The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
163. Festive Greetings

Stepping and settling like a thief. Enter their rooms slowly so that no one knows my presence.

"Ohh, it's hard to turn the alarm" My mind exclaimed, because my left hand still hurts.

With careful days I do. Twist two alarms with a very loud noise. And soon they'll wake up in seconds as I step out of this house.

"Mom, key left first"

"Yes be careful, son"

*kringgggg, kringgg, keinggg*

"Keylaaaaa" Shouts simultaneously from inside the house. My mom and dad smiled at their voices.

My behavior is used to it because they both always slip up and never wake up very early. Though one month more wedding mbak Nike but he still sleeping molor continue.

"Welcome to wake up my dear brother" I said as I ran to the stop.

I deliberately went to school this early because I wanted to hang out with Riki and Mr. Abi. I miss them and don't forget I brought souvenirs from Singapore.

"Sir Abii, Rikiiii" cried loudly.

"Keyla" Riki's smile and Abi's sir are so beautiful and soothing to my heart. They are where my story began.

"Keyyy" Riki ran over to hug me, and she was also cautious about being scared about this wound on my arm.

"Keyla my son" said Mr. Abi who always smiled sincerely.

After that they asked about the current state of my arm. They both know this injury because they're always watching my game. Even always watch together through a small TV in this stall.

"Calm down, this hand is fine sir, Rick. Oh yes this is a gift for you guys"

I gave clothes to Abi sir, then clothes to Riki's mother and sisters that I bought in Singapore.

"And this is for you ki"

"Ball? "

"My ball and jersey, here are the signatures of all the national women's teams. Even if your dream is buried far away, at least I can remind you with the ball that you once dreamed of being a footballer" I said with a smile.

"Thank you so many keys" The cry had to come out of a man's eyes.

That is the cry of honesty, I know in his heart he still wants to reach that goal but in fact destiny says otherwise. And now I want to make it happen with just this ball and this jersey.

He was a great boy, never complaining one bit. All she had in mind was a good life for her mother and sisters. I hope that God will justly give so much happiness for Riki to enjoy in the future.

"Oh yeah, this is a windfall for your sister's school"

"No Key I want a mandri"

"Yes, you are independent. And I want this money you use to open a business by selling fried foods or whatever. So that your body doesn't overheat anymore"

Riki fell silent again and his lips froze. The look in his eyes shone with grief and held back tears from falling.

But in the end it fell too. He cried bitterly because of this money. I told him that this was the fortune God sent through me. Because I have promised to be friends with Riki forever even though my name is known by many people.

"Oh yes Mr. Abi, this is also for you. Although a little but at least can make a business in the father's house, so there is no need to keep a newspaper stall here again"

"Ahh no, no I don't want to accept it"

"Sir Abi, all this time the father has made Key's life full of laughter and color every morning or even every day. And you've been keeping the key while selling newspapers on the streets. This time allow key to thank you" I clasped Abi's hand with a smile.

"Yes but I don't want to accept your money" she said softly.

"Key has promised to treat Abi and Riki, but Key's time is consumed by time because he has to play with the national team" My face was suddenly sad.

Mr. Abi still did not want to take the money. While I just want to share the windfall and also thank him for taking care of me all this time.

Abi is a good father on the streets. For me and Riki, she was always in joy and sorrow. Keep us both this big. Then this is the right time for me to repay her kindness.

"Alright, if Mr. Abi doesn't want to take it. Then I won't be here anymore" I said with a bow.

"But son"

"Key was worried about Mr. Abi's condition that every day he stood guard here, sometimes sick and still awake. Then bet between time and the street. Key doesn't want to see Abi's sir sick"

The cries from my eyes were sliding free. I'm really sad, and I don't think I want to see Abi's parents spent on this street.

"Alright, you'll take this. And will open the stall in the house" a cry of haru with no sound visible from my eyes.

I hugged Abi tightly. Because all this time I've considered him my own parent. Mr. Abi also cried and gently stroked my head. I didn't feel like her tears were dripping either, and I felt that.

Great warmth, between me, Riki and Abi sir. They are my family because they always entertain and give advice when I am sad on the side of the road.

A thank you will not be enough for them. Because they are bliss that cannot be expressed in words.

School

"It's so lonely at this school. Is it a holiday today? " I was amazed when I got off the angkot, this school has no sign of life. It was 06:35.

"Where are you guys on the phone not picked up" I said annoyed when I contacted Ari and Yuri but they did not pick up my phone.

With confusion, I entered the school. And still seen in this empty hallway there's no one. Many times I saw the date but it turned out to be black. Because I'm afraid if today is a red date, it's not.

Though yesterday the day after I returned from selection and instructed to enter now but there is no human life here.

*pyarrr, pyarr*

*dorrr, dorrr*

I was shocked when the surprise explosion came. A tire is clearly displayed and festive in the middle of the field. My picture is welcomed like a hero.

"Welcome to Keyla Adara, thank you for playing for a country with an incredible heart"

I smiled but my eyes refused to be silent. Tears flowed back and forth between happiness and sorrow mixed into one.

My body was limp and rested, crying alone in the middle of the field. I am proud to be a student of this school. They welcomed me very well.

"Keyla, keyla, keyla"

"Keyla, keyla" shouted from the students and teachers.

They came out from every corner of the school, there was shouting from upstairs and there was also shouting approaching me.

"Wakeup"

"Ari, Yuri" My two best friends, they're in my fight for a dream.

Also seen the coach of Nature who approached and hugged me tightly. He whispered that one of his men managed to get into the national team and play until his hand was injured.

Even some teachers also give hugs and congratulations. Not to forget the principal gave me the award as the best student of the year.

Because soon I'll step into 3rd grade. I have to take the next exam, because my time is up to enter the selection and enter the national team.

"Happy keyla, you've managed to bring back the good name of this school" I smiled with a warm greeting.

A welcome was also given by some students. Maybe this is the atmosphere during the welcoming with a very appreciative speech. The smile between them was a happy smile from the bottom of my heart.

Again and again, they scramble to take pictures with me. First I took pictures with all the teachers, then with the students who were here

"Wait a minute, you have to line up because my best friend is tired after coming home from the national team" I laughed with Ari and Yuri's behavior.

They arranged for friends to ask for my autograph. I didn't turn it down even though the whole school asked for this signature. Because I feel that I am not a person, and remember that there is still sky above, so never be arrogant about the success you are achieving.

Today is a free day at school. Lessons are being taught, because the school is having a welcoming party. I feel so happy to be welcomed with honor.

"Key, sign on my soccer jersey" I laughed out loud as Doni also came in with the jersey.

He wants me to sign on the jersey as a memory. He's also a great player, but he's asking me to sign like this.

"Well, now I have 2 signatures of national team players. You and David" he said with a smile.

When I heard David's name, my face immediately fell silent. I remember it, and already from yesterday after my arrival to Indonesia I did not have time to contact David.

"Key why? Are you tired of signing? " Tanya Ari who was anxious with my silent face.

"Ah no, I'm fine" I said with a smile.

After everything was over, I talked to Ari and Yuri to take them to dinner. At my house tomorrow. And this time I will host them at home and give gifts from Singapore.

"All right, I'll come"

"Me too" Ari and Yuri agreed. We haven't been together like this for a long time.

So I want them to come and gather together at the thanksgiving event that I held.

After school, I still chose to take an angkot. Waiting at a stop that becomes friends in the heat and rain. I miss those memories that I haven't done in a long time.

He said famous athletes shouldn't ride angkot, should take a taxi. But I think a simple life is more beautiful than luxury but the end is not happy.

"Hey" a soft voice called out as I stood to wait for the angkot.

"David, when are you coming home? "

"Today" I smiled.

The man in front of my eyes came, and he was the one I was looking for in school when he was still playing on the city b team and had plans to move there.

"How are you? "

"Good"

"Your wounds? "

"It may take several months to heal" lightly talked at the stop.

For a long time we did not meet, just contact by using a mobile phone to find out the circumstances of each.

The distance is quite far does not give us the opportunity to sit together and talk like before.We have started to get along, but the time is never sided.

"I brought you something"

"What's? " A little box he took out. I hope he doesn't buy expensive things anymore.

"Here" I opened it, beautiful watch. He bought a watch with the same model. One for me and one for him.

*plak*

"Okay, it hurts Key"

"Who buys any more expensive stuff, I don't need this"

"Then? "

"I just need you to come" This time I actually saw David's wide smile. The cold fridge is now melting.

The two of us went home together on an angkot. I want to introduce David to my mother. I want to tell him that there are men who always patiently teach me to play ball.

Homehouse

"Come in"

"Yes"

"Assalamu'alaikum, mother, Kaira"

"Waalaikumsalam, it's home"

"It's mom" Mom and Kaira came out of the room. Apparently they've been watching TV

"You? "

"Aunty? " I was confused when they immediately rebuked.

"You know each other already? "

"Yes" he answered simultaneously.

Mother told me that David is Adel's fiancee who is the niece of her husband's mother, more precisely her ex-husband. So he knew David.

"Ohhh, don't talk about that anymore. I'm tired of it" Hearing their names is a boredom that has taken hold of my brain.

"Mom, he's David"

"Mom knows Key"

"Eh yes forgot" I grimaced as I said that.

"Tante, why is aunty's foot like this? " ask David and look at the mother's feet in wonder.

Mother told me that she was hit deliberately by her ex-husband's man. Their main goal was to bump into me but mother sacrificed herself to give me the speed of life to be a better child.

"Calm down, now aunt Sudha is fine thanks to Keyla"

"No, it's me who's fine because there's a mother" I said with a smile and tidying up the living room.

"Tante, can I take care of Keyla? " Contactably, I was shocked and looked directly at David.

"Whatchu mean? " I asked David and he just smiled.

She nodded her head and agreed to this without having to ask again. Even my mother smiled broadly.

I don't know why they're one way, and David also has to ask me about it. He can take good care of me when our place is different. He's out of town and I'm fighting here. You weird kid.

"Take good care of my son, I trust you son"

"Mom didn't ask David anything? "

"No" he answered briefly.

"Alright, but I don't want to date him" David and mom turned to me.

"Why? Did I ever make a mistake on you" David said with a disappointed face.

I just fell silent and looked at him with a sharp glare. It was explained yesterday but I don't understand it either.