The Traces of Destiny
Continues

"So, we talked about my life, why didn't you tell me about yours? How does it feel to grow up in your family?" Garin reopened the subject.

"With as you have, my parents are Abah and Emak Cemara if you know the film. We lived in the suburbs outside Cijengkol in the most typical houses, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, complete with terraces, flower gardens, and a fence of tea-tea living plants. I took the bus to school with my neighbors, played in the front yard all weekend, and had the most Barbie collections in the entire block. My father worked from nine to five and wore a suit every day. Mom lives at home, and I don't think I've ever seen her go far from the kitchen. And our house always smells like a bakery. Mom makes cookies for me and my sister every day, and we eat them in the kitchen and tell her what we learned that day."

"Sounds good."

"Yes. My mom was great when we were kids. She is the type of mother that other children always turn to if they hurt themselves or have difficulties. It was only after my sister and I grew up that she started to become neurotic to me."

Garin raised both eyebrows.

"Now, has he changed, or has he always been neurotic and you're too young to notice?"

“It sounds like something Anita.” would say

Anita's?

"My friend" said Saras, "good friend." If Garin felt his hesitation, he didn't tell him any further.

Their drinks arrived and the waiter went to take another order. As soon as he left, Garin leaned forward.

“What's your brother like?”

"Kim's? He's a good boy. I swear, he's more mature than most people I work with. But he was shy and not very good at meeting people, indeed. And he also tends to be a little introspective, but when we're together, we're pretty 'click' in a lot of ways. That's one of the main reasons I'm willing to come to this city. I want to spend time with her before she leaves for college. He just started at UGM."

Garin nodded. "So, he's much younger than you," he said, and Saras looked at him.

"Ne too far."

"Well, enough. How old are you, forty? Forty-five?" garin said, repeating what Saras told him the first time they met.

Saras laughs. "A girl needs to stay alert when she's around you."

"I'll bet you'll say that to all the men you date." Garin.

Saras squeaks funny.

“Actually..., I haven't dated much since my divorce."

Garin dropped the drink. "You're kidding, right?"

"Relga."

"Women like you? I'm sure you get dating offers often."

"That doesn't mean I say yes to every call."

“Play hard to get?” Garin seduces.

"Ngga," said he. "I just don't want to hurt anyone."

"So, you're a broken heart, huh?"

Saras did not immediately reply, his eyes staring down at the table.

"Not, not heartbreak" he said slowly. "Break heart."

His words surprised Garin. He hastily searched for a light answer, but after seeing Saras expression once more, he decided not to say anything.

For a while, Saras seemed lost in his own world. Finally he turned his head towards Garin with a timid smile."Sorry about that. Kind of ruined the mood, huh?"

"Absolutely not," Garin replied quickly.

Garin reached out and gently squeezed Saras' hand. “Again, you must be aware that my mood is not easily damaged,” he continued. "Now, if you throw your cold in my face and call me that bastard ....."

Despite the apparent tension, Saras laughed.

"You got a problem with that?" he asked, feeling himself relaxed.

"Maybe," he said with a wink. "But even so, considering this is our first date, I might just let it pass."

It was half-ten when they finished dinner, and when they stepped out, Saras was sure she didn't want the date to end first.

The dinner was really fun, their conversation ended with a few cups of delicious coffee. He wants to spend more time with Garin, but he's not ready to invite Garin to his apartment.

"Do you want to go to Gajafly?" advice Garin. “Ngga too far, I can drive less than half an hour from here.”

Saras agreed while nodding, pulling his jacket tighter as they began to casually walk down the area, walking close together until then getting into the car.

The streets were not too crowded that night. The sidewalks were quiet, and as they passed through art galleries and antique shops, property offices, pastry shops, bookstores, nothing seemed to open at all.

"It looks like your camat has taste, doesn't it?"

Garin smiled at a glance" We're going to cut a path through here," he said while pointing with his chin. "It's close."

"I've never heard of this place."

"I'm not surprised" said Garin. "It's a local hangout but it has its name, and the owner's attitude is that if you don't know about the place, then you probably don't deserve to be there."

"So, how did they survive in business?"

"They did it" he said samar.

A minute later, they turned to enter the parking lot. A number of cars were parked there, but there was no sign of life. It's almost scary to linger there alone.

Garin grabs Saras' hand, and invites him to walk together towards a door located between two buildings. "This is the place" he said.

Saras hesitated and Garin again grabbed his hand, leading him down a short alley, finally stopping under the light. Above the arched door, the name of the building was written. He could hear the music coming from inside.

"Impressive," sizzled Saras.

"Just what's best for you." Garin blinked.

"Did I detect the tone of sarcasm?"

Garin laughed as he pushed the door open, bringing Saras in.

This is a very classy dance hall in Gakajarta that routinely invites the best DJs to woo the audience with their talent. These artists play everything from exciting EDMs to Reggae and Hip-Hop.

With LED lighting that has seven ever-changing colors and walls with striking white, this vibrant nightclub interior is intoxicating, as are the drinks served at its Island Bar.

The sound system is superlative and these elements collectively provide an experience no one wants to miss.

The club has two floors and there is a VIP seating area for guests as well as one floor exclusively for women, and of course a dance floor area. The night was quite crowded and crowded.

A local entertainment venue that is also popular with foreigners due to its central location and English-speaking staff, the club attracts many visitors over the weekend. Visitors must dress to a certain standard. And Saras had it, though with a robe that was forced to be removed to hang in a special place.

People crowded the bar and tables, crowds formed and scattered around the dance floor. Two women, who were wearing too much makeup, leaned against the chair, their tightly dressed bodies swaying in unison as they read the inscription on the menu list that was set on the bar 'table , find out what they can order.

Garin looked at him, amused. “Surprising, right?”

"I won't believe it unless I see it. It's a lot of places." Saras looked in amazement at the crowd.

"It happens almost every weekend." He scanned the room quickly, looking for a place to sit.

"There are some VIP seats on top." he offered.

“It is for people who want to avoid the crowds in the crowd.” timpal Saras with a shrug.

"Well, do you want to go to the dance floor?"

"We can put it off later after getting the table?"

"Why not? There's an open table. Anyway, maybe it's not too noisy in there." Point Garin at the wrong corner table.

"Okay, help you get there, I don't want us to lose that good place. Let me set it up with the bartender. Would you like a drink?"

"Balalaika, if they have it."

"I'm sure they have. I'll meet you at the table, okay?"

After which, Garin headed to the table, breaking through the crowd. Slipping himself between several benches, he raised his hand to signal Saras. And it looks like Saras has finished making his order.

Saras spoke to the bartender. As he was about to turn around to leave he heard heavy footsteps behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, Saras moved to the side to make room for the two men. The first, with tattoos and long hair, looks very dangerous, the second, wearing jeans and a polo shirt, is very different, and he wonders what they might have in common.

Until they look a bit close, that's when Saras decides that the second one scares him more. Something in his expression, in the way he held back, seemed much more threatening.