Lutfi Gilang's

2. Letter from RT

i

That morning in mid-July, as usual, I entered the classroom at exactly 08:00 WIB or around. Still, it makes no difference to when MOS. It wasn't that the lesson hours started that time, it was just that I was a few minutes late and the gate was already closed. I arrived at school at 07:03 WIB.

Well, inevitably I have to hear the scolding of the picket teacher, after that running around the football field while carrying a bag. Try to imagine how it feels.

I didn't mean it, I never even thought about coming late. In addition to missing lessons and getting a lot of points, punishment is one of the most important things that make me really want not to repeat it. Even though I kept late for MOS, and went back to doing it for the next four days.

However, I always try to leave early. But, public transport is not certain to exist, as long as there are often full. Sometimes if it's loose, it doesn't reach my destination to Purwokerto. Moreover, my house to school takes an hour drive.

Waiting for public transport is like waiting for true love. Long time, and never come.

🌹🌹🌹

ii

When I got to class, I sat in my seat on the left-most back. Ignoring the cry of friends who taunt me.

I was surprised by the man sitting by my side. I don't know what his name is, I never saw how his face, for sure, he always sleeps in class and never gets punished, making me jealous.

And, at that time also unconsciously my heart hopes that later there will be a teacher who told him to go forward and work on the matter in front. I'm sure he'll step up and eventually get punished. May this not count as a bad prayer.

But my hope did not materialize until the break bell rang. Feeling annoyed, while getting up, I unconsciously exclaimed softly. “Basic, Sleeping King!”

🌹🌹🌹

iii

Break time. I was going to the cafeteria, but Kelvin, a classmate, Class Leader X-11 asked me to go to the bus for a while because someone wanted to talk about it. So I obeyed him and went with Gyan, the classmate sitting in front of me.

In the library, besides me, Gyan, there is also Kelvin, Arya— Kelvin's sitting friend, and other visitors who are looking for books or discussing something like us.

The thing that was discussed was their desire for me to take the LCC selection class which will be held in two weeks. They said this selection makes sure the most appropriate candidate to join the LCC school next month, and also they get the info from the chairman of OSIS.

I'm not really interested, but as a form of friendship, I continue to respond to it and ask for clarity about what will be issued.

 

When we were talking, someone showed up and said, Excuse me. Kelvin, Arya, and Gyan, know who he is.

The man was named Ateg, short for Ayu Teguh, his full name. He was in class X-5, came to give me a letter, said it was a letter from his Junior High School friend, but did not mention the name of the friend and just passed by.

To my surprise, I read the letter:

“Lutfi, there is a princess-only hostel near here, three blocks to the North from the Great Mosque. Try checking first. —RT.”

I'm getting confused. First, who is the sender; second, why can I know my name; third, why tell the princess-only boarding to me; and lastly, what RT means. Emang it stands for Neighbor Shaman, similar to a pack of RT goods times, or Waiting Room.

I don't know, I don't understand. Only a ridiculous answer appeared in my head, especially about the sender of this RT.

Kelvin asked, wanting to know the contents of the letter, but I said it was just a prank. Next I put it in my pocket, and back to listening to Kelvin who talks a lot about this that I think is very boring.

Since then, I have been unable to concentrate on their conversations. My brain, somehow, for the most part, keeps drifting to RT.

Whatdoes thatmean?

🌹🌹🌹

iv

Thursday, last lesson.

I'm so glad that Mr. Edi, the physics teacher, has randomly assigned students to work on the blackboard. I saw some other friends frightened because today's material is quite confusing, for me of course, because I don't like calculations.

Actually, if there's a division of the major class since X class, I would definitely prefer to enter the language class.

On my left side, a man was still asleep facing the wall. Makes me even more irritated, even though I only dare to glance at him. But, at least at that time, I was in his spirits hoping that Mr. Edi would appoint him to do some exercises.

Seeing that he couldn't work and finally getting punished. Maybe, it's fair enough for me to always be punished just because it's 3 to five minutes late.

One by one the students were appointed, now left the question number five which he said was the most difficult problem because he had to use three formulas to get the last result.

I was shaking, really using one formula I couldn't do.

I see faintly, Mr. Edi's face is pointing to the back side, maybe he is choosing students who are indifferent, or not paying attention, or maybe also considered unable to. I don't know I'm just guessing.

 His finger pointed towards my seat. For a moment the excitement surrounded me, because I thought Mr. Edi chose the man who kept sleeping in class. But all those feelings disappeared immediately after he said: “Yes, you long-haired schoolgirl, who sits in the back row.”

I flinched, looking at the head. Well, the other time I mistakenly thought that Mr. Edi was pointing at me. But he again said: “Yes you, do the last thing.”

Shocked, scared, confused, and upset are mixed up in my feelings. I really did not expect that Mr. Edi and the other teachers ignored the man by my side who had been sleeping all the time.

I got up from my seat, staring at the man annoyed. Then exhaled and stepped fearfully, while my heart rebelled in anger. “Luckily so you're the King of Sleep?!”

Suddenly my steps stopped, and I looked back at him. I realized something. “RT, can also be short for Sleeping King. Did he send that letter?”

“What's up? Come forward.” said Mr. Edi made me shocked.

I took the marker from the teacher's desk, then headed for the blackboard. And stay there until the school bell rings.

 

🌹🌹🌹

v

 

Ow hell! I'm thinking about different ways to deal with it. Just remembering it makes me feel full of burden.

 

In the past, I was almost as young as high school but always entered class around eight. So, in addition to being late, problems about formulas and calculations give more problems for me.

With a heavy heart, at that time I again grabbed a physics book and a ballpoint pen. When I opened it, my phone suddenly rang.

I picked it up, and it looked on Kelvin's screen calling me. “Hallo,”

“Hai. What are you doing again?”

I am really upset to hear the question. Indeed what business does he ask unimportant things in conditions like this? Ah, make BT.

“Sit,”

“Oooh.... Have you heard about it?” tanyakanya.

“But,”

“Aduh, how to go?”

How you say? I don't know why Kelvin called me just for that. At least, as a man should offer help even though he himself can not. But, boro-boro she's lacquered.

“Ga knows, but want me to work.” I answered.

“Oooh.... can?” He's nanya.

“Engga,”

“You want me to help you?”

“How?”

“Yes, don't know anyway. He he he.”

Laugh again. Yes, make me even more so.

“You haven't worked?” I'm trying to fish. Maybe I can get some help.

“I did, tried it, but the results were mostly. Probably wrong,”

I breathed a long breath full of annoyance. I am increasingly uncomfortable with this conversation. “Yes, I want to start.”

“Oooh.... yes, spirit yes?”

“Please, dah.”

Tuuut. Finally the phone disconnected. I felt quite relieved, although there was still another frustration left. So, I got up from my study table and headed towards the living room. Watching TV.

🌹🌹🌹

vi

After the Isya prayer, I met my father who had just sat down and put coffee on the table. Then he greeted him and asked him to help me with physics. But he replied: “Dad ya can not physics. Try Sister search in the package book, there must be an example.”

 

I whined, but he ignored me by constantly flicking his fingers at his kneeling bird.

It really feels very lazy to work on the problem of\-problem calculations, especially physics that so many formulas. But, if I don't do it now, I don't know what will happen to me tomorrow. So, I got the physics package book according to dad, maybe there's an example there.

When I opened some sheets suddenly a piece of paper fell off. Grab it and I'm surprised. The paper contains all the answers to yesterday's problems in full, starting from the description, the reason for using the formula, the processing of the formula, and the description of the final results. Just looking at it, made me understand instantly.

But, I was also astonished, at least who was working on it and putting it in my package book. In fact, Kelvin alone is fairly smart in the class confusion at the last problem.

I read each of his writings carefully, and in addition to the answer there is a sentence there:

“Lutfi, hopefully this can help you. But tomorrow do not be late, if it is late again I will approach you. —RT.”

RT again? Is this the same sender?

 

I got up and grabbed the backpack. Search for previous letters. Then match with the writing on the paper sheet containing the answer to yesterday's problem.

And, again I was surprised after knowing his writing was exactly the same. So, my suspicions are correct, that he's the same sender. RT.

For a moment my brain showed me the man sitting by my side and sleeping all the time.

“What did he send this to? But I don't see him talking about yesterday. Ah, he's definitely not the one. And,”

Repeating the message on the second paper...tomorrow do not be late, if it is late again I will come to you.... “Only! I'll prove I'm not late tomorrow!” I said pissed. Then copy the answer.