Behind the Grey Cloud

15 Secrets of Bella

Being able to attend High School is one of my dreams. I hope this is also one of the paths to my success. I wish I could study more.

This morning, as usual, after I woke up, I did the dawn prayer then went to the kitchen to make breakfast for Aunt Mita and Rani.

This time I cook kale stir-fry and fry tempeh. Don't forget my glass of milk at the dinner table.

After preparing everything, I immediately woke up Aunt Mita and Rani then I prepared to prepare for school.And then after that we all had breakfast together.

"How was your school May? You have a lot of friends, right?" aunt Mita started the conversation this morning.

"Alhamdulillah already Tan." I replied as I spooned the rice onto the plate.

"All of Mayang's friends are very good Tan. Rich aunty Mita."give me a glance.

"Good aunt?? Ah ngawur you're May. That Auntie has a baffle. Isn't it Ran?" ask Rani who is eating.

"Bawel really even sister. Mama tuh if Rani has not immediately prepared for school always you just get angry." murmured the little girl.

"But it's all for you too Ran. Let's not make it too bad to go to school. Actually Mama is very dear to Rani." I defended to Aunt Mita.

"Yes anyway, even though it's so cute, Rani Iaaang very same mom. Because from the moment papa is not there, only mama Rani has. Only mama where Rani complained." he said with his face down.

Then Auntie Mita hugged her.

I'm glad to see this view.

I smiled as Aunt Mita glanced at me.

I was deliberately provoking a situation like this, because I want Aunt Mita to know that Rani really needs her.

****

Bella didn't go to school today.

No news of him. I don't have her phone number either. Even with his home address.

I don't know who to find out about Bella's condition. I'm confused

Until school, my feelings were not calm. I thought of Bella. Is he sick? Or is there a problem?

I don't know.

I'm going to go to school and stop by the bookstore. Coincidentally the road to Aunt Mita's house passes through a bookstore.

I've been wanting to stop by that store since I first passed her while going to school with Ms. Yasmin.

The shop visitors are pretty rame today. Most of them are school children and some teachers. They saw her just coming home from school and straight to this store.

I chose a few books and 1 novel. I also bought a storybook for Rani.

While I was picking out the stationery, a store clerk came up to me.

"Can I help you, brother?" ask him politely.

"Yes mbak, I want to buy this.." when I turned to him my words stopped. I was surprised to see someone standing in front of me.

"Bella." I said softly

He was just as surprised as I was.

She was about to leave, but I prevented her by holding her arm.

"You work here?"many wonder.

She's quiet. Just answer my question with a nod of my head.

"Sorry, the store is crowded. Talk about it later." reject it.

I actually wanted to ask Bella a lot. I was surprised by Bella's change in attitude.

Bella was always cheerful, always chatty, and loved to tell stories. But now he is quiet. He refused to tell me even to talk to me.

At first I thought because it was the condition of his family that was receding, so he became quiet.

I asked the cashier, "Sir, what time is it?"

"half an hour's rest" she replied.

All right, I'll wait for Bella's break.

I waited for her in the front waiting chair of the store.

I see him occasionally looking at me. I also replied with a nod of my head.

Half an hour waiting, Bella finally came out and found me.

"Hay May, are you waiting for me?" he asked while taking a seat next to me.

"Yes Bel, how are you?" ask me stale.

"Well May." she replied lethargicly

"Today you're not in school. There's no news either. Why?"ask me to the point.

"Yes May, I now work as a waitress in that bookstore. And today I got the morning shift." it was short.

"You're still in school, why not take the afternoon shift?" ask again.

He took a deep breath. Then throw it rough. He seems frustrated.

"I bingut May, I'm in need of a lot of money. My dad owes me a lot, and I have to pay him off. That's why I'm taking 2 shifts now" he replied

"Didn't your mother now sell Bel rice, that could be an input for you?"

"Last week, I caught my mother walking with a man. But if asked, I am angry. I reasoned that now I was useless. Dad can't make a lot of money. I can only add to my mother's burden."

Bella seemed to be crying, but her cries sounded soft.

"To help dad, I had to work hard. Every day her mom just goes and goes. If asked always angry. I'm confused about having to work, especially May? I don't have skills like you. I can only be a waitress like this. That's not even the salary I receive can cover my father's debts every month."

He could no longer continue his story. I hugged Bella too, baby.

I want to help her. But I can what. While here I just ride in the house of Aunt Mita.

"You're patient, Bel, at this time I can't help you. But I'm ready if you need a place to spill all your grievances. I'll be ready to listen to her." Comfort me.

"Thank you May. Thank you very much." she replied, wiping away the tears.

After that, he paid for work again and I went home. I'm afraid Aunt Mita will be worried that I'll be home late.

I did bring a cell phone. Before leaving for the city first, Ms. Yasmin bought 2 mobile phones. One for me and one for Ms. Yasmin.

But I haven't saved Auntie Mita's phone number.

****

I got home when Aunt Mita was sweeping the yard.

"Assalamualaikum Aunty.." greet me by kissing her hand.

"Wa'alaikum salam. How come home late, May? No nyasar?" god Aunty Mita

"Sorry Aunt Mayang stopped by the bookstore. This Mayang also bought a book for Rani." I replied while showing the book I bought

"Oh that. Thanks May, you should not bother buying Rani books" said Aunt Mita.

"It's okay, Tan, it's just a storybook."

"Yes, you change clothes and keep cooking. Aunty Masakin you vegetable leaves ketela. Yasmin said you liked the vegetable" she said.

"Hla is here someone selling ketela leaves Tan?" ask me wonder.

"There's dong" he replied with a smile.

Then I went into the house. Rani is playing a doll on the porch of the house while waiting for her mother to sweep.