The Traces of Destiny
Permission For Raka

Next morning. A few minutes before the football game began, Saras arrived. Wearing jeans, loose t-shirts, and legendary flip-flops, as well as sunglasses, she was striking in the crowd of busy parents. Despite looking relaxed and elegant, she remained outside of Garin's estimation.

Meanwhile, Raka, who was playing ball with her friends, sees the arrival of Saras on the side of the field and runs over to give him a hug. Then he took Saras' hand and led her towards Garin.

"You see, Dad," he said moments later. "Saraswati's mother is here."

"Yes, you're right" Garin replied as he rubbed Raka's hair.

"Saraswati's mother seemed lost, so I went to pick her up."

"What would he be without your help, champ?" Garin spoke while looking at Saras.

"You're beautiful and charming, and I can't stop thinking about what happened last night." No, Garin didn't say that. Things that might not happen. What Saras heard then was, "Hey-what's up?"

"Okay" he answered. "But it's too early to start my weekend morning. It feels like I'm leaving for work."

From over his shoulder, Garin saw the team begin to gather, and he used that as an excuse to avoid Saras' gaze. "Raka, I think your coach just arrived...."

Raka's head turned around and she began to struggle with her t-shirt before Garin helped to take it off. Then Garin slipped the shirt under his arm.

"Where's my ball, Dad?" Ask Raka.

"Don't you just kick it a moment ago?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Then where is it?"

"I don't know."

Garin knelt down and began to help tidy up Raka's clothes. "We'll find him later. I don't think you need it right now."

“But the coach said we should bring him to warm up.”

"Borrow from one of your friends there."

Then what will they use? There was a worried tone in his tone.

"You'll be fine. Come onl. Coach is waiting."

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me."

"But--"

"Continue. They're waiting for you."

A moment later, after debating whether his father was right or not, Raka finally rushed towards his team. Saras watched everything with a bewildered smile, enjoying their interaction.

After Garin returned he pointed to the bag.

"Do you want a cup of coffee? I brought a flask."

"Thank you, for you, let me accompany you. I was drinking bandrek before I got here."

“Jamu?”

"Ginger drink, actually."

"With toast and jelly?"

"Ngga, I have breakfast with boiled cassava and rice Padang. Why?"

Garin nodded. "Just curious."

Then Saras helped garin to get a cup of coffee. What an incredible collaboration. When Saras opened the coffee sachet, he had difficulty tearing the wrapper and Garin managed to help so that Saras could easily pour coffee into the glass.

Then when he tried to find a button to open the flask tap he pressed in the wrong direction, and Garin again successfully helped him. And coffee managed to get its hot water.

And the best part, Garin forgot to bring a stirring spoon, and Saras found a solution. He sterilized the body of the ballpoint pen he was carrying with him water from a flask, then used it to stir the coffee.

"It's your longevity coffee," Saras handed over the coffee after the entire manufacturing process had passed.

"Thank you, I'll be fine.please pray when I start drinking."

They both lie in their own silliness.

Just as Garin raised his glass, a whistle sounded and the team began to gather in the middle of the field, preparing for the match.

"May I ask you?"

"As long as it's not about my breakfast" Saras replied.

“Maybe it sounds strange.” said Garin.

"Why doesn't that surprise me, huh?"

Saras' jaw is open. "Excuse me?"

"You know, after the shower. Is your head bandaged or straightened?" Garin clarified the question.

He looked at her carefully. "You're so funny."

"That's what they said."

"Who said that?"

"They."

"Oh." Saras muttered a little desperately at the man's reply before him.

The whistle sounded again, and the match began.

"Are you really wrapping your head?" Garin insisted on getting an answer.

"Yes," he said at last while laughing confusedly. "I wrapped my head in a towel."

He nodded, satisfied. “I think so too.”

"Have you ever thought about cutting back on caffeine?" Saras asked back.

Garin shook his head. "Hmm, never."

"You have to do it." Saras Advice.

He took another drink to hide his pleasure. “I'll try it.”

Forty minutes later the match was over, and although Raka had tried his best, his team lost, but he did not look too disappointed because of it.

After clapping with the other players, Raka runs towards her father, her friend Jones right behind her.

"You two played well earlier," Garin assured the two boys.

There was a mutter of thanks being diverted from the two of them before Raka pulled her father's t-shirt.

"Hi dad?"

"Yes?"

"Jones asked if I could stay at his house."

Garin looked at Jones for confirmation. "Is it true that you want to invite Raka to stay at your house?"

Jones nodded. "My mom allows it, but you can talk to her if you want, sir. He was there. Ubay will come too."

"Come, Dad. Would you please allow me to stay over? I'll do my job once I get home" Raka added. "I'll do something extra too."

Garin hesitated. It was fine, but at the same time, it was not. He was happy if there was Raka nearby. The house was deserted without him. "Alright, if you really want to go-"

Raka smiled excitedly, not waiting for him to finish. “Thank you, Dad. You are the best.”

"Thank you, Mr. Garin," said Jones with a glowing face. "Come, Raka. Let's tell my mom you got permission too."

They ran around, pushed each other and passed through the crowd while laughing all the way. Garin turned to Saras, who watched them leave.

"Did I look so desperate that she wouldn't be with me tonight?"

"Truly destroyed," Saras agreed with a nod.

"When we had an appointment to watch Upin Ipin the movie together."

Saras shrugged his shoulders. "It would be very bad if it were done so."

Garin laughs. "He prefers his friend over me, no doubt. This must be called a broken heart. "Well, because I'm alone and everything..."

"Yes?" Saras asked Garin's hanging words.

"Well.I mean..."

His eyebrows shot up and he looked at her suspiciously. "You want to ask me about that fan again?"

Garin grinned. He would never let her live like that again. “If you have no plans to do anything yet.” he said in a confident feigned tone.

"What's on your mind?" Investigate Saras.

"This time it's not a billiard game."

Saras laughs. "What if I make you dinner at my place?"

“Bandrek and boiled cassava also rice Padang?” Garin asked.

Saras. "of course. And I promise I'll put that towel on my head while serving it."