HEY JUN

31 - POV JUNA

Pare, a sub-district in Kediri Regency - East Java, is now my home. I've been living here for a month leaving the salt island, my birthplace. I had to evacuate to Pare at Mas Haris' request.

Pare is more famous as the English village. No wonder if Pare got such a nickname because when I set my feet here, my two neutrals were immediately treated to a row of buildings that served as English courses.

I could see how a bunch of kids were walking around with hands holding oxford dictionaries. They walk while memorizing English vocabulary that may be the task of the course teacher.

I was amazed when I met some small food vendors who were also fluent in English. Maybe because they listen to the international language every day so that without them knowing the tongue is fluent without sharpening.

A month ago. After the barrage of bitter events that I received, I obeyed Mas Haris' willingness to seclude myself here. Heavy, but I have to go.

Armed with the money from the sale of motorcycles plus the gift of Mas Haris and Mbak Ines, I started a new life in this place. Occupy the house of the father's legacy that has not been taken care of for years. I also manage the paddy fields of the Father. Although finally gave up and let the rice field was done by Uncle Mudani's men.

I'm trying to apply to be a teacher here. However, it turns out that here does not accept sports teachers like me. There is only an English teacher vacancy that I cannot possibly apply for because it is my ability in this field that is empty to leap.

With Uncle Mudani's help anyway, I can work in one of the freight forwarding services. I bought a used motorcycle from the proceeds of borrowing money from Uncle Mudani.

Mas Haris and Mbak Ines take care of the sale of land that used to be occupied by my house. If the house hadn't been burned, I wouldn't have sold Mom's treasure. Mas Haris insisted on closing the book completely. The land was sold so that I would not remember the bitterness of the life I had in that place. With a heavy heart, again I obey the will of Mas Haris.

And here I am now, delivering packages of orders to people who shop at online shopping sites. Morning to night, that's my working hour. Break down the streets every day, delivering dozens of packages to customers.

Pleased? Sure was! Because this job is more similar to a sightseeing event. Every day I would walk down different streets, delivering packages to various addresses in this subdistrict. I am so grateful that God is still kind to me to provide a source of living to connect my life. Although it doesn't fit my background as a teacher. But I really enjoyed it.

Like today, I was in charge of delivering a package of ordered books from one of the course institutions in Pare. MAHESA, as soon as I read the name of the institution listed in the receiving column. I rushed to where the institution was. Far enough from my expedition. But I don't mind at all.

Exactly forty-five minutes after I plugged the gas from my expedition, I arrived at the address. A two-story building, with a spacious courtyard standing upright in front of me. I could see a horde of children sitting in a circle in the courtyard. They tested each other's English vocabulary memorization skills while occasionally laughing cheerfully.

Ah.. seeing them makes me miss my students at Scholar High School. Suhri, my student who is always crowded when I teach. Wardah who was always the subject of ridicule from his friends and Fira, the schoolgirl who always delivered Bu Udin pecel to me.

Longs. I really miss them. How are they doing now? Do they still remember me? What are they doing now? at this hour, the kids are learning.

I hurried to pick up the stack of books the owner of this agency ordered. Mr. Edo Dwi Atmojo, that's the name on the receiving column. I immediately took and brought the books to be delivered to Mr. Edo. However, my steps came to a halt when I saw a middle-aged mother walking hastily with a girl.

I watched the girl who was following the mother lazily. The girl was wearing a double pajama shirt with a jacket. I was stunned to see the girl's appearance. His face reminds me of Atha. Beautiful face, clean without polish, black hair and of course the attitude of indifference.

I slowly followed in my mother's footsteps. I can see the mother coming in without excuse. Maybe the people there already knew the mother.

"Where are you going, Mas?" asking someone made me finally wake up from my daydream.

Damnit damnit! I cursed myself. I can walk while daydreaming following the two strangers. In working hours again.

"Mas, how come you're daydreaming?" ask the guy again.

"Eh, sorry! I'm delivering a package, sir. This is on behalf of Mr. Edo Dwi Atmojo" I replied politely.

"Oh... for Mr. Edo? Let me take it. Mr. Edo has his family" replied the man.

...family? Surely the mother was Mr. Edo's wife while the girl was likely his son, I murmured inwardly.

"This package is COD payment, sir" I said again.

"Huh? COD? Usually Mr. Edo always pay in advance, sir."

"I don't know, sir. But this is COD's writing."

The person then checks the invoice stuck in front.

"Sorry, yes, sir. Looks like this order is a new kid. Mr. Edo never use COD payment system, must always be transferred. Do you mind if you wait? Mr. Edo has his family. I am sorry to bother him" said the father.

"Mama just go home. Let Kiara be here. I'll put Kiara in Mr.'s class. Ryan. It just so happens Mr. Ryan's holding a speaking class."

I could hear Mr. Edo's conversation with his family because Mr. Edo's door wasn't closed. Eavesdropping, that's what I'm doing right now. From their chatter, I suspect that the girl's name is Kiara. A beautiful name like her.

I was still waiting outside until I finally saw the mother coming out of Mr. Edo's room with a sparkling face.

"Do you want to go to class now?" ask Mr. Edo.

"No" Kiara's answer that sounded slim made me both shocked and curious.

"What do you want to do here?" ask Mr. Edo again.

"Nothing" Kiara replied again.

"It seems we should get acquainted first"

"No need" cut Kiara quickly.

"Kiara, listen to me..."

"You're not my father!!!" shout Kiara.

I immediately gasped in shock at Kiara's scream. Hmm... What's wrong with them? Why did Kiara say that? Is it possible that Kiara is the son continued Mr. Edo? Ah... Why am I dealing with people's problems? I came here to deliver the package.

"You never dreamt you could be my father. I only have one father and that is Papa Arman. You should never expect to replace Papa Arman. Maybe you can grab Mama's attention and affection but not mine" Kiara said in a high tone.

I saw Kiara coming out of Mr. Edo's room with an annoyed face. He walked eastward, opposite direction when he arrived.

I scrunched my forehead. Heii...why is Kiara walking east? Didn't he and his mother come from the west? Has he forgotten the direction? Did he intentionally want to go somewhere else?.

I was about to rise up after Kiara. However, my steps were stopped by the voice of the man reprimanding me.

"Sorry, who are you?" ask Mr. Edo who is standing behind me from when.

"I'm delivering a package, sir. This is COD's payment system. So I was asked to wait for Mr. Edo" I said.

Mr. Edo scratched his head.

"COD huh? Hmm.. definitely the new boy order. Can I see the invoice?" pinta Pak Edo and I immediately handed it to him.

Mr. Edo told me to go into his room. Don't forget to bring all the packages, too.

"Here's money. Thank you, yes, Mas" said Mr. Edo while handing over some money sheets according to the nominal stated in his invoice.

I received the money and immediately resigned to deliver the other packages. I immediately drove my bike to the next address. My motor is slowly walking. I do not dare to advance above 40 km/h because in this place many pedestrians are mostly children.

I kept pushing my bike, passing the street with the names of flowers. Right in the pesawahan area. I saw Kiara standing holding the yellowing grains of rice. The smile on her lips rose and it was so sweet.

I who was fascinated with Kiara immediately stopped the speed of my motorbike. That girl makes me curious. Her behavior is adorable.

Kiara jumps up and down in excitement like an SD kid. He continued to play the rice grains, picking them and blowing them. He looks very excited even though he only plays with rice grain.

Hm... Kiara. If I wasn't in charge of delivering these packages, I'd be playing with you. I can't deny if I miss playing in the fields like that. Light childhood without burden as it is now.

I turned my bike back on and put it back on. These packages must be delivered immediately. I postpone my pleasure to see Kiara and tomorrow it seems like I will look for her again. I hope we meet back here. I already know if you're the owner of MAHESA. So I don't think it's gonna be hard to find you.