The Story of Clouds, Rain, and Sun

III. The Sun Glances at the Clouds

The smell of rain I can still breathe in the air, fresh and soothing. Comfortable me. The sweet attack from the marshmallow was still in my mouth. But for some reason, it was very warm.

The sky is so dark. There are only a few visible stars. I turned my head towards Rain who was also lying on top of the caravan. The parasites are not so obvious, but I know she is very beautiful.

“Today is my birthday.” Suddenly the words just came out of my mouth. I was also confused as to why I said it.

Rain sat down and looked at me. “Serious?” her question was responded with a slow nod from me. “Hmm... can you borrow your page?” ask again.

I touched my pants pocket and gave Rain my phone. Rain didn't seem to think that my phone didn't use a password. After sliding the screen a few times he finally found what he was looking for. Rain then looked occasionally at me, then turned his face back to the phone screen. He did that several times, until I became curious.

“Completed.” Said Rain at last.

“Happy Birthday, Sun!” Said Rain again, smiling widely while handing back my phone.

I took my phone and saw on the screen there was already a picture. In the picture looks like a cartoon version of myself smiling. An expression I haven't seen in a long time. Below it is a writing.

‘You know 🌧 + ⁇ ️ = 🌈 right? So Keep SMILING!’

“Like kadanya?”

“It’s the best. Thank you.”

I'm not lying. It was the best gift I received on my 23rd birthday. I stared at the picture again for a while until I finally turned off my phone screen and put it back in my pants pocket…

***

Surya opened both of his eyes. He had this dream a few times. Surya gave a long sigh. For three months he had not had any new dreams about Rain. Only the same memory that repeatedly rotated played out in his dreams. Surya rubbed the white gold ring engraved on his ring finger. Now it has become his habit to touch the ring when his heart feels unsettled.

After failing to try to sleep again, Surya finally woke up and headed to his study. He unlocked a drawer and took out a black journal from it. Then he read it sheet by sheet, his expression could not be interpreted.

Surya stared at his desk clock, the time showing at 3:35 a.m. He let out another deep breath and put the black journal back into the drawer and locked it. After thinking for a while, he finally decided to take a warm bath and go to the office.

Surya parked his car in a parking lot that had been provided specifically for him. Akasa Tower consists of 59 floors and Akasa Game Studio is on the 41st to 51st floors. Surya got into the elevator and pressed the button to the 51st floor of the place where the room was.

“Again, Boss.”

“Again, Boss.”

“Again, Mr. Surya.”

“Good morning, Mr. Surya.”

Game Studio really doesn't know the clock. The sun has not yet risen, but there are still many employees who appear to work, or rather have not returned home. The ideal working time that Surya recommends for its employees is 9:00-17:00. But he also does not mind if they work outside that hour as long as it meets the quota of 7 hours of work and 1 hour of rest.

After all as game developers, they mostly work overtime, not to mention the inspiration that often appears in unexpected times. So a fixed clock really can't work here. Of course with a note, if there is a meeting they must attend it on time, at any hour.

Surya entered his room and sat in his chair. A glass frame decoration beautifies one corner of his table. Inside was the exact same picture as in his dream. A cartoon version of himself and an encouraging sentence. If it wasn't for the image being stored on his phone, he might have also believed that it was all just his delusion.

He then turned on his laptop and checked the incoming e-mail. There are a few new emails that he needs to read. Surya clicked on the one that his assistant passed on. Usually Surya will get a comprehensive report that has been summarized from all the data presented by the game tester at the end of each month. But Surya who is a perfectionist always has to read the ‘mentah’ report that has not been adapted.

There is only one game tester that reports beta version results for DRF game cars. It is understandable because only two days ago Akasa Game sent a download link to its game testers. With some hesitation, Surya clicked the email. Email in the name of LittleCloudy.

The name of the gamer still feels foreign to Surya. But because the development team recommended him, Surya also trusted his ability. But finishing a game report as complex as DRF in 48 hours? He's still not so sure. Solar started reading reports from LittleCloudy. Page one, page two, page ten…

Surya's eyes grew bigger and blinked and then grew and blinked again. He still could not believe that a report of this detail could be completed within two days. Not only problems in the game, the possible causes and how to handle it were also written by this game tester. Anyone who reads it will probably think that this report is the result of months of observation.

Surya smiled with satisfaction. LittleCloudy is a genius. No wonder his team put his name to the test in the mobile game DRF. He is so good at his job. Surya will usually wait a while before recruiting someone, observing first how they are performing. But this time his instincts say he should recruit this man as soon as possible.

He immediately took his phone and texted his assistant.

Contact LittleCloudy as soon as you read this message.

And recruit him to Akasa Game.

***

Ding!

Teja picked up her new phone that was delivered by Akasa Game to the game testers. The sound was a notification tone that he set if there is a new email coming in. And sure enough there's been an email from Akasa Game. Maybe there is a new upgrade?

To LittleCloudy, please,

We from Akasa Game feel very satisfied with the reports and performance you produce. Your performance is outstanding and professional in carrying out all the tasks we provide.

For that Akasa Game would like to invite you to be part of our family. We expect your arrival soon to Akasa Game Studio located at Akasa Tower lt. 41-511-C.

Thank ye.

Respect to us,

Team Akasa Game

Teja put one hand on her chin. He was considering what kind of response he should give to the email. On the one hand, he was happy that his favorite gaming company was praising his work, but on the other hand, he also did not want his real identity to be known. Finally Teja replied.

The Akasa Game,

I am very honored and happy to hear that Akasa Game is very satisfied with the reports I am working on. But sorry, I am only interested in working as a game tester online.

I hope Akasa Game can understand and still want to continue to continue its future cooperation as a Game Developer and game tester.

Respect to me, though,

Littlecloudy

Teja is back again seriously struggling with the game. He occasionally wrote down a few sentences in the little notebook next to him. So focused was Teja that she did not realize Varsha had entered the house and stood beside her.

“What's the first, Darling?”

Hearing the voice of her mother Teja gasped in shock. Then immediately hugged his mother tightly. Today she only had time to meet her mother in the morning so she missed her so much.

“Same kangen table Mama.”

“Mama is also very kangeeeen same Teja.” Varsha said as she stroked the head of her baby.

“Temp already ate, Son?”

“Already Mama.” Teja answered still hugging her mother.

“Smart. Then Mama shower first later Teja story how today ya?”

“Oke Mama.” Teja nodded her head still unwilling to let go of her mother.

Varsha smiled at her little son and then kissed his forehead before finally walking to the bathroom.

After Varsha took a bath, Teja immediately told her how she spent her day. Starting from when he attended school at Kindergarten, then when he helped his Eyeang sell pickled, to the latest game he was playing. Only one he left, that he played not only as a fan but also as a game tester...

“Mama remember DRF?”

“Dark Rainbow Forrest? Computer games that Teja likes?”

“Iya, now the developer is issuing its mobile version.”

“Ooh.”

Although initially worried, Varsha never limit Teja playing time. Because it turns out before being arranged even his son has understood for himself when the time to play and when the time to learn. For this reason, Varsha is very grateful to have been blessed with this wonderful son God.

“So Teja played that?” Varsha's question was answered with a nod from Teja.

“Mama want to see?”

Teja plays the game while Varsha watches it. Varsha had noticed the foreign phone Teja was holding. But because Bayu is often asked by his friends to fix or raise the spec of his colleagues' phones, Varsha does not feel strange. After Bayu fiddled with their phones, Teja was the one he asked to test his resilience, usually by watching videos or playing games. So if there's a foreign phone in Teja's hand, it's not unusual.

“Good yes game.” Praise Varsha. “Can Mama check other Mama's work? Mama will still sit near Teja, kok.” Added again.

“Oke Mama.” Teja's reply showed her a sweet smile.

Varsha took the laptop and turned it on. Then he checked out his online store. In addition to being a comic assistant, part-time worker in a mini market, and a barista, Varsha also opened an online food business selling pick-ups using the Pre Order system. The benefits obtained, he shared with Pakde and Budenya.

The last Varsha check was this afternoon, there were already 15 orders coming in. Now there are 7 more, so there are 22 orders in total. Varsha then checked and read the online promo leaflets offered by various supermarkets and market places. His frown furrowed weighing and quickly calculating all the prices on his head.

“Tomorrow afternoon, after Mama works, Teja want to accompany Mama to the supermarket?”

But his little son did not give an answer. He fell asleep holding a cell phone in both hands. Varsha smiles at Teja who often acts like an adult, but now falls asleep at the dinner table like a normal child her age.

Ding!

The phone in Teja's hand rang, but her little baby still didn't budge. Varsha tried carefully to take the phone out of Teja's hand. But accidentally, he opened an email that had just entered. And finally read it.

To LittleCloudy, please,

I am Surya, CEO of Akasa Game. I've got word that you're only interested in working as our game tester online.

I'm really trying to understand your position but I'm very sorry for the decision. Your ability to analyze every detail in the game is very detailed and accurate.

On every problem you find in the game, you look for all the possible causes and not only that, you even provide a solution. A solution not even thought of so quickly by our team.

So let's just say, how about we meet in the middle. I'm not going to force you to join the Akasa Game, but I'd like to discuss it with you in person. Think of it as a meeting of fellow DRF game lovers. I'm expecting some good news from you.

Respect to me, though,

Solar K. Abhiyoga, CEO of Akasa Games

After reading the e-mail, Varsha looked at her son again. His son kept something from him. Before long, he let out a long breath. Then carry her baby to bed. That email problem could wait tomorrow.

***

Teja sat in the basket that Varsha pushed. Around it was already full of ingredients to make pickles. It just so happens that today there is a massive discount promo for vegetables and fruits at the AF supermarket so Varsha finally chose to shop here.

“Teja, marshmallow?”

Teja nodded quickly. Teja is actually not a sweet lover except chocolate milk and marshmallows. How his little son who doesn't like to eat sweet likes a very sweet marshmallow is still a mystery to Varsha.

Varsha stuffed some marshmallow wrappers into the basket and then pushed it towards the cashier. Each cashier is full with long queues. Not surprisingly, because where there is a big discount that is where the moldy discount hunters.

Varsha also chose one of the cashier lines and began to queue. Each buyer's basket is fully filled so it takes a long time to serve one customer. Varsha leaned her elbows against the basket handle and held her face with both hands while looking at Teja.

“Table, know what is game tester?”

“Know Mama.” Answer Teja.

“What is game tester?” Ask Varsha again.

“Game tester or Quality Assurance Tester is a person who tests the game before or after the game is released.”

“Ooh...” Varsha nods.

“Sorry Mom...” Say a sudden Teja.

“Sorry why, Honey?”

“Tempu know Mama has read email from Akasa Game for Teja. So Mama asked about the game tester on Teja, right?” Said Teja while bowing her head.

At first Varsha was still a bit hesitant because the email could have been for Bayu's sister. But Varsha knew Teja couldn't lie to her. So just a little bit left, his little son will definitely tell him all.

Varsha took a deep breath before asking again, “Why does Teja not tell the same story Mama Teja works so tester game?”

“Sorry Mama.. Teja knows Mama does not want Teja and Om Bayu to feel burdened but.. But Teja also wants to help Mama.. So then.. So Teja take... Mama angry yes same Teja?”

Varsha smiled at Teja. There was a sense of pain in his heart, seeing the sad expression of his little son. He also stroked his son's head.

“Mama just don't want Teja to lie with Mama. I hope there are no secrets between Teja and Mama again, okay?” Varsha's words were answered with a steady nod by Teja.

“If about angry, maybe a little?” Ledek Varsha who produced a small smile from Teja.

“But, Teja likes not to be a game tester?”

Teja seemed to think for a moment, not at all expecting the question to be thrown from his mother. Before long, he nodded his head.

“But. Teja will soon stop being a game tester, Mama.”

“Why?”

“Mama also read the email, right? They want to meet Teja. So Teja will stop.”

Instantly a memory plays on Varsha's mind. At that time Teja was three years old. Varsha actually does not know the details of the full story because she heard it from her Paklik.

The point is that Varsha knows. Good, his Paklik son, took Teja for a walk on campus. Then Teja was accused of claiming to have been working on a difficult problem that even the lecturer could not solve there. No one believes that a child of his age is capable of doing such a complicated thing. Even though Teja tried to prove it, no one paid attention to it.

Varsha once asked Teja about it, but her son wouldn't tell her about it and just said that he was okay. But Varsha knew from then on that it was like there was a cut in Teja's heart. He always tried to hold his genius in front of an alien adult.

“Mama, soon we reach the cashier.”

Teja's call disperse Varsha's daydreams. Their lines finally advanced forward.  After waiting for half an hour, they finally finished shopping.

***

At night, when Teja is asleep, Varsha calls Bayu. Bayu finally confessed and told a long story about the world of tester games that were wrestled by him and his little nephew. How Teja enjoyed the job, and how he also helped pay the bills. Anyway Bayu tell me everything without any little detail left behind.

After Bayu finished, Varsha finally checked the emails from Akasa Game for Teja. Starting from the invitation to closed beta test mobile game that he first got to the latest emails from the CEO of Akasa Game that he has not opened. Varsha read them one by one.

He could feel the spirit of his son in every sentence he wrote on the report Teja sent to Akasa Game. His son really likes this field. Varsha finally opened an email from CEO Akasa Game. It seems that the man had already written about five new emails aside from the one that Varsha had accidentally read last night.

Looking at all the emails that the CEO wrote, it was clear that the person greatly admired Varsha's son. He always praised and appreciated his baby in every letter. But would all of his nature change if he knew the person he adored was a four-year-old boy?

Varsha poked her lips, revealing two sweet dimples on her cheeks. He had hesitated but as soon as he remembered how his son was so excitedly struggling in the world, his hands began to press the screen on the phone.

To the CEO of Akasa Game,

Let's meet up.

Respect to me, though,

Littlecloudy

***

The curcol author:

Cie ex most beautiful soon want to meet hihihihuehuehuehiehiks

Don't forget to love, comment, and thumbs yes mengemen xD

Noahun~

- Onion