Dreams of Devi

New Teaching Year

"Aren't you guys?" ask the father after calculating the money from the sale of vegetables. Me and Rehan compactly shook their heads.

"Lho, why?" ask the Father again.

"Udah is lazy to snack there, sir. You see, the seller is fierce, "attack Rehan who seems to harbor resentment.

"Yes, in another shop. Nih! Make both, yeah."

Rehan seemed happy to welcome the money given by Father. He then pampit towards the Mbak Siti stall which is special to sell various snacks. Naturally, if Rehan felt very happy, the results of his work picking and selling vegetables finally paid off.

"Eh, the water's running out, huh, sir?"

I saw you fooled by an aluminum teapot on the table. As soon as the object was to be poured into the cup, it turned out that there were only a few drops from it. This morning there was still drinking water in the pot. However, I moved the contents into the bottle that was usually taken to the fields.

"Sorry, Sir. Just finished filling a bottle to make it to the field and just forgot not to fill the teapot."

"No papa" replied the father who opened the lid of the teapot and seemed to be about to fill it.

In a hurry I grabbed the teapot in front of the Father. The teapot is usually filled with drinking water that is provided from the stew itself. Well, it can save expenses, on the other hand sometimes there is a distinctive aroma and taste of wood stoves when drinking it.

"Here, sir, if you want a drink" I said as I put the pot back on the table.

"Yes, Nduk. I'm starting school tomorrow, okay?" ask the father while sipping drinking water.

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Rehan's in too?" ask the Father again.

"Yes, sir."

There was no more conversation between me and my father. It often ends up like this, silent! When I was a kid, I didn't think Dad was this quiet. Whether it's just my feelings or it's the way it is, since I was a teenager, I rarely joke with you. Never joke, to be able to talk is difficult to get the topic. Especially when Mom died, I felt lonely at home.

"Mbak .. is there hot water?"

Rehan returned from the stall running. In his right hand were two packs of freshly purchased snacks.

"There's a thermos. That's what, Re?" the snacks Rehan brought seemed foreign to me.

"Mie brew, Ma'am. Yesterday I saw Arka eat this like a really good thing," explained Rehan excited.

"Buy two? which one means something to me?"

Rehan who was preparing a small bowl and spoon looked a little sullen when I asked the question. Just be careful if it's stingy like that.

"Take both, yeah. Sama Mbak Devi," leerai Bapak.

Then he left me with Rehan. The delicious aroma of the noodles smelled when Rehan poured hot water into the bowl. Rehan was still waiting while stirring the food with that curly shape.

"Mister, so ask?" ask Rehan.

"Oh, definitely. Not delicious?" Turtle spoons are available and put one mouthful into the mouth. Delicious too.

"Lho, have you, Ma'am?" rehan asked as I moved from beside him.

"Udah, wash your shoes first. Tomorrow we go to school, you know, Re."

"Yes, Mother. I remember, really."

****

Monday morning was so bright. Warm sunlight broke through the woven bamboo wall. I woke up before dawn to cook, wash, and clean the house. Actually it's not a heavy thing, I'm used to doing it every day even when the holidays are yesterday.

Usually half six I have started to leave because the distance of home and school is quite far. There is a sense of fatigue when every day you have to pedal a bicycle with a distance of almost three kilometers. Complaining is also free. I should be more grateful for being able to feel the education bench.

After traveling a fairly draining distance, I arrived at the school which was still in a deserted condition. In fact, the gate is still unopened but in an unlocked condition.

"Step, Nduk!" shouted Mr. Ghani, the school security guard, from his post.

I was a little surprised, not knowing if there was a Mr. Ghani there.

"Please enter" said Mr. Ghani as he spread his right hand as if welcoming the princess.

"Thank you, sir."

"Together."

I took my bike south where the bike was parked. The school is still completely deserted. Maybe most students are still carried away by the holiday atmosphere, it feels lazy to step foot into school.

I still did not expect, it turns out that now I have eighth grade for even semester. For the new school year, there is usually a rolling class model. My class happens to be a class of excellence and dubbed as a class that contains students with better abilities. Ah, but the truth is not so. My mediocre brain turned out to make me able to survive in that class, even from the seventh grade. It will likely meet some new friends from the regular class later. I hope they don't suck.

I deliberately chose to come early for this time. The goal is none other than to be able to choose a seat at will. The plan was to sit down with Nindi, my best friend since seventh grade. There used to be an agreement between me and Nindi to choose the third bench from the front, and now I get it.

"Assalamualaik."

"Waalaikum salam." I looked up at the owner of the voice.

"Alwi," I murmured slowly. I used to be with Alwi for a Kindergarten, but he didn't seem to recognize me.

"Eh, you're moving out of regular class?" ask pleasantries.

"Yes. You either?"

"No, I'm from seventh grade here" I replied.

"Here is free to choose a bench, right?" Alwi seemed to be rushing towards the back bench.

"Yes, anyway. But usually for guys always told in the front row," I explained.

I smiled as I caught Alwi's disappointed expression. His bag that was originally on the table was taken again, he moved towards the front row table.

"Alwi, do you remember me?" askaku.

"Devi, right? School in SD 02?"

"Yes, I'm Devi. We used to be a TK."

"I don't remember that. I'm when I like to mess around, really." Alwi smiled shyly.

"But I just found out that you also go to school here, the class is superior again" said Alwi again.

"Yes, here, Al. I don't know why I'm in this class, I'm surprised."

"could be. Yeah, Dev, I'm going to the cafeteria first. Hadn't had breakfast yet, or would you like to come along? I'll buy it, deh."

"No, thanks, Al. You go first."

"Oh, okay!"

Today has not been an effective lesson. Only the introduction of several new teachers as well as the creation of the class structure. The first impression for new friends who are transfer students from regular classes is quite good. I don't even know why I like to watch Alwi in my front row. So far, he seems quiet and not as rowdy as other male friends.