Alinea: Ideas, Love, and Stories

AN UNDESTULY FRIEND

“Mama!”

That day, Mama did not come to school because of her work at the Hospital. I remember exactly how I ran out of the school gate. Pick up a passing taxi, shed tears inside the taxi then walk quickly to Mama's study at the Hospital.

He's not in the room. With puffy eyes and a wet face, I met the nurse, asking about Mama.

“Doctor Vena is examining patients in the Angrek.” room

“Thank you, Sus.”

Walk fast, read sign by sign. Although I often visited Mama at the Hospital, but I still have not mastered the room by room at the Hospital, only Mama's workspace that I memorized.

“Alin? What's up, honey? You why?” Mama who at that time just closed the door in the hallway of the Orchid room looked surprised to find my call. Maybe he was also surprised to see my messy appearance. Especially when I scatter and choose to hug him without a word. Make Mama rush off the hug and repeat the question.

“Alin wants to change schools, Ma.”

“Moving School? Wh why? Not in Junior High you now have a friend? Seena, Rumi, and Defi are fine, Kan?”

I'm shaking.

“Let's go to Mama's room, you have to tell me everything.”

Mama walked quickly to her room, I was excited to follow in Mama's footsteps.

That day, in Mama's study, all my secrets were exposed. About Seena and her friends.

First and second grade they are good, really good. However, I don't know why in the third grade they are so evil.

“We are third grade, Sen, you have to learn to do your own PR.”

Maybe that was the beginning of Seena's change of attitude. Ever since I said that, she has been looking at me with a dislike. He also often leaves me in class alone during break time. Rumi and Defi follow Seena.

“Seena, your PR is done? Do I want to lend it? I've made it.” I'm still trying to be nice to Seena and her friends even though they're starting to get away from me. Their attitude changed since the beginning of third grade, I never told Mama. Hopefully, that attitude is only the attitude of friends who sulk for a moment.

Instead of accepting my offer, that morning Seena showed her real face. The face I saw once when I first met Seena, the haughty face with the line of lips drawn was not symmetrical.

“Don't be your good-ass, Lin. We know you're smart and a class champion, but you don't have to be arrogant. We can make our own PR.”

“Ho so, good if you can already make your own PR.” I replied innocently, putting on a smile sign that did not intend to extend the bad relationship. I want to be their friend again.

“Ah yes, Lin, you want to know one secret no?”

Seena looked around, I followed the direction of her eyes. Looks like the students in the class have noticed us like watching a ball game, very serious.

“At the time of MOS, my pit was not less one, complete. I deliberately asked to be punished for seeing you punished.”

I don't get it.

“Alinea Ghita, son of doctor Vein. The arrogant doctor who didn't save my mother's life. That bad doctor killed my mother. Your mother, Alin. When I was 10 years old, ever since that incident, I promised to take revenge on that incompetent, arrogant doctor. Destiny restores, I accidentally found the name of doctor Vena when scrambling the file of new students at this school. You know my Papa is the owner of this Foundation, I can access everything.”

My chest's tight. My heart rhythm is unstable. Getting tighter when in between the pauses of Seena's long sentence.

“I never intended to be your friend, Lin. I wanted to destroy you from the beginning, but apparently you are a diligent child and smart enough, very good to use.” She smiled back with a sickening smile, making my hand want to squeeze her mouth.

“Congratulations, you have been patient enough for us to take advantage of all this time. House chores, group chores, even delivering food while in the cafeteria, you do well. Ah if you do not refuse to give your PR some time ago, maybe you can be our lackey until the final exam.” Seena laughing.

“Take care if you don't want to be the months of this school for the next year, Alin.”

I think what Seena said was just bullshit. Turns out he really made me a bundle of materials. Several times he and his two loyal followers locked me in the bathroom until I was late following the lesson, then he also had time to make me spill food in the cafeteria. To this day, the peak that can no longer afford endurance.

Seena and Senior Brother who were punishing us at that time, they were apparently a plot.

“Hai, Alinea, how are you? Remember Brother?” Seior's brother wears a free uniform, he graduated last year. I don't know what to do when I come to school. There may be needs to be taken care of.

I was eating alone in the cafeteria. Seeing the senior brother I had forgotten his name say hello made me feel choked. Especially when Seena, Rumi and Defi come along. Then the senior brother wrapped his hands around Seena's shoulders, they looked very familiar. In the past, when I was Seena's best friend, when the brother was still in school here, they weren't. It looks exactly opposite.

Seena, Rumi, and Defi, the three of them did manage to deceive me raw.

“The fruit fell not far from the tree, Sen. His mother was arrogant and her son, look, arrogant so much that he did not want to reply to his senior.”

I immediately took the glass that was in front of me. No matter the content is juice liquid. Throw it into the sharp-mouthed senior Brother's face. He can insult me, but I don't like him bullying Mama.

“Do not insult My Mom.”

They laugh. The whole canteen is boisterous.

The senior brother grabbed my hair. At that time I still had long hair on one. The snatch! Then Rumi, the woman I used to know plainly poured a line of water on my head. To my surprise, looking at Rumi in disbelief, she smiled.

“Don't think I'd be so kind to you, Alin. From the beginning I was the one who challenged Seena to make you a part of us.”

I can't stand it. Of all the words they ever said. I felt so sick hearing the words Rumi said. Moreover the way he uttered, flat with his sinless face.

Run, I immediately ran away from the canteen. No matter their cheer. I went to a class that was a few buildings away from the cafeteria. Run, pass the teacher room and almost hit Bu Sofia, yet Bu Sofia said hello, I've darted. Exit gate. And in Mama's study, all those stories finally spilled out.

Seena, Rumi, and Defi I want to hate you guys. However, every time I see Lea and her friends, miss it sneaking quietly for you guys. Ah, stupid me.

***

“You why is so insistent that you want me to be my friend?”

Shaka and I ate in the cafeteria together. It's been almost a month since Shaka became my friend, so I've gotten used to the noise. Yeah, he's a chatty fuck. I thought all this time that chatter can only be owned by a girl, apparently, a guy se cool Shaka who is very sweet when on stage, can be chatty too.

I'm also used to eating alone with Shaka in the cafeteria. At first it was quite uncomfortable because many pairs of eyes were looking, especially when I accidentally found my class spy in tenth grade, they seemed to look strange. However, the more days, they have started it could. Especially when Shaka had started to wear this school uniform in the second week he attended school, making many pairs of eyes no longer look at us.

It's just that, Danar had said, “Cie, now already have a friend yes. That's what girlfriend is?”

Danar didn't dare tease me because in X class I was so cute. Danar became a victim of my carelessness during group work. However, now he had dared to say so ever since I started getting close to Shaka. That's what he said when we accidentally passed. When she said demian, Shaka was right next to me, but she just stumbled and walked on.

“Kan I told you, I don't really like starting relationships with strangers.”

“About me a stranger? Have we never known him before?”

“Asing no stranger to me it's standard not know not know, Lin. If I had met Danar earlier than you, I would not have asked to be your friend. Maybe I'll pick a table with Danar and bid to be friends with him.”

“You're weird.”

“Slightly. Everyone has their own strange side. You yourself are also strange, it has been a year of school here, but since the beginning I never saw you as someone.” He instantly continued when my eyebrows were clutched, “friends, I mean. Usually, girls like to group. See deh.” He directed a glance at the expanse of students that filled the canteen that afternoon.

“Mummer girls group?”

I saw what Shaka wanted to show. I am also aware of this fact.

There's no word I want to say. Denying it was also free, a month I knew Shaka, another point about him was that he was indisputable.

“Ah yes, I have another reason why I want to be your friend.”

“Other reasons?” I stared at Shaka's astonishment. He did not answer directly. Preceding the feed of Noodles that he had chopped a moment ago. I had to wait for him to chew.

“I'll tell you sometime. Suddenly I forgot.” He smiled, putting on a sinless face.

Ah I forgot the main point about Shaka, he sucks!

***

“Alin, instead of taking transportation online, mending home with me yuk.” Shaka aligned his steps as we left the classroom. Last month, I went home on online transport. My mom is busy in the hospital. Ah but, since High School, I will indeed go home more often by online transportation than at Mama's pick-up, because the location of this High School and Mama Hospital is opposite direction, because the location of this High School and Mama Hospital is opposite, also will make Mama go back and forth when you have to pick up and then return to the hospital.

Even so, sometimes, when there is loose time, Mama also took the time to pick me up. Usually we will also enjoy culinary together before going home, then Mama will return to the hospital. Or sometimes when the clock comes home Mama fast, Mama will also pick me up. Like today, since this morning Mama has been repeating the information that she will pick me up.

“I picked up Mama kok.”

“Wah, if so I have to acquaintance with your Mama.Udah a month so your meeting will I have never met your Mama.”

“Eh?”

Shaka looked excited, his smile wide. He even went down the stairs while humming. I just followed him, half worried. I'm afraid Mama doesn't like Shaka, I don't know, I guess Mama won't like Shaka. Hopefully that feeling is wrong.

Shaka actually accompanied me in front of the gate. It had been half an hour since the bell went home, the school was also almost empty. Mama hasn't come yet.

“Mama you really want to pick you up, right?”

I haven't had a chance to say, a white Pajero passed by, turned around, then stopped right in front of us. Mama rolled down the windshield, smiled at me and apologized for being late. Then Mama turned to Shaka, her face flat. I can't guess Mama likes it or not on Shaka.

“Halo, Aunt. I...” Shaka has not finished his sentence. However, Mama first talk, “Alin come on, Mama has not had lunch nih.”

I was in a daze for a while. Not ready to look towards Shaka. Feel bad. Mama's call just now clearly shows how Mama rejected Shaka's presence.

“Buruan, Lin. I'm back first yes.” Shaka broke my bench. He can still smile broadly. Salut, I know for a fact that it's not a real smile, because I often bring up a similar smile.

Although without a sound, I clearly say, “Sorry yes.”

Shaka nodded. It means he can read the movement of my lips. Hope so.

“Tante, Shaka says yes.” Oh, my God, he can still say hello to Mama back. I saw Mama just looking at her, but not smiling.

Shaka left, re-entered the school. I saw his back getting farther and closer to the school parking lot on the right wing near the IPS building.

“Who is that guy?”

I'm sorry to let Shaka say hello to Mama. I should have known Mama better. Along the way to the house, ah not even we have to stop at a restaurant first because Mama has not had lunch. The clock was 3:33 and Mama had not had lunch.

Along the way, plus lunch time, Mama asked me about Shaka. I've been telling you the truth about Shaka. About us who are my friends. But Mama actually said, “Your new class wali Miss Regan right?”

I'm nodding.

“Oke, Mama will contact Miss Regan, ask the boy to move seats, if need to move classes, or maybe change schools again.”

“Mama.” Unintentionally my tone of voice slightly raised, making Mama shocked. I myself am no less surprised.

“You're not defending that boy, are you?”

I'm silent. Trying to control myself.

“Alinea, you are horrified Mama yes, first, your duty to school is just to learn. You don't have to be friends with anyone. They will only make you not focus on learning. And Mama also does not want the events during your Junior High to happen again. Second, Shaka or whoever that guy is, Mama doesn't want you to be friends with guys, it's not good for your future survival. There's no pure friendship between a guy and a girl, Alin. Mama doesn't want you to have monkey love. You can feel love later when you are successful, Understand?”

I'm still quiet. The word for word Mama said was too long. My brain is unable to digest it.

“Alin, you understand?”

“Paham, Mom. But let Alin alone talk to Miss Regan, Alin does not feel good if Mama has to intervene. Mama believes in Alin, right?”

Mama then nodded. Then spend the rest of the rice on the plate, while I continue to spend a glass of Dutch eggplant juice. I didn't eat because I was still full of meatballs that I ate during my lunch break.

My brain was thinking hard about Shaka. Should I cut off a new friendship for the corn?

There is a rejection in my heart. Especially when remembering the moment when Shaka gave a letter that contained: So friend or girlfriend? If you refuse to be friends, then we are dating. I'll announce to one school that we're dating.

The words that made me finally agree to Shaka's invitation. Because it is lazy if you have to make this drama bigger. Especially looking at Shaka who seems not impossible will do what he says.

Shaka's face was very carefree when I gave him a reply letter with the words: Okay, we're ready.

I could see his smile was wide and sincere. The sincerity I found in her pair of eyeballs. Hopefully this time I didn't misjudge Shaka. Then how now? How do I break a friendship?