"It's fine, Mom. My back just hurts because I've been working a lot these past few days."
"Are you sure you're alright? Let me take a look first."
Siti began examining Randa's body but found nothing unusual.
The people around them were also worried, though they stayed quiet, simply observing his condition.
"Alright then. Just don't push yourself too hard with work these days," Randa's mother finally said. She looked a little relieved after confirming there was no serious problem, though her voice still carried a note of warning.
Randa only nodded in understanding.
Agung and Rizky asked once more if he was really fine before returning to their tasks.
They worked diligently until all one hundred free-range chickens were safely placed inside Randa's coop.
"All done, Randa. They're all in," Rizky said.
Randa nodded with satisfaction and handed Rizky the agreed payment. Rizky initially refused but eventually gave in after Randa insisted.
Agung, meanwhile, calmly accepted his pay without a word. After that, both of them said their goodbyes.
Randa didn't stop them and immediately went off to rest, leaving his parents to inspect the chickens.
Holding his back as he walked home, he couldn't help but groan.
"Ugh… my back really hurts. Is this a sign I need to start exercising?" he muttered to himself.
"After years of working in an office, my body's gotten so weak. And that's even with me drinking Tirtha water so often lately. If I didn't have it… maybe I'd already be stuck in bed…" he thought grimly.
He knew that even though Tirtha water was miraculous and he had experienced its benefits, it wasn't something that could solve everything.
Because of that, Randa began seriously reconsidering how he took care of his own health.
...
That afternoon, Randa was back to selling fried bananas as usual. The line was still long—his fried bananas were delicious and priced affordably for the locals.
While he was busy frying, two little girls who looked almost like twins suddenly ran up and hugged him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Good afternoon, Dad!" Naira exclaimed brightly.
"Afternoon, Dad~" Naila added shyly.
"Oi, oi, step back! How many times has Dad told you not to get too close while I'm frying? You'll get splashed with hot oil."
"It's fine, Dad. We're careful! Right, Naila?"
"Mm-hm… yeah," Naila answered softly.
Randa let out a helpless sigh.
"Alright then, go sit over there for a bit."
"Okay, Dad!" they replied in unison.
Randa returned to frying and serving customers. Once he was finished, he brought over a few pieces of fried banana for the girls.
"Here, eat these. Careful, they're still hot."
"Yay!" They could hardly wait to dig in.
Randa could only smile helplessly.
"You little gluttons, both of you!"
The girls ignored him, too busy munching happily.
When the crowd finally cleared and things grew quieter, Randa glanced at the twins.
Lately, they had always come to his stall. They never missed a chance to call him "Dad," leaving Randa flustered.
He had tried various ways to get them to stop, but nothing worked. Strangely enough, their aunt never objected either.
Randa wondered if it was because she knew he had once saved Naira, and that was why she allowed the children to call him that.
Over time, Randa began to accept the name, even daring to think of himself as their father. He wasn't sure where that courage came from.
"So, how is it? Tasty?" he asked after seeing them finish the fried bananas.
"Super tasty, Dad!" Naira answered enthusiastically.
"Dad. I'll never get tired of your fried bananas," Naila said sincerely.
Randa smiled with satisfaction. He was about to continue the conversation when an idea suddenly struck him. His smile widened, and his eyes sparkled.
"Naira, Naila, want to see something magical?"
"Magical? What is it, Dad?"
"Dad can do magic tricks. Want to see?"
"Really? You can do magic?" Naila asked, doubtful.
"I want to! Show me, Dad!" Naira said, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Alright, watch carefully. See this coin in my hand…"
A shiny silver coin lay on Randa's palm. Once they were focused, he performed a sleight-of-hand trick he hadn't used in years.
In an instant, the coin disappeared.
The girls' eyes widened in shock. Then, following Randa's instructions, they blew on his hand—and suddenly, the coin reappeared.
"Waaah, Dad, that was amazing!" Naila exclaimed.
"Do it again, Dad!" Naira begged.
Randa obliged, performing several more small tricks. With nimble movements, his hands danced near their wrists—without them noticing, their watches had already slipped into Randa's grasp.
When he showed them, the twins gasped at their missing watches.
"Wow, Dad, you're incredible! But Teacher said magic isn't real!" Naila said in awe.
"You're the best, Dad! Teach me too, please! I want to learn magic!" Naira pleaded.
But suddenly, a woman's startled voice rang out.
"AHH!"
Randa and the twins turned to see their aunt standing there, stunned by what she had just witnessed.
Embarrassment washed over Randa under her gaze.
"Auntie, you're here! Did you see Dad's magic trick? It was amazing!"
"Yeah! If I could do magic like Dad, I'd have so many watches because I could take my friends' without them noticing!" Naira said innocently, brimming with excitement.
Randa froze at her words. Why did Naira say that so perfectly, when in truth his tricks really were based on pickpocket techniques?
Meanwhile, their aunt eyed Randa with sharp suspicion. What her niece had said actually made a lot of sense.
"Could this man really be a pickpocket?" she wondered.
Randa, completely unaware of her thoughts, hurriedly explained in a fluster.
"Ahem… no, no, Naira. Dad does magic tricks not to steal. Good children never take what isn't theirs…"
"Uh-huh, okay, Dad. But still, teach me!" Naira insisted, ignoring his warning.
"Alright, I'll teach you later."
"Me too," Naila added softly.
Randa sighed but relented. "Yes, later I'll teach both of you. That way you can show off to your friends."
"Yay! That's great!" Naira cheered.
Naila said nothing, but her sparkling eyes revealed how much she was looking forward to it.
"Okay, I'll teach you when there's time. For now, go home with your aunt—she's already here to fetch you," Randa said.
He handed them a plastic bag filled with leftover fried bananas.
"Here, take these with you."
"Okay, Dad!"
The twins kissed his hand before getting ready to leave.
But their aunt still looked hesitant. Just as they were about to walk off, she finally spoke up, as if unable to hold back.
"Two more fried bananas, please."
Randa blinked in surprise but quickly prepared the extra order.
She sighed in relief. Even asking for something as simple as fried bananas seemed difficult for her. In truth, she had become addicted to Randa's fried bananas lately, but often held herself back.
Soon after, Randa handed her the order.
"Here you go."
"Alright, here's the money," she said, handing over some bills.
Randa accepted the payment and was about to give change when Naira suddenly rushed back, tugged on his arm, and whispered something.
At first Randa hesitated, but when he saw the pleading look in her eyes, he gave in.
Their aunt looked confused at the interaction but ignored it as long as her fried bananas were safe in her hands.
When Randa offered the change, she reached out to take it—only to grab at empty air.
Puzzled, she looked at Randa. His hand was still there, the money clearly visible, unmoved.
"I could've sworn I already took it…"
She tried again but failed. This time she focused, eyes wide, carefully moving to snatch it—but just as she touched it, the money vanished like an illusion, slipping right through her hand.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. She tried again and again, but each attempt failed.
It was just like one of those Turkish ice cream vendors teasing their customers—but this time, it was happening at an Indonesian fried banana stall. Onlookers began to gather, watching curiously.
Naila stared in wonder at her father's skill, while Naira was already laughing uncontrollably at her aunt's expense.
"Hahaha! Auntie, you're so silly~ Dad, you're amazing! I can't wait for you to teach me magic!"
The aunt finally realized she was being played. Her face turned red like a boiled shrimp from embarrassment. Scowling, she snatched the change from Randa's hand with a sour look.
"Hmph! You and your daughters are ganging up to tease me!" she grumbled.
This time, Randa didn't argue and simply let her leave.
For a moment, guilt flickered in his heart, but it quickly faded when he saw his daughters laughing joyfully at their aunt. Without realizing it, a warm smile spread across his face.
Once the girls had left, Randa returned to his work.
By late afternoon, he was finally done and ready to head home. But a notification on his phone stopped him in his tracks.
It was a message from his mother, asking him to buy a few things.
Not thinking much of it, he went straight to the nearest market.
He shopped quickly since the list was short. Oddly enough, even though it was already late, the market was still surprisingly clean—something very unusual.
In less than half an hour, he had everything he needed.
But on his way home, Randa suddenly froze when he saw a massive pile of garbage. Even from a distance, the stench was unbearable.
"Ugh, and here I was just praising this place…" he muttered in irritation.
But then he noticed something strange about the pile.
"Wait… is this really garbage?" he whispered in disbelief as he looked closer.