The Traces of Destiny
Ill

It's a beautiful Saturday and the city center is filled with people celebrating the Independence Festival, and moms want to spend the day browsing food stands and antique shops along the way, also of course he wants to watch rare matches that only happen once a year in festivals.

Because Kim wanted to watch a football match between Persib Bandung vs Barito Putra, Saras volunteered to accompany his mother.

Kim has become a loyal supporter of the football club with the nickname Maung Bandung, he will follow every game of his favorite team on various occasions, both through television and watching live matches. Although in the previous three games, Maung Bandung always failed to win and could only draw, it did not reduce Kim's love for Bojan Hodak's team.

Saras thought to give Kim the time she needed, she and mom might be able to spend some fun time outside.

As they walked while talking, Saras stopped at one of the food stands and ordered 2 cups of Tteokbokki that looked red, smoky and made his saliva almost spill.

"Where are you on Friday?" ask mother.

Her mother leaned her body closer while admiring the Korean food lined up in front of her face. "Did you spend the night in your apartment?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Because I called a few times and your phone just rang."

"I set the silent mode."

"Yes, right. I thought you might be with someone."

"someone? Who?"

His mother shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, just somebody."

As they spoke, Saras began to taste the spicy food in his hands. They again continue walking down every place that looks to have interesting activities.

From a distance, there was a tall pole with many gifts hanging on it. Among them a bicycle, flat-screen television, and some negligee with a festive pattern that waved in the wind seemed to attract the most attention of visitors. Saras and his mother decided to walk closer to it.

Several youths seemed to be getting ready to climb when Saras and his mother arrived. And Saras knew some of the faces and names among them.

The organizers began to shout loudly at the count, all the participants preparing to climb up. The atmosphere felt more and more lively. Saras and mother began to cheer up by clapping and shouting.

"The Empty, the spirit of the mangggggggggggg!" shouted a woman who looked the same age as Saras.

"Mas Sakitiiiii me to youuuuuuuu!" shouted another woman whom Saras remembered as Amoy.

Saras smiled amusedly to find Amoy who continued to jump around a little encouraging the man who works as a barber while holding his belly that bulged.

"Remember the masssss, I want tiviiiiiiiii, I don't want a bike or iron, I want tiviii.... Anyway tiviiiiiiiiii.." cried the woman again to her husband who was struggling to climb the slippery pole covered with oil and water.

Seen the man named Sakti was giving a thumb as a sign that he listened to the words of his wife.

"Wooooiii Bang Saktiiiiiiii, Jin nitip's son negligee, please take yaaaaaaa," shouted a sweet young girl from the crowd.

Saras would often cross the girl's house as she headed to school, and found her several times drying clothes, sweeping the yard, climbing a mango tree, painting the fence, repairing broken roof tiles, digging wells, and so on, and many more other activities that the girl did every time Saras passed by. She was a girl who diligently helped mother, Saras said of the hooded girl.

Saras again focused his gaze on the men fighting each other up the pole. Every now and then as they slipped and fell, Saras could not help but laugh in his heart, fearing sin. But everyone does. Saras and his mother also dissolved in the excitement of the atmosphere.

It was a really nice day, and it might have been, if not for a very severe stomach ache that then came upon him after eating a bowl in the third bowl.

She felt the need to tell her mother that she was not feeling well, but she did not want to make her mother worry. Or it's likely that his mother might drag him to see a doctor.

"Mom, I might need a little break. I felt a little stomach ache," Saras said in a weak voice as the twisting of her stomach grew more and more unbearable.

His mother was worried. "What's going on? What can I do?"

Saras tried to smile and shake his head. "Ngga, nothing. I just need a little rest."

His mother grabbed Saras' arm with great attention. "I'll take you home. You can lie down for a moment."

Unable to bear the growing abdominal pain, Saras agreed. They left the festival and went home.

When they arrived home, Saras immediately ran to the restroom, a little relieved afterwards even though the turmoil in his stomach was still felt. He then lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. His mother took care of him lovingly, bringing him water and a cold towel to put on his stomach.

A few hours later, Saras awoke from sleep. Although her stomach ache was still felt, it was already better than before. He sat down and looked around, watching his mother sitting on the side of the bed.

"How are you feeling now, honey?" ask her mother gently.

Saras pondered for a moment. "There's still a bit of a twisting feeling, but it's been better."

Mother smiled. "alright. I made you some warm soup. It might help ease your stomach ache."

Saras felt grateful to have such a caring mother. Although they had differences in looking at some things, her mother was always there for her.

As her mother goes to the kitchen to fetch soup, Saras muses about her ex-husband's upcoming marriage. Although he was troubled by the news, he also felt annoyed at himself for being distracted. He wanted to forget everything and live his life without feeling affected.

Saras knows that it is wise to keep the past in an isolated place in his head and focus on his future. She has gone through a difficult time and is separated from her ex-husband. Even though her feelings were still there, she had to fight against those emotions.

His mother returned with warm soup.

"You want me a bribe?"

"I bribe myself, Mom."

"Well then, hold the bowl carefully, I'll go to another room. Call me if you need anything."

"Sure" answered Saras.

Saras felt grateful for the support and affection that was always given by the woman who gave birth to him. He began to slowly eat the warm soup from the bowl. It really made her feel better than before, even her feelings.

Although her pain and confusion still exist, Saras knows that she has the ability to deal with it. With the support of their mother and small family and her own determination, she was able to rise up and move on with her life with renewed vigor.

Kim once told him that suffering a defeat is okay, but we must always be ready for the next games with determination to win.