Dollar Girl

Chapter 75 Future Choices

In April 2013 the third grade students began to be called one by one by their homeroom teacher, that day Ratna finally got a turn to be called. He entered the room and sat right in front of his homeroom teacher, initially asking questions about his family before entering the conversation.

"Have you decided which faculty you would choose?" tanyakanya.

"That's actually me choosing to go on to any faculty, after graduation I plan to find a job"

"Well, if you get a scholarship would you take it or still choose your first option?"

"Let's go, it looks like I'm still going to find a job"

"You're one of the best students I've got, your public speaking is great and you're creative too. I feel it would be a pity if you just jump into society, but back again all the choices are in your hands. I can only say whatever your choice is in the future you will not regret, because it is very important to determine it from now on"

"I understand"

"And the problem of the cost for the exam later and your SPP who is two months late mother has applied for waivers to the principal, and the result is that you are released for all kinds of fees"

"What's? really Ma?" ask Ratna not to believe it.

"Yes, that's why don't embarrass me. You have to graduate with good grades"

"I will definitely try" Ratna said firmly.

"Well give this letter to your father, you can go back to class now"

"Good ma'am, thank you" he replied, carrying the letter.

Of course he was very happy to get help from school, but now he bears a very heavy responsibility. For him who is difficult to understand tutoring lessons from school alone is not enough, so he tried to contact Angga to ask for help.

The time is not much until the national exam is held, lucky Angga would give free tutoring for him. In fact, he also gave free tutoring for others as well, such as repeating the past of his childhood friend and Mita came to Jimy's house to get extra lessons on the weekend.

"You learn faster, almost all the answers are right" Angga said after checking Ratna's book.

"Under mathematics to me physics and chemistry are more difficult, which is why I chose the IPS major" Ratna replied.

"Silver can only teach this lesson, for other IPS lessons such as economics and accounting you have to learn by yourself"

"All right, I understand"

"Ah... I did not expect you will learn quickly, it feels like I was left behind" said Jimy.

Hahaha

"Wrong you, so you have to study harder" said Ratna.

"A stupid person if you try hard will certainly succeed too" said Angga.

"My goal is to graduate with a high grade, so I think I can get a high-paying job" Ratna said.

"Is that why you study so hard?" asked Angga who was answered with a nod.

"What about you guys? what will you do after graduation?"

"If I'm definitely looking for a scholarship, I want to continue to the faculty and become an office employee as usual. If not I will open a tavern like Uncle Hamdani" replied Ardi.

"What about you?" ask Angga to Amus.

"Ah. I have decided to go to college in Bekasi, I have discussed with my parents and we agreed to live together at the mother's house"

"Is that why Grandma left? does Grandma already live there?" ask Ratna.

"Yes, I'll catch up later after graduation"

"That means.... Are you going to leave us?" ask slowly.

Amus was silent looking at all his friends who were waiting for an answer from him, from their eyes there was clearly a curiosity that could not be covered.

"Honey yes, after graduation I will live there with my family" he replied.

"Why are you just saying it now? godammit! what do you think we are?" hardik Jimy's.

"I'm sorry, I don't know when the time is right to tell you"

"Basic! if you don't ask, are you going to go like a thief? without telling us" Jimy scolded.

"To be more precise... Are you going to leave after graduation or after your school farewell?" ask Ratna to make sure.

"I don't know, we'll see" replied Amus quietly.

There was a pain so painful, as if someone had stuck an arrow in his heart. Ratna tried to think clearly, enduring deep sadness.

The news was indeed a big blow to him, without being able to say his heart now he would be left alone without knowing when he would be able to meet again.

Memories that had been formed with Amus made him unable to sleep well, he hoped it was just a joke and Amus remained there with him.

But Amus is not a person who likes to play such jokes, as a friend should he be happy because Amus can live with his family. But I don't think he's ready for that farewell.

"You just got home?" ask Amus that night.

"Yes, finished tutoring I went to the bookstore so just got home"

"You're trying so hard apparently"

"I want to change my financial fate"

"That's it, um.. I have a soda you want?" bargain Amus.

Ratna nodded happily, she followed Amus and entered his house. In addition to soda Amus also served some light snacks to him.

"So rich people are good, yes, you have a lot of good snacks"

"The rich man my parents"

"Whatever you can get what you want easily, by the way, where do you want to work? are you gonna follow in the footsteps of one of your parents?"

"Looks not, actually I want to be a machinist"

"Why machinists?"

"Because it must be fun to take the train every day"

"Silly excuse, but the job's good too"

"What about you?"

"The only place I can go is the factory, if not the supermarket. Which doesn't matter what's important, the salary is enough to pay for my life and dad's"

For a moment they were silent, thinking about a future that was one step away. After graduation they are no longer teenagers but teenagers who are ready to become adults, after this their lives will really change.

Many people who after work are very envious to see High School children, they want to come back again in a time where freedom is something they can get easily. Without the burden of the mind and without the responsibility that is hit on the shoulders.

"So.. shouldn't we have a party before you go?" ask Ratna.

"A good reason to get food" Amus said with a smile.

Ratna smiled and they fell silent again, drifting in each other's minds.

"Amus... I will definitely miss you, what.... I can give you an excuse not to leave?" ratna asked quietly which made Amus doubt the decision he had taken.

* * *

He should have focused on the open book on the table, but the anxiety was too great to ruin his concentration.

"Rabra!" call Rere.

"Huh? what's up?"

"You want to go to UKS? your face looks pale"

"It's okay, I just got less sleep last night"

"Geez, that's not good, we're gonna have a national exam soon so you're gonna have to stay healthy"

"I know" replied Ratna.

He looked back at the book and tried to re-learn, but his mind still could not focus on the lesson.

"Re, actually, I want to ask you for advice" he said slowly.

"What?" ask Rere.

Ratna weighs a little before she decides to tell a story, but the anxiety in her heart is too disturbing and she thinks it will feel better if you say it. This is about the move of Amus whose love statement he has not been able to express, he is afraid he will not meet again with Amus.

"Then tell him" Rere said.

"But..he doesn't like me, so what am I saying it for?"

"Ah you're so confusing, it's for your feelings to not be sorry. It doesn't matter if he rejects you anyway he will leave so you don't have to feel awkward, which is important your heart feels relieved to have spoken" Rere said.

"You're right, well I'll say it later"

"That's better" Rere replied.

After a decision he took he was finally able to refocus on the lesson, in addition to stating the feeling he should focus on was certainly a high score in the national exam later.

Ratna decided to express her feelings after the national exam was over, as her concentration should not be disturbed by anything.

Ratna and Rere split up after les finished, walking Ratna down the sidewalk to find public transport.

The next day when the class president's free hour they had an idea for a farewell event that would be held shortly after graduation, he showed a clothing design that he designed himself.

"I have an idea what if we make a batik uniform for us to wear at a farewell event later, I've made the design so we just determine the motif and color" he explained.

"That's a good idea, it must be nice to wear the same clothes on that special day" said someone.

The others agreed without giving any more advice, so the class president had handed the task of collecting money to Ratna and the issue of shopping for her cloth materials would be taken care of by himself.

One class had agreed and became impatient about what the batik outfit would be like, Ratna was just as enthusiastic because she felt she would have something she could remember later.

Days kept changing and tutoring continued for a month, Ratna really focused on learning without forgetting to maintain health. Even on the weekend he still took free lessons given by Angga, but this week a relative visited so he could not take lessons.

"A long time ago we didn't meet, now you've grown up even going to graduate High School" said the woman.

She was his aunt, the sister of his late mother who escorted Ratna to the bus terminal when she decided to go to Sapardi's house. It was the last time he met his aunt, after that day they never met again until he suddenly visited.

"Well, time does seem to pass quickly" said Sapardi.

"If I can figure out what it's gonna take until aunt comes here?" ask Ratna seriously.

Although she is her aunt but Ratna is less fond of her, it is because she is one of the people who is against the marriage between her mother and father just because her father is poor. Her aunt also contributed to the divorce of her parents and her mother's second marriage to her stepfather.

Actually his aunt was quite good, it's just that she was too calculating and liked to interfere. That was the reason why when his mother died his aunt gave up the responsibility of looking after Ratna to his stepfather, because he did not want to go out of money for the sake of his own nephew because for him to take care of his two children alone was quite troublesome.

"Ah like this. You will soon graduate, meaning you are ready for society. Aunty has plans to open a grocery store, for that aunt needs people to look after and run it"

"Then?" ask Ratna.

"After graduation, you'd better go with your aunt, you'll stay with your aunt so you don't have to spend money on rent"

"What about the pay?"

"For the matter it's actually a business deal with a friend, so this store doesn't belong to an aunt entirely. Actually the salary at the grocery store is small, but you don't have to worry about the problem because aunt's friend is a good person she will definitely meet all your needs" he explained.

Somehow Ratna felt suspicious, as if something was hidden by her aunt.

"Is the aunt's friend still young?" tanyakanya.

"True, he's young and handsome. There are so many girls chasing after him, he is also well established and kind" replied his enthusiastic aunt.

Now that Ratna knew what made her suspicious, her aunt was trying to match her to her friend.

"Good, then he can choose whichever girl he likes" Ratna said.

"Indeed, but he had enough trouble finding a companion. He wants a smart girl to manage money because all the possessions he has he will give to his wife, whoever is chosen is really a lucky woman"

"Then why didn't aunt run for office?"

"What do you mean? why talk to your own aunt like that?"

"I'm sorry, but I've chosen my own future. I have a diploma with a high school graduation, I can work in a better place with a high salary. I will not waste my diploma just to serve people who are not necessarily able to make me happy" Ratna explained.

"Ratna..your future will be assured if you choose a man who is well established, you should hear aunt's advice that you do not regret like your late mother"

"Enough!" ratna shouted annoyed as her late mother was dragged into a sickening chatter.

"If my mother had followed her heart, there would have been no way she would have died in remorse, I was by her side and bore witness to her suffering. Therefore I will not take the wrong step for my future, aunt can go home now that our conversation has ended" Ratna said coldly.

For a moment her aunt stared intently, trying to melt Ratna's hard heart. But the longer he looked into those eyes the more he realized that the girl standing before him was an orphan with a strong determination.