Let Me Fall in Love
102. Ahead of Homecoming

Akbar staggered and fell down beside Mr. Bagja. After pushing the energy as much as possible to catch up with the running steps behind the challenger. In the end, it crossed the finish line. Sitting with both knees resting on the asphalt track. Breath wheezing. Sweat is pouring.

Mr. Bagja turned his head and smiled faintly. If Akbar looks tired, he has even finished processing his hunting breath. No longer a snail. Heart rate starts to get regular. "Sit down, straighten his legs. Relax body. Take a breath. Do it over and over until your chest isn't tight."

Akbar complied without saying. He received a bottle of mineral water from a man dressed in all black. I don't know when it came because there was only a janitor. If judging from the appearance, the sturdy and muscular man seemed to be an assistant or aide or maybe bodyguard Pak Bagja.

Akbar felt better after following the advice of Mr. Bagja. Plus a sip of water that soaks the throat, making the body fresher.

"Young age, mighty power, can be defeated by an old man whom you consider trivial in his ability. Take lightly. Though a stronger physique can be defeated by the right technique." Mr. Bagja stood up after feeling well rested. Patting the buttocks at a glance to remove dry grass attached. Then do a hand stretch.

"The father's guess is right. Sorry Akbar, sir. Think of it as a trivial opponent. Frankly, tempted lure of gifts. Be ambitious. The opponent only relied on spirit and physical strength without strategy." Akbar honestly admitted his recklessness was accompanied by a grinning smile.

Mr. Bagja chuckles. "This is not just any race. There is an implied meaning. Are you able to capture the meaning or need an explanation?"

"Akbar understands, sir. It has to do with blessing, right?"

Mr. Bagja did not answer. Started to take a leisurely walk which followed Akbar walking beside him. The track that was used in the running race is now switched to be used for jogging.

"Women rely on feelings in action, in making decisions. Ami's mother confided in me. It feels heavy if you have to take off Ami after graduating High School. Too early. Still want long togetherness. Because Ami was the youngest child she still considered a child."

"Sorry, sir. Even though she wasn't married, wouldn't Ami still leave home for college?" Akbar made an argument while looking over. Nothing has changed with Mr. Bagja's expression. Stay calm and flat.

"That's right. But his status is different. My mother and I have been planning. If I go to college in Jakarta, I will stay at my house. We can come to Jakarta anytime to look. Or Ami will go home to Ciamis every college holiday. Such is the thought of a mother who still considers her youngest child as her child. So give mom time to be at peace with her instincts."

"Does this mean Akbar can't visit Ami's house, sir?" Akbar followed the rhythm of Mr. Bagja's long steps so that he did not miss, remained aligned. It does not feel like walking while talking, half the track has been passed.

"That's not the conclusion. Your job is to move using technique. Good thinking smart, coach." Mr. Bagja turned his head and patted Akbar's shoulder accompanied by a knotty smile.

Warm sunlight follows each step width two different age men who circled the track for two rounds. After that, both of them left the stadium. A Harley motorbike came to Pak Bagja who was standing with Akbar.

"I also went home on a motorbike." Said Mr. Bagja who had just received a helmet and motor key from a driver who was none other than his assistant.

"The motor is cool sir. Dimodif is this?" Akbar sincerely praised the appearance of the big, well-maintained bike.

"Yes. In the past if again saturated and for, entertainment yes brain atik this motor. Now there's a wife, yes the entertainment is with the wife." Mr. Bagja smiled meaningfully.

Akbar just smiled knot. He offers Mr. Bagja for breakfast chicken porridge or coffee. But rejected, chose to go home. He also got on his bike. Following the motor of the retired who drove first. The Ciamis area has straight and wide streets and deserted. So freely drive the bike in line with the father's motorbike continued Ami. Upon arriving at the junction, he honked as he had to turn towards the lake.

Arriving at the Seruni hotel, Akbar rethought the conversation during the Galuh stadium earlier. One of them can draw conclusions about the character of the retired man. It turns out that behind the firm and cold attitude, there is another side that is wise and humorous. It's nice to talk to people from a military background. There are many philosophical aspects to life.

***

Ami just returned from Padepokan after being appointed assistant coach by Aris, the chairman of Padepokan. This is the first week he became an assistant coach for beginners, namely early childhood with a range of ages 5 to 9 years. His happy soul mingles with the children, making him train interspersed with games. For them to train seriously but relax without straining.

Ami pulls up a dining chair where Mom and Papa are having lunch. He sipped a glass of water he had just taken in the kitchen. "Mom, time in Padepokan, Mama Mila call nitip buyin galendo, saroja, same sale banana. Return to Akbar if you go home."

Mother nodded. "His buying?"

"Yet. Wear a motor mah bring his saroja afraid of rupture. The message is 5 packs. Want Ishoma first, then buy it to the store by car."

"Money from my mother. Don't report the total expenditure to Akbar or to Mama Mila."

"Mama Mila has already transferred, ma'am. Thanks 700. The purchase is at most 300 years old. That's the rest for my snack he said. I didn't ask you, Mom. If you are given, you must be accepted. Isn't that right, Pa?" Ami raised her eyebrows. Staring at the change of Mom and Dad.

"Hm, that's Ami's motto since SD. It was during the time of Rama's incessant deketin Puput. It's a full kid getting a bribe of donuts honey, pizza, pocket money. Many anyway. Stripped by the bribe of Panji who pedekate with Aul."

Ami laughed crisply. "Mom opened the card. It's a secret mission . Can't be published."

"Mom why didn't you report to the KPK. Ami could get a gratification." Mr. Bagja closed the meal by drinking a glass of warm water.

"If Ami gets OTT, the house will be deserted. So go for diem-diem bae."

Ami turned giggling at the joking of her parents. Although spoken with a serious expression, but he could not resist the amused because speech means a subtle flick.

"I want to take a shower ah, pray, eat, cus to the gift shop." Ami got up from her seat while grabbing a red apple.

Ibu Sekar and Pak Bagja look at each other during Ami's trip. Sekar's mother followed her husband's advice to give Ami freedom. Free in supervision and judgment. He had also heard the story of the race with Akbar won the husband. But not fully know about the conversation during that morning's exercise.

After eating, Ami rushed to ask permission to take the car to a typical Ciamis souvenir shop. Remembering that one more hour Akbar will come to say goodbye to Jakarta. One thing that made him calm because I did not mind Akbar coming to visit the house even though the blessing still hangs.

While at the hotel Seruni, Akbar entered the Coffee Shop to meet Panji who was waiting for him. Spontaneous meetings because Panji told him he was at the hotel after attending a wedding invitation in the ballroom.

"Where is Aul, Nji?" Tanya Akbar after the tos fight and cuddle with Panji who is wearing a long silent batik shirt. Typical condangan suit.

"Not coming, Mas. Aul had to count the birth days. I went to a rame place, he said. Now at home again there are guests of his friends."

"Congrat, Nji. Will be dad. Baby boy or girl?" Akbar patted Panji on the shoulder. Then take a seat.

The pennant smiled and nodded. "God willing, boy."

Akbar flicked his finger. A waiter immediately came over with a polite nod. Two types of hot coffee drinks were ordered.

"Mas, I want to hear directly from you about applying for Ami. I remember our conversation at Mother's wedding. Turns out. You like high school kids that's a fact." Panji yells Akbar's shoulders accompanied by head bobbles. If Aul was shocked to hear Mom's story about Ami and Akbar having been in close contact for a year, he only responded in shock but not for long. While choosing to be neutral. Moreover, Bunda Ratih and Enin also told me if there was Akbar to the house. Love does not look at age. But that argument was not spoken in front of Aul. Because his wife did not agree if Ami married after graduating high school. It's too early he said.

Akbar chuckles. "What you heard from Mom was that. Now my position is again waiting for the blessing that is still hanging. I will be patient waiting for the certainty of the blessing of the Ami family. If necessary, I will also go to Singapore to meet Zaky. But one-on-one first wait for the answer Mom Sekar first."

"Okay, leave aside the family ties. We're talking as both guys."

"okay." Akbar looked at Panji who was starting to put on a serious expression.

"Mas Akbar chose Ami, of course, to investigate how his nature and attitude. Aren't you? I also know Ami from her age of SD. His son is good with his own different character from his three brothers. So, if you really do, Mas never seduce the Ami family by giving gifts. It will make them ilfeel like you, Mas. I was accidentally eavesdropping on a group between Aul, Tah Puput, and Mother."

"I deliberately gave a leak so that Mas not wrong strategy. Because I'm sure your intentions are straight. Not to play Ami who is still innocent of romance." Pungkas Panji's.

"Thank you, bro. Thank God, the supporters are increasing. I really want to marry Ami. Believe me, there is no blood player in my body. I could hang in Monas with Om Krishna if I smear Adyatama's big family's good name."

Panji laughed seeing Akbar holding his neck. Meeting in person and speaking with four eyes, made him confident in assessing Akbar's earnestness.

"Mas Akbar!"

Akbar and Panji simultaneously turned to the origin of the voice. A beautiful woman in a denim dress with a knee length, smiling widely as she stepped toward the table.

"Gita, how come it's here?" Akbar stared in wonder with a shrunken forehead.