After searching for a long time, even with conditions that made Satya more tired and sleepy, they finally decided to end what they were doing.
"Let's just rest," said Lathifa, "we'll continue tomorrow."
Satya just sat on the table that had collapsed, he was a little breathless.
"Yeah, right," he said. "Besides, what lunatic would want to tear apart someone else's house at this time of dawn?"
Lathifa giggled at the man's complaint. She approached him, crouching in front of him.
"I think we've officially become criminals."
"Stupid!" Lathifa smiled as she rubbed Satya's hand. "At the dawn? Yes, indeed. About other people's houses? I don't think so, this is your ancestral home, and that means you have the right to do something here."
Satya just laughed silently looking at the beautiful face that was wet with sweat, he looked down and shook his head lightly.
"Then what?" he said. "Shall we go back to your hut now?"
Latifa frowned.
"You know," Satya suppressed his smile, as well as holding back his lust because the girl's cleavage, which was wet with sweat, looked even more tempting. "I will die of exhaustion once we reach your hut."
"Stupid!" Lathifa giggled again, she patted Satya's hand lightly. "We can use one of the rooms in this house to rest."
And now it's Satya's turn to frown. "Didn't you say earlier that we could be caught by the soldiers on patrol?"
"I did say so," said Lathifa, she stood up again, and extended her hand to Satya, helping the man up. "But I'm not saying that they'll be patrolling Kencana Ireng's home area at all times."
"Good grief!" Satya let out a long sigh. "If that's the case, why don't we just visit this house in the morning or afternoon?"
"Why?"
"I'm so tired, Lathi," said Satya, taking a deep breath. "And I will not be ashamed to admit this." Satya knew the answer to his question. Lathifa deliberately asked him to do this at night to avoid suspicion from others.
Again the girl laughed softly. "I know, so am I. Come on!"
Lathifa grabbed the coconut oil lamp in the shape of a small jug, taking it to another room. Satya followed her to a room at the back.
"Do you often visit this house?" asked Satya. "I mean when Kencana Ireng was still alive?"
Lathifa glanced at Satya, smiled, and nodded. "The only person in the kingdom who has never pretended to pay attention to me, besides my father and mother, is Kencana Ireng alone."
"So," Satya smiled. At least, he can be proud because his ancestor was good person. "You guys are already like an uncle and a niece?"
Again, Lathifa nodded. "Come here!"
Lathifa invited Satya into the very back room. In a room that was a kitchen, but in the same condition as any other room, the furniture was falling apart.
"Who wants to cook in the early morning like now?"
Lathifa again had to hold back her laughter, she gently patted Satya's hand again.
"What?" Satya frowned. "Even if I feel hungry right now, it's no bigger than my sleepiness and tiredness, Lathi."
"Who's said we going to cook?" said Latifa. "You stupid man!"
"Oh, we don't, huh?"
"Look at that!" Lathifa pointed to a large kiln.
Strange as well, thought Satya. Why is there a big kiln like that in this room? Did my ancestors like to throw parties so they need a lot of food in one go?
He glanced confusedly at Lathifa.
"Try pulling the steel part at the bottom!"
Satya took a deep breath. Although reluctant, he just obeyed what was asked by Lathifa.
The condition of the traditional kiln seemed like it had never been touched, the ashes from the burning ten years ago still covered the bottom of the kiln itself. Only the footprints of the rats could be seen by Satya.
Of course, who wants to cook in an empty and messy house like this? he thought.
However, when Satya managed to pull out the thick steel plate that became the base of the kiln, only then did he understand what Lathifa meant.
Turns out, that the kiln was hiding a tunnel leading to the basement. And of course, with the state of the kiln covering it at the top, the underground space would be hidden from anyone's eyes. Except, for Kencana Ireng and Lathifa who have often visited the house for sure.
"Hey!" Satya gulped. "Don't tell me–"
"I can't say that what we are looking for we will find down there," said Lathifa. "But, by looking at the state of the kiln before you pull out the base, I can confirm that Pramudya's people don't know about the room below yet."
"Wow!"
Latifa smiled. "You see! Your ancestor was a very smart person, Satya. You should be proud."
Satya smiled and nodded.
"Come on!" Lathifa precedes Satya.
With a slight bow, the girl descended the steps. After that, it was Satya's turn.
"Don't forget to close it again," said Lathifa.
Satya did that, pulling back the rectangular steel plate to completely seal the cavity.
"Why should it be closed again," asked Satya when they were on the floor of the room.
"The soldiers don't always patrol around here, indeed," said Lathifa. "However, there's nothing wrong with being careful and always alert, right?"
Satya took a deep breath. Yes, that's right, he thought. Especially if you live in this era.
"There are three rooms in this underground," said Lathifa. "One is the one we're stepping on right now, one on the right, and one on the left."
"Hey, aren't we going to be out of breath here later?"
Lathifa smiled and took Satya's hand. She pointed to the right and left corners of the room where they were now.
"In those two corners you can see there's a hole up, can't you?"
Satya nodded. It looks like those two holes are ventilation for this underground room. And it seems to blend with the walls of the house on the outside, disguised in such a way.