THE GUARDIAN OF THE HEART

Chapter 9, Let Time Pick It Up

Shaka thought about Besty's words all night. He tried to understand his heart. He was also trying to find out what he was feeling right now. Then he returned to his room after he found a speck and a glimmer of clues that illuminated the mist of his heart.

The next day on Sunday,

Shaka is startled by the ringing sound of his phone. He took his cell phone and saw a call from Sherly. He then answered :

"Hi Sher's..."

"Hai Shaka, what's the matter now?" said Sherly.

" No, just stay on the bed. Why why?" said Shaka.

"Well, I just miss you. You have never played at home now. I want to say something to you too. Can you come home now?" said Sherly.

" yes, I'll be there for a minute." said Shaka.

Then Shaka rushes to take a shower and goes to Sherly's house. He then said goodbye to his father and mother who were on the porch of the house.

"Shaka, where are you going?" said father.

"I'm going out, Dad. Go to Sherly's house. It's been a while since Sherly's house" Shaka said.

"Yes, hearts on the road. Greetings to your father and mother." said the mother.

"Yes, ma'am" said Shaka.

"Shak, Shak, just a second. Don't you want to go to the championship again, Shak. I heard there's going to be a National Championship in 6 months. You don't want to follow? Pretty you know, can add experience and money to the coaching you can save later" said the father.

"Not yet Shaka thought, well. Maybe Shaka will consider it later" Shaka said

" You're the defending champion, don't you want to defend your title?" said father.

"Shaka doesn't have a coach anymore, Dad. The coach at Shaka's school has been unwilling to get in touch with Shaka because Shaka resigned from the inter-school championship last year" Shaka said.

" It's easy, I'll find you a private trainer. What matters is that you prepare your mental. I'm proud to have a "champion" in this house" said the father with a smile.

" Lha, yeah. You're not proud of Rama? Rama's a son too?" rama's whine comes - comes.

" Yes, I'm proud of you too. Congratulations, you've got a yellow belt" said the father, laughing, accompanied by the laughs of Shaka and his mother.

***

In martial arts originating from the Land of Gingseng, there are 19 levels described in the color of the belt. This level is a sign of a student's ability to learn Taeondo. Each has its own level of difficulty. The duration that a person must live in one level is different, depending on his talent and perseverance in practice.

In yellow, this belt is the second level in Taekwondo. This yellow belt depicts the first layer of sunlight that will shine on the Beginner Level Taekwondo Students (White Belt). This beam will provide new strength as the beginning of a new life for Taekwondo students to learn the science of Taekwondo deeper.

***

" Yes well, thank you very much." rama chirped.

" Yes already, Shaka. You go first there. Will be awaited by Sherly, Engga delicious with him." said Mother.

" good, mom. Well, ma'am, Shaka left first huh." said Shaka as he kissed his father and mother's hands.

"You're diligent - diligent in training to quickly ride the belt again" said Shaka while scrambling - random hair of his sister until the chaotic no kidding.

"Greetings to the future sister-in-law huh?" sahut Rama while running into the house for fear of being chased by Shaka.

With a laugh, Shaka finally goes to Sherly's house by riding her vespanya.

***

Upon arrival at Sherly's house, Shaka is waiting for Sherly on the bench on the front porch of her house. In a hurry, Sherly opened the gate of her house and invited her into the house.

"Finally nongol is also a child" Sherly said as she flanked Shaka's arm.

"iya Sher, sorry yes" said Shaka while embarrassed.

"Well, will you see papa and your mama?" shaka said while trying to let go of his arm.

"If you are told to marry a doang, you will. If you're told to marry, that's hard, Sher." - joked Shaka.

"What is the difference between marriage and marriage?" sherly said full of probes.

"Thank you, Sher. I'm still innocent" Shaka said with a smile followed by Sherly's laughter.

After being on the bench, Sherly then goes inside to ask Bik Wulan for help, helping her household to prepare drinks and snacks for Shaka. Afterwards, Sherly comes along with Bik Wulan who brings a tray of ice syrup and tiramizzu cake for Shaka.

"Please enjoy, Mas Shaka. Non Sherly has been waiting for Mas Shaka for a long time" said Bik Wulan, smiling at Sherly.

"Ahhh, aunt. Don't tell me, Shaka's going to - GR - an (Gedhe Rasa)." said Sherly as he glanced at Shaka.

Shaka just laughs at Sherly and then says: 'Sherly :

" Thank you very much, Bik" said Shaka politely.

" Yes Mas Shaka, the same" said Bik Wulan while going into the house, leaving them both on the terrace.

"I never saw you laugh like you do now, Shak. I'm glad to see you're cheerful again" Sherly said.

"I hope you can go back to how you were" he continued.

Shaka just smiled at the words, Sherly said. He then tried to wipe Sherly's hair. But it was broken. It dawned on her that the one in front of her was Sherly, not Besty.

Yes, indeed Shaka is used to rubbing Besty's hair. He used to caress Besty's black hair while looking at her eyeballs as she became anxious about Besty's behavior.

"Sor, sorry, Sher" said Shaka

" Yes, what's wrong, Shak" said Sherly, embarrassed.

"Well, BTW, where are your mama and papa?" said Shaka.

"Go to my grandmother's house in Surabaya. I wanted to be invited, but I told you that I have an appointment with you. That's why I didn't come along" Sherly said innocently.

" Sorry, Sher" said Shaka.

" That's okay, Shak. I'm glad you came with me" Sherly said.

" I want to talk about something" Sherly said.

"What?" said Shaka.

"You know what? Bobi shot me, Shak. He's been feeling me 3 times" Sherly said.

" So, how are you?" said Shaka.

"The thing is I'm confused. He also includes good men, very handsome and even gentle. If I were with him, I'd be the popular couple at school" Sherly said.

Sherly keeps telling Shaka about her outpouring of heart. He was worried about what he was going through and felt. He continued to tell stories while eating tiramizu cakes that he actually served to Shaka.

As usual, Shaka just smiled while listening to every sentence that one by one slid from Sherly's tongue. Sometimes Shaka laughed at Sherly's expression because it was funny. But suddenly, whether by chance or not, there are Sherly's words that make Shaka surprised and pensive.

"You know what, Shak? Love has its place in the heart and it cannot lie. The heart will know what love is or is just an obsession" Sherly said.

"Love will come with time, Shak. You know why?" said Sherly who was reciprocated with a headband by Shaka.

"Because love has become accustomed to being present and growing together with people who are accustomed to being near us." he continued.

" The love that has come will give you peace and happiness. Love will also provide peace and comfort. Love will always stay in the heart. It illuminates the heart and gives it the power to do things, including changing a person's nature and character" Sherly says.

"Keep how does your heart feel now to Bobi?" sahut Shaka's.

" I'm glad he likes me. I'm proud that the most popular guy in our school actually put his heart on me. I feel like the most famous girl and the center of attention for girls in our school because it turns out the men they adore - puja finally give attention and love only to me. But I don't feel comfortable and happy when I'm close to him, Shak. I can't be myself. And most of all, I don't feel like he's present and close by my side, even if he doesn't exist" Sherly continued.

" I don't feel like it's on my mind and it's in my heart." she added.

Hearing that, Shaka immediately realized something. The answer he had been looking for had come and approached him. He was relieved and knew what he was going to do next.