FRIEND OF THE NATION

EPS 53 LIFE IS A CHOICE

EPS 53 LIFE IS A CHOICE

Life is an alternative, faced with many choices. Then know yourself, understand your abilities, love what you have, enjoy what you have to live. And don't ever dream of being someone else you think is more brilliant. Then you will be able to make the best choice of your life.

Melin sat stunned in front of Yu Kimah. He still couldn't believe what he had just heard. His adoptive mother told him to continue school using stall money? It even asked Karsim, the new occupant of Misman's unfamiliar home, to continue school as well. What was her foster mother's heart made of?

“What do you mean mom? I can't do it,” said Melin trying to subtly refuse.

“We have agreed, Erizal and I will help Melin mother's school fees,” said Marlon interrupts.

Yu Kimah shook her head.

“No Marlon. The gold you bring is a trust from your father for your living and education expenses. Remember, to achieve the title of a doctor requires a fee that is not small.”

“I'll also help her mom. Money from Bundo is more than enough if only to finance my school,” Erizal said.

“Mother still disagrees. Do you know how much school costs in Java? Different lo compared to in Papua, Kalimantan and Sumatra.”

“But we will also work mom. We have promised to help each other as brothers,” continued Erizal.

“Yes. And you did it, right?” yu Kimah said with a smile.

Melin, Marlon and Erizal looked at the face of the young woman who did not understand.

“You are already working to keep mom's stalls, even making multiple profits. You are entitled to get some of that profit to help your living expenses,” Yu Kimah explained at length.

“But, mom...” Melin interrupts. “We've been living hitchhiking sleeping and eating at mom's house. It doesn't seem appropriate that we put too much of our hardship on mom.”

“Already,” Yu Kimah cut her words. “Do not refute my words. Take care of the stalls and take care of our homes, move on with your lives. Fight for what your parents hope and ideals.”

Hearing her foster mother's words, the three of them instantly fell silent. Melin's eyes were back in tears. He looked at Yu Kimah's face deeply. In his short life, maybe this is the person who loves him so sincerely besides his father and mother.

“Mother...,” hisses are almost inaudible.

Yu Kimah hugged Melin's body again. She wore that black hair.

“Why is mom so good to us?” whispered Melin again.

“Only you I have now. Only to you can I be sure and believe. Never think of your mother as someone else. What mom has you guys can use it.”

Yu Kimah let go of her embrace. Then looked at the faces of the three adopted children in turn. After that, he gave a message.

“Take a look and continue the struggle of kang Misman. Maybe my husband is not a good person, even dubbed as a criminal by the people out there. But he is still a man who has a soft heart. There are many sides of goodness in him. Maybe only my mother knows. Your foster father always helps people who are abandoned on the streets.”

Yu Kimah cast her gaze far ahead. His eyes did not move, but anyone knew, there was such a deep longing buried there. Yeah, it's been almost two full kang Misman disappeared somewhere. Avoiding the pursuit of law enforcement for what they have done. Their world was indeed black, but still they did not lose the right to enjoy it. Although briefly.

***

In the end they choose their own path according to their ideals. Marlon applied to State High School. The school is quite famous and is a favorite High School in Jogja. He hopes to get into IPA class so he can continue studying medicine.

“My best friend's spirit. You can do it!” shouted Erizal while clenching his hands into the air.

Marlon smiled, nodding his head.

“Thanks yes to your support.”

“You really want to be a designer, Melin?” ask Erizal.

Melin nodded confidently. Then he showed me one of his collection of drawings. The faces of Erizal and Marlon were shocked and stunned to see him.

“How?” ask Melin.

“Wow, how beautiful Melin is. Like clothes of greatness of angels,” said Marlon.

“Betul Melin. It's so amazing. It's your own plan, right?” ask Erizal.

Melin nodded her head.

“Iya. You don't believe it?”

“Hah? Of course I believe. The problem is I didn't think you could draw this good. Like a professional plan,” said Erizal with eyes of amazement.

Melin smiled again. Praised as soon as he felt ashamed. There was a red hue radiating across his perfectly clear face.

“You yourself want to register where Zal?”

Erizal paused for a moment, then took a deep breath.

“According to Bundo's message, I will study at Pondok Pesantren Gontor.”

Melin smiled.

“Why does your face look sad? Spirit Zal.”

“I'm not sad. Just feel reluctant to have to part with you.”

Erizal looked at Melin's face deeply. The face that for a few days has always come in his dreams.

“You're afraid of being away from Marlon?” ask Melin. “You are truly true friends.”

Erizal stammered at Melin's words.

“Eh, oh yes. Maybe because I don't want to be far from Marlon.”

Marlon laughed. His best friend's shoulder slowly.

“Quiet buddy, I will definitely diligently visit you,” he said.

As per Bundo's message, Erizal applied to Pondok Pesantren Gontor Branch in Magelang district to study religion as well as learn other general sciences. She also aspires to become a doctor like Marlon. That's why he chose Gontor because in this place he can also get a diploma equivalent to a High School diploma.

While Karsim entered the private SMP. The distance of the school was close to their home, about five hundred meters. It is a ten minute walk to reach the school. Yu Kimah said, Karsim should not be schooled in a distant place. Afraid to go home straying somewhere.

“Fournya forgetful anyway, so can not go to school far,” ledek Marlon. “Fear of going home you stray everywhere.”

Karsim snatched away, his face looking irritated.

“You are good, leaving and going home from school can take public transportation. While I have to walk,” sungututu.

Seeing Karsim's face, they laughed out loud. Then Melin shifted her seat towards Karsim.

“Already. Don't grieve. I promise you, we'll save. Later if it is enough, the money to buy a bicycle for you to go to school.”

Karsim's eyes immediately sparkled.

“Really? Sister Melin wants to buy me a bike?”

Melin nodded her head.

“Hore!”

Karsim immediately jumped up and ran around in circles in the room. They laughed again with their boisterousness. Haha…