Bagas Must Choose

"Mada is dead. How to bring him use facing His Majesty the Maharaja?"

"Mmm, I understand. We present other people and to His Majesty the Maharaja we say that he Mada. And this Mada will explain about rebellion," said Sorta. "And the one who will claim to be Mada is you, brother Bagas..."

Bagas glued. He looked at Sorta, Mapanji Pamattu and Tumenggung Anarjaya alternated.

"This is not possible. His Majesty the Maharaja knows Mad is not it? What about the bodyguards? Surely someone will recognize that I'm not Mada. And if caught…"

"Your Majesty does not know. So far, for business escort, Your Majesty just wants to be in touch with I am the Head of Bhayangkara," said Anarjaya. "Mada indeed two or three times to carry out escorts, yet it is done remotely."

"Tumenggung was right," said Mapanji Pamattu. "Which know and know Mada is only a member of the Elephant Team, who all of them are now dead. The other team members don't so know him. Especially the palace soldiers. As Bhayangkara members, Mada, as well as us, on purpose not appear in public. So far only Tumenggung Lembu who usually appears when there is an event on palace..."

"Other than the three of us, the ones who know Mada are Mahisa Kedora, head of Dires Sardula (Team Lions) who currently on duty at the palace. Mahisa Kedora can trusted, and he's definitely willing to help…"

Bagas felt his whole body shiver. He closing eyes. He will be Mada, or at least claim to be Mada. While Mada the real one is dead!!

He remembered what he had read about Mada. According to history, Mada will save the Majesty Jayanagara, became the regent and then the mahapatih will unite the Archipelago. What is Mada, Elephant Mada that it, is her? Goosebumps.

"How about Brother Bagas?"

"What if I refuse?"

Tumenggung Anarjaya took a deep breath. "Of course it is Bagas' right to refuse. If you refuse, we will still face you, hope he will believe. Chances are we will sentenced to death for slander. Effort Dharmaputra's rebellion will succeed. And Mada will die in vain…"

Bagas still closed his eyes. What is should he do? In the next few hours he must return to his time. Into modern times. But if he leaves, history will lose a Mada. There is Mada who had died in the forest. There will be no Mada anymore.

Except, if he claims to be Mada before the king Majapahit!!

Bagas sighed. And opened his eyes. stare Tumenggung Anarjaya, Mapanji Pamattu and Sorta.

Their faces look tense. There is mixed hope worry in their eyes.

Bagas' memory drifted to Mada's figure found in the forest. Mighty man whose body torn apart by mortal wounds. Imagine her face and smile. Was he going to let Mada die in vain? drain?

Bagas sighed. Again. Finally he nodded.

"Good. I will pretend to be Mada. However My knowledge of the palace is very minimal. Please the three of you want to teach palace etiquette to me…"

***

CIARA and Professor Dananjaya were stunned. communicator still attached to the ear. They just heard shocking news. What a shock.

"So it seems," said Professor Dananjaya. "Mada has died, and there is one person who claims to be Mada..."

"And that person Bagas..." Ciara continued his father. His eyes widened. "And he will be Gajah Mada. Which means he won't be back for a few hours Again..."

Professor Dananjaya nodded. The eyes exudes great compassion.

He had known for a long time that Bagas, the young man then became a kind of assistant, put the heart on her daughter. But only recently did he get the certainty that his only daughter also likes Bagas.

He's happy, of course. Very good young man, Good. Polite, smart and very committed. He would be happy if Bagas became his son-in-law. But now things get complicated. Good one

experimenting with a time machine, potentially will settle in Majapahit. Because of her destined to become Mada, the figure that would later become, become Gajah Mada !!

"I wonder what will happen if Bagas refuses become Mad? Will history change?" ask Ciara. His voice is low.

"History will certainly change, boy. And the changes are huge. If Bagas doesn't confess as Mada, the rebellion of Dharmaputra or Kuti and the group will succeed. Jayanagara maybe will die. Kuti will become King of Majapahit. It means, history will not know Hayam Wuruk. Kingdom Majapahit will be different. Palapa oath no will happen…" Professor Dananjaya shook his head. "I don't know exactly what will happen, but the change was too great. Not impossible it will affect Indonesia in the present…"

Ciara fell silent. She knows Bagas. Too know him. She wasn't surprised by the decision Bagas to play the role of Mada. That young man too kind and too sincere to refuse. But if Bagas becomes Mada, becomes an Elephant Mada, how about him? How about their future? What about feelings friendly between them?

"If Bagas will become Mada, or Gajah Mada, that is explains a lot of things," said professor Dananjaya.

"Explain what?"

"So far, information about who Gajah Mada is very less isn't it? You remember how hard it was for us when intending to study Majapahit? We don't find valid sources that describe origins

Gajah Mada. Gajah Mada's origins are very obscure. Which there were only rumors, and even then it was not clear. Now we know why has Gajah Mada's origins never been revealed..."

"Because Gajah Mada comes from the future," he said.

Ciara softly.

"Exactly right. Gajah Mada known history apparently from the future!!"

Ciara fell silent. History teachers in Indonesia will confusion explaining to the students about this fact. Gajah Mada comes from the future and visit Majapahit using a time machine !!

The girl imagined the figure of Bagas. Imagine her smile. She remembered with a kiss flash she did a few hours ago. Until

now his body was still shaking imagining that kiss. A short kiss, a fleeting kiss however deeply imprinted on his heart and soul.

She also remembered the grip of Bagas' fingers.

A grip that seemed to flow electricity made her body shiver. Ah. If only she knew, she would let Bagas hold it longer.

"So, is he coming back?" she asked. quiet.

Professor Dananjaya did not answer.

***