One More Test [12]

"Mr. Swastika will soon meet both of you, please wait in the living room." Mr. Swastika housekeeper invited Dave and Nico to sit on the big golden sofa.

Dave glanced around the room. He saw an eagle statue made of shiny brown teak wood standing in the corner of the room. A painting of paddy field scenery in the village with female farmers harvesting rice wearing traditional Balinese clothes was hung on the walls and made him dazzled.

His eyes caught the painting of Mr. Swastika's family hung next to the painting of the rice field scenery. They posed in a complete family, Mr. Swastika, his wife, along with Raka and his sister. It seemed that the painting was made several decades ago. Mr. Swastika and his wife were still very young and his children were aged under five. The faces in the painting were familiar to Dave. For a moment, Dave tried to remember. But Dave immediately brushed off his curiosity. There were more important things to get done.

Mr. swastika walked into the room. Dave and Nico stood up and greeted him. Mr. swastika with his high authority allowed them to sit back.

"The purpose of our visit here is to explain what happened at that time between Dave and Raka, Mr. Swastika." Nico opened the conversation.

Without waiting any further, Dave immediately continued Nico's words.

"It's true Mr. Tjok, I want to apologize for my behavior to quarrel with Raka in your family's horse stables on the other day. It happened because I was being overwhelmed with my personal problems and I was not able to forbear the emotions." Dave paused.

"I realized that this was a very unprofessional act because I couldn't separate business and personal affairs. So, I apologize for everything that has happened. I hope I can fix this situation and Mr. Tjok is willing to give the Moreno Family a second chance, especially to me, to reestablish the business cooperation agreement previously agreed upon by both parties." Dave looked deeply into Mr. Swastika's eyes to show his goodwill.

Mr. swastika fell silent for a moment. He watched Dave to find out the sincerity of each word Dave just said. He took a deep breath.

"All right, Dave. I'll give you one more chance. Please take this opportunity as well as possible." Mr. Swastika smiled slightly.

"But, you need to remember, Dave! The business cooperation between our families will never be established if you and Raka can't get along with each other. I want you to fix your relationship with Raka or our business cooperation agreement remains void." Mr. Swastika gave the terms.

"Well Mr. Tjok, I won't disappoint you for the second time." Dave promised to Mr. Swastika.

"Great! Then, see Raka in the backyard immediately. He was finishing his swimming practices this morning." The swastika moved from his seat and soon passed from Dave and Nico's eyes.

Dave and Nico came to the backyard of Mr. Swastika's enormous house. A private Olympic-size swimming pool decorated the backyard of the house. Both of them walked down on the small path through a small park to reach the pool.

Raka swam back and forth several times completing the lane without realizing them coming. Dave and Nico patiently waited for Raka to finish his activities.

"What are your purposes to come here?" Raka climbed onto the pool and picked up a towel to wrap his body. His voice sounded curt.

Dave swallowed. He tried to calm down.

"Please listen to my explanation, Raka! Our purpose here is to apologize for the incident on the other day. I realized I was wrong because I lost my temper. And let it overrode me without thinking of the consequences of my acts. I'm sorry." Dave apologized sincerely.

"You know, Dave. That time, you almost attacked me in my own house. That's tantamount to a great insult to Mr. Swastika's family! How dare you to come to visit but then to hit me!" Raka's tone shook with anger.

"You're right, Raka. I should've not done so. Tell me what I have to do to fix my mistake. Whatever I'll do for a good relationship with your family." Dave asked softly.

"Hmm ..." Raka thought while tapping his chin.

"What's your biggest fear, Dave?" Raka looked at Dave closely.

"What do you mean, Raka?" Dave's expression showed confusion.

"Just answer my question, Dave!" Raka Impatiently urged Dave to answer.

"Umm ... I was drowned in the pool when I was a kid. So, up to now, I have aquaphobia." Dave admitted his weakness.

Raka grinned. His eyes flashed meaningfully. Fortunately, he thought. Time to give lessons to Dave.

He then walked to the deepest part of the pool. Once he got the edge of the pool, he removed the ring he wore on the middle finger of his right hand and threw it to the bottom of the pool.

"That is an heirloom ring of Swastika Family. My father gave it to me. He got it from my grandfather. And so on. It has been granted from generation to generation for seven generations." Raka pointed at the sparkling gold ring that was now at the bottom of the pool.

"Show your keenness and your efforts to establish the business relationship with our family. Take the heirloom ring and give it back to me. That way I'll forgive you, Dave." Raka smiled a little half-forced.

Dave was stunned and not able to believe what he just heard.

"But Raka ... You've already known that I have aquaphobia..." Dave stammered while answering Raka's request.

"So, you meant to surrender?" Raka mocked Dave. It was too easy for Dave to give up, Raka felt joy.

"That's not what I meant, Raka. The Moreno family never gave up on any situation. Good! I'll do it!" Dave took off his shirt and shoes, he left his jeans attaching to his body and walked to the side of the pool where the ring was.

"Be careful, Dave! I'm sure you can do it!" Nico motivated his best friend while being on guard when Dave needed his help.

Dave sat down by the pool and slowly he went down to the pool while still holding on to the side of the pool. He felt his feet didn't rest on the bottom of the pool. Dave tried to fumble with his feet trying to figure out the depth of the pool. He saw the golden ring of Swastika family lying at the bottom of the pool shimmering as if calling Dave to take it.

"What are you waiting for Dave? Are you scared? The depth of the swimming pool is only about two meters. Not too deep for your height." Mocked Raka shrugging Dave's heart.

Dave closed his eyes and steadied his heart.

You can do it, Dave. Make your father proud.

Dave took a deep breath and began swimming to dive into where the ring was. The panic began to appear as he recalled the incident he had drowned when he was a child. Suddenly, he felt his chest pounding, his body suddenly stiffed unable to move, but he still forced himself to reach the ring.

A little more, Dave, a little more.

Dave encouraged himself as his hands and feet moved in all directions to spur his body closer to the bottom of the pool.

He grabbed the ring with his left hand and immediately put it on the middle finger of his right hand. After that, he let his body floating onto the surface of the pool. Dave poked to the surface of the pool with a gasping breath and with the last remnants of his power he tried to swim to the edge of the pool. It had been uncounted how much water he had swallowed, but Dave didn't care about it. He tried to reach the edge with all his might. Nico managed to hold Dave's hand when he reached the edge of the pool and pulled Dave's body just before Dave was limp and lying helpless.

"Bravo, Dave! Bravo!" Raka clapped his hands.

"I never thought you would fight for the ring and conquer your greatest fear. You deserve to be called the Moreno family who is famous for never give up. And Swastika family will gladly continue the business cooperation agreement with your family." Raka stretched out his hand to help Dave wake up.

Dave got up and sat weakly by the side of the pool. He was still breathless and exhausted.

"Thank you Raka for the opportunity you gave to me." Dave showed a look of relief.

Daddy would love to hear it. He imagined his father smiled happily on Dave's head.

Dave tried to catch his breath. He suddenly remembered something.

"If I may ask for help again, I need your help to find Annisa. For more than three days, she has disappeared. I think the connections that your family have can help me find her." Dave took a deep breath.

"I know you really love Annisa. I do love her, too. Later on, if Annisa would prefer you instead of me, I'd give in and go back to Mexico as soon as possible. The most important thing is I can find her. Annisa's safety is prominent." Dave looked at Raka sadly.

"What! Annisa disappeared? Why didn't you say so? Then, what are you waiting for? Let's hurry to find her!" Raka suddenly got panic when he heard the news about Annisa.