The sky is as red as blood in my dagger.

Rain of seven color flowers falls to Kurusetra Field. The war between Pandawa and Kurawa suddenly stops.

^{The Cirebon glass painting of Bharatayudha battle in Wayang style. Source: Wikimedia Commons}

I do remember how Kurawa humiliated my family. Yudhistira, my brother, lost many times on dice-play against Duryudana, leader of Kurawa family. All our fortunes were sold out at gambling table, including our small house and our dignity. We had became Kurawa's slaves. Dursasana, Duryudana's brother, tried to strip off Drupadi, my aunt. She fell to the floor. "You have humiliated me in front of a thousand eyes. I can't accept it. I swear I will not tie my hair until I wash it with your blood!" Drupadi screamed.

Duryudana was my brother-in-law but he harassed my family. On this war I defied him. The fight was not easy but I could stabbed him with my dagger. Blood poured from his chest. I put it in a shell and gave it to Drupadi.

I stare at the blood red sky. The war is not over yet. There is still unrequited revenges and this two families will continue to kill each other.

Note: This story is inspired by Mahabharata epic.

This is my entry for STACH Short Story Contest #23 by @stach. Supported by @Sndbox.

Langit Merah Darah

Aku memandang langit merah darah, semerah darah di belatiku. Hujan bunga tujuh warna turun menyirami Padang Kurusetra. Perang dahsyat itu mendadak berhenti. Para prajurit Kurawa dan Pandawa menatap langit.

Aku tak bisa melupakan peristiwa memalukan itu. Yudhistira, kakakku, berkali-kali kalah saat bermain dadu melawan Duryudana, pemimpin keluarga Kurawa. Semua hartanya ludes di meja judi, termasuk kerajaan dan kami. Ya, sejak itu, kami telah menjadi budak Kurawa. Puncaknya, Dursasana, adik Duryudana, berusaha menelanjangi Drupadi, bibiku. Drupadi jatuh. "Kau telah mempermalukanku di hadapan seribu mata. Aku tak terima. Aku bersumpah tak akan mengikat rambutku hingga kucuci dengan darahmu!" Drupadi menjerit.

Darah itu darah Duryudana. Dia sebenarnya masih saudara iparku. Tapi, dia telah mempermalukan Pandawa, keluargaku. Dalam Perang Baratayudha antara Pandawa melawan Kurawa, aku menantang Dursasana. Pertarungan yang tak mudah tapi aku dapat membantingnya dengan gada raksasaku. Aku tusuk dia dengan belati. Darah mengucur dari dadanya. Aku menampungnya di tempurung. Darah itu kuserahkan kepada Drupadi.

Aku menatap langit semerah darah Dursasana. Perang ini belum berakhir. Masih ada dendam-dendam yang belum terbalas dan dua keluarga besar ini akan terus saling membunuh.

---

#blogiwankwriting #ksijakarta #jakarta #indonesia #steemitbudaya #steem #steemit #budaya #sastra #literature #life

---

Recent Posts

• Fried Starch from Cassava Root in The Evening #Foodphotography
• Twilight in Jakarta #Goldenhourphotography
• Souvenirs from Foreign Countries #Smartphonephotography
• Surat Cinta kepada Steem: Steemit Itu Berat, Biar Aku Saja

---

I hope you like my work. Please upvote and resteem this post and follow @blogiwank if you support me.