LIKE I CAN'T SEE

BAG 2 HE CALLED ME BROTHER

A night's sleep that was more than enough for me has changed into a beautiful morning. I woke up at five in the morning. Not wanting to be late for school. The journey from home to school took almost an hour on foot.

Today is wednesday. There's a JOK schedule in my class. According to the information from the Master in the previous meeting. Today will be held the value of long distance running. Where one by one students will be opposed by pairing.

Actually, I was always worried every time I learned this lesson. Where I've always been stuck with my shoes. To walk alone it feels sick especially if you have to run.

But I always tried to cover up the unrest that lay in me. I don't want my mom to know. Because he will be sad.

Arriving at school. Shortly after, we gathered in the field. The teacher came and began to lead the prayer.

"Well kids, in this meeting we will do long distance running. Listen carefully, you will read each pair that will be your opponent" said Mr. Teacher began the JJOK lesson.

"Jovan paired up with Bagas", suddenly I heard my name called. And I guess I'll pair up with him again.

"Ah is small. Bagas resisted", cried Bagas bragging and many girls who support him.

"Bagas, you can't be arrogant. Prove your skills!", teacher's injury.

It is my turn to move forward. Not every student has had a turn. I steadied my steps. In my heart I pray to God. Because only with his Ridho can I win.

"Hey, you little boy. You must have lost" said Bagas when overtaking my footsteps.

My shoes started to tear one by one. And add to the wider rips. But I don't care about that. I'm increasing my speed.

Repeatedly Bagas wanted to cheat me by putting pebbles in the middle of the road. But I managed to pass without being stepped on.

When he tried to take the thorny twig to the middle of the road, suddenly his leg tripped and he fell. Until I can finally get ahead of him and win this race.

I can't bear to see it. After entering the finish, and Master declared me the winner I went back to Bagas who was still in pain with a blister on his knee.

I gave my hand to help him stand up. Plakk. Instantly his hand slapped my hand.

"No need to be proud to say it. It's all your fault. I'm so fucking" he said, trying to stand up.

"Hey, are you blind. I don't see if I fall. Bantuin oeyyy", he shouted to his gang members.

Before long his friends helped him up and took him to the uks room.

I just sat there silent. What wrong? So that Bagas was so disgusted to receive my hand. But again I strengthened my heart. I can't be fragile. I am a real man. The word true male mother should not be crybaby.

The lesson hours have changed. That running lesson has drained my energy. I haven't had breakfast from home. It is only fitting that my stomach is now rumbling.

I sat behind the library. Trying to treat the pain in my stomach because I'm hungry. Suddenly I was surprised by the sound of a girl crying there.

"Hey, can you help me?" he asked me.

"You mean me?", I'm like a dazed person.

"Yes. Who else? It's just you and me" replied the girl.

"What can I do?", I asked later.

"Buy me some water. Here'smoney. Take it back for you", hand over twenty thousand.

Don't want to stay in the canteen. I'll get my order right away. A lot of the kids in my class saw me. I almost never went to the cafeteria. Boro-boro ngantin, to eat alone is difficult.

"Here's the drinking water" I handed her the orange juice I brought for her.

"Thank you", he said.

I just turned around. Actually, I also want to say thank you to him. Because of him I can eat. But I'm abandoning my intentions. I need to get back to class.

"Hey, wait. What's your name?", cried the girl.

"Jovan", I just answered briefly and soon passed. I'm not arrogant. But I'm scared. Because he looks like a rich kid seen from the brand of shoes that he was wearing earlier.

I don't want to deal with a rich man whose tail just wants to censure me like my other friends. And only this time all my school years here anyone would ask my name other than Mr. Teacher and Mr. Teacher.

Something I did in class. Thank God the lesson has not yet begun. One of Bagas' close friends stood up to me. "Hey, did you know, I just saw him in the cafeteria. Where does he get money from? Don't steal. Hahahaha", the other friend laughed.

I just kept quiet. Serving them just drains my energy. Let them laugh as much as I do not do what he accuses. My homeroom teacher came soon.

"Children, the national exam will be held in two months. Take your time to do extra tutoring" my homeroom teacher said.

Again I was silent thinking. I've been called repeatedly to the administration. And threatened will not be able to take the final exam if it has not paid off the delinquent administration.

The break bell rings. Disperse my reverie. Maybe it's time I got to work harder. To take the exam later.

As usual, I did not go to the cafeteria. Even if I come out I always go to my hiding place, which is behind the perpus. And maybe I'll be there this afternoon.

"Hey, weren't you that kid? Jovan, what's your name?", suddenly the girl came back from behind.

"Yes right" I replied nervously.

"Know me Jessy's fifth grade B" reached out her hand and then I replied.

"Oh yeah, I'm sixth grade B" I said.

"Are you here a lot?" asked Jessy.

"Yes I always come here every break".

"Are you not going to the cafeteria? How about going to the cafeteria with me?", ask Jessy.

"No thanks. I prefer it here", I replied without explaining that I had no money.

"O yes already. I'll accompany you here. Can I call you Brother?", asked Jessy again.

"If you don't mind calling someone like me Big Brother" I replied.

"Why were you crying?", I asked to vent.

Jessy hasn't answered. He looks moody. Then his eyes were like glass. "My mom wanted a divorce" he said later.

"My father cheated on me with my aunt. Every day my parents fight. And ignored me. I'm like a abandoned child. They only met my material needs but never gave me warmth and affection" Jessy lamented.