Kleberg asked.
“Common sons playing is enough, now we must go home because of rain.”
Two children run toward their mother. The eldest five years old looks like Japanese and the youngest Three years old looks like Dutch.
No comments:
Post a Comment