Chapter 10

FOUR children aged nine and ten sat on wooden benches in a semicircle. Their hands were holding small, transparent yellow cubes the size of a paper eraser named rosin. The four of them compactly smeared their favorite violin strings with the object earlier. Today is an important day. The violins must produce a beautiful tone. Ahmed, one of the little violinists, is tuning his violin carefully. Last month, the G string broke. Luckily there was Mrs. Colleen who accompanied him to Athens specifically to buy the best quality strings.

Before them the Steinway grand piano was moved from the Apollo room to the great hall. Ten members of the choir were already in their positions. Four eleven-year-old sopranos, two eight-year-old altos, two seventeen-year-old tenors, and two seventeen-year-old bassists. The sheet music is already there, along with the scores containing the musical notes.

The angels of the Children's Palace look even more adorable with Aladdin-style costumes for boys and Jasmin-style costumes for girls without showing the belly for girls.

Hundreds of fanoos - Egyptian Ramadan lanterns - made of plastic bottles and colorful oil paper made by grade 3 and 4 children at the Shining Education Center hang beautifully in the hall. The atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan is getting more lively with a dish of dates, chocolate dates, and almond dates on a long table. Hundreds of children from the Shining Education Center sat at the table, waiting for the signal to attack them.

Mr. Tan Ek Soang from China, the head of the Shining Education Center took the podium. He is wearing a Sultan's costume in the Aladdin cartoon complete with bird feathers on his turban. The fat man cleared his throat as he faced the microphone.

"Good evening, Mr. Ansel Balder," said Mr. Tan bowed respectfully. Ansel Balder who that night looked handsome in a black velvet dress embroidered with gold thread and a gold turban. smiled showing dimples teasing him. Lucky Mr. Tan is not gay. If he is the type of girly boy, he will immediately ask for a proposal. "Good evening, dear fellow teachers at the Shining Education Center. You are heroes." Mr. Tan is really good at slapping. The Shining Education Center teachers just smiled. They were already sitting in the dining chairs among the children. "And children, good night. How are you?" he asked his students.

"Okay Mr. Tan!" shouted the whole hall in unison. Their teachers smiled again.

"Are you all hungry?" asked the principal.

"Of course, we are very hungry!" Their compactness looks even more adorable in Middle Eastern princes and princesses complete with pointed shoes.

"Okay, I won't be standing here too long. I just wanted to thank Mr. Ansel Balder for the generosity of Mr. Ansel Balder. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. SEC has many students from different parts of the world and diverse backgrounds. Muslim Community comes to our attention, as well as Mr. Balder seems consistent in his commitment to respecting differences. Thank you again." Again he looked respectfully at the perfect Ansel Balder. "Even though I grew up in a Buddhist family, SEC taught me about differences. I really appreciate everything that I got while being a teacher and principal here. For that I also thank Mrs. Rachel Colleen who besides teaching me how beautiful melodies are, also teaches the importance of forgiveness." Tan Ek Soang emphasized the word 'Forgive'. "To add to the lively atmosphere of Ramadan and comfort the heart with peace, welcome the little angels who will sing for us." Mr. short speech. Tan finally finished accompanied by loud applause.

Miss Suzane, the conductor and arranger is ready. The conductor's wand was raised in the air and then swayed gracefully giving a signal. Rachel Colleen emerged from behind the white shimmering gold curtain. Tonight her charm shone brightly in her white Aladdin pants, white top and veil starting to play the intro on the piano keys. Her fingers are agile and graceful at the same time. Very beautiful. Very beautiful. Ansel Balder couldn't take his eyes off the veiled figure who now looked like a music goddess, forgetting Daphne Tjia who was engrossed in chewing Tunisian chocolate dates next to him. Daphne Tjia didn't expect to attend an event like this at all. In addition to the sexy dress given by Matthew Tjia, the other clothes are only house dresses. So to wear the 1001 night golden princess costume according to the dress code, Daphne Tjia wears Rachel Colleen's borrowed costume. The diamond necklace given by AB was kept in a bra. Too afraid that someone will steal it if it is stored anywhere.

The little violinists then followed with the friction of their bows on the strings of their violins playing beautiful notes. The voices of the little angels caress the sense of hearing ladies and gentlemen tonight.

Tala al badru 'alayna

Min Thaniyati-al Wada'

Wajaba Shukru 'alayna

Ma da'a lillahi da'

The children at the dinner table joined in on the song without prompting. The atmosphere of the month of Ramadan penetrated the hearts of Muslims.

Ayyuha-al

Mab'uthu feena

Ji'ta bi-al amru muta'

Ji'ta sharafta-al Madeenah

Marhaban ya khayra da'

When the song ended, applause filled the room. The waiters in white and black uniforms immediately glided swiftly after the song. Serve appetizers to every table. Shawarma Djaj - grilled chicken with vegetables wrapped in a soggy tortilla - was immediately swarmed by the children. It didn't take long for the main menu to be served to the dining table.

Rachel Colleen stepped off the stage after the song was over. She removed the veil that covered her face. Ansel Balder's beady eyes followed Rachel Colleen's feathery steps toward her husband. Then what now? Husband and wife bribery scene? Ansel Balder's bloodied heart felt like it was dripping with vinegar mixed with salt. It's so sad to see it. Rachel Colleen looked happy five meters ahead of him. What made her happy was another man. Ansel Balder's heart ached even more when the woman whispered tenderly into her husband's ear. Without noticing the gaze of Ansel Balder that wanted to swallow him.

"B, let's eat, Babe." Daphne Tjia spooned the lamb kebuli rice. The food was thrust before Ansel Balder's eyes. She saw her boyfriend squeezing a napkin full of emotion while looking ahead. Somehow.

"What's the matter with you, B?" asked Daphne Tjia as she chewed on her food.

Ansel Balder did not answer. He welcomed a spoonful of kebuli rice from Daphne Tjia's hand. His eyes that were as dark as the moon were now filled with rage. Wordlessly he watched Rachel Colleen and Ethan Colleen slip out. Ansel Balder immediately stood up, hastily striding until Daphne Tjia was shocked to death.

"Where are you going, B? It's not finished yet." Half shouted Daphne Tjia asked. Her boyfriend didn't care. Seems to be in a hurry to catch up on something.

The dinner party was full of children's joy so it felt uncomfortable. Daphne Tjia follows Ansel Balder. He didn't want to be with these little kids. His mind stirred. Questions invaded his mind. Why is her boyfriend acting so weird? Daphne Tjia followed Ansel Balder towards the exit.

***

"Your piano was cool, Babe." Ethan Colleen holds his wife's hand along the beach. The sound of the ocean waves at night greeted their ears.

"Thanks," Rachel Colleen replied.

Walking on the beach together is more fun than inside.

"Is my costume weird?" Ethan Colleen glanced at his Middle Eastern Sultan attire.

"Of course not. You're the most handsome." Rachel Colleen smiled sweetly at her husband.

"You're really good at seducing, Baby." Ethan Colleen laughed. "Don't praise me all the time. I know Mr. Balder is the most handsome." Ethan Colleen's adoring voice sounded even more fanatical.

Rachel Colleen stopped in her tracks. She looked deeply at Ethan Colleen. "I wouldn't trade one Ethan Colleen for a thousand Ansel Balders." Then her lips pressed against her husband's lips. Proof that no one can replace Ethan Colleen's place in her heart.

Those too loud words were heard by Ansel Balder, ten meters behind the happy couple on his wound. Now the man saw Rachel Colleen, the woman he loved with all his heart kissing another man on the beach. His heart is burning. The fire that burned his heart traveled to his brain and then seeped out, burning his skin. It's sad to hear that. Those words are like gasoline that adds to the embers of his anger. But Ansel Balder couldn't do anything.

"AB, Babe," called Daphne Tjia.

Ansel Balder closed his eyes for a moment and then turned around. He saw the girl standing very close. Her eyes were worried. With a movement as fast as a wounded lion, he approached Daphne Tjia. He grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her away.

Trembling Daphne Tjia followed. "Babe, where are we going? What are you doing?" Daphne Tjia was really confused. Her wrist began to hurt in Ansel Balder's grip. The man didn't seem to care. Still dragging her away, half running. "B, it hurts. Let me go," Daphne Tjia whined.

Far Ansel Balder took Matthew Tjia's daughter away until they reached the stables. Very clean place for the size of a horse stable. There are six horses there which are well maintained. Everyone rested in their respective rooms.

Ansel Balder opens the door and pushed Daphne Tjia inside. The girl fell to the ground kissing the floor. Her head was dizzy not from hitting it but from being too confused by this sudden change. She heard that Ansel Balder locked the cage until the two of them were left there.

"AB, what's wrong with you? I'm scared," wailed Daphne Tjia.

"I want you." Ansel Balder's gaze looked insane.

"What does it mean?" Daphne Tjia was scared. To think that Ansel Balder could do something this rude to her.

"I want you," repeated Ansel Balder. He looked at Daphne Tjia who was standing. The girl took a step back in the narrow alley. She was trapped between the horse chambers. Ansel Balder stepped forward, urging her.

There was no other choice Daphne Tjia kept back. Again. Her brain said the man in front of her was dangerous. Damn, her foot hit the stable wall behind her. There's no turning back.

"Help!" Daphne Tjia shouted.

"This room is sound proof. Soundproof." Ansel Balder said coldly. His body pushed forward.

Tears rolled down Daphne Tjia's cheeks. She didn't know what to do. If Ansel Balder was joking, it wasn't really funny. The man was now right in front of her, pushing her up to the wall. Daphne Tjia sobbed as Ansel Balder's hands locked her against the wall. These horses couldn't help at all. Just staring at the pair of humans who interrupt their rest.

"You're mine," Ansel Balder hissed before Daphne Tjia's eyes.