Home For My Soul

17|You've Changed

That Saturday morning, I fought my laziness to wake up. My plan won't work if I don't do something with this weight. After wearing trousers, sweatshirts, and sneakers, I went out of the room.

The neighborhood I live in is quite comfortable for jogging. I even saw some people doing the same thing. Someone passed by on a bicycle, so I remembered my intention to buy it. Did I just use my savings?

But given my plan, I immediately locked up my intention. Not having a car is better. Things will go much smoother if I take advantage of Aunt Ruth's offer. Ah, right too. Okay, first, I need to finish this sport.

“Woow!” seruku saw the crowded garden that was meant by the mother on Sunday.

There were many merchants as well as buskers who appeared, but I did not see them elbow each other. People exercise when the sun is already stinging on the skin. Am I going to make a lot of money in this place?

“By, may, please,” said the food vendor when I asked his permission to busking near his merchandise.

“Thank you very much, Sir,” I am happy.

I get ready to take the violin out of the box, and make it a place to put money. I opened with a warm-up song to flex my fingers. People started to arrive when I hadn't started playing seriously.

But I nodded and smiled at them all. Without me expecting it, one by one threw the money into my violin box. I got more and more excited to play song after song with passion, which I occasionally interspersed with silent songs.

Thankfully, this place is far from campus. I'm not sure any student who knows me will visit this place. After all, I've worn my signature hat, so it won't be easy for anyone to recognize me.

“Aduuhhh,” I complained to see water descending from the sky through my bedroom window. “Why is the rain not later tonight?”

The second day was intended for sports, even rain. I'm not crazy yet. If I jog under the rain, I might get sick. The poor cannot be sick, I have to work and study every day. One day of income from teaching can be used to buy five cheap jerseys.

The most detrimental, one day of busking income, I can get almost a million rupiah. If I get sick, I'll lose my biggest income. It should be a favorite for traders and buskers like me. Uniquely, other buskers also did not sirik by driving me from that place. Justjust wonderful.

If it wasn't for me having to go to college, I'd rather busk there every day. Ah, naw. I forgot one thing. I come on Saturdays and Sundays, it's only natural that the park is crowded. Not necessarily the same conditions occur on weekdays and schools.

“Again, Amarylis,” greet Theo near the campus gate.

“What are you standing here for?” I asked, pretending not to like his attitude.

“Keeps you so as not to disturb them. Why do you keep asking, anyway?” he said while walking by my side.

“The problem is, it's been two more weeks that they don't bother me anymore. Why are you still doing this?” ask again.

“Aitsports. The road itself so feels strange since the road to campus together lo,” he admitted.

“Our campus is only a few steps from your motorcycle parking lot,” said circus. Ouch, stupid. Carefully choose the word, Amaryllis.

But he just smiled, calming my heart. It seems he didn't realize I wasn't Amarylis for a moment. I have to be careful, don't let it slip again. The most dangerous are Chika, Rahma, and Nisa. They know exactly how I speak.

The class went well, though I was still sitting in the back row. No one else claimed to have money or lost their wallet. So, I assume it's over. Chika and her two friends are also rarely seen. Only one time I've seen him in the corridor.

They act like we don't know each other. Things I appreciate very much. It's better we never have any business. Only Theo was willing to say hello and walk by my side when we met. I don't care to see envious gazes at the student towards me.

“Why did you eat it so little?” tanyanya, look towards my plate. “Usually you ask to add one more plate.”

“I can't ask to add on. I thought you only traded me once. If I eat a lot, it's called keruk. I still know myself,” I replied, be careful.

Actually, I've committed to a serious diet. I can't just exercise every morning, if my food intake doesn't control it either. There has been no change, the name has only started for a few days. I will not give up until I reach my ideal weight.

“It's a simple stall, not an expensive restaurant. My monthly handle money can still buy you a meal for a whole month,” he said casually.

“Lo really changed, huh?” He was watching me closely. “Gue surprised you can speak English fluently and have no trouble teaching my sister. Lo les where for one year?”

Oh. Mercifully. I was confused as to what to answer the question, but he gave me a way out that I did not expect. Immediately I say about special tutoring for one year unemployed. So, I can pass the public university entrance examination and teach private.

I kept my mouth shut when he asked me about the name of my tutoring or teacher. The less he knows about me, the better. I don't want to be so overwhelmed that he knows I'm not Amarylis. I don't know how close their previous relationship was, so I have to be careful.

“Hai, Amaryllis. Comeon, enter. Matt was waiting at the library,” greet Aunt Ruth who re-entered the room where she usually was.

“Hai, Aunt. Thank you,” reply me politely.

Matt tried to prank me while we were studying without Theo again. Thanks to my sister, I know that old trick. He greeted me in the study room standing up, and invited me to sit down. Suspicious of her sweetness, I sat in her place. Sure enough, he won't sit in my place. So I checked the part of the sofa that turned out to be smeared with paint.

The next day, he stuffed a lizard into my backpack. I only found out when I got to my rented room. It was the most disgusting animal I dared not touch. That bastard Matt I must have retorted, more than I did to Hercules.

Fortunately the animal was just a toy, but its color and shape were similar to the original lizards. I knew it was fake when he didn't move out of my bag. Matt would have died at my hands. But I have to play beautiful, don't lose my job.

“You didn't come home on Christmas and New Year's Day?” asked Aunt Ruth who was surprised I replied that I could teach her son to face the final semester exam.

“Ng, no, Aunt,” I replied with disdain.

“Oh, I understand. You definitely prefer to pay for college than buy a ticket home, huh?” said concerned. “Look, I bought you a round-trip ticket, huh? You must miss with—”

“Aduh, no, Aunt. Not necessary. I better learn to prepare myself for the semester exam.” I immediately rejected his kindness.

“True too. Theo says you're going to take the exam at the end of December. Are you sure you don't want to go home for a while to see your family?” ask again.

“No, Aunt. Just calling through the phone is enough. Mama will also be angry if I was wasteful,” I said, looking for reasons.

“Alright, then. I'll add overtime because you're willing to teach on your day off.” He spoke up immediately to see me open my mouth. “Do not refuse. That's a Christmas present from me.”

How can I be so lucky? Although my life is not easy, dizzy thinking about the rest of the college money that has not been collected, there is always a miracle that gives me a little relief. The extra money from him I did not use, but rather I kept it well.

I have paid tuition for even semester, then must immediately collect money for the gas semester in the middle of next year. Time goes by so fast. Honey, money can't be earned that fast.

“Well, here's a gift for you!” aunt Ruth said she picked up the only big box under their Christmas tree.

“Why do I get a gift, Auntie?” sayangku. I just came, immediately given a gift.

“We all opened our parcels this morning, it's your turn. Come on, quickly open!” urge the kind woman, impatient.

I looked towards Theo and Matt. They were just acting indifferent behind their mama. I went to the nearest sideboard, put the big box on top of it, and opened it. I took a surprised breath seeing the contents. A soft purple dress, a pair of shoes, and a handbag were both white. It is not an ordinary brand, but it is expensive and famous.

“Tante, this—” I said, feeling bad.

“If the dress or shoe is less than the right size, let me know. Later I will change to your size,” said the woman gently. I am so glad to receive that kindness.

Even though the final exam was over, I was asked to come to their house. Not to teach, but to have lunch together on the first day of the new year. Matt was very happy, because his test scores were almost perfect. I'm happy with him.

I came on Tuesday the following week to see the announcement of my academic grades. That is the last day all values should be displayed. So, I did not come before all the grades were ready to be done by all the lecturers who taught us.

“This is impossible,” said someone from behind me in a surprised tone. “The first one always got this perfect value is only Kat.”