Chasing Stars

Lose for a While

Laura tries to stay away from Niko since her birthday, but fate brings them closer. Mr. Bambang, the homeroom teacher, persuaded Laura and Niko to become the school's birthday bazaar committee for the food kiosk class 3 IPA 1. In the school bazaar, each class will open a food stall and race to be the best. The winner is determined by the amount of sales revenue of the kiosk that day.

As soon as she found out, Erika clearly felt uneasy, she did not want Niko to be close to Laura. Whenever Niko would hold a meeting with Laura, Erika always looked for an excuse to keep Niko company.

Laura did not mind. ''It's okay, Niko'', she said calmly, ''I can take care of our classroom food stall.''

Erika uses her parents' connections so that the franchise stalls in the school cafeteria don't sell her food to Laura. He assumed that if Laura had no food to sell, her stall would automatically fail. The day before the school bazaar, Laura saw a photography club putting up photos in the school hall. Looks like they'll be holding a photo exhibit at the school bazaar tomorrow. Suddenly Laura got an idea. He approached the head of the photography club and asked for his help to leave the photo space to be exhibited. With the guarantee of the photography club getting free food from her stall, Laura gets the vacant spot she wants.

After school, Laura talks to Niko. ''Niko, I have an idea. You don't have to agree to it if you mind.''

''What idea?'' ask Niko wonder.

''Um, I know you like drawing. What if some of your best work is displayed in the hall tomorrow?'' advice Laura.

Niko was surprised to hear Laura's suggestion. ''What? My picture?''

Laura nodded. ''Yes, I asked the head of the photography club to provide an empty place in the hall. I think your pictures can be there.''

Niko thought long. ''I never showed my pictures to anyone else.''

 ''Your picture is beautiful, Niko, '' said Laura tenaciously. ''I'm sure others who saw it thought the same.''

''Comein'that. Are you sure my picture is that good?'' ask Niko.

''Why don't you prove it tomorrow by showing it off in the hall? You're not gonna lose anything. If people like your pictures, that's a good thing. If not, it's okay 2, right? What matters is that you've tried.''

Niko looked at the girl in front of her with a new perspective. She did not expect Laura to be so persuasive.

''I'm sure an OSIS chairman won't have a crisis of confidence. There's no way you're afraid of failure, are you?'' laura said convincingly.

Niko smiled. ''I didn't expect you to be persuasive enough either.''

Hearing Niko's words, Laura was stunned. He remembers almost two years ago he couldn't talk to Niko. Now he can talk like an old friend. Partly because Laura realized that her time with Niko was coming to an end. He will never lose Niko, because he never had one. And as a friend, he wants Niko to appreciate his hobby.

 ''So, ''' continued Laura, ''you're going to do it?''

''I will think about it first, Niko said slowly.

''You have until tomorrow morning, '' said Laura. ''I'm not sure someone who once wrote 'DON't GIVE UP' on me will give up tomorrow morning.''

Niko laughs. ''We'll see tomorrow morning. 'Thanks', Laura. I really appreciate your help.''

''Sama-sama,'' Laura replied (''you don't know you've made me do things I couldn't have done before.'')

***

''Wow, that smells good. What are you cooking?'' ask mom after the office.

''Taste for the bazaar tomorrow,” Laura said as she stirred the pieces of chicken meat in the pan.

''You make chicken rica-rica?'' asked the curious mama while looking at the chicken that his daughter was sauteing.

Laura shakes. ''No, I'm trying a new recipe, CHIKEN SPAGHETTI.From the other class offers famous restaurant cuisine, but I want to try to make it myself.''

Mama took a spoon and tasted Laura's cooking. ''Hm. Mama thinks you can win the race tomorrow.''

''I hope so'', Laura turned off the stove and took the spaghetti she had boiled before and added the chicken seasoning there. ''The dinner this time, ''CHIKEN SPAGHETTI, '' said Laura proudly.

***

 

The school bazaar starts at 10:00. Laura had arrived at school at 06:30 to prepare the ingredients, then cooked the spaghetti she had tried to cook yesterday at home.

In addition to school students, the bazaar this time is also open to the public. While singing inwardly, Laura attacked the water in the pot and started boiling the spaghetti. After that he prepared a skillet to cook his chicken seasoning.

Around 09:00. Laura had already finished about two large pots of spaghetti along with the seasoning.

''Need help?'' ask Niko who just got to school.

''Feel it is done,'' said Laura relieved, ''stay brought these pots to stall 3 IPA 1.''

Niko looked at Laura with a slight astonishment. ''What time did you come?''

''Hm?'' thought Laura was cleaning the table. ''Around seven and a half.''

Niko looked at Laura with a look of admiration. Laura managed to make her food in less than 3 hours. And he did it alone, without anyone's help.

''Can I taste your cooking first?'' ask Niko.

Laura nodded. ''Of course, ''' he said as he picked up the plate and fork, then presented his homemade spaghetti to Niko's hand. ''Try.”

Niko tasted Laura's spaghetti with a smile. He chewed it slowly and then swallowed it. ''Your spaghetti is delicious. You're really good at cooking.''

Getting compliments from Niko, Laura's heart was very happy. ''Thanks you. I'm glad you like it.''

''I'm sure other people will like it too, '' said Niko.

''I want to ask for help, can't I? Can you bring me these pots while I wash the dirty dishes first?'' ask Laura.

Niko nodded. After Niko left the dining room, Laura washed the dishes with a big smile. She knew yesterday that she had praised her cooking. But Niko's compliments give another impression. For the first time, there was someone other than mama who praised him.

When the bazaar opened an hour later, Laura's stall was ready. He has set the price and cleaned up the plastic dishes he will use to sell. Seeing that, Erika felt annoyed. From a distance he sees Laura and Niko looking compact preparing everything.

''How could he possibly get food?''growled.

Quickly Erika stepped closer to Laura's stall. ''Well, you sell spaghetti, huh?''

Laura stops her conversation with Niko to respond to Erika. ''Hi Erika, welcome to kiosk 3 IPA 1. You want to try the spaghetti?''

''Sure,'' he said curiously. ''By the way, you bought the spaghetti at which restaurant, Laura?'' (''Because I've been trying so that all the merchants in the cafeteria don't take orders from you'').

Niko laughed at Erika's question. ''Laura cooks by herself.''

Erika was surprised to hear Niko's answer. (''Sit''). With a heavy heart Erika tasted spaghetti made by Laura. (''the cooking is very delicious''). Erika's getting upset.

''How much is it?'' ask Erika while taking out her wallet to buy Laura's cooking that she has tasted.

Laura shakes. ''It's okay, Erika. You don't have to pay, just think of it as a gift because you're the first customer to visit our kiosk.”

''Thank you, '' said Erika smiling fakely. (you must be pretending in front of Niko. He wants to look good in his eyes. But I know you must have deliberately planned all this)

''If sales like this continue until the afternoon, our class can be champion, said Niko optimistically on the sidelines of serving consumers.

Laura smile. ''Hopefully so.''

During the day break, Laura & Niko take turns guarding the stall with their other classmates. Now, after being able to rest, Laura headed towards the hall. Photos of the scenery filled the walls of the hall. At the end of the photo are ten pictures.

Laura approached the pictures. He recognizes the image of the star ring he once gave Niko. The other nine images are no less interesting. All contain jewelry designs, ranging from bracelets, rings, necklaces, to earrings.

''So, what do you think?'' ask for a voice behind him.

Laura recognized Niko's voice. ''Makes me want to wear everything you draw. You're very talented. You can be a great jewelry designer.''

''My parents won't approve, '' Niko said sadly. ''They have prepared me to become a doctor, just like them.''

Seeing Niko's sadness, Laura jd was sad. ''You ever try to talk to them?' 'Laura tries to raise Niko's spirit. It seemed that the perfect young man he had once admired was not as perfect as he had imagined it to be. Niko could not determine her own future.

Niko smiled sadly, dozens of times. But they don't want to hear it. They just think of my picture as a hobby.''

Laura looked at Niko's picture again. ''I think everyone can do whatever they want for their future.''

''I hope it can be that easy, Niko looked at her one image and stroked it slowly. ''After all, they are still my parents.''

Hearing that Laura felt lucky. Mama never forced her to choose the path of her life (''do what you want, Laura,'') said mama two years ago when Laura recklessly tried to enter the IPA. (''Choose what you really want and live it seriously, because that way, you have learned to be an adult.'')

Laura looked at Niko again, Niko's gaze still glued to her picture. He hopes Niko's parents can change their minds and realize what their child really wants. Next to Laura, Although Niko was feeling sad, the burden in her heart seemed to lift. It's so nice to tell this to others. All this time his parents always made him realize how important it is to be a doctor. While Erika, she is happy to have a doctor-to-be boyfriend. Niko can't talk about her passion to be someone different, a jewelry designer.

I don't know how long Niko & Laura stayed silent in the school hall, but the second moment ended when several people approached them.

''Niko,'' said one of them, ''here you are apparently.''

Laura looked towards the direction the voice came from. There were 4 people in front of him. One of them was Erika, and the other three were adults. The gaze of a middle-aged man went straight towards the picture behind Niko. A moment later his gaze turned furious, but he tried to endure it.

''Niko, introduce, '' said the man then while holding back his emotions, ''this is the dean of the university's dental school that you will enter later. Doctor Eko wijaya.''

Niko took a step forward and extended her hand to greet her papa acquaintance. ''Good day, doctor Eko. It's nice to meet you here.''

''Call me om only, '' said doctor Eko with a warm smile.

''Om already going around in our school bazaar?'' asked Niko smiled back.

Doctor eko groped. ''Haven't had time. But it seems really crowded huh. I heard from your parents this year you want to go to university Om.'' Niko just smiled thinly. ''Om hear from your papa, '' continued the eco doctor again, ''You are the chairman of Osis, right?'' Niko nodded. ''Good, good, '' said doctor Eko impressed.

''She is also the head of the basketball team, Om, ''' Erika added.

''It seems that in addition to your excellent academic value, achievements in other fields are also no less good.'' Doctor Eko seems impressed with Niko's personality, both in academic and non-academic terms. ''Om sure you can beat your papa's achievements at university later''.

''If to beat papa's achievements, I'm not sure. But at least I will try to match the achievements of papa'', replied Niko trying diplomatically.

Doctor Eko smiled at Papa Niko, ''Your son is really-2 great.''

Papa Niko smiled proudly. ''I beg for his guidance when Niko has entered the university later.''

Doctor Eko nodded. ''Of course, a talented disciple like him would definitely succeed.'' Doctor Eko's gaze unintentionally turned to the image behind Laura. ''Do you also like to paint?''

Niko mangangguk, ''Yes, om''

''It's just a hobby, '' said papa Niko.

''Your picture is good, Niko'', said doctor Eko again as he slowly patted Niko on the shoulder. ''You're really talented.''

Niko smiled sincerely. ''Thank you, om.''

Papa Niko suddenly interjected, ''Ma...'' he said to his wife, ''How about you take doctor Eko around the school?''

Mama Niko smiled. ''Nice idea, Pa. Doctor Eko, let me drive around the school.'' As much as Mama Niko and doctor Eko, papa Niko could not hold back her emotions.

''Papa thought you threw away those pictures. You still dare to paint. How many times have you told me never to paint jewelry pictures again. Now not only do you keep painting, you dare to show it off to everyone. Does this mean you're coming for papa?''

Niko was silent. Next to her, Laura is shocked to hear papa Niko's anger. He did not expect his proposal to display the works of Niko instead ended with a quarrel between the child and the father. Laura really didn't expect that.

Without looking at her papa, Niko approached her drawing and pulled it off the wall one by one. After he finished he turned towards his papa and said, I won't paint anymore. Is papa satisfied now?''

Papa Niko looked at his son while affirming, Never do anything like this again.'' having said so, papa Niko left the hall to catch up with his wife.

Laura looked at the incident with a sick feeling. The immeasurable pain. ''Sorry Niko.., '' he said slowly, ''This is all because of my suggestion''.

Niko looked at Laura with sadness. ''It's not your fault.''

''What''?! Shouted Erika, looking at Laura furiously. ''All because of you, Laura! You're really outrageous. Did you realize that you just made Niko and her papa quarrel?''

''Forgive me, '' said Laura sadly. ''I didn't mean that.''

Erika looked at Laura sharply. ''Never interfere in Niko's affairs again. If you still dare to do it, I will...''

 ''It's not all your fault, Laura, '' said Niko slowly. ''I decided to put up my work here, ''' then he told Erika, ''You don't scold Laura anymore. Laura didn't do anything wrong.'' Erika intended to scold Laura again, but Niko's gaze stopped her. Niko takes Erika out of the hall. Arriving at the door of the hall, Niko threw all her drawings into the trash.

Behind them, Laura felt numb. Tears welled up on her eyelids, then slowly came out wetting her cheeks. The day that began with fun has ended sadly. How much Laura wants to turn back the clock, not try to talk to the head of the photography club, not try to persuade him to provide a place for Niko's picture, and not talk to Niko about his proposal. He just stopped someone's dream. Someone he likes. And it makes her feelings worse.

Laura's step stopped at the place where Niko threw away her picture. The pictures of the jewelry inside are now the inhabitants of the trash can. Laura let out a long sigh. (''I may have ruined Niko's dream, but I don't want her picture to be gone forever.''). Slowly Laura took one by one the pictures from the trash can, cleaned them, then held them in her chest. (''pardon me, Niko'') she said in the picture in her arms.

When the bazaar was about to end on bbsore day, Laura already had no more passion to sell. However, after collecting the proceeds of her sale to the bazaar committee, Laura was congratulated because her stall was ranked first. Laura was not happy. Instead his heart felt empty.

***

When she came home from work that night, Laura looked at her with sad eyes and said, Can you hold me now?”

Seeing her daughter grieving, mama worried, ''Laura what is it?''

Laura didn't want to talk about what happened this afternoon to Mama. He hugged my mother tightly. ''Hugged me, ma. I need a hug mom right now.''

Mama sighed, behind her daughter's hair. ''It's okay, Laura. It'll be all right. Mama is here, she said as she hugged Laura tightly.

***

The next day, Niko left for school early. He ran towards the hall. Breathing gasps. He stopped near the trash can in front of the hall. His eyes began to search for the image he threw away yesterday. Of course, the trash is empty. His heart was half disappointed, half sorry. Yesterday he was too upset to throw away his best works without a second thought (''perhaps better like this''), he said inwardly, closing his eyes.

Laura's relationship with Niko since the episode in the hall became different. Although Niko still remained a friendly friend, Laura could not respond with the same feelings. Because every time Laura looked into her eyes, what was remembered was Niko's sad look at not being able to achieve her dreams anymore.

The six-step distance between her desk and Niko's desk had turned into an unspeakable sadness. Fortunately a few days later the semester exam came, so for a while Laura's mind was more focused on her hopes of passing the exam. However, he did not want to disappoint my mother with his choice to enter the IPA department. After the exams are over, the year-end holiday comes, Laura wants to take advantage of her vacation to treat her heartache.