The Traces of Destiny
Family Meetings

"I asked them to go shopping just in case" said the mother.

"So Kim finally woke up?"

"He's tired. He just got here in the middle of the night. He had a test on Thursday afternoon, so he couldn't get home early."

At that moment, the back door opened and her father and Kim entered carrying some shopping bags, which they placed on the table.

Kim, who looked slimmer and older than when she left last August, saw Saras and them hugging.

"So, how's your school? I haven't talked to you in a long time."

"So far it's gone as it should. How's work?" Kim replied asking.

“Good. I like it.” Saras glanced over Kim's shoulder. "Hi father."

"Hey, baby," said the father, "it smells so good here."

As they store the groceries, they chat for a few minutes until Saras finally tells them that there is someone he wants them to meet.

“Yes, Mom says you're dating someone.” Kim shook his eyebrows in a conspiracy. “I'm happy. Is he a good guy?”

"I think so." Saras replied smiling.

"Is this serious?" Kim asked reassuringly.

Inevitably Saras realizes that her mother stopped peeling potatoes while waiting for her answer.

"I don't know yet" he said evasively.

"Do you want to meet him?" Saras.

Kim shrugged his shoulders. "Yes well."

He reached out and touched his brother's arm. “Do not worry, you will like him.”

Kim nodded. "You coming, Dad?"

"Awhile more. Your mom wants me to find some extra serving bowls. Those bowls are in a box in the kitchen somewhere." Answer father.

Saras and Kim leave the kitchen and head for the living room, apparently not seeing Garin or Raka. His grandmother said that Garin was out for a while, but when he stepped out the front door, he still did not see her.

"He must be in the back." murmured Saras.

As they turned the corner of the house, Saras finally saw them.

Raka has found a small mound of dirt and is pushing hot wheels cars along an imaginary road.

“So, what is this guy doing? Is he a teacher?” ask Kim.

"No, but that's how I met him. His son was one of the students in my class. Actually, he's a camat. Hey, Garin!" he called. "Raka!"

When they turned around, Saras nodded towards his sister. “There's someone I want you to meet.”

As Raka stood up from the ground, Saras saw the knees of her pants circled in brown. Saras and Kim move closer, as Raka and Garin walk to meet them.

"This is my sister, Kim. And Kim, this is Garin and his son, Raka."

Garin extended his hand. "How are you? Antonio Garin. It's nice to meet you."

Kim stretched out his hand stiffly. "It's nice to meet you too."

"I heard you were in college."

Kim nodded. "Yes sir."

Saras laughs. “You don't need to be too formal. She's only a few years older than me.”

Kim smiled weakly but did not say anything, and Raka looked at him. Kim took a step back, as if unsure how to greet a child.

"Hi," said Raka.

"Hi" replied Kim.

"Saras' mother's brother's brother?" Ask Raka.

Kim nodded.

"He's my teacher." Raka explained.

"Oh . . ." Raka suddenly looked bored and started fiddling with the car in her hands.

For a long time, none of them said anything.

“I didn't hide from your family,” Garin said a few minutes later.

"Raka asked if I wanted to come here with him to see if I thought there was nothing to play here. I said maybe-I hope nothing."

"Neverything" said Saras. "As long as he's having fun."

Dad came from a corner when the four of them were talking and dad asked Kim if he could find a serving plate in the warehouse that he could not find. Kim walked in that direction, then disappeared from sight.

Saras' father was also silent, though more speculative than Kim.

He looked at Garin with attentive eyes, as if observing his expression that would reveal more than just the words Garin said as they discussed the basics about each other.

That feeling soon passed when they found a similar interest, such as the upcoming football match between Persija and Persebaya. Within a few minutes, they spoke easily.

"Actually I invited my barber Sakti subscription to celebrate his birthday together, but he didn't get a chance to come out this afternoon because there was an appointment to shave the children's home. Saras' mother suddenly changed the dinner schedule to noon" said the father.

Garin smiled awkwardly. He knew that he was the cause of the changing eating schedule. But the talk of barber Sakti again makes their conversation get a warm meeting point.

Saras' father eventually returns home, leaving Saras alone with Garin and Raka.

Raka returned to the mound.

"Your father is quite a character. I had the strangest feeling when we first met, he was trying to figure out if we'd ever slept together."

Saras laughs. "Maybe it is. I'm her baby girl, you know."

"Yes, I know. How long has she been married to your mother?"

“Nearly thirty-five years.”

“That's a long time.”

“Yes, they have had a long marriage.”

"Now, now, don't be too hard on your mother. I like it too." Advice Garin.

"I think those feelings are mutually beneficial. For a while, I thought he'd offer to adopt you." Kekeh Saras's.

“As you said, he just wants you to be happy.”

"Tell him that, and I don't think he'll ever let you go. She needs someone to take care of, because Kim is only going to take a short college break.

Oh, listen to Kim's shameful attitude. He was really quiet when he met someone new. Once he gets to know you, he'll be out of his shell."

Garin shook his head, dismissing Saras' worries. "He's fine. Besides, he reminds me of how I was at that age. Believe it or not, there are times when I also don't know what to say."

Saras's eyes widened. "Wow, whoa...truth? And all this time I thought you were the smoothest speaker I've ever met. Well, you really fascinate me."

“Do you really believe that sarcasm is the right tone to do on a day like today? A day to gather with family and be grateful for all the blessings we have?” ask Garin.

"Of course." Sahut Saras's.

Garin hugged him. "Then, as my defense, whatever I do seems to work, doesn't it?"

Saras breathed. "I should have said that."

"You think so?" Ask Garin.

“What do you want? Medals?” goda Saras's.

“For starters. The trophy will also be fun.” replied Garin.

Saras smiles. "What do you think you're holding right now? Keep your hands off my bokkiong."

The rest of the afternoon went well. After the food was cleaned, some family members went to watch the game, others went to the kitchen to help keep the rest of the food as mountainous as possible.

That afternoon was in no hurry, and Garin had filled herself with two muffins after a perfect lunch, even Raka seemed to feel the soothing atmosphere.

His father and Garin chat about Gajakarta, the father asks Garin about the local history.

Saras walks from the kitchen, where his mother repeats (and repeats) his words about the fact that Garin looks like an extraordinary young man, and occasionally returning to the living room to make sure Garin and Raka did not feel as if she had abandoned them.

Kim dutifully spent most of his time in the kitchen, washing and drying the porcelain his mother used for lunch.