Hi Love Come Back

chapter. 4. Go to Hope

Today is my 19th birthday. Ma has prepared a special meal for dinner. All look delicious and tempting. Although for me anything Ma cooks is always delicious, Ma is my best chef.

This birthday dinner feels very different from previous years. Because one more week I'm going to the City of Hope where I'm going after my dreams.

We gathered at the dinner table. The string of beautiful and sincere prayers from Pa and Ma felt even more heartwarming this time. I saw a clear grain fall from the eye shadow Ma, both eyes Pa also look glazed. While Mey, the funny boy was bowed down.

"Pa.. Thank you for the love, affection, and everything Pa and Ma have given me." I said half sobbing in tears.

Replied by Pa and Ma with nods, warm hugs and kisses at the top of my head.

"Mey, don't be naughty, sweet sister. Help Pa and Ma look after our garden and stay diligent." I hugged my only sister.

This dinner ended with hugs and cries.

***

The morning came, the expected day had arrived. Ma had been busy from this dark morning cooking breakfast and supplies for me on the way.

I checked once again the contents in my big suitcase, just in case someone forgot. Then I looked at myself in front of the mirror. I peeled the powder thinly and I put the tip of my box shirt into my jeans.

After breakfast I say goodbye to Ma and Mey.

"I've always loved Ma and will definitely miss Ma a lot" I said spoiled as I slapped Ma's cheeks right and left.

"Yes darling.. Ma knows that. Stop being spoiled at Aunt Gina's house later. Don't bother him, and help him as much as you can" Ma told me.

"Okay Ma" I replied.

"Mey.remember sister's message, don't be naughty!" I said to Mey as I pinched her nose and then I tucked the top of her head.

"Auw. yes, brother, Mey is not a child anymore. Fine, brother there, may kok kangen same me, because I know for sure if I don'tangenin." Mey replied with a grin.

"Yes, yes" I called later.

In front of the house there are Tom, Mena, and Kela. I hugged them one by one and promised to keep sending the news as much as possible. They drove me to the car that would take me to the city of Hope.

"Sally.." call Tom.

"Yes Tom?" askaku responded to his call.

"Hmm. I. hmm. not so deh" said Tom like to say something.

"Tom you're weird, what do you want to say?" manyaku.

"Hmm. aah, be careful on Sally's road" Tom said later.

"Tom. I thought there was something you wanted to say." I said smile at him and then I hit him in the arm.

Tom just accepted my blow and grimaced a little in pain.

I'll go with Pa and Mr. John who will deliver the produce to the city. Later Pa will take me all the way to Aunt Gina's cousin Pa's house in town. Then he'll come back to my hamlet with Mr. John.

The car started moving. I waved my hands at Ma, Mey, and my three best friends.

"See you all again, I'll miss you!" I said a little screaming.

From the window of my car I stared all the way through my hamlet. There is a sad feeling of separation from my family, my homeland and my friends.

About 15 minutes drive. In front of me I saw a man pedaling a bicycle towards us. Closer he stopped the bike as if waiting for us. It turns out that guy was Dean. Pa asked Mr. John to pull over and stop the car for a bit, and then Pa asked me to go down to see Dean.

"Sally you'd better meet Dean, Pa will be waiting here!" pa's orders to me.

"Good Pa" with a heavy heart I got out of the car and approached Dean.

"Sa.ally.me.." said Dean disconnected then bowed awkwardly.

"Hi Dean, what's wrong?" my many.

Dean was silent..

"If there's nothing to talk about I'll go, see you later." I said.

"Sally wait a minute! There's something I want to ask you" Dean said.

"Dean what's up? and please let go of my hand!" I told him.

"No. I won't let go before you finish answering my question." she replied.

"Well.what do you want to ask?" ask him.

"Have you ever liked me a little? or did I hate me for my treatment of you all this time?" ask Dean.

"Dean. honestly, what you've been doing for three years sucks. But I don't hate you. I liked you once, but only as a friend. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to accept your proposal." I replied.

"Is there a chance for me to be accepted at a later time?" ask Dean again.

"Dean I don't know what will happen in the future, but I can't promise you anything. Please live well and don't keep thinking about it. Please take my hand off!" I answered again, asking him to take my hand off.

"Sally, but I love you.. I want you.." Dean said softly, bowing.

"I'm sorry Dean." I said.

"Please get your hands off Dean! I'll be leaving soon. Kasian Pa and Uncle John waited a long time." I said.

"May I keep waiting for you?" ask again.

"It's your right to wait for me or not. My advice is not Dean. I told you I couldn't promise you anything. Better not waste your time. See you soon Dean." I replied.

With a heavy heart slowly released his hand grip on my hand. I patted him on the shoulder trying to calm Dean down. Because I saw a clear grain begin to fall from his eye peluk. Then I turned around to walk towards the car. The car drove back, and Dean was still looking at our car that kept passing away.

***

Six hours passed, and we finally arrived at Auntie Gina's house. The plan is I'll hitchhike there until I have the money to rent a place to live. Even though Aunt Gina is kind and dear to me, but I am not happy if I continue to trouble Aunt Gina with her family.

After giving me the messages, Pa said goodbye to her, I kissed her on my forehead.

"Be careful on Pa.'s street." I hugged and cheeked Pa.

He answered a nod from Pa.

"Gina, I'm home first, greetings to Geo and Rick my handsome niece." said Pa.

"Be careful on the road, please say my regards to Sally and to Mey" said Aunt Gina

Aunt Gina's house was a little smaller than my house in the hamlet of the Asri Valley. The house has three rooms. One room for Aunt Gina & Uncle Geo, one room for her son Rick, and one more room that is currently given to me.

Uncle Geo works in a steel mill. Aunt Gina met Uncle Geo at the steel mill as a fellow employee.

When Aunt Gina became pregnant she was weak, so she had to stop working from there. Rick, my only cousin, their only child, Aunt Gina should never conceive again because doctors think it would be dangerous given the circumstances.

Rick is 3 years old under me, he's busy preparing for high school.

Every morning after helping Auntie Gina at home. I went walking through one company's application to another company. In the hope that one of those companies will use my services. While still applying for the scholarship program.

***

Until one afternoon, when I had just arrived at Aunt Gina's house..

"Sally take a shower and eat first! Oh right, here's a letter from the mailman to you" Aunt Gina said as she handed me a letter upon seeing my arrival.

"Okay Bi, thank you" I replied as I received the letter.

From the cover read Grande Corp. A tofu Grande Corp. is a large company that has several business fields. The contents of the letter said that I had to come there in 3 days for an interview. How glad my heart is that one stage of the road to my dreams is in sight.

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Thanks for stopping by and reading.

salutations

vatty