JUDITH

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Malang, July 1997

Time passed like as fast as the wind blew. It did not feel that Yudith and his friends had passed the end of the first year of teaching.

On the last day of the third CAWU exam, Andrew, Yudith and the others gathered in the canteen. After today, they would go on vacation to each other's homes, so wouldn't meet for roughly two weeks.

While the others were engrossed in chatting, Ririsma instead slept with her head resting on the table.

"Dith, go home with me to Mas Lius, okay?"

"I don't count. I'm going home on holiday to your house." Fitus protest while sticking softly Andreas' head.

Returning to NTT on a boat, two weeks feels just a waste of time on the trip. Therefore, Fitus and other students who come from outside the island prefer to take a vacation with his friend who is from Java.

"Yes, forgot." Andreas laughs while replying to the Fitus-sticking treatment of his friend's head that is quite rude until the concerned complain.

"I went home with Mr. Heru" Yudith said after sipping a tea box, without giving Andreas attention because his eyes were fixed on the novel he was reading.

The girl is still the same as yesterday, does not talk much, likes to read books, indifferent, and like in her own world.

Grateful the results of the examination showed that Yudith's head was fine. However, he was forced to rest semi-total by Sister Davince, for one week only allowed to go to school, while other activities are prohibited.

And at that time, after the truth was revealed, many friends who used to dislike Yudith so sympathized with him. The rest of the first school year the girl went through with a better situation.

"Now don't forget." Sister Vero leaned her head against Yudith's shoulder. "Ah, two weeks without you must be lonely."

Since Sister Vero is a nun, the schedule of days off to return home to the parents is not the same as for ordinary students. The nuns have special rules, not every time the holidays can go home.

Andreas reached into the back of his uniform, then took off the necklace with a heart that he had been wearing for the past few days.

"Here, I give it back." He placed the necklace on top of the novel that Yudith was reading with the intention of giving the girl a surprise.

Yudith stared pensively, still feeling familiar with the object even though two more years had passed from the moment it disappeared.

"What's that necklace, An?" sister Vero asked and immediately picked up the thing only Yudith was looking at.

"Oeee, why are they being returned. You can make mementos" said Fitus.

Sister Vero opened the pendant of hearts and immediately exclaimed, "Gee! Is this you, Dith? How can it be in Andreas?"

After being silent for quite a while, finally a faint smile fell on Yudith's trembling lips. His teary eyes stared fixedly at Andreas. Yudith was happy beyond measure, but did not know how to express it. The necklace was given by her mother.

The necklace should not have been expensive, but for Yudith and his mother who were in great need, it certainly still felt too expensive.

When Yudith said, I don't have to waste money on things that don't matter.

The mother said she wanted Yudith to look like other children with accessories.

When the necklace was gone, Yudith felt very guilty and even got sick. And now suddenly that very precious thing appeared again. It was as if Yudith was dreaming.

Since it disappeared until now, it has been almost two years and Andreas who found it still keeps it.

"Dith, sorry. I didn't mean to hide--"

"Thank you, An." Yudith's voice trembled and a dot of two tears began to fall, but hurriedly rubbed it. "This canyon ..." he took the necklace from Sister Vero's hand and held it tightly, "it's precious."

For the first time, Andreas felt the gaze of Yudith's eyes very shady and gentle, the smile on his quivering lips was very sincere.

Andreas is very grateful, it turns out his decision to keep the necklace was not wrong and not in vain.

🕳🕳🕳🕳

SMK Mulia Hope ....

Schools are closely connected with social activities. Those who attend here are mostly from underprivileged families who are tempted by the lure of official ties, but there are also a handful of capable families who really want to serve.

Usually, those who come from families can not participate in the official bond program or at least will only take half, unlike those who come because of limited costs.

However, both those who participate in the official bond program and those who do not, they are still special teenagers-sama-sama wants to devote themselves to the fathers who live in the foundation.

During the holidays, as the students enjoy being with their families, the nuns and some senior employees are preoccupied with the new student admission activities, and homeroom teachers must prepare a schedule of practical activities for the students of the second school year SMK.

In the last week of the holiday period, second-grade homeroom teachers and teachers who have been appointed to guide case study practice are holding meetings.

A female teacher handed a book to the principal's sister. "This is a list of the names of the children whose cases will be raised, Sister. To list the names of the students who will handle them is still compiled by Bu Fanny."

"It's over." From the opposite row desk, a female teacher who had been diligent in taking notes, immediately ended her activities and handed the notebook to the principal's sister.

Sister Davince as the supreme leader of the foundation was immediately complacent with two lists of names that must be combined. Sometimes he gave a dot or checklist in both books of the list of names, until finally it came to the name of Yudith.

"Love Yudith the new boy who lives in the Cloud House" he said, staring at the teacher who had handed him a list of students.

"But, Sister. That kid is new so we're not on the list."

"After all, isn't it too much for the quiet Yudith to handle the child, Sister?" One of the male teachers asked in a doubtful tone.

"Even great. I think quiet fellows will be much more able to understand each other. Yudith had to improve her communication and socialization skills. I want the new boy on the list and Yudith will handle."

"But, Sister. Irene the case is not that simple. Is Yudith willing?"

Sister Davince casually said, "Yudith and Irene are special cases. The goal to be achieved is not success to complete. I just wanted to see how Yudith faced Irene. What kind of approach will he use. The short-term goal is that only Yudith can get close to Irene. For long-term goals, let it flow."

The teachers present understood Sister Davince's intentions and finally agreed. Irene is a twelve-year-old teenager who gets a bad, wayward and rebellious predicate, from both parents and those around her.

The parents put Irene into the foundation whose core educators were nuns, with the aim of getting their daughter a moral education and better handling of her attitude.

In his second year, when he returns from vacation, Yudith and his friends will climb a higher level, which they are required to preview the Case Handling subject matter they have received in first grade.

[ARC 1 END. ARC 2 COMING SOON]