The Traces of Destiny
Saras Day And Mother

...°°°⛲🌸If one day you feel like crying... Just call me....

...I don't promise to make you laugh, but I can cry with you....

...If one day you want to escape......

...Call me....

...I won't stop your run, but I can go with you....

...If one day you don't want to listen to anyone....

...Phone me....

...I promise to be there with you, I promise to try to be quiet....

...But, if one day you call me... And there's no answer... Come to see me.......

...Your mother... ...

...•••••••°°°°°°°🌸°°°°°°°•••••••...

By late afternoon, his stomach was improving and there was excitement waiting. Saras and his mother return to the streets to continue the delayed party.

Saras looked at his mother from above her sunglasses. "Mom, don't talk about it anymore."

"I won't do anything" he replied in self-defense. Then, lower his voice as if talking to himself.

"I just assumed you had decided to go out. You do that a lot, you know...."

In addition to wallowing in the bottomless abyss of concern, Saras' mother can also play perfectly as a guilt-ridden parent. There were times when Saras needed it, a little bit of pity never hurt anyone—but now is not one of them.

Saras frowned slightly as he put the frame back in his hand. The owner of the stand, an old woman sitting on a chair under a large umbrella, raised her eyebrows, clearly enjoying the small sight. The frown on Saras' forehead deepened. He backed off the stand as his mother continued, and after a while, his mother followed him.

"What's wrong?"

His tone made Saras stop and face his mother. "Ngga anything. I just don't want to hear how worried my mom is about me. It will be boring for a long time."

His mother's mouth opened a little and it stayed that way. Seeing his mother's hurt expression, Saras regretted his words, but he couldn't help it. Not today anyway.

"Listen, I'm sorry, ma'am. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

She reached out and grabbed her daughter's hand. "What's going on, Saras? And honestly, this time I know you very well. Something happened, right?"

He squeezed Saras' hand gently and Saras looked away. All around them, strangers were preoccupied with their affairs, immersed in their own conversations.

"Ardi is getting married again" he said slowly.

After making sure she heard correctly, the mother slowly hugged her daughter tightly. "Oh, Saras.

There's nothing more to say.

A few minutes later, they sat on a park bench overlooking the field, at the end of the street where crowds were still crowding. They moved there subconsciously, they just walked until they could not go any further, then found the seat.

There, they spoke for a long time, or rather Saras spoke. His mother was just listening, unable to cover up the worries he was feeling. His eyes widened and occasionally covered in tears, he squeezed Saras' hands a dozen times.

"Oh, that's terrible" he said for the umpteenth time. "A horrible day."

"I think so."

"Well .. will it help if I tell you to try to see the bright side?"

"There's no good side, ma'am."

"There certainly is."

"Well, you can be sure that they won't stay here after they get married. Your father will make them coated with tar and chicken feathers."

Regardless of his mood, Saras laughed. "Thank you very much, Mom. If I ever see her again, I'll definitely tell her that possibility."

Mother stopped. "You didn't plan that, did you? Meet him, I mean."

Saras shook his head. "No, except I can't hold him back so he knows he's not welcome in this town."

"good. After what he did to you, you shouldn't have done that stupid thing."

Saras simply nodded before leaning back to the bench.

"So, have you heard or have any news from Kim lately?" Saras asked, changing the subject.

"He never picked up my call when I called."

His mother followed Saras's direction without complaining. "I spoke to him a few days ago, but you also know how he is. Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. He never talked on the phone for long."

"Is he friends with someone?"

"I'm sure it is."

Saras looked towards the highway, thinking of his brother for a moment. Then, "How's Dad doing?"

"Same. He had an examination earlier this week and he seems to be doing well. And he looks tired as always."

"Is he still exercising?"

"Ngga as much as he should, but he kept promising me that he'd be serious about it."

"Tell him that I said he had to do it, had to exercise regularly."

"I'll tell your father that. But he's stubborn, you know that. It would be better if you told him directly. If I tell him, he thinks I'm chatty."

"Is mom really that chatty?"

"Of course not" answered the mother quickly. "I'm just worried about him."

On the side of the road, a shiny black sedan slowly pulled over to stop, and the two of them sat still, watching. Soon, the sun will sink to let the day keep track of the night and the warm light of the sun will be slowly replaced by the glitter of the lights, both street lighting and from vehicle lights that meet both sides of the road.

Saras has learned that if he is late to make an appointment, he can claim that he is "trapped in the hustle of the highway". Everyone in the city from the doctor to the judge would accept the reason without question, just because they had experienced it themselves.

"It's good to hear you laugh again" his mother murmured after a while.

Saras glanced in surprise at his mother.

"Don't be surprised. There are times when you are not surprised. Long time."

His mother touched Saras' knee gently. "Don't let Ardi hurt you again, okay? You've moved on-remember that."

Saras nodded almost imperceptibly, and his mother continued with the monologue Saras had almost memorized by now.

y"And you will also keep moving. One day you'll find someone who'll love you for who-is-"

"Nr . . ." Saras interrupted, spread the word and shook his head. Their conversations lately always seem to be coming back here.

For once, his mother caught himself. Then he grabs Saras' hand again, and though Saras pulls him at first, he survives until Saras relents.

"I can't help it if I want you to be happy" he said. "Can you understand that?"

Saras forced a smile, hoping it would satisfy his mother.

"Yes, Mom, I get it."