By the busy highway, Baskara, Dinda, Sekar, and their friends stood in a circle, chatting excitedly about today's plans.
"So, where should we go first?" asked Dinda, playing with her loose hair.
Sekar raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment. "Hmm... I think we should have breakfast first. Have you all eaten yet?"
"Not yet," Rusli answered quickly.
"Yeah, we haven't either," Dinda replied with a slight smile.
"Okay then, let's find a place to have breakfast. Any suggestions?" Sekar asked, looking at them one by one.
"Hmm... I'll just follow you. You're the one who knows the best spots in this city," Dinda answered casually.
Sekar nodded, then pulled the car keys from his jacket pocket. With one click, the door of a shiny black luxury car opened. The car was eye-catching—the latest model with an elegant interior that immediately captivated anyone who saw it.
They got inside, and the car smoothly drove through the city streets. Soon, they arrived in front of a fancy restaurant. The building stood tall with a modern-classic architecture, and rows of sports cars and other luxury vehicles filled the parking lot.
"Wow... Sekar, why did you bring us to such a fancy place?" Dinda asked, her eyes wide in awe at the restaurant's luxury. "Are you sure you can afford to eat here?"
"Hehe, don't worry. This restaurant belongs to my family. So we can eat as much as we want, maybe even for free," Sekar said confidently and casually.
"Hahaha! You really are a rich kid, Sekar," Rusli said, laughing freely.
After entering the restaurant, they were greeted by a soothing fragrant aroma. The interior was elegant—a mix of warm wood, crystal chandeliers, and soft music adding an exclusive vibe. They chose a cozy corner seat near a large window overlooking a neatly arranged small garden.
A waiter came and handed them a menu book that looked like a small tome made of smooth leather. The dishes inside not only sounded delicious but also had unique names containing spiritual and philosophical elements.
"Hey, Sekar... Is this really your family's restaurant?" Rusli asked, leaning toward Sekar with curious eyes.
Sekar just smiled faintly. "Of course. I'm not lying."
"Well, you don't know, Rus... Sekar's family is Atmadewa," Dinda said casually as she opened the menu.
Hearing the name, Baskara, who had been calm until now, slightly raised his head, his expression briefly changed.
"What?! The Atmadewa family, you say? You mean... the noble Tirta Negara family?" Rusli froze, his eyes widening.
"Of course. What else?" Dinda answered lightly, without looking back.
Rusli chuckled while shaking his head. "No wonder... Hahaha, looks like I'll be relying on you a lot in the future, Sekar."
"You shameless guy," teased Dinda as she lightly flicked Rusli's head.
Dinda then turned to her older brother, Baskara. "Oh yeah, what do you want to order, Sis?"
"I'll just follow along. I don't know what city food is like," Baskara replied, his voice calm as usual.
Dinda smiled broadly, her expression full of plans. "Hehe, then... let me order the best food here for you."
Sekar and Rusli just exchanged glances and held back their laughter at Dinda's playful manner toward Baskara.
After a while, the waiter brought dishes that looked extraordinary. The aroma spread, blending with the warm atmosphere, making their stomachs rumble more. The dishes were served on white porcelain plates with golden rims—colorful, with spiritual garnishes of rare herb leaves and drops of sacred oil said to calm the soul.
Baskara took a spoon and slowly brought the first bite to his mouth. All eyes, especially Dinda's, immediately focused on him. She sat with her chin resting on both hands, eyes waiting for his reaction.
But...
There was no exaggerated reaction from Baskara. No coughing, no surprise, no strange looks. He just chewed slowly, calmly enjoying the taste. He even closed his eyes briefly—not because it was strange, but because he was genuinely savoring the flavor.
Dinda sighed softly, looking disappointed.
Baskara glanced at his sister and squinted. "What's wrong? Were you trying to prank me?"
Laughing softly, he flicked Dinda's head gently.
"Ouch! What's that for!" Dinda said, puffing her cheeks. "I didn't mean anything!"
Sekar squinted and smiled. "You two are really close, huh?"
"Hehe, of course. Even though we're not blood-related siblings, I already consider him like my own brother," Dinda answered sweetly.
"Well... but I never said you're my sister," Baskara quipped flatly.
"Heeeh!" Dinda glared and stuck out her little tongue, making everyone at the table laugh.
Sekar nodded while smiling. "You guys are really funny. Not like my family, which is always full of tension..."
The mood fell silent for a moment. Sekar's face suddenly changed, her gaze empty, staring at the plate in front of her.
"Eh... sorry, sorry. I just brought down the mood," Sekar quickly said while diverting her gaze.
"It's okay," Baskara replied softly, his voice carrying a calmness few had.
Sipping the warm drink just served, Sekar looked at Baskara with curious eyes. "Oh yeah, by the way... where do you go to school?"
Baskara put down his glass and answered quietly, "I don't go to any school. My grandfather teaches me directly. Actually, I was supposed to go to school with Dinda once, but... that was my grandfather's wish. I couldn't refuse."
His tone sounded gloomy, as if regretful. But behind those words, there was a truth he kept tightly—that he purposely never showed up at school to keep his training secret.
"Ohhh..." Sekar nodded. "I guess Dinda talks about you a lot at school, right?" Rusli teased playfully.
Baskara looked over with a teasing smile. "Hmm... Does she often badmouth me?"
"Oh gosh, Sis! Why do you always think badly of me?" Dinda said, pouting and puffing her cheeks again like a little balloon.
Laughter broke out around the table.
"Hahaha... well then, that means you really don't know Tirta Negara city, huh?" Rusli said, getting excited.
"That's right," Baskara said, raising one hand casually as if fully surrendering.
"In that case... leave it to us!" Rusli patted his chest proudly. "We'll be the best guides for you! We'll take you to the busiest and most beautiful places!"
"Ready!" Sekar shouted, laughing along.
Dinda just shook her head but couldn't hide her smile.
However, none of them noticed something hidden behind Baskara's calmness. That figure, with a calm face like a mature adult, was actually their age. Yet, spiritual training and long meditation had made his body mature beyond his actual age.
Baskara only smiled faintly. In his heart, he felt warm... maybe for the first time in a long while.