The Traces of Destiny
Dulu

“For Maudy.. I just wish she was there, in our house when I got home from work, or woke up next to her, or saw her in the kitchen, in the yard.

Although we didn't have much time, there was something special about knowing that he was always there for me, being there if I needed him.

We have been married long enough to go through all the stages that a good, not so good, married person goes through, even the bad ones - and we will still go through everything that will probably work for both of us.

We were both young when we started married, and we knew people who got married at the same time as us. After seven years, many friends are divorced and some are remarried ."

Garin turned from the river and changed his position facing Saras. “ But we did it. For me it's something I'm proud of, because I know how rare it is. I never regretted the fact that I married her. Never regretted that one bit."

Garin cleared his throat slowly.

"We used to be able to spend hours just talking about everything, or about things that didn't matter. Things that aren't so important.

She loves books, comics and novels online and she used to tell all the stories she was reading, and she did it in a way that made me want to read them too.

I remember she loved to read in bed and sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night and she was already fast asleep with her phone still on. I got up and grabbed her phone to close the Manga toon app she opened and turned it off.

It happened more often after Raka was born - she often felt tired, but even at that moment, she had a way to act as if she was not tired. She was amazing at nurturing Raka.

I remember when Raka started trying to walk. He was only about seven months old, which was much earlier than usual. I mean, he can't even crawl yet, but he wants to walk. Maudy spends weeks walking around the house with her body bent so that Raka can hold her fingers, just because Raka likes it.

He would feel a lot of pain before the break and it would make it difficult for him to move the next day, unless I gave him a massage. But, you know.....,"

He stopped, looking into Saras's eyes.

"He never complained about it. As if that was something he had to do. She used to tell me that she wanted to have three children, but after Raka, I kept looking for excuses that it was not the right time, until she finally insisted on making a decision.

She wanted Raka to have a brother and a sister, and I realized that I wanted that too.

I know from my own experience how hard it is to be an only child, and I wish I had listened to him earlier."

Saras swallowed his saliva before squeezing Garin's arm gently as a form of support "Maudy sounds great."

In the river, a trawler was walking up the channel, the engine buzzing. As a gentle breeze blew towards him, Garin caught a hint of the strawberry shampoo scent from the TBS he was using.

For a moment they stood in friendly silence, the comfort of each other's presence enveloping them like a warm blanket in the darkness.

It's getting late now. Time to call it early morning. Although she wished she could make this night last forever, she knew she could not. Grandma Win expects him home no later than midnight.

“We have to go,” said Garin.

Fifteen minutes later, outside his building, Saras releases his arm from Garin's hand so he can search for the key.

"I'm having fun tonight" he told Garin.

"And see you tomorrow?" Ask Saras.

It took a few seconds before Garin remembered that Saras was going to the Raka game. "Don't forget-it starts at nine."

“Do you already know where we should sit later?” ask Saras.

"I don't know, but once we were there. I'll keep one seat for you until you come." Garin smiled lightning.

In the next short pause, Saras thought Garin might try to kiss him, but Garin surprised him by taking a step back.

"Well, it's very late, I have to go." he said.

"I know" said Saras, both happy and disappointed because he hoped Garin would try to do something. "Alright, then drive safely, be careful on the road. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Before turning around, Garin recalled something and he stopped his movements.

Making little wishes came back to greet Saras who tried to stand as naturally as possible.

"Umm, do you want me to wait for you to go up first? Garin asked back awkwardly.

"Oh, nothing. You go first, I'll go up after. Saras replied with a restraining disappointment back, but in the heart at once laughed at his own feelings.

With that Garin back say goodbye.

Saras watched as Garin walked and turned towards the black sedan and opened the door, then slipped behind the wheel. He waved for the last time before starting the engine.

Saras stood at the side of the stairs staring at his back lights until long after he left.

"Lumayan, quite a good start," he said before stepping up the stairs.

Saras took off his shoes to reduce the sound as he walked, it was too late to keep a person awake.

After turning his key child over and over, Saras stepped into his room. Sitting on the sofa and opening his handbag to check the phone he did not touch at all while outside. He deliberately made the silent mode turn on to overcome the disturbance. And.... As he had expected, there were at least a hundred or a thousand incoming messages from his mother's number.

With reverence, Saras placed his phone on the table. "I'm sorry mom, I'll read your messages tomorrow after I wake up, of course if I can and don't forget."

Then he walked away and left the phone alone on the table.

Now he could feel tired on his feet and heels. "Hmm, is he good at massaging?" Saras.