Chasing Stars

Finish All

After saying goodbye to Niko, it is with deep sadness that Laura meets her homeroom teacher.

"This is your diploma, Laura." Mr. Bambang looked at his protege with a smile.

"Thank you, sir," said Laura while receiving her diploma from the hand of Mr. Bambang. "Thank you again for all your guidance."

"Your mother says you're moving out of town tomorrow" Bambang said.

Laura nodded. "Yes. My mother was transferred to another city."

Mr. Bambang said again, "May you succeed in your future."

Laura thanked Mr. Bambang again and then came out of the teacher room. Before leaving school, Laura turned to look at her school once more. ("goodbye to my school"), she said in her heart.

Shortly thereafter, Laura was on a city bus that would deliver her to the terminal. He realized this was the last time he would take a bus in this city. His gaze turned to the tall buildings opposite him.

Suddenly his eyes stopped on a large banner in a building. Julian Bardeux jewelry exhibition. His gaze then turned to the brown envelope in his hand. Because of her meeting with Niko in class this morning, Laura forgot she was still carrying a picture of Niko's design.

"Sir! Stop that!" yell at the bus driver.

Laura rushed down from the bus and ran across the pedestrian bridge leading to the five-star hotel where the Julian Bardeux jewelry exhibition was held. Laura gasped for air into the hotel lobby. He asked the receptionist where the exhibition was being held, then rushed there.

In the elevator that carried her, Laura grasped a picture of Niko. ("at least this is the last thing I can do for Niko, ) she thought.

The elevator door opened, Laura stepped out and met the exhibition attendant.

"I want to see Mr. Julien Bardeux," he said without the slightest hesitation.

One of the exhibition guards smiled and asked, "Did you bring an invitation to the exhibition?"

Laura shakes. "I don't have an invitation."

The officer smiled regretfully. "sorry. You can't go in without an invitation."

"Can't I see Mr. Julien Bardeux for a second?" laura asked without a break of spirit.

The officer nodded. "sorry. His schedule is very tight. Especially the last day of the exhibition. Did you have an appointment earlier?"

Laura shakes.

"I'm sorry, then" said the officer.

"But Mr. Bardeux is in there, right?" asked Laura curiously. "She's gonna come out through this door later?"

The officer looked at Laura curiously. "Yes. But he's been in there a long time." "It's okay," said Laura smiling kindly. "I'll wait here."

The guard shook his head at Laura's determination and began to serve the other guests who showed the invitation to enter.

Laura stood waiting beside the front door patiently.

After three hours Laura stood up without complaining, the officer sympathized with her persistence. He called Laura and told her to sit in the chair left by one of his friends. Laura smile. "Thank you."

.

***

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Niko brings Erika lunch.

"How's your leg?" tanyakanya.

"It's still sick" Erika replied.

"I brought you lunch. Eat first," suggested Niko.

"Thanks" said Erika.

During Erika's lunch, Niko's mind drifted on her encounter with Laura.

"What are you thinking?" erika asked curiously after feeling Niko wasn't paying attention to her.

Niko looked at Erika seriously. "What did you actually argue with Laura last night?"

Erika was a little surprised to hear that question. "What do you mean?"

Niko sighed. "I still don't understand why Laura suddenly pushed you off the stairs."

Hearing that Erika became upset. "Laura was jealous of me. He was jealous of my popularity and my closeness to you."

"really?" ask Niko suspiciously. "Looks like Laura's not that kind of girl."

Erika sneers. "Do you know anything about Laura? You don't know Laura's true nature. You've only known her for a year."

Niko fell silent. Erika's words made sense. Come to think of it, Niko did not know Laura like she knew Erika.

"Ah, never mind," said Erika annoyedly, "I don't want to talk about Laura anymore. My appetite is gone."

"I'm sorry," said Niko. "shouldn't have pissed you off." "I want to rest" said Erika ketus.

Niko nodded. "Well, I'll be back in the afternoon."

 

***

Three hours later, Laura was still sitting at the exhibition door. His eyes glanced at the silver-colored watch in his hand. It's getting late.

"You're waiting for Mr. Bardeux till when?" ask the exhibition officer.

"Until I meet him," answered Laura briefly.

"When I met Mr. Bardeux really is very important?" ask the officer again.

Laura nodded. ''Yes. It's imperative. I want to give Mr.Bardeux someone's dream."

The officer was stunned to hear Laura's words. Heart touched. Then smile at Laura. "I'll help you."

Laura smiled happily. "Thank you".

A short time later, a French man with blond hair walked out the door.

The exhibit attendant rushed up to the man and spoke to him and pointed at Laura.

Realizing that the exhibit attendant was talking to Julien bardeux, Laura stood up. So, he is the famous jeweler.

Laura approached the foreign man before her.

"You want to see me?" ask Laura.

Laura was a little surprised. Julien Bardeux can speak Indonesian. "Can you speak my language?"

Julien bardeux smiled briefly. "The Indonesian's mother."

Laura understands now. "I want to give this to you." Laura thrust a brown envelope in her hand. "In it contains a picture of a jewelry design by my friend."

Julien Bardeux received the envelope from Laura's hand.

The exhibit attendant smiled at Julien and added, "He said he wanted to give someone's dream to you."

Julien Bardeux smiled warmly as he looked at the watch in his hand. "Hmm, I'm still a little busy. But tonight, I'll see your friend's plan "

Laura smiled broadly. "thank you. The designer's name and HP number are in front of the envelope. Thanks again, Mr. Bardeux."

Julien Bardeux smiled briefly. "I go first" he said, then rushed to the elevator.

Laura went to the exhibition officer again and thanked him for his help. After leaving the hotel, Laura looked at the afternoon sun with a smile. His heart was happy not to play. He hopes Julien Bardeux can see Niko's designs and realize the talent that is there.

 

***

On graduation day, Laura tucks the last shirt into the suitcase and then closes it.

"You ready?" ask mom from the doorway.

Laura nodded. "Yes".

She smiled and then said something to Laura. "Your "new HP. You said your old HP was gone, so mom decided to buy a new one. Mama also bought you a new number."

"Thank you, Ma" said Laura. He looked at the red HP that mom gave him and smiled. New HP. A new beginning.

Shortly after, Laura and mom walked out of the house to a taxi that would take them to the airport.

 

***

Meanwhile at school, Niko pushes Erika's wheelchair. Erika insisted on attending her graduation. When Erika arrives in the 3rd grade of IPA 2, her friends run to see her.

"I have to prepare for the graduation speech first" Niko said.

Erika nodded. "Go away. Make a good speech, yeah".  Niko nodded.

Halfway to the hall, Niko realized that her bag was still in Erika's lap and rushed back to retrieve it.

"You seen Laura today?" erika asked one of her friends.

Friend shakes. "No. It doesn't seem like he's coming."

Erika nodded happily. "Goodoo. Finally the village student won't make me angry anymore. It's all over."

"I really didn't expect Laura to have the courage to push you off the stairs" commented the friend.

Erika grunting. "What courage? How could he possibly defeat me?" Then Erika stood up from her wheelchair and walked towards her seat.

"Can you walk?" ask his friend in surprise.

"I'm tired of sitting around" said Erika. "my leg just sprained"

"Why should I use a wheelchair?" ask a confused friend.

Erika nodded in annoyance. "So Niko sympathizes with me dong. If I thought I wasn't seriously hurt, she would never be angry with Laura and she might just forgive her. I don't want that to happen."

Erika looked at the face of her friend who turned deathly pale. "What's wrong?" tanyakanya. He turned around then looked at Niko at the classroom door. Erika was surprised not to play. "Niko... Since when are you here?"

Niko walked towards Erika in annoyance. "I came back here to get my bag." Niko picked up her bag that was on top of the wheelchair.

"You hear everything?" asked Erika in panic.

Niko fell silent, then said angrily, "You're not seriously injured, you can still walk. Don't you know how worried I am about your situation?"

"My answer is one thing" Niko said firmly. "Did Laura really push you up the stairs?

tell me the truth."

Erika finally gave an honest answer. "Yes. But he didn't do it intentionally. I snatched his HP and he tried to take it back. Then, he accidentally pushed me."

Niko clenched her right hand tightly to hold back her anger. "Why? Why are you lying to me? I've known you since I was a kid. I care about you... I believe you."

Erika was really sorry. "sorry. I'm really sorry I did all this."

"If you're sorry" Niko said, "why would you lie to me?"

Hearing Niko's anger, Erika couldn't hold back her emotions, "because I was scared, okay?! I'm really scared, Niko. I saw the way you looked at him. I don't want to lose you."

Erika stunned. He had never seen Niko this sad. Even when Niko's parents scolded her about the picture, Niko was just disappointed, but never like this.

Erika said slowly, "I'm afraid, you like her more than I do."

Niko looked at Erika's eyes without hesitation. "Right now, your words are not wrong."

Erika menatap Niko dengan kaget. Ia berusaha meraih tangan Niko, tapi Niko sudah berlari keluar dari kelasnya. Erika jatuh terduduk di kursinya sambil menangis. Ia tahu ia telah kehilangan Niko.

Niko runs into her class and looks for Laura. He really should apologize to Laura.

"You seen Laura?" ask her friend who is sitting in class. Theme shakes.

Niko continues her search to the school park, canteen, and lastly the hall. The third-graders were already sitting there. The teachers had gathered to begin the graduation ceremony.

Mr. Bambang saw Niko. "You've prepared your speech? The graduation ceremony will begin."

Niko could only fall silent and look at the hall room which was already filled with the parents of the disciples and their sons.

My mom and dad sat down too. Papa calls Niko to sit next to him.

"Sit down next to your parents" said Mr. Bambang. "Surely you won't have a problem with your speech."

Having no other choice, Niko sat next to her parents and attended the graduation ceremony for the next two hours. He realized Laura wasn't in the hall.

After the graduation ceremony was over, Niko asked Mr. Bambang about Laura.

"Sir," he said curiously, "why didn't Laura attend today's graduation?"

"Oh, Laura," replied Mr. Bambang. "Yesterday he asked for his diploma early. He wants to move to another city. His mother was transferred."

Niko was obviously disappointed to hear the news. "Do you know where Laura is going?

Mr. Bambang shook his head. "Father doesn't know, but it looks like they're leaving today.

Maybe they're at the airport now."

Without saying a word more, Niko galloped towards the car park, leaving Bambang sir who frowned in confusion with Niko's attitude.

Niko drove her car as fast as she could to the airport. He tried to contact Laura's HP from his car, but it was always inactive. Niko tried again, again, and again until she saw the airport entrance and parked her car in the parking lot, then ran as fast as possible into the airport.

His eyes went around looking at Laura. He looked at the flight departure schedule. There are dozens of departures there. She didn't know which plane Laura was going to be on.

"LAURA!" he cried out in despair amidst the crowd.

 

***

While giving her plane ticket to the airport attendant, Laura looked back.

"What's wrong?" ask mama.

Laura nodded with a smile. "It's okay. Looks like someone called me. But that's not possible, is it?"

Mom smiled. "Let's go in."

Laura nodded and walked in.

Moments later, the plane carrying Laura took off. Laura looked at the sea of clouds below her and smiled. He has decided to forget his past and start a new chapter.

 

***

Niko ran for several hours from one terminal to another, but still did not find Laura. His legs were exhausted and he sat on a chair. Niko realizes Laura must have been on one of the planes that took off. She lost Laura. Suddenly his phone rang. Niko saw an unknown number there. Hope is soaring. He immediately picked up the phone.

"Laura?" expectantly.

But the voice on the phone is not a woman's voice. "Is this Niko Fareli?"

Niko answered. "Yes, right. I'm Niko fareli."

The caller said again, "My name is Julien Bardeux. Do you know who I am?"

Niko. "I know who you are. But, why did you call me?" "I'm looking at a picture of your jewelry design" Julien said.

("Image of my plan?) niko asked, confused. "How can my drawing be in your hands?"

"Can we meet?" ask Julien. "We can talk about this further." then Julien gave information about the hotel where he was staying.

Niko nodded. "I know the place. I'll be there now."

 

***

Niko looked at the man before her with a bit of nervousness. Julien Bardeux's. (Famous jeweler from france). After introducing herself, Niko was welcome to Julien's hotel room.

Niko's gaze turned to the drawing of her plan on the guest table. "So" he said slowly, "how did you get my draft picture?"

"Your friend gave it to her" Julien explained. "A young girl." Niko could guess who gave up the plan. Definitely Laura.

"You're still in school?" ask Julien to know.

"I just graduated High School" Niko said.

Julien drank his coffee slowly, then looked at Niko. "You're interested in jewelry?"

Niko's trembling hands covered her nervousness. "That's how."

"Your drawings are truly captivating" Julien said with a smile. "you are so talented."

Getting compliments from a famous jeweler makes Niko really flattered. "Thank you."

"What are your plans after graduating from High School?" ask Julien.

"Lecture," said Niko briefly.

Julien looked at Niko's eyes seriously. "Are you interested in entering GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in New York? I can give you a recommendation. You can learn a lot about jewelry there."

Niko was really tempted by Julien's offer. But her parents would disagree. He was accepted into the medical faculty of a famous university. If he decides to enter the GIA, he will not have the support of his parents at all.

"I don't know," Niko answered honestly. "Actually I'd love to get in there, but I know the tuition at GIA isn't cheap." Niko knew she didn't have much money to pay for her college. Moreover, papa would definitely not provide material support at all.

Julien looked at the youngster in front of him with interest. "The problem is not dana. The problem is do you really want to be a jewelry designer. I'm interested in buying your design. Your work will be perfect for my autumn collection. If you're interested in selling it to me, I think it's enough money to pay for your first college in the GIA."

Niko was shocked to not believe it. "You want to buy my work?"

"You look so surprised" said Julien with a big laugh. "I've never messed around with jewelry."

Little by little Niko's hope of reaching a long-buried dream comes to the surface.

"I've been in love with jewelry since I was ten years old" Niko said bluntly. "after that I could never stop drawing it."

Seeing the earnestness in Niko's eyes, Julien smiled. He understood what Niko felt. "I love your design"., he said later. "You can be a great jewelry designer."

"I really hope so." said Niko.

"If you really want to study at GIA, I can help you. I know the teacher there. You don't have to worry about where to stay, you can stay in my apartment in New York.”

Niko looked at Julien in disbelief. "You're really gonna help me? You don't even know me."

Julien thrusts a picture of Niko at him. "It's been a long time that I've never drawn this to someone's work. Especially if you are young. If you've shown your talent this young, I can't imagine what you can do in the future."

Niko thought hard. (Do I have the courage to risk everything to achieve my dream? Surviving alone in a foreign land where I know no one?)

"Your friend waited hours to see me yesterday" Julien said, correcting his glasses.

"When he gave me these plans, he said he wanted to give up someone's dream."

Niko's hands stopped trembling. His mind was filled with Laura's face, then slowly his smile expanded. (Laura wants to make my dream come true. Take my work out of the trash and give it to someone I admire. If you were here, Laura. I'll be happier for sure).

With determination and renewed vigor, Niko looked at Julien. "I don't want to accept someone's gift for free. You can buy all my works except my star ring design drawings", he suggested. "About your apartment in New York, I'm going to occupy it, but on condition that I'll work for you for two years after my graduation from GIA."

Julien rubbed his chin slowly. (Someone who has principles and self-esteem). Previously Julien only admired the design of this young man, now he also likes his personal. "Why don't you want to sell me that one?" tanyanya.

Niko answered calmly. "Because it belongs to someone." (it belongs to someone

Laura's). Niko's eyes challenge Julien. "So, have we reached an agreement?"

Julien extended his hand. "I agree." Niko shook Julien's hand tightly.

At night, Niko looked at her two parents seriously after dinner. "I'm not going to medical school" he said calmly.

Papa turns away in disbelief. "What else is this, Niko? didn't we agree you'd be a doctor?"

"Sorry," said Niko sincerely. "I can't do it. I never wanted to be a doctor. It was my dream, not my dream."

"How dare you say that!" Shouted papa.

Mama moved to the side to calm her down. "Calm down, Pa. Niko, don't make your papa angry. Aren't you accepted into medical school? If you don't go to medical school, what do you want to learn?"

"I'll study jewelry at GIA." Niko looked at her parents without fear. "I'm sorry, pa, ma. I can't make your dreams come true. Thisismylife. And this time I want to pursue my dreams."

Papa looked at his son while smiling cynically. "If you go to college there, papa won't support you. Papa won't help you financially. Do you understand?"

Niko nodded. "I understand. I won't ask Papa for financial support while I'm in college."

Papa was shocked to hear his son's words. "If you want to go, go. Papa won't hold you back. Let's see how long you'll last there."

Niko took a deep breath. "Thank you, pa."

A week later Niko leaves her home to New York to pursue her dreams.