Constellations of Love

Chapters 2. Gaby's sick

The days in January are interspersed with more intense rain and rain. If you come in the morning, many children will be absent.

Children whose homes are close by will usually still come to school. Not so where he lives far away.

Although the rain did not stop, some children were seen at school. The typical joy of young children will reduce the days of silence in the middle of plantations that stretch thousands of hectares, in the interior of this large island.

" Mom, today is Gaby still not able to go to school?" ask Sari to Laras when the class is about to start. He approached the teacher in front of the school living room.

This is Tuesday in the last week of January.

" Yes, Sari. Yesterday, Joni, the driver of their family, left a notice to the school."

" There are five absentees, ma'am today. Gaby, Ningrum, Kemal, Jovan and Ani," the little girl reported.

" Thank you, Sari. Let's get ready for class" Laras guided the student towards the simple roofed side hall. The rain is still greeting until children can not play in the yard freely as usual. Not long after that the entrance bell rang loudly.

Teng, teng, teng .......

Until the learning hours after still drizzle and cloudy hanging in the sky. Children spend more time in class when the break takes place. Mr. Yus will be able to additional tasks to keep them in order and not fight each other toys at rest.

Some children will play and chat in a small hall in front of the zinc-roofed teacher room of six times five meters which at once serves for parking.

" How is the class condition mbak Laras?" asked Bu Nur, when the two teachers were in the teacher's room after school.

" Yes, well Mom. Five kids got sick and didn't go to class. There was also one child who felt unwell. So I suggest you rest at home tomorrow."

" yes. In class B there are even more absentees. Seven children. Two permits because their house is far away, three get sick with flu and cough. Another was in the hospital waiting for her mother to give birth. One more ain't heard yet."

" Ehm, how about in the rainy season like this, our additional food is increased by ma'am? Twice a week maybe."

"I mean, how?"

" So far we only provide nutrition on Saturdays, maybe added every Wednesday. "

" I agree, anyway. But what's enough for that?"

" I think it's enough, ma'am. There are suggestions from some parents as well. Some even want to add money to it. Because according to them, children will be more excited to eat with friends than at home."

" Yes, too, mbak. Outdoor activities and inter-school competitions are almost non-existent throughout the season, funds can be allocated for additional rations, yes."

As a school established by the company, Taman Kanak-Kanak only collects relatively small educational donations. All funding and facilities are financed by the company. Although most of the students are the sons of employees' daughters, there are some children who come from the surrounding villages.

" I tried to discuss with Bu Ina as the parent's chairman, yes Ma'am."

" Yes, good mbak. Please."

Bu Ina is the parent of Fadli, the head of the TK B class, who happens to be the midwife of a neighboring village.

This is his second year as chairman. Many of his suggestions and suggestions are good for the health of children. Immunization, check mosquito larvae, check the medicine box every two weeks, give vitamins and supplements and complete nutrition. For the determination of the menu every week was coordinated with him and other parents in turns.

Although the school is in a remote place, all the needs of children are relatively guaranteed. It is because of solidarity and a sense of shared responsibility. Nothing fancy and exaggerated, indeed. But all is fulfilled.

The fourth day of the week has been passed. Gaby hasn't been to school. Laras and Sari and her mother plan to look at Gaby's house after school. Coincidentally the official house occupied by the family of the little girl was on the way back to the house of Sari and her teacher.

" Excuse me, good afternoon" they exclaimed in front of the entrance of the house about a kilometer from the school.

Spacious buildings are high-pile and in creamy brown paint, surrounded by orchards of various fruits. Mangos, guavas and banana trees line up neatly on the left side.

" Lunch...."

A middle-aged woman, opening the door.

" Please come in...."

Laras smiled, and greeted "Mom, we are from school. I'm Bu Laras and this is Sari, Gaby's friend and her mother. We'd like to see Gaby.'

" O yes, yes. Let's have a seat. Sorry madam is out. Gaby's resting in her room."

" How's he doing, Mom?"

" "Oh, just call me Well....."

" Mom, is Gaby still sick?" this time Sari impatiently asked.

" Yes, these three days are a little feverish, pale then congested as well. Pandu's doctor checked here twice yesterday."

"What's the doctor saying, mbok?" sari's mother chimed in.

" Mbok does not know yet, but has been given medicine. So it seems to be getting better. The lady asked Gaby to eat a lot. Try to look into his room first yes," said mbok Nah.

Master Laras circulated his gaze for a moment. Large pigura with Gaby family portrait emblazoned beautifully grab attention. My mom and her two brothers are teenagers. Gaby, the little girl standing in the middle looks full of smiles. Family photo with a batik uniform that looks expensive. The little girl seemed to have inherited the beautiful face of her mother.

Laras still remembers Gaby mentioning that her two brothers were in school in the city accompanied by her grandparents.

A moment later, Mbok Nah has been seen guiding Gaby out and into the living room.

Gaby's eyes sparkled as soon as she saw who was looking at her. Although still pale and limp, the wide smile on the little girl's face made anyone would remember her.

" Hello Gaby," cried Laras.

" Gaby's better?" continued Sari.

" yes. Sari and Miss are teachers, Gaby's going to school tomorrow. Tired of just sleeping at home" the little girl sulked.

" Oh, Gaby asked papa mama's permission first, yes" Laras said, softly.

" Jean wants to come in. Want to swing again."

" Gaby was diligent in taking medicine and eating a lot, so that he was healthy quickly" Sari's mother added.

"Yes ....."

The conversation was cheerful. Laughter Sari and Gaby make a typical child atmosphere. Mbok Well sorry to forget to invite the guests to drink mineral water lined up neatly to form a small circle on the guest table.

Half an hour passed, and they finally stopped. Gaby and Mbok Nah drove the guests to the front of the gate. They were still standing by the door until two motorbikes driven by guests passed the fence of the house surrounded by well-kept rose trees.

The next day, Gaby went to school. Sent by the father and his driver.

The children immediately shrouded as soon as the little girl while descending from the black Jeep. They look happy because Gaby has recovered and can play together again.

" Teacher's mother, Gaby's nose is out of blood!" Kemal tergopoh - goopoh towards the teacher's room at rest.

Ms. Nur immediately went to the courtyard. He immediately approached Gaby who was crying on a long bench made of wood near the side hall.

" Come, the kids step aside first. I want to see Gaby" said Bu Nur patiently.

Four friends who were huddled in front of the girl pulled over.

Bu Nur, immediately asked Sari to tell Bu Laras to

bring the medicine box to their place. Ibu Laras was still in class checking the results of origami class Tk A.

Soon the teacher saw Gaby's condition. The little girl was calmed down and asked to sit up straight. Bu Nur took a cotton swab to stop the blood and gently blew Gaby's nose. The blood stopped. The girl's crying was over. Bu Nur wiped with tissue slowly the rest of the blood droplets. While Bu Laras prepare a cold compress and immediately put it on the neck and nape. After a bit of calm, Gaby was asked to take a deep breath. Bu Nur gave an example and joined in doing the movement repeatedly.

The little girl was then guided to the teacher's room. Only Sari, given permission to accompany. Another child was asked to continue playing in the yard again.

Until the entrance bell rang, Gaby was still in the teacher's room. Looks like it's getting better. His face was still a little pale, but his nose had come to a complete halt. He flipped through the children's magazine neatly lined up on the table. Chat with Sari. While Bu Laras took a moment to go to class to give the children's duties. This time connecting many points in the form of large flowers and two leaves are then colored. Mr. Yus was asked to supervise the class, when Bu Laras returned to the teacher's room.

" Gaby, drink this warm water first, yes," said Laras, after taking a cup of water from a dispenser in a corner of the room.

" Thank you, Mom."

" Said Gaby, her head hurts," Sari looked at her teacher's mother.

"Yes?"

Laras holds Gaby's forehead. Little fever.

" Sari please take care of Gaby first huh. I'm going to see Nur's mom."

" Good, Mom....."

Laras immediately discusses Gaby's condition with her senior. The two teachers agreed to call Gaby, informing her of her condition. They hoped that his father would pick up the princess. There's no answer. It's office hours. Probably still busy. Then Laras' phone sent a similar message. Still no response.

" Let's go, madam. Let Gaby rest in the teacher's room. We monitor his condition. Good luck."

" Okay, Miss Nur."

Ms. Baras returned to the teacher's room. Gaby falls asleep in Sari's lap. The little girl's forehead. It's not as hot as it was. This time Laras picked up a small pillow available on the bookshelf to support Gaby's head. Sari moved from a long bench to a small chair beside her.

" Sari, let Gaby rest first. Accompanied, yes. I went back to class for a moment. Sari can see this magazine.'

" Yes, Master....."

Until the school hours are over and the kids have all gone home, Gaby is still asleep.

At that time only Bu Nur, Laras and Pak Yus who had finished clean - clean.

" Mommy, if Gaby's dad hasn't been able to reach her, am I going to their house? Coincidentally, their domestic assistant is my neighbor" said Mr. Yus.

" How, Mom?" Laras asks Bu Nur, the headmaster.

" Let's call Mr. Himawan again, first."

" Okay, Mom."

Baras went back to tap Papa Gaby's phone number. There was no response. So did the message, not yet deliv.

" I'll call his office number right now."

Ms. Nur, get her phone out immediately. Search for the number. A woman soon heard me answer. Receptionist headquarters in the factory. He reported that Mr. Himawan, GM RD went to the city with Mr. Dirut. There was an important meeting with the commissioner from Jakarta. The distance of the provincial city with a garden area is two hours by road.

" Well, it looks like Mr. Yus has to go to Gaby's house to tell her. Later after arriving there, please call us yes," Bu Nur's message as he gave his duck motorcycle keys to borrow Mr. Yus.

" Okay, Mom."

" Mad Laras, later we have to ask for at least two contact numbers for each child, in anticipation of this situation.

" Right, Ma'am.''

After the death of Mr. Yus, Laras and Bu Nur examined the children's lessons today. Giving an asterisk in each child's assessment book for each type of lesson. Continue by preparing teaching and learning materials for tomorrow.

Twenty minutes later Bu Nur's cell phone rang. Mr. Yus reported that Gaby's mother was not at home, he was going to the nearest supermarket an hour away from their house. The man also gave Gaby's mother's mobile number to the teacher's mother.

Soon Bu Nur contacted the mother. There was a panicked voice across there. Mama Gaby said she would contact her doctor and ask him to go to school immediately. While he will follow.

Gaby woke up from her sleep. Calling her papa, like delirious. Baras tried to calm her down and hugged her.

Bu Nur approached immediately. Cold sweat appeared on the little girl's forehead. Baras fingered Gaby's forehead.

Heat.

" How is this, Ma'am ?" asked Laras anxiously.

Bu Nur joined in on the little girl's forehead." Hem, it was very hot. We wait, the doctor will be here."

The barrel took the tissue from the top of the bookshelf then immediately wiped the sweat off Gaby's forehead and neck. Opened some buttons top uniform. Bu Nur asks Laras to give Gaby water. Compress a small towel moistened with neutral temperature water prepared Bu Nur.

Half an hour later a puskesmas ambulance stopped in front of the school gate.