Bound
Country: Indonesia
Author Name: Nina Andiana
Publisner Name: Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Original Language: Indonesian
Bound The story begins with Sasana’s childhood.
Forced to learn piano and study classical music, Sasana secretly fell in love with dangdut music instead.
When his parents caught him happily dancing to the rhythms, they scolded him and threw away the radio he used to listen to the songs.
Sasana also found himself admiring his sister Melati—her body, her beautiful face, and her long hair.
In the third grade of junior high, Sasana once drew a picture of a naked woman.
Furious, his parents’ reaction made Sasana resolve to control himself and avoid anything they might consider out of the ordinary.
Sasana was later sent to an all-boys high school, where he experienced severe bullying and violence.
At first, his parents were angry with him, assuming he had been fighting, but after Sasana suffered a more serious incident, they discovered that a gang at the school had been beating him up.
Instead of receiving justice, the school asked Sasana to transfer elsewhere.
During college, Sasana met Jaka Wani, and they began busking together.
Many people loved Sasana’s voice and dancing,
...and Jaka Wani eventually suggested they busk professionally.
Sasana decided to drop out of college, and they rented a small house.
Jaka Wani then bought clothes and makeup for Sasana to wear while performing.
Trouble arose when Sasana and Jaka Wani joined a demonstration at a factory.
They were arrested by the police and separated in prison.
Once again, Sasana suffered violence at the hands of others, and for days, he was repeatedly raped.
After his release, Sasana returned home but often isolated himself, prompting his parents to admit him to a mental hospital.
There, Sasana could finally express himself by singing, dancing, and wearing women’s clothing.
However, after some of his friends in the hospital committed suicide, Sasana felt that the place was not normal and was restricting his freedom, leading him to escape.
The story then shifts to Jaka Wani.
After the incident at the demonstration, he was allowed to leave as long as he did not stay in the city.
He moved to Batam and worked as a factory worker, where he met Elis, a prostitute who often served factory workers.
Elis eventually moved in with him, and their house turned into her brothel over time.
When a raid occurred, Jaka Wani did nothing to help Elis.
Later, he met Kalina, a factory worker who had just been fired for being pregnant.
Kalina had been raped by the foreman, and many other women faced the same fate.
Witnessing this injustice, Jaka Wani wanted to fight for their rights and called for a demonstration, but his courage faltered after the authorities chased him.
He fled to Jakarta, starting a new life named Jaka Baru.
There, he met Jali, who offered him a simple job: whenever they found places that violated religious values, they would search and destroy them.
After collecting enough money from this work, Jaka Wani returned to his parents’ home in Malang and led a local troop.
People respected him, and even state officials became aware of his presence.
Jaka Wani eventually met Sasana again at a cafe, where Sasana was singing and dancing on stage.
Sasana had recently returned home after being abused by thugs on the streets, and only his mother was willing to accept and support his work.
However, his freedom was short-lived as he was arrested again, and Jaka Wani pretended not to know him.
During the trial, Sasana’s name was reported everywhere, accused of violating religious values and societal norms.
Jaka Wani felt guilty yet also believed he had done the right thing.
Returning to Jakarta, he met Jali once more, but during one of their operations, Jali killed someone without remorse, leaving Jaka Wani increasingly disturbed.
He began to think about his dreams: playing guitar while Sasana sang and danced beside him.
In the end, Jaka Wani visited Sasana in prison, tricking the warden and helping Sasana escape.
They fled together, shedding their old identities—Sasana removing his prison clothes, and Jaka Wani taking off his turban and robe.
At last, they could live freely, just as they had always dreamed.
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