FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 51 CONTINUES SCHOOL

EPS 51 CONTINUES SCHOOL.

Name's Karsim. She was only twelve years old. He just graduated from SD. Both of her parents divorced six months ago. His mother returned to her grandfather's house in the village with her seven-year-old sister. But he has to follow his father. Two months ago, her father married a widow with two children. And his stepmother did not want him to stay with them. Finally, with a heavy heart, his father kicked him out.

“Tega once. What kind of father is he?” furious Marlon.

All speechless. Erizal looked at Melin for a moment. Both of the girl's eyes turned red, yet she tried to hold back her feelings. Then the young man turned his attention to Karsim back.

“So, where have you been sleeping?” ask Erizal.

“I slept on the street sister. But more often in open mosques or prayer rooms. So that in the morning I can still pray and clean myself,” replied Karsim.

Erizal smile. He gently rubbed the little boy's head.

“Great. Your parents will surely regret having wasted a sholeh child like you.”

Seeing his condition, Melin finally invites Karsim to stay with them, inhabiting the headquarters of the Misman Gang. Of course Karsim was happy. Moreover, he was allowed to help Melin and the others work in the food stall. That means he has a place to stay and will not starve again. And today the inhabitants of the house of Misman increased another one to become the emperor of people.

“Thanks to everyone. Kak Melin besides being beautiful is also good,” praise Karsim.

Everyone is laughing.

“Start praising sister Melin nih. There must be a wish,” joked Marlon.

Karsim shook his head.

“I praise him sincerely sister. From inside here,” he said while sticking his right palm on the chest.

“Hehehe....,” all laugh again.

It turned out that Karsim was a jolly and funny boy. He's also very diligent. The days he spent in the stall to help with the kitchen work. He had the task of cleaning the floor and washing the cutlery that had just been used by the buyers. It was just that Melin had to patiently guide him. He seems unfocused and often forgets what Melin ordered.

“Sim buy one kilo sugar to shop front huh?” melin.

“Ya brother,” said Karsim while rising from his seat.

After receiving the money the boy immediately ran to the shop opposite the stall. But soon he returned.

“Kok Cepet really Sim?” ask Melin wonder.

“Eh, anu..kak earlier told me to buy what?” Karsim asked back.

Melin smiled.

“Buy sugar one kilo.”

Karsim immediately turned around and almost ran back when Erizal called him back.

“Sim!”

Karsim stopped his steps and looked at Erizal.

“Try me a test. Sister Melin was telling you to buy what try?”

Karsim looked upset.

“Buy sugar one kilo in the store front!”

Erizal and Marlon laughed.

“Good. Means you listened well to Melin's orders,” said Marlon. “It's leaving soon, even dumbly there.”

“Huu!” Karsim put his mouth out.

Then immediately ran to the store. Shortly after, he returned with a bag of sugar.

“This is sister, sugar,” he told Melin.

The girl received it, then checked the contents of the crackle bag.

“Lho Sim, where's the change? You were carrying a hundred thousand.”

“Mba Melin!” a voice called.

Melin. The shop owner called him from across the street.

“This is the change!” his yell.

Apparently Karsim forgot to ask for change. He just ran away as soon as he got what he bought.

“Oh yes brother, I forgot.”

Karsim immediately ran again to the store accompanied by laughter Erizal and Marlon. Hehehe.

***

The night is late. Except for Karsim, Misman's base is seen not sleeping. They seemed to be engrossed in discussion, immersed in a long conversation. Melin, Erizal and Marlon looked serious. Apparently they were talking about their future, especially the purpose of Marlon and Erizal going from home to continue his school.

“Next week, school registration has started to open,” said Erizal opened the conversation. “As per my promise on bundo, I will enroll in one of SMA.”

“I too. I promised Papa Neles and Mama Perpetua to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I'll come with you Erizal.”

Erizal nodded his head. Then the two looked at Melin. The girl just looked at the faces of her two best friends with questionable gazes.

“School? Do you have money?”

Erizal and Marlon nodded their heads almost in unison.

“Sorry Melin. I went into the room first,” Erizal said.

“I also,” sahut Marlon.

Then they both went into the room. A few moments later they came back out. Erizal carries his shorts while Marlon carries his boots. Then with small scissors, Erizal opened the stitching of the big pants pocket attached to the pants. Two in front and two in back. Then he took out the bags. One bag of five million rupiahs.

“All twenty million. Wow, so many Erizal,” exclaimed Melin in disbelief.

“My mom gave me this money to sign up for High School and fund my life for a year. Of course I have to save enough, until next year I can go back to Padang again,” Erizal said. “And I have to find a part-time job.”

Melin looked at Erizal's face without words.

“If my papa gives me some gold in my shoes. I cannot go back to Papua until I become a doctor,” Marlon said later.

Marlin opened the sole of his shoe with a razor blade. Then took out ten gold grains as big as marbles. The color is so bright it reflects the light of the night light. Making both Melin and Erizal eyes blink because of glare.Both look gasp at the gold grains.

“All this gold is yours Marlon?” ask Melin in disbelief.

Marlon nodded his head.

“What? You're the son of a rich man Marlon!” exciting Erizal.

“Papaku is a chieftain of tribal groups in the Baliem valley. And gold is easily obtained in the land of Papua,” said Marlon. “It's all for my education and living expenses as long as I'm away from home.”

Then Erizal and Marlon turned their attention to Melin. The girl's face suddenly turned sad. He also wants to continue school like them, too bad he has no money. My mom and dad didn't have enough money to pay for school.

“Why do you look sad Melin? Don't you want to continue to High School like us?” ask Erizal.

Melin shook her head.

“Of course I want to go to high school. But that is impossible.”.

“Why?”

“I'm not like you guys. I come from a poor family in the suburbs of Singkawang. My papa doesn't have enough money to send me to Java to finish my education, ” Melin said.

While saying so, Melin's eyes looked teary-eyed.