Behind the Grey Cloud

09 True Friends

This morning as usual I waited for Ali at the gate. He doesn't usually come at this hour. Soon the bell rang. He hasn't had breakfast either.

Teng teng teng

The school bell rang. But why has Ali not come yet. I'm getting more and more agitated. But I still need to get into class because it's time for class time.

Today I can't concentrate on the lesson explained by the teacher. My thoughts are still about Ali. Where's she? Why did he suddenly not come in today? Is he sick?

Aahhhh

Questions filled my mind.

I'll come home from school and stop by his house.

_____________________

Ali's house looked lonely.

I doubt. But my curiosity about the news is harder.

Tok tok tok tok

"Assalamu'alaikum's chat... Ali, are you home?" my broom

Silent.

No one's saying.

I tried again to knock on the door and say hello.

There's no answer either.

Until I decided to leave. 'Maybe Ali's having an event at his relatives' I'll hold in my heart

*****

Arriving home, I immediately changed clothes and prepared to make a cake ordered by the neighbors.

Not long after, Ms. Yasmin came home.

"Lhoh, it's been a while since I went home? I thought you were still in the tutoring" said Yasmin.

"Today's her holiday mom. I also went home early. Because one of the teachers' parents died. So the teacher is on mau ta'ziyah." I explained to Ms. Yasmin.

"Yes, I changed clothes first. After that, I help you." said Yasmin

"Yes ma'am." I replied

"Bu Ali didn't go to school. I've been looking for her house, but it's quiet. No one." I told Yasmin's mom.

"Hmmm, maybe she has family interests May time. That's why there are no people at home." replied Ms. Yasmin while sprinkling chocochip into the cake that I had formed.

"People also think that way, ma'am" I replied.

'Hopefully my guess is right'

*****

This morning, I was waiting for Ali in front of the school gate. But what we've been waiting for hasn't shown up yet. 'Where are you Al?'

Teng.. Teng.. Teng..

The school bell has sounded. With a lazy step I walked towards the class. My heart became very agitated. My best friend suddenly didn't know how he was.

Today time feels so long. I can't wait to get home. I'm going to Ali's house again.

"Darling, are you sick?" ask the teacher who was teaching at the time.

"Oh Uh no ma'am" I replied nervously.

"Kamj daritadi kok looks lethargic. What's up?" ask her again.

"It's okay mom" I replied

"Yes, we continue to learn it again." said the teacher and went back to explain about today's lesson.

I tried to focus, but failed. Again, my thoughts were about Ali's condition.

____________________

I got to Ali's house. But again, the house is empty. Where's inhabitants?

I tried to knock on the door and say hello, but there was no word.

Want to try asking the neighbors, but Ali's house is far from the neighbors.

I finally decided to go to the market. Who knows, he's there selling.

The distance from here to the base is not so far away. I walked enough to reach the market.

When I got here, I saw that the store had Mr. Ali closed.

I'm getting confused.

Then I asked the owner of the shop next to Ali's father's shop.

"Sorry sir, this store is closed why is it?"much

"Oh yes, Mr. Ali is sick in the hospital. That's why the shop closed for 2 days. You want to buy pottery." replied the father.

"No sir. I'm a friend of Ali's. It's been 2 days that Ali didn't come in. He had been to his house but was quiet. There's no one. Yes sir, I'll excuse you. Thanks.." I explained to the father

On foot, I thought about Mr. Ali. What pain is he?

I was planning to visit her at the hospital. But I'll take Yasmin's mom. Because to get to that hospital, I had to take a big road and ride some angkot. Instead of Yasmin being worried, I decided to go home first.

****

"Assalamualaikum ma'am, Mayang came home." I said when I was in front of the house.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, yes son. Get changed and keep eating." replied Ms. Yasmin.

There Ms. Yasmin was waiting with a smile. He took a plate and filled rice for me.

"How was school today May? Ali went to school, right?"asked Ms. Yasmin while giving a plate filled with rice with fried chicken side dishes and my favorite ketela leaf vegetable.

"That's it Ma'am, it turns out that Ali's father went to the hospital. Last Mayang to Ali's house again and deserted no one. After that Mayang went to the market to see it. And said the neighbor of his stall, Mr. Ali entered the hospital. Mayang wanted to visit him. Will Mayang's mother go to the hospital?" I asked Ms. Yasmin.

Smiling and rubbing my hair, Ms. Yasmin said, "Yes dear. After we eat, we go to the hospital. Now finish the food. It'll be cold. I happen to cook a lot. So we'll bring some of this food to Ali."

"Thank you Ma'am. Mayang Iang very much with Mother." I also immediately hugged Ms. Yasmin.

****

We are now in front of the hospital gate. After that we walk to the reception room. Ms. Yasmin asked me what Ali's father was, and I didn't know his name.

Ms. Yasmin smiled and said, "So you haven't asked me what is Ali's father's name?"

"No ma'am." I replied, shaking my head.

"Eh that's Ali,.."

"Allen..." I screamed to call his name. Maybe my screams were loud enough to make some of the people here turn their heads towards me.

Ali who was about to walk towards the exit finally approached us.

"Hay Mayang what are you doing here? Who is sick?" she asked after she kissed Ms. Yasmin's hand.

"Your father is sick. You are evil. Don't tell me your father is sick." I replied with a frown.

"Oh yes, sorry. Yesterday you suddenly fainted in the market and I had to take you to the hospital. I haven't asked permission to go to school yet. Because it hasn't been. How do you know if you're sick and hospitalized?" ask him confused.

"Today I went to your house. But it's always quiet no one. I went to the market and was alerted by a neighbor of the stall. That's why I brought Ms. Yasmin here." I explained to Ali.

"Oh, sorry I'm May, I'm so troublesome for us and Ms. Yasmin."

"Neither ngrepotin kok Al, oh yes how is the situation of our father now?" said Ms. Yasmin

"Alhamdulillah you are better, ma'am. But....." Ali stopped his words.

"But why Al?" ask me in a hurry

"But I don't have the money to pay for your hospital. Money from the sale of pottery has not been paid the same message, and reportedly the message people even blurred carrying the father's merchandise that has not been paid. That's why I was in shock until I fainted." explained Ali.

He lowered his head and took a heavy breath.

"Pake my savings first Al. You don't have to be sad."Consolor me to Ali.

"But it...."

"Yes Al, you wear it first. What matters is that your father can be taken home immediately" added Ms. Yasmin.

"Thank you May. Let's get you to my dad's room now." take Ali.

We also walked to the room in question. Inside this room was Akbar, Ali's younger brother. He went to the hospital because there was no one to look after him at home.

"Assalamualaikum sir, this is Mayang."sapa Ali

I went straight to the bed and kissed Mr. Ali's hand.

"Assalamualaikum sir, how is he? my greeting

"Wa'alaikumsalam Nak Mayang, Alhamdulillah good father. How's mayang himself?" answer father Ali

"Alhamdulillah Mayang good sir."

"I'm sorry, son Mayang, mother, we've been troubling you. Thank you for visiting me too.'' he said later.

"It's okay sir. No trouble though. We are relieved that you can finally be healthy again." said Ms. Yasmin.

"Hay Akbar, you're not going to school, son?" Ms. Yasmin greeted Ali's sister.

We know Ali's sister quite well, because Ali often invited her to play at home.

He smiled while shaking.

Akbar's son is shy, unlike Ali who is always thin and make funny.

__________________________________

Two days later, Ali's father was allowed to go home and Ali was able to go to school again.

As usual, this morning I was waiting for him in front of the school gate.

"Hay, have you been waiting a long time?"her greeting

"Lumayan. You always come by bad luck." I replied with a frown.

"Sorry princess, I was still helping to prepare the merchandise."he replied with a joke.

"Mother is selling again?" many wonder.

"Yes that's it. What father would be silent. That's why I helped prepare open the stall so that you just sit sweetly waiting for customers to come." he explained to me.

Suddenly I thought of something

"Al, may I help you make pottery? All of you learn that. It's a semester holiday soon. Can ya?"I asked Ali.

"What can you do?" he asked back

"That's why help. Yea? May it?" askaku spirit.

"But your hands will get dirty."

"Belvin. Can be washed. The 'dirty dare is good' " said I while mimicking the advertisement on tv.

"Well if the princess insists. I'll just follow the princess."

We laughed together too