Home For My Soul

5|Size Sustenance

“Heh! What are you doing here!?”

Someone kicked a box of used drinks that I put on the sidewalk. I was preparing to make money through my abilities, but the ugly man called it out instead came to disturb. I was a little bit surprised to see that he was not alone.

“I want to busking. Something wrong?” my question, challenge him.

“One already has this place. Go!” He kicked the cardboard again.

“That first came that got a place,” I said, don't want to lose.

“You want to die?” He pulled out a knife from his pocket, then opened it. I close my lips to see it. Basic coward. How dare to play sharp weapons.

I had to go find somewhere else. Though the sidewalk is quite strategic because it is in an office area. This morning was already crowded with employees walking towards their workplaces. I've reached riding a bike here, even someone feels that's the place.

Finding a good place, I kept my distance from the food cart. Ready with my cardboard and my tools, a young man came and threatened me to leave. The food vendor didn't help, so I relented again.

That day, I was out of time just to find a place. Just happy to get a place and some money, came another person who claimed the place was his. The people who were already swarming heard my game instantly disperse, not giving a dime.

“Where have you been? It was afternoon back. Do you think I bought groceries with toy money??” mama said, scolding me when I came home in the afternoon.

“Sorry, Ma.” I gave money from the canteenkeeper's mother to him. Without saying anything else, I entered the room.

This poor woman doesn't even have a cell phone, tablet, or laptop that I can use to entertain myself. Nowadays, where there are more young people who watch television broadcasts. Uh, that's all they've got as entertainment.

As I felt my eyes heat up, I immediately picked up a book and a pen, then started writing notes for notes of the song I was about to play. There is no point in wasting time with self-regard. I will never go back to being Katelia.

“Lo? You're not in school, son? Why is it even in this place?” greet a lontong seller's mother. I saw the place was deserted. But there are sellers, then there are customers.

“I'm third grade, Mom. Is waiting for the announcement, so no need to go to school anymore.” I smiled thinly. He nodded in understanding. “What this place can I use for busking?”

“Of course. Go ahead. You definitely can not find a place in a more crowded location, yes,” guess. I nodded slowly. “While it seems quiet, my trades are always up. So, you will also definitely get some rupiah today.”

I smiled happily to hear it. I've come home to drop money from the canteen guard's mother, so I've been quiet all day outside. After putting down the cardboard and preparing the musical instrument, I started choosing a song as a warm-up.

“My Heart Will Go On” is the song I have memorized and mastered the most. So I chose it as the first song. The cool morning atmosphere accompanied by the sound of passing vehicles made the friction of my violin bow more and more shahdu. Then an applause surprised me.

“Wah, Son! Nice work! I know that song! Old song. The movie is great too!” praise the mother sincerely while continuing to pat her hands. “You can play here with me. Well, I will definitely get a lot of customers because of you.”

“Hopefully, yes, Mom,” I said expectantly.

“Oh, shit! They came in the morning once!” screeched at the mother while looking down the road. “Come, we're running. Return back after safe.” He pushed my body a little.

“What's up, Mom?” I was confused, but I put my violin in its place.

“That Satpol PP. They'll catch us if we don't escape now!” He ran away, pushing his wagon alone. Oh, dearGod. “Quick, fast! Don't get caught!”

I haven't gotten anything there's been a problem. I ran as hard as I could while carrying the bike as far as possible. Where else am I looking for a place? But I obeyed my mother's words by returning so safe. There are many challenges to making money to survive. First I met the thugs, second Satpol PP.

After the day ended, I didn't get as much as I expected. Let alone five hundred thousand, not one hundred thousand. I almost drowned when I was pedaling my bike home. The family didn't know I had a violin, because I hid it under an unused item in a small warehouse where bicycles were stored.

If they find out, my true identity can be discovered. I have no other place to live, so they are my only hope. Especially after today's income, I'm not sure I'll have enough money to pay for the rental room myself.

“Searching for jobs, Ma,” I replied honestly.

“What job did you look for until that night?” ask Amarylis' sister named Hercules. What a strange name. His body is not as tall as the son of Zeus who is on television.

“Anything that accepts fat girls,” I said accordingly. They also fell silent.

The next day, I experienced the same thing again. Escape from Satpol PP, then return after a safe situation. The money I earned was nothing compared to his tiredness. But I got a free lunch from the lontong seller's mother.

“Your music game is very entertaining. I am not lonely selling here. May your sustenance be waged by God, yes.” He patted my shoulder. I'm so moved to hear that. “Ah, the lontong is up. Do you want to add more?”

“No, Mom. Thank ye. I'm already full.” I rubbed my stomach slowly. He's been very good, so I don't want to be afraid of asking for more.

Since my income had not progressed during those two days, I tried to go to the park on the weekend. It turns out that there are a lot of music players, in addition to food and toy sellers who are ready to sell their goods and services.

I found a place that was still empty, then asked for permission before getting ready. The two merchants did not mind, so I put down the cardboard and prepared my violin. People were exercising, so I chose a song that would boost their spirits.

“Wah, wow! Your game is great!” said the breakfast and coffee man on my right. I smiled at him. “I can feel at home waiting until my trading runs out.”

“I don't even want to go home even though my trading will be up,” said the mother of the gado-gado seller.

People approached their carts, then did not hesitate to throw the money they had into the cardboard I had prepared. One by one people started crowding me and hearing my play while enjoying their breakfast or drinks.

Playing in the park on the weekends turned out to be much more profitable. I earn ten times more than the daily income in that desolate place. The money I get on Sunday is more than Saturday. I can also make my own money!

“That already saw his name, move aside, dong,” said the students from behind me. We all came to school to see the graduation announcement. I came in the morning as usual, but there was more to come than me.

My heart was pounding with worry about not graduating from this High School. Amaryllis is a fool and very slow person, so I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't pass the National Examination. As soon as I found his name, I almost cried happily. Thank goodness!

A heavy burden as if lifted from both shoulders I saw it. Goody. It's a good start. The university won't care about her mediocre grades, as long as I pass the entrance exam later. One by one my problems were solved.

“Wow, Amaryllis.” Three girls blocked my way to the school gate. “I never expected that you would graduate from this school.”

Not bothering with them, I avoided. I walked towards the gate by walking slightly to the left. They won't let me go by shifting and blocking my path. I took a long breath.

“I have to go home. I don't have time to play around like you guys,” I said.

“What did you say? Heh, you can still be free after killing people, don't act so great. We will never forgive your evil deeds!” Chika pushed my shoulder violently.

This woman, I love the heart. Does he think I dare not fight? But I was alone, not strong enough to face the three of them. Moreover, this girl was only her fat body, her strength was zero.

“She said she wanted to go home. You better let him go and find another hobby.” Theo's voice came from behind me. The girl closed her lips and moved away, then I could leave.

I took the time to turn to Theo and thank him. I hurried home and told the news to Amarylis' father and mother. They were ordinary, not enthusiastic at all. Then I understood the reason when we had dinner together.

“Because I passed, I plan to take the state college entrance exam,” I said, conveying my plan.

“You promised not to talk about college anymore,” said mama Amarilis, shaking her head. “Did you forget our deal?”