The Traces of Destiny
Become a Guest

"He's coming, Mom, in a few days. Like I said, he and Raka will stop by for lunch on Saturday."

"I know you're reliable, my little girl." Mom pinches happy nose bangir Saras.

"But why did you choose lunch to celebrate your birthday this time?" Ask Saras.

"That, didn't you say he had to leave early?"

"Yes, he had to leave for work around four in the afternoon."

“Away on vacation?”

"He works on Saturdays so he can have a quiet year-end holiday with me, I think. He's a camat, you know. Not that they could let everyone take that leave freely."

"You sound arrogant and making things up." Cibir.

"I was just kidding. He has a meeting on Monday, and that needs preparation. He'll be heading straight to his office after here." Obviously Saras.

"So who will be watching Raka after that?" Ask mother.

"alright. I might offer for him to leave Raka here. Raka will start to get sleepy after seven and can fall into a deep sleep by half-eight, and maybe she'll take him home by then."

"So early?"

"Yes, the schedule has been pretty regular all day. Don'worry. We will stay here all afternoon to afternoon.”

"You're right" said the mother. "I'm just a little tired of all this."

“Don't worry, Mom. I've been working on this really well, I'm sure nothing will go wrong.”

...🔹🔹🔹💠🔹🔹🔹...

"Will there be other children there?" Raka asked.

"I don't know" replied Garin. "Maybe there is."

"Male or female?"

"I don't know."

"Well..how old are they?"

Garin shook his head. "As I said, I don't know. I'm not even sure there will be other kids there, to be honest. I forgot to ask."

Raka furrowed her brows. "But if I were the only child, what would I do there?"

“Watch a football match on TV with me?”

"That's boring."

Garin grabbed his son, sliding him into the front seat until he was close.

"Well, after all, we're not gonna be there all day, because I have to work. But we should visit at least for a moment. I mean, they're good enough to invite us, and of course we should come. It's not polite to go straight after eating. But maybe we can have a chat, a walk in the yard or something."

"With Saras's mother?"

"If you want him to come with you."

"okay." He stopped, his head turned towards the window. They glide through the trees of Tabebuya Impetiginosa. "Daddy... Do you think we'll eat chocolate cake or yellow rice tumpeng later?"

"Yes... I think it's cake, maybe in a taste we can't figure out."

"Will it be like Dad's cake?" Ask Raka again.

"I'm so sure. Why?" Garin glanced at his son.

"Did it feel funny? Like last year?"

“Did you say you don't like my cooking?”

"I think it's funny."

"I don't think so."

"For me, it's really funny."

"Maybe they're better cooks than I am."

"I hope so."

"Are you trying to demean my father's cooking?"

Raka grinned. "That kind. But it's funny, you know."

The car continued until Garin and Raka stopped in front of a two-story brick house and parked near the fence. The lawn has the characteristics of someone who likes to garden. Chrysanthemum flowers are planted along the trail, gypsophila is spread around the base of the tree, and Bougenville in varied colors is planted within calculated distances.

Saras opened the curtains and waved from inside the house. A moment later, he opened the front door.

"Wow, you look impressive" he said.

Garin's hand involuntarily grabbed his tie. "Thank you."

"I was talking to Raka," he said with a wink, and Raka looked at her father with a triumphant expression.

He wore dark blue trousers and a white shirt and looked clean enough to come to birthday events and plans to continue activities at his father's office later. He hugged Saras at a glance.

From behind his back, Saras took out a set of hot wheels, which he gave to Raka.

"What is this for?" Raka asked.

“I just want you to have something to play with while you're here,” he said.

"You like this?" Ask Saras.

Raka looked at the box. "It's nice! Dad. look." He lifted the box into the air.

"Yes, that's good. Have you said thank you?"

“Thank you, Ms. Saras.”

As soon as Garin approached, Saras stood up again and greeted him with a kiss. "I'm just kidding. You look good too. I'm not used to seeing you in a suit and tie in the middle of the day." He rubbed his collar a little. "I can get used to this soon."

“Thank you, Ms. Saras,” she said while impersonating her son. "You yourself look pretty good."

And Saras always does it always in Garin's eyes. In fact, the longer he knew her, the more beautiful she looked, no matter what she wore.

"Are you ready to go inside?" she asked.

"When you want us there" replied Garin.

"What about you, Raka?"

"Is there another child here?" ask Raka.

"There's not. Ii'm sorry. Just a bunch of adults. But they're very nice, and they can't wait to meet you."

Raka nodded and her eyes turned to the box again. "Can I open it now?"

"If you want to. It's yours, so you can open it whenever you want." Answer Saras.

"So I can also play with these cars outside?"

"Sure," said Saras. "That's why I got it so you-"

"But first of all," Garin added, cutting off the conversation, "you should go inside and meet everyone. And if you go back out to play, I don't want you to get dirty before our lunch."

"Okay," Raka immediately agreed, and from the look on her face, it seemed like she was confident that she would stay clean.

However, Garin had no illusions. A seven year old boy, playing on the ground outside? It's impossible, but hopefully he doesn't get too dirty.

"Well then" said Saras. "Let's go in. But there's one word of warning..."

"Is this about your mother?" Guess Garin.

Saras smiles. "How do you know?"

"Don't worry. I'll act my best, and Raka will too, right?"

Raka nodded without looking up.

Saras grabbed Garin's hand and got closer to his ear. “Not the two of you I'm worried about.”

And they also stepped inside.

"So, here we go!" Saras' mother cried when she came out of the kitchen.

Saras nudged Garin. Following the look in his eyes, Garin was surprised to see that his mother did not resemble his daughter at all. If Saras had brownish black hair, his mother's hair began to whiten as if it had ever been so black before, if Saras was tall and thin, his mother looked more motherly.

And while Saras appeared to slide as he walked, his mother seemed to almost bounce when he approached them. She wore a white apron over her blue dress and extended her hand as she approached, as if greeting long-lost friends. "I've heard a lot about you two!"

His mother hugs Garin and does the same to Raka, even before Saras makes an official introduction. “I'm so glad you could come! We're'... That's... My house is full, as you can see, but you two are guests of honor." He looks a little dizzy.

"What is a guest of honor?" Raka asked.

“That means everyone is waiting for you.” Saras helped to give an answer.

"really?" Tanya Raka was doubtful.

"Yes, yeah." Answer Saras' mother.

“They don't even know me,” said Raka innocently, looking around the room, feeling the gaze of a stranger fixed on her. Garin placed his hand on Raka's shoulder, calming her down.

"It's nice to meet you, Mom. And thank you for accepting us." Garin.

"Oh, with pleasure." Mother giggles.

“We are glad you could come. And I know Saras is also happy.”.

"Mrs . . ." Saras Protest.

"Yes, you're right, right? You have no reason to deny it."

Saras' mother turned her attention to Garin and Raka, talking and giggling for the next few minutes. When he finally finished, he began introducing them to his grandparents, as well as other Saras relatives, all of whom numbered about a dozen people.

Garin shakes hands, Raka follows his directions, and Saras grimaces at the way his mother continues to introduce Garin. "This is Saras' friend" he said, but his tone - a mixture of pride and motherly consent - did not cast any doubt on what he actually meant. When they finished, her mother looked almost exhausted due to their appearance.

He turned his attention back to Garin. "Now, what can I make you drink?"

"What if tea, will it bother you?" Garin said in pleasantries.

"One more tea. And what about you, Raka? We've got boxed milk or fizzy canned drinks that are safe for seven-year-olds."

"Drink cans." Raka made a choice quickly

"Let me help you get all of that, ma'am," Saras said, holding her mother's arm.

"I think I need a drink too."

On the way to the kitchen, her mother beamed. "Oh, Saras, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"He looks amazing. Her smile is so sweet. He looks like someone you can trust."

"I know."

"And his son is dear."

"Yes mother...."

"Where's Dad?" Saras asked a few minutes later. Her mother was finally calm enough to turn her attention back to her lunch preparation.

"I sent him and Kim to the Alpa mini market a few minutes ago" she replied. "We need a lot of biscuits and more bread and a number of drinks. Because I'm not sure if we've got enough of it."

Saras opened the oven and checked the row of chocolate muffins, the smell of which was smelled all over the kitchen.