The Destruction of Batana

MOMENT

Before returning to the Tatu house, I took the time to visit my friends. They were all lying on mattresses with oxygen hoses attached to their noses. Seeing their faces made me think back to the incident where Zenzen caught us.

Ruzdora patted my shoulder softly. “You didn't go with that fat guy?”

“I want to see their condition for a moment. Ensure return.”

Silent moment. Ruzdora stood next to me while staring at all of them.

“Ruzdora, for example if you have a close friend then that friend suddenly betrays you and hurts the people you care about, what do you feel? ” I decided to ask.

“I'm sure behind a betrayal has a reason, Lian. I've experienced that. But that was a long time ago. When I have not had a family.”

“Really?’

Ruzdora nodded. “It is difficult to understand the feelings of someone who betrayed us. But, let's take a peek at the dark side of the traitors. What was the reason they did the deed, was it because the wounds in their hearts were greater than we imagined? Or are they just forced to do it because they are constrained by something? Or was it their decision to fall into the abyss of deep darkness? All of that must have had a reason, Lian. Reasons that cannot be explained with the words.”

“So does that mean I have to forgive a traitor?”

Ruzdora smile. “Of course it doesn't have to. Betrayal shows cowardice. Those who decide to betray because they are unable to face these reasons. That's why we don't have to forgive, Lian. But we can give it a chance. It all depends on yourself.”

I'm nodding. Maybe Marko, Vero, and Bundara would be surprised to hear the fact that Jora had betrayed him. I have to ask for a more detailed explanation from Jora. I don't know what happened to her after the incident because of my memory of not being able to take the past any further.

“Maybe this is also what Zenzen felt. That man must have felt betrayed. He always betrayed others. You know what, Lian? All bad people are good people who are hurt. You misjudged that Zenzen was a pure bad guy.”

I looked at Ruzdora not understanding. How could he think that about Zenzen? Just saying her name makes me dizzy.

“Maybe all this time we only judge everyone from the outside only. We are more preoccupied with our own suffering, thinking about those closest to us, without knowing what others are feeling about their past. I'm sure Zenzen wasn't a bad guy before. Oi! Didn't all the children born in this world used to be innocent and holy? What makes all ordinary people different? Because of the times they faced. The harsh reality they go through, the treatment of others they receive, and our poor view of them. All that, it, and that view, influences behavior and shapes their character indirectly.”

Ruzdora was silent for a moment. He smiled gently at me who was putting on a stiff face. This conversation somehow became a very sensitive conversation.

“Not everyone is as lucky as you, son. Or even as lucky as I am. So don't try to equalize people. Zenzen may seem strong on the outside, but his heart is no stronger than that of a fragile child. He may be cruel, but all that is nothing but to hide his pain, to hide his weak side and his fear. So try to find out. Try to understand.”

“For what to understand if I myself can not understand myself.” I sighed softly.

“Oi! Understanding ourselves is easy, Lian. Why else would you choose to understand yourself? The answer is in ourselves.” Ruzdora laughed softly. Then pat my shoulder slowly. “Ah, looks like I should go, Lian. I have an emergency call. It's nice to talk to you like this. Talks like this could always fill the void in the old man's heart. You should also relax a little. Rest your head for a moment after everything you've been through. Then see you again, son.”

Ruzdora waved her hand. Leaving me staring towards the treatment room. Look again at my friends.

“Understanding, yes?” I said in my heart.

　

　

***

　

　

“Hey, Boy! Why is your face so serious?”

I pricked. The tattoo just blew my daydream. I shook my head slowly. Focus on the city streets. We were riding a dilapidated car owned by Tatu (Actually not too bad. It's just that the Tatu car often makes an unpleasant creaking sound. Even worse, this car often emits smoke). No longer a taxi named Victor.

“God... I really didn't expect an eighteen-year-old like you to have experienced something like this. I'm sure your mind is getting tangled right now. Hmmmm.. whereas when I was at eighteen was the happiest time I ever had.”

“Really? What was your eighteen years like?” I don't know why I'm interested.

The tattoo scratches his head which is not itchy. He seems to be trying to remember.

“Hey, don't tell me you forgot.” I squinted my eyes. Looked at him with a probing look.

“Hahaha! Where I might have forgotten. Of course I remember it in great detail. I was just fishing for you, Lian.”

I stared at the Tattoo with a flat face. Look out the car window with your chin up. The car came to a halt at a crossroad, with several groups of teenagers wearing the same uniform near the intersection. They were all seen waiting for a bus or something at a stop. Talk to each other and throw jokes. They seem to be teenagers the same age as me. Their faces look happy even though they wear a clear mask and tube hanging on their waists. Is that what an eighteen-year-old teenager should be experiencing? Spend time on free things. Ignore problems and go through the day without thinking about everything. It would be wonderful if I could have days like that.

“Have you never been to school, Lian?”

I jerked. My hand slipped as soon as I heard the question coming out of the mouth of the tattoo. A school? Just going to elementary school never. My days were only filled with an understanding of survival. At least that's what my mom taught me. About a broken world, a world that is not good for humans, and various other understandings. And now my brain is just full of negative thoughts.

“Never.” I answered briefly.

“Alright, you seem to be very curious about the time when I was eighteen. Actually not very interesting. But more happy memories than bitter memories. Want me to tell you about those times, Lian?” The tattoo comes back in high notes. Intentionally pissed me off.

“OK, okay, I'll tell you. It seems you're getting upset with this fat guy.I've been feeling the school, Lian. Hearing the clang of the bell, doing PR even digitally. Sitting in school, staring at the school yard from behind the classroom window. Even I have felt the love of youth.”

“Can you just skip for the love issue. Don't make me creep during this trip.”

“Hey, come... Who doesn't like to hear love stories. But I'll appreciate your request. Know it? Your mother used to be a normal teenager like you. Shallow too when it comes to romance. Very plain and also very beautiful.” Tattoo teasing. “So did Natania. He was not as wealthy now. Friendly and also soft. Clever and very attentive. Ah, what a wonderful time.” The tattoo sighed slowly. It was as if looking at all of that was like watching a movie playing.

“We came in at eight in the morning and came home at four in the afternoon. Go home to school doing chores together. Or just hanging out in the cafeteria. How many wonderful memories. And so few bitter memories. Yeah, that was my time when I was eighteen. Don't you want to try going to school, Lian?”

“That will never happen.” I responded coldly.

“Who said it couldn't happen. You know about your future.” Tattoo reply with a joke.

“Because we are just waiting for news from that old doctor, what if we take a moment to take a vacation.” The tattoo gives advice.

“How can I take a vacation in a crucial time like this? What if Zenzen suddenly appeared in the middle of the city? Caught me and killed my friends. Or worse yet bring RP-2 into the city and kill millions of innocent people in this city. History repeats itself and we have no chance to fix it.”

The tattoo put on a flat face. “OK, now you're starting to sound like a chatty Batrice. Come, Son... Trust the problem in adults. Didn't we have a deal? An eighteen-year-old like you would be unnatural to think of such a complicated thing. You may have wrinkles before you get old. No, no, I'm sure you'll have wrinkles before adulthood. I'm taking you somewhere. I'm sure you'll be happy.”

Tattoo slamming stir. The car roared faster. Split the streets, pass skyscraper buildings, turn between parks, and arrive at a suburb not too far from the location of the Tatu house. There is a large field without any grass with several children my age who are playing a game. I don't know what game they're playing. They seemed to be kicking a ball-shaped object. There are two groups with two different colors of clothing. They face each other and fight over the ball. Kick him to and fro and pass him between teams. I never knew there was such a game. When I was a kid, I only got a variety of toys with high technology. At least that's what I saw in my memory. Similarly, when I lived in the Village Grassland, we were only busy with hunting and shoulder to shoulder with the residents.

The tattoo approached the crowd. Instantly everyone who was busy kicking the ball to and fro stopped their activities. Some people who knew Tatu greeted him. I just stood on the edge of the field. Watching from a distance.

“Lian! What are you doing sculpting on the edge of the field like that? Hurry here!”

I rubbed my hair.

“Hei, Lian.” Jun greets me. He also joined the team. So did Jin.

“It just so happens that we are short of one person on our team. Join if you want.”

I stared at the tattoo for a moment. The tattoo just nodded. Told me to join.

“Alright, it's just that I don't know what game you guys are doing.”

“Eh, really? You've never played football before?” Jin interrupted.

“Take it easy, this game is very easy. You just need to kick the ball towards the opponent's goal which is guarded by someone. But you can't touch the ball with your hands, except the goalkeeper. There are also some violations. You can't push, hit, and butcher the opposing team. This game also requires teamwork. You can pass the ball to your friend to get a goal. Anyway just come along first, you'll understand by yourself.” Obviously Jun.

I'm nodding. Before joining, Jin and Jun first introduced me to all of them. Some were more curious as to why I wasn't wearing a mask. The others don't care much. Just assume the usual. I joined the twins team. Since I was still playing as a beginner, I was placed in a back position. Light a whistle. The ball starts to kick.

We have a turn to attack. Jin and Jun seemed nimble to avoid lunge for the sake of lunge. Their agility amazes me. How can they concentrate on carrying the ball while there are many people blocking them? Of course it's new to me. The ball starts being passed here and there. Until someone makes a mistake. The ball was taken by the opposing team. Not thinking long, the opposing team began to dart forward. Closer to the back. It's time for us defenders to act.

“Lian! Grab the ball!”

I complained. Right now the opposing team is getting closer to me. Maybe he knows I'm a rookie and thinks I can't take the ball. There's no other choice. I just need to grab the ball, right? This game is just that simple.

My fighting instincts started to come out.

I quickly moved forward. The opponent in front of me stopped. Find another way. Before that happened, my foot quickly hooked the ball. The opposing team was surprised. He didn't think it was happening. Some people started to get closer. Trying to hinder. I nimbly twisted my body. It was like dancing in the middle of a battle. I dribbled the ball as best I could. Avoiding the opposing team. Until I started getting pushed. Someone from my team exclaimed loudly. Told me to pass it to him.

I quickly kicked the ball.

My kick was on target. As soon as the ball was received, I quickly slid forward. I started enjoying this game. I've never felt a game this fun. I was getting late and getting better at dribbling. Within minutes, I scored a goal.

“Wooooohhh! What the heck iu! You're so great Beginner.” Excite someone.

We did a moment of celebration. They patted my shoulder and grabbed me. Still lacking, they ruffled my hair roughly. I just resigned and accepted all their treatment to me.

We're back playing. Time passes so fast. It didn't feel like the afternoon was starting to come. The sky showed a reddish tinge. Orange clouds floating beautifully in space. The score ends two-one. Team wins. But that's not a problem. Tomorrow they will be back playing.

Jin and Jun came home with me and the tattoo. Since then Tatu sat on the sidelines while giving a cry of encouragement. He's even more passionate than I am.

“I told you you'd be happy, Lian.” The tattoo laughed out loud. His voice broke the silence of the twilight.