The requirements

After the bathroom problem that ended with a pot, I now faced a new problem: dinner. I didn't have any food in my bag, and no one was coming to bring it.

"I'm hungry," I whined as I sat in the corner.

I turned on my smartphone. The screen showed six thirty. This was my dinner time.

"If I'd known it was going to be like this, I would have eaten all those snacks."

In this small room, I was alone in the darkness. I was scared but didn't dare go outside because it was just as dark outside.

"Seer, we've come to bring your dinner."

I, who had almost fallen asleep, immediately got up. My feet stepped to the door. Two women were standing there. Each of them was carrying food and two kerosene lamps.

I let them in. They quickly arranged the items. Now, this room became more humanized.

"We'll help you change." One of them spoke.

"No, no, I-"

One moment. It's right I changed my clothes so that I don't get teased. "Alright," I answered for them.

The two of them worked together to change my clothes. Now, I fully look like a person of this era. I was wearing a small brown floral cloth. It was sleeveless and wrapped me from above the chest to below the knees.

"In that case, we'll take our leave."

I thanked them and walked them to the door when they said goodbye. They were my savior.

"Now, it's time for dinner," I muttered and sat down on the wooden floor. I sat across from three plates of sauteed cassava leaves, white rice, and small fish. I wasn't sure if it was fish, but never mind.

In the dim room by the light of the fire, I ate my meal with any leftovers. It was very good, especially the water. Perhaps because nature here is still preserved, the water is refreshing.

After finishing dinner, I was sleepy. I lay down on a piece of cloth. I used my bag as a pillow and my jacket as a blanket. Although I had goosebumps alone here, the stars seen from the window comforted me.

"This is like a dream. Even if I wake up in my world tomorrow, I have no regrets," I whispered, then slowly fell asleep.

***

Roro Jonggrang was sitting pensively in front of the window. Her eyes looked up at the dark sky decorated with stars. The moon did not come tonight, but the sky remained the same, always smiling at her.

She looked down. She didn't expect her life to change in one night. Her father was murdered and the murderer boldly asked her to marry him.

"I couldn't refuse him right away, but what should I answer? He gave me a short time to think."

"Princess, His Majesty the King is here," informed a servant who arrived in a hurry. Her face was shocked while her breathing was labored.

Roro Jonggrang turned around. Her clear eyes stared at the servant. "Do you think I should accept the proposal to keep me alive?" she asked.

The servant was silent for a while. "Your Majesty, you must not accept it. I know an idea. Your Majesty asks for a difficult requirement-," she said, which was immediately cut off.

Roro Jonggrang chuckled, "A difficult requirement?"

Suddenly, Bandung Bondowoso barged in. "I wonder what's wrong with taking so long. The princess is busy chatting with her friend," he quipped with a dismissive look.

Roro Jonggrang looked up to give Bandung Bondowoso a disapproving look. Although she trembled at his aura, she must always maintain her dignity as a princess.

"Princess, your time is up. Give your answer now," Bandung Bondowoso demanded, "Or do you have a request?"

She gasped. She became excited. Her eyes lit up as she saw hope arise for her. "I have a request," Roro Jonggrang replied.

"Tell me. For you, I can give anything," he said arrogantly.

Roro Jonggrang took two steps forward with confidence. She lowered her head slightly to emphasize her acting. "I want something as a wedding gift," she said.

"What is it, my princess?" he asked, holding the ends of Roro Jonggrang's hair.

"I want a thousand temples and two wells."

The corners of Bandung Bondowoso's lips were drawn upwards. Of all the precious things in the world, this beautiful princess only asked for simple items. "Very well, Princess," he replied.

Hearing that answer, Roro Jonggrang felt her heart stop for a moment. How could a thousand temples and three wells be such an easy thing? Building one temple or one well requires people and time.

"Is that all?"

Roro Jonggrang was overwhelmed. The rhythm of her breathing became messy. She had to ask for more difficult requirements, such as building them all in one night. Yes, that would be nice. "Everything must be built in one night," she said again.

"What?"

Realizing the surprise in Bandung Bondowoso's voice, she smiled faintly. Those things could not have been built in one night. He definitely couldn't do it.

"If those things can't be built in one night, I won't marry you," Roro Jonggrang said confidently.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. The waitress standing near Roro Jonggrang stepped back slowly. Meanwhile, the couple stared at each other with different looks in their eyes.

"You said, you can give everything to me, right?"

Bandung Bondowoso exhaled. His dark irises scrutinized the girl before him. Roro Jonggrang had deliberately asked for difficult requirements because she had refused to surrender from the start.

"As you wish, my princess."

He gave a small smile before turning to leave.

After Bandung Bondowoso left the room, Roro Jonggrang fell to the floor in a sitting position. Her maid immediately approached her and asked if she was okay.

Outside, Bandung Bondowoso walked towards his palace in a hurry. Behind him, two bodyguards walked quickly.

"Call the seer," Bandung Bondowoso ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty."