"Thank you, Master!" exclaimed Zara and Dadan almost simultaneously, bowing slightly towards their teacher.
Eman smiled, satisfaction etched across his face at the display of respect from his two pupils.
He then turned to the other karatekas at the edge of the tatami and said succinctly, "You all can be like these two! Train harder from now on!"
"Yes, Master!" The karatekas chorused in unison.
Their collective shout signalled the conclusion of today's session.
Afterwards, the karatekas changed from their training gear into formal attire.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Yes! Take care on the road!"
A chorus of farewells rang out as the karatekas prepared to depart for their homes, Zara included.
Meanwhile, Dadan remained at Dojo Taring Macan, having chosen to reside with his teacher, Eman Suhendar, as a sign of devotion.
"Senior, Master, 'I'll be off now!" said Zara, offering her parting salutation to Dadan and Eman.
"Take care on the road, Zara!" replied Dadan.
"Be here again on time tomorrow!" added Eman.
Zara merely waved before trotting lightly through the gate of Dojo Taring Macan, met with admiring glances from Dadan and Eman.
"Master! Zara… she truly is talented!" Dadan said.
Eman nodded, acknowledging, "Indeed! At least Dojo Taring Macan now has someone to carry on its legacy!"
Suddenly…
"Cough!!!"
Eman coughed violently, collapsing to his knees as a trickle of blood escaped his mouth.
Dadan, alarmed, rushed to his side without hesitation.
"Master!!!"
Eman offered a weak smile, gasping for breath, yet remained silent.
"What's the wound inside…?" Dadan asked, concern heavy in his voice.
Eman nodded, "That's right! No one has been able to heal my wound!" He replied.
Memories of his encounter with the samurai from Japan flitted through his mind.
Though called a samurai, the title was true in name only, the warrior's calibre, something Eman had never revealed to anyone was, in reality, that of a ninja.
He recalled the young man's strikingly handsome face, the one who had saved him.
"I… I want to meet that young man again!" Eman murmured, hope threading his words.
Dadan, hearing this, felt a pang of sympathy for his teacher.
"Master… that was over twenty years ago!" Dadan exclaimed. "Does he… even remember you?" He asked once more.
Eman lowered his gaze, "If I were stronger, I would seek him out, wherever he may be!" He vowed solemnly.
"You should rest, Master! Allow me to escort you!" said Dadan with unwavering duty.
Eman nodded, letting Dadan support him as they moved.
As they walked, Eman murmured, "Dadan, do not speak of this to anyone, not even Zara!"
"Understood, Master!" replied Dadan, nodding gravely.
*****
Elsewhere…
"I'll take oranges, mangoes, pears, apples, and grapes. Two kilos each, miss. And I'll take all the bananas…"
Zein, on his way to his parents' house, had resolved to bring back a few tokens of affection.
The young shop assistant, caught entirely off guard, scarcely registered his words.
Her gaze was fixed on Zein's features, every line and contour seeming almost impossibly perfect.
Zein frowned slightly and waved his hand gently before her face.
"Miss… Hello…" He prompted.
The assistant flinched, cheeks flushing a delicate crimson.
"S-Sorry, sir… What did you say you wanted again?" She stammered.
Zein shook his head with a faint smile, repeating his order with deliberate clarity, "I'll take oranges, mangoes, pears, apples, and grapes, two kilos each. And all of these bananas as well."
"Y-Yes, sir… Please wait a moment…" She replied, scurrying to summon a colleague to assist in preparing the order.
The quantity was far too great for one pair of hands alone, help was unavoidable.
In less than ten minutes, every item had been meticulously arranged into sturdy, oversized bags.
"So, the total…" The assistant said, checking her notes before listing:
Oranges 2 kg x Rp36,500 = Rp73,000
Mangoes 2 kg x Rp14,500 = Rp29,000
Pears 2 kg x Rp13,500 = Rp27,000
Apples 2 kg x Rp24,400 = Rp48,800
Grapes 2 kg x Rp41,500 = Rp83,000
Bananas 1 large bunch (approx. 3 kg) x Rp16,500 = Rp49,500
She glanced at Zein, offering a shy, almost apologetic smile.
"The total comes to Rp310,300, sir!" She said, extending the receipt with a careful hand.
Zein's lips curved into a faint, composed smile as he produced six crisp one-hundred-thousand rupiah notes.
"No need for change! Kindly place these fruits in my car!" He instructed, voice calm and courteous.
"Ah, sir! This… this is far too generous!" the shop assistant gasped, eyes widening in astonishment.
Zein's smile remained unruffled, "It's perfectly fine… perhaps you might share them with your colleagues!" He suggested with a soft ease.
The young woman's expression softened, gratitude shimmering in her eyes, "Thank you ever so much, sir!" She murmured, sincere and heartfelt.
Turning to her co-workers, she beckoned, "Seno, Vian! Kindly carry these fruits to the gentleman's car!"
"Yes, miss!" came the simultaneous reply.
With careful hands, they lifted the parcels and placed Zein's purchases into his waiting car, arranging each bag with attentive care.
Zein, undisturbed, settled back into the driver's seat and continued his journey toward his parents' residence, the city unfurling quietly around him.
The shop assistant lingered for a moment, watching the car recede into the distance.
Softly, almost to herself, she murmured, "I daresay I shall dream of him tonight. Better to dream of him each night than to never have met him at all… What am I, really…"
Shortly thereafter, she approached her colleagues, sharing the unexpected gift Zein had left behind.
Initial surprise gave way to genuine delight, as each received fifty thousand rupiah, a sum sufficient to make hearts warm.
"May Providence repay his kindness…" They whispered silently, eyes shining with gratitude, each offering a quiet prayer for Zein's well being as they returned to their work.
*****
Twenty minutes later, Zein arrived at his parents' house.
At the front gate, he pushed it open himself. It was unlocked and drove his car into the driveway.
"Salamu aleykom, Dad… Mum…" He called warmly, stepping out with the familiar ease of home.
After a moment, a reply came from inside.
"Wa aleykom salam…"
A woman, gracefully aged yet remarkably youthful, and bearing a striking resemblance to Zein, appeared, her face lighting up with excitement.
"Masha Allah, Zein!!!" She exclaimed.
She was Hajjar Basrah, Zein's mother, now sixty four.
With deep respect and affection, Zein bent to kiss his mother's hand.
Shortly after, an elderly gentleman followed from within the house.
It was Zein's father, Abdullah Al-Ghifari, aged sixty eight.
In the same gesture of devotion, Zein kissed his father's hand.
"Zein, where have you been? You hardly come to see us anymore!" Abdullah asked, his voice gentle but tinged with longing.
"Just the usual, Dad… busy… You know how it is, the life of a doctor!" Zein replied with a soft smile.
Abdullah nodded and gestured for him to enter.
"Come inside first, Zein!" He said kindly. "Your mother and I have something important to discuss with you!"