Chapter 8

• The evening sky in Uluwatu gradually shifted, from bright blue to a golden-orange hue. The sun slowly sank on the western horizon, casting long shadows over the towering cliffs that stood proudly at the ocean's edge. Waves rolled and crashed against the rocks below, creating a deep rumble that blended with the soft whispers of the sea breeze.
• At Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the silhouette of the ancient temple stood majestically at the tip of the cliff, as if guarding the island's peace. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the salty aroma of the sea. Tourists and seekers of tranquility sat along the edges, immersed in a panorama that seemed to transport them to another world—serene, grand, and unforgettable.
• Not far from there, the sounds of a gamelan began to echo, marking the start of the Kecak Dance performance. Dozens of bare-chested men sat in a circle, chanting "cak-cak-cak" in an increasingly rapid rhythm, narrating the epic tale of the Ramayana. The flames at the center of the circle danced with the performers, creating a mystical spectacle under the twilight sky that was slowly turning a deep shade of purple.
• Behind her, the sound of approaching footsteps was heard.
• "Ayu."
• That deep voice instantly made her heartbeat race faster than it should.
• She turned and found Daniel Laurent standing there, his blue eyes starkly contrasting with the darkening night. His expensive linen suit fluttered in the wind, and his signature smirk exuded the confidence of a man who was used to getting whatever he wanted. And right now, it seemed that what he wanted was Ayu.
• "You shouldn't be here," she whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the crashing waves below.
• Daniel stepped closer, ignoring the warning in her eyes. "And you shouldn't dance so beautifully if you want me to forget you."
• Ayu clenched her jaw. "This is not about us."
• "Isn't it?" Daniel tilted his head, his gaze scrutinizing her. "Because it seems like whatever I do still affects you."
• Ayu held her breath, trying to calm the turmoil within her. This man was a threat. Not just to her heart, but to the land that had been passed down for generations in her family. Daniel was not just a foreigner captivated by Bali's exotic charm. He was the heir to Laurent Corporation, one of the largest real estate giants in Europe. His visit to Bali was not merely to enjoy the beaches or culture—he was here to negotiate a luxury hotel and resort project that would stand precisely on her family's sacred land.
• "I'm not selling my family's land, Daniel," Ayu finally said, her voice colder than before.
• Daniel gave a small smile, but his eyes remained serious. "I'm not asking for your land, Ayu. I just want to know... will you choose a tradition that binds you, or will you choose your own heart?"
• Ayu stiffened. She knew this was no longer just about business. This was about them. About her ancestors' promise. About a love that had begun to grow but was never meant to exist.
• Before she could respond, another voice cut through the silence.
• "Ayu!"
• Ayu and Daniel turned at the same time.
• There stood a Balinese man dressed in a dark brown batik, his sharp gaze full of authority.
• Dewa Mahendra.
• The man who was supposed to be her fiancé, the one chosen by her family to uphold their honor and ancestral legacy. Ayu felt her heart drop. Now, she was truly trapped between the heritage of the past and the temptation of the future.
• In front of her, Daniel Laurent, a foreigner with an unwavering gaze, stood tall as if certain he could shake her convictions. But behind her stood someone more familiar, someone closer to her world—Dewa Mahendra. The man her family had chosen.
• Mahendra wore a dark brown batik with traditional Balinese patterns, paired with an udeng, the traditional headpiece symbolizing wisdom and the honor of a Balinese man. His sharp eyes scanned the scene before him, full of the wariness only a man who knew his territory was being invaded could have.
• "Ayu, we need to talk," Mahendra's voice was deep and firm, yet he didn't raise his tone.
• Ayu swallowed hard. "Mahendra … this isn't what you think."
• Daniel, of course, didn't back down. He casually slipped his hands into his pockets, as if inviting an unseen battle. "I think this is exactly the time to think," he replied, his tone relaxed, but each word carried a hidden challenge.
• Mahendra stared at Daniel coldly. "You don't understand how our traditions work, Mr. Laurent."
• "Maybe I don't," Daniel admitted. "But I do know that Ayu is not just a family promise or a cultural legacy. She is someone who can make her own choices."
• Mahndra clenched his jaw. He looked at Ayu, his gaze softening slightly. "Ayu, you know the responsibility you carry. You know that the path you take is not just about yourself."
• Ayu balled her fists. She knew. She had always known.
• As a descendant of the Bendesa family, the traditional leaders in her village, she was destined to marry the man chosen by her ancestors. Dewa Mahendra, a man from a warrior lineage, someone who deeply understood tradition, culture, and the duty of preserving their heritage.
• But why did her heart tremble in Daniel's presence instead?
• "I can't make a decision right now," Ayu finally said, her voice trembling.
• Mahendra studied her for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand."
• However, before leaving, he whispered softly—only for Ayu to hear.
• "But you know, Ayu … defying tradition is not just about feelings. There is a price to pay."
• Ayu held her breath. She knew Mahendra wasn't threatening her. He was only reminding her.
• Daniel watched as Mahendra walked away before turning back to Ayu. "What did he mean?"
• Ayu shifted her gaze toward the vast Indian Ocean. The wind carried the scent of salt and incense from the temple behind them.
• "If I refuse this arranged marriage … a curse will fall upon my family."
• Daniel frowned. "Do you really believe in something like that?"
• Ayu closed her eyes.
• It wasn't about belief.
• It was about the faith that had been passed down for centuries. If she defied that oath, her family would be seen as dishonoring tradition. And worse, something far greater than a mere curse might come for them.
• But if she chose tradition…
• Was she ready to sacrifice her heart?
• Amidst the turmoil shaking her soul, Ayu realized that the only thing scarier than an ancestral curse was falling in love with someone she could never have.
• Dewa Mahendra's footsteps grew more distant, leaving Ayu and Daniel in a suffocating silence.
• Ayu felt her body weaken. She took a deep breath and looked at Daniel, who was still standing there, his eyes filled with questions.
• "Ayu … what's really going on? What do you mean by a curse?" Daniel asked, his voice softer this time.
• Ayu bit her lip. She knew that, as an outsider, Daniel wouldn't easily understand how deeply rooted the traditions that shaped her life were. But she also knew that this was not just a mere myth. She shifted her gaze to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu behind them. The flickering candlelight and the burning incense created a sacred aura that seemed to envelop the place.
• "This isn't just about an ordinary arranged marriage, Daniel," Ayu finally spoke. "I am a descendant of the Bendesa family. In Balinese tradition, my family is responsible for maintaining the balance between humans and nature, preserving our ancestors' legacy, and ensuring that the vows made are honored."
• Daniel crossed his arms. "What kind of vow?"
• Ayu swallowed. "Centuries ago, my ancestors made a sacred vow before the Gods to protect this holy land. This vow is known as the 'Sumpah Leluhur' (Ancestor's Oath). If any of their descendants refuses to follow the tradition and marries someone from outside the customs, the balance will be disrupted. It won't only affect my family, but the entire village."
• Daniel furrowed his brow. "That sounds like a myth."
• Ayu shook her head. "Not for us, Daniel. In Bali, we live by the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana—the three ways to achieve harmony. We must maintain the balance between humans and the God Parahyangan, through prayers, ceremonies, and offerings at the temple; Pawongan, the harmonious relationship between fellow humans, which includes mutual respect, cooperation, and maintaining social balance; and Palemahan, the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, which involves preserving the environment and living in harmony with nature. If any of these aspects are disturbed, disaster can strike."
• Daniel fell silent as he listened to Ayu's explanation. Despite his skepticism, he could see that Ayu truly believed this. "So … you really believe that if you marry someone outside your tradition, your family will be cursed?"
• Ayu bit her lip. "I don't know, Daniel. I just know that I don't want to be the one who tests the patience of the ancestors."
• Daniel chuckled lightly, though without humor. "So just because of tradition, you're willing to sacrifice your happiness?"
• Ayu looked at him sharply. "Happiness isn't just about me. I live in a community, in a large family. If I go against it, I'm not only betraying tradition but also destroying my family's honor."
• Daniel took a deep breath. He had never encountered anything like this before. To him, life was about freedom of choice, following one's heart without being burdened by rules set centuries ago.
• But for Ayu, her life was about maintaining balance—between herself, her ancestors, and her community.
• "So what do you choose, Ayu?" Daniel finally asked.
• Ayu clasped her hands together, trying to hold back the turmoil in her heart. "I don't know …"
• But before they could continue their conversation, the sound of the gamelan from the temple grew louder, accompanied by the cheers of the dancers performing the Kecak Dance.
• Ayu turned to look at the open stage, watching the male dancers sitting in a circle, chanting "cak! cak! cak!" in an increasingly fast rhythm.
• The Kecak Dance wasn't just tourist entertainment. It was part of a sacred ritual telling the story of the Ramayana—about Rama's struggle to save Sinta from Rahwana.
• In Hindu mythology, Rahwana is a king who violated the boundaries of dharma (truth) for his own desires. And tonight, as Ayu watched the dance, she felt a strange fear. Would she end up like Rahwana? Defying destiny and taking something that wasn't meant to be hers? At that moment, the sea breeze suddenly picked up, causing the candles around the temple to flicker.
• Daniel noticed Ayu's expression change suddenly. "What's wrong?"