Intermissums

Chapter 3

"Ra, here you are," called Mama from outside the room when I felt like I was just a few seconds lying on the bed to relieve fatigue after tutoring.

Lazily, I woke up and left the room, still in a complete uniform of white ash. I met Mama alone in the living room, in front of the television that was showing the Korean drama—mama— favorite movie.

I'm guessing my sisters must have been busy studying in their respective rooms since half an hour ago. It has become a habit, as if in the body of the children Mama stored an alarm that will sound every seven hours that will order us to learn or at least finish pr. That is why outside there is only Mama, while Papa has not reached home because working in Jakarta that takes a longer trip from office to home.

I should have been too. It's just that today I really feel tired because my brain has been forced to think too much in school and in the tutoring place. Therefore, I need a little time to fall asleep and rest the brain.

"Why, Ma?" I asked while sitting on the sofa, next to Mama who was busy with her phone, I don't know what.

"Let's see, Mama got information from your homeroom if there is a registration for 11th and 12th graders to participate in the High School Olympics," Mama gave her phone to me to show me the information.

"You go with me. After all, you already have experience also participated in the math Olympics during SD. Who knows if you win, your achievements can be registered for SNMPTN, right?" mama said excitedly. I could see the twinkling of both eyes of Mama who felt this was an opportunity I should not waste.

"Hara wasn't sure if she could win, Ma," instead of being as excited as Mama, doubts came to me.

"Well why, Ra?" my mother's question kept me quiet.

I can't possibly tell Mama that while I was in High School, I had to try harder to understand the materials taught specifically for IPA interest lessons. Although up to this point, my grade is nothing below the minimum grade, though, just seeing my struggle increase learning hours just to get a score above eighty makes me really not sure I can understand the problems of the Olympics that the level of difficulty is far above the problems that have been so far i get.

"Follow it, huh? The proof of SD you can get to the national level. Remind me of the time you have to go out of town with your friends who also pass the national level? Mama's sure you can if you try," explained Mama who I know is persuading me to come along.

I swallowed spit. The SD years have been years. I don't know if I still have the same abilities as five years ago or not (or even have the same luck as then or not).

However, seeing the hopeful twinkle of Mama made me unable to say a single word in my mind other than yes. Besides, I have to be reckless and add more weight on my shoulders just so that I don't disappoint him again.

*

So, the next day, at recess, I went to the teacher's room to find my homeroom teacher. Half-heartedly, I affirm myself that there is no harm in seeking fortune, hoping that good fortune will come.

If I don't hear wrong, Mama says that the Olympics will be held in February or March, while it's still November. There is still time to learn and prepare.

"Yes spirit, Hara. I hope you can be proud of your school by taking part in this Olympics. Starting next week, you can head to the library to study with a Maths teacher who will help you learn. It's just that it's not Mom, but there are other teachers" said Ms. Tati, my homeroom teacher.

I smiled wryly. Not nothing, many people who immediately hope to me, but not necessarily I can realize or not. Reluctant to say more, I thanked Ms. Tati and permission to return to class.

In class, I sat down and began to think about whether my decision was right or not just before my mind finally came to a halt as soon as I saw the arrival of my three friends. They took a seat right next to me and the rest in front of me.

"Where did you come from, Ra?" ask Nara.

"From the teacher's room," I answered briefly, then decided to eat my provisions that I had not touched.

"Well?" this time the question came from Qia.

Haven't. Not time.

"Gue list of math olympics," I answered while including food as my first feed.

"Well, cool. Spirit," Eris encouraged me. And Nara and Qia afterwards made me feel supported and have positive energy.

"Lo's not coming, Ris?" Nara looked at Eris who made me and Qia were also waiting for her answer. Follow curious.

"Eh? Want it, but do not know still doubt," he replied.

"What do you want to come with? Come along, Ris. At least look for experience," I asked while giving him advice to come along. More precisely so that I am not alone and we can encourage each other.

"It's like economics, anyway. I don't know why everyone learns economics. More excited that. I want to learn more in those subjects."

Me, Nara, and Qia nodded. Yes, even if we're from an IPA kid, it doesn't mean we don't learn IPS and it's different in every IPA class. In my class, we had economics and history lessons. I don't know if other SMA's have the same system or not.

"I think you fit in at IPS, deh, Ris," said Nara, all I know is a joke. Because not only me, everyone will also definitely think that Eris who is smart in IPA is unlikely to feel wrong majors. The proof, he was able to just go through the teaching-learning process. However, once I heard the answer, I was shocked and never imagined the answer at all.

"Emang yes, I guess. I guess when I announce the class, I'll be in the IPS class. As my name is called, I was shocked and even thought maybe it was another Eris or even the teacher was wrongly mentioned. But, it turned out to be, "successful Eris answered making me gawk.

"Seriously?" that voice was Qia's voice. It turned out that I wasn't the only one surprised by Eris' answer. "Lo's pinter, Ris."

Eris laughs. "Where is there? It's just a coincidence, anyway I still like the way it goes to you guys, yeah because I still like not understanding. In fact, in my opinion, the pinter are the three of you."

I almost choked, hurriedly picked up the drinking bottle from inside the bag and gulped it down.

"Everyone has their own intelligence. Don't peg this smart guy from one side. We have the same advantages, right? The reason we make a group is because of that. Complement each other, not become dominant themselves," explained Eris who I never thought had such wise thoughts.

"It's fine, too" said Nara who I replied with a nod for not knowing what to answer.

Then, the rest of our rest time was spent chatting light things, about the busyness of Qia undergoing the organization of OSIS, the Korean drama that Nara was watching, he said, or Eris at home with her four brothers who always make a mess.

"Well, someone's at the math Olympics" one of my friends shouted as soon as the four of us looked at the origin of the sound.

"Excite yes, Hito!" encouraging voices sounded simple.

"Hito also participated in the Olympics in the same field as lu tuh, Ra. There's a friend dong," Qia told me.

Suddenly I don't know if I should be happy or not. I should have been happy because I had a friend when I studied the Olympics in the library, but on the other hand I couldn't control my feelings that started to get uncomfortable, even my mind is back to question whether I did not make the wrong decision.

*