PFM: LEGACY

Ep.3 Practice and Gratitude

Ratih was silent for a moment, as if he could not yet digest Ali's words. Then his eyes looked at Ali's eyes sharply, “You're going?”

Ali did not avoid the gaze of Ratih, smiling Ali said,”Ra. You know, After graduating high school or equivalent, foster children must leave his orphanage. Because the government thinks he's an adult. My brothers too, they must be independent, find a job, or join a social service program in collaboration with the labor service following a job training program. Unless she was appointed foundation to be a nanny like mas Soleh.” Ali patiently explained to Ratih.

Reflexively Ratih said,”Why don't you become a nanny like mas Soleh?” After realizing what he said Ratih looked regretful with what he said. Then added,”I just don't want you to be a bum. I don't want to have a friend of a bum.” This time Ratih did not dare to look at Ali.

“Ok”, Ali lightly said it, smilingly looking at Ratih.

“Really?”with sparkling eyes, Ratih said. Then, just realized that Ali had played with, his face reddened.

Ali did not dare to mess around anymore, explained to Ratih. “I mean I won't be a bum, and make Rara shy. Hahaha.I'm sorry don't get mad. I've got a job. I'm moving to Surabaya.” Unknowingly Ali called Ratih by the nickname Ratih as a child.

The sadness was painted on Ratih's face. Then looked down, said softly,”Why don't you look for work around here? I can ask you for help, to find a job for you, you have many friends in Kediri.”

Not wanting any more pleasantries, Ali said, “Ra.. I joined the studio in Surabaya. We plan to enter the server 7 legacy.”

Train jerked. With a happy face she said,”Happy yes Al... I know you can. Congratulations on realizing your dream. So cool.”

“Thank you Ra, I'm glad you're happy too. I'm afraid you're angry, because it used to be our dream to be professional players. You have worked hard all this time.” Ali says. Ali knew very well that Ratih's biggest goal was to become a professional player. Maybe Ratih's desire is greater than Ali's. Ali knows, Ratih practiced silat since Junior High and continued in SMK, to get an increase in his ability in the arena.

The result is clear, Ratih can apply it in the Arena. Dodge technique, stepping technique, how should set the distance with the opponent, sliding, slamming. It was all absent in the Ninja skill set in the Arena. But Ratih managed to combine his individual skills with ninja skills in the Arena. Unfortunately, his hard work did not bear fruit because he was eliminated in the preliminary round.

Ali realized while fighting with Ratih in the preliminary round, that he had to seriously try to beat Ratih. Because their dreams become bets. And the victory paid off. Ali got what he wanted. But as a result, Ratih's dream ran aground. Therefore Ali was willing to accept the anger of Ratih for two months.

Someone may ask, “why not start from zero? Enter your own legacy, defeat your enemies, and then create a guild from scratch with familiar friends in the game. Then step by step become hegemon. Like a story in a novel or a comic.”

But Ali and Ratih, even thousands of Arena competition participants two months ago realized, that to build a great guild, that, a strong foundation is needed in the form of a commercially strong studio and contains many talented players who can trust each other, as well as the support of non-combat professions such as blacksmith masters, tailor masters, alchemist masters, etc, master enchanter etc.

Because in legacy, it was difficult to find equipment or potions that were dropped by monsters. Only humanoid monsters such as trolls, devils, goblins, orcs etc had the possibility of dropping equipment or potions. While elves, dwarves, hobbits, wingsmen, beastmen are Npc who have factions. Hunting them down, was tantamount to being the enemy of their faction.

And the competition, two months ago, was a recommended event for amateur players, to be glimpsed by the studio that will enter server 7. So that it can get a better offer, such as the conditions of the employment contract Ali received. If a player is contracted after server 7 is opened, for example, if Adam's studio will recruit again two months in advance, then the legacy Clan's profits will no longer be available.

Ratih's face blushed for a moment, as if he was going to be angry, but the only thing that came out was a breath, then Ratih smiled, saying, “I won't be angry anymore. Dream over. But can I leave my dreams to you? Be a top player for me too.”

Ali became guilty, but with a serious look at Ratih he said,”Did you give up Ra? I don't want to carry the burden of your dreams on my shoulders. That's your dream, so pick it up yourself. I'll be by your side helping you if you want. But with both hands, achieve your own dream.”

Unable to hold back his emotions anymore, Ratih cried and shouted,”What right do you say that? Didn't you beat me? You win, I lose, your dreams come true, my dreams end. You will go, and I will stay here..’self’. How much do my dreams weigh on you? At least do that.”

Not expecting Ratih to be hysterical like this, Ali so panicked, “Rara, don't cry... Don't cry... Later your father thought I was doing you. You can punish me as you like, but don't cry.” Ali tried to persuade Ratih, while glancing towards the kitchen. With cries and shouts Ratih should have been Mr. Rudi and everything in the kitchen knew. Why is no one coming out.

Ratih's crying still hasn't stopped. Ali's panicking.

Ding

Sign incoming messages. Wanting to distract, Ali opened a message on her smartphone so she could think more clearly. But it turns out that the message was really amazing.

It was as if Allah had opened the exit for Ali, and all the problems would be resolved. The content of the message was quite long, [Ok Al, you were right. Your friend Ratih deserves the 20th slot. Tell him, if he's willing to enter our studio, he'll get the same contract conditions as you. He deserves it.] This message is from Adam.

After reading the message several times, Ali came out of the stall, then called Adam and told him about Ratih's current condition, and asked Adam to explain to Ratih. After Adam was ready, Ali went back into the stall.

When Ali entered the shop again, Ali realized that Ratih was not crying anymore, just as much. But from the look of his face read clearly, that Ratih was really upset with Ali.

But being overjoyed, Ali didn't notice it. With a smile, Ali handed her smartphone to Ratih while saying, “For you.”.

With doubts Ratih received Ali's smartphone, hesitantly bringing it closer to her right ear covered in pink hijab, Ratih said “halo”.

Ali had expected what Adam said, but seeing the change in Ratih's expression from anxious, surprised, happy, grateful, made Ali complacent. Ali muttered 'only I can see Ratih with various expressions, I can be addicted this way, hehe..'.

After a few minutes of listening to Adam. Ratih finally said,”Thank you very much Adam.. Assalamualaikum.” Then Ratih ended the call.

Next, Ratih handed the smartphone to Ali. But the unexpected happened.

Ratih hugged Ali, crying louder than ever, Ratih said on the sidelines of his crying, “Thank you Ali... I'm so moved... Forgive me for being angry with you... You're so good to me” conditions like this last for quite some time. And Ali could only stand glued.

Then there was a thud behind Ali. The first to notice it was Ratih. Immediately, Ratih let go of his embrace, and with quick steps, Ratih hugged his mother who was standing next to his father. Then Ratih buried his head in his mother's embrace with a sigh.

Ali could stand still. Ali did not dare to look back. Cold sweat began to wash over his back.

Then came the voice of Mr. Rudi, “I did not expect you like that Ali. You dared to make Ratih cry and hug her in my own stall. And when we're both not far from you. I salute you.” The voice that should be angry sounded like teasing, making Ali have the courage to face towards Mr. Rudi.

But then, the action of Mr. Rudi raised a thumbs up secretly and the lip language that was read by Ali as ”good job” made Ali helpless and did not know what to say.

Then Ali saw Ratih who was still as unwilling in his mother's arms. After seeing the gaze of his mother who seemed to blame Ali, making Ali although not entitled to feel relieved. ‘at least Bu Rudi is a normal parent' makes Ali feel grateful for Ratih.

Gathering all the courage in him, Ali then said, “Sorry sir, Mom, this is all a misunderstanding. Actually what happened like this.” Then explain everything to both of Ratih's parents.

After being explained, Mr Rudi concluded, “So from the beginning, Adam gave you two legacy Clan quotas?” there is doubt on the face of Mr. Rudi.

“Only one, and one recommendation, I remembered about Ratih, so I gave videos of the Ratih match at the Arena. Is there anything strange sir?” Ask Ali, I doubt it.

“Surely something strange, the first oddity when you were given that limited legacy Clan quota. Sorry to offend you, I know very well your ability Al, you can be said to have the quality of an elite player, but I think there are hundreds of veteran players who are better than you in Indonesia. The only possibility that can be used as a reason for you they choose is, they see your upper limit of growth is very high. But is it possible from looking at the video in the Arena to know it?”

After hearing Mr. Rudi's explanation, Ali felt that there was something strange about his recruitment. Ali then said,”what's the other weirdness?”

“If only that, although difficult, but can still be explained by the existence of Ron who is your studio strategist. He might really be a genius who can see what no one else can see, this kind of person I think is very rare, but there is. But even stranger, Adam asks if you have a speed-type friend, which is good enough to recommend. Isn't it as if they knew about Ratih.”

‘Indeed there are many strange things here. But as long as it benefits me and Ratih and there is no loss for us, I think it's okay.’ Thought Ali. But Ali could not say it, because Ali understood, Rudi only worried about himself and Ratih.

Ali smiled, and replied, ”If in my opinion, the starting point of all this is Dino. He knew me and Rati a long time ago. Several times Dino fought with Ratih in the Arena. To know the ability of Ratih. What we have never considered all this time is how much influence Dino has in this studio.”

Mr. Rudi then said,”I have never considered Dino's role here. Considering, it was Dino who introduced you to her brother, it was quite possible.” Mr. Rudi was apparently satisfied with my answer, he continued to nod.

This time Ratih interrupted,”So, can I join the studio sir?”

Mr. Rudi then looked at Ratih's mother. He said,”how is Bu?”

Ratih's mother smiled, and replied, ”more is all I can say. If you agree. I also agree”.

Then Ratih looked at his father with sparkling eyes.

Mr. Rudi felt he had no reason to ban. So he said,”Of course you can. Isn't that your goal. There will be Ali there. We can calm down.”

Ali then said,”Leave about Ratih to me sir. I will make sure no one will harm Ratih.”

Mr. Rudi then smiled mischievously and said,”Why don't you apply to Ratih? So we are calmer.”

Ali and Ratih's faces turned red. Ratih then kicked his father's leg, and shouted,”Bapak..

Rudi then lifted his leg in pain. “Aduh.. Forgive Ratih..” with acting that Ali thinks is too far-fetched.

Ma'am Rudi and Ali could only laugh a little.

.......

Ten minutes later, all the cooking was cooked. And the amount of cooking exceeded what Ali ordered.

When Ali wanted to pay, Rudi refused. He said,”This as an expression of our gratitude, because you, Ratih get this precious opportunity.”

Ali can only accept it. And help bring the cuisine is quite a lot with the two employees Mr. Rudi.

At the Orphanage, we were accepted by Soleh. After serving food at the buffet. Pak Rudi's family and both employees were prepared to sit by Soleh. So Soleh led the event with a call to read Al Fatihah as an opening, a thank you to Mr. Rudi, and led the reading of short letters juz 30 Al Qur’an and closed with prayer.

After the prayer, Soleh allowed all who were there to immediately take the food served.

Orphans love the food they eat. However, they still eat politely and unhurriedly. From childhood, Ali and the orphans were indeed taught to behave politely, to respect the donors and philanthropists.

After finishing eating, Mr. Rudi's family pleaded to go home, because after the Maghrib, the stall will be reopened.

Before returning home, Ali tells Ratih to come to Grassroot's cafe at 9:00 tomorrow, for a contract signature. Mr. Rudi is also welcome to accompany Ratih, to negotiate with Adam what Ratih and his family want to be poured into the contract.

Ali then drove Mr. Rudi's family to the gate of the orphanage.

Moments later, the Maghrib sound was heard from the sound of the nearby mosque system. Following then adhan-adhan of musholla-musholla around.

Hearing the disdain, Ali's heart trembled. He saw the sky with orange light. The birds fly low, go home to their nests. The cold wind caressed the leaves. At that time, Ali only wanted to unite with the universe to praise the greatness of God who is the creator.