Love is Not Finished

Chapter 5: The Final Test

Monday, May 2000.

As usual, every morning you prepare breakfast before taking a shower and then get ready for the office.

The business of delivering to the School is Mama's job, because Mama's office is in line with my school and Zuri. While Papa's office is not too far from our home.

Today I took the first exam of Ebtanas, in 2022 which is now better known as UNBK.

Once in class, I headed straight for the seat based on the exam number that each homeroom teacher had shared before the exam.

*********

The exam began.

"Good kids, today's our first test. All the books and bags are gathered forward on Master's desk, prepare stationery and do not forget to pray before the exam," said the examination supervisor.

"Father hope you have no cooperation and do not rush to answer questions. Well, our exams start with Bismillah" he said.

The examination supervisor opened the sealed matter papers and distributed them one by one on the student table.

As the exam went on, I saw my friends get a change out. I'm curious dong.

I also follow the permit on the grounds of going to the toilet.

As I was about to go in there, seen near the toilet door, many were queuing up and there was even an overt discussion about the answer.

"Hei Zanu, are you here too?" said Ratna who suddenly patted my shoulder.

"Eh, yes.. I wonder why my friends are changing permits out," I replied with a small smile.

"Lho, you don't know? We had a discussion about this, maybe at that time you were not present, so do not know," said Ratna.

"Discussions about what?"

"For those who know the answer and are willing to give an answer, can go to the toilet and write on the wall,"

"Well!!

While inside the toilet, one person wrote the answers on the wall and the other wrote on a palm or small piece of paper.

I was shocked and felt funny because the toilet became crowded like in a market or a place of epic political discussion.

"Don't you see Zanu?" Ratna.

"No, we don't know if the answer is right. You guys were gonna pee, but look at it like this, don't be it" I replied.

"Well, I went to class first, yeah,"

"All right now, I'm going to class, too,"

"Yok.."

Ratna and I walked to the exam site.

I walked into the classroom and just sat down, Tito turned his head towards me.

"Sttt.., shhtt.. Zanu, you've got the answer yet, help dong," Tito said in a whispering voice.

"I don't know Tito, if you want to be in the toilet there is an answer," I replied briefly.

"Trush you to the toilet what?" ask again.

"You need to pee, but the toilet's rame, yeah, it's not,"

"Yes, I'll let you know first,"

"Yes success,"

I continued to answer the exam questions. I thought hard to be able to answer the question from the easiest to the hardest.

"Okay, kids, we've got ten minutes left. Please collect the answer paper for those who have finished. And a double check for those who are almost done" the supervisor said.

I was a little overwhelmed at the last session. I wish there was a miracle the answer could be all right.

********

Krie....!

"Kids, please collect the papers. Exam time is over. Countdown from count to ten. Ten, nine..," said the watchdog, as he arranged the papers slightly scattered on his desk.

"This is the paper sir" I said, handing over the answer paper and then passed from the watchdog.

Huh.., why worry like this, even though I have studied day and night.

I rushed to get my bag and left the class. Seen my friends were busy discussing these things in the classroom hallway.

Some are silent, some are excited to get answers and some are reading books to find the right answers.

"Zan...!"

I turned and saw Ratna approaching me.

"Well, what's wrong, Ratna?" I said while walking.

"Back with us. Uh, how was it, you could answer everything?" ask Ratna.

"No idea, I'm just dizzy. The question came a lot out of what I read while at home. Lots of questions are trapping. Mumet me," I replied.

"Yes, I heard a lot of friends who did not understand the exam question. But, most of them are right because they get answers that are in the toilet,"

"Well, that includes cheating..,"

"Have it, you don't have to think about it. The important thing is that we learn at home. Let's go to the shop first while waiting for an invitation,"

"Toolah..,"

********

We'll walk to the stall outside the school gate. I went straight to the fruit. From a distance it has seen the red color of the watermelon.

Yup, I love watermelon, every time this stall must eat watermelon first. Especially in the hot weather this afternoon, my throat feels relieved if it has been passed by watermelon.

"Zanu, have you seen Dice? Did he come home first?" ratna said while chewing the fried beans.

"Maybe," I answered, eating watermelon.

"Oiya, I got a message from Dice. If Vincent wants to see you after the final exam," Ratna said, looking seriously at me.

"Well!! Really?" my answer was shocked. Good thing the watermelon in my hand didn't fall.

"Yes, there seems to be something she wants to say to you. Soon we will finish school and each of us will search everywhere. Maybe Vincent will come back with you, before you go to college, hi.hi.hi." replied Ratna giggling as she picked up some ice and hotcakes again.

"Wow, if I meet him, I'm afraid and wrong, because I broke up with him. It doesn't feel good to my heart," I complained with a sigh.

*********

#flashback

Recalling that time, he picked me up at home on his race bike.

I was surprised, because suddenly he appeared in front of the house and said he wanted to take me somewhere.

"Zanu, come with me for a second. I want to show you something, a surprise. I've never taken another girl to that place, except you Zanu" Vincent said expectantly.

"Where are you going?" curious answers.

"If I tell you now, it's no surprise that his name is" Vincent replied as he continued to look at me.

"Hhmm. Guaranteed safe place, I'm not in anything, right?"

"Yes, I'm not, what am I,"

I ran a little into the house. I'm allowed Mama but on condition that it's only an hour and don't wander anywhere after. Must be able to take care of yourself, if there is anything should run and shout.

Duh Mama, the advice could be long and wide if I don't I stop immediately.

I have memorized all the advice of Mama, because almost every day the contents are so continuous.

Finally me and Vincent went. Along the way we just kept quiet and once in a while Vincent looked back to see me.

Vincent's motor then stopped in the courtyard of one house, which I thought was a very nice and big house. I think this is Vincent's friend's house.

"Well down, we'll just go right in" Vincent said, pulling my hand.

"Whose house is this and what are we doing here?" many wonder.

"Later you will also know Zanu, yuk," replied Vincent and then opened the front door of the house.

I come in and sit down. I saw Vincent go straight into another room and suddenly appear with a woman. Then followed by a little girl.

"Zanu, meet my brother and sister" said Vincent with a smile.

I'm shocked! My heart was beating fast. Vincent and I were just a couple of anniversaries, but too soon he took me home and introduced his family.

"Eh.., brother, I'm Zanu," I said as I thrust my hand at his brother Vincent.

"Ohhh, this is Zanu ya.., pantesan Vincent bring it here. Never had Vincent brought his girl here, new Zanu," said his brother smiled sumringah.

I blushed to hear brother Vincent's explanation. I saw his sister smiling happily and immediately sitting next to me.

"Hi Kak Zanu, Big Brother yes.., Brother Vincent said Brother continues you know at home. We all became curious and finally you want to bring Brother here," said his sister while looking at me continue.

"Sister, go inside first, Zanu, do you want to drink cold water, what's hot?" ask brother Vincent.

"It's cold, brother" I replied.

"OK,"

Without me noticing Vincent's missing, there's nothing in this room anymore.

Where's vincent going? Why disappear?

"Sister, does Brother have a sister?" ask his brother Vincent who was watching me.

"There, his name is Zuri. Now it's first grade High School" I replied anxiously seeing Vincent's sister cute and pretty.

"Oo.., must be beautiful as well as Brother well" he said again.

I just gave a small nod and smiled as I pinched the cheek of brother Vincent gently.

Instantly, brother Vincent emerges from the back room carrying a tray of red drinks mixed with ice, apparently syrup.

"Well, this is Brother bring you some cold syrup. At the meal also Zanu cake," said brother Vincent while putting glasses on the table one by one.

I saw on the table there were indeed some jars filled with dried cakes, from earlier I did not realize it.

And suddenly a middle-aged person came out from behind another room. I've guessed that it was Vincent's mother.

Ow hell! I'm starting to deg-degan.

"Mama., this is Vincent's friend Zanu" said brother Vincent looking back when he saw his mother appear.

"Oiya nak Zanu. How's things?" ask Vincent's mother kindly.

"Good Mom,"

I stood up and walked over to Vincent's mother, shook hands and kissed her. I blushed again while bowing my head.

I'm still looking for Vincent, why he left me alone to face all this. This just happened in my life, I'm not used to it.

"Let's drink the water, the cake too. It's my own, let's try it" said Vincent's mother again.

"Yes, ma'am" I replied as I opened the jar containing a snowcake.

"Zanu, I live first, because Mother is cooking in the kitchen. I'm afraid the food is burnt out" said Vincent's mother with a smile.

"Yes, it's okay, ma'am" I replied as I pulled the cake I was about to put in my mouth.

Vincent's mother rushed inside and I stayed with Vincent's brother in the living room.

Suddenly Vincent came in through the front door and sat right next to me.

"How about you know my family, right?" ask Vincent.

I see Vincent smiling triumphantly for letting me be here alone.

"It has. Where the hell were you from? Why am I living alone?" I'm a little upset.

"Oo.e., went to a friend's house, his house across the street. Oiya, it'll take an hour, I'll drive you home, yeah,"

"Okay, but I'm allowed to go home with Mom if I want to,"

Vincent stepped into the kitchen.

I hope it's not too late to get home, I hope.

"Sir Zanu, tomorrow-tomorrow play here again, we have not had time to play you know" said his brother Vincent.

"Yes, God willing Brother is here again. Then just prepare what he wants to play,"

"Good Brother,"

I saw Vincent coming out of the kitchen with his mother. Then I said goodbye to Vincent's mother, brother and sister.

I'm in between till the front porch. Vincent's mother told me to stop by her house. I just said God willing.

On the way home, I saw Vincent's face so happy.

"Zanu, thank you for today" Vincent said later.

I nodded and smiled.

*********

#presenttime

"Dark, Zanu. Oi! Zanuuu...!"

Suddenly I heard a faint sound in my ears. And it turned out to be Ratna who had just called my name.

"Zanu! Why are you quiet, what's wrong?" said Ratna astonished at my attitude this time.

"Eh, I'm sorry Ratna, I'm thinking about Vincent" I replied rather slowly.

"Owalah.., kirain you kambet what, bengongnya really long. Your mother has come to pick you up. Abis, let's just tell you about your Vincent,"

"All right, Ratna, I go home first,"

"Yoi, be careful on the road,"

I hurried to walk to Mama's car, which was stopped by the roadside. Zuri was in the car first.

My house and Ratna are in opposite directions, so can't go home together.

The car drove towards the house.

On the way home, I was quieter. I still remember Vincent and wonder what will happen when we meet.

...****************...