#tjen

Indonesia’s Janice Tjen (ANI Photo/Naveen Sharma) New Delhi: Indonesia’s rising tennis star Janice Tjen has rapidly become one of the sport’s most compelling breakout stories. After a stunning 2025 season, she made history by winning the Chennai Open, ending a 23-year wait for an Indonesian WTA singles champion, and surged into the top 50, the first Indonesian woman to do so this century. The…

A couple of late-comers came running to get on board, others gathered in the harbor to say goodbye to wave their loved ones goodbye before they were to set sail. There was all kinds of people traveling.

Rich merchants with help.

Poor people without seating.

Some traveling with company, some alone.

All with their own purposes and histories, and people loving them.

It’s hard letting your loved ones go. Especially when the journey is dangerous, and the destination unknown.

.

Three days later, before the sun had risen, Noor and Eira embarked their ship. Tjen had paid for their journey with the goat, and some skins, and was giving them his last admonitions for the journey.

- Always keep an eye on your things! And when you arrive at Krete you must immediately go to your uncle’s house. Don’t let anyone lure you to do something else! Especially not men!

- Yes, yes, uncle Tjen, we know! Eira said in frustration. We already know these things, you said them more times than there is trees in the forest.

- I’m just worried, Tjen admitted. I want you to arrive safely.

- So where are you girls going on Krete? An elderly woman asked.

- We are going to the Manthos village, where our uncle lives, Noor said.

- Ah I see. I’m going to a village not far from there. I can help you when we get there, if you want to, don’t worry. My name is Hadarah Husik, by the way.

- Thank you Mrs. Hadarah, that’s so nice of you. Are you from Krete?

- No, but I have a daughter who is married to a merchant from Krete. I’m going to visit her now. Do you know Kretika, the language in Krete?

- Eh.. not well I’m afraid. Our father taught us some words, but I don’t know if we can make ourselves understood. Do you?

- I only know a few basic words as well, but my daughter speaks fluently, so I don’t think I will have to learn it. I’m too old for that, Hadarah laughed. Anyway, It’s nice to have met you, I was concerned about me being the only female on board, so I’m happy I’m not.

- Same for us! I’m Eira and this is my sister Noor. But honestly I’m more worried if the boat will sink or if there will be a storm and things like that. We’ve never been on open sea before.

- I’m feeling sick already and we haven’t left the harbor yet, Noor moaned.

- They say it will pass after a couple of days, Hadarah said.

- I don’t know if that’s very comforting, Noor whimpered, I feel terrible already!

- All on board! The captain shouted. Rowers get ready!

- Oh holy spirits, we are leaving! TJEN! TJEN! WE ARE LEAVING!

.

Gwafa followed them to the harbor. He proudly showed them around, and they found something to eat, but Noor thought it tasted very strange.

- You can just as well get used to it, Eira said in her usual logical way. From now on nothing will be like we are used to.

It was time to say goodbye.

Some goodbyes are more difficult than others.

- I will never forget you, Noor said, knowing that Gwafa could not understand a word she was saying.

- D kemm ay d taqcict tahuskayt akk ay walaɣ deg tmeddurt-inu, he said.

- I don’t understand, she said while Gwafa was nodding.

- Even if we can’t understand each other’s language, we have an understanding heart to heart, Noor thought to herself, as she saw him walk away.

- I’m going to ask around for ships leaving to Krete the following days, Tjen said. Please wait for me here, and don’t walk around on your own. The harbor is full of nasty people who have nothing good in mind.

- Well, if I wasn't anxious before, I certainly am now! Noor sighed.

- I think we will be okay. Don’t you want to take off your blanket? Eira asked her sister. You don’t need it now when we are out of the desert?

- I kind of like it, it feels safe in a way. Especially when people are staring.

- Maybe they are staring because you look different.

- You might be right.

.

The next day they walked in silence. Reality had hit Noor and Eira, that they would be on their own from now on. Tjen would help them to find a ship, and then return with Gwafa to the oasis, and eventually all the way back to Oasis Springs.

- I must admit, I am terrified, Noor said quietly.

- Me too. But we will do it together. It will be okay. Eira tried to be confident, but it sounded somewhat hollow.

- Eira! Noor shouted. I can see it! I can see the ocean!!

As soon as they reached the water's edge, they decided to take a bath.

Tjen, who had bit of thalassophobia, was reluctant at first, but soon he jumped in with his sisters.

- This is the best! What a relief to get rid of that desert sand!

....

Gwafa did not join them. It’s hard to tell what he was thinking.

.

- But listen! His voice is like velvet! I just want to share my blanket with him.

- Oh holy spirits, Eira was not impressed, The sun must have boiled your head. Even the goat is laughing. Thank goodness we are going to reach our destination tomorrow.

There was a special atmosphere around the campfire that night.

- It is so beautiful here, Eira said. One part of me is almost sad that this journey is ending. I will remember it always.

- One thing I hope I will forget is how bad we all smell, Tjen replied.

- Yeah, sharing a blanket would not be a good idea, Noor added.

- Definately not! For many reasons! Eira was relieved that her sister had come to her senses.

- It's still very sad thinking about what could have been, Noor said.

- I, for my part, am most happy that I will be able to bathe tomorrow, Tjen sighed. Even if it is in salt water.

Gwafa suddenly started singing.

It was like he was singing to a special someone.

Noor had tears in her eyes. The song went straight to her heart.

- Oh sis, Eira tried to comfort her sister.

- I’m never going to see him again, am I? And I will never see mother and father again either. How could I leave them?

.

- You have to stop saying that! It’s not true!

- But...

- No buts! It was my choice to come with you. My decision. I don’t want to hear about this again. Stop it! I mean it!

- But...

- No buts!

- But I just wanted to say that I’m really grateful, and that I couldn’t have done this without you.

- Ah. Okay. Eira felt a bit embarrassed.

- I love you too. I really, really do. Now hurry up, we are falling behind.

They fell into a sort of routine. Walking rather fast in the morning, and slower in the evening. Taking short breaks to drink some water, and a good rest when the sun was at its most intense.

The sound of the wind playing with the sand, were sometimes broken by Gwafa’s voice. Singing sad songs in a language the girls did not understand.

- It’s kind of romantic isn’t it, Noor whispered.

- He has a lovely voice, Eira answered soberly.

- I think I love him...

- What? You can’t be serious!

.

They started early the next day. Gwafa in front, Noor and Eira in the middle and Tjen in the back.

In the beginning the girls were laughing and joking.

But after a while they became more silent. And hot and tired.

- How are you girls doing? Are you okay? Tjen shouted.

- We are fine! Eira shouted back

- Do you think that you can walk like this for five days?

- Of course! We are strong!

- Psst! Eira! Noor whispered, Are you really okay?

- Well, I am a bit tired, but it will be okay. What about you?

- My feet are KILLING me. I’m not used to this shoe thing. But the sand is so hot, I’m afraid to take them off.

- Oh yes, I agree. It’s not like in Oasis Springs. This heat is much more intense.

- I’m so sorry Eira, for what I make you go through. This is all my fault.

.