HIM, MY BEST FRIEND

An unexpected statement

I'm still angry with Harry.

He just wants to say things that shouldn't be said.

This second break I immediately ran to the library. I don't want to see that shitty guy.

Library is empty, as usual.

Only Mr. Asep was always faithful sitting at his desk. While occasionally checking the books and matching them with the data that is on him.

"Sir Asep, ." call me.

"What, Ri?" the answer.

"Well, Harry, I said no, yes" I asked.

"Why?" kepo tanyanya.

"It's the same with him" I replied.

"From the first time you have, too," he said.

That's what you know.

"Yes sir, yes..."

"Yes," he said at last.

"Thank you."

I walked to the other side of this room. The side not visible from the entrance. And start reading.

Not long before the sound of the library door opened and closed again.

There was the voice of Mr. Asep chatting with someone. Harry though? Then the door opened and closed again.

There's no sound. Means not him.

I went back to reading.

My friends rarely go to the library because they think this place is creepy.

But for more than 2 years I've been here, there's nothing strange about this place.

It is natural that this place feels damp and smells bad.

This room has less sunlight.

"Lho, there's you, Ri," a voice rang out from the row of shelves that blocked this room.

I looked at the source of the sound.

"Eh, Father.. I also don't know if there is a Father" I replied with a smile.

Mr. Zein is a 10th grade Math teacher. I used to be taught Mathematics by him when I first entered High School.

"Again what?" tanyakanya.

"Yes, read dong, sir. I'm cooking here" I replied.

Mr. Zein laughed. He walked up to me and sat right in front of me, blocked by the table.

"Read what?" tanyakanya.

I showed you the book I read. A trilogy of novels titled Dahlan Shoes.

He nodded.

Mr. Zein is one of my favorite teachers. Besides Mr. Kardi, Physics teacher and Mr. Iwa, English teacher.

"What else is the father in the porous?" my many.

"So sent to Kep Sek to call Mr. Asep. Kirain has no one. Pak Asep also did not say if there were people," he said.

I'm just smiling.

"Yes, congratulations on the lomba yesterday" he said. "What do you want?"

In addition to teaching in a way that is easy to understand, he is also kind and considerate. Even for a certain moment, he did not hesitate to give a gift. Not just for me but for other accomplished kids.

"That's okay, sir. Thanks," I replied.

"Gapapa said aja. Want chocolate?" bargained for. He knows what my favorite is.

"Don't Sir. Seriously. Don't bother," I really don't want to bother him.

"Ep.. Ri.. Harry again yesterday, huh?" his tanya reminds me of that shitty creature.

"Yes, sir."

"You have a special relationship with him?"

"Ngga, sir. ngga..," I said quickly.

"Oh, thank God," he murmured.

I frowned.

"You got a boyfriend?" ask again.

"Relga."

"Times?"

"Suer, sir," I said as I raised my two fingers to form the letter V.

"Is there anything you like?"

I'm silent. Time has to confide in the same Mr. Zein. Mr. Zein is also well acquainted with Ahmad.

"Where is it?" tanyanya made sure, because I still remain silent.

"What if you say you like me?"

Whats?

I closed the novel I read.

"Father likes you, Rinjani. I like as a man to a woman. Not as a teacher to his students."

I think my neck is choking. My breath almost stopped. And no sound came out of my mouth.

I wanted to run away and hide my face which was suddenly hot. I can tell what my face is like now.

"Mr is kidding. You want to prank me, yes" I accuse him.

"Serious father, Ri. When have you ever been kidding?" his face is completely flat. There's no fucking smile there.

"My father used to spell me in the 10th grade of the first semester. Mr inget? I reached my desk, Father," I really remember the incident.

The events that brought me closer to Mr. Zein.

...

That day after Mathematics, Mr. Zein called me to the office. Since it was an hour of rest, the office was full not only by the teachers but also the students with an interest in certain teachers. Like I am now.

"Please sit down" said Mr. Zein as he walked towards his closet.

"Yes sir, thank you" I said, pulling a chair in front of his desk.

I also sit there sweet.

Mr. Zein sat opposite me at the table.

"Ri, I want to call your parents here" Mr. Zein's words surprised me.

She placed an envelope with letterhead with my school logo. Official letter.

"What's wrong, sir?" I try to be as polite as possible.

"You've been causing trouble, and what are you doing now?" his words began to rise.

I tried to remember what I did until Mr. Zein said so.

I don't think I fought in the school area.

Not malakin and other students.

The nyontek? More unlikely.

So what's?

"Sorry sir, I really don't know what I'm wrong with," I said beginning to look at him defiantly.

"You don't know what your fault is? Oh, so you feel holy then? Never got it wrong?" his words made me angry.

Kugebrag's desk with both hands. I stood up.

"If you can prove me guilty, I will take responsibility for what I did, sir! No need to call my parents!" I made the whole office look at me. But I don't care.

"Yes can not be so, even though your parents should know your behavior in school," said Mr. Zein insisted.

"What right do you have to call my parents? You're just a subject teacher!" my snapping. My tears started to wash my cheeks. Not because I was sad or scared, but because I was angry! So angry!

It feels like I'd jump over this table and pull that neat shirt collar.

Suddenly someone rubbed my shoulder.

I looked back.

Mr. Rifat, my homeroom teacher in class 10-2 smiled while trying to mediate our quarrel.

"What's this about? Kok Pak Zein made my son cry," he said.

"This is Mr. Rifat..," Mr. Zein showed me the envelope on the table. "I want to call Rinjani's parents."

Mr. Rifat looked at the envelope without touching it. Then he laughed.

"Congratulations, Ri." he said, pulling my hand to shake his hand.

I'm confused, don't understand.

"This is an invitation letter to your parents. For the scholarship award, Mr Zein?" asked Mr. Rifat without taking off his hand.

"Yes, sir" said Mr. Zein with a laugh.

I just realized I'm being colonized by Mr. Zein.

I came back crying. This time wept happily.

"To cry again?" ask Mr. Rifat.

"Thank you, sir," still in tears. I kissed his hands unruly.

Mr. Rifat stroked my head gently.

I turned my eyes to Mr. Zein. The man laughed until his dimples were seen on both of his white cheeks.

He stretched out both his hands.

I hit her body and hit the closet.

I kept my crying there.

"I'm sorry, sir," I said softly. Between joy, shame and prestige.

That day Mr. Zein found out that I was an orphan.

And talking about parents is the thing I avoid the most.

He understood and never talked about it again.

Since then we have been close.

...

"But this time you're serious, Ri," he said.

"No sir, I can't. This is impossible" I refused.

"Mother really likes you. Not just like, I love you."