CAMELLIAS

part 2

Alfaro kenan's

" Woy ! Where are you going?" Rony patted me on the shoulder as he approached the parking lot on campus. 

" Want to unplug." Answer me

" It's still gini day? Not hanging out with the kids first?"

" Suffering. I have a new job."

I patted Rony's shoulder, rushed into the helmet and left the parking area. 

Today, I came home earlier than usual, riding my bike to work. 

You need to know, I did go to college while working. Given the financial condition of my family that is only enough for daily needs, so I have to rack my brain looking for a side job other than just being a student.

I live with Mom and a ten-year-old sister. About where my father is, I don't know . Because Mom never talked about who my dad was and I wasn't really interested in everything that was a part of the past. For me, the past is just an old story to forget.

There was no skill I had other than my brain being a little more watered down than my other friends, and it was because my brain was also the reason I was able to receive a scholarship at the renowned University of the Capital. 

Eventually I chose to become a tutor, and almost a year ago I became a private tutor to an eight-year-old boy named David. 

Starting from being a guidance teacher, I finally met a beautiful woman who is now my lover, Dea. Because Dea and David were brothers I ended up being close and it just so happened that we were one University. 

Being a guidance counselor for a child of David's age, not too troublesome and also a smart and obedient David child, I did not need a long time to teach him. 

The income I earned from side work being a guidance teacher was not very large, just enough to meet my needs and help Alma a little. I don't want to hang myself to Mom who only works as a tailor. Actually, I could have been looking for another side job, just that every time I tried there was nothing that fit the schedule of college. 

For now I do need extra work, considering my sister Alma, who was diagnosed with kidney failure for the last year. 

Alma, the jolly and talkative girl. But now it turned into a quiet girl and it was hard to see the smile on her face. Her joy is gone, even now Alma more often locked himself in the room. It's hard to interact with her, even she doesn't want to meet anyone but me, Mom and Dea. At a very young age, Alma should enjoy the fun of school, learning and playing. But the last three months, Mom and I decided to stop Alma's activities at school, because Alma would be in pain if she moved too much and easily tired. 

I think my decision to choose Alma at home was the right one. Turns out instead, Alma actually more often secluded himself in the room and will only go out of the room at a certain time. And what makes me most heartless, two days ago I accidentally passed in front of his room, and heard his sobs so bitter and heart-wrenching. I know he must be feeling sad, locked up in the house without a definite time limit.

Cost being the biggest obstacle in Alma's treatment, she had to do a kidney donor and it cost hundreds of millions. While my income and also Mother can not meet it. I was thinking about quitting college and choosing to find a job, focusing on finding money for Alma's treatment.

Alma's cry that day became a trigger to keep trying to find extra money. One of Dea's friends, offered me a job at one of her parents' minimarkets. I couldn't resist, after I finished being the guidance teacher I immediately rushed to the minimarket where I both worked. 

The location of the mini market that is not too far from where I live becomes more flexible in dividing time. Although I worked until night I was able to quickly get to the house, which was only a few hundred meters away. Working at the minimarket was not as bad as I thought, on the sidelines of free time waiting for customers to come, I could use the time to do some college assignments. 

"Excuse me, I'll pay." A woman's voice breaks my concentration.

"Ah, sorry," I immediately put some original books in the bag and immediately scanned the woman's groceries.

"Already learning?" His eyes glanced towards the bag I had placed originally under the cashier's desk.

"Yes." Yeah." 

"Lecture while working?" I nodded in response to the question of the middle-aged woman in front of me. She looked the same age as Mom, only she looked fresher and more fashionable.

" I'd like to offer you a side job. If interest can contact me." The middle-aged woman offered her business card. Her name is Rosaline.

" Mother's a guidance counselor?" He smiled and nodded. 

"Sir, I'm a teacher. You look smart and also diligent, even still take the time to learn. " 

"That's, I'm in a hurry to do the job. So I had to work here."

" I had one tutoring student and I just happened to be unable to teach anymore, because I had to take care of my ailing family." I listened to his explanation, although I was still confused by his sudden offer.

"If I may know, what age is the child guiding her?" I asked, I was lazy to have to guide a child over twelve years old. In addition to the more difficult lessons I will give, they will also be more difficult to learn considering children today are more interested in playing gadgets than learning. 

"He's grown up. It's third grade High School." I smiled hearing it.

"I can't teach a child over twelve. I'm not experienced." Reject me

"Relatedly? Don't want to try first?" Rosaline's mother tried to convince me. He must know look like me, clearly visible in the face need money. But I can't accept it, being the guide of such a big boy, maybe even his age won't be too much different from mine. 

"I'm sorry, I can't." I refused it subtly.

"The salary is big"

" Maa__,"

" Seven million, one month."

" Sorry. How many?!" 

I can't hear wrong, right? 

That's bigger than my income teaching David combined with working as a mini-market cashier. 

"But,, that,,,,. How yes." I scratched my head, confused myself.

"You don't have to worry, he's a good, obedient boy. If you are interested, you can directly contact my number on the paper." I saw the number on the paper. I doubt it but the offer is tempting.

After two days passed, I finally decided to contact Rosaline's mother, accepting her offer. Today I promised to meet him at one of the famous cafes in central Jakarta. 

Ms. Rosaline asked me to meet to discuss work and she also asked for some personal biodata. But this time there was not only Miss Rosaline, she also invited me to meet with the parents of my new prospective students. 

Now in front of me was Miss Rosaline and a tall, burly and authoritative middle-aged man. Dress fully and neatly typical of rich businessmen. I can't be wrong anymore, my prospective student is the son of a wealthy businessman, they deserve to pay dearly.

"It's the new guidance counselor" Mrs Rosaline's voice began the conversation. The gaze of this middle-aged man before me examined the appearance from the tip of the foot to the tip of the head. 

"I'm Alfaro." I extended a hand

"Fathur." His handshake was so gripping in my hands, and impressed to say that he was watching me. 

"How much are you?" 

"Nineteen, sir." He nodded, paying attention to my biodata on the paper I was carrying.

"I've known him for a long time. So you don't have to worry. Trusting Faro, he can teach Kara well." I was quite surprised by what Ms. Rosaline said as she mentioned the name of the child who would become my disciple. 

Her name is Kara ? 

So she's a girl? 

Blame myself for not asking first. It's appropriate that Mr. Fathur's hand job feels so gripping. Turns out I'm gonna be her daughter's tutor. 

But wait, Miss Rosaline said that if we have known each other well for a long time, when we only met two days ago. I didn't have time to say anything because of the talk of Mrs Rosaline and Mr. Fathur's domination. It seems like they are close enough to see the way they interact, they talk like friends. Not like subordinates and superiors. 

Not long after Mr. Fathur resigned, leaving me and Miss Rosaline.

"Today when your lecture is over, you meet me at this address. We'll meet Kara in person." He gave me a piece of paper with a home address.

I was quick to say goodbye, considering there were two courses I had to attend.

I saw the big and magnificent house that is now in front of me, now I am in front of Kara's house which is the place of appointment to meet with Miss Rosaline. A large three-story, modern European-style house with a towering iron fence surrounds the entire house. I was just standing next to my motorcycle near the security post, not long after Miss Rosaline appeared from behind the big white door.

"Newly arrived? Has it been a while? 

"New to." I did send a message to Miss Rosaline, because I was stuck in the security post. They didn't let me in before explaining my purpose and identity. 

"Motors can be stored there." Ms. Rosaline pointed at the large land next to the security post, near the statue of the little boy spitting water from his mouth. 

I followed Miss Rosaline down a house far more luxurious than I thought. I took him up the stairs to the second floor, approaching a girl who was still focused on staring at the laptop screen in front of her. 

"Kara, this is Alfaro. Your new teacher." The long-haired girl glanced at me, staring dazedly at me and Miss Rosaline. 

He stood up, his body small and a little thin. He looks confused and surprised, in fact I am no less surprised. I had a chance to think, I would be the guidance teacher of a typical slang Capital City girl. But as soon as I saw him in person, he was different. His appearance was simple, his gaze was calm despite looking awkward, his hair was real black with no color, and his face was white in a blush. 

His usual way of dressing for a girl as rich as himself, Kara only wore long pants and a big white T-shirt. I know how rich kids look. Because my lover Dea, comes from a rich family and Dea is quite fashionable with all the luxuries she has, even though just at home Dea will look fashionable. 

"Kara"

"Alfaro." I received his handshake. 

Today I received two handshakes from two different people and it felt different. Pak Fathur's impressed handshake warned and the handshake of his daughter Kara, which felt soft and warm. I acted as calmly as possible, even I did not talk much just occasionally glancing towards Kara who seemed to be misbehaving. She's cute and pretty. 

Today is just a brief introduction and will begin guidance tomorrow. I wish Kara could work well together, and she's really good as Ms. Rosaline told me. 

As soon as I came out of Kar's mansion grounds, my phone rang.

Dea calling's.....

"Yes, De." 

"Where are you, Far. The kids say you slim down as soon as class breaks up." Dea's voice from across there.

"Yes, I have business." 

"Search for work again? " Dea has understood the meaning of my life. 

"Yes." Yeah."

"Why stop from the minimarket owned by Bokapnya Tari?"

Dea had protested because I canceled work at the minimarket owned by her parents Tari, Dea's best friend.

"I don't want to keep taking care of you." Honestly, Dea has helped a lot. So this time I don't want to constantly involve her. 

"Where are you now?"

"OTW's home."

"Okay, I'm waiting at your house?" 

"Mmm," I disconnected, rushed into the helmet and went home. Dea was already close to Mom and Alma, so it was no wonder that she was going to be home once she didn't find me anywhere.