Intermissums

Chapter 7

I love reading and writing.

It started from grade 2 Elementary School, where Mama bought me a book series Little Got a Work purchased in the bazaar that opened at my school.

This book made me love to read. I asked my parents to buy him again. However, Mama then replied that if I want to buy another book, I must get a minimum rating of 10.

Maybe that motivated me to study hard. I never protested when I was playing, and then suddenly Mama came and said that I had to go into the room to study.

And I made it. I made it into the top 10 and my parents bought me some books and it happened in the following semesters.

Then, in 4th grade Elementary, I was intrigued by the desire to write as well. Especially when I found out that the books were written by children my age. I was motivated to try it.

Since I don't have a personal cell phone or a special book, I'd write it on a piece of HVS paper for starters. At first I wrote, I wrote whatever came to my head. Whether to tell the events that I experienced that day, the story of my friendship with my friends, or the experience of going on vacation with my family.

I really wrote it all I wanted. Not considering the correct rules of writing, in the slightest, but I like it so much. I loved the passionate feeling, so exhilarating as I managed to write down what was in my head. I fly, crossing the boundaries of imagination that I cannot describe when there is only me, paper, and a pen.

Writing became my medium. When I can't wait to tell you about something that I've been through and I don't have any friends to talk to, writing is the only way I can express it.

I never told my parents about my new favorite. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I was too preoccupied with the writing process itself to forget to tell my parents.

Until one day, my mother, who wanted to sweep the room, found a collection of HVS papers on my study desk when I was not around. As soon as I returned to the room, Mama asked why these papers were left scattered instead of discarded.

"That's not rubbish. It's all Hara's story, "my sergeant when Mama intends to get her off my desk.

Mom opened the paper. I can see my mom reading it. I thought Mama would be happy because her son could write. He would praise my work, then support me in publishing it and I could make my own money.

In fact, I heard the words of Mama who even until many years after the incident, I still remember it in my head.

"So, just as Mama told me to study, you even wrote? What's the ginian's noulis, Ra?"

I, who was 10 years old, looked down weakly, not daring to look at Mama who now sees me with widened eyes.

"Hara's just a prank. Keep getting addicted" I said in a soft voice.

"Your job is now to learn first, if you write mulu, then there will be forgotten to learn and your value goes down. You should be studying more and more so that your rank can rise, if necessary become rank one."

Mama then crushes the papers into large circles, then sweeps them. I was unable to prevent it because I was at least able to refute anything else. I let the papers into the trash, making it seem meaningless.

From then on, I was determined to write secretly. I write before bed, when my parents are gone, and at times when my parents won't catch me writing.

Unfortunately, I don't have a special closet to store these papers. I've been trying to slip it in my textbook, in my school bag, or in my closet. However, Mama always managed to find it because the business of keeping my room clean is still the responsibility of Mama. And it all came back over and over, I was being rumored, I was told to stop, and everything was the opposite of what I really wanted.

I'm trying to find a defense from Papa. I deliberately put one of my writings on Papa's office desk, but what happened instead Papa told me to just follow the rules of Mama because it was the best.

Then, I gave up. I let myself go back to following Mama's orders. I'm trying to prove that I can be the best. Merely so that afterwards Mama can trust me to do what I like without neglecting my obligations, without lowering my grades like Mama's expectations.

Until I entered Junior High, I got my own phone and my favorite was back. I write in Word every night with less illumination because I'm afraid Mama can catch me again. I don't give a shit. As long as I can get good grades, Mama has no right to scold me anymore.

However, in fact, I even failed the Junior High National Exam. Mama again scolded me, Papa was silent and did not know what to say because after my family-exit others started calling and asking about my UN results. From there, I realized that writing had never been a part of my life.

So, when Mama asked what I wanted to major, I did not dare to say that actually I had thought to choose a major that suits my interests, namely writing. Even if I told him, it wouldn't change anything. My mom would never agree.

So, I spent the night after studying by finding information about the majors that would otherwise catch my attention. I opened science majors, such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and others.

*

The final semester exam is over. I successfully completed my final exam with the utmost effort possible. I hope my grades are good, even if I don't expect to be ranked first. I realized that there are a lot of things that are lacking in certain subjects.

At least, the exam is over and I can increase my sleep hours which has been lacking because it was used to study.

I packed my things, like pencil cases and drinking bottles, and put them in a bag.

I intend to go straight home. I picked up the shoes on the shoe rack and sat on the front bench of the class to tie the shoelaces.

Moments later, suddenly my hair seemed to be pulled by someone and suddenly I screamed.

"Aw!" I looked, it was Kaiva. Ah, I should have expected it. Who else likes to pull hair apart from that guy?

Kaiva then sat down next to me, making me snort. "Lo gapain?"

Instead of answering, he asked another question, "How was the test?"

I raise an eyebrow. "How's what?"

Kaiva rolled her eyes. "Yes, you learned from yesterday. Hows it? Can not? Did jaya jump into that?"

"Your father is this. That's it, anyway."

"That's how the hell? Gua guess what? No trouble, right?" ask again.

I put my shoulders down. "No idea, deh. Don't take any more tests."

Kaiva nodded. "OKAY. Lo go home on what?"

"Ojek online file. Ni wants to pesen," I replied while issuing hp.

"Oh, okay. I'm also."

We also fell silent. There's actually a lot I want to ask him. The reason is always to send me messages and stuff. However, I remembered that Kaiva would not answer correctly as usual, I ended up ordering an ojek online and not for how long, my ojek arrived. I considered whether I should stay with Kaiva or just stand up and leave her. However, as a form of courtesy and because he was my friend, I decided to say goodbye to him

"E-gue first yes. Dateng ojeknya."

He looked at me, then nodded. "OKAY. Careful."

I nodded back anyway. Then I stood up. I saw him waving at me, so I responded with a short wave.

I don't know why every talk to him could be this ugly. Or is it just my feeling?

Or because we are used to chatting on the phone so that chatting directly it feels even different?

I took a deep breath. Everything about Kaiva I could never answer. Everything was so gray that I couldn't speculate anything.

*