VEIL THE PAST

Tokyo, July 10, 2020

In a house in the corner of Tokyo, Japan, a family has just been grieving. There was a woman who was growing old crying while looking at a photo of a relative who had just died. That woman is Ayumi.

While crying, the woman said in Japanese, "Papa, Mama, I'm sorry.., I haven't been able to find Papa Chow yet."

Ayumi sat in the living room looking at the two photos in the living room. An old photo of a Japanese man and an Indonesian woman. Her face looked so sad. A girl came to the woman.

The girl said, "Mom, why are you so sad about grandpa and grandma's passing? Let them rest in peace."

Ayumi replied, "Aida, I'm sad because until the two of them died, I haven't been able to find your grandfather, Mama's biological father."

Aida looked at her mother with a sad face. He hugged his mother lovingly.

She said, "Mom, Aida will do anything to make you happy. I promise to find grandfather."

Aida was silent for a moment. He became more and more curious about the person his mother was looking for.

"Mom, who is Aida's biological grandfather?" she asked curiously.

Ayumi replied, "Son, your real grandfather's name is Edward Chow."

Aida said with an astonished face. "Edward Chow?"

Aida frowned. Ayumi smiled seeing her daughter's surprised expression.

"Yes Dear. Wait a minute, I'll get something for you," She said as he walked into his room.

Aida sat in the living room, looking out the window. She watched the morning sun pour into the living room. Apparently, Aida still thinks about her biological grandfather. He seemed unable to believe that his grandfather was not Japanese.

"Edward Chow? Like the name of the Chinese people," She said to herself.

Not long after, Ayumi came and sat in front of him.

She said as she handed him an old wooden box. "Son, this is something your grandmother kept."

Aida was taken back. He approached his mother, and opened the wooden box her mother had given him. He looked at some old photographs, and there was an old locket that was still well preserved. He opened the locket, and he saw a black and white photo.

Aida asked while showing the photo. "Mom, who is this?"

Ayumi replied, "Son, that's your grandfather. Mom dad. His name is Edward Chow."

Aida looked at the photo of her grandfather's youth for a moment.

"Grandpa was so handsome in his youth," she said with admiration.

He looks at the old photos. He was surprised when he saw a photo of someone who looked so much like him.

Aida immediately asked. "Mom. Who is this? Is this a photo of Grandma?" she asked, showing the photo.

Ayumi replied, "Yes, son. That's your grandma's photo. His real name is Kinarsih. However, when Grandpa brought him to Japan in 1944, his name changed to Michiko."

Aida was silent. He looked through the pile of old photos, and he found other photos. He found an old photo, an intimate photo of Edward Chow and Kinarsih. In the photo, She looks affectionately hugging Edward Chow.

Aida asked with a surprised face, "Mom, Grandma kept these memories for so long, but Grandpa Masaru still loves Grandma. Why is Grandpa being so nice to Grandma? Why is Grandpa never jealous?"

Ayumi replied, "Son, Grandpa Masaru is a good person. He loves Grandma so much, even though she can't bear children."

Aida looked at the old photos one by one.

Then, Ayumi asked Aida. "Dear, are you sure you want to find grandpa?"

Aida answered, "Yes, Mom. I want mommy to be happy,"

Her mother smiled. "Dear, your nature is very similar to the nature of your grandmother who doesn't give up easily."

Aida put the old photos back in the wooden box, and put the old locket inside. Finally, Ayumi tells the story of her grandmother's youth.

--- Ayumi's story ---

Buintezorg, Dutch East Indies

June 13, 1938

A child of Dutch Chinese descent is following his mandatory military service. He is still very young, he is about 19 years old. The young man's name was Edward Chow. He is a smart and brilliant young man. Because of his intelligence, he was eventually appointed commander of an army. He managed to carry out his duties well.

Edward finally chose a career in the military. Time keeps running. Unconsciously, it has been two years since young Edward has been in the Dutch royal army. One day, he had just come home from work walking alone to the bookstore. By then, it was evening. Edward who was walking in a hurry accidentally bumped into a beautiful girl. His luggage fell.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to," Edward said as he helped retrieve his luggage.

"Oh yes. It's okay," the girl replied.

Edward was so amazed by the girl's beauty. He ventured to introduce himself.

"Um… I'm Edward…," he said, holding out his hand.

The girl smiled at Edward with a red face. He just smiled shyly covering part of his face with a book. Edward looked at her in surprise.

Edward started to flirt, he said, "Excuse me, who is this beautiful lady? May I know you, O lady as beautiful as the sun?"

The girl blushed. Her face was getting redder. Edward never gave up. He continued to seduce the girl. While looking at her face, Edward asked again, "Beautiful lady, why is your face red?"

Apparently, Edward's attempts to get acquainted with the girl were seen by the girl's friends. They smiled seeing Kinarsih who was shy about meeting Edward.

Darmi, his friend who was with Kinarsih at that time chatted, "Sir, her name is Kinarsih."

"Darmi,..." Kinarsih said while pinching his arm.

Darmi whispered Kinarsih. "Shhh… look at him, what a handsome face. Don't waste him."

Kinarsih replied in a whisper, "Yes, I know, Darmi. I'm ashamed to meet him."

Apparently, Edwarad who saw Darmi's cute behavior smiled sweetly.

"Kinarsih, a beautiful name. As pretty as her face."

Darmi replied while looking at Kinarsih who was still shy.

"Sure, sir. Kinarsih, besides being beautiful, she is also kind. He's actually embarrassed that you're so handsome."

Kinarsih is getting embarrassed by Darmi's words. He tried to be brave. He took a deep breath, and finally, shyly, Kinarsih introduced himself to Edward.

"Ki-Kinarsih," she stammered.

Edward smiled. "Edward. Edward Chow."

Edward was so amazed by Kinarsih's beauty, that he never let go of Kinarsih's hand. Kinarsih, who felt embarrassed, wanted to immediately let go of Edward's hand, but couldn't. His face was getting redder, especially Darmi kept teasing him.

Darmi teases him. "Asih, why do you feel comfortable shaking hands with him for a long time?"

Kinarsih looked at Darmi's face with a feeling of shame and anger at the same time. He glared at Darmi, but instead of regretting Darmi, he laughed even more. Edward realized that he had been shaking hands with Kinarsih for too long. Edward quickly let go.

Edward said nervously, "Oo – Oh yeah. Sorry, Ash. I've been shaking your hand too long. Honestly, I'm amazed by your smile."

Kinarsih replied nervously, "I-Yes. It's okay."

Kinarsih was so embarrassed, but in her heart she was so cheerful.

Inwardly she said, "This young man is handsome, and also friendly. Edward, I will reminisce this afternoon. And so on, this afternoon is the beginning of our love story. You are the first man to carve your name in my heart, Edward. Edward Chow."

Edward continued to stare at Kinarsih who was silent for a moment. Darmi, who saw Kinarsih silently blushing, patted his shoulder.

"Beautiful lady, I want to go back to the dorm first. It's okay, you'll just let Mr. Edward take you."

Kinarsih was surprised. "Darmi, don't you go..."

Darmi did not listen to Kinarsih. He said to Edward, 'Sir, I'll take Miss Kinarsih later to Malloy Dormitory."

Edward smiled. "Okay, I'll take her later."

Darmi immediately walked towards the stopped tram, while Kinarsih just watched her friend leave. In her heart, she was so cheerful even though her face was blushing with embarrassment. His friends who smiled at Kinarsih made him blush even more. After Darmi and his friends died, Edward and Kinarsih walked to Malloy Dormitory.

On the way, Edward opened the conversation again.

He said, "Asih, what do you do? If I'm not mistaken, Malloy Dormitory is a place for nurses."

She answered, trying to cover up his nervousness, "Um… yes. The dorms are where the nurses live."

Edward replied, "Nice job. I am a soldier of the Dutch Navy. I have been in service for two years."

"Ed—Edward..." Kinarsih looked nervous.

"Just call me Chow," Edward said with a sweet smile.

"R-Yes, sir," her replied sheepishly.

Edward smiled at Kinarsih who was still shy. He said, "Asih, don't call me sir. Enough Chow, "

--- Ayumi's story---

Aida smiled listening to the stories of her Grandpa and Grandma's youth.

She told to Aida. "Dear, since then the relationship between your grandparents has grown closer. They often spend time together. Your grandfather is very romantic. He often brings gifts from Holland for your grandmother."

Aida then asked, "Then, how will the story continue, Ma?"