After the cucumber crisis, Roy K was finally enjoying some peace. His approval ratings were at an all-time high, Meowster had become a national mascot, and cucumbers were back on the market. Life seemed good.
But in Cahaya, tranquility was always fleeting.
A Rumor Runs Wild
One sunny morning, Aziz barged into Roy's office, holding his phone like it was a ticking time bomb.
"Sir, we have a situation," Aziz said.
Roy, who was trying to teach Meowster to high-five, barely looked up. "Let me guess someone's stealing eggplants now?"
"Worse," Aziz replied, placing the phone on Roy's desk. "Look at this."
Roy squinted at the screen. It was a viral social media post claiming that Roy had secretly purchased a luxury yacht using public funds.
"Prime Minister Roy K: Champion of Cucumbers or Master of Corruption?" the post read. It was accompanied by a poorly Photoshopped image of Roy lounging on a gold-plated yacht, holding a cucumber cocktail.
Roy burst out laughing. "This is ridiculous! I can't even swim!"
Aziz didn't share his amusement. "Sir, this post has been shared over a million times. People are starting to believe it."
Roy blinked. "What? But it's clearly fake! Look at that yacht it says 'Property of King Cucumber III.' That's not even my nickname!"
Aziz sighed. "Sir, this is serious. Whoever made this is trying to damage your reputation. We need to respond."
The Mystery of the Rumor Mill
Determined to uncover the source of the rumors, Roy called an emergency cabinet meeting.
Pak Salim, the Minister of Communications, explained the situation. "Sir, this is part of a coordinated disinformation campaign. Fake news about you is spreading like wildfire."
"Fake news?" Roy said, outraged. "That's a crime against cucumbers and truth!"
Aziz nodded. "We need to find out who's behind this and shut it down."
Pak Salim cleared his throat. "We have some leads. Most of the fake posts are coming from a shadowy group called the Coalition of Concerned Cahayans."
Roy frowned. "Concerned about what? My amazing leadership?"
"Apparently, they're accusing you of being unfit to lead," Salim said delicately.
Roy gasped. "Me? Unfit? Aziz, tell them about the time I solved the cucumber crisis!"
Aziz muttered, "Sir, that's literally the only time."
Enter the Minister of Misinformation
As the task force dug deeper, they discovered something shocking: one of the main perpetrators of the fake news campaign was none other than a member of Roy's own cabinet, Pak Harun, the Minister of Cultural Affairs.
"Pak Harun?" Roy exclaimed when the news broke. "But he's always so nice to me. He even gave me a cucumber-shaped paperweight for my birthday!"
Aziz sighed. "Sir, he's been using his department's resources to spread fake news and discredit you. We found direct evidence linking him to the Coalition of Concerned Cahayans."
Roy slumped in his chair, betrayed. "I trusted him. And to think, I let him name our national cucumber festival."
The Confrontation
Roy wasted no time. He summoned Pak Harun to his office for a private meeting.
"Pak Harun," Roy began, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "We need to talk."
Harun, a portly man with a perpetually fake smile, looked nervous. "Of course, sir. What's on your mind?"
Roy slammed a stack of documents onto his desk. "This! Your involvement in the fake news campaign. Care to explain?"
Harun stammered. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, sir."
Roy leaned forward, his tone icy. "Cut the act, Harun. We have proof. Emails, bank transfers, everything. You've been undermining me from the start."
Harun's facade crumbled. "Fine! I did it. But can you blame me? You're a walking disaster! Do you know how hard it is to take orders from someone who once mistook a stapler for a phone?"
Roy narrowed his eyes. "That was one time. And I apologized to the stapler."
Damage Control
With Harun exposed, Roy took swift action. He publicly dismissed Harun from his position and announced an investigation into the Coalition of Concerned Cahayans.
During a live press conference, Roy addressed the nation.
"People of Cahaya," he began, holding a cucumber for emphasis, "I may not be perfect. I may have accidentally declared war on a salad once. But I have always put this nation first. And I will not let anyone spread lies about me especially not someone who can't even grow a decent cucumber!"
The crowd cheered, and Roy basked in their support.
The Truth Prevails
With Harun gone, the disinformation campaign collapsed. Roy's approval ratings recovered, and the fake news was debunked.
Aziz, ever the realist, tried to temper Roy's excitement. "Sir, this isn't the last time someone will try to take you down. You need to be more careful."
Roy waved him off. "Aziz, as long as I have cucumbers and the truth on my side, nothing can stop me!"
Aziz sighed. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Meowster, sitting on Roy's desk, let out a triumphant meow, as if to say, Bring on the next challenge.
End of Chapter 14