BLUE METAVERSE

WHOSE FAULT?

Jakarta air feels a little troublesome work lungs process oxygen. He said it was among the highest-polluted cities in the world. There are only one or two trees visible from the roof of Menteng house. The rest that is visible are buildings, highways that are crowded by vehicles that emit emissions pollute the air, and buildings that are towering in height. This is not the Blue dream place to stay. Not anti-modernization, but Blue used to live friendly with the countryside.

As soon as he set foot in the Menteng house, Blue took the time to thank Bus who had brought him to Jakarta safely. But Bas gave no response, looking at him reluctantly. Blue was disappointed but he tried to behave masabodo. Without thinking, Blue followed his brother-in-law and nephew along the stairs connected to the hallway to the 2nd floor of Satya's house. As promised, despite longing for memories of papa he will not set foot in the house of the late father who now belongs to Bas. Blue is aware that he is not the child that anyone would want to be born into that world. His birth was only as a mere fate. Alone swallow lonely and long for the love of parents.

Faiza walked cheerfully in front of him while on her tiptoes. A smile always expands on her tiny lips. Happy to be a child born with complete and harmonious parents. His life seemed to be without burden. Unfortunately Blue's destiny is not that good.

“Bun, Asep mang driver is about to arrive at what time?” ask Faiz. Just heard his voice. The boy has not spoken since. Get off Heli he instantly activated his gawai. Along the way he was busy with the world that was behind that flat object.

“Fast afternoon.”

“I borrowed your computer first yes before my computer came."

He seems to be missing the same computer. Most of Blue and Faiz's clothing and personal belongings were indeed moved by car. His personal items are too much so it is impossible to carry with him a heli that has been filled with passengers. After all, the goods were not finished packed when the bus was in a hurry to fly the heli back to Jakarta. The man had no patience stock. The goods will be delivered by driver with a road trip that is about 4 hours longer than the trip by helicopter.

“Make what?”

“Online Briefing and training for international tournaments.”

“Game online again?”

The boy nodded with a cold expression.

“Cayak wars were?”

“Name Star war legend, Bun.” details.

Ritha could not hide her disappointment. Lips cone. Whatever the name of the concept remains the same as wars.

“Can't?”

Ritha did not answer immediately. It takes time to think how to change the thinking of his son who is already addicted to playing games. He's really confused. Not a single idea flashed through his head. So stupid. Facing your own child is confused.

“You just stopped playing games at 9, Iz. Isn't he tired? We just got home and got together. Cook you do not miss the same Mother and Iza.”

“Iya. We haven't played with you, brother. Earlier, brother nyampe bi Lily's house was immediately told to ride the same heli pakde Bas. How about we play catch ball in the pool? Iza is already good at swimming lo.” Iza smiled sweetly showing her teeth that add sweetness to her face. He always seemed happy if there was a new intelligence that could be exhibited to his brother.

Faiz shook his head weakly.

“Kak faiz don't want to play with Iza?”

“You play with aunt Blue who is both female. Sister many affairs.” Faiz walked quickly into his room. He opened and closed the automatic room door with his index fingerprints.

Faiza immediately looked at Ritha with a disappointed face. “Sister Faiz is angry, Bun? Iza wrong what?”

“Neg. Iza is not wrong. Maybe Faiz's sister is tired.” comfort Ritha while stroking Faiza's hair gently and forcing a smile so that her daughter does not feel disappointed with her brother's indifferent attitude.

“Now better Iza accompany bi Blue to his room. Later if it is settled, can go down to help mother cook or if you want to play or swim can also.”

Faiza nodded happily, though her tail glanced at her sister's room door which had been locked automatically from inside.

Ritha turned to clutching Blue's hand. “Nnothing will accompany and accompanied Iza first, Bi? Brother Ritha needs to chat with Faiz.”

Blue nodded. Very understand if at this time Faiz needs more of his mother.

Ritha looked at the two girls until she entered the room opposite Faiz's room. Once it felt safe enough to be under control, he knocked on Faiz's room.

Tok to tok. “Iz, open the door.”

There's no sound. Silent.

“Iz, Mommy wants to talk for a second. Open the door dong.”

Still no sound.

“You can use your computer Mother.” Ritha fished with what her son had asked for and had not agreed.

Tok to tok. Tok tok tok tok

Chequek. Finally the door opened as well after Ritha knocked on the door repeatedly until the finger joint used to knock felt thickened.

“You're angry with Mother?”

“Gak.” Faiz replied flat.

“Same anger Iza?”

“Neg. Faiz is not angry with anyone. Faiz just wants to be alone. This again reply to the incoming chat on hp. Important.”

“No misses the Mother?” ritha asked with her eyes. The two blue shades were looking at each other.

Faiz. Ritha doesn't know what her son's body language means. Regret, embarrassment or intentionally hiding something. Ritha grabbed a shoulder and hugged her eldest son, whose height had now matched it. His body looked slightly thin with sturdy bones like his father's. Faiz's body felt stiff like it was hugging a tree trunk. Mother's embrace does not make the body of her son so flexible and warm. How is this anyway? Wh why? What is wrong with her and her child's relationship?

“Mother disappointed with your attitude lately. Mommy apologizes if Mommy is wrong or lacking attention with Faiz.”

“Mother is not wrong.”

“Soal you were expelled from school ..”

“That's Faiz's life choice. Not anyone's fault.” cut Faiz firmly and confidently.

15-year-old boy talking about life choices? Ritha did not understand what it meant. He has no regrets about being expelled from school. What do you want to be Faiz? Your mother's head is getting sicker just hearing that answer.

“What if you don't go to school?”

“Faiz to create metaverse.”

“Metaverse?”

“Yes. Metaverses. Faiz can not explain now the same Mother. The concept is already in the head, just ripen it. But Faiz believes Faiz will be able to make Faiz's own metaverse. Later mother Faiz make the most beautiful avatar."

Ritha really doesn't understand what's in her son's brain about the metaverse. Virtual imaginary world? Online game? Or what?

“Avatar? Make what? You don't want to have an avatar, Iz. Mother wants you to go to school."

Faiz brushed his hand into the air. His eyes looked at Ritha with a sharp yet gentle radiance. “Mother does not yet know that mother avatar is definitely the most beautiful and will not age. I will surely admire him. Now Faiz wants a little break, Bun. At 11.40 Faiz promised to take lunch and then pray dzuhur. After that there is an online briefing and rehearsal for the international tournament next month. Faiz borrow computer or laptop Mother.”

True papa said, Faiz's words and eyes were able to hypnotize until the mother was unable to say any more than to follow what she wanted. Is it possible that he is talented to be a witch as the friends of Amel who muddled him as a child? I don't know.

Ritha patted Faiz's shoulder. “Use your existing computer in the workspace. It's the best computer for Mother to design building design. VGA specifications, memory, and speed are very high. Please use it well."

“No temporary transfer to Faiz room, Bun?”

Ritha shook her head.

“Ya. It's nothing.”

“You may rest, but please give Mother time to chat with you about the metaverse of your dreams. When will you have time, call Mommy ya!”

“Pending is not busy working or to the office?”

“Now Mommy will have plenty of time for your children. To Aunt Blue, you and Faiza. Forgive Mommy if all this time too much time for work. Mother promises to be there for you."

“Mother don't apologize just. Mother is not wrong. It's not lebaran now.”

Don't know who you got kicked out of school, Iz. You should not feel guilty and you should not feel guilty either. Who is guilty then? There is no way that school rules are because they are common in other schools. Ritha was confused by herself. Somehow I got to talk to Faiz. The child's thinking was hard to touch.

_______

Many thanks to your support🙏