Chapter 1 : Moving Out

Inside a neat looking house, a youth could be seen in one of the rooms. The room was filled with sunlight coming from the window. The youth was basking in the sunlight as if he was being caressed by it. He was unpacking some stuff from a cardboard box. There were so many of them but it seemed like it was about to be finished.

“Whew, I think this should be the last one,” Said the youth while gently wiping the dust in his hand.

The youth stood up and looked at the window. He smiled while seeing the quiet and relaxing scenery from his room.

“Finally I am going to live alone, I can’t always bother uncle Romi. His family has always been very nice to me. Now that I am starting my college, I need to face everything myself.” Said the youth, his face showing resoluteness.

He looked at the clock he just put above his desk. He seemed to realized something and quickly put on his hoodie, preparing to leave.

…

After about an hour driving his old magne-bike, the youth arrived in front of a house. The house was built nicely, with a hint of what seemed to be the newest technology appliances, such as magnetic receiver and automatic house control.

Just when he was about to hit the bell, the door opened and a group of people with a happy expression carrying a birthday cake came out.

“Happy Birthday Raka!” they shouted. It could be seen that the group consisted of a middle-aged man with a woman that looked like his wife and a girl with a face that resembled both of them.

Raka acted like he was surprised and smiled. He knew it would happen. Though, his smile was genuine. He really was happy.

“Hahaha thanks, all of you, you don’t need to trouble yourself to prepare something like this. I am already 18 you know.” Said the youth smilingly.

“What are you talking about? You are OUR family member. Don’t tell me that because now you started living by yourself you don’t recognize us as your family?” Said the middle-aged man. He had a big and sturdy body. Everyone could see that he was a martial artist or some sorts.

“Of course not, uncle Romi. I am really happy, you see?” Raka showed his smile to them, if someone was looking at him carefully, they could see the tears that swelled at the side of his eyes.

“I know that you had no friend, that’s why we prepared all of this for you. Don’t you know how much effort we put into making this surprise for you?” said the girl teasingly.

“Yes, I know Nina, you are the most caring young sister that I have,” said Raka while patting the girl’s head.

The girl has a small build but her big eyes were very beautiful and pure. She seemed like a cute and innocent young girl whose smile could captivate many young men. She was his cousin but after all this year he grew accustomed to calling her his young sister.

“Hahaha, enough all of you. Let's come inside, we can’t let the food get cold. Let's continue the talk while eating” said the woman. She was a bit old, but her smile still radiating the maturity that she accumulated over the year.

…

The table was filled with a wide variety of food. There were fried chickens, fried vegetables, beef stew, and much more. The ‘family’ of four were eating and happily chatting.

“Raka, now that you start living alone, I can’t help remember the day I brought you here the first time. You were very young back then. Don’t you remember, Mira?” said uncle Romi, while sipping his tea.

“I still remember that time. Your eyes were very cold. Who could think that an eight years old boy could have such expression? It took us nearly a year before you start smiling” said the woman.

“It was a very hard time for me. My parents died and I lost my memories. Then those dirty relatives are using me to get my parents’ inheritance. I was young but I knew that I have to start keeping my guard from then on. Luckily, you brought me here Uncle Romi, Aunt Mira” said Raka.

He was smiling but those who knew him could see the cold glint in his eyes when he was talking about his relatives.

“Well, it was in the past. I used to be scared of you but now you are my perfect big brother” said Nina while hugging his arm.

“Hahaha that’s true, let’s talk about happy things. I have to congratulate you for being admitted to your dream college. I knew you were really smart. Looks like you really inherit your parents’ gene.” Said Uncle Romi while laughing.

Raka nodded, he knew that it was really hard to get accepted into his university. It was one of the best in Bandung and entire Indonesia. It took him a lot of time and effort studying and analyzing the tests’ patterns.

“Thank you, uncle, now that you mention it, Nina should really work hard to get accepted next year.” Hearing Raka’s words, Nina glared daggers at him. It looks like she was really avoiding the matter.

“Hu! That’s not fair! You are putting a lot of pressure on me.” Said Nina while pouting.

“You have to know, If not for the tests’ preparation, I would have started playing 'Maya' by now. Everyone said that it’s the most anticipated game this decade. And now I am stuck with these books and exercises.” She said dejectedly.

Maya was the biggest virtual reality’s recent breakthrough. It was a virtual reality game that boasted 99% reality to the players. With newest brainwave sensors, it could detect and transmits the best playing experience one could ever wish for. They said that people could really experience the feeling of second life and adventures there.

The first batch of the equipment, ‘The Helmet’, were being sold last week with a staggering amount of hundred thousand copy at major cities across Indonesia. Those helmets were sold out only a day after they were released. From this, everyone could see the anticipation of the masses who were eager to try the second life experience.

And that night would be the date of the server opening!

“Hahaha that’s my daughter, you have to understand the weight of life! How about you, Raka? Aren’t you eager to play as well?” asked Uncle Romi.

“I am. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll have the time to play. Besides, the helmet is very expensive. I can still afford it but it’s better for me to use the money for other essential things.” Raka shook his head.

Suddenly, everyone grinned after hearing his answer. Raka knew something was wrong but he couldn’t figure it out. He supposed that it was their way of teasing his old-schooled mind.

Everyone knew that Raka was a calculating person. He always weighed the pros and cons countless times before deciding on something.

There was a time when he cried. It was when he bought the magne-bike and a 20% discount suddenly showed up the next month. He grieved for a full day. Then, he came out from his room and said that it was God’s way of telling him not to act recklessly and be tempted by desire.

Still, everyone thought that he was just being a miser.

…

After arriving at his boarding house, he was surprised to see that there was a package lying in front of his room. He took the package and read it to see who the package was for.

To : Mr. Raka Putra

He was a bit surprised. He didn’t order anything from the Net-Shop. This package must be sent from somewhere else, he thought.

“Well, it sure is for me, I hope it’s not a prank or something”.

He brought the package into his room and start tearing the case. He opened the wrapping, layer by layer.

Then he noticed something shocking.

He rubbed his eyes twice and still couldn’t believe it.

“Holy shit! This is.. ‘Maya Helmet Set’…” Raka was astonished, he never thought that this thing would come out from the seemingly plain package.

He quickly searched the package for any clue, then he noticed that the package comes with a letter attached to it. He hurriedly opened it.

..

To : Raka

How was our present? Took you by surprise, right? Hahaha.

Truth to be told, we suddenly received this set from the company. They said it was a present for us because we got selected as a lucky household to try the virtual reality game. It was one of their marketing moves, they said.

In our ten years living together, we rarely gave you present. That was why when I got this, I immediately thought about you.

I think I’m too old to play games, that goes the same for Mira. Nina will be busy preparing the tests. There is no reason for me to not give this set to you.

We know your personality. You would never buy this using your money. That’s why this is perfect for you. We just hope that you wouldn’t sell it hahaha.

Don’t forget to study and do your responsibilities. Do your best in college. Never hesitate to come home if you couldn’t endure the hardships of living alone.

Uncle Romi, Aunt Mira, and Nina.

Your Family.

..

Tears swelled in Raka’s eyes. It was wonderful to know that his relatives showed that much concern to him. He already knew that his uncle’s family cared a lot about him. That alone was enough reason for him to stop bothering them.

He knew that he already received a lot of kindness.

Raka picked the box containing the Helmet Set and silently thought,

"Now that you are mine, let’s see how you could bring me a second life."