Chapter 27: Outside the Palace Complex
27.1 Auntie Samirah's Eatery(Kedai Makcik Samirah)
That day, Rizky and his friends decided to take a break from their usual training routine at the palace. They wanted to enjoy the outside atmosphere, strolling around while looking for a simple yet appetizing place to eat.
The sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze blew gently, making their steps feel light. After passing through a few small streets, they finally arrived at Auntie Samirah's Eatery, a food stall well-known among students and travelers. Besides its delicious food, the prices were budget-friendly. The eatery was strategically located near the palace complex and a mosque, making it a favorite spot to relax before or after prayers.
As soon as they stepped inside, the rich aroma of peanut sauce from gado-gado and the tantalizing scent of freshly fried snacks greeted them. However, there was one small problem.
"The rice is finished, dear," Auntie Samirah said from behind the cashier's counter.
Rayan immediately smacked his forehead. "Oh no, my stomach is starving, Auntie…" he groaned with an exaggerated expression of despair.
"But I still have gado-gado. And there are plenty of fried snacks left," Auntie continued with a warm smile.
They exchanged glances for a moment. Then, Ahmad shrugged. "No problem, we'll eat whatever's available."
"That's right. Besides, Auntie's fried snacks are top-notch," Zikri chimed in, pulling out a chair and taking a seat.
After placing their orders, they began enjoying their meals. Auntie Samirah's special gado-gado was incredibly flavorful, paired with hot, crispy fried tempeh, stuffed tofu, and vegetable fritters.
"I've never eaten this many fried snacks before," Ahmad said, rubbing his increasingly full stomach.
"How many did you eat?" Qadir asked curiously.
"Eight," Ahmad answered proudly, holding up eight fingers.
Qadir chuckled. "I only had five."
Ahmad glanced over at Rizky, who was calmly enjoying his meal. "Looks like Rizky ate the least."
"How many did you have, Riz?" Ahmad asked, nudging Rizky's shoulder.
Rizky gave a small smile. "Just four."
"What?! That's so little! You don't like them?" Ahmad asked in surprise.
"I do. They're really good," Rizky replied, taking a sip of his iced tea before continuing. "I just ate a lot this morning, so I'm not too hungry now."
Ahmad nodded, then pointed at Rayan and Zikri. "Look at those two."
Qadir followed his gaze and chuckled. "Like robots. They haven't stopped chewing."
Ahmad burst out laughing at that, while Rizky just smiled.
"I wonder how many they've eaten," Qadir mused.
"No idea. But I bet it's more than all of us combined," Ahmad replied.
Sure enough, Rayan and Zikri had each devoured more than ten fried snacks. They savored every bite, completely unbothered by their friends' comments.
At the next table, Auntie Samirah, who was tidying up some food containers, chuckled as she watched their antics.
"If you like my fried snacks that much, you can take some home," she teased.
Rayan grinned widely. "Of course, Auntie! Your fried snacks are second to none."
"The taste never changes. Always amazing," Zikri added, grabbing the last piece from his plate.
"That's great to hear. If you like them, come again tomorrow," Auntie said, pleased.
After feeling full and sharing plenty of laughter, they got ready to head back to the palace. That day, despite the simple meal, their time together at Auntie Samirah's Eatery was truly enjoyable.
Little did they realize that these small moments would one day become cherished memories—about friendship, about happiness found in the simplest of things.
27.2 Honesty
Auntie Samirah's Eatery(Kedai Makcik Samirah)
After finishing their meal, Rizky was about to stand up and take out his wallet, but Rayan quickly stopped him.
"No need, Rizky. I'll treat all of you today," Rayan said with a wide smile, full of confidence.
Rizky frowned. "Eh, are you serious, Yan?"
Ahmad immediately chimed in. "Wow, you're amazing, Rayan. Since when did you become this generous?" he asked, holding back a laugh.
"Eh, don't say it like that! I've been kind-hearted since birth," Rayan replied playfully.
"You don't have to trouble yourself, Rayan. Let me pay instead," Rizky said, trying to insist.
However, Rayan crossed his arms and looked at Rizky seriously. "I already said I'll pay. Don't you trust me?"
Seeing how determined Rayan was, Rizky finally gave in. "Alright then. Thank you, Yan."
Rayan grinned with satisfaction. "Now that's more like it."
A moment later, Rizky stood up. "I'm heading to the mosque first. You guys catch up later."
"Oh yeah, be careful on the way," Ahmad called out, while the others nodded.
After Rizky left, Rayan went straight to the cashier. "Makcik, how much is everything?"
Makcik Samirah smiled warmly. "Try listing everything you ordered, and I'll count it for you."
Rayan nodded and began listing. "Five gado-gado, eight pieces of fried snacks, and five iced sweet teas."
Makcik nodded as she calculated in her head. "Alright, the total is BND 30."
However, the moment she said that, Qadir and Ahmad immediately turned to Rayan with confused expressions.
"Wait… how many fried snacks did you say?" Qadir asked carefully, trying to confirm.
"Eight," Rayan answered casually.
Ahmad frowned. "Eight in total for all of us? Not just you?"
Zikri, who had been silent the whole time, covered his mouth with his hand, trying to hold back laughter.
Qadir sighed deeply. "Astaghfirullah, Rayan. You should've estimated better!"
Rayan just smiled widely, trying to change the topic. "Eh, what's with you guys? Come on, quickly say thank you to Makcik."
In the end, they paid and left the shop, though some of them were still not over Rayan's antics.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the shop, a middle-aged man who had been observing them shook his head, watching Rayan's little 'miscalculation' with the fried snacks.
He smiled slightly, as If saying to himself, "Young man, honesty shouldn't wait until you're rich."
On the Way to the Mosque
Rayan and his friends hurried to catch up to the mosque, where Rizky was already performing the Zuhr prayer.
On the way, they were still caught up in a small debate. Qadir, who had been feeling uneasy about what had happened at Kedai Makcik Samirah, finally spoke up.
"Rayan, we can't do things like that. It's not right. It's a sin, you know!" Qadir said, his tone full of warning.
Rayan remained silent, not responding immediately. He knew Qadir was right, but his ego held him back from admitting his mistake.
"That's true, Qadir," Ahmad added, pressing further. "You said we only ate eight fried snacks? I alone already ate eight! And you ate more than ten yourself. Don't you feel bad for Makcik?"
Rayan let out a long sigh. "So what now? It's already done. If I go back, I'll be embarrassed."
Ahmad shook his head. "Then let us go back and pay for the rest," he suggested.
"Eh, no need," Zikri quickly interjected. "What's done is done. No matter how much we discuss it, we can't change the past."
The atmospheree grew silent for a moment. Rayan looked at his friends seriously, then spoke in a low voice, "Alright, tomorrow I'll go back and apologize to Makcik Samirah myself."
Qadir still seemed doubtful, staring at Rayan with suspicion. "Are you really going to do it? Don't just make empty promises."
Rayan took a deep breath. "InshaAllah," he answered, this time with more certainty.
They finally arrived at the mosque and took their ablution before performing the Zuhr prayer. Even though the argument from earlier still lingered in their minds, at least they all agreed on one thing—mistakes had to be corrected, even if it took courage to do so.