BETTING

CHILDRENS

The house looks beautiful with a large courtyard. Many shady trees are deliberately planted by the owner of the house. Some are fruit trees that can be harvested when the time comes. The shape of the roof of the house resembles a folded saddle. If viewed from the side, then the folds look like kebaya folds. The Betawi people call it the House of Kebaya.

"Assynolajet. Abah Ummi, Elin is coming." Celine knocked on the door.

Soon a middle-aged man welcomed his arrival. "Waalaikum salam. Neng, get in here." The man called Abah told him to go into the house.

"Where's Ummi, Bah?" The girl took the father's hand and kissed him. A sign of respect for the older person.

"To market. Regular shopping. You're looking for what's wrong." They both sat facing. The terrace of this house is indeed spacious, Abah and Umm used to use it to entertain guests and become a family retreat.

"Well, Elin wants help. About the parlors." He started the conversation. "Kasian kids." Half-wetting he made a sound.

Abah took a deep breath. Simalakam. If the house was still used to house the orphans, he did not have the money to help his son. If the house is sold, pity they also want to live where. It's wrong to be like this.

"Miss. Abah also wanted to nulungin, but Neng tau ndiri, Abah was old. Abah sama ummi pengen naek hajj. Most of Abah's kids pade a lot of debt all. If the parlor is sold, pan moneyye is enough to pay all." He explained at length.

"But, we're moving to where Bah is. Renting a home elsewhere is expensive. I knew Elin was just an ordinary employee. Where is enough salary. Donors are starting to get quiet too." Celine no longer knows what to do.

Abah. Finding the best way. Pity also this child, if they are expelled from the house.

"Gini aje's. Neng first look for a house for rent. Mane knows something's cheap. If belom nemu too, ntar Abah tangain. Abah rebukan used to be the same ummi." Abah offers a solution. Nor did he want to throw them out.

"Tulungin ye, Bah" Celine felt her body go limp. Abah's words made his spirit disappear.

He thought back to when he first met this kind family. At that time, he accidentally met their eldest son. Jali, name. They then become close and familiar. Celine was even considered a real child, as they had no daughters.

Ummi even expects him to be a match with Jali. But Celine was still in college, so she refused. Jali is disappointed and marries another girl. Fortunately, their relationship did not break. Abah Ummi lends their unused home as a place to house orphans.

He himself, the beginning of opening the home was not accidentally because when he came home from college met a little girl who was dumped by her parents. He took her to the police station. But for days there was no news.

After rebuking with Jali, Abah and Ummi, he finally loaned the house. Both Jali manage it, looking for children who are not wanted by the family. Celine applied for a job as a cashier in one of the mini markets for her tuition fees and accommodating children.

Honey, because of something else, her college was forced to stop. Jali also disappeared, probably out of disappointment. From that moment on, he struggled on his own to support them. Heavy, but he's strong. He's tough, 'cause he's been forced to be so by circumstances.

"Yes, Neng. Abah is also the same with children. I'm like a grandson." Abah tried to calm down.

"Jaudah Elin go home first. From then on the kids waited. Same with ummi. Assalamualaikum." He kissed Abah's hand again.

"Waalaikum salam. Ati-ati, Neng's. Beware of cute boys."

Celine laughed as she waved her hand. Abahs. Older people still love Guyon. At home you feel like home. Their families are warm, protecting each other. The warmth that Celine hadn't had in a long time.

* * *

"Sir ...." Twenty children aged three to six stormed when the door opened. Celine passed them one by one from small to big. Complete. Everyone gathers if he comes.

It shows a black crackle that was previously hidden behind the back. Intentionally give them a surprise. "Hem .. fragrant." He kissed the crackle in front of them. It makes the kids curious.

"What is that, brother? What is it, brother?" They wanted to grab him. Again Celine teased, lifted him high so they jumped up and down to reach him.

"Come, wash your hands first. That's why we share. Okay?"

Okee ....

They run backwards. Kids, there is no day without running. It was as if falling had never deterred them.

He's sitting at the dining table. Sighs long. Dunking the sweat that was dripping. Tighten the hair tie yes, then remove the contents of the crackle and arrange it in small dishes. Each got one. Only the older ones can be bigger pieces than their younger siblings.

"Kue boluuuu ..." They ran again to the dining table when they saw that good food had been served.

Not the real table. Only ordinary boards that form a long table. Not even in paint and no base. Every morning and night their duties were to clean it up alternately.

"Let's sit. Eat the cake slowly. Then drink the tea. Don't fight over." He arranged their sitting position. The child who likes to fight with others, separated his seat. So that when eating is calm, not noisy because of the sound of crying. The smallest one also sat down, helped because it was not up to his feet. Celine laughed at seeing him.

"Awas. Read the prayer before eating." They simultaneously extended their hands. Read the prayer he taught. Must be memorized, otherwise there will be punishment.

"Alloohumma barricade lanaa fiimaa razaqtanaa waqinaa ‘adzaa bannar.”

Enakkk ....

They eat with gourmand. Some even discuss what brand of cheese is sown in the cake so it tastes good. Some even envy because the cheese in the cake is less.

Celine accidentally cut the cake in the pantry after work hours. Because it would be noisy if he took it home. The kids will help. That's quite troublesome. Instead of helping, there is fighting. At the end they fight.

"Have you come home, Neng?" An old woman came out of the kitchen carrying a cup of hot tea. There are plastic cups stacked next to it. He put the glass down and poured the kettle into it. After eating, the children will get their own drinks.

Name of the woman. He was the one who helped Celine take care of this home from the start. Take care of the children patiently. Advising and guiding like a mother.

"Just get to it, Bik." He gave two pieces of sponge cake to Onah. "Eat, Bik."

"Ga neng. Make the kids." Onah refused. In his heart he also wanted the truth. Sponge cake who does not like. But if just making kids isn't enough, he better give up.

"There's. Elin bought a lot." Celine returned to thrust the plastic plate in front of Onah.

"For the promo, Neng. Ball cake?"

"Yes, Bik. Three more months to expire, but still good. Elin was the same friends in the pantry." she replied lightly. If you do not have excess money, expired goods that are auctioned are an option. The origin is not moldy or change the flavor is still purchased. Even at risk of health.

"Oh." Onah devoured the cake. "Enak, Hank. There's a chord."

They both laughed. It's mundane.

* * *

Celine laid her body on the wooden couch. His body was very tired after coming home from the office of Bhishma. He persuaded Mr. Andre to get permission and work today. But the result is nil. He can only meet Bisma tomorrow at three in the afternoon according to the agreement.

He looked at the account book he had brought to the bank. After that office, he stopped by for a while to check his balance.

There's a transfer in. That's fine, five hundred grand. Coincidentally in the mini market next to the bank was there a food promo. He stopped by to look around and got the cake. Buy two free one, with an expired time of the next three months.

He wishes there were nuggets or sausage promos because the kids love it, but have not been lucky. Maybe two or three more months will be neutralized if it is not sold.

"Miss. Rice depleted. Eggs too." Onah came to him. Celine was sleeping in the room with him. Children in their own rooms with bunk beds.

There are four rooms in this house. Three rooms are used as rooms. One room is used as a living room and dining room, watching tv and playing. Bathroom double laundry.

There was a small kitchen in the back, the land was taken a little to make a kitchen of makeshift wood for cooking and dishwashing. The rest of the land is still vast. Maybe that is the consideration of the contractors to buy this house, because the rest of the land can still be built again.

Even though this house is ordinary, but cleanliness is still main. Celine did not want to carelessly manage the orphanage even though their place was just simple. It's also impossible for him to wake up, it's a rental house.

"Tomorrow Elin goes shopping, Bik. Look at the mini market next door. There was another promo. Elin's still expensive."

"Yes, Neng."

"Other than that, Bik?"

"Almost all. Cooking oil is still a little, enough until next week."

Celine nodded.

"Anu, Neng" said Onah slightly hesitatingly.

"Si Ijal asks for milk. Cry him out when he sleeps ain't a dodot."

"There was one thing Elin bought last week."

"Ga wants him. Request milk powder. He said canned is not good."

Nyut ... Nyut ... Nyut ....

His head reacted immediately. Remember the funny face of Ijal, his youngest foster child, not three years. It still needs milk, it becomes unbearable. I hope there is promo milk. Let different brands is also not anything that matters cheap.

"Yes, Bik. Elin will find it."

He stared back at the balance in the account book. Donor transfer this morning will ludes tomorrow. The previous balance was already thin. Where else would he look for extras.

Hopefully no one will get sick. He's pinching his head. Every day having to think about how to manage finances makes his head dizzy. Slowly he closed his eyes. Before going to bed, he prayed. Not asking for anything. Only this was given enough sustenance to raise his beloved children.

God is fair. There is always a way for every problem.