In the quiet luxury of his room, Baskara sat leaning near the large window made of transparent crystal glass. The city lights of Tirta Negara in the distance looked like another sea of stars, but Baskara's full attention was fixed on the vast night sky.
The stars twinkled in the deep black void, emitting a soft yet eternal glow from an unfathomable distance.
In that silence, Baskara raised a small high-tech telescope displayed at the corner of his window. He gazed at the stars one by one, as if having a silent conversation with the sky.
"Stars... no matter how beautiful your shine, you are a symbol of solitude in the ocean of the universe. You glow alone, yet you give light to countless eyes below you."
"Like life, beauty does not always mean being noisy... sometimes, it is at the peak of height and solitude that one finds the deepest meaning within themselves."
Baskara lowered the telescope, his eyes staring blankly yet meaningfully upwards.
A faint smile graced his face, as if he had just understood something that could only be felt, not spoken.
Now, after a simple journey with Dinda's friends, Baskara felt that the world out there was much wider and more complicated. He realized he needed to know the world better—not only in silence but also in movement.
However, he did not want to be bound by university benches or the rules of the monastery. He wanted freedom... to build his own path in life.
That night, after setting his determination in his heart, Baskara moved to his bed. But not to sleep—rather, to sit cross-legged on the bed, hands resting on his knees, breathing slowly, absorbing the energy of the sky and earth.
In the silence of the room lit only by the faint light of the stars, Baskara re-entered the stillness of his soul, meditating until dawn broke.
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A bright morning greeted the city of Tirta Negara, sunlight gently filtering through Baskara's room curtains, waking him after his all-night meditation. Fresh morning air entered through the window vents, carrying the fragrant aroma from the backyard garden. Baskara slowly opened his eyes, feeling the calm that still lingered from his meditation. His body felt lighter, his soul sharper, as if ready to face the next step.
With calm movements, Baskara rose from his bed and walked to the large mirror reflecting his image. He looked at his face, which appeared more mature than before—not only physically but also in the aura accompanying him. Now, he was no longer just an ordinary young man but someone searching for a greater path in life.
Outside his room, light chatter was heard between Teguh and Tirta in the dining room. Tirta was preparing breakfast while Teguh sat with a warm cup of tea. The family atmosphere felt peaceful, although there was always a sense of tension that accompanied every step Baskara took.
Baskara left his room and headed to the dining room. Teguh saw his son with a faint smile. "Good morning, son. Are you ready?" Teguh asked with a tone full of understanding.
"Good morning, Father. Yes, I'm ready," Baskara replied, sitting at the dining table. Teguh's sharp eyes seemed to catch a change in his son. There was a maturity increasingly shining through, though a hidden worry still lingered beneath it.
Tirta, while serving rice, looked over and smiled at Baskara. "What are your plans for today?" she asked gently.
Baskara raised his gaze, his eyes shining with clear intent. "I will go to the ancestral land, Mother. There's someone I need to meet... maybe I will also find a path forward," Baskara answered confidently.
Teguh nodded slowly, his face not very surprised. "This journey is part of your search, son. But remember, whatever you find there, take good care of yourself."
Tirta smiled softly and offered a plate of rice. "Don't forget to eat before you go. We never know what might happen on the journey."
Baskara accepted the meal calmly, feeling the warmth of family love that continued to flow, even though out there, in the bigger world, challenges awaited.
After breakfast, Baskara left the table, carrying a stronger determination. "I'm leaving now, Father, Mother. Thank you for everything."
Teguh and Tirta just nodded, giving their blessing without many words. They knew this was a step Baskara had to take, even though they might not fully understand what their son was searching for.
With steady steps, Baskara left home for his spiritual journey—to meet the ancestors, seek his life's direction, and perhaps also discover the hidden potential he had silently kept.
The morning sky was still covered by a thin mist as Baskara sped from his home. His body sliced through the air with a light but controlled speed, breaking the sky that was beginning to glow golden. The wind brushed his face, but he remained calm; his destination was clear: The Nala Ancestral Temple, a sacred place where his family's history was rooted, a place not everyone could visit casually.
The Baskara family compound spread majestically on a high plateau surrounded by hills. In the center stood an ancient temple, simple yet sacred, built from black stone that emitted an aura of antiquity and solidity. The temple was the meditation site of the ancestor Nala—a great figure known as the guardian of the family's spiritual heritage.
Arriving at the temple door, Baskara stopped. He stood for a moment, closed his eyes, and expanded his awareness. Subtle energy flows swept through the surrounding space, penetrating the formless temple walls, searching for signs of spiritual life within.
Soon, his awareness caught a strong figure—clear, calm, and very deep. Ancestor Nala was indeed inside, sitting in perfect tranquility. As if waiting, the temple door slowly opened, accompanied by a deep and authoritative voice.
"Come in, son," said the voice, firm but gentle to those who understand.
Without hesitation, Baskara stepped inside. The faint scent of incense mixed with the freshness of damp stone welcomed him. In the main chamber, he saw Ancestor Nala—wearing simple robes woven from greenish-gray cloth—pouring drink from a stone jug into two small cups also made of stone. The low table before him was carved with ancient spiritual symbols that glowed faintly red.
"Sit," said Ancestor Nala, his deep eyes seeming to look directly into the depths of Baskara's soul.
"Yes, Ancestor," Baskara replied, bowing his head and sitting cross-legged before the elder. There was a feeling of calm but also an unspoken depth. This place did not just hold the family heritage but also truths he had not yet fully understood.
Ancestor Nala handed the cup to Baskara and spoke softly but with an echoing tone:
"You have grown, faster than the world imagined. But it is not time to be complacent. For after silence... comes the test."