Agile

A Battle

Syahmi is sitting under a tree at the edge of the Taman Bakti Jaya field. Specifically, a huge tree. It was quite hot that evening. His orange T-shirt and a pair of tracksuit that he usually wears are getting soaked with sweat. The wind also blew strongly sometimes, messing up his hair.

The clock shows it's 5.30 in the evening. He watches Fareez while his hand trying to pluck the innocent grass. His friend looks like he's worried. Walking to the left, then to the right. Sometimes he take out his glasses and wipe it on his shirt. Sometimes the bark of the tree is used as his punching bag. Buk! Buk! Buk!

"Fareez wth is wrong with you?" asked Syahmi, breaking the awkward silence.

Fareez turned towards him, then facing infront again. "Detective Hazim is always late! I'm getting hungry." replied Fareez.

"Bruh, when there's food infront of you, you don't even complaint about him being late. Just be patient, he'll arrive soon." Fareez combed his hair using his hand then sat beside Syahmi. He sighed.

Fareez then pokes Syahmi at the waist who is staring at the vast, green field while plucking some grass. "Syahmi, actually what's your plan now? I don't understand."

"I want to know about that. About my father. I will not stop until I know what happened to him. If he is still out there, I hope I can still meet him. This whole time, I've never got a clue about his whereabouts, but since yesterday..."

"You believe that guy, Syahmi? He just came saying he's an ex-detective then talking about an underground tournament that even we don't know if that thing even exists. Don't you think he's trying to use you? Maybe he's like a serial killer or something?"

Syahmi laughed after hearing Fareez's sceptical explanation.

"One more thing. Don't you think it's weird?"
"What's weird?"
"Yeah, after he said he knows about your dad and what happened to him, then he got a phone call. When he hung up, he says he needs to go, 'urgent'. That excuse is cliche, Syahmi." replied Fareez sternly.

"I don't know. If he lies that's none of my business. What's important now he may know about my dad whereabouts. Maybe that's better rather than not knowing at all. He knows about the death spin. If I got scammed, I'll find my own way to live. If you wanna join, OK. If you don't wanna, that's also OK." replied Syahmi.

Fareez smiled after hearing Syahmi's response. They have been through many challenges together. Always motivating eachother in many situations. They are never awkward together. "Are you crazy? I'll not let you fight alone! If something happens to you, who will get the price? Me of course!" Fareez punched weakly at Syahmi's left shoulder.

"Whatever. You don't have the guts to leave your childhood friend fighting alone huh?" Syahmi smirked before laughing.

They both laughed. But then their focus is towards a silver Toyota Vios stopping right behind Syahmi's black Myvi. A man wearing a black shirt goes out from the driver's seat. Detective Hazim.

"Hello. Sorry for being late again. And thanks for waiting patiently." talked him after Syahmi and Fareez stood up to greet him. "So, Syahmi. You accept my offer?" Detective Hazim straight to the point.

"Before I give any answers, can I know if I can trust you?" replied Syahmi. "How do I know if you are really a detective. Not a liar?"

Detective Hazim laughed. "Okay, that's quite hard. Cause I don't have my badge anymore. Nor a pistol. What if I say I knew your dad. Is that enough proof? To gain your trust?"

"You... know my dad, right?" Syahmi is curious.

Detective Hazim nodded. "Why? You really don't trust me? Or..." He looks directly at Syahmi. "...you're afraid to fight? Afraid to be a killer?"

That question is like trying to challenge Syahmi. Fareez who is standing beside him was also stunned.

"Detective.. please, no." Fareez tried to stop Detective Hazim.

"No, Fareez. Yeah. He's right." Syahmi looked to the right. Looking at the field again. "Yes. Yes I am afraid. After the incident, everytime I need to fight, I'll get scared. Like during the night where the thieves tried to rob the cafe. I'm not afraid if I'm injured or killed, I'm afraid if I'll become the killer. You're detective right? You must kill some people. What do you feel when you first killed someone?"

Syahmi stared at both his palms. "Or did you never experienced that? Dae Hoon is a human. He has friends, family, a future. When he's dead, all of those are gone."

"I watched your match last year. It's not like I don't know. Even I experienced what you felt. If your father knows about this, he must feel very sad about you! You're gonna stop fighting because of an accident?! It's up to you. You're the one paying the price."

Syahmi's eyes opened wide. "That wasn't an accident." replied Syahmi. Fareez faced towards him with lots if curiosity. "He made me mad. I don't know but I've never felt that mad before in my whole life! I'm the one who killed him. But noone knows."

Syahmi's in a dilemma. Detective Hazim on the other hand just smiled.

"What if we make a deal?"
"Deal? What deal?"

"It's like this. What if we fight? Sparring. If you win, you don't have to help me. You don't have to fight anymore and you don't have to join he tournament. I'll tell you about your father. You search for him with your own ways. But if you lose, you must help me." explained Detective Hazim. Syahmi is one tough guy. Just like his dad.

"Where? When?"

Detective Hazim smiled. Just like his dad. I thought so. "Now. Whoever falls down three times, loses." Syahmi seems worried. "Why? You're scared?" Detective Hazim challenged him all of a sudden.

Syahmi shooked. He removes his slippers and moves toward Detective Hazim. "Can we start now?" Syahmi reacts immediately after Detective Hazim nodded. You want some? Come get some!

One kick is released to Detective Hazim's head. Almost reaching the target. Papp! His leg is caught. His other leg on the ground is kicked causing him to fall down. Detective Hazim asked him to get back up.

"I really didn't see that one coming. Never mind. But that count as a fall right?" Detective Hazim smirked. No signs of ready to fight. But he's agile.

Syahmi stood up. Lots of kicks are released. Once. Twice. Thrice. All of them are avoided. The fourth kick is caught, twisted. Syahmi's body turned around before falling to the ground. Bukk!

Syahmi is laying on the ground. Then he stood back up. This time he's more cautious. Eyes meeting eachother. Syahmi tried to tackle. Detective Hazim chuckled. He's used to this. He's a proffesional.

Syahmi jumped forward. His right leg kicking. Almost getting caught by Detective Hazim again. Managed to avoid. He is not used to fighting with an opponent who practises avoiding and locking attacks.

He tried again. His left leg trying to kick Detective Hazim's stomach. Caught. This is my chance! Syahmi jumped. His right leg managed to kick Detective Hazim's head.

Bukk! It's a hit. He's laying on the ground. Syahmi smirked. Detective Hazim stood back up again, wiping the dirt off his shirt. Detective Hazim smiled proudly.

Syahmi tried to attack again. Right leg kicking. Detective Hazim ducked. Syahmi continued his kick using his left leg. Right at Detective Hazim's stomach. He's pushed backwards. Syahmi made a quick reaction. Poww!

Death spin.

Arghh! Detective Hazim rolled onto the ground. The impact damage can still be felt even though he covered his head with his hands. Detective Hazim endured the pain. Stood back up.

"Good try. You're getting the hang out of this. But it ain't over until it's over!" Detective Hazim is punching his left hand. Ready to fight.

Syahmi approaches. Pap! Pap! Pap! Pap! All of his attacks are avoided using his muscular hands. Syahmi raised his leg. Trying to kick. It didn't make it.

Bukk!

An uppercut from below hit directly at Syahmi's chin. A technic called low hammercut by Detective Hazim. Syahmi fell down. Face first to the ground.

He lost.